I’m technically on vacation, starting today. I go back to work next Monday, therefore, it’s a glorified long weekend. I’d planned to visit California originally; never been to Los Angeles. I have friends there who I’ve met in NY a few years ago as well as friends who live in nearby cities.
Never mind all that. I had to make a choice between air fare + hotels + going places in CA versus buying accessories for my Canon XTi, camera backpack, 1TB External Hard Drive, extra mics for my camcorder, mini-DV tapes, accessories as well as line up couple of more video interviews for my guitar blog – that I’m unleashing in September with tons of original content. That blog is up already, btw.
The purpose of vacation is to take a break from routine and recharge. Looks like that is still not in the menu for me this year. Again. But who am I to complain. I couldn’t afford to be in a position to weigh in those same choices until this year. Add to that, unexpected expenses that had popped up right when I was contemplating both travel and equipment purchase. Those expenses knocked me down and counted to 10. I had to make my choice fast. Well, not really. I kind of fell into this choice.
So here I am. I live in a city I’m in love with. I haven’t had a chance to be in the city, during the day on a weekday, for a long time. Unless it involved a visit from my work in NJ. Last time I checked – yesterday – the sky was bluer than ever. Only if it keeps its promise to stay that blue for a few more days.
Can I even call this change of plans a sacrifice? I can still do what I’d do if I’d traveled to different state: sleep late, pick up and go wherever, meet people I’ve been meaning to. So many things going on in the city I had to employ the services of Google Calendar. If you’re reading this at 11am – I’m at B&H, shopping and…taking a free class on portrait photography with Dave Piazza. I’m not big on classes but this one just called out to me. I’ll find out why. Wanna see if I can catch this balloon ride over Central Park. I’m scared of heights but maybe I can put that on hold for a bit? I don’t know.
If I had enough money, I’d have gone somewhere new and explored unfamiliarity. But I’m building something for me; my career.
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I used to be scared of heights, until i went on my climbing course that was. My instructor, trainer quickly changed that. Climbing a 50 metre Radio training tower with him, we got upto 10 meters, he told me to latch my anti fall device above my head, and put my pole belt around the lattice framework, and we had a little chat. He said to me, “Now, if you were to fall from here, it would hurt”, to which I said, oh, ok, anyway, we proceeded to climb up another 10 meters, to which we did the same, made ourselves secure, and he said “Now if you fell from here, you would certainly break a bone or two, and it would most certainly hurt”, my reply was, ok, lets go higher. We then climbed upto 35 meters, and my instructor rolled himself a cigarette. He smoked it, then we climbed a little higher, this time to just over 40 meters, which we carried out the final latch on, and secured ourselves. My instructor turned to me, and said, “now Mike, if you fell from this height, you would not feel a thing, you would not survive a fall from this height!” From then on, I lost my fear for heights, and went on to pass my climbing course, and later in my career climbed such heights in excess of 100 meters, and really enjoyed my climbing, surveying, taking panoramic photos, and alike at height.
Get in that basket, and go up in that balloon, you will not regret it, you will feel like a bird up there, and have a view that you will never forget.!!
Sorry for rambling on.
Sounds like you ARE exploring new and unfamiliar things…portraiture class, balloon ride…who says you have to leave the city to go on vacation?! Hope you have a great time exploring your city and can’t wait to see what photos and video come out of it!
Micky: That’s the best story about tackling fear of heights I’ve ever read. I am going on that balloon ride. Only now I wish it went up higher than it does – 300 ft or so. Well, 30 stories is no joke either. If I do it, it will have to be by Friday. Thanks for the encouragement.
Nicole: Thanks! Trying to make up for not making the LA trip, which I will as soon as I make some money back. Class went well today. More on it later.
Just checked the weather– looks like it’s gonna be beautiful through the weekend. I’m happy in Mexico City, but man, I miss NYC!
Hi Julie. Yes, it was just plain gorgeous today.
Good luck with it my friend, and get some great photos for us all to see.!
Today is the day! Good luck.!