1) Pay off debt & bank as much extra money as possible!

As the Great Dental Woes of 2011 have become the Bankrupting Dental Woes of the Two Thousands (or so its starting to seem as I guesstimated I’ve probably spent $10k out of pocket since having my own dental insurance policy in 2002!), I’m realistic in the fact I’m gonna probably end 2012 with a pitiful future house fund and a dentist that’ll be able to better clothe/feed his children at that expense. I do have every.single.intention. of being out of debt on the cc balance I have now (for spring 2012 tuition and a few dumb purchases in 2011) that’s locked in on a 0% BT through November 2012. I don’t plan to carry a balance on the other two cards that I use for daily purchases and gasoline and pay off at the end of each month (one nets me a decent cashback bonus of approx $100/year for using it & the other one nets me about $150/year towards paying off my student loan balance). My student loans will be paid in full by year’s end (they’re just over $2600 as of today). My car will be paid off by summer’s end; however, its falling apart slowly, out of warranty completely, and just surpassed 100k last month, so I plan to trade it in on something else that I hope won’t be falling apart before its paid off! … that’ll be sometime between September and December 2012. I am contemplating two weekend trips this year + possibly one longer trip in late spring that I need to save some money for … at least one of those I’ll have travel companions to split costs with, the other two I don’t know yet. Meanwhile I want to beef up my emergency savings, try to build back up my medical savings once I get past what has to be done this winter (its about 1/3 done now), and bank some biz income towards buying a 70-200mm lens for biz & personal usage. And maybe, just maybe, if the biz has a banner year beyond my expectations AND Canon finally releases a quirk free successor to the 5D Mark II, I’ll be able to afford to pay cash in hand for it late this year.

2) Get & stay healthier.

I’m gonna be open here but not to the point of TMI in hopes I’ll have some positive support in achieving this one this year. Family and some friends know about this, but I’m putting it out there for everyone else to help hold me accountable and be supportive (btw, if you don’t have anything positive to say, click the X in the corner now.)

I’ve been reading up on foods to help counter this pesky phenomenon known as Acid Reflux that I seem to have developed/inherited. I’d like to keep what teeth I have before it destroys them all. Having TMJ is bad enough, need to lower my stress and decrease the # of times I spend more than half an hour with my mouth being worked on so it will stop flaring up so often so I won’t have to take those pesky muscle relaxants that make me feel dingy. I’d also like to counter all these weight (30 lbs) that stress and PCOS have helped me pack on since 2007. I’ll be happy to lose 15 of it. My wardrobe budget would be glad too …

While this is a year-long goal, next month I’ll begin spelling out what small steps I’m working towards to achieve this. Right now I’m looking for the right workout regime and foods that’ll help both issues.

3) Focus on education/growth as a photographer.

Essentially, all those materials I didn’t finish last year? Gonna finish them if it kills me or means a little less sleep a couple evenings a week. Also I have two photo projects this year — a 52 week challenge (year three of shooting/blogging an image a week on my biz blog) + monthly self portraits inspired by a quote that speaks to me that month. Also going to invest in a few tools to challenge myself photographically (filters primarily).

4) Either make or buy American for part to all of every present I gift this year.

If you’ve seen the Made in America series that ABC News has broadcast about since last fall, then you know what I’m talking about … how many jobs we can help create/maintain if we buy American instead of cheap overseas crap. I bargain shop & buy gifts for people year-round as I come across things I know family and the friends I gift to will like, so usually they get twice as much as a result. This year I intend for at least one if not all of the items I gift them for birthdays/Christmas to be American made or made by me. I’d love to be able to do the same for baby and wedding shower gifts that come up during the year if possible … but I’m not going to hold myself to that one since those are usually purchased from registries!

#2: Learn how to and make a time lapse video like this one:

The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

Maybe its the lack of humid heat half of the year.  Or the natural beauty. Or the ability to wear hoodies and cardigans on summer mornings … I don’t know.

All I know is that since returning from The Roadtrip, every thought I’ve had of being satisfied and never wanting to live anywhere other than in the Lone Star State seems to be under debate. I’ve traveled to other locales, came home, reminisced over images and souvenirs from time to time, but never wanted to go back so soon, or permanently. Recently at a work retreat, one of the two grand prizes (of the door prizes donated) was a trip for two to a resort town in the Rockies including accommodations in a cabin; I was probably the most disappointed person there when the winner’s name was drawn and it wasn’t mine. Despite the frigid winters (in comparison to around these parts), I see why one friend who relocated has no plans of ever moving back home and why I can’t convince my best friend to move south. After all, I own more sweatshirts, hoodies, and sweaters than I do shorts. Significantly more — especially considering the summer like conditions that starts sometimes as early as February and continues through the holidays some years.

I’d be content if I could afford to split my time 50/50 between here and the Colorado/Wyoming/Montana region, because right now I would in a heartbeat. But I haven’t won the lottery and I’m not financially independent enough to afford to do so. It makes the career path I’m working towards more desirable, especially if I can at least do a 67/33 split and spend mid-May through mid-August in one or all three of those states possible.

And it probably didn’t help that Grand Teton was on my page a day calendar all day yesterday. Or that Jethro, my workhorse computer, is turning out to be a lemon. Or that I discovered a tick bite last night that I probably acquired on Monday (or possibly last Wednesday or Thursday).

Btw, I have two things on the 101 in 1001 list I’ve knocked out recently and will be knocking out several more during my trip. Will post about them all in July!

Have a great rest of June!!

So far the plan is to make stops in Colorado Springs, a few locales along the Lincoln Highway in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Great Falls, Glacier National Park, Medicine Hat (Alberta), Regina (Saskatchewan), Devils Tower & Mount Rushmore, and Oklahoma City.

Yup, its gonna be a very long car ride — a good 80 hours without stops for bathroom breaks, sightseeing, eating, and sleeping factored in!

So far, I’ve — after two months of consulting with the other travel companions — finally booked six nights of the trip at locations we had to book to avoid either (1) no vacancies left or (2) paying an arm and a leg for a hotel/motel/lodge room. I still have five nights to book in locations that aren’t as critical plus ordering a national parks pass and reserving our Red Bus Tour at Glacier (one of the two splurges on this trip — the other is staying within Glacier for two nights). I’m not going further into the details of where we’re staying and when for privacy reasons … but once I post the pictures during the trip (when we have internet access, that is), everyone will know

Arrived. Humbled. Inspired. Captured. Forever changed.

I’m in Fredericksburg this weekend sightseeing, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of Weihnachten (Christmas Festival) as well as the activities surrounding the Pearl Harbor Survivors’s Convention and Reunion which chose Fredericksburg for this year’s convention/reunion (its the hometown of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz). In addition to the five trucks and two cars that escorted this heroes along Main Street for the annual Christmas parade, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with several of them. I’ve wiped tears from my eyes several times in the past twenty-four hours as I’ve been humbled, awed, and inspired by these men who survived one of the worst days in our nation’s history and who’ve come together to make sure we never forget — not just the events of that historic day, but them as well. So to them, I gratefully thank them for their service, bravery, and for preserving the memory of their fellow soliders/airmen/sailors/Marines who lost their lives that day and every day after that until the Japanese surrendered in August 1945.

“Mr. Vice President [Henry A. Wallace], Mr. Speaker [Sam Rayburn], members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor [Hirohito] looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador [Kichisabur? Nomura] to the United States and his colleague [Sabur? Kurusu] delivered to our Secretary of State [Cordell Hull] a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”
–President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Had a great idea for a thank you for this year’s clients — but when I calculated the cost to put it together: $150 w/ postage to mail it out. Ouch. Yeah, maybe next year. Gonna try to create something similar to last year’s thank you instead — total cost should be somewhere in the neighborhood of $30-35 instead.

How many of you would be interested in purchasing a ‘cd’ calendar of images? I’m toying with the idea of putting together one for myself with some of my non-client images from this year. Basically its a slimline cd case flipped to form an easel w/ 5×5 pages that you can swap out each month. If so — let me know. I need to sit down and sort through all the images I haven’t edited from this year and pick out which ones I’m gonna use. It’ll be a limited edition thing this time around — as I only have about 15 cases I purchased awhile back when the idea first struck me. I haven’t set pricing yet — but I’m thinking somewhere around $15 + s/h. I’m hoping to put this together during my Thanksgiving ‘break’ — although I may hold off on production to add the December image once I return from Fredericksberg …

I’ve been planning a day trip next month — the whole 101 in 1001 goals thing, planning to knock of a part of a goal along with my ‘take a day trip every other month’ goal. Where to? That’s the surprise — the only person who knows where I’m going is the person who’s meeting up with me for part of the day. Pictures will follow, I promise Then, I’ll be road tripping to Fredericksberg the first weekend in December for their Christmas market and festival. I’m also hoping to take another day trip in December while I’m off at the holidays if the weather cooperates to somewhere a bit closer to home than the upcoming two will be. Haven’t started planning that one yet …

Speaking of planning — I was looking at the map and trying to decide which route to take in a couple weeks for the previously mentioned day trip. Well, to compare the mileage and time, I first ran the start to stop in Google Maps. Then I tried the ‘back way’. Needless to say, I’m taking the interstate due to (a) time and (b) I know the route well enough to know where I can speed a little if need be.

On the other hand, I ran another set of directions — to see how long it would take to take a trip to Dublin. The one in the Lone Star State, that is. I’m thinking of going there for St. Pat’s next March or in 2010 … as its a tad bit closer and cheaper than going to the one across the pond.

Which route do you think is the most straightforward — the one Google recommends or mine (in pink)? I’m still curious why I need to go to the metroplex when Dublin’s south of it …

Please note: the town of West, Texas is not in West Texas. Its just north of Waco in Central Texas. Yeah, go figure …

I think the only things I’ve done lately are eat, sleep, go to my day job, take photos, edit photos, and trip plan — for the upcoming day/road trips and next summer’s trip! One of these days I’m gonna find time to read a book or veg out in front of the tv without the laptop distracting me! Or — better yet — actually catch up on letter writing that I’m five months behind on!

And — speaking of photo taking and editing, head over to the biz blog –  I am posting slideshows from the past four sessions this week, along with sneak peeks of yesterday’s portrait session all week …

Tomorrow, however, I am headed to Grapevine to not only photograph two portrait sessions (on top of tonight’s session after I got off work), but to make headway on this goal. I’ll be in the historic downtown area — so if you see a crazy girl with a camera, that’s probably me.

As for future day trips, and because I want to start knocking out #61 as well (Photograph the campuses of Baylor, UT-Austin, SMU, TCU, OU, Oral Roberts, Trinity University, Austin College – and go back and finish photographing A&M and Southwestern), I am working on plans to make my way back down to Waco and Georgetown by the end of this year. I kinda started on Georgetown back in January, but I only had the point and shoot with me that day, not my DSLRs.

I would consider going ahead and trying to add Austin in as well by the end of this year — to get UT and sights along Congress and Sixth Streets I have in mind, but I don’t have enough free weekends or extra gas money left for more than two day trips when my long weekend trip to Fredericksburg for their German Christmas Festival and Market is already a done deal. Luckenbach will be a stop on that trip as well. Maybe #36 too (the mini Stonehenge — and Easter Island replicas).

Next spring, I hope to find a long weekend off work — or work 4-10′s two weeks in a row – and venture north of the Red River to knock out OU and Oral Roberts University, which will also help accomplish #21 (Take a long weekend trip out of state to visit a friend) as I’ve been promising Randy and Melinda I’d come up to visit them (near Tulsa) ever since their wedding shower in early May 2005!

I may try to knock out SMU and TCU during the spring too, as well as a trip to Dublin (Texas — #38) and a visit to Thanksgiving Square Chapel (#89) in Dallas — and depending on how much time I have, I could knock out Austin College in Sherman on the way back from OK as well.

Next summer will be the highly anticipated Western US National Parks (tenatively planned: Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier, Theodore Roosevelt, and Mt. Rushmore — although if I can figure in the time to drive through Rocky Mountain National Park as well as the Badlands National Park and stop at Minutemen Missile National Historic Site, the history and political science nerd in me will be ecstatic — for the last one, that is) and Canada Road Trip — only parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan this time around. This covers #12, part of #39, and #42. And … this is the one that I’m currently spending the most time planning for obvious reasons!

So, next fall — which towns/cities should I add to the list? Austin and San Antonio make sense since I want to photograph campuses in those cities as well as locations — but those would involve an overnight stay somewhere to get everything I want to photograph. Gruene? College Station (I have a portion of the TAMU campus already from earlier this summer)? Corpus Christi — and Mustang Island (again, an overnight trip)? Nacogdoches? Jefferson? Texarkana? Paris? Kilgore? Uncertain (near Caddo Lake)? Livingston (well, the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation near there)?

Kemah and Galveston — which I’d hoped for next December (because of the annual Dickens on the Strand) is probably a no-go at this point depending on the rebuilding schedule in terms of accommodations and other sites I wanted to visit/photograph. That was one of my first thoughts after Ike hit Dickens on the Strand, however, will still go on this year according to their website.

As for cities in the western half of the state — there are several I want to visit for photographic reasons — but, well, those would involve a weekend, not a day to get there, sightsee/photograph, and drive back!