pixler’s blog

Sun 'n Shadows

I’m celebrating a personal milestone, so to speak!

About nine years ago, a set of circumstances made me decide to park my car and become a pedestrian. It changed my life. Now I walk everywhere, do everything on foot. Rain or shine, hot or cold. No matter, I walk, each and every day of the year.

And frankly, I love it.

I love the outdoors, the fresh air, the people I encounter. I love sunshine and long walks, especially on summer evenings, down by the river, with my lady.

The other day, I thought I should calculate just how far I've walked over the years. Once I got the numbers in place, I was simply amazed with the results. I couldn't believe it; I even double-checked my Excel calculation, just to make sure.

I've actually walked a distance equivalent to once around this planet, at the equator. That's 24,902 miles, or 40,076 km, for the metric crowd.

I still can’t believe it.

For me, there are many benefits to walking, aside from the physical aspect. Walking becomes a state of mind, a very pleasant, relaxed frame of mind. I find it peaceful, it allows me to stop and smell the roses, gives me time to think.

One of the greatest benefits, I find, is the opportunity to encounter people, briefly share a moment with a stranger, while on transit or walking along a busy downtown street. It’s these random chance encounters that I cherish most, because you never know what new and exciting momentary adventure, lies just ahead.

Being a hobbyist photographer, with camera as a constant companion, walking offers me a chance to take lots of pictures. Since I can stop virtually anytime to capture something of interest, and since a good portion of my daily routine takes me through parkland en route to and from public transit, I get plenty of opportunity to snap off a few, on occasion, even before the work day begins.

I can truly say that being a pedestrian is one of the greatest experiences in my life and certainly the best thing I’ve ever done, for myself.

Thanks for sharing this milestone. Perhaps we’ll meet along the way.

Afternoon Encounter

It’s all about that special lady in my life. 

When it comes to finding a soul mate for life, I truly lucked out. My love is the perfect lady, companion, friend and partner. It's been more than twenty-three years, can you believe it.

We haven't always been together, and even now, we live 100 miles apart. I live in the city, she lives in a wonderful little town full of friendly people, smiling faces, unlocked doors and some of the finest restaurants to be found anywhere. We get together as often as possible and truly enjoy our time. We have private times, fun times, special times, each and every time.

Some call this insane. We call it amazing.

Frankly, I love that little town. I love the serenity, the peace, the beauty, all around. When I’m there, people greet me, strangers strike up a conversation, passersby say hello. Neighbors even know my name. I’m not used to that, it doesn’t happen in the city where I’ve lived for more than fifty years. It’s the perfect place for my lady, it reflects in her everyday attitude and outlook on life.

Throughout the years, she's been my favorite model, my main subject of interest. In my collection, you'll find many pictures of her, taken over the years, in every situation. She is my ongoing project in progress, my most precious souvenir in life and a constant, never ending source of inspiration.

Now tell me if I didn't luck out, eh!

Dolly's First Christmas

In retrospect of the holiday season, some random ramblings, encounters and observations, for your consideration.

Christmas was wonderful and for some reason, I got into the festive spirit earlier than usual. Normally, for me, it starts a day or so before, but this time ‘round, almost a week sooner. It must have been the sounds of holiday carols, being played in stores and shopping malls everywhere, beginning sometime early November, that inspired me.

Nah! Probably not.

As much as I like music, frankly, Christmas tunes in November, that’s way too soon for me. Never the less, whatever it was that gave me inspiration, thanks, I had a wonderful Christmas with family, friends and loved ones, and that is what I believe to be the purpose of the holidays and certainly, the most wonderful way for me to celebrate the festive season.

And my Christmas shopping, once again a breeze. I had a great time. It was a blast.

As in past years, I waited for the first major winter snowstorm to hit the big smoke. With a sound game plan in mind and a freshly printed gift list in hand, I get it done, in record time and simply have a ball, doing it.

What most consider treachery, I find to be yet another fantastic opportunity for new adventure.

During a major snowstorm, there is nobody in the mall. The stores are empty. Everyone is safely tucked away at home, watching a movie, not wanting to leave the house, let alone drive, on a day like this. Store clerks, customer service reps, sales people are bored to tears and can’t wait for someone, anyone to walk through the door, just to break the monotony, and see a new face.

I get smiled at, courteously attended to, enthusiastically spoken with. I get all the help I need and have an opportunity to meet some very nice, very friendly people, along the way, people that I would otherwise never have a chance to encounter. Everyone is so eager to help me find the things I’m looking for, it takes no time, to get it all done.

Once again, that was the game plan, and once again, success! Here’s to everyone that made it an amazingly memorable Christmas 2007 shopping experience, for me.

Thank you. It was a pleasure being served.

…and how was your Christmas.

Finally, getting back on track.

After neglecting my hobby for far too long, I'm slowly starting to catch up, making a little progress, making up for lost time, time that I missed when my mind and interests were elsewhere, for a while.

Amazing what a difference a little inspiration and a new camera will make.

I'm having fun, a lot of fun, and how things have changed. When I was last involved in the process of photography and graphics, the darkroom era was about to end and the new digital boom, just about to begin. It was an amazing transition from old to new. The introduction of the Mac started it all for me. Suddenly, and seemingly overnight, a totally new perspective on how to do things. Virtual, instant gratification, albeit, at that time, in its early stage of infancy and total user ‘bewonderment’.

For me, it was “a time of imagination gone rampant with anticipation”.

What an exciting period that was. I remember McDraw. Wow, double Wow. I remember the introduction of Photoshop, Pagemaker, and an assortment of applications that followed. The world started 'doing things' on little black and white TV’s, using ‘mouses’ and keyboards, doing things that were never before imaginable, possible or even attainable, conventionally. Suddenly, ‘the process’, from creation to the final printed page, which had changed very little by comparison since Gutenberg's invention took the world by storm; once again took another giant leap, forward. It was the beginning of new thinking, new innovation, and brand new technology. It brought many changes to our lives. In fact, that period changed our lives, forever.

Now, anyone who has an interest, a little imagination, can be a photographer, an artist, a writer. Anyone who wants to create works of art, can instantly display their images to millions, all around the world. Simply incredible! Absolutely wonderful!

Frankly, I love the digital era of photography. I love the ability to capture a moment, to express my feelings, convey my thoughts. For me, it’s a form of communication and, a means of self-expression. It makes it possible for me to share a precious moment with those, who are most precious to me. And obviously, I'm not alone. In my daily travels I encounter numerous people with cameras, people of all kinds, from every walk of life, taking pictures of just about anything they see.

And I'm thrilled to be a part of it all. I'm slowly learning the intricacies of my digital toys, reading manuals, updating software and sorting out pictures that I’ve taken. I've shot quite a few, deleted a lot and experiment, constantly. For me, it’s a continuing process of development, I think I’m making some progress, it’s getting better.

But then again, I tend to have a bit of a bias opinion about things I love most in life. Like Ol' Earl tells me though; son, ya' gotta' believe in what you're doin', eh.

Good advice, Earl. Very good advice indeed.

Summer Collage

Today’s the Day.

I’ve wanted to do this for a while now, play with my new camera, to learn, and get used to all the new stuff this one has to offer. And there’s a lot.

Being a hobbyist rather than a professional photographer, this is for pure joy and self-satisfaction. It’s my media, for self-expression. I was away from it for too many years but thankfully, about a year ago, I gained renewed interest and passion for something I truly enjoy.

I would really love to do this for a living. If I had a second round in life, being a professional photographer would be my dream job.

By no means do I think that I will know everything by the end of the day, but hope that I will make sufficient progress to make it fruitful. Just a couple of decent pictures, to make it worthwhile. Don’t want to get too greedy on my first day. But like anything new, it’s the anticipation.

Although Digital has taken away the anxious period of waiting to get prints back from the drug store, learning a new piece of equipment is always, for me anyway, a period of anxiety, no matter how short in duration. Getting used to something is one thing, predictability of the result, quite another.

But that’s what the process is all about, not just for photography, for all things new and different in life. Being an adventurer, deep down, however, I really look forward to that period of the unknown, when I’m not certain of the outcome. It gives me the drive to do my best and to continue, to learn all I can in the process.

All right, enough. The day’s a waistin’.

I’m excited, excited to be able to spend my day doing something I truly enjoy. The sun is shining, my gear is packed. I’ve scoured the manual from beginning to end. I downloaded the latest version of the driver, got myself connected to the manufacture’s site and set up Photoshop for direct import.

So now, I’m off to play.

Thanks for the invite. I look forward to the fun.

Dolli in Wonderland

An encounter with an old friend.

When I say old, I don’t mean in age, I mean in the number of years our friendship has endured. We worked together, played together, traveled together. She was the singer in the band. I was the drummer.

We met quite coincidentally at an out of the way coffee shop today. What are the chances of that, it was the first time for either of us to ever visit that particular shop. It’s been about three years since the last time and our conversation picked up naturally where we left off previously, seamlessly, without missing a beat. She is still active in music although her days on the road have come to an end. She’s married with a young family, living in the burbs, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, enjoying her newfound life.

I must say, she was one of the best vocalists I played with during my time as a musician. Great voice. Great looks. Great presentation. Along with the right attitude and personality, working with her was a pure joy. Time was short, we each had things to do. It was time to go. Before we parted, with coffee in hand, we promised to keep in touch a little more often, this time. We even talked about getting together for a jam, perhaps.

It was wonderful to see her again, to momentarily relive the past we shared, talk about the experiences we had and remember the things that can only happen while spending extended periods of time, on the road, together.

I love surprises.

“Naw, it just ain’t the same, eh”.

Ol' Earl in the Park

Meet Ol' Earl, as he likes to be called. Earl's a hockey fan, more specifically, an ardent, die-hard Leaf fan. He eats, sleeps and breathes the Leafs each and every game, all season long. All he ever talks about is his Leafs. Most of all, he recalls the good of days when his team ruled the league. Championships. Stanley Cups. Glory days. Winners each and everyone. Ask him any question about his team and he'll recite stats and information quicker than a googler.

The last time I met him, Ol' Earl was in a sour mood. Forty years of disappointment and frustration were beginning to take a toll. The quest for Lord Stanley's Cup was over for yet another year, his beloved Leafs had once again missed a chance at the playoffs. And of course the tension was immense, down to the wire action, last minute elimination. When will this finally end. Oh the pain.

I asked him whom he was rooting for, now that his team has been eliminated. In his usual growl he replied; "Naw!, I don't watch any other team, as far as I'm concerned, once the Leafs are dun, hockey's finished for the season. Hockey without the Leafs just ain’t hockey, so what's the sense, eh".

Yet, even in his deepest despair, he promised that next season would be much better. Next season, we’ll all have something to cheer about.

We met again yesterday and Ol' Earl had a big smile on his face. Earl was bubbling over with joy. He just couldn't wait to tell me all the good news about the Leafs. "Lots of changes", he gleamed. "We just re-signed our captain. Changes in Management. New players. The front office 'powers to be' have some great ideas and the whole organization feels confident to finally end the starvation and fulfill the dream of Leaf fans, everywhere. Next year, it’s The Cup, for sure”.

Now this, is good news. When he finished his enthusiastically detailed update and just as I was about to leave, he motioned for me to come back. "And one more thing buddy" he announced, in a confident tone of voice, "this time next year, you'll be the sorry lot, sittin’ here on this bench, cryin’ in your beer, and I'll be baskin' in the glory of victory and another Stanley Cup for the Leafs. You'll see".

A shining example of never-ending hope, eternal optimism, supreme loyalty and the continuing life long pursuit of a dream. Good luck Earl.

Good Luck.