From time to time in reading blogs I follow, I notice people posting about changing directions with their blogs. And by this I mean posting less, will be away for a while, or just dropping the blog all together. It got me thinking about my future in blogging. To me its a tool to get me to learn how to write and inspire me to do more photography. Neither of which are part of my primary job that pays the bills. I see continuing it till I just can’t either physically or mentally. OK, I know a few of you might consider me mentally over the edge already.
I do it for my sanity sometimes. I do it for my family at times. I do it to challenge myself to think and express and share. I do it to learn. I do it to gain confidence. I’m not driven by likes or followers or comments. Even though I do appreciate all of them greatly and thank you for being kind while I’m learning a new craft and art.
I started this blog 3 years and 6 months ago and it seems like yesterday. And what I wrote in my About page at that time is still true today “started to share my creative side (for better or worse) and hope that in time, I can develop this into my next career after my life in the Newspaper Publishing industry comes to an end.” I only hope it looks and reads a bit better now, than it did at the start.
Half Cat
Photo by Mike Hartley
In my teens and twenties, I loved Art. I thought I wanted a career in it but didn’t apply myself or have the confidence needed at the time to try. Plus I ran out of money for community college after a year. I was discouraged by the amount of superior work around me. I wasn’t experienced enough to look for other ways and avenues. I was lazy enough to stop pursuing that path and I regret it in some ways.
Today I let the similar amount of superior work around me inspire me and not intimidate me. So what that I’m starting over 3 decades late. So I’ll prove one of two things in the future. On one hand people might say “wow, think of what he could have done if he started earlier” or “good thing he found a career in newspapers.” And you know what, I’ll be fine with either statement because the journey is all the fun and reward I need.
I’m still taken aback by the sudden passing of a friend. We were born 1 day apart. I enjoyed teasing him about being the old man between us. I’ve touched base with some of his family which I haven’t spoken to in maybe 4 decades. But shared memories have been coming back in big waves. And its fun but it also shows me those moments between BP and I will never be as special because I can no longer share with him and he with me.
So I wrote my children this morning to tell them I love them both so much. And I reminded them you can never say that too much or too often.
I saw a recent All State Insurance report that ranked the worst cities to drive in. Baltimore came in second and DC came in 3rd. The report says Boston finished first. But that is because they didn’t count all the a-holes surrounding the Baltimore and Washington areas that show a complete disregard for others lives. I can’t wait till the days of that rush hour time driving are over.
Anyway its the July 4th weekend. Lots of people on the road. Drive safely please. I’m still thinking of that shotgun mount between the roll bars.
Beware of roosters in traffic. Photo by Mike Hartley
Doesn’t feel like a holiday weekend yet. Hopefully today will change that.
May be time to go underground. The evil empire is growing.
At one time, I thought 4 years was a short time.
This hasn’t even scratched the surface of ugly yet. It seems the train has left the station and there is no stopping it.
