Photography

Photography is one of those activities that seems to have been around my entire life. My maternal grandfather was an avid photographer and even videographer. He had one of those Super 8 (silent) film cameras that he’d bought to make home movies back in early 60s. Through meticulously curated photos, he chronologically detailed both mine and my sister’s childhood from birth to adolescence. These pre-digital age photo albums are a testament to both his patient nature and his love of family. Looking back, he was definitely my main influence when it comes to photography. Here is a modest example of his work ;)

Both my sets of parents also took photos but it was more a haphazard process than a deliberately organized one. Growing up, I remember asking for cameras as birthday or Christmas gifts on more than one occasion. But... I don’t remember the photos taken with those cameras. I do remember chronicling certain events: ski patrol activities (training, parties, etc.), camping and hiking travels with friends or boyfriend of the day, sporting events, birthday gatherings and such. Of course photos weren’t digital then. 

It was in my late twenties, when I received my first digital camera that I began to shoot in earnest. Then I abruptly stopped taking photos. Perhaps it was one of those things, when “life” becomes consuming and hobbies get in the way. Sometimes you have to stop an activity to realize how much you appreciate it or how much it contributes to said life before going back to it. It was in 2010-2011 that I actively picked it up again. Since then, it’s been a journey in exploring escapes, landscapes, seascapes, bodyscapes, cityscapes, and various other “scapes.” The next phase of my photographic journey begins in two weeks with my first official/formal photography course. 

I am grateful to my grandfather for instilling the love of photography in me. I am also grateful for photography itself. As an art form, it provides me with perspective (pun intended) on both mundane and exceptional subject matters. It has also provided me the opportunity to meet amazingly talented individuals to exchange with, and to create deeply appreciated bonds of friendship. Photography soothes the soul and expands the mind... Just like meditation.

Travels and traveling

I am grateful to my parents – both biological and non-biological – for providing my sister and I with incredible travel experiences from a very young age. We learned so much from traveling: how to observe our surroundings and get a “feel” for a place; how to ask for directions; how to talk to strangers and remain safe; how being polite and a genuine smile can open doors; how experiencing different cultures can make us richer; how to try new foods without wincing; how to appreciate languages and accents; and, most importantly, how to appreciate these experiences which weren’t given to everyone.

The result is that travels and traveling continue to be part of my life. And it doesn’t even need to be far! For me, what makes a trip is the exploring part: taking a drive down a heritage road in the countryside is as much of a travel experience as swimming with dolphins in Mexico or looking out from atop the Empire State Building. It’s about exploring and creating memories.

I am grateful to be able to write this entry as I explore a bit more of St. John’s, NL, and the surrounding areas. Looking forward to the next few days and exploring the Irish Loop, The Rooms, The Haunted Hikes and The Spirit of Newfoundland.

My right foot - I also have a left foot! - overlooking the St. John's Harbour.

When opportunity knocks

Sometimes, opportunity knocks and one of several things happen.

One, you have your head so far up your proverbial arse that you don’t even see the opportunity. Two, you see the opportunity but you are just too afraid to do anything about it. Three, you (tentatively?) make a move to reach for it and the opportunity slips through your fingers like butter on piping hot corn on the cob. And for some opportunities, the timing just isn’t right. Four... You get the idea.

The remedy for having your head up your arse is to get your head out of from said arse. Sounds simple, right? Well, if you’ve been stuck in that... ahem... position for some time it may take a fair amount of... ahem... lubricant to see the light of day again. Effective lubricant options include trusted family and friends who can point out the predicament you happen to be in. Another option is your boss slapping you upside the head see you see the obvious staring you in the face. You can also be the “victim” of hitting a brick wall and having to reassess your... ahem... position.

The remedy for being afraid to seize the day is to get over your fears, those ugly monsters that keep you from spreading your wings and soaring. Fear serves a purpose when you are being chased by an alligator and you need to run for your life. But fears in our modern world are often ill founded and based on unhealthy perceptions and assumptions. Identify your fears, face them and then, feel them. It’s not just a mental exercise; it’s an emotional one too. Keep chasing your dreams, no matter how scared you may be. It’s always a better option that running from your fears.

The remedy for an opportunity slipping away is to realize and accept two things. If you didn’t reach for it, next time, reach for it. It might still slip away but it won’t be because you didn’t bother trying. If you did reach and it slipped away, there was a reason. Whatever that reason, there is a lesson for you to learn. Learn and integrate the lesson and you’ll be on your way.

Then, there is the question of timing.

Chris DeBurgh (I know, Chris DeBurgh... Ha!) sings a song called “Timing is Everything in Life” and he’s definitely on to something there. Most often, timing cannot be controlled. We receive two job offers at the same time and must pick one. Holy mother of! You meet someone amazing when you’ve been dating someone for only a few weeks. What do you do? Agony. Your text message service is on the fritz when a friend invites you to the hottest show in town. You receive the message AFTER the show is over. Damn! 

Timing cannot be controlled and yet, it is sometimes everything in life.

Opportunities have come and gone in many areas of my life, for all the reasons outlined above. And frankly, I’m equally grateful for opportunities I’ve taken advantage of, as the ones that have passed me by. More and more though, I’m overcoming those pesky fears and I’m going after my dreams.