An Amateur Photographer

     Over the past 15 years as I have travelled around,one of the things that I have enjoyed is documenting my travels with pictures. Until a couple of years ago, they remained nothing more than a collection of 35mm prints, organized by year and held together by a rubber band. Their home was a $4.00 plastic container purchased from Wal-Mart and they went with me wherever I went. When I switched to digital a few years back, I started adding to that box a collection of CD's with digital copies of my photos I had taken. It wasn't until 2009 that I purchased a computer and was able to unlock some of the memories that they held.

     I have never owned a high end camera. All of the cameras I have owned have been point and shoots, although I am hoping next year to make an upgrade. I have discovered a couple of photo editing programs that have allowed me to make some improvements to the some 4000 pictures I now have in my collection. I almost have everything scanned into my computer now and every one brings back memories from the past.

The first picture I took that made me think that I might have an eye for composition was taken during the time I worked at LeConte Lodge in the Smokies. I was a winter caretaker up there and for several month, it was as if I was living inside a snow globe. To this day, I've not applied any edits to this picture. The original makes me smile every time I look at it.

I have used GIMP as well as the built in edits in Google Picassa to make most of the changes to my pictures. Most of the improvements have been in contrast and lighting, but every change that is made seems to enhance the memory that much more. I can still feel the excitement of having climbed Saddleback Mtn in Maine in 2001 whenever I see this photo.

Other times I will make artistic changes in hopes of evoking a particular emotion I may have felt. Such is the case whenever I hike in my favorite location, the Roan Highlands of upper East Tennessee. On this particular hike, I felt as if I had the entire mountain to myself. It was unusual for there not to be other people around but I had this feeling that I was in an ancient place.

Developing a hobby like photography has been vital to maintaining my sanity. I'm not able to always go back and see the areas I have been to before. But the     photographs have served has timepieces to mark a particular moment in time for me. I know that when my body totally gives out, at least I will still have the memories!

Unemployed...again

      It appears as if another chapter in my life has come to a close. As of today, I am no longer employed. I was terminated from my position at Shenadoah National Park this afternoon. They said they felt I wasn't suited for the position. I have my own ideas as to why things didn't work out but at this point, it really doesn't make any difference. The question is-where to now?

     Given the economy, this is a tough place that I find myself in. Luray is not a large town by any means, and Page County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. If a job is to be found around here, more than likely it will be a minimum wage position. I also haven't made many friendships in the area so I have no real connection here. I do have an apartment, but with no income, that wouldn't last very long.

     I think I am left with two options. Being a veteran, I could take advantage of the services offered through the VA. I spent a year in the hospital in Johnson City and do have a few friends there. There is also a VA hospital in Martinsburg, WV that I understand has a fairly good job placement program. I'm not sure that would be the most beneficial move, but it is an option.

      The other option would be to try to find a place where work would be available and attempt to locate a position there. Searching for work in this economic environment can be a rather depressing endeavor. It is not something I look forward to again. Wish me luck; I'm gonna need it.