Greetings,

This has been a fun week full of shoots. We all had some fun creating. Well, I did, anyhow. I spent almost a full day with Elley, which is fairly evident in this week’s issue. I find it so easy to work with her for so many reasons. Being a good friend is a big reason; however, we can think up ideas quickly, get them into the camera, and move on. With someone new, it takes a while to get things rolling, and we can’t get to that point of being in each other’s heads when it comes to being creative.

Elley also always brings some fresh ideas, an interesting wardrobe, and cool props that she’s made.

I have a few more shoots on my calendar, but it is time for a change. I have almost 23TB of images to edit from, make training videos with, and an untold number of beautiful works waiting for me to edit from years of shooting. I don’t “need” to shoot new material. I’m way past the panicky days of, OMG, I only have four shoots this week!

The new course will be 1 or 2 a month, and they must have a specific goal in mind. Possibly more effort, like a location or some kind of new concept to carry out. It is time. Although my creativity is only limited because there is so much I’ve done to this point, there is still a lifetime of other possibilities to think up and create from. Extending my creativity means more chair time to consider possibilities. More research.

A little geek time.

As any regular Museletter reader knows by now, I’m an Amateur Radio operator, or ‘HAM’ as we are called for absolutely no known reason.

Last night I was chatting with a fellow Morse code enthusiast. He’s 89 and I’m 70. We chatted a bit about how our hobby had directed our lives in so many ways. Back fifty years ago, it was common for some hobby to turn into either a profession or influenced other aspects of life and career.

When I was a young teen, I was painfully shy. I couldn’t look anyone in the eye when talking with them, and I was very quiet. Getting my radio license when I was 16 started to build my self-confidence because I had to study, pass tests, and learn Morse code. The key isn’t what it was that I did, but the feeling of accomplishment and confidence that I gained.

The fact that it was radio and I could talk with people and not have to look them in the eye made growing out of my shyness even easier. I believe my ‘hobby’ gave me the opportunity to grow into the comfortable, self- confident, and compassionate person I am today. I can talk with people I’ve never met, help them feel they are special, because they are, and I enjoy every moment. I’m sure that’s why I love teaching. Teaching college for eight years was a true joy.

I worry that our youth, for the most part, don’t have much in their life to help them build relationships, play well with others, and most important, build their own self-confidence. It’s not measured in followers.

Stay open-minded and curious, my friends!

Dave

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