The Big 1 Tripple 0

[walterick]

At long last - The Big 1000

I've been saving a lot of big news for this post.

1) I got into graduate school!
I was accepted early this year to Argosy University's Master of Arts in Counseling program! I will be taking classes on alternating weekends for the next few years I've wanted to be a counselor for a long time and just never considered it the right time to jump in. Well, now I'm here. It's a 2 to 2 1/2 year program depending on how many classes I take each semester. At the end I will have an MA in counseling and hopefully a job in the counseling field. My eventual goal is to get my Lpc (licensed professional counselor) certification and set up my own practive based upon the theories of counseling and life that I feel are helpful and correct. That way, you won't have to listen to my spiritual rambling up here all the time!

2.) I've gone medium format!
An early Christmas present to myself was to buy a Mamiya 645 Pro TL medium format camera setup which I found on Ebay for a touch under $1000. I got the body, 80mm 2.8 (equiv to 50mm) 150mm 2.8 (equiv to about 100mm I think) 2 backs the AE finder a bunch of filters and some other gear. Then I kept online and bought a 55mm (35mm) lens and a 30mm fisheye (19mm) made my Rokunar for $100 and $180 respectively. I haven't actually used all this stuff yet but that'll happen sooner or later.
I specifically chose NOT to get a digital SLR for a few reasons. Though for the price of all this gear I could have easily gotten a nice DSLR body, I chose to stick with a larger film size because I do not like the look of digital pictures. love film, and I love manual cameras. I like being able to look at slides, wind a film crank and choose films depending on what look I want without having to worry about digital manipulaiton after the fact. I wanted a bigger negative - I shoot mainly nature and landscapes when given the choice so I thought a nice portable medium format film camera is the ticket, and having a 6 x 4.5 cm negative helps me create the large, tightnit images I love. Not as effective as a 6x7 might be but much more portable When I get the feel for it I will post a few images from it so we all can see what 645 looks like.

3.) I am planning on moving to Phoenix this summer.
(Note: Photo John: I'm not going back to Berkeley but I hear Sedona isn't too far behind) I am planning to transfer to the Phoenix campus of Argosy University to finish out my education in an environment I love that I feel mirrors my soul better than conservative Washington, DC and surrounding rural Virginia. I love my homeland, don't get me wrong. But I feel my energy is better out west and I am looking forward to getting into a warmer climent and haning out with all the hippies and native americans in Sedona and surrounding areas And... who wouldn't want to join in me in a Utah/Grand Canyon Photogathering?!
I am taking it on a trial basis, reserving the right to return to DC if I find it absolutely horrible out there in Phoenix. Something tells me I won't though.

4.) I am following Janie's example
and posting a picture for sale on Ebay through Giving Works with the proceeds going to help Tsunami relief. It took a little longer than I wanted so I fear the "timeliness" of the disaster is passed and people won't be as likely to give after the initial feelings of grief and sympathy have worn off. But it's going on anyway. I submitted the listing today. The nonprofit will review it on Monday and hopefully it will be up by Monday night. I'll make a seperate post when it happens. Pic #1 below is the image you all know that will be up for sale (just 99 cents!)

5.) I had the novel idea to make Christmas presents last Christmas
It may be the lastChristmas I make Christmas presents In an attempt to walk my talk I decided to support the consumer-driven spirit of Christmas as little as possible in 04 by making as many Christmas presents for friends and family as I could. Well, there are many things I wanted to buy people so that idea went only so far. I ended up spending some money. BUT I also created a bunch of really cool gifts using my woodworking tools and a new scroll saw I bought with the express purpose of teaching myself to use it and eventually mastering the art of Intarsia. . In the mean time, however I am still learning the basic art of scrollsawing. Pics 2-4 are the designs I copied ontot wood and cut out for my mom (#2) who loves dancing and my sister (3 & 4) who loves angels and bald eagles. I forgot to photography them while they were at home so I shot them on the seat of my truck before whisking them into the post office to be sent to said family.

That's it! Thanks for sticking through it! I'll post more woodworking stuff as I get it done and post some 645 images when I get them done.

Thanks!
Rick

[Axle]

Congrats! The big 1000! Wow, I'm half way there on another board I'm a part of.

[Dzerzhinski46]

Dear Rick,

Congratulations!! This coming from someone only 16.5% of the way there!

It sounds like you are, like Thoreau said, "going confidentely in direction of your dreams...". I admire that you are pursuing you dream of obtaining a degree in counciling and your other goals. Not many people in the first place make goals, and second, many people do not work toward acheiving them. It is not only admirable, but very inspirational. Go for it!!

I didn't realise that photographers could assist in the Tsunami relief. It's really a great opportunity to serve others, and provide for the orphan and the widow. Perhaps the worst part of the disaster is that orphans are being exploited in the aftermath. How tragic, yet it is even more tragic when nothing is done about it. I comend your willingness to give in a time of crisis.

Hooray for the Medium Format Mavens!! It sounds like a pretty sweet deal if you got the camera, two lenses, a bunch of filters, and two film backs, all for a tad under $1000 (a bit of coincidence, 1000 posts, $1000 ). Make sure you post!! There are few enough of medium format people anyways. Got to get some more some how.

Well, congratulations on the 1000, and everything else,

Dzerzhinski

(Seagull number e^x, e to the x for all you non math people)

[natatbeach]

;)

Congratulations on all your wonderful decisions and for all the opportunities ahead...I'm especially glad that you're moving to Arizona JUST so I can come visit you

sending you a huge hug and smooch on the cheek.

We're happy for you.

[adina]

What was it that PJ called you? A hippie freak?

Congrats to you, on your 1000th post, and on your new (or older) decisions.

And we expect to see your medium format experiments

adina

homemade X-mas planned for 2005, started last week

[Liz]

Rick,

You certainly are attaining your goals, and I'm thrilled for you. You'll do great in counselling and have fun at the same time! You have amazing gifts and talents and are certainly putting all of them to good use in every aspect of your life. I'd love to hire you to help me organize and put some of my own plans into action.

Medium Format. You can't get any better than that, IMO. I wish Charles Hess were around to see you've "upgraded" here. ;)

I know you'll keep us updated. AND, last but not least, PLEASE make another trip to NYC for a get-together before you make any final decisions about moving across the country.

BTW, I love that first image. It's truly awesome.

Liz

[Lara]

Congratulations Rick! You've got a lot of great things going for you. Well deserved too. ;)

[another view]

Heck with all the other stuff, congrads on the big 1000! At least you made your one thousandth post meaningful - can't even remember what mine was...

Seriously, the big changes you have coming sound great. I'm sure you'll be a great counselor!

[Trevor Ash]

That's awesome Rick! I know you'll be completely successful with it too. Hey, the Angel one is pretty good

[Old Timer]

Wow when you post a big number you really go all out. You sure made 1000 count. Some very big new on several fronts. Congradulations on all and I can't wait to see some of those 645 images.

[megan]

Go Rick!
Congratulations!
You will LOVE medium format. I love having so much detail in the negatives.
Congratulations - on everything!
I've been thinking seriously about getting my MFA.... we'll see.

Megan

[mtbbrian]

Rick,
If on your way down and you are coming through SLC, make sure you let me know!
Good Luck!
Brian

[mdmc]

Rick,
Congrats for getting into grad school!
Way to go! Medium Format!
Good direction! mooving towards the sun!
I may own one of you're images soon! How do I get it signed?
Nice wood working! If you really get into it you'll be a very busy man!
Looking forward to posts from the wild west!
Mark.

[Speed]

At long last - The Big 1000

I've been saving a lot of big news for this post.

1) I got into graduate school!
I was accepted early this year to Argosy University's Master of Arts in Counseling program! I will be taking classes on alternating weekends for the next few years I've wanted to be a counselor for a long time and just never considered it the right time to jump in. Well, now I'm here. It's a 2 to 2 1/2 year program depending on how many classes I take each semester. At the end I will have an MA in counseling and hopefully a job in the counseling field. My eventual goal is to get my Lpc (licensed professional counselor) certification and set up my own practive based upon the theories of counseling and life that I feel are helpful and correct. That way, you won't have to listen to my spiritual rambling up here all the time!

2.) I've gone medium format!
An early Christmas present to myself was to buy a Mamiya 645 Pro TL medium format camera setup which I found on Ebay for a touch under $1000. I got the body, 80mm 2.8 (equiv to 50mm) 150mm 2.8 (equiv to about 100mm I think) 2 backs the AE finder a bunch of filters and some other gear. Then I kept online and bought a 55mm (35mm) lens and a 30mm fisheye (19mm) made my Rokunar for $100 and $180 respectively. I haven't actually used all this stuff yet but that'll happen sooner or later.
I specifically chose NOT to get a digital SLR for a few reasons. Though for the price of all this gear I could have easily gotten a nice DSLR body, I chose to stick with a larger film size because I do not like the look of digital pictures. love film, and I love manual cameras. I like being able to look at slides, wind a film crank and choose films depending on what look I want without having to worry about digital manipulaiton after the fact. I wanted a bigger negative - I shoot mainly nature and landscapes when given the choice so I thought a nice portable medium format film camera is the ticket, and having a 6 x 4.5 cm negative helps me create the large, tightnit images I love. Not as effective as a 6x7 might be but much more portable When I get the feel for it I will post a few images from it so we all can see what 645 looks like.

3.) I am planning on moving to Phoenix this summer.
(Note: Photo John: I'm not going back to Berkeley but I hear Sedona isn't too far behind) I am planning to transfer to the Phoenix campus of Argosy University to finish out my education in an environment I love that I feel mirrors my soul better than conservative Washington, DC and surrounding rural Virginia. I love my homeland, don't get me wrong. But I feel my energy is better out west and I am looking forward to getting into a warmer climent and haning out with all the hippies and native americans in Sedona and surrounding areas And... who wouldn't want to join in me in a Utah/Grand Canyon Photogathering?!
I am taking it on a trial basis, reserving the right to return to DC if I find it absolutely horrible out there in Phoenix. Something tells me I won't though.

4.) I am following Janie's example
and posting a picture for sale on Ebay through Giving Works with the proceeds going to help Tsunami relief. It took a little longer than I wanted so I fear the "timeliness" of the disaster is passed and people won't be as likely to give after the initial feelings of grief and sympathy have worn off. But it's going on anyway. I submitted the listing today. The nonprofit will review it on Monday and hopefully it will be up by Monday night. I'll make a seperate post when it happens. Pic #1 below is the image you all know that will be up for sale (just 99 cents!)

5.) I had the novel idea to make Christmas presents last Christmas
It may be the lastChristmas I make Christmas presents In an attempt to walk my talk I decided to support the consumer-driven spirit of Christmas as little as possible in 04 by making as many Christmas presents for friends and family as I could. Well, there are many things I wanted to buy people so that idea went only so far. I ended up spending some money. BUT I also created a bunch of really cool gifts using my woodworking tools and a new scroll saw I bought with the express purpose of teaching myself to use it and eventually mastering the art of Intarsia. . In the mean time, however I am still learning the basic art of scrollsawing. Pics 2-4 are the designs I copied ontot wood and cut out for my mom (#2) who loves dancing and my sister (3 & 4) who loves angels and bald eagles. I forgot to photography them while they were at home so I shot them on the seat of my truck before whisking them into the post office to be sent to said family.

That's it! Thanks for sticking through it! I'll post more woodworking stuff as I get it done and post some 645 images when I get them done.

Thanks!
Rick

And congratulations on Grad School! I hope it all works out for you.

Conservative Washington D.C.?!!! What part of DC do you live in? (There isn't enough money to make me live in DC!)

I hope all goes well with your move. I live in Chandler, Arizona for 11 months in the mid 80's, and I loved it. I did find it funny though, when the natives complained about the humidity, and you saw that it reached 8% or gasp, 10% humidity. They would fall out here in NC with our 80 and 90% humidity in the summer! :-D

Congrats on your medium format buddy! Can't wait to see some images from it. Keep us updated on how things go.

[walterick]

Thanks This is honestly the only board I frequent on the internet - saving a brief stint on Craigslist about a year ago. It took me longer than most but man it feels soo good

Rick

[walterick]

Hey, 16.5% is a lot better than 1%!!

I didn't think I would be an inspiration but HEY the more people walking their paths the merrier!

I hope you'll bid on the tsumami auction when it finally shows up. I think it's supposed to be inserted tomorrow. I'll let you know. Anything over there will help!

The few, the proud, the medium format

Thanks,
Rick

[walterick]

Geez, as she eclipses 2000 posts

No actually honey it's all about ME in this post! You get to have all the attention in all the other ones!

Thanks for the hug and tell Larry thanks too. Come see me in AZ.

Rick

[walterick]

"What was it that PJ called you? A hippie freak?"

Damn skippy.

And I'd give it all away for a Self Portrait Tiara, don't ya know.

I also start planning for next Christmas right after the last one. That's when I get the most ideas for what people want is when they're opening their presents

Thanks,
Rick

[schrackman]

Rick,

Congradulations! But are you sure you wanna live that close to me?? You'll ooooonly be a state away, hehe, and I do plan on visiting Arizona again.

I really LIKE that first picture too; however, I would have cropped around the stem to put more emphasis on the waterdrop with reflection. But it's nice the way it is too. And very skillfull work with the wood, I might say. When I was younger I used to love working with walnut and soft mahogany and creating little boxes with hinges and latches that could be used for holding jewelry or other valuables. I still love working with wood, but alas I have no tools with which to work.

Ray

[walterick]

Thanks Liz! Your comments were so sweet, thank you.

I'll try to get to NY one last time before leaving the east coast but with classes, work, and skiing to fit in I'm afraid I can't make any promises

I'm sure Charles Hess can feel the addition to the MF crowd, wherever he is. We outsiders, we have a connection, see?

I'm glad you liked that picture, Liz. It's going up for auction hopefully tomorrow so if you like it please place a bid. As you know 100% of the proceeds go to the tsunami relief effort.

Thanks again!
Rick

[walterick]

Ray,

I'd invite you over for a pow-wow anytime.

Then we can braid our hair eat granola and skip through the fields together

I hope my chances of meeting you and the rest of the west coast contingent (again) are greatly increased by me moving out to AZ, even if it's only for the summer. We HAVE to do an AZ gathering while I'm there - maybe Grand Canyon? I know I've talked about a Las Vegas gathering before but never had the oomph to push it through. We'll see how things unfold this summer.

That's great that you used to do woodwork. I'm sure I could sure learn some things from you! I'm figuring it out as I go along. Luckily, everyone I give a gift to so far has liked it

Thanks again,
I know, email, email...
Rick

[walterick]

"Congratulations Rick! You've got a lot of great things going for you. Well deserved too."

Aw, shucks. Jus doin muh job mayum!

Rick

[walterick]

Thanks.

In all honesty, the graduate school, medium format camera, aiding tsunami relief, and breakthroughs in my wood working really ARE just a puff of smoke compared to making to the big 1000

Thanks again,
Rick

[walterick]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I have an extra (unfinished) angel if you want one...

Rick

[walterick]

Thanks OT. Yeah, I made it a big affair didn't I? I can't wait to take some 645 pictures so when I do, you'll all be the first to know!

Rick