How Many Degree's Will I End Up With In the End?

I don't know if any of you recall from my last blog about my considerations of becoming a lifelong student, but the more that I see what college is going to be, it seems more and more of a possibility.

On another note, the idea of blogging is a new concept to the world. I try to write one of these about once or more a week, without any idea as to who is reading this. Possibly no one. Perhaps a few people stumble upon this, and read an article, leaving saying, "humph." I don't really write for anyone in particular, except myself. It opens me up. Relaxes me, and throws my thoughts out into the open for whomever to read.

Each blog is different, as every person is different. The words on this paper, should be in the tone of my voice. My sarcasm finds it's way, and my rebellious nature leaves me little explaining as to why I believe what I believe. I just believe it, and you should too. But, then again, what does a photographer have to say? If anyone stops by, it's probably more for the pictures more than anything else. God knows that if you have a blog, and no pictures, I'm less likely to scan the text. It's not shallow, I'm just a visual type of guy.

Anyways, I'm stressed about school, more the paying for it than the joining of those that mark themselves as full time students. I have bills to pay, but I hope to actually learn in school. I don't want a degree for money, but that I'm hungry. So, I need a better job with more pay and less hours in the hope that God will somehow work his way into directing my life to having a greater effect through education. Pray with me, would'cha?

Learning To Breathe

I finished up my orientation for Boise State today, and one of the sessions that I stepped in on was how to manage the stress in your life now that you're an adult comming back to school; Work, bills, kids (none here), and just life itself. The main idea was this, you cannont change the past, and you cannont control the future. So, how much time do actually spend in the present? We stress over the mistakes in the past, and try to figure out what we have to do for the future.

If time were a percentage, how much in your 24 hour day do you think about things in the past or future. In my day, probably at least 80% is spent thinking of things elsewhere than the here and now.

We then did a breathing exercise. Just breath in, and then out. A full deep breath, which you don't get when you stress, calms you down quite a bit. I ended up staring at the wood floors we were on, and realized how beautiful they were. Beauty is something that can only be enjoyed in the now, and it's vital to life. When eating, do you taste the flavor of the food? Or, are you like me and shove it down quickly to get on to the next thing in your life. I think I get more enjoyment pumping my gas than a meal.

So, the goal is to breathe in, give myself some slack, and see the beauty of the world again. Maybe than I can start enjoying photograhpy on a daily basis again.

Blanco & Negro

These are all shots of 35mm film from my new camera. All of them are with a 50mm, as it's the only lens I own at the moment. Hopefully, and soon, I'll be able to build a decent collection of gear before my next trip to wherever it is I go. I am eager to travel again, though, but a year of school should do me well to serve my time here in Boise.

New photos will be placed on my Flickr site, as I continue to capture more of life.

Currently I'm reading "Three Cups of Tea," about Greg Mortenson building schools in the high regions of Pakistan. It's an extremely interesting book about how he started with a failed K2 climb, and created a system of over 50 schools to educate those of the birth place of the Taliban.

My Lover Has Returned

Ahhh, the romance begins again! I write quickly, and with good news. I was able to snag a camera that came into work, (Idaho Camera), for a mere 245 bones for a body only. It's a steal, considering it sells brand new for around $900. I bought a 50mm 1.8, a nice inexpensive lens and was able to snap off my first roll of B&W film. They turned out beautifully, and I'll be scanning the negatives to place em' online.

My apologize for the lack of writing. I've been settling into my studio apartment, and the job I work has me working some the worst hours to get things done, and for relationships. My Friday is really Sunday, leaving me exhausted to get up to the earlier service for church. I'm not much of a morning person anymore, as I yawn throughout the entire day with a cup of coffee in hand, till come 9pm when I'm wide awake ready to take life on. Yeah, it leaves with later mornings and melancholy nights of writing and reading. I'll try to get back very quickly, though and get to writing once I get some internet at my house.

Much love, and appreciation for the prayers to get my photography back up and running.