2023 has to be one of the strangest years I’ve lived through. How is that for a lead in sentence? Strange doesn’t inherently have a negative connotation to it. At least not to me. Looking back, I shake my head in wonder at how the threads certain events or encounters came to be woven. But I’m in a great spot. Better than most, worse than a few. Better than I deserve.
Life
I’m used to blazing my own trail out in the world but this year, in my own life, I was unmoored. Not sure if I even wanted to go back to a safe port I had know for the past 15 years or point myself in a new direction and let the winds of change take me away.
As of now, I’m in a new industry that I never thought I’d be in. But my corporate, software, and photography skills are helping a small family-owned company compete with larger, more well-equipped companies. Every company I’ve worked for has always told me how we’re all a big family but I always knew that was merely a talking point. Where I work now, I actually feel like a valued member of the company. So work is good.
Having to deal with career changes, needing a new car, and navigating romance at my age, this year has been a constant learning experience. It wasn’t until around mid October that life finally started to smooth out. Life isn’t so erratic anymore but my dating life is another story. We’ll see how her and my story ends up in next year’s entry.
Travel
Having a few broken bones in my wings prevented me from going as far as I’m used to. But I’d rather think of it as a pause to weaken the tolerance of expectation. As my longing will make new travels be more meaningful and impactful.
But I do have my travel agent license now which has helped pay for some future travel 🙂 More on this in 2024.
Los Angeles, California – A trip with a few friends and their kids. A bit of an escape to try to figure out my pathway forward. Eating some great Asian food in a nearly empty hotel lobby and hearing the rain outside was a nice memory. Reminds me of time I did the same thing high above Tokyo.
Malibu, California – A spontaneous trip with my friend to see an artist perform in a small bar outside Malibu. Another experience to solidify the theory that you don’t have to fly across the world or country to succumb to the euphoria of the travel drug.
Las Vegas, Nevada – This was a “business” trip. I was sent to attend a week-long convention in Las Vegas. A hotel on The Strip paid for with a generous a per diem, it was the closest thing to a vacation I had all year.
The Havasupai Trail – In the scope of things, I did go on a bucket list hike into the Grand Canyon. The Havasupai Trail was unforgettable. The highly sought after and internationally known trail brought the world to me. Hearing 6 different languages spoken on the trail and in the campground. On a Tuesday at noon in early June, I received a text message saying there was an extra ticket. But I had to be at the trailhead at 2AM Wednesday morning. I’m glad I still have the adventurous spirit to just say “fuck it” and figure it out along the way.
Photography
This was a year of helping others. From small businesses, to festivals or events to just being there with a friend, people in my area are starting to ask for my help. I’m honored. I work for free food or free product. It’s quite rewarding to be able to help small, upstart business that may not be able to pay for professional photos.
Reading
Due to the aforementioned changes towards the beginning of the year caused me to shift some focus on something other than reading. I still found my way into some great stories. And I finally found a book club which is why you’ll see some YA or fantasy novels. I had been looking to join a casual club to talk about books but never found one I liked. Even though I didn’t read as many books as years previous, I still think 20 books isn’t half bad.
I read Something Wicked This Way Comes twice as when I first read it, my mind wasn’t able to concentrate on the story. Simply reading the words on the page and not following the plot’s thread.
Invisible Things – Mat Johnson – 240 Pages
Sea of Tranquility – Emily St. John Mandel – 259
Something Wicked This Way Comes (X 2) – Ray Bradbury – 293 X 2 = 586
Heat 2 – Michael Mann & Meg Gardenier – 470
The Buried Giant – Kazuo Ishiguro – 317
Piranesi – Susanna Clarke – 245
My Year of Rest and Relaxation – Odessa Moshfegh – 289
Wayward Pines – Blake Crouch – 307
Borne – Jeff VanderMeer – 325
Shadow & Bone – Leigh Bardugo – 358
Siege & Storm – Leigh Bardugo – 432
Ruin & Rising – Leigh Bardugo – 417
The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern – 512
The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss – 662
The Starless Sea – Erin Morgenstern – 498
Little Heaven – Nick Cutter – 486
The Clockwork Dynasty – Daniel H. Wilson – 310
My Best Friend’s Exorcism – Grady Hendrix – 332
The Magicians – Lev Grossman – 402
Fellside – MR Carey – 430
The Raft (Short story) – Stephen King – 98
The Jaunt (Short story) – Stephen King – 25
Shogun – James Clavell – (in progress)
Total pages: 8,000
Favorite stories of the year (in no particular order): Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Buried Giant, Piranesi, Wayward Pines, My Best Friend’s Exorcism, and The Jaunt.
Next year, I’d like to get to some longer books. Shogun and Lonesome Dove next up in the TBR (To Be Read).
Future
I’m still walking through a privileged life. This rather odd year is has reminded me of that. What really warms me is seeing how my photos can impact a small business and their social media reach or a family who wants an event documented for future smiles and emotions. And that people are genuinely happy to see me when I walk through their door or pass them on the street.
2024 is looking to be a little more predictable yet spontaneous in good ways. I used to want to know when things would happen. It used to make me feel safe and protected. But learning that a static predictable life isn’t always in the cards everyone. Events beyond your control can through the trajectory of your life into a bit of a spin but that has taught me to slow down and enjoy the little things and small victories even more than I already do. Take care everyone.
phxdown 