~ Almost 40 Reflections ~

June 10 has come and gone and I am 39 years old.  Looking back I can say wow, what a ride.  Lots of crazy adventures and a lot of encounters with a variety of people.  In lucky 2013 I will turn 40 and enter a new phase of life as a 40 something.  People sit there and say it's just a number, but the more you add on to your life the more a person learns (hopefully) and well, this is my place to ramble, vent, or just babble on, so here I go!

The day before my birthday weekend I was faced with a random internet rage moment when a guy that was on my friends list on FB started doing some really strange things.  At the same moment another person sent me a private message basically telling me I was the reason for a photography group I started was failing.  Fun times online.  In moments like that I ALWAYS hear the Headstones in my head.  The song "Smile and Wave" will always be my anthem for stuff like this.  Drama comes to everyone in life, some people seem to just look for it.  I personally am lazy and don't care much for it.  I'd rather be having fun and enjoying life.  I especially enjoy being with friends, people that share a common love.  For me, mine is photography and when I created this group it was drama free and without this kind of stuff.  However from talking with other photographers it sounds like SO many photography groups have it and seems unavoidable.  Photographers can sure be mean towards each other, something I don't get.  I love photography and want to share the love with others....I think the big egos and attitudes are stuff I just don't understand.  I have always tried to help out other photographers when I can.  I share knowledge, tips and whatever else I can to encourage them.  Then I get random drama and people pointing fingers at me.  Basically to quote a famous Lethal Weapon line. "I'm too old for this $@&!" I think that is it.

I plan on just leaving the group as quietly as I can.  I don't need to create more drama by trying to stay in it and fight it out or "defend" myself.  I have my life to live and it goes much further than social media and online drama.  I want to have real experiences and those are the ones where I am out shooting, not arguing with other adults online.  I had an experience early on in my photography where I was a part of the online canon forums and there had a LOT of drama and met some REALLY rude photographers.  I was younger and got caught up with it all.  Not realizing most of them were trolls and wanted me to react and respond....somehow people like that get fuelled by using the internet to create issues.  I soon realized that the solution was leave.  After doing so I never looked back and was a MUCH happier guy, I also went out and shot a LOT and got better.  Now I think if I were to go back I would prob find the same people still there creating problems and I don't miss it at all.

I am looking forward to the next part of my life, 39 is my age and I plan on making this summer and the rest of 2012 a great year for myself as a photographer.  Looks like new possibilities and hopefully make some new friends.  I think my goal is avoid drama, smile and wave and leave it in my dust.  Have already planned some pretty amazing shoots, just need to wrap up a year of teaching so I can focus back to my photography this summer.  Thanks to all that supported me on my Birthday.  Anyway, I gotta get to bed now, I am an OLD guy!!! :) heheheh Good night!!!
-Randy

~ 161/365 June 10th ~

Thanks to my my Florida friend Olga who sent me a cool mug for my Birthday. :) It makes for an awesome photo of the day!!! :)

~ 158/365 Scully Baby ~

I have to admit, this is crazy. There is only 9 days of teaching left and I feel OVERWHELMED. Trying to prep my kids for their final is a bit of an ordeal. I hope they are ready, I think we'll be doing a LOT of review the next while.

My birthday comes on Thursday....not sure how to feel about turning 37....not even sure I have time to even think about how I feel. I'll be too busy with work to notice. Age is just a number....I do know there are things a person cannot fight when it comes to getting older. So I embrace my deteriorating muscles, graying hair, poor eye sight and hearing....hehehe. Bring it on old age.

~ Monday ~

BUSY BUSY BUSY life. Lots on the go, Jenn and I are cleaning the house, I am busy wrapping up the school year. Crazy stuff going on as teachers shut it down for the year.

I have a few shoots up and coming. Also rocking the new xbox elite, thanks to SONNY V!! :) Bday is on Wednesday, 36 years OLD! :) and I do feel old like dirt.

Had a great day yesterday. Had Nestor over for a visit, he is a good buddy. We played 2k basketball and Lakers won vs the Magic. Then the real life Lakers did the same.....I also had a yummy bbq thanks to my awesome wife.

Looking forward to summer so much. Hope to do a lot of photography. Here is a current Elisha edit:

~ Birthday Month, Great friend and my Xbox Elite ~

Almost the official Birthday week. My bday is on June 10th, middle of next week. Looking forward to being 36. Just feels like I am entering a new phase of life rather then getting older. I like the experiences it brings me. Life experience is a great reward and I appreciate the journey.

My friend Sonny did an awesome thing for me today, he got me an Xbox 360 Elite. I have to pay him back but since mine broke he helped me get a new one right away. He is an excellent buddy and has always been there when needed. I will find a way to pay him back with some kindness.

Well, bed time for me, just wanted to update this blog. :)
-Randy

~ More Baby Max Edits ~

Well, Jenn and I saw the new Terminator movie this weekend. It sure isn't anything like the feel of the old movies, but it's a new era and I enjoyed it. Christian Bale is sure a popular dude now, he's in like every movie now.

June is right around the corner, I am excited for Birthday month, heheheh. Not excited to be older then dirt. But, I guess I am closer to retirement, yay!!! :)

Okay, here are some baby edits from my TOUGH shoot with Baby Max!!! He showed me how hard it is to take baby pics. Thanks Max!! heheheh.

BDAY WEEKEND

It's Jenn's bday weekend and we're gonna hang with friends and have a great time. Looks like O'Neill will come out and we'll be with the Wolfe-ster as well. Looks like the weather will be sweet too. Good old fall weather hanging in there. I hope I have better fantasy football luck this Sunday too. VERY exciting, Oilers start preseason this coming week vs the KINGS. I could of had tickets from a co-worker but we couldn't make it. Oh well. Go OILERS!!! :)

Indiana Jones Review

Well, I did see Indiana Jones on the weekend. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend people to see it. If you're a fan of the character and previous movies then you won't be disappointed. My only issues with the movie were minor. I found the story moved REALLY fast and seemed to be just one over the top action sequence to the next. Harrison Ford seems ageless in this role. He puts the hat on and just becomes Indy, when he's not in the Indy clothes he looks his age.

The movie has amazing effects which is no shock considering Lucas pretty is the master at that. The story is pretty much a typical Indiana style story. On the big screen it's a fun movie and one with a lot of humor and action. It's a nice finish to the character and possibly a launch pad for the Indy junior to take on the role of Indy...which I kind of hope doesn't happen due to there only being one true Indy (Harrison Ford).

On a personal note, I am excited for the weekend....It's BIRTHDAY MONTH!!! June 10, 2008!!! Now the bad part, 35!! :( heheheh.......Tomorrow I'll explain birthday month!! :)