What I've been up to lately

[Bennybee]

Thanks for the encouraging words guys. I realize it's time to get off my lazy bum and try one or another thing instead of waiting for the right one to show up like a lighting path in the dark. But this here isn't all about me I wish you both fulfilling and joyful activities.

[LarryD]

I have been feeding the homeless and under advantaged along with recovering from that nasty flu. I had the shot so don't tell me what I should have done. Also talking about computers I am rebuilding some old boxes for fun. Retirement is OK except I work more now that I am retired than I did when I got pay for it.

[Don Day]

As the 2009 recession loomed, my work expectations ramped up, impacting my hobby time (and Nelsonfoto presence). After the recession basically forced early retirement, I did consulting for several years. Last year I acknowledged to myself that it was time to leave that rat race and get back to my old camera passion as my retirement specialty. My wife and I also moved to a small town deep in the Texas hill country (Mason, pop. ~2,200) where I have registered a personal business, Artes Lucidae (Bright Arts) Studio, under which I plan to make, exhibit, and sell photographs made uniquely with vintage film and cameras. Attached is one done for a recent crafts fair, made using a No. 4 Cartridge Kodak from around 1900 using Kodak 2430 Aerial Duplicating film which is appropriately slow and ortho in nature, but extremely fine grained, and a good match to the bitingly sharp resolution of a well-focused Rapid Rectilinear lens. Did you gather yet that I am having fun doing what I love, getting some local recognition, and an occasional commissioned sale? That's what I have been up to lately!

Hey, Bennie, my take on spare time is that it is a resource you can craft the way you wish. Someone once told me, "You can't steer a parked car." That reminder keeps me motivated to walk, read, shop, visit, even be a sole proprietor as a reason to keep my saw sharpened. Look up "file a DBA" as a low-barrier way to find some challenge and use for your hobby skills. One thing we as retirees have plenty of is experience that somebody else may be longing to learn from. Our satisfaction lies in finding ways to share it.

[alexvaras]

Our satisfaction lies in finding ways to share it.

Absolutely I agree with this Don, wise words.

Thank you all for sharing your lives, I feel I should to pay you a visit and have a beer or two.

[Bennybee]

"You can't steer a parked car."
I love that. Thanks for your input, Don.
Alex, always welcome to have a beer together when you're in the neighborhood.

[PFMcFarland]

I quit drinking back in '85, but I'm sure to find something to take its place, Alex.

Good to hear from you, Don. It's been a long time coming.

PF