dave lackey
Veteran
Another year done, a trip around the sun.
How many more? So little time.
As the New Year approaches, I am reminded of numerous songs. I particularly like John Lennon's work... it causes me to think.
The end result of my thinking will be a revised bucket list but I am still considering so many things and I will post my new bucket list by New Year's Day.
So far, one goal is to make someone very happy with my work. Now that our hospital pro bono work is finished, I feel the need to continue that in some manner, even if it is a simple environmental portrait snap with the lowliest of my cameras... maybe the Ciro-Flex, or the F80. But the gift of giving is a calling that I must pursue, regardless.
What is on YOUR bucket list? Let us know, maybe we can each facilitate others to accomplish their goals!
How many more? So little time.
As the New Year approaches, I am reminded of numerous songs. I particularly like John Lennon's work... it causes me to think.
The end result of my thinking will be a revised bucket list but I am still considering so many things and I will post my new bucket list by New Year's Day.
So far, one goal is to make someone very happy with my work. Now that our hospital pro bono work is finished, I feel the need to continue that in some manner, even if it is a simple environmental portrait snap with the lowliest of my cameras... maybe the Ciro-Flex, or the F80. But the gift of giving is a calling that I must pursue, regardless.
What is on YOUR bucket list? Let us know, maybe we can each facilitate others to accomplish their goals!
dave lackey
Veteran
In a random order... here is another item:
Learning enough about astrophotography to shoot the Milky Way.
And another:
Shooting with a Nikon 850 and a 200/2.0.
(To be continued)
Learning enough about astrophotography to shoot the Milky Way.
And another:
Shooting with a Nikon 850 and a 200/2.0.
(To be continued)
lynnb
Veteran
On my bucket list is the desire to meet in person over a coffee, some of the delightful friends from around the world I've made here on RFF.. though I don't hold hopes that will happen anytime soon - but who knows what the future holds?
Also on my bucket list: to shoot 8x10" and make contact prints. This was inspired by seeing Atget's prints quite a few years ago. I doubt this will happen anytime soon, either, but it's nice to dream.
Also on my bucket list: to shoot 8x10" and make contact prints. This was inspired by seeing Atget's prints quite a few years ago. I doubt this will happen anytime soon, either, but it's nice to dream.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Dave,
Thanks for this thread.
Some of the things on my "bucket list" I already accomplished: Ran the NYC Marathon; lived alone in a log cabin 47 miles from civilization in the Santa Fe National Forest; put a Corvette engine in a Jeep Scrambler and basically built an urban assault vehicle before they created the Humvee; did big game fishing out in the shipping lanes offshore for Tuna and shark; done a good amount of traveling...
One thing I wanted to do when I was young was race the Baja 1000 in the 250cc motorcycle class, but I realize that now I'm too old for that. Pretty much just wanted to just cross the finish.
In my case not a lot remains on the list. Have a darkroom and wet print the archive of negatives I created; stay fit, active at age 100 (my dad a poor illiterate illegal immigrant lived to 94); and woodshed on the guitar so one day I can play out.
A complete darkroom lays in storage and I have mucho guitars, basses, and amps. Pretty much just need enough finances to retire in a sustainable manner to have the time. Biking for fitness is part of this lifestyle.
Already happy and have had a great life. Now it is kinda like coasting along for the next 4 decades.
Cal
Thanks for this thread.
Some of the things on my "bucket list" I already accomplished: Ran the NYC Marathon; lived alone in a log cabin 47 miles from civilization in the Santa Fe National Forest; put a Corvette engine in a Jeep Scrambler and basically built an urban assault vehicle before they created the Humvee; did big game fishing out in the shipping lanes offshore for Tuna and shark; done a good amount of traveling...
One thing I wanted to do when I was young was race the Baja 1000 in the 250cc motorcycle class, but I realize that now I'm too old for that. Pretty much just wanted to just cross the finish.
In my case not a lot remains on the list. Have a darkroom and wet print the archive of negatives I created; stay fit, active at age 100 (my dad a poor illiterate illegal immigrant lived to 94); and woodshed on the guitar so one day I can play out.
A complete darkroom lays in storage and I have mucho guitars, basses, and amps. Pretty much just need enough finances to retire in a sustainable manner to have the time. Biking for fitness is part of this lifestyle.
Already happy and have had a great life. Now it is kinda like coasting along for the next 4 decades.
Cal
bmattock
Veteran
Nothing really comes to mind that seems like a bucket list item.
Things I'd like to do, but not like once in a lifetime adventures, include getting my diabetes under better control and spending more time on my hobbies. Wouldn't mind trying once again to learn to play a musical instrument or speaking Esperanto.
Things I'd like to do, but not like once in a lifetime adventures, include getting my diabetes under better control and spending more time on my hobbies. Wouldn't mind trying once again to learn to play a musical instrument or speaking Esperanto.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Bill,
Both my mom and dad were diabetics. Fear makes me control my eating and forces me to exercise. I know diet and exercise can help.
All the best.
Cal
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I only shoot b/w film and do not scan. I develop the film, dry, cut into strips, insert them into Printfile pages and put them away in archival folders not to be seen again. I only check to see if they were exposed and processed properly. I have around 500 pages in various formats. Someday I would like to print them in a darkroom. That is my goal and then I can die.
willie_901
Veteran
Avoid taking good fortune for granted by appreciating every day as much as possible.
Greyscale
Veteran
Not kicking said bucket.
dave lackey
Veteran
bmattock
Veteran
Seriously. Miss me with that bucket, dude.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
G,
I'm cool with passing. Perhaps my only regrets are being a smoker for 17 years and maybe regret not being a bit more vigilant with using sunscreen.
Not afraid of dying, but I'm hoping I'm prepared financially to live the 4 decades ahead that seems to be in my genes.
Quality of life is an issue for me. I think I have my health somewhat covered.
Interesting to note that if I won a lottery that pretty much not much would change materially. Probably would have to try and do some good in the world to help others.
When I was younger I was kinda crazy and did lots of self destructive things. Never thought I'd live this long. Becoming old has been a surprise. At every fork in the road that was difficult or dangerous I always embraced risk. Now it seems all that youthful anger is played out.
Little regret and lots of epic adventures.
Cal
Steve M.
Veteran
I don't have a bucket list, I have a f*ckit list. Instead of questing after this or that, I am pretty much OK w/ everything. Like to stay healthy, eat right, stay active, see a good film now and then or go hear live music, and live where there's good weather and plenty of sun.
Years ago I saw a bumper sticker on a car that said "Life is so much better now that I gave up hope". It's not a depressing statement at all as some people see it, it's about not setting yourself up for failure by always being dissatisfied when your hopes don't come true. It was an old beat up car too and the driver was smiling. Things like that get your attention.
No expectations, no disappointments. Sure, I have desires for one thing or another. You have to be practical though, and realize that whatever you get, the satisfaction will be fleeting. If I want something and it's important enough, I sit down and look at my options to get it. If it isn't attainable, or isn't worth what it would take to get it, let it go and move on.
Health is paramount, and I mean mental, emotional and spiritual (or lack thereof is that is your thing). I have lived long enough and seen enough of my friends die or get seriously ill or get in accidents to understand that nothing is promised to us, especially tomorrow. Health can go away suddenly w/ a heart attack or seizure, a cancer, an accident in a car, whatever. I like Janis Joplin's line in her song that went "Better get it while you can, because it might not be there when you wake up in the morning". She was young but she was wise. Now is where everything happens, not in some indeterminate point in an unknowable future.
Years ago I saw a bumper sticker on a car that said "Life is so much better now that I gave up hope". It's not a depressing statement at all as some people see it, it's about not setting yourself up for failure by always being dissatisfied when your hopes don't come true. It was an old beat up car too and the driver was smiling. Things like that get your attention.
No expectations, no disappointments. Sure, I have desires for one thing or another. You have to be practical though, and realize that whatever you get, the satisfaction will be fleeting. If I want something and it's important enough, I sit down and look at my options to get it. If it isn't attainable, or isn't worth what it would take to get it, let it go and move on.
Health is paramount, and I mean mental, emotional and spiritual (or lack thereof is that is your thing). I have lived long enough and seen enough of my friends die or get seriously ill or get in accidents to understand that nothing is promised to us, especially tomorrow. Health can go away suddenly w/ a heart attack or seizure, a cancer, an accident in a car, whatever. I like Janis Joplin's line in her song that went "Better get it while you can, because it might not be there when you wake up in the morning". She was young but she was wise. Now is where everything happens, not in some indeterminate point in an unknowable future.
Sega
Established
I'd like to visit as many places as I can before I kick it, drive something utterly innapropiate around the Nurburg ring, own a Leica Camera and a Tag Huer watch, own a Ferrari and a '59 Cadillac (nearly did Ferrari last time but went M3 and still have trouble getting people to work on it and getting it to work) and to find a nice place to settle and grow old.
I've managed so far to see Iron Maiden and a performance car before I was 30 with still a few years to spare, never got the Sceptre that got me into cars age 4 back on the road though, that was the original plan for the ring just the watch the terror on peoples faces in their track focused machines as this rickety old brit thunders through barely able to stop with its backside skipping about thanks to being a live axle on leaf springs.
I've managed so far to see Iron Maiden and a performance car before I was 30 with still a few years to spare, never got the Sceptre that got me into cars age 4 back on the road though, that was the original plan for the ring just the watch the terror on peoples faces in their track focused machines as this rickety old brit thunders through barely able to stop with its backside skipping about thanks to being a live axle on leaf springs.
MrFujicaman
Well-known
Let's see....
I've built my darkroom (see my posts on Large Format Photography Forum-"Let's see your darkroom" Starts page 76)
Buy a black 2015 Corvette.
Fly someplace in a private jet at least once.
Move to Las Vegas.
Get the surgery to correct my crappy eyesight!!
Attend one of the monthly meet-ups of the NYC bunch.
Learn to operate a bulldozer.
Get my hands on a BIG metal working lathe and build stuff. A milling machine would be nice also.
Learn how to arc weld.
Meet Ralph Gibson. (Since he's gonna be 80 in January, I might need to hurry!)
Hit the lottery and make damned sure all the ex-girlfriends who dumped me find out-esp. the one who dumped me Christmas Eve!
I've built my darkroom (see my posts on Large Format Photography Forum-"Let's see your darkroom" Starts page 76)
Buy a black 2015 Corvette.
Fly someplace in a private jet at least once.
Move to Las Vegas.
Get the surgery to correct my crappy eyesight!!
Attend one of the monthly meet-ups of the NYC bunch.
Learn to operate a bulldozer.
Get my hands on a BIG metal working lathe and build stuff. A milling machine would be nice also.
Learn how to arc weld.
Meet Ralph Gibson. (Since he's gonna be 80 in January, I might need to hurry!)
Hit the lottery and make damned sure all the ex-girlfriends who dumped me find out-esp. the one who dumped me Christmas Eve!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
These two are not so hard to do.
When you can make it to NYC just give advanced notice and we will book a Sunday that is convenient for you. We do this for other travelers and have guests all the time.
Better yet PM me in advance and I'll personally take you on a "Death March" to go shoot a section of NYC.
I have a friend who took a Ralph Gibson workshop over a weekend. Pretty much changed his life. I actually proofed shots edited from this shoot. Wonderful work.
In the end my friend had a deadline and had Cone Studios print the same files into full sized prints 24x36. My work prints were only 12x18 on 17x22 sheet.
Pretty much it does not get much better than this. The workshop was not inexpensive and so was the printing, but pretty much the experience and the achievement is priceless.
I believe the workshop was sponsored by Leica.
BTW Ralph may be old but my friend described him as like being "on-fire."
I feel honored that my friend gifted me one of those prints. The workshop involved shooting female nudes. My friend got a discount at Piezography for the printing because all the files were turnkey. Was also a highpoint for me getting flattering remarks for my work prints via my friend from Jon Cone, a man who has printed for Richard Avedon.
Cal
MrFujicaman
Well-known
No death march, Cal. My right hip that popped in and out of it's socket in April of 1975 has started bothering me.
dave lackey
Veteran
Thanks for everyone's input...
For me, having spent more than a decade as a 24/7 sole caregiver, and unemployed since 2008, my perspective on life is profoundly different than that of many people. Few even know what is involved in being a spousal caregiver.
Some in my family and most people we encounter, think I just sit on my backside, clean and cook all day with the occasional errand to shop for groceries. That is not caregiving, because caregiving is total giving... It is sad that disabled and older people are marginalized in our society but it is very true. The hundreds, probably thousands now, of folks I have met and spent some time with them if only to help in some small way, have changed my understanding of life in a way that one has to live it to understand it.
I have not met one person who expected the stroke, or trauma, or disease they suffer from, indeed, they too thought they would live long, happy lives. Few are prepared when they wake up to the realization that they have suffered a stroke (every 40 seconds IIRC, someone has a stroke in this country). Our son suffered a dissection stroke at age 39, due to an undetected small injury. Our last pro bono client (a medical scientist) suffered a broken neck while walking too fast with his family going to dinner on New Year's Eve. Others we met and worked with had similar stories.
No, we are not all the same, but we are headed to a time when we all shall die and most will suffer some degree of disabling health, if not catastrophic suffering.
My expectation on life is non-existent, simply taking each hour, one day at a time, and how I/we live those hours and days are all important. Isolation, marginalization, depression, anxiety, extreme daily physical therapies, thousands of therapies and years of stress are never balanced with the quality of life we had planned/hoped for... in fact, we live in a world of deficits.
So we now reside in the community of enlightenment that life is fragile and the future is uncertain. We now strive for opportunities to help others living through devastating medical situations. Our year and a half pro bono project at the rehab hospital was a profound experience for us. We received more from those folks than we were able to give despite the thousands of manhours and huge financial expense we committed to that effort.
As we approach the fourth anniversary of our last client's devastating injury in Myrtle Beach, SC that changed his life instantly, I look back at the photograpghic essay we prepared for him last year and are reminded of many things he has taught us. A quadriplegic mentor, to whom we are eternally indebted.
His dream of standing, and hugging his wife and children came true because of his hard work. Every action has consequences and sometimes others are inspired by one's individual actions. We are inspired by so many like him.
It is now our turn to inspire others in our actions.
Photography is all I have left to give. So it is my quest to continue to learn how to use what abilities I possess in some way to give back, while taking care of business in our lives.
I sincerely hope I can do that.
For me, having spent more than a decade as a 24/7 sole caregiver, and unemployed since 2008, my perspective on life is profoundly different than that of many people. Few even know what is involved in being a spousal caregiver.
Some in my family and most people we encounter, think I just sit on my backside, clean and cook all day with the occasional errand to shop for groceries. That is not caregiving, because caregiving is total giving... It is sad that disabled and older people are marginalized in our society but it is very true. The hundreds, probably thousands now, of folks I have met and spent some time with them if only to help in some small way, have changed my understanding of life in a way that one has to live it to understand it.
I have not met one person who expected the stroke, or trauma, or disease they suffer from, indeed, they too thought they would live long, happy lives. Few are prepared when they wake up to the realization that they have suffered a stroke (every 40 seconds IIRC, someone has a stroke in this country). Our son suffered a dissection stroke at age 39, due to an undetected small injury. Our last pro bono client (a medical scientist) suffered a broken neck while walking too fast with his family going to dinner on New Year's Eve. Others we met and worked with had similar stories.
No, we are not all the same, but we are headed to a time when we all shall die and most will suffer some degree of disabling health, if not catastrophic suffering.
My expectation on life is non-existent, simply taking each hour, one day at a time, and how I/we live those hours and days are all important. Isolation, marginalization, depression, anxiety, extreme daily physical therapies, thousands of therapies and years of stress are never balanced with the quality of life we had planned/hoped for... in fact, we live in a world of deficits.
So we now reside in the community of enlightenment that life is fragile and the future is uncertain. We now strive for opportunities to help others living through devastating medical situations. Our year and a half pro bono project at the rehab hospital was a profound experience for us. We received more from those folks than we were able to give despite the thousands of manhours and huge financial expense we committed to that effort.
As we approach the fourth anniversary of our last client's devastating injury in Myrtle Beach, SC that changed his life instantly, I look back at the photograpghic essay we prepared for him last year and are reminded of many things he has taught us. A quadriplegic mentor, to whom we are eternally indebted.
His dream of standing, and hugging his wife and children came true because of his hard work. Every action has consequences and sometimes others are inspired by one's individual actions. We are inspired by so many like him.
It is now our turn to inspire others in our actions.
Photography is all I have left to give. So it is my quest to continue to learn how to use what abilities I possess in some way to give back, while taking care of business in our lives.
I sincerely hope I can do that.
Out to Lunch
Ventor
I just mess around but try to live by the Golden Rule: treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.
FujiLove
Well-known
1. Earn enough to keep the current roof over our heads.
2. Adopt another dog.
I think that’s it, apart from just staying healthy and mobile, happy and positive.
If anything, next year I’d like to own less, consume less and instead spend more time being creative and reading books.
2. Adopt another dog.
I think that’s it, apart from just staying healthy and mobile, happy and positive.
If anything, next year I’d like to own less, consume less and instead spend more time being creative and reading books.