Personally I’m going to miss 2016 a bit. A fairly lucky year for me. Had a lot of things go right. A fairly healthy year for one thing, at least in comparison to 2015. Feeling like I improved in a number of aspects both personally and professionally. I think I made more of an effort to help others. I think I gathered more with friends and family. So it is with some hesitation that I let go of 2016.

But as my best friends have shown me, life is about planning and making new memories all the time. So as I round out this year on vacation I’m doing some planning and hopefully creating some memories that propel me with momentum into 2017. For instance I’m going to propel my behind back to the couch to watch the end of the Maryland bowl game. And then maybe raise some hell with the boys later if we gather for the MNF game.

The rest of the week is full of activities and should leaving me on a running start into the New Year. I’ve also got to do some double time here before shoulder surgery. Not sure how well I’ll be able to type for a few days. And I certainly won’t be shooting much with that heavy Nikon without a tripod. Even with the Vibration Reduction feature I’m not going to be able to hold and shoot even on automatic.

So I do have my lightweight old digital camera. Still a workhorse after 9 years. Can’t believe that. But then I got to thinking. I can still use the heavy one, I just need to be inventive and find steady places to rest it. Think, adapt and overcome. Used to be a hallmark of my normal operation. But I find myself hesitating sometimes now. Afraid or intimidated about learning for some reason and my thinking isn’t as fast as it once was. I’m lacking confidence there I’ve noticed in the last year or two. Kind of started when I had cancer and I was far less motivated in spending time in manuals and got lazy mentally except for thoughts about life.

So there is another thing to work on this coming year. Getting back to moving ahead always, thinking of ways to make it happen, educating myself and overcoming any barrier in front of me.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m no superman, I fail often, but I try. Just like this blog. If I just look over numbers its less than thrilling. But if I scroll back through my pages I’m pleased. And I’m inspired to move forward.

For I never thought I could write things of any interest. I’ve forced myself to try to do some writing with every photo. I could just post photos for years on end without a word. That would be comfortable. Words that come from my heart are usually reserved for family and friends (which some are closer than family). So this is an uncomfortable exercise at times. Will I write something that disappoints people close to me. I’ve probably written many things that are uninteresting, poorly worded or constructed, incomplete thoughts and totally lacking structure. But I hope to improve and that takes practice so thank you for your patience.

You know what would piss me off. I got into this because of my love for photography and how this blog helps me to grow. Watch me turn into a better writer than photographer. And don’t worry, I can handle just about any joke possible so go ahead and throw at will the lack of chance of being successful with either.

So here’s to posting more quality content this coming year.