"The Holiday Experience"

nobody@vox.com(pixler) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:24:45 -0500

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.

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Hey! It’s about time.

nobody@vox.com(pixler) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:20:48 -0500

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.

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pixler’s blog

"The Holiday Experience"

Hey! It’s about time.