The solstice turning point: reminiscence and hope.

I learned the hard way that one can't dwell on the past.... and I don't. In fact, I don't think I could list off what happened in 2009 aside from the big stuff....

One of the many reasons I love photography, is that you can be selective about what gets recorded. For example; being cold, wet, and miserable for 3 days fades into legend, while the beautiful sunset you watched there stays solid and memorable. Or the fury that burned at the thought of someone's actions, becomes dampened into a simple "sigh" and photos of a good hike with a person you once knew.

For me, 2009 was characterized by a few things:
-The explosive expansion of my social sphere.
-Continuing the trend of increase of my skill in photography, including having some of my work published.
-A fair bit of travel, specifically: Yosemite for spring break and my birthday, Montana for field geology, and Europe for Andrew's wedding and the Europe thing.
-My [not so] secret emotional breakdown over the course of the entire year, which stemmed from general fatigue and loneliness.
-The delightful discovery that I will indeed be finishing school this year (cough...7 years in the making....then I'll go get a masters soon too).
-A big deal for EVERYONE ELSE apparently: Having my first 'drink'. However, to this day I've had few enough drinks to be counted on one hand....

Here are some new photos I uploaded, mixed in with a few overlooked ones from this last year.

Taken on my birthday.


Andrew and I having a right fine time in the mountains.


Scotty, Brontosaurus rex, and Garnetman.




Previously unreleased material. I think everyone knows the story here.








The Brown Eyed Girl, full of angst.


The Bauer, full of angst.




Scott, Scotty, and the Moon, on 4th of July.


Ze Matterhorn.


Actually, the Matterhorn is a huge metamorphic mess, and they had cool signs talking about it!


My favorite hike.


Good day.


I think I'm going to do a lot more solo backpacking this year too.



For 2010, I have these plans and hopes:
-Finish school....like, actually. Then apply for the Masters in Teaching ASAP.
-Go on a date, successfully.
-Take some photos of mountains and stuff... har har.
-To facilitate the above, I am going to continue traveling, this is probably what I'll be putting most of my energy into. Here is my list of confirmed trips: Hawaii for spring break and my birthday. Assiniboine provincial park and Banff in the Canadian Rockies, with possible side trips to Glacier, Tetons, and/or Yellowstone. Lots of hiking in Washington. Keep in touch if you wish to join me on any/all of these adventures.