year 2016, week 37.

Monday.

Wow, I can’t believe it has been a year since I started writing these. It’s only been 9 weeks, get off your high horse Justin and in reality you’ve only had 19 reads on all 9 of them so shut the fuck up. You suck now get back to work.

This weekend I attended an awesome event with my family. Going into it I had high hopes of capturing it a very particular way. And I failed. I got a few okay shots, but as far as my vision for the images go, I failed. That shit happens and now I can’t snivel. Keep my head down and get push forward.

Fake drama and over hype really are a buzz kill for me. Most of the time something that could be really awesome gets ruined by talking about it. Just make it then share/offer it. It does suck when no one sees it. But that is just a shot at an over inflated ego (which we can all take). Just because something is liked, shared, bought, doesn’t mean it is bad work. And the converse.

Make work for yourself. Share it for the world when the time is right. Don’t put your ego on the line because once it is out you have to go back to work.

Tuesday.

Yesterday I made a publication for these Daily, Weekly. writings. Why? It feels good to have them in one place. In order.

So at the beginning of this year I made a few publications and put them in a series called 20/$16. Each is a 10" square soft cover book of an edition of 20 and sells for $16. The first got a few sales, the second not so much. I tried to revive it last month and although I got traffic, it yielded no sales. Discouraging as that is I still want to make the 3rd, 4th, and 5th publications that I have in my head. I think what I am going to do is just make them and print the first couple copies. That way they fit with the 2016 theme. I am sure I might even do a 6th before the year is out.

Next year they will be 20/$17 and I think in a different format. Maybe a folded, handmade zine style.

Keep it fresh. Keep it moving.

I was listening to Buckethead yesterday and decided to read up on him. His rate of album releases is just awesome. And the quality doesn’t suffer for it either, which I think is the most impressive.

Wednesday.

Be a genuine human. Find empathy within for those you meet. You don’t have agree with someones beliefs or principles to see that they are human. We all need the same basic things. When we as a society start to abuse those essential elements for short term gain (capital or otherwise) we have to step back.

Just because it is the path we are used to or see have envisioned ourselves following is not enough of a reason. Because a company has permits to build on your land doesn’t mean that the larger community who will also be affected doesn't have a say in the matter.

Standing Rock. Gold King Mine. Deep Horizon. Los Alamos.

I’m looking at you while I type this. Just in case you couldn’t feel me staring. We have questions and your lack of answers is deafening. If you’re in the business of some crude shit you need to always be free to answer. Never tire.

At the same time, to ask questions should mean you are ready for answers. Data. Facts. Truth. Take those answers and evaluate them before you criticize them.

I was raised to respect authority but to also question it. Challenge it. Never take “because” as an answer. Find your own answers and when the “man” tells you wrong, call them out. But be ready to have to back up your back talk.

Thursday.

This week has been a lot of ranting on other people. I wrote it not to change their mind, but rather to remind myself of what I should be doing. I need reminders.

To follow up on a previous entry I am now shooting almost daily. And the fact that my new little camera is with me all the time and has wifi means my daily photos are a better quality. Something I could eventually print poster size if I wanted.

Last week on my lunch walk I created a series of 8 photos on one topic. This week I have a new topic and am exploring it all week. I have found that having a topic is doing 2 great things.

1. Is that they feel like assignments. I choose the topic by what interest me at the beginning of the week. Then explore it while I am walking.

2. It is making my Instagram more curated. Instead of jumping from subject to subject I want my feed to show more patience. More intentional work. Besides the obligatory photos of my daughter and wife of course.