Sunday, October 4, 2009

Is it possible to make an end-of-the-year resolution?

In some ways, I think they may be more effective, because we have an entire year of experience to reflect upon and decide what could have been different.

I was shocked when writing the date on a bank slip the other day.

October is already upon us.

We had a meeting about Fantasy Fest coverage here at the paper, and I definitely felt a slight chill on my bare arms while riding the scooter the other night.

Fall's arrival is imminent, and in most places it signifies the end of warm weather, long days and suntanned skin.

But here on this little speck of limestone, fall brings new beginnings -- new visitors, new clients and the start of another tourist season.

People soon will begin their southern migration, and this year, I know this town will welcome everyone with open arms. I didn't complain even once about bike noise during Poker Run because it was just nice to have people in town spending money and boosting our economy.

Plus, I had just returned from a relaxing vacation in a cool climate so I was better equipped to take things in stride.

It was that vacation, more specifically the photos from it, that bring me to my end-of-year resolution.

I have some great photos from the past year.

There were several vacations, a new baby welcomed into our circle of friends, birthdays, graduations and random gatherings that turned into cherished memories.

We attended a black-tie affair, caught a few huge snook, netted several lobster dinners, got engaged, drove 2,000 miles in 10 days and added new shelves to the living room (yes, there are pictures of the new shelves).

Now, all anyone has to do to see our favorite pictures is huddle around the camera, adjust their viewing distance and tilt the screen just so to eliminate the sun glare.

Oh, and they of course need to scroll quickly through the boring ones to find the ones they're in.

I love digital photography, and I don't know how we lived without seeing a photo the moment it was taken.

Some traditionalists will argue that there was something to be said for the anticipation that came with dropping off a roll of film and waiting a minimum of two hours for the results.

While it was nice to flip through a glossy stack of prints and recall a vacation, it's also nice to not be charged for shots of someone's thumb or the shadow on the porch that would have been a person if we had used the flash.

Now we can pick and choose the best shots and just have those printed, so we know each glossy 4-by-6 will be one that we love.

Therein lies the problem.

Nearly all of my pictures are on my camera instead of resting comfortably in a frame on, say, our new living room shelves.

Sure, I've downloaded lots of them here and there, and e-mailed a few to family and friends, but then they just stay on the computer.

My end-of-year resolution is to manage my photographs more efficiently. They will come off the camera and become real pictures.

Some will hang up, some will be sent out in birthday and thank-you cards and others will end up in the stacks of photo envelopes that I have stuffed in some drawer somewhere.

But at least I'll be able to see them clearly and show them off.

There may not be any stunning autumn foliage to photograph in Key West, but this month should be beautiful for everyone.

Welcome, Fall, you've been missed.

mbolen@keysnews.com