My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Took the bus to the Transit Center on campus. Grabbed a mocha at the coffee shop in the Behavioral Science Building. When they called out my drink they also called out the name of some young lady who order a carmel latte. Her and I were surprised to see a heart on each of our drinks. Showing us some love.
“Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day.” Zen Proverb
Frost is on everything. Temperature gauge on my dashboard says 7 degrees (F). Makes for cold toes. We are expecting similar nighttime lows for the next 5 days. Stay warm!
While enjoying a walk in a different neighborhood I discovered this interesting graffiti then realized it was a small barbershop.
Austin just graduated this past December from Colorado State University with a Fine Arts degree and wants to work as a print maker. We met at one of the coffee shops I frequent where he worked as a barista during college. I was privilege to take a few images of him as he made prints at the lab on campus. Of course this one was taken after the print was made and therefore the happy grin on his face. I think he likes it.
If you’re not familiar with print making here is some info on it from Wikipedia. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints that have an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Each print produced is not considered a “copy” but rather is considered an “original”. This is because typically each print varies to an extent due to variables intrinsic to the printmaking process, and also because the imagery of a print is typically not simply a reproduction of another work but rather is often a unique image designed from the start to be expressed in a particular printmaking technique.
Prints are created by transferring ink from a matrix or through a prepared screen to a sheet of paper or other material. Common types of matrices include: metal plates, usually copper or zinc, or polymer plates for engraving or etching; stone, aluminum, or polymer for lithography; blocks of wood for woodcuts and wood engravings; and linoleum for linocuts.
Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.
Henry Ward Beecher
Life always comes out of death. The present rises from the ashes of the past. The future is always possible for those who are willing to re-create it.
Joan Chittister
I’m just not a photographer who posts 12 of my favorite/popular images of the year. It seems 12 images is too small a number as I enjoyed more than that number. Lightroom shows just over 5,300 images archived for the year. Almost the same number as 2013. Over 50% of my images were taken with the Fujifilm X-E1. My peak shooting months were May and June, signifying I prefer fair weather shooting. But, the year was not just about photography.
Fulltime retirement started in March and life not the same. I’m now on a fixed income, which really is not much different than while I worked. Pay raises are only for the higher ups. I now know how much of my income was spent on the luxuries of life. I worked more for the “extra” spending money than just paying the bills. Spending on unnecessary things is what our culture throws at us on a daily basis. I learned that well. The flying was definitely taking a toll on my body as I have less trouble with my back since I stopped flying.
I travel less now that I’m not flying, staying around home more. Some of that is because I want to stay closer to home and I no longer have someone paying for a hotel room. My street photography is almost entirely focused on Fort Collins. I did make a couple of road trips in the car, taking my time driving rather than hassling with air travel. And, I spend more time in the local nature areas in Fort Collins.
My daughter and two grandchildren moved out in July so I now have my condo to myself again. I no longer need to knock on the door to use my bathroom. That also means I don’t have to close the bathroom door. And, flatulation sounds are again the norm in my kingdom. On a more serious note, I so enjoy the solitude in my life for reading and my prayer/meditation.
I picked up a carving knife and couple gouges, gifts from my dad, and have successfully not cut myself, yet. We will see where this leads me. It supports the quiet and solitude I enjoy.
I made a second Blurb book as a gift to my family for Christmas. I have about 90 images in the book from the over 60,000 images in my archives. I included a few words and thoughts of my own words and added some of my favorites. I’ve also created a portfolio book of black and white portraits. I would like to be able to shoot more portraits over the next few years.
I ate way too much fudge this season and may have to buy bigger pants. 🙂 But, I did that last year. And, my New Years Eve plans: hot apple cider and reading or carving in my recliner. I’m pretty wild, ya know! Enough babbling. My wish is for everyone to have a safe New Years Eve and that the coming year bring you joy, adventure and good health! Happy New Year!