no guilt by admin

Guiltless

Guiltless

After more than twenty-five years, I finally fell to the advertising pressure. I had a McRib for lunch today and enjoyed it more than I can find words for. Afterwards I spent the afternoon doing some Santa stuff and then treated my MINI to a detailed supreme carwash. With December only two days away, I took full advantage of the 73 degree day with the windows down, the roof open, and the music loud.

As the sun faded, I watched it set over homemade tacos for dinner. Damn, with all of the day's goodness and graces, I feel like I cheated the world. Guiltlessly.

pita is my sunshine by admin

Morning Warmth

Morning Warmth

Pita loves the morning sunlight. It warms her. I'm not so sure she gets it, but she does the exact same thing for me.

Once again my morning was filled with plenty to be thankful for. Pita, Fleetwood Mac's Penguin and Souther Hillman Furay's Trouble in Paradise on vinyl, warm socks, and sunshine are just a few that started my day even before I poured my second cup of coffee.

Pita and I just may have to take a ride in the truck, with the windows down, and drive in the direction of the sun. Bring on the day.

black friday with orange and yellow and red by admin

Autumn Falls

Autumn Falls

I saved ten bucks on a $20 pair of gloves at Southern States this morning. That was my contribution to the economy and my big Black Friday score. They came in mighty handy since I spent eight hours afterwards working in the yard. The homestead grounds are completely winterized and in true Black Friday tradition, all of the fallen leaves have gone away.

Continuing my week of giving thanks, I'm thankful for such a gorgeous 70 degree day in November and my lovely leaf assistant. I'm also thankful for big garden rakes, and a pair of tractors, and wheel barrels, and Hanes white t-shirts, and shorts, and classic rock radio, and my funny dogs who loved the idea of me being outside with them all day long. I'm thankful for my Dad who taught me the importance of not being afraid to work really hard, or sweat, or to get dirt under my fingernails. He was right.

I'm about to be really thankful for a hot, hot shower; a cold O'Douls; and a sofa in front of the TV with a remote control. Oh… and a mexican blanket. I'm ecstatically thankful to have done all of my chores today instead of tomorrow. All of this and I saved ten bucks. Damn!

lyrics and bit parts by admin

Bit Parts

Bit Parts

Layered just above the warm tones of the pedal steel, the lyrics rang out in my head "Nobody gonna take my love away from me". What a perfect grouping of words to live by, especially on this eve of another Thanksgiving.

Over  passing years, I've learned that I'm rarely in control of those things that surround me. I can only be responsible for myself. It sounds far simpler than some days allow. I remember a cold winter night many years ago when I did my best to explain this to my daughter as I tucked her into bed.

“You’ll never know the real love of someone else until you first love yourself.” I turned the light off and kissed her goodnight.

I’m thankful for memories, cold winter nights, and songwriters.

saving measures by admin

Saving Measures

Saving Measures

I’m thankful for those days I spend with people I love. I’m a fortunate man lucky enough to enjoy those sorts of days every day. I’m sure I’m not alone in this, but most of those damn good days are taken for granted far more than they ever deserve to be … especially during those rare not so perfect days.

These words seem like lyrics to a song. Instead, they’re just handwritten scribble on a crumpled paper napkin. My thanksgiving week continues.

days to celebrate by admin

Birthday Fruit

Birthday Fruit

I spent hours today in the middle of birthday dinner preparation. The delicious aromas mixed with an ongoing list of phenomenal tunes spinning on my turntable. Tapping my foot, the best words I could come up with was "Festive, damn it!"

promises of paths by admin

I’ve spent nearly a year posting to this daily blog. It’s been a wonderful learning experience on so many levels. First and foremost, the idea of posting at least one image a day was a dedication and commitment for me to work creatively every single day. It worked. Idle time has never served me very well, though one thing I’ve come to learn from this daily regiment is that I need to include some relaxation time in my life. I struggle with that, but I made a promise to myself that I’d get better at making that time happen. This will certainly be an ongoing work in progress and the verdict is still out.

I’ve become better with my tools too – my cameras, my post production and web design skills, merging social media with marketing, and even viewing the world with my naked eye. I’ve seen places I wouldn’t have normally seen, shaken hands and chatted with some of the realest people I’ve ever met, and surprisingly broke that hell-bent regimented routine of me just to see what I could see, to experience a moment out of my normalcy, and to capture an image I would never have imagined otherwise. I’ve also learned a bit more about myself through the things I’ve seen through my viewfinder; the typed words I’ve put together or deleted to form sentences, paragraphs, and stories; and by walking through my second year of sobriety with a clearer head and open eyes.

It would drive most people crazy, but order, projects, and organization keep me focused. This daily blog thing is nearing the goal I’d originally set for it. One year. Aside from over 15,000 images and a memorable collection of ventured paths from 2011, I’m not sure what becomes of this daily blog thing beyond its January 1, 2012 anniversary. Maybe I’ll celebrate by listening to some of my favorite music, reading a few liner notes, and drawing a large circle in the sand, …but I’m definitely ruling out a scrapbook.

My guess is I’ll come up with something.

adapting with time by admin

snake girl and that guy

snake girl and that guy

I've used an iPad as a consumable device for more than a year. It's great for entertaining me with my music, watching films, staying connected with my numerous email accounts, the office, countless social media interweavings, and the glorious hours of mind-numbingness that only the web or reality TV could provide. I'd convinced myself that this tablet device was perfect… just not perfect for me to produce art with.

I'm marking November 17, 2011, as a day for change, a learning curve, and forward momentum. Today's image was fully edited with my iPad, not by pressing pre-made cookie cutter filters, but with hand-done dodging, burning, masks, adjustments levels, and layers, just like I do on my MacBook Pro.

I won't give up those tools I've used for years, but I may have added another tool to my toolbox today. I also set the time on my new digital watch today. The same one I've been wearing at the wrong time for nearly three weeks. Sometimes it takes me a little while to adapt.