Mission Accomplished

This morning I got up early (I'm running on less than six hours of sleep here, so if this lacks a bit in the coherence department, you'll know why) and started to sort through photos again. I had previously settled on three I wanted to use, but I started to look again and came across one that I had forgotten about that I really liked, so I ended up using it and two I had previously decided on. I printed several more that did not make the cut, though I still really like them. I printed the photos, trimmed them, and mounted them on the mat board. I filled out the entry form and headed up to Salt Lake. We stopped by my parents' house and showed them to my mom before heading off to the fair grounds. Once at the fair grounds, I took them in, paid my fee, and they will be shown in the fair. The girl who helped me with my entry info was very impressed by at least one of the photos, so that was nice. We'll see what happens soon. We plan on going back up to the fair next Saturday.

It was kind of funny this morning. As we were leaving, I realized that I felt the same way I feel when I have a job interview. I was very nervous about entering the photos. Both Merilee and my mom reminded me that part of it was the fact that I am offering up something that I have put a lot of work and effort into for others to judge. I agree with that. Part of it was also that I really want to win a ribbon. I feel silly, but I really want some recognition for my art. I love photography and I think I take some amazing photos, but it would be nice to have some outside recognition. Even better would be having one of my photos selected to be part of the traveling exhibit they put together from the fair entrants. That would be truly amazing; even better than a ribbon. But I really want a ribbon. I keep telling myself that is not likely because I do not want to work myself up to the point that I am disappointed. I try to look at it as a type of gallery showing and let it go at that.

Tonight I also posted some photos to enter a contest the Audubon Society is holding. I entered seven photos (I could have entered eight if I had had that many bird photos I felt were pretty good), one or two of which I personally really like. One is of a red-winged blackbird in flight through the grasses around Utah Lake. I also have a couple of wild turkey photos and a yellow-headed blackbird that are quite good. Here is the red-winged blackbird:

The print is much more impressive. I really do not expect to win anything, but I felt like I should enter, so I did. We'll see if anything comes of it.

And finally, I though I would respond to the NoBloPoMo prompt for today - "How did you feel about the start of the school year growing up?" I was one of those weird kids who looked forward to school every year. I really liked getting all the new supplies and I looked forward to being in school again. By the time school started, I was ready for summer vacation to be over. I always really liked school. It took me eight years to graduate from BYU partly because I just love learning. It's a part of having that sense of wonder I have talked about before. I always have enjoyed learning new things, and I still do. I sometimes wish I could afford to go back to school and get a bachelors in geology. I have even toyed with the idea of online photography courses, but the present financial situation does not allow such luxuries. Anyway, to get back on topic, I was always glad to start a new school year. I actually miss it more often than I will admit.

That's about all for tonight. I am very tired and should be heading to bed. I hope I can sleep tonight.