It's been a long time, friends. The first photos I uploaded to this FA were on April 9th, 2014; More than 10 years ago. Often these days, I find myself looking back on my previous work, and every time I'm astonished at my growth as an artist; at how much I was able to accomplish with the shabby equipment I had. There's definitely a lot of flops and photos that I think are in poor taste and should be deleted, but I can never bring myself to do so. They're part of my story, and as I age, I find it harder and harder to remember some of these finer details. I decided to read through my oldest surviving journals from 2019 and it genuinely feels like a different person is talking. I've changed so much in 10 years; part of that is terrifying, and yet part of it is beautiful. I'm not where my younger self thought I would be, that's for certain. Many of the things I've tried have failed and I'm still stuck in thee same apartment I was in 2018. My path forward is unsteady, but it is a path of my passion. That's never led my astray, has it? haha.

10 years of photography. Saying it out loud really gut checks me. It's older than any other skill I have, and so I figured I ought to stop shitting around on FA and maybe try to make some money with it. I invested in a few lenses and a body back in. . . twenty-twenty-something, and my latest photos have all been with them. I recently invested in my first telephoto lens for wildlife photography. I might be able to use it for sports, as well. I'm actually reading a book about my camera body specifically to learn a few new things about it. I wont be able to make a living off of this, of course, but it will take me places outside and expand my world and pay me extra for all my trouble.

I've failed as a motorcycle mechanic, I've failed as an electronics technician, and I've failed as an HVAC technician, too. I've decided to hang up my blue collar. Working for other people, seeing all my time and energy disappear. . . it hasn't been working. I must forge my own way through life while I'm still young enough to change, and damn it, I will. I've grown closer to nature with time, as is evidenced by my almost exclusive portfolio of wildlife photos. I've been involved in environmental movements and politics. The last few years, I've also learned so much about biology, ecology, and chemistry. I discovered that I like growing things and being outside in the wild. So, what did I do with this new conditioning? Well, I signed up for an urban agriculture internship, of course! And checked out a few books on the subject. I'm working on forming an urban agriculture cooperative in Tacoma with some friends and acquaintances. It's just a seed right now, but once day it will break ground.

My future is certainly less sure than it ever has been, but I have so much hope!

I will continue to upload here, since i have no better outlet for wildlife photography. I doubt I'll post any of my professional work, no worries there. I cannot wait to give this new lens a shot!

Thank you all for coming along on this journey with me for 10 years <3