The Ambush

A very good friend returned from his mission for the time being. I'm really excited and I got to spend my day with him. We ambushed our friends and all were very surprised to see him. I was just glad that I could capture the moment.
-Simply Complicated

The Despicable

When I watch a movie with a group of people I love to look at their faces when something happens. What I mean by "when something happens", I mean that when there is a punch line , something completely mind-boggling  is explained, or a scary part of a film takes place; it does not matter what the event is, just so long as the event sparks emotion. Otherwise the face remains unemotional. It is kind of scary to think about, but I try to avoid the "glaze" and at least try to seem actively engaged in whenever I see a film or do anything. I just have to do something.
-Simply Complicated

The Small Wind

I'm doing an experiment where if I am asked to do something fun and awesome or have the urge to do something fun and awesome I do it (within reason.) So today I figured that I'll hang out and do what my dad decided to do and follow along. After some multiple changes of plans, we ended up paragliding. The wind was too weak for kitesurfing, but it was perfect for paragliding. I got a lot of good flights in on my own and am now ready for the big stuff! Soon, I'll be jumping off a cliff by myself.

-Simply Complicated

The First Group

What can I say: rock climbing is a lot of fun! Also, you can get really sore from it, but that was only because I was the main climber. A few friends came along with me for climbing and even though a couple were hesitant (that's why I was the main climber, so they wouldn't be as nervous), but they were still there to give it a shot. I was so sore by the end of the climbing session that I had difficulty taking off and putting on my lens cap. I guess that's what happens when you lead an active life.
-Simply Complicated

The Finalist

I received news today that I am a finalist in the Photographer's Forum Magazine Competition. I am 1 of 1,000 finalists who were picked out of 14,000 people. Honestly, I was not surprised I made a finalist, however, it was reassuring that I am a competent photographer and I don't have to go off of mine own opinion. The surprising aspect of this was the image chosen: the one of the wasp on the jelly jar from "The Quick Vacation". I didn't think it was my strongest submitted photo, but then again I'm not judging which is why I submitted a variety. I should hear back before 14 February if I won something or not. Let's hope for the best.
-Simply Complicated

The Circling

Running about the county for a job is exhausting. By the end of the day I felt completely out of whack (like an abstract work of art). So what better way to express how I feel my day went other than a abstract photo! Similar enough, not National Geographic quality though.
-Simply Complicated

The Experiment

I'm starting to experiment in ways that I can leave my camera shutter open for a long time without having to have my finger on the shutter. I figured out a way, but my experiment was interrupted by the death of my battery. However, I am on to something.
-Simply Complicated

The Pursuit

I am continuing the pursuit of my job search. I would like to be employed ASAP, but so far I attempts have been unsuccessful. Hopefully I find it.

-Simply Complicated

The Show

What more is there to say about a live performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show: Midnight Hour other than sheer profanity and absurdities.You may want out. People scream and swear throughout the movie and then you may be fondeled along the way. The insane return and the sane may leave or never come back. Which one you are is entirely up to you.
-Simply Complicated

The Pre-show

I went to see a Rocky Horror Picture midnight showing ... what more is there to say other than: interesting. I was what everybody called a "virgin" because I had never seen the live midnight hour performance. I was doused in make-up and drawn on. Fortunately I have friends that wish me to stay "innocent", so profanity was at a minimum. Needless to say, I still got a penis drawn on my back.
-Simply Complicated

The Sand

Doing more things is fun. I am starting to get out of the home bubble one step at a time. The extra thing I did today was to go rock climbing with a friend. Mission accomplished. Now I need to figure out what to do tomorrow...
-Simply Complicated

The Occupying

I am occupying myself through various means of self-employment and exercise, as I have probably overstated over the past few days. However now I need to get to a different mindset: become a strict vegetarian, take a chance at being a freegan, going to clubs and networking, do crazy things and write a story about it. To put it simply: do something out of the norm and see where that leads, I could end up crazy or I could become a great journalist. I just don't want to sit and wait for something to happen, I want to start it.
-Simply Complicated

The Fatigue

In between interviews and applying for jobs, I have been running or biking. Recently I have amped my working out and now I am feeling the after effects of that. I crashed on my bed for the longest time. I couldn't even stand standing! Somehow I managed to throw in two runs when I couldn't stand ... I'm back down now.

-Simply Complicated

The Activities

I have been doing quite a lot of stuff today, but it is always relaxing for me to just take some pictures when the opportunity arises. It does take the pressure off a little bit of trying to get a job.
-Simply Complicated

The Incentive

I went for a run alone well before sunset, and as I was finishing my run, I saw the most spectacular cloudless sunset. Too bad I was two miles away from my camera. I never felt so much incentive to run faster; I had to get the shot. Upon arrival, everything was silhouetted and the sunset was still gorgeous. Needless to say, I got the shot.
-Simply Complicated

The Grey

I have been hanging around with my African Grey for most of the day. I would really like for him to learn new words from just being around me. I'm just glad I was able to potty train him, otherwise I would have woken up to bird poop after my nap. It is good he was able to wake me up so he could do his business, too bad I can't hear out my right ear now.
-Simply Complicated

The Pondering

I have been pondering for the most-part of my day while I have been following my dad around doing fun things. I have been struck with the reality that photography itself or journalism may not be a profitable profession, but I love photography more than any hobby. Other people are telling me to do other things, but I am completely confused and do not know what to do. All I want to do is to stay true to myself but at the same time need guidance.
-Simply Complicated

The Negatves

This is a misleading title. I did not have a bad day, but I did have a day filled with work. For the most-part of my day, I scanned the negatives of my parents photos into the computer. It takes awhile, but it is fun to look at pictures from the past. The only things I need to watch out for are my fingerprints on the film.
-Simply Complicated

The Window

Recently I have been experiencing many windows; whether it be windows of time or new windows in the house I seem to be looking in on these windows in a completely undesirable way. Somehow I barely miss the opportunities I need to get back on my feet. I just need to find that and then I will be on my way.
-Simply Complicated

The Tea

I have found great comfort in tea again. I particularly like my tea with boba balls, but that is harder to find for the average person. After a long and exhausting day, I can relax by reading a book, shooting pictures, or watching a movie, the tea just helps me relax. You should try it, I think the British are on to something.
-Simply Complicated

The Applying

I have been filling out job applications left and right in hopes that I will get a job before next week is over. Whilst I was filling them out I could not help but stare at my dog. He does that a lot, especially whilst basking in the sun. Too bad I don't have that luxury of not having a care in the world. I wish I could just have a job already so I don't need to worry about this apply and wait stuff.
-Simply Complicated

The Statistics

Dear readers,
As all of you readers are probably aware, I have taken on a challenge of taking a photo for everyday and  posting it on my blog for each day. However, I also have other goals concerning my statistics. Blogger has a really neat feature that shows how many computers have viewed my blog in a specific time-frame, so I use those statistics view those to check the progress of my goal to get more and more viewers/readers. So my small challenge to you, my readers, is to help me promote this blog. The more readers and the more of a name this blog receives the better my chances are I can make it as a professional photographer and I would really appreciate it. Amateur is fun, but it is no way to make a living off of when nobody wants to hire you because you have not made a name for yourself yet.
-Simply Complicated

The Movie

Movie madness for me today. After the sun went down that was pretty much what I did: watch movies. I had other things that I needed accomplished, and not to place my problems on others, I desperately needed help from those who were unable to help. A good movie can be entertaining, but it doesn't accomplish anything.
-Simply Complicated

The Launch

Today I had to practice reverse-launching for paragliding. It was a little difficult and I was more interested in doing something more fun, but needless to say I did it and I was able to do it alright, but it was not a lot of fun. Later I did get to hang out with some friends, but other than that it was a laid-back day.
-Simply Complicated

The Worn

Cleaning for most of the day and then running barefoot with a varsity track team is no walk in the park. If it were, running would hence be walking, furthermore, my feet would not be as tender as they have ever been before now. When I was finished all I wanted to do was to sit and relax ... and that was just what I did.
-Simply Complicated

The Hanging

After some work and running, I was able to hang out with a good friend of mine from high school. I'm not too sure how much he knows how much I have invested into this field of study and art, but he seemed to accept it alright. Much better more than how much my parents seem to accept it, but I doesn't matter. All I really wish for is support from my parents while I explore my options, even though I am very sure that photography is path I will take.
-Simply Complicated

The Fence

I've been sitting on the fence as to what I will do for a job while I am back in California. I have not gotten any offers, but I am hopeful. What I do know is that I do not want to be a temp working in an office. My only problem with it is that I will not be able to go run with my old high school cross country team, and I would really like to run with them while I am here.
-Simply Complicated

The Sports

I am getting back into sport mode again; I am running faster, running harder, and (best of all) taking sport shots. Sports photography can be unpredictable especially if you cannot get the angles you want or you know little about the sport. I specialize in running photography simply because I have been a runner for five years, but most team sports I know little about. I am practicing though and I really liked the shot (even though it was a little slow of a shutter speed).
-Simply Complicated

The Search

I have been running about town today trying to get a job since I will be here for an elongated amount of time. I applied to the same number of places today as there are trees in today's photo.  I was so exhausted from today that I relaxed in my parent's jacuzzi and I found it especially relaxing to look at the silhouettes of things in front of the red clouds. Just the beginning of soon to be numerous busy days.
-Simply Complicated

The Stretching

I am finally back in California and now I have a ton of stuff to do! Today was my prep day to get prepared for the rest of the week. Right now I am stretching and getting warmed up for what is about to come.
-Simply Complicated

The Move

I finally left the cold of Utah and now I am back in warm California. Now I have a lot to do before I go back to school. I wish I could have gotten some of the work done before I left. I did however get some work done on the long car ride. Happy New Year!
-Simply Complicated