"You keep a tripod in your purse?!"

I have a medium-sized purse and I carry a variety of normal Mom-things in it.  Plus one slightly unusual item: 

It's a GorillaPod by Joby.  Perhaps you've seen it?  It's a small, flexible tripod that can stand on or wrap around just about anything.  I LOVE it.

I've had my GorillaPod since 2009....  Valentine's Day, to be exact.  We were on a family cruise and I was very surprised to see that Steve had brought along a gift for me since we had limited packing space.  I was even more surprised when I opened it.  A tripod isn't exactly your typical Valentine's gift, but Steve isn't your typical husband.  He is so supportive of my scrapbooking and has been wonderful about helping me improve my photography.  (Before I met Steve, my skill level was Abysmal and I am proud to be approaching Mediocre now.  One day I aspire to be Adequate.)  Steve knew I'd love the GorillaPod and he was 100% correct.  I use it all the time.  It was the perfect gift.

Here's the first photo I took with my brand-new GorillaPod:

Valentine's Day 2009, on our balcony aboard the Golden Princess

It's not the best photo ever, but we're all in the photo and we didn't have to find someone else to take the photo.  Nor did I have to find a level surface at the perfect height to balance the camera.  The GorillaPod works on any surface, even things like a lampshade, handrail, or chair back. 

Each year, Steve and I celebrate our anniversary in a different local hotel.  For the past three years, we've used the GorillaPod to take a photo of us together on our bed. 

Cindy and Steve, 7th Anniversary, Inn at Benicia Bay

I almost always have my GorillaPod with me.  It came to CHA with me in January.  A minute or so after Amanda and I met Julie for the first time, she suggested a group photo and looked around for someone to take it.  "No need!" I assured her.  I pulled out my GorillaPod and took a quick photo.  Julie asked with a laugh if I was always that prepared.  Answer: Yes!

Amanda, Cindy and Julie, representing Flamingo Scraps, CHA-Winter 2011

Every year my MOMS Club has a year-end banquet.  Usually we ask a waiter to take a group picture, but this year we did not have the best service and there was no waiter to be found at the end of the evening.  I stacked a few take-out boxes, then pulled the GorillaPod out of my purse.  "You keep a tripod in your purse?!" a friend asked.  Of course I do!  

 
MOMS Club of Fairfield W- Vacaville, 2011 Banquet

Steve, Trevor and I spent this past Father's Day Weekend in Bear Valley.  The place was deserted- the ski resort is closed, but there is still 4-6' feet of snow on the ground, so summer sports haven't really started yet.  Fortunately, I didn't need to find someone to take our picture.  I put the GorillaPod onto a crooked stump and got this shot.

June 18, 2011, Bear Valley

We went to Lake Alpine the next day and took another family photo.  This time, all I could find was a tree.  I twisted the GorillaPod to balance on a branch, set the timer, and ran like crazy (through the snow) to take this picture.  I like that you can see the tree in the foreground, though it's almost blocking Trevor.  And I'm standing on a snowdrift that you can't see (I'm actually quite a bit shorter than Steve).  Oh well- still a cool picture!

Father's Day 2011, Lake Alpine

 The GorillaPod has made a big difference in my scrapbooking, as it allows me to get photos I wouldn't otherwise have.  Mine is perfect for my Canon point-and-shoot, but Joby makes them for all sizes of cameras.  They also come in different colors.

Anyone else have a GorillaPod?  Do you love it as much as I do?