Dark Energy

on By 1 Comment

Thank you WP community for your positive energy!
I had to get that out of the way. This rant is not about anyone here.

I will be taking off work for the next week and will likely not post anything during that time.
What that means is I need to get everything to a state of manageability without my presence (at my workplace). Usually, a doable task that takes an hour or two out of the ordinary week.
As can happen. This week was an avalanche of contract reviewing, problem solving, fire extinguishing, etc. etc. That on top of what I am supposed to be doing.
Things pile up and the squeeze starts to happen. I feel it in my gut….in my bones. Little things become big things. I caught a cold. I overslept this morning. My poor wife caught my cold! Why did I let that happen! Pick up the slack…sign this…do that. Why did that guy just insult me? I don’t even know him! Why is everyone driving like they are comatose?

STOP!

Clear the mind.
Paper and pen. Write it all down. Prioritize. What must be done now? Assess feasibility for outcomes. How will this impact other scheduled duties? Assess feasibility for outcomes.
Identify issues.
Delegate fixes with end dates and follow ups. Enter them in the calendar for review when you return.
Will I need to take some work home with me? Yes. But, it is minimal. It can be accomplished without a visual interference to the family.
Done.
Implement.

I moved out of “management” four years ago, but it has followed me regardless. Such is the life of a salaried employee.

Everyone, have a good week. If you celebrate the holidays do so with all your might. Hug your loved ones every day. Look into their eyes, and smile…..that dark energy will melt away.

photomanipulation – Self Portrait –

Slow Coma

on By 2 Comments

In the summer sun
We are all boisterous
Drunk with our own strength and beauty

Then comes that first day
Its coolness uncomfortable
Rabbit stays holed up

Tension fills the body
Constricted veins
Thicken skin like the tortoise

Fingers become nervous
Dancing earnestly
Anticipating the end

Ears, hair, nose
Detach
And become sails for the wind

Soon there will be ice
And we all do our part
For the return

Edge of Sleep

on By 4 Comments

Meeting you is so sweet.
Though,
I have become somewhat self-conscious.

The only time you will see me
Is at night
Right, at that transitory moment.

When my eyes close
And the spinning begins.
The roar of wind encircles me

Standing on a world
In a sea of tumultuous waves
Debris spiraling in tornadic mayhem.

‘Til your words stop the violence
Trees and mountains fall into the sea
And we drink very strong tea together

single frame photo – polar coordinates and masking

No Escape

on By 5 Comments

There is a location where I create most of my photographic impressions. It is located within the county and is close to my place of work, so it is convenient.
The entire regional park is vast, but with the time I have available, I typically visit a small portion of it. It is very “wild” in the sense that there are designated trails to walk and the rest is left undisturbed.
It’s not uncommon to see deer, coyote, rabbit and bird life. Occasionally, mountain lions are seen as well (not by me).
It is encompassed by the urban sprawl of San Diego. Freeways on one end (north), major transportation on two sides (east/south). A nearby regional airport to the east. And urban sprawl to the west. It is rarely ever truly quiet here. Relative to being in the middle of the city, it is less noisy. Only relative.
I’ve found that the older I get, the more I crave quiet. More specifically, sound that is void of any human influence. I have attempted to record audio for video production and have realized just how noisy this place is. If I get one full minute of a specific sound (like a river) without a plane or Harley, or siren I consider it a great achievement.
This photograph is a great testimony to the restraints of attempting to depict a natural world in a place full of human (visual) influence.
At first I hated it. The piece took some time to develop over several frames in-camera. The last frame was of the birds. When I saw the tower, I was filled with frustration.
When I opened it up in my computer, I came to realize a few things. These “escapes” to this area are not full escapes. The IDEA of an escape is there however, and that is good enough. I have been an urban produced human my entire life. Sometimes we just need a little less of the mayhem of human ingenuity and a little less can be good for the soul.

multiple exposures in-camera + color shifts in Topaz
Mission Trails, San Diego CA