Thursday, July 25, 2013

Less is More and More

After five years and a few months of daily photo-blogging, I burned myself out on it. That includes taking pictures. I didn't feeling like seeing through the camera anymore. Didn't want to carry the camera in the first place. 

But sometimes, a photo is irresistible. After all, there is light, there is shadow, and there is chance. Plus I have a dog. 

I thought I'd have more time when I stopped blogging daily, but of course I filled it. I'm working on many things this summer:

- Putting together a performance technique class for writers.

- Preparing my next book for publication (a non-fiction humor book called "Act As If," about the life of a journeyman actor in Hollywood)

- Writing and researching my next novel (first draft stage, this will take forever)

- Recording the audiobook of Camelot & Vine. (Have you read it? Feel free to review it, either on Goodreads or Amazon, even if you didn't like it. Apparently volume is the game on those sites, so the more the merrier.)

I thought I was going to get the back yard fixed up, but I'm having enough trouble finding time to sweep the back porch.

What are you doing this summer? Have you found more work to do, or are you giving yourself a break?

25 comments:

LOLfromPasa said...

It is great to see you slip in a midweek shot, Petrea. I had to study it for a while to figure out what I am looking at. I love abstract and the lines here are super neat. I know your time is well spent but I still miss your daily blog entries. I am hopeless at Zen Monday captions but I love having a look on Mondays and then going back on Tuesdays to see what everyone else says. Always entertaining. Me? Much the same as you...no time to sweep that back porch :). Take care!!

Speedway said...

Oooh, golly. I've been obese since I took a sit-down job in 1998. Efforts to get it off were neither long-lasting nor successful. After having a cancer removed from my face last spring, I determined to find a doctor who'd listen to me and help, rather than be condescending towards the middle-aged blob she found in front of her. I found a doc who referred me to a dietitian, who found nothing wrong with what I ate, just helped me pare the amounts.

I joined a local Masters swimming club where I not only have facilities to use but the services of a coach. Did you know swimming techniques have changed since we/I first learned to swim mumbly-jumbly years ago? Well, he and I joke he's trying to turn a barge into a torpedo. I go 2-3 nights a week with more to come, I'm sure.

My goal is to be able to take part next year in a 2.5 mile swim competition in the Ohio River. I'm sure the coach has some torture planned for me between now and then. I'll just do my best to accomplish whatever task he sets for me.

In the process, I walk and take pictures for my own blog, work a part-time temp job, and have begun reading/research for my own "next book," as well as prepare pictures for a little exhibit, my first, this December I'd like to call "Speedway Daily Photo: Against the Wall."

Oh, yeah, I've so far lost about 35 lbs, with another 65-85 to go, depending.

Speedway said...

P.S., I love the picture, the lines defining the cement shape, the light.

And I don't clean house. It's a mess.

dive said...

Irresistible indeed! What a beautiful shot, Petrea.

What am I doing this summer? Work, dammit.

Petrea Burchard said...

LOL, thank you! I don't know if my time is well spent, but I'm hoping for good results.

Speedway, it sounds like you're enjoying your new routine. I've just been reading about exercise and we must do it--well, I don't have to tell you.

I figured that, Dive. If you ever get a vacation I'd love to see a blog post about it.

Anonymous said...

That is one cool photo.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

@Petrea: I so agree.. My blogging has definitely slowed down... not just because of the weather- too distracted w/family issues, lawyers.. need I say more? anyway I agree w/Karin... that photo is way cool- textures, contrasts... always a good thing!.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, guys. I'm glad I was up and out back early enough to see this one.

Ms M said...

Excellent photo -- good eye!
I can understand needing to move on to other endeavors, and it sounds like you've got some wonderful things going!

My summer -- work. I continue to take photos and blog, just not as often as before. Doing some volunteering with an org, helping with tech and website. Always fun to learn something new.

Katie said...

Love this photo! It's like a little zen garden with perfect lines created using a teeny tiny rake. Your summer sounds very busy, even without blogging. Hasn't someone made a robot yet that you can leave outside to sweep the porch, rake leaves, etc? Hmm. I've worked a lot this summer, but also given myself two very relaxing breaks with trips to the East Coast to visit friends and family.

Dina said...

Those curvy lines look like contour lines on the map of my hilly area. So beautiful the light and the shadows you found. One can never put the camera away forever. It calls us back.
I am only semi-blogging for a while while all my time is consumed by packing and moving. But more about that later.
Your list of summer projects is wonderful. Sounds more like a lifetime of good work(s). Enjoy it, Petrea!

Unknown said...

Amazing. I took a very similar photograph that started me up again.

Petrea Burchard said...

It sounds like we're all busy this summer. I've seen pictures of people relaxing on beaches with those umbrella-festooned cocktails, but I think that's imaginary.

Unknown said...

I'm boarding a plane in 10 hours on my way to the Outer Banks of North Carolina...

Petrea Burchard said...

Woops! Cliff, you're already there. I hope it's still as beautiful as it was when I was a kid.

TheChieftess said...

Nice shot...yep...texture, lines, tones etc!!!

I'm impressed by Speedways endeavors...I need to get back to exercise too...now...if I could only get some oxygen up here in the ethers of 8000ft!!!

Petrea Burchard said...

It's too hot here, Chieftess, but I tell myself, "no excuses!" I have to get up earlier, or go walking after dinner. Bummer.

Bellis said...

What a terrific photo! You were there at just the right moment. I'd love to see a series of photos of the same spot over the next few months as the sun's movement changes the way the stripes fall, but that would be like having to do a daily photo, which you're having a rest from.

Petrea Burchard said...

True, Bellis. It's nice to see this heart-shaped rock every morning, though.

Susan Campisi said...

Very cool photo! It does look like a zen garden. How perfect that it's a heart-shaped rock.

I like your list of things you're working on. Nice, meaty projects to wrap your arms around.

I'm busy this summer, too. I haven't blogged in ages; every weekend I say I'm going to do a post, and then... I've been focused on animal advocacy campaigns instead: the March for Elephants on 10/4/13, a petition to change Montana laws around hunting wolves, freeing whales from captivity, etc. Trying to save animals takes up a lot of time! And it gets depressing. Thankfully the pitties get me out of the house and out of my head.

Wanna join Tommy and me for a walk one of these days?

Petrea Burchard said...

Susan, your work to save animals is admirable. I sign every petition that comes my way, but I haven't marched. And yes, it's depressing, because we can't save them all. Some people are still living in the 19th century and seeing animals as mere livestock.

Here's Susan's column on Patch: http://pasadena-ca.patch.com/blogs/animal-advocate

Yes, I'd love to join you and Tommy for a walk. Just me, no Boz.

Linda said...

I'm seeing quite a bit of fatigue with seeing the world through the lens at the moment. 5-6 years seems to be a watershed. I can understand completely, and I'm not even on the 'daily' treadmill that you've set yourself, so I think you've done fantastically well to be so prolific for so long.

My summer is too full already and I long for some time to do nothing at all, but that's not on the cards!

Will look forward to seeing your posts whenever you decide to dip back in.

Margaret said...

It sounds like you are getting a lot done, and that always feels good. I look forward to your new projects.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks for your comment, Linda. I hope to get back to taking pictures one of these days, but for now I'm not trying very hard.

I'm getting a lot of lists written, Margaret. Not crossing off as much as I'd like to.

Linda said...

I feel compelled to work on projects!

Love the photo. Great texture and light.