Quick update: Finally finally finally bought a camera on Black Friday. Canon Powershot 1200 for $129. I was really proud of my find, in spite of waiting in line for an hour (really not that bad for Black Friday). So I'm back and I am taking pics like crazy all the time, so I'll try to post more often. It's going to be one of my New Year's goals.
Below: a few pics from the last 2 weeks.