Simply called "Life"....

The movie that I mentioned a few weeks ago, "Win Win", is out in theaters now.  It's getting great reviews.

I mention this because this is the weekend for the US Sr. Wrestling Championships.  Last year at this time I  had just gone through the ordeal of making weight and was preparing for my first match.  The competition starts today and lasts through the end of the day tomorrow.  One part of me wishes I was there to compete again, but a number of things conspired to keep that from happening this year.  I'll go there tomorrow, though, as a photographer.

So tonight I'll be at the Rush concert with my brother, and then I'll be up at God Awful Early to drive the 350 miles from here to Cleveland to take pictures.  I'm actually looking forward to it.

I've been out of town all week.  Part of me has been enjoying some down-time.  Another part of me has been doing some deep thinking.  And yet another part of me has been actively working a number of things to determine what comes next.  I've got lots of things going on at the moment and it'll be interesting to see which ones come through an which ones don't.  The message I got from the universe is that the right things will happen, and I'll have more to share on that as time goes on.

As I type this I'm writing the DVR recording of the premier episode of a new program on The Weather Channel called "From the Edge With Peter Lik".  Peter is a photographer and the series is all about following him to amazing locations and watching him take incredible photos.  I'll admit - it gives me goose bumps.  There's even a companion app for the iPad that I'll admit simply adds to the reasons I'd want to buy one.  It's only a matter of time, and watching this is like watching wrestling for me.  Lord I wish I could do some of this stuff....

I watched sunrise over the ocean yesterday morning and it was pure heaven.  I mean, it was PURE heaven.  My spiritual self finds those kinds of opportunities chances to actually experience God sharing splendor in a magical way.  It's hard to put into words, but it's just amazing and as the moment fades two things become obvious to me: (1) How much I miss those kinds of opportunities and (2) How much I need them.

I took this version of the photo with my iPhone (the better versions are in RAW format in my Canon camera!).  The fact that you can capture this kind of stuff with a phone camera is amazing in and of itself.    Anyway, one friend left a comment on Facebook that makes me smile.  Thanks so much to Samantha for saying something that makes me feel good:

Donna has the heart and soul of an artist, and the eye of one long accustomed to painting with light. These vistas are all around us all the time, it's people like Donna who have the presence of mind to freeze a moment in time for us to savor and enjoy. Every picture tells a story, this one is no different. Can you hear it as it speaks it's truth and beauty to you? :)

I don't read books very often but one I've got and am reading very carefully right now is "The Photographer's Market Guide to Building Your Photography Business".  I'm trying to build a portfolio but watching people like Peter Lik is so energizing because it stresses that as stunning as a photograph can be the backstory of capturing it is equally as amazing.  Anyway, I'm rambling but that's because I'm stoked at the moment....

On to other topics:

I did an interview with a writer from ESPN earlier this week who is writing a story about Renee Richards.  For many from my generation Renee Richards was the first person many of us recognized as being "like us".  I've never met or talked with Renee but would actually enjoy that opportunity as she's the beginning of the road for me.  I remember buying her autobiography, Second Serve, and hiding it in my locker at school while I read it so nobody found out.  Anyway, Renee has made an effort to really never be "part" of the community (there was no community at the time)  and I certainly respect her for that.  Still, I find her to be a fascinating person and I expect she has no idea the impact she's had by the seed she planted in so many of us.

The few times that she's said anything publicly in recent years about her history have been controversial. I'll be interested in seeing how this comes out.  And I continue to hope I have an opportunity to meet her.  I'm not a New York City kind of person but she's one person I'd travel there to meet.

Speaking of keeping out of the public eye, I noticed that Susan Stanton was in the news again this week (details here).  She's done a very good job of keeping a low profile in recent years.  She's a friend and when we talk I'm constantly amazed at how much she enjoys what she does and how much she's willing to put up with to do it.  Anyway, I hope things work out for her and that she can fade away again.

Back to my schedule:  I'm catching up on things back here today and then my brother arrives late this afternoon for the Rush concert tonight.  The two bonding opportunities we have in life are sports and music so I'm looking forward to this for a number of reasons.  Then I need to hit the road early tomorrow to drive to Cleveland to photograph the Championships.  I'll drive back on Sunday evening.  I need to take the dogs to the vets and start my taxes on Monday and then I'll be out of town again from Tuesday thru the weekend.  On Saturday I have a dear friend coming to visit for a week....

I've only shared a small portion of what's going on.  The good news is that I'm feeling good, my head and my heart and my spirit are healthy, and that each day brings new challenges and opportunities.  I suppose that's simply called "Life"....