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    A New Hope…


    2014 - 12.06

    Well the last few weeks have been hard! Depression has been eating away at me again. At least this time I’ve managed to use my recovery process for it to spur me on to do some things I’ve been wanting to do! I’ve put in quite a bit of effort at trying to generate an income from my photography, updating Shards of Arcadia, creating an Etsy shop ShardsOfArcadia, setting some wheels in motion for other aspects of the business that may allow me to work part-time or even provide income enough to see me retire. I’ve even registered the domains ShardsOfArcadia.com & .net. I’m not yet ready to load up there, but it’s mine if I’m going to use it later.

    Anyway it’s provided motivation where there’s been none, and hopefully some future hope!

    The Sinking Ship or the Lifeboat…


    2014 - 11.24

    I’ve decided to take the chance and start trying to market some of my Photography. Clearly I’m not in a position to leave my day job, and I doubt I will be for some time to come.

    Yet it feels to me that now might be the right time to make that plunge into the alternative economic options for my future. I have to say that my current job is driving me crazy. Feeling shackled by the Golden Handcuffs is clearly not helpful for my depression. If I don’t give it a go, I won’t know, as they say! If I can put as much energy and work into it as I did twenty years ago for computing I may just be able to make an accpetable (to me) living from photography or a combination of that and some other options.

    Sparks in the Dark…


    2014 - 11.13

    Despite the funk that’s been hanging over me the last three days, I’ve done some positive things to try and move forward; both out of this dark space, and with my medium to long term goal of trying my hand at the Photography Profession.

    I’ve pulled out “The Happiness Trap” by Russ Harris again, as well as another useful tome called “Your Life on Purpose”. These were helpful early on, but I don’t think two years ago I was quite in the space to make the most use of them. Now perhaps I’m better equipped to do so.

    I’ve bought a couple of extra gizmos, such as the Oregon 600t Garmin GPS and a Hahnel Giga T Pro II 2.4Ghz. I’ve also ordered some business cards, just a small number for the time being, that I can use to give people when asked. I’ve been planning both an additional website and a new domain for a while, and once a few minor expenses are out of the way, I’ll get those up and running too.

    I’ve traded cars with Dad so I’ve not got a Sports Cherokee Jeep, which although not exactly a heavy duty 4 wheel drive, will with a change of tires be helpful in getting me to some of the locations I want to get to for my wildlife shooting.

    Packages, Packages, Everywhere Packages…


    2014 - 11.06

    Well ALL the Bookdepository orders have shipped, the Garmin Oregon 600t Handheld GPS arrived today and also the Impala Blue Cat Deterrents. So Chemoux is going to be pushing for the outside world now. Unfortunately I’ve not yet broached the subject of her arrival with Bob & Jan. No dodging it any longer I guess. Seems like a job for Friday!

    The Price of a Day Off…


    2014 - 11.04

    Sometimes it can be costly staying at home for the day! This morning it was Bookdepository, and this afternoon it was a Garmin Oregon 600t Handheld GPS that I’d had my eye on for some time. Both purchases were significant, and both for the Photography.

    Additionally over the weekend there was the purchase of 2 more Cat Deterrents to ease the idea of Chemoux with my neighbours who like to provide a bird friendly environment in their home. I bought two when the advised that Tigga was concerning them with her presence in the areas they provide to encourage birds to the property. They seem to have been quite successful every time I’ve asked about their effectiveness. I can only assume that a couple more won’t go astray with another cat about the place.

    Now it’s simply a matter of what arrives when…

    And Then There Were Two…


    2014 - 10.30

    I became possessed yesterday, and was drawn to the R.S.P.C.A. mysteriously. I seem to have left becoming the pet of yet another Death Row Moggie…

    My idea was that I would give a “Senior” a home for her last years of retirement, but I was mesmerised by Chemoux who will be coming home on Friday. There’ll be some photos by the weekend. I suppose that means she will need a blog too!

    Maybe this should be “And Then There Were Three…”!

    Week 43…


    2014 - 10.25

    Well another weekend has come around, and yet another week of work has passed. A busy week but it hasn’t exactly dragged, so things are certainly feeling better overall. I think I shall slip off to the wetlands about 500 metres away just before sunrise and see what little feathered critters I can photograph early this morning. I did go over for a scope on Wednesday night, just to get a feel for the light in the evening, and I think the morning should be interesting too. Tiggakat is out and about after a night on the doona, things must have cooled down a bit for her overnight. I got the head massage about 4:00 this morning, but for once I think I’d slept solidly right through the night without waking, so it didn’t feel quite so harsh. It’s been a big week.

    Shards of the Futures Seen…


    2014 - 10.12

    Well it’s been a pretty good week so far. Work’s been OK, things seem to be settling back down there now.

    Saturday was a day wandering about around home in the yard with the camera, picking up odd shots here & there including catching the Tiggakat napping. I also managed and a chunk of reading up on photography in a variety of aspects ranging from the technical through to the philosophical.

    Sunday morning I was off to the World Rowing Masters Regatta at Lake Wendouree. Still working on the shots, really haven’t even given them a good initial culling yet. I’ll slip some up later during the week. Probably one here, and anymore on Mirrormere when I get to them. I have to say that Tiggakat’s birthday present of Binoculars was very helpful. Clever little Furbag managed to buy me a set that magnify to about the same factor as my Tamron 150mm – 600mm. Makes shooting and composing quite a deal easier.

    I’m currently in the process of deciding on a business card, and making the effort to start an increase in focus on Photography. Now that the depression appears to be managed to a significant stage of improvement; I think I’m going to start moving in a direction I’d like to see my future going towards. I have nearly a dozen requests for Pet Photos from people at work, so I will start organising them soon. I’ve clearly lost the “zest” for I.T. related work, but with almost 20 years in one form or another in this business now, it’s perhaps not surprising.

    The weekend’s been great so far, photography both days, as well as the usual mundane tasks related to living. Housework, shopping, and tidying up a few small tasks that have been waiting a while.

    Good Glass…


    2014 - 10.06

    About six weeks ago I picked up a new lens, the Tamron Di 150mm – 600mm. I’ve been so impressed with it that I am in awe of it’s performance considering it’s price to the big name “equivalents”. I use the work “equivalent” with some “looseness” given that so far none of the Nikon or Canon lenses have the range and are at least $4000 more expensive.

    I bought it mainly for wildlife photography, and had the idea of using it for some sports shooting too. So far it’s provided amazing performance. The critics reviewed it quite favourably although indicated a drop in performance at the last 50mm of the range. However, can’t say that I’ve noticed that much drop: considering my savings of a bit over $3500 from the closest Nikon currently available. My one comment is that it DOES need plenty of light, having a minimum aperture range of F5 – F6.3. I’ll be putting some shots up on Mirrormere very soon, just need to catch up on a few imports. I am even making an effort to try and get to some sports events! I went to shoot the Cycling at Buninyong last weekend, and shot about 750 shots, and culled it down to 500 or so after sorting through.

    A friend of a friend was riding in the race, and here’s one of him (Nat) on his first lap.

    Nat on Lap 1 – Sat 4th Oct 2104

    Here’s another one of a pleased rider.

    Made it!

    I also sent an email around work asking for “pet” models, and was very surprised at the response. I have had probably about a dozen responses. So many that it’s going to take me several weeks to organise such shots. I even got an offer of a Bonsai collection to shoot.

    Cleaning the Windows…


    2014 - 09.12

    Looking I see that it’s been about 6 months since I last updated. During that last 6 months quite a bit has happened, mainly on the Depression front. Obviously this was the main task to deal with over the last six months, as I was disappearing down a vortex, feeling like I was never to return. I finally bit the bullet and acquiesced on the Anti-Depressants. I must say that’s been a positive choice for me. My GP favours a gradual approach, so I’m pleased to say that outside of the first fortnight, I experienced no devastating side effects. My outlook on my place of work has changed enough for me to be able to function quite positively again. I can get there on a regular basis again. I’ve not had a period of depression that has had me debilitated to the point of not being able to get to work.

    Financially things are getting much better, I’ve had my two big spending efforts for the year, and I’m now back on track to knocking of the last of the debt outside of the house. I’m loving my iMac 27″, and my Tamron 150mm to 600mm lens. Now it’s back to financial responsiblity.

    From a more general perspective life has changed too. Considerably in some aspects. I get up now about 4:40 on a work day, about 5:00 to 5:30 on a “non” work day. Mornings are something I am beginning to appreciate again. In fact if I do sleep in, I’m quite frustrated by how much of my day I’m losing out on now. Overall I’m more social again and am getting out again far more. I’ve been making quite active efforts to keep in touch with people on a regular basis again, and it’s been good to renew some old friendships (yes Papoose that’s you)!

    At home the “maintenance” tasks aren’t appearing so overwhelming now because there’s generally no one else to assist.

    Photography is providing far more enjoyment again. I’ve got some trips planned for some shoots, and there’s a good quality handheld GPS on the list soon. My work has been improving, and my skill set is continually growing. I’m very pleased where that is taking me.