I have spent most of the morning googling digital SLR cameras.

I want one so bad I can’t stand it. I’m sure my recent obsession has largely stemmed from the amazing photos I see on sites like Dooce and Pioneer Woman that are taken with digital SLRs. My Sony DSC-V1 point-and-shoot’s best pictures pale in comparison to the beauty (expensive) SLRs create.

The really dangerous part is that my accountant estimates I’ll be getting back about $25,000 total on my tax return, since I grossly overpaid my quarterly estimates last year. The reason I overpaid was so I wouldn’t be tempted to spend all that money on things I don’t need (I’ll not mention the iMac upgrade, Tinkerbell painting, or Jack and Sally statuette from last year), and I could take that huge lump and put it toward paying off my current student loans and the leftovers towards my final year at NYU.

But good lord, do I want to spend part of it on a digital SLR.

No, I don’t need one. But I do somehow believe it would have a great positive impact on my life. I don’t know why. See, this is just me trying to justify dropping a wad of cash on something that’s not food.

What’s worse is I have the camera - and lenses - all picked out. Once again, I’m trying to justify it to myself by saying The camera and lenses I picked are WAAAY cheaper than the ones Heather and Ree have! It’s still a lot of money for someone in debt.

• The upcoming Canon Digital Rebel XSI 12MP
• Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens
• Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS standard zoom lens
• Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS telephoto zoom lens

I’ve also looked at some wide angle and macro lenses. But the list alone adds up to a little less than $1900. Of course, I could just get the body and the prime lense for less than $900…

Someone please talk me out of this before the tax check comes in the mail?

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