My 50 Days has abruptly ended due to way too much real life stuff and logistical problems that made me dread the whole thing. I never want photography to be thought of as drudgery. Ergo, I am on a photo hiatus while I reorient myself to how things are now, which is very very different from how they were a year ago.
You see, one year ago, I was getting ready for my first semester at Metro, which was intended to be a second bachelors in Finance. One year ago, the bank was still sleepy, no one had yet told us we would be sold in the Spring, and I was known to do homework at my desk and/or to run around the bank with my camera, taking pictures of plants, bouquets, and rain drops in the puddles in the parking lot. A year ago, I was living in a crappy apartment and had no clue I would suddenly find myself in a position to buy a condo that next Summer. Life was quiet, and I kept busy, and I was happy.
Fast forward: the bank has sold and doubled in size almost overnight. My job is now like trying to tread water in class four rapids without a life jacket or a helmet - no more homework at my desk, no more macros of paperclips and staple pullers. A guidance counselor told me I had no business getting a second bachelors and dumped me on the MBA program's doorstep, I've completed a semester of graduate school, and barely kept my head above water this summer with an online accounting course while moving into the condo and putting up with the chaotic atmosphere at work. During the move, I was forced to switch from cable internet to DSL through a different provider, the connection has been very spotty - nearly nonexistent for days on end despite their claims that there's nothing wrong - and the customer service about it has been abysmal. In short, I am a massive bundle of stress, and the photo project is the last thing I need to impose upon myself at the moment.
This photo is from several days ago, after a particularly harrowing day at work in which a toner cartridge exploded, a co-worker happened to notice a nail in an irreparable spot on one of my tires, and a small stupid incident sent me into a total meltdown. I stopped at Home Depot after work to find something to make me happy: a pot of red impatiens to put into this fantastic Irish oatmeal can I've been holding onto for the last year for just such a purpose. This was my pick-me-up. I figured the story behind it fit this last entry pretty well.
Right now, my priority outside of work, condo and school is simply to relax. Lately, this consists of walking on the treadmill for 45 minutes with my new iPod Nano (amazing little gadget, that is! I feel so old being so late to catch on to the craze), then soaking in the community jacuzzi and floating lazily around the pool before curling up on the balcony with a book and some 1940's music wafting outside from the satellite. Photography doesn't even enter my thoughts.
I'm quite certain there will be photos here and there, just as there were before. Someday, there will be an adventure and there will be photographs to take and show.
The exhibition is still on for October, and it's going to be the best birthday party I've ever had! But it will not be a 50 Days theme as previously planned. Luckily, I have a fairly large body of work at this point, and therefore have lots to choose from.
Well I, for one, LOVE the oatmeal can planter! And the balcony railing makes an excellent background.
Two - I hope things start getting back to semi-normal for you soon & wish you the BEST of luck with your courses & work.
Third - I want to thank you for starting this thread, it really has made me stop (even more than before) to realize the great things that surround me everyday. I think everyone should have to have a camera & take at least one picture every day to realize what they have in their lives.
Hopefully we'll see more of your pics soon enough when that photography bug bites ya in the butt again!
Well... Congratulations on all you've accomplished, and are set to still do. It's amazing, and I'm in awe. Also, I appreciate what you've given me from bringing this challenge here. I enjoy all your photos and commentary. Thanks again! And Good Luck!
Wow, what a story behind the picture. It sounds like you're taking care of yourself which is more important than photography or a side challenge. Come back when you're ready; I'm sure it won't be long before the photography bug bites you again!
Relax and enjoy the beautiful moments that life brings you. And if you happen to have a camera near and the urge hits you, share some of them with us :)
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