counting the blessings

I guess the grass is always greener. But for now, I think the grass is just enough green where I am. Or in the case of a hot Texas summer -- perfectly golden brown -- like a McDonald's breakfast hashbrown. Mmm.

In any case, I've been doodling over what I should do when my contract is up in January. It's yet to be seen, but you know the recent activity I've been discussing with another market probably won't happen, and that has really made me count my blessings here. I work at a great station, with awesome toys, cool people, and I get to do creative work. Some days are more creative than others, but I have the chance to be as creative as I want to be.

Speaking of which, I got my critique back in the mail from my most recent NPPA submission for the quarterly clip contest. Three judges always send back their responses. They're always very polite about your submission, although maybe not as polite in their scoring. Anyway, my scores today ranged from Average to Excellent. I think that I agreed more with the lower scoring marks -- not because I think my work was average -- but because two out of the three judges ranked me average; the third judge was really generous! However, I agree with what many of the comments were: great use of natural sound, good use of lighting, kept up with the activity well (this was a spot news submission). But, what I need work on, what I always need work on, is my use of sequences, getting better tight shots of people and their reaction, and creating "moments." I think once I master using sequences, tighter shots will definitely follow, and my moments will just happen much more naturally. Right now it's kind of just aimless shooting -- allbeit pretty darn decent shooting, and editing, and use of natural sound. But I guess this contest is more focused toward the thinking photographer -- thinking about sequences, shooting in sequences, editing in sequences, tightning in on faces, getting gut reactions right there on their faces, following a pattern, and letting moments happen. I need to get better at making people the focus. People make moments. Random shots and random sound bites don't.

I love days like the day I shot that spot news story -- of the high school students marching right out of class and taking to the streets in protest of immigration reform. I like the pace, the action, the busy atmosphere. A lot of days I'm just blah. Trying to schedule my day around lunch. What's gotten into me? Change that, Ryan!

Got a new bio for my profile on the station website. Excited about it. Every chance I get to see or say "my wife" is cool. After all this name changing stuff, I realized I hadn't even changed my wife's name in my own cell phone! Ha! It's changed now.

Worked out tonight with my trainer, for the first time in about three weeks. Didn't kick my butt as much as I thought it would, which makes me want to continue training after this last three weeks are up. I really have noticed a change in my body... have gained a lot more muscle, my chest has blown up it seems. I look like this cartoon guy with a big 'ol chest and shoulders, and a tiny little head to sit on top. No one would have ever thought I had a tiny head, right? Still, my beer belly is around. It doesn't want to pack up and leave. Guess since I have a beer open in front of me right now, it doesn't show any signs of being evicted? Maybe I'll just have to work extra hard so I can still have my beer.

I love beer.