Thursday, December 20, 2012

Holiday Time

I've thought of all sorts of things to ask Santa for this Christmas, but I don't really need anything except more time. I'm one of those people who always wants to get more done. It seems there aren't enough hours in the day. 

I'm not going to get more time, though, and more time wouldn't help me anyway. My problem isn't time. It's my attitude toward time and how I use it. 

I could look at it this way: I will get more time if I take time. If I take time to smell the roses, as they say, or the pine needles, or the underbrush, or the cheese, I will have more time. Or at least I'll feel like I do.

Ack. There's a reason I never studied philosophy.

Santa, maybe you could just please bring me a tripod. Thanks.

23 comments:

Valladolid Daily Photo said...

A tripod always work in these situations, it´s a good petition to Santa.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

Frankly, I like the effect u got here!. Dream-like... Anyway a friend taught me to make your body the tripod... Stand w/feet a few feet apart... hold camera arms steady and hold your breath.. then hit that button. seriously, it works.

Anonymous said...

Santa, maybe you could just please bring me a tripod

But then we wouldn't get those trademark blurred pictures....

TheChieftess said...

Kalei...add one more step to your self tripod...rest your elbows on your boobs!!! (Of course...this step only works for the photogladies!!!)

A nice sturdy fence works too!!!

Anonymous said...

Talk to Boz, dogs understand time; they even name years after them.

Petrea Burchard said...

Valladolid: I think you're right.

KBF: I can never hold quite still. Maybe it takes practice, which I haven't done.

JB: I'm trying to change my branding.

Chieftess: Ouch.

Karin: I know you're right. Dogs know how to keep their time with them and at the same time let it go.

LONDONLULU said...

I agree with Kalei's Best Friend, love the dreamy quality here...tripods are great, but maybe Santa could bring roses or cheese too/instead:)

Bellis said...

I'm so envious of people that are in control of time and get lots done: my husband's one of them. While I'm smelling the roses or watching a hummingbird for half an hour, he's paying the bills and reorganizing the filing system. I'm not sure I'd want to give up the time I spend gazing at nature, but it leaves me with a nagging to-do list that rolls over from one day to the next. So, like you, I'd like lots more time for Xmas.

Petrea Burchard said...

Lulu, I've spoken to Santa about my list and he knows how easily pleased I am! I don't need roses, although cheese is nice. I'm a practical girl.

Bellis, some of us might be envious of your ability and time to enjoy nature, too. Looking for a balance, I guess.

TheChieftess said...

Oh Bellis!!! You and yours sounds like TheChief and me!!!

Leeds daily photo said...

I have a heavy duty tripod, which is great but I rarely carry around. Usually but not always I can get a reasonable picture but using it on manual.
Its a great gift to be easily pleased.

Margaret said...

If I get that vacation house in Spain I will share it with you.

Petrea Burchard said...

I wouldn't carry a heavy one either, Paul.

Thanks, Margaret. That sounds like fun. We can bring our dogs but not our laptops.

Susan Campisi said...

Oh how desperately I would like more time. I've turned it this way and that and agree it might just take a different perspective. Hiker's onto something: Tommy's got his head in my lap just waiting for a treat. He's got all the time in the world.

Ms M said...

Time often seems mystical, even slippery to me. Karin's right: dogs get it. So do cats. And they often seem puzzled that we don't.

I've used KBF's "human tripod" technique and it often works well for me. I like the "aesthetic blur" of your photo, and your writing fits it well.

I'll close with this:
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." -- Douglas Adams

Katie said...

Great Christmas tree! I like this effect, even if you want a tripod.

Anonymous said...

Time is what you make it, can't stop it. But can fill it, however you wish. And your photo has shown exactly how time moves on...

Petrea Burchard said...

You're right, Susan, Hiker's onto something. I spend a lot of time with Boz. Dogs don't care about time. It's one reason we love them.

Ms. M, thanks for the Douglas Adams! Loved him.

Katie, surely I can give you more wobbly pictures.

Thanks, Geoff.

jb said...

Here's one that works
Buy a bolt that fits your camera's tripod mount and screws in so that head is snug against the body
Buy a piece of string
Buy a washer
Washer on the end of the string, string around the bolt, adjust length of string to distance between eye and ground.
Stand on washer, pull camera to eye level
See! Can't move!

Dina said...

Love the picture and your thought. You are so right.

Petrea Burchard said...

Have you tried that, JB?

Thank you, Dina.

jb said...

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/01/make-your-own-t/

Petrea Burchard said...

Heh. "gear lust points."