Looking Back and Looking Forward.

The Future of Tyson Elder's Web Presence.

I know it seems like an ominous title for a blog post, but it seems like the right thing to call it at this point. This feels like the first part of something bigger. We will see. 

I've been thinking a lot about the future, the past, and the present lately. Maybe that's why I've found it so hard to produce anything for the blog. I can't say that for certain. All I know is that I haven't “written” anything in weeks maybe even a month. Time flies when you are being self reflective and panicking about the uncertainty of the future.

I come home most nights with good intentions. I'm going to sit down at the computer, bang off some words, edit some photos, or work on my portfolio. Strangely those things rarely ever happen. Generally when I plop down in front of the computer I spend pointless hours scanning my tumblr dash, writing toots, and watch television shows I don't really care all that much for.

Why do I do it? I assume it has to do with the fact I don't want to actually do anything for myself. I don't want to make my life better or have something to be proud of. Or is it just laziness? It's probably a mixture of both. I think the idea behind it is that if I don't try I can't fail. It's kind of been my life's motto up until recently.

I've tried to make commitments before. Things like “I'm going to write 750 words a day” or “I'm going to post something on my blog at least three times a week.” Oddly I think it's okay not to fulfill my own goals when it comes to my writing. Because it's me setting the goals, and I'm not being told to do them. The same goes for working on my new photography website that was supposed to be done in March. It's easy to let it slid and never quite finish it when it's only you that's going to be disappointed.

Too often I look back at what I haven't accomplished, but had intentions of completing. If you know me you know I'm always working on a “project” that will never be completed. I want to change this. I want to finish at least one thing before I can move on to the next “project.”

So, what are my projects? This blog is one. I want to give it an overhaul. A new look, and edit some of the archives. There is some revisionist history going to be taking place over the next few months. When I look at things they are a disorganized mess. Things need to be straightened up.

My photography website is probably the biggest priority. It's actually 2/3 done. My problems at this point have to do with being bored with my design already and not being quite able to do what I want with squarespace. That has to do with my limited knowledge of building websites though.

After that there really isn't anything too serious left in Tyson Elder Enterprises to get done. Well, a small website directing you to all the places I can be found on the internet. There may also be a smallish project Kat and I have been talking about doing for a long time.

This wasn't going to be a post about me quitting the internet. Although the idea has come across my mind a few times. Not quitting, but starting fresh. In the meantime you can still find me in the normal places putting off things.

Can you start bugging me weekly to finish things?

That Song.

90's Canadian rock band Big Wreck played their first show in support of their new album Albatross / reunion tour at Victoria's Club 9one9.

The night was full of a obnoxious crowd, technical problems, and a uninterested Ian Thornley. I still enjoyed the show though. It brought back a lot of memories of the late 90's back for me. 

Big Wreck 

Catching Up.

Life has taken some interesting turns in the last few weeks, but that doesn't mean I stopped taking photos. 

On Record Store Day (April 21st, 2012) one of my favourite local musicians, Kathryn Calder did an instore at Ditch Records. I shot my first video with my T3i there you can check out her song "One Two Three" on my vimeo. 

Later that week I shot Yukon Blonde, Library Voices, and Great Bloomers at Club 9one9. It was lots of fun and I got to discover new bands to love.

Kathryn Calder / Yukon Blonde / Library Voices / Great Bloomers

I Am Here.

It was a busy weekend for me. The V.I.C. Fest 2012 launch party with Quoia, Kytami, DJ Whiz, and the Cheesecake Burlesque Review. I also caught a Grapes of Wrath reunion show at the old Harpo's.

V.I.C Fest Launch Party / Grapes of Wrath

Goodbye Sasquatch.

Money woes, and other fun excuses on why I can't do anything with my life.

As most of you know I broke my foot back in January. It's been a painful couple months of limited mobility, anti-inflammatory medication, and just a general hatred of doctors. If there is one thing that came from the whole experience it was the reaffirmation of my dislike of the medical system and doctors.

Here I am just over three months later and my foot is healing. The scare of having pins put in my foot is gone, and I'm finally on the mend. I still have to take it easy. I've been back at work for a couple weeks now. It's hard being on light duties. I'm surviving and putting the hours. It's not that I missed working while I was off it was more that I missed having something to do with my time.

The money from the insurance company came through sporadically and fluctuated in consistency. Don't get me wrong, I very happy that I can benefit from something like this. Keeping my head above water (barely) while I'm unable to work. I know there are lots of people who can't and don't have that option. It's beneficial having a benefits package at your place of employment (see what I did there).

So, when it came to coming back to work I was more than ecstatic to make some real money. Like REAL fucking money. Unfortunately I didn't make all that much between my last disability check and my first paycheck back.

I'm stuck. For the first time in my life I've had to borrow money from my parents to pay my rent. How embarrassing is that? I don't generally like asking for money, and this was hard for me.

I've spent money on things in the past I shouldn't have, and I did have a budget in place to make sure this wouldn't happen. Then I went and broke my foot. All that money and overtime hours I planned on making was gone. I've had to make some decisions without consulting people in the last few days to make sure I can at least do the one thing I wanted to do this summer.

Here's the big unveil. The thing I've been so vague about in this whole long post about nothing.

I'm not going to the Sasquatch Music Festival this year.

I've got to sell my ticket and premiere camping pass. I know I'm going to be disappointing some folks that really wanted to do this trip with me. Likewise I was excited to do this trip with some really awesome friends and music this year, but it's not going to happen. I should have known before buying the ticket anyways.

I'm going to MaxFunCon the following weekend, and I really don't want to be a burned out mess for that. That's what I'm really excited for. A chance to learn, laugh, and have some real fun with folks I really respect and admire.

Here's my craigslist add for my Sasquatch ticket.

You can also contact me through here if you want to buy it off me. I really wanted to go this year, but I had to man up and make the adult decision. I'm expecting a guilt trip from some of my friends, because I'm posting this before actually telling anyone. I welcome it, but they need to know I didn't make the decision lightly. I did it because I have to, and there is no other way around it. I can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars on camping, drinking, and not getting laid before flying off to do the same thing the next weekend.

I'm not twenty-two anymore.