Paddle Sport Staff Meetings

One June 24th there was a staff meeting for all of the Harbor staff of Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara.  We had to discuss a few things to get ready for the 4th of July and then we went for a nice fun paddle in some of the kayaks down at the dock.  It has certainly been awhile since I've had that much fun surfing kayaks in nothing but ripples at Sand Spit.

Tuesday Catch-Up!

Gap Fire Starts

I know this was supposed to be done on Tuesday night.  But as the fire caused by ex some stress and has opened some very interesting questions.  She lives only a few miles away from where the fire was burning and during the first night her place was put under evacuation warning.  I was there with her that night and helped her pack a few things incase the worst happens.  But as we were packing, I thought about what I would pack in the event of a fire or natural disaster.  What is it that I prize the most?  My possessions, my dog, my life?  The fire did never come as it's Monday July 7th now, but if I had 5 minutes to take what was necessary to exist and survive in human society and this world, what would it be?  

I really don't know.  I guess it would come down to which world I would have to chose, mankind's world or the earth.  Would I simply have to survive or survive in human society.

What do you think you would choose?

Starting over!

It certainly has been awhile since I've done this.  February 2007, wow that feels like two lifetimes ago.  Since then so much as changed.  I think I'll just make a list to see how big it will be:

1) I was accused of cheating on my girlfriend with no proof.

2) I had to take a medical withdrawl from CSUN due to severe depression.

3) I came back to Carpinteria.

4) I got a job working in a high-end sunglass store.

5) I got myself out of $3,000 of debt.

6) I turned 23.

7) I photographed five weddings since I came back.

8) I wasn't accepted into Bella Pictures as a contract wedding photographer.

9) I went back to SBCC to finish my AA in Graphic Design: Photography.

10) I didn't go up to Mammoth Lakes, CA at all during the winter.

11) I was dumped by my girlfriend two weeks before Christmas.

12) I spent all of Christmas and New Years alone.

13) I was pulled back in by my ex for a five days then dumped again.

14) I entered into my last semester at SBCC, hopefully.

15) I worked by butt off for the new college magazine ICON as a photographer and contributer.

16) I was appointed Photo Editor for ICON's final issue and the next fall semester if I stayed in SB.

17) I did a few short films for a class at SBCC.  One of which had a taxi cab driver with a lot of gas. (Fart, Fart)

18) I re-connected with a fellow Warrior, who I thought might be interested in me.

19) I went on a family vacation to Turks & Caicos in the Eastern Caribbean for a week.

20) I met a whole bunch of people, mostly women.

21) Came back with presents for 'the interested warrior,' some fellow co-workers, my ex, and myself.

22) I made a Facebook account and started maintaining it on a daily basis.

23) I cancelled by subscription to BIGFolio who were hosting my website.

24) I signed up and paid for David Jay's Freedom Tour in early August.

25) I got a job working for Paddle Sport of Santa Barbara doing rentals at the harbor and kayak sales.

26) I got my CPR for the professional rescuer certification.

27) I have got myself back into debt with two big photographic purchases.  One Nikon 70-200mm VR lens and one Olympus 1030 W point and shoot, waterproof camera.

28) I have started building a new website using ShowIt Websites, a program launched by David Jay that is in its beta development stage.

29) I have stopped eating cereal for breakfast in favor of fresh organic fruit and soy protein smoothies.

30) I have lost 10 lbs. and got myself back in shape.

31) I have re-discovered my love of mountain biking.

32) I have discovered a love of ocean kayaking and can't wait to try river kayaking.

33) I have applied to Humbolt University in Northern California and need to send my transcripts off into order to be accepted.  I'm going for a BA in Journalism with Environmental Ethics as a minor.

Wow, that was a little longer than I suspected.  I apologize if that was long and way to much information, but I think I have to get it out if I'm to learn from all that has happened in the last year.  This past year was supposed to be my 'golden year.'  As I turned 23 on the 23rd of August.  Yet, on the eve of my 24 birthday I've been having a hard time finding all that much to feel golden about.

I think I should stop feeling so lost and start feeling more free.  Because that is what I have, a lot of freedom.  I have the freedom to choose where my photography is going to go instead of being tied down by my contract wedding photography work.  I have the freedom to be healthy in the outdoors and not constantly being nagged to go to a gym by my ex.  I have the freedom to actually have the time to go and do things in the outdoors.

Which reminds me.  It's a beautiful day and I should get outside and enjoy it as should you.  That is today's advice:  Make some personal freedom today to go enjoy the beauty around you.

-BT