This weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving, which for many people (me included) means gorging ourselves on as much turkey, stuffing, gravy, and pumpkin pie as our poor little stomachs can handle.
Thanksgiving is mostly celebrated in Canada and the United States on different dates in the fall (from what I know). Its origins are a mix of Native and European traditions. But without going into a lengthy history lesson Thanksgiving was originally a holiday to communally celebrate the end of a successful harvest and share its bounty with one another.
It has morphed a bit to more of a commercial state over the years but I like to think that some of that original magic and communal sharing wasn't lost over time. Families still get together to celebrate, although many of us don't participate in a harvest anymore, it still is a celebration and oppurtunity for a great feast.
October 08, 2011
October 06, 2011
The Unplanned Path along a Different Road
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| Sometimes the path may be scary looking, but it will always lead you somewhere worthwhile |
Many of you may be wondering where I get my inspirations for my reflections and more thought provoking things I write here on my blog. Many times it is the "light bulb" syndrome where everything clicks for a few minutes and I have my moments of genius. But more often than not a see is planted in my mind by someone else. Whether it be a passage I find truly inspiring in a book or another blog, or a comment or email that one of you the readers sends me about a recent post. I can't tell you how many posts I have written because I was inspired by feedback given by you, the reader. That is why I am always pushing for more and more feedback, whether it be through email or the commenting section; it is my secret inspiration pool :)
Today I wanted to reflect on a post I recently read by one of my favourite bloggers Cathy Jones Tittle at her blog ~just my thoughts. I think what speaks most to me about her blog is its eclectic nature, very similar to my own. There are posts about her journey in life, photography posts, and truly inspiring posts with deep lessons.
Recently I read one of her posts that deeply touched me and got me thinking quite a bit. The post was titled "Be My Baby" (to read the full post click the link)
Although I strongly suggest each of you go read her post the Cole's notes version is:
They were on vacation and just had a splendid meal so decided to take a different route back to her sister's house so they could hit up some wineries. The Garmin had other plans for them and directed them into the middle of nowhere. Instead of getting angry, like most of us would, they continued on their journey to find some lakes and ponds that were supposed to be full of Canadian geese at this time. Upon arrival, disappointment again, no geese to be found. The frustration was beginning to set in when she came across one of the most beautiful scenes in nature a mother bird (a peahen and it chick in tow). Like I said please visit the post to see the photo in all its glory! She finished her post with a wonderful lesson on life that again I refuse to spoil to for all of you.
What really got me reflecting was the story in its totality. I found it to be a perfect metaphor to our lives, taking on a road less travelled feel. Sure the road was chosen for them and not the one they had planned and hoped for, but really in our lives how many times do we end up travelling down the road we hoped and planned for.
As I read this simple story I couldn't stop thinking about how this small journey so emphatically paralleled my own life. As many of you know the "garmin" that directs my life decided to take me on a wildly unexpected turn and give me Acute Leukemia. Like it Cathy's story, the beginning of my new road was filled with a bit of disapointment. There were so many things I had planned to do and now they were either no longer possible or were going to have to wait a long time to accomplish. Like Cathy though, I continued to move along my new road with no expectations of what I would find, but have been pleasantly surprised. I have found more beauty and growth in my life that I doubt I would ever go back and change directions at that fateful turn.
This journey has led me to realize that life always has a bigger better plan for us that the one we have devised and planned for ourselves in our heads. Unfortunately, often times we put so much emphasis on these plans we create that when they don't come to fruition we can be devasted and not be open to all the possiblilities and beauties that lie waiting for us on our new journey.
So always remember, when a fork is thrown into a road and you are led down a path you never fathomed or planned, forget your disapointment; GET EXCITED! Slow down your pace and stop looking for the easiest exit of this path and start looking for all the beauty hidden all around you.
Remember, although you didn't plan it, you were always meant to take this path. Make sure you find the meaning, enjoyment, pleasure and beauty of it while you are on it!
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October 05, 2011
My Photographic Journey (Part 3)
With the close of 2010 saw a break in my photography so I could go through my bone marrow transplant. My final few months I had switched from my Nikon D5000 to a Nikon D90 and I really enjoyed access to more controls at my finger tips. The selling of my camera was a bit of a blessing, as I have stated before, as it gave me something to do during my transplant and the first month I was out. I spent countless hours researching which camera and lens combo was going to be my next "kit".
February 2011
After lots of research I finally decided on the camera. I was going to go with the Nikon D300. I figured I enjoyed shooting with the D90 and its controls so much, the D300 would only enhance this with so much more controls at my finger tips.
Unfortunately, it was still much too cold and I was in no shape to go outside and take pictures. I was getting antsy to use my new toy though, so I started just using the camera around the apartment trying to subside this urge. Of course my favourite model was harassed on numerous occasions for some shots.
March 2011
With the coming of March I finally felt I had enough strength to go for some short walks with my camera. The only problem was my first outting out I didn't take more than 10 photos max. I just felt no inspiration like I did before. The photography felt like more work than enjoyment. I decided that it was just my "eye" was a little rusty and needed some practice to get back into form, so I perservered and started to get some of my groove back.
April 2011
April was a month of extreme growth for me as photographer. First, I realized I didn't like the D300, it was just way too heavy for me. This was probably because I was still so weak from the radiation and chemotherapy but I was having a really difficult time keeping the camera steady, which was affecting my enjoyment of photography. So I decided to switch back to the Nikon D5000 which was smaller/lighter and I could just focus on improving the basics of photography.
In addition, April was when I really started to teach myself all the technical aspects of photography. I began studying and practicing different aspects of composition and exposure on a daily basis. I basically focused on three different aspects in April, improving at street photography, practicing and experimenting with compositional elements, and just photographing the beauty of Port Credit.
Improving my Street Photography
Playing with Composition
The Beauty around Port Credit
April was a busy month photographically but I hope you liked all the pictures. Next time we will continue along the photographic journey of 2011.
February 2011
After lots of research I finally decided on the camera. I was going to go with the Nikon D300. I figured I enjoyed shooting with the D90 and its controls so much, the D300 would only enhance this with so much more controls at my finger tips.
Unfortunately, it was still much too cold and I was in no shape to go outside and take pictures. I was getting antsy to use my new toy though, so I started just using the camera around the apartment trying to subside this urge. Of course my favourite model was harassed on numerous occasions for some shots.
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| Curious what I am up to |
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| Not too sure about this.... |
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| Okay that is enough |
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| The beginnings of my famous Guacamole |
With the coming of March I finally felt I had enough strength to go for some short walks with my camera. The only problem was my first outting out I didn't take more than 10 photos max. I just felt no inspiration like I did before. The photography felt like more work than enjoyment. I decided that it was just my "eye" was a little rusty and needed some practice to get back into form, so I perservered and started to get some of my groove back.
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| My first "street image" by accident, but helped start a new passion |
April was a month of extreme growth for me as photographer. First, I realized I didn't like the D300, it was just way too heavy for me. This was probably because I was still so weak from the radiation and chemotherapy but I was having a really difficult time keeping the camera steady, which was affecting my enjoyment of photography. So I decided to switch back to the Nikon D5000 which was smaller/lighter and I could just focus on improving the basics of photography.
In addition, April was when I really started to teach myself all the technical aspects of photography. I began studying and practicing different aspects of composition and exposure on a daily basis. I basically focused on three different aspects in April, improving at street photography, practicing and experimenting with compositional elements, and just photographing the beauty of Port Credit.
Improving my Street Photography
Playing with Composition
The Beauty around Port Credit
April was a busy month photographically but I hope you liked all the pictures. Next time we will continue along the photographic journey of 2011.
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October 03, 2011
My Photographic Year in Review (Part 2)
Last post we began the journey of looking back over the past two years and following along my progression with photography. Today we will continue that journey.
Sept 2010
I still hadn't fully committed to my photography. I had been reading a little on different techniques but nothing too in depth. I was using the aperture priority mode mostly when taking photos but still didn't truly understand why I chose a particular aperture. September brought some sad news with the passing of my grandmother. Amy and I hadn't done any vacationing since before I got sick in 2009 so we decided to make the trip to the funeral a little mini vacation as well. The first night we stayed downtown Atlanta at an absolutely gorgeous hotel.
After our stay in Atlanta we proceeded to Peachtree City to meet up with the rest of my family and attend the funeral. For some reason on this trip I thought I was some master of photography now and decided to shoot manual mostly. Boy was that a mistake. My first mistake was I did not have near enough knowledge to shoot manual and my second mistake was trying to do it in the harsh Georgia light. Basically almost all my shots had blown hilights except a few. There were a couple from our day with the family that turned out pretty nice though.
On our final day in Peachtree City before heading home I took Amy out on the golf cart. Peachtree City is a unique place where there are golf cart paths intertwined throughout the city so you literally can take your golf cart everywhere instead of a car. Here are a couple shots from our adventure
October 2010
October came and I was starting to get a little more into photography. I was undergoing some treatments at the time that really prohibited my ability to walk anywhere but I was beginning to study it. On the few occasions I did get out I spent my time practicing the techniques I was learning like leading lines, the use of textures and patterns, etc.
November 2010
November was probably the biggest turning point for my photographically. I was able to get out much more and I really started experimenting and growing as a photographer. I had not only caught the bug and always wanted to be shooting but I was shooting at times I didn't usually shoot. I started simplying my framing and adding more focus to the subject of my pictures.
I also finally figured I would try this whole sunrise sunset theory. I always read that they make the most magnificent colours but it was always so inconveient to shoot at these times. First off it is cold, so you have to be bundled up. But the biggest thing was at sunrise your bed is always more comfortable and sunset always interferes with dinner. This month though I bit the bullet and got out at both times and was extremely happy with the results.
December 2010
With my upcoming bone marrow transplant in December I didn't get too much time to take many pictures. Also I planned to sell all my photo equipment before going into the hospital for my transplant. With all that was going on and the colder weather I didn't get out too much. However, before the transplant and I sold my gear I did manage to get a couple shots I liked of my favorite model.
And that concludes my photographic journey through 2010. In my next post we will pick up my journey post transplant.
I hope you have enjoyed the photos so far. Would love to hear your favorites.
Sept 2010
I still hadn't fully committed to my photography. I had been reading a little on different techniques but nothing too in depth. I was using the aperture priority mode mostly when taking photos but still didn't truly understand why I chose a particular aperture. September brought some sad news with the passing of my grandmother. Amy and I hadn't done any vacationing since before I got sick in 2009 so we decided to make the trip to the funeral a little mini vacation as well. The first night we stayed downtown Atlanta at an absolutely gorgeous hotel.
After our stay in Atlanta we proceeded to Peachtree City to meet up with the rest of my family and attend the funeral. For some reason on this trip I thought I was some master of photography now and decided to shoot manual mostly. Boy was that a mistake. My first mistake was I did not have near enough knowledge to shoot manual and my second mistake was trying to do it in the harsh Georgia light. Basically almost all my shots had blown hilights except a few. There were a couple from our day with the family that turned out pretty nice though.
On our final day in Peachtree City before heading home I took Amy out on the golf cart. Peachtree City is a unique place where there are golf cart paths intertwined throughout the city so you literally can take your golf cart everywhere instead of a car. Here are a couple shots from our adventure
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| our future home |
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| the golf cart tunnel under the main road (amy took this shot) |
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| Mary and Lou's secret house we didn't know about |
October came and I was starting to get a little more into photography. I was undergoing some treatments at the time that really prohibited my ability to walk anywhere but I was beginning to study it. On the few occasions I did get out I spent my time practicing the techniques I was learning like leading lines, the use of textures and patterns, etc.
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| playing with POV |
November 2010
November was probably the biggest turning point for my photographically. I was able to get out much more and I really started experimenting and growing as a photographer. I had not only caught the bug and always wanted to be shooting but I was shooting at times I didn't usually shoot. I started simplying my framing and adding more focus to the subject of my pictures.
I also started using some creativity with my lens with trying out different techniques like panning. This is probably one of my favourite experimental pictures.
I also finally figured I would try this whole sunrise sunset theory. I always read that they make the most magnificent colours but it was always so inconveient to shoot at these times. First off it is cold, so you have to be bundled up. But the biggest thing was at sunrise your bed is always more comfortable and sunset always interferes with dinner. This month though I bit the bullet and got out at both times and was extremely happy with the results.
December 2010
With my upcoming bone marrow transplant in December I didn't get too much time to take many pictures. Also I planned to sell all my photo equipment before going into the hospital for my transplant. With all that was going on and the colder weather I didn't get out too much. However, before the transplant and I sold my gear I did manage to get a couple shots I liked of my favorite model.
And that concludes my photographic journey through 2010. In my next post we will pick up my journey post transplant.
I hope you have enjoyed the photos so far. Would love to hear your favorites.
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