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Alles Gute fur mich

 

This weekend has been a bit out of the norm but in a good way.  First I turned 52 years old, then that same day I was interviewed for my favorite podcast.  Most importantly I got a birthday card from my son.

First I will start with the birthday card.  The cover states OLD PERSON BINGO, with 25 slots and included stickers to fill in what pertains to me.  Some choices are ‘Worried About the Economy’, ‘Have Considered Moving to Florida’, ‘Think Dinner at 4 Sounds Pretty Good’ ‘Still uses Facebook’ and on and on.  I gladly placed a sticker on each one that applied to me and might I say I would have gotten BINGO twice and one away from two others.  The humor of the card was one thing but the message inside from my son was special to me.  We do not have a close relationship.  He feels I am always lecturing him and that I do not listen to him.  I also feel he does not listen to me.  His message to me was “Thanks for putting up with me for 16 years and 364 days.  I love you, Gavin.”  It was a touching message showing emotion which is something he rarely expresses with me.  A simple yet powerful message indeed.

Next, there was my 52nd birthday.  During the lockdown, I only went out to grab carryout with my wife but spent the day watching movies and hanging out with her.  Again a simple day, but still one I found precious.  I received a few texts from friends and even a few Facebook messages.  I am not one that likes to be the center of attention, nor really celebrate my birthdays, but people reaching out was very nice.  The final gift to myself as I ordered fifteen 4×6 prints of my own shots.  Eight I will keep and seven will go to Mark.  They should be here next week.  I have started a photo box that I keep photos I print and ones given to me.  Things to look back on later I guess.

I was contacted on Facebook by Neale James, as he was looking for some folks to interview about personal photo projects that we were doing or soon plan to do.  I had mentioned my plan to shoot all the shelters along the Adventure Hiking Trail in the fall and the fact I have already shot two of the five.  If you read my last blog I go into more detail about my plans and the trail itself.  It can be referenced here.

Neale reached out to me and set up a time to interview me through Skype.  I happened to fall on my birthday so he began the interview with recognizing my birthday, then the conversation began.  The interview, like the podcast, was more conversational than a direct question and answer session.  Neale guided me down the path, and within no time the interview was over.  Neale hit save and then we chatted for 10-15 minutes longer.  I enjoyed doing the video chat with him and actually felt comfortable and relaxed answering the questions he asked and with the extended conversation we had.  I will leave the link to the podcast below.  As mentioned, there were three others he interviewed for the show, and as a result, I reached out to each one of them and followed each on Instagram and Facebook.  All four have returned the follow.

Neale spent a bit of time discussing with me, after the interview was over, about the possibility of having more interviews on mental health and how photography seems to be a very popular medium to help those (like myself) deal with anxiety.  He wants my input on that subject as well.  More to come on that at a later time.

The podcast can be found here.  The entire show is 45 minutes long, but if you want to skip to my interview (I’d suggest listening to the whole thing), then fast forward to minute 12:30 – 21:08.

It was a good day, and I made it to yet another year.  Thanks to those who reached out, and thanks for taking the time to read this.

Until next time,

Tim

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