Wow its been a long time... I keep believing life will settle down enough for me to write and post and comment on all the wonderful pictures and journals that have been stacking up here on DA. I am on the back end of all the crazy changes and traveling that began in April. I've had time to edit and post only a few of the pictures I've managed to snap on my recent travels and more will be coming.

As most know, I moved in May to a newer, bigger, better place closer to work so I can fully indulge in being a true workaholic. I'm very happy with the decision as I now have just enough time to myself between jobs and in the morning that I am no longer completely exhausted. The change of venue has done wonders for my mental health and I am actually feeling like being social again which is a fantastic feeling. Now I just have to wait for things to calm down enough to allow me time to do so.

I'd like especially to thank and without whose help during the move I would have been far more stressed and lost. I have to say, Mary kicks some major ass when it comes her big truck with enormous horse trailer driving skills. Six years ago I was coming to terms with the fact that I was actually thinking of moving to Iowa, but if you'd have told me I'd someday move all my possessions in a horse trailer I'd have told you you were crazy. Well here I am and I was thrilled to do it. I can't thank all those who helped me enough, but I'll try. Thank you thank you thank you...

In addition to travels for work, I had the chance in May to go to Disneyworld, one of my favorite places. I'm not afraid to admit that the Magic Kingdom is truly magical for me. It rained every day we were there which was just fine as it thinned out the crowds and helped lessen the heat. I have a few pictures I'll be posting as I have time to go through them. When on family outings one's concern is more to capture the people memories than be artistic but I tried to put some composition and thought behind a few as well.

As much as I love Disneyworld, my favorite part of the trip was when my brother and his wife and I went to Kennedy Space Center. Space Mountain can't hold a candle to the Saturn rocket! It was an absolutely incredible day. The little girl in me was jumping up and down squealing with glee the entire time and the adult me was hardly less excited. We took the tour that brought us as close to the launchpads as civilians can get, a distance at which your organs would explode during a launch if you happened to be there on launch day. I saw the Space Shuttle Endeavour on the launchpad prepping to take components to the International Space Station the following week, and after that we got to see the actual components being prepared by engineers for the journey. Amazing!

Last weekend I had the privilege of being an event photographer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Chesapeake Challenge walk - a 32 mile walk on Maryland's eastern shore to help raise money for research. As you may remember from a desperate post I made several months ago, I was originally going to walk it. When I finally came to terms with the fact that I wasn't going to be prepared, this opportunity opened up. I enjoyed having the chance to scope out the course during the event for the most photogenic locations. I am hoping they will want to use some of my pictures in newsletters and promotional materials, and all the event participants will be able to see themselves having a good time and making a difference. There were other photographers so they have a lot of material to chose from. Even one used would be an honor.

Finally, my work's annual art show was this week and I entered photos in all three categories, B&W, color and digitally enhanced. Because I haven't been very prolific the last year much of what I entered was older but it was nice to have a new venue for display. Two of my pictures won in their categories: "Time to Change" in digitally enhanced and "I Love" in B&W. I'm very happy the people at my company liked my pictures enough to vote for them. "I Love" is an especially meaningful picture to me so I am thrilled it was recognized.



Well, that's about it for the spam from now. I don't necessarily like overwhelming with a long post but given the rarity of updates these days I thought I should just throw it all out there and let whoever wants to wade through my life have at it. Keep up your own wonderful art and posts... I will be catching up with all of it here and there as I have time.

P.S. My mood below should be content, not tired... DA emoticons are not online. Bah.