Past, Present and Future

As this wet weekend comes to a close, I find myself in a reflective mood. I spent Friday night drinking some beers with my baby brother Dan and my old roommate Kevin in my living room and talking about the evils of Jack Johnson, the greatness of Kelly Clarkson and the merits of Hang Ten Whiskey. Our piss poor attempt at three man drinking games took a back seat to some decent conversation about the future for all of us. Collectively I think we all wish we could go back about a year and do it all again, especially considering that these two now live back a home with the parental units. However, all 3 of us are embarking on new chapters in our lives and there is a weird undercurrent of "are we going to see each other very much" in the not so near future?

By the way, I just had a double shot of Veronica by Elvis Costello and Needles and Pins by the Ramones on my Itunes while writing that last paragraph. That's hot.

Yesterday I had off and got to soak up the monsoon like conditions on the highway while traveling to the Northeast to pop in on the family. Got to be the guy to bring down my baby sister when she woke up from nap time which is always a nice event. Except for the crying. Primarily I had to make the visit to register as a democrat since that politician dude helped me out of my ticket nightmare. I also got extorted for $30 by this dude for some benefit beef and beer he's having for Autism in a couple weeks. I can't attend, but you gotta grease the wheels...you know? The plan for Saturday has been set for weeks since my college roommate was passing through the area on his trek back from Easter with his and his wife's folks. Usually Greg has to hit up either Central PA or West Virginia once or twice a year for appearances and we do our best to make sure we at least grab a meal and some conversation while he is en route. This time round was slighty different in the sense that a third party was with them in the form of a squishy new born named Emma. It was quite odd to see my old drinking buddy as a proud papa. Although he's quite capable of being a great father, it's just shocking every time a friend of mine transforms into a parent. There is almost an unspoken distance or separation that takes place at the exact moment you are confronted with friend and "child." Maybe it's me and my complete lack of understanding regarding procreation or my infant like behavior...whatever it is, it's unnerving. I am not one for curtailing my language, behavior (no matter how inappropriate) or apparently my IBS in front of anyone, let alone a small child that can't understand anything at all. I'm not off put by kids, it's just that I'm not one to coo and make baby noises and say all the cliche shit like "wow....she's adorable!" or "look at those pretty eyes!" Basically I'm a shit. I know this. What's great for me is that so does Greg. And he is cool with it. I think he almost expects it. Which is why no matter where we wind up or how far apart we are, we will always make it work. I'll always be Uncle Skip from now on...and that's kind of cool.

Right now, my reflections are more presently associated with my desire to actually fine tune my skills with photography and turning my passion into something more. Either a really committed hobby or a side job. The feeling I get preparing for and executing photo shoots is the best time for me. I'm in my head, always thinking about what I want to capture on film. I've had passion for other things in my life, like writing for instance, and clearly cinema and television, but this seems different some how. I can't explain it...but I if I could just take pictures all the time I think I would be happiest. Since I'm in the process of beefing up my skills and portfolio, I'm always looking for challenges, assigments, subjects. Ideas are always welcome...as are people willing to pose for me. Drop me a line and inspire me. Please. I'm begging you....I can only take so many pictures of the same willing subject.

Now playing....I'm Waiting For The Day by the Beach Boys.