A truer sentence has never been said, as my newly acquainted roommate Mike stated in early September. The idea of a sweet house warming party for the new place I now live made me excited and excited all at the same time (it’s a joke. I know I said it twice.) The next week and a half after that was nothing but calls here, call there and a lot of napping. At the finish line-o-week, Mike ordered a keg and the mood was set. Friday provided nothing but the thought of hilarious times while seeing exciting new faces. Too bad it was the opposite (cept for fun times). The house saw less than 25 people come out, and most were decedents of my home town of Port Colborne. In the end, it was, as hard as it is to say; a Port Colborne party. I want to thank everyone who came that wasn’t from Port Colborne. You rule! As for the people from Port, you’re welcome haha. I laughed. And then I laughed some more. I’ll let the photos just paint your imagination.
Either way, great night. Thanks!
If the past has foreshadowed anything for me, it’s the fact that it all comes in multiples. Events, people, success, failure, feelings; all of it. Years ago when my camera was taken in Toronto, I truly felt like my life was taken from me. The force that drove me was gone, and I had little to run on. After the event of that, I got a loan, got a job, and bought my force back. And soon after, I earned it back. And now, life has dealt me something I never planned on.
August 12th, 2010 was a day unexpected. After a day of a gruelling work, I left to enjoy the company of friends to cheer my sorry ass up. Few hours later, I finally began to feel a bit better. I drove my car down Lakeshore Rd in Port Colborne, around 8PM. The sun was ready to set, and the darkness of night began to poke its sly head. And here is where life decided to rear its ugly, painfully fisting side. A young girl a few months into a G1 License, and her father were driving the opposite way on the same road. In only split seconds, the young girl turned directly in front of my vehicle, causing me to screech into her car, which was accelerating into mine. The force of the hit didn’t hurt anyone and no airbags were deployed. The car though, didn’t make it out so well. My drive (literally) was now gone. Life had come full circle once again.
After spending months contemplating changing the course of my life, thinking about mixing things up and doing something different, something positive, it took a halt at this moment. I thought that I would forever be cursed with different things hindering a journey.
Instead of ditching the idea, I shot a wedding the next day, and then a family portrait the next. I took a line of credit, drove a rental and worked steady. I decided that it was now or never if I were to do something with myself, with what was going on in my head. So I took the next 3 weeks, 25% on the phone, 65% working, 10% drinking and I decided to quit my current job, and move. Where you wonder?
Toronto. The big city, and I never could of imagined how things are now. 6 months ago, the thought of living on my own, with 3 other great dudes, would have never even had the energy to come to fruition. I am now living it. I bought a car in the midst of the madness of moving, finding a job and gathering money together. I did this because I knew if I didn’t, things would just take longer to change. I needed a different look on life. And I decided to provide it for myself. Screw waiting. I’m ready for right now. This ain’t no cry for attention, it’s a state of mind address.
If we’re friends, then we’ll talk and I’m sure I’ll see you soon. If you’re in Toronto, come visit.
Oh yea, and I am still shooting photos. Duh.
So another month has past in the blink of an eye. For myself, it feels like my body has been in overdrive and some how continuously fuels to keep me working. Now keeping me sane on the other hand…
I don’t like to gloat or bask in anything I do, but I am allowed to get excited and have a positive feeling about something I shoot. With that being said, last Friday was a very interesting day. After a full day of nothing but non stop ‘bs”, I stood in my neighbourhood to witness a giant storm coming in from the states. After I had more than one friend tell me I should go shoot the storm, I went and shot the storm. Friends tend to know best. Once getting out there, it was apparent to me that a lightning photo was in order. After many long exposures, I captured only what I can define as a “cloud stabbing”. I believe this to be on of my best photos to date. Enjoy!
*Update* Here are the specs for the cloud stabbing photo!
(Another photo is included just for kicks!)
