Tag: seattle

Some thoughts on 2018: Exploring Photography Deeper

Carl Setzer

I’ve been exploring what I want to focus on this year. I’m strongly drawn, to bettering my skills in photography.

Now, my father has always been an avid photographer, so it’s always been part of my awareness. Going further, I fell in love with photography back in elementary school. In Junior High, I started taking classes, and became one of the nerds walking the halls with a camera shooting candids for the yearbook.  And I carried on with that all the way through highschool. It was one of my career ambitions as I pondered post-highschool life.

As life progressed, though, I slipped away. I did take my camera with me on a few trips. Looking back, without any plans to publish my work, the effort seemed empty. I went from my binders of photos and the occasional album, to boxes of prints, then complete neglect: rarely shooting anything. I devalued my work. Slowly, through moves and such, my collection simply vanished. Fortunately, I still have all my old gear.

Looking back deeper: I hate that I ever entertained those thoughts, the hateful ramblings of self-doubt and internal cruelty . Now, I wish I had albums with the places I visited. Note to myself: I always regret when I give in to my self-destructive mindset. Don’t do it!

Over the past few years, my family encouraged me to re-engage. It’s been deeply enriching, though I see plenty of room for growth.

So, here I find myself: 2018 and wanting to reboot this part of my life. I’m not too sure of everything I want to try to do regarding photography yet. Clearly, though, the main thing is to take more photos. And I want to upgrade my digital gear. My main camera is an Olympus E-PL1. Non-DSLR, no viewfinder, shooting through an LCD. It’s a nice little camera, but I want to move more into a prosumer DSLR. Thinking Canon so that my son and I can share gear. I’m going to explore some classes, whether college ones or local workshops, well, I don’t know. I think the discipline of a recurring class would be good for keeping my momentum. Perhaps joining up, or starting, a photography group. Definitely will look into hitting up some local photography events.

If you have suggestions, please leave a comment. I really would value direction. 

It’s a world and community I miss. And it’s a great way to get out and explore the community.

Here’s a sampling of what I’ve created over the past year from my Flickr account.

January 2018 Highlights

Celebrate the New Year, Edmonds Style

Carl Setzer

I was asked earlier today for a list of “what’s going on” New Year’s Eve in Edmonds. I hadn’t put much thought as I’m planning on spending the evening with friends (I’ll be in the Edmonds Bowl, just so you know), but thought I’d dig through my memories and the web and pull together a quick list.

First, I want to point out that Kathy Passage over at My Edmonds News has list of holiday events and such in her most recent article. She’s pretty cool: go check her out!

Anyway, I’ve pulled out a list of specifically New Year’s Eve stuff, focusing on the “ringing in 2018” (aka: out after midnight) stuff.

New Year’s Eve:
Looking for something outside of Edmonds? Well, here are a few other options for you.
Oh, and there’s New Year’s Day:
Polar Plunge! https://www.facebook.com/events/154410931849531/. This event is a long-standing tradition in our community. It took some work, but we managed to keep the event for disappearing. If you’re a fan of freezing your butt off, come join the party! I doubt that you’ll lose any butt-mass, so it’s not a recommended way to start your weight-loss resolution, but, whatever.
If you know of something I missed, please drop it in the comments and I’ll update the post. No offense shall be taken! Actually, there’ll be much rejoicing (yay.).
Wishing each of you a wondrous New Year’s Celebration and productively joyous 2018!

Memories of a forgotten Seattle 

Carl Setzer

Many memories
Walking past the empty halls
In winter’s darkness

Ages ago I lived in Seattle’s heart. The city was beginning the transformation into the economic behemoth it is now. Still the refuge of the poor, downtrodden. Suburban business professionals drifting through, vanishing as the clock struck five. The flurry of buses and cars away from us. I found myself wandering nighttime streets, streetlights and gentle rain accompanying my steps. 

October Fitness & Health Thoughts

Carl Setzer

Last night I spent about an hour in the gym, mostly focused on cardio. It’s been a bit since I focused like that. Miss it. Yet I was pleased at my performance. My intermittent workouts haven’t been too detrimental.

I noticed my weight creeping back up, though. Probably a function of a dreadful diet. So I restarted using my food tracker. That works nicely, nuisance that it is. 

This time of year challenges me, fitness-wise. Dark, wet and cold: getting outside becomes uncomfortable at best, painful at the worst. The darkness adds a bit of danger, since cars have a hard time seeing me. I manage that well, I think. But it’s still unpleasant. And fatty, yummy foods start manifesting more. Double negatives. 

My health concerns don’t wane, though. Things like diabetes lurk, and I want nothing to do with that disease. Must. Keep. Focused. The value of gym memberships, and bit being to off-put by them  

Another area of active balancing. 

Spent the day at the Seattle Center 

Carl Setzer

Spent the day down at the Seattle Center. Is was quiet lovely early on, getting a little rainy later in the day. I enjoyed myself greatly. I have so many memories there. I’ll write about them soon. 

Today center on the Pacific Science Center and Space Needle. Will need to go to MoPop, but not sure what else. 

Fyi, discovered Citypass today. A great way to get the most out of a trip downtown. You only have nine days to get through then all, so be cognizant of that. But it’ll get you into most of the key sites around the city. 

Ok,I can’t stay awake. More shortly! 

Oh, and come say hi to me on Facebook! I linguists look forward

Compline at St. Marks Cathedral

Carl Setzer

Every Sunday night at 9:30, Seattle’s St. Marks Cathedral hosts compline. For those not versed in Anglican church history, compline is sung evening prayer, harkening back to monastic traditions. They’ve been performing this weekly for decades.

It was compline that attracted me to the Episcopal church. After attending the service for several months, a friend of mine and I tried regular worship. And I became a member there, staying for several years. Met several of my dearest friends there, and it’s s key piece of my faith journey.

Many years ago, KING FM started broadcasting the service live. At one point, they shifted to playing a recording of the week prior. I’m listening to that right now.

I’m flooded with memories. Of this massively diverse array of humanity and it’s conditions. There are millionaires sitting eith street people. All are welcome, and all hold the moment holy

Someday soon I hope to introduce my son. Such a deep, powerful and rich part of my life, and Seattle’s. I want it to be part of his experience, too.