I've been away from DA for quite some time. My creative spark, meager and dim though it was - was extinguished by the hurry-scurry pace that ensued as I moved from Spain back to the U.S. I see that my absence has had quite detrimental effects. The watchers I had have dwindled to near none - though I do appreciate the folks who've left me "added" to their list.

My choice to move back to Pensacola was not entirely my own. Long story, that one...and not for telling here.

I must say - that only six months after arriving - I'm quite bored with it already. This town is as beige/Wal-Mart/gray t-shirt as a town gets. More churches and personal injury lawyers than could ever be utilized by the populace. Hotwings and chain restaurants on every corner but a paucity of fine dining and virtually no live music venues. The symphony is the one shining beacon of culture here and I attend every performance. They're quite good. Otherwise...where art is concerned...painted sea shells and sand sculpture about sums up the scene. Bible thumpers abound, assisting everyone to feel quite guilty if The Lord's name isn't inserted in every third sentence. A goodly 5% or so of the female population wear 3/4 length denim or khaki skirts so their sinful knees won't be seen by covetous and lustful on-lookers.

I'm marooned here for not less than another 2 and 1/2 years. I'll muddle through. I can tell you however, that I don't see any chance of artistic inspiration striking. I don't wish for it - and I'll be taking a few steps to try and ignite a little fire (taking some classes on Adobe PS)....but I don't hold out any real hope.

Listening to: A rondeau (not sure who's) - Wynton Marsalis
Reading: Revelation Space - Alastair Reynolds

Hosted a holiday party for "The Department" last night. It went quite well, reminding me of my innate ability to be both servant and gracious host - maybe I'm in the wrong line of work..."Wallace Incorporated: Professional Event Planners"....hmmmm. Nope - too many appetizers and cocktails - I'd be a whale in no time.

Anyhow, I think I'll set up the hot lights and give a go at an idea for a photo that just came to me. The theme "Classical upstairs/Jazz downstairs". Prolly won't work - but I'm always game for a little experimentation .

My inspiration for this current burst of creative energy?... The 25th Day by

Happy Holidays.
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Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Wm Butler Yeats

Mood: Too damn busy...
Listening to: Hey Pretty - Poe
Reading: Revelation Space - Alastair Reynolds
Watching: Lawrence of Arabia

I'm considering taking up heroin, or perhaps crystal meth.

Any thoughts? Does anyone have recommendations on the relative merits of one substance vs. the other?



Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Wm Butler Yeats

Mood: Too damn busy...
Listening to: Hey Pretty - Poe
Reading: Revelation Space - Alastair Reynolds
Watching: Lawrence of Arabia

I've been shitty, beige-colored, uninspired for months. As a result of the many emotional travails and trials, I've been emotionally numb.

That was then. This is now.

I'm waking up. My senses are waking up, that is, and I think I know what the cause is.

The return (geographically) of my beloved.

I never really gave much thought to just how much I count upon my lover's attention and warmth. It allows me to fully relax and experience the world in a way that is impossible when she is gone from me. The optimism I feel about life in general, the way I approach people easily and unabashedly. My guard drops. To risk dating myself a bit...dipping into a bit of Pink Floyd for a visual....the walls come down. I've spent a lifetime building them - but when she's around....they all disappear - as if never having existed at all.

I hope she will let me shoot her early in the next year. I'll show you just how wonderful she really is. If not - that'll be fine. You'll see me post some work that isn't as dreadful as the stuff I've put up before - and you'll know the origin of the inspiration behind what you are seeing.

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

I've been absent from DA for a bit. Rocky times at the hacienda de Drew. Health-wise I've been fine (actually fantastic - training for a marathon). Early June-ish I and my wife had some difficult issues to sort out and things looked quite grim. You must understand that we discuss things passionately all the time, we love to talk to each other...but we have rarely had "arguments" of any great magnitude (not such as I see other couples engage in on an all-too-regular basis). However, I am happy to say that I am a new believer of "that which does not kill us only makes us stronger". Our relationship is now closer than ever after REALLY stripping the relationship down to "are-bones" and starting from scratch with some new understanding of each other.

She will return from the states (has been out of town for the last 9 months for classwork) later this month (December). We travel immediately to Dublin to spend the Christmas Holiday with each other. I am, to say the very least, excited beyond words. Overlooking the obvious emotional joy I feel at our reunion - there are certain, em, how should I say it...physical needs that have gone too long unsatisfied - and we will be working quite diligently to play catch-up.

I've posted a few pics. I apologize for my laxity in reviewing those of my DA mates. I'll start looking over some of the 1024 pics in my folder and try to leave a few comments - just understand that it might take awhile to clear the backlog.

I trust everyone is well. Please feel free to drop a line or two.

Regards,
D