Moving On

It was something that was discussed on another fellow blogger’s blog just recently and that is when it hit me in the stomach as to what happened to this whole past summer. Everything was basically a blur from April until now, filled with too many “what if’s”, and putting my life on hold.

August 27th was supposed to mark the end, but it seemed like it was just another continuance. To get my mind off the perils I faced, I got myself totally engrossed in my photography. With all the editing and tweaking of my photos, the days would disappear as fast as they came. This past month, there were some days I would hit the road and drive. Most of the time to Chicago. After spending a few hours there, I’d try and catch dinner with my brother, missing him most of the time. But one day, I thought of the idea to hit the CTA rail system along the expressways and catch photos of headlight or brake light trails. After a few trains passed, I was told I had to get off the platform as I wasn’t allowed to take photos there. Then I tried to make due with what I could capture from bridges and viaducts. The unfortunate circumstance was that it was a steady misty rain that evening. My next trip to Chicago I want to be primarily at night and catch some downtown nightlife shots and shots of the architecture. Last Sunday the 27th was one of those “spur of the moment” trips to Chicago. I was too happy to get some great panoramic shots of the Chicago skyline as I was way out into the lake by the Adler Planetarium. There was also the trip to the Sears (Willis) Tower Skydeck where I had to check out “The Ledge.” For those of you unfamiliar with The Ledge, the Sears Tower’s skydeck was outfitted with three glass enclosures that extend beyond the exterior facade of the building. See one of the photos I captured where I was standing in one of the glass enclosures and photographed people in the two adjoining ones.

Due to what was financially-draining, all of my major home projects were put on hold, including adding a shower to the upstairs bathroom and having the driveway repaved. Literally, I need to get my house in order as it is getting really cluttered. Lots of clothes that need to be thinned out of my closet as well. I bought a euphonium about two months ago that I thought was going to get me out of my funk, but I have only played it two or three times. I need to play that more often. I always wanted to be accomplished at playing an instrument and while I’ve played only once a year most of my adult life (at Homecoming at U of I) on a school instrument, I am hoping that having my own instrument now will give me the added push. When I grew up I was a trombone player, but Dad and my nieces are playing that now.

Mom’s been by the house quite a bit as of late and I have a feeling she knows something has been bothering me. I’ve continued to tell her everything is fine. But wearing this “facade” has been exhausting. It reminds me of when she “broke me down” and got me to come out to her back in the late 90’s. Hard to believe it was 14 years ago.

Work has been very busy since July. We had early retirement offered to many employees who took advantage of it and then most recently we had an additional 50 people laid off. It’s made things crazy here with being short-staffed and people are “on edge.” I let the registration for participating with the Alumni Band at Homecoming and securing a hotel room escape me, so I will not be attending Homecoming this year, which may be for the better. They haven’t had a winning record as of yet and I could save some money. Attending by myself has not made it the most fun either. Granted there’s tons of alumni to be with, but when the alumni are there with loved ones and children, you feel out of place. Looking forward to spending more time in the neighborhood and not on the road trying to get lost.

I’ve actually been wanting to get back to blogging as I feel I need that support once again from others that “all is well” in this world of ours.

 

The situation I found myself in made it seem like blogging should be the last thing I should be doing….but I miss it. I’ve been writing posts for my blog, but they have gone unposted and kept in my “Draft” folder.

Click on the gallery photos TWICE to get to the largest size.