Happy New Year 2020

[JimFox]

Happy New Year!

It’s another year, and it’s another time of resolutions and hopes and dreams. I stopped doing resolutions like 40 years ago, but you know it’s never bad to be able to stop for a moment and consider where we have been and where we are going.

So please take a moment and share a memorable moment from 2019 and then share a dream or goal for 2020. These do not have to be photography related, but they certainly can.

It’s midnight, so I will add mine later.

Jim

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Happy New Year, Jim

 

[Terry Farrow]

Happy new year Jim.

 

[Jim Dockery]

Happy New Year everyone!

2019 was a tough year for my wife and I. Much of it was consumed with supporting my brother and father in-law as they died, then dealing with the aftermath (I was the executor of my brother's will). We now both look forward to getting back out in nature more, and embracing life. Of course photography will be a big part of that for me.

 

[rfkiii]

In 2019, the company I work for changed hands. There was some low level anxiety as to what pay and benefits would look like under the new regime assuming I and others were not laid off. Pay remained the same, benefits were a mixed bag and no unemployment line. I did get a two week bump in my vacation time so I will be doing more photography in national parks. I received a bit of an inheritance recently; I can now afford a GFX 100 but I increased my 401k instead.

My last new year resolution was in 1989 when I quit smoking beginning 1/1/1990. Happy 30 year anniversary to me. I haven't made another resolution since. My success rate is 100% so why mess with that.

HNY

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Happy new year everyone, esp Jim and the staff here for running a classy operation.

 

[JimFox]

Happy New Year everyone!

2019 was a tough year for my wife and I. Much of it was consumed with supporting my brother and father in-law as they died, then dealing with the aftermath (I was the executor of my brother's will). We now both look forward to getting back out in nature more, and embracing life. Of course photography will be a big part of that for me.

That certainly would make for a rough 2019 Jim. So 2020 looks like an exciting year for you and your wife with lots of fun adventures, especially since you have the new pickup and camper!

 

[Ben Egbert]

First off, happy new year to all of the Focal World folks.

A year ago I was given 3-8 years. With exercise, treatment and diet I plan to make that 8 years, and not just surviving, but doing what I love. I am looking forward to all my photo trips this year. I plan to focus more on the less well known places within 2-300 miles of home. I really like the meet ups and hope to get in as many of those as possible.

 

[JimFox]

In 2019, the company I work for changed hands. There was some low level anxiety as to what pay and benefits would look like under the new regime assuming I and others were not laid off. Pay remained the same, benefits were a mixed bag and no unemployment line. I did get a two week bump in my vacation time so I will be doing more photography in national parks. I received a bit of an inheritance recently; I can now afford a GFX 100 but I increased my 401k instead.

My last new year resolution was in 1989 when I quit smoking beginning 1/1/1990. Happy 30 year anniversary to me. I haven't made another resolution since. My success rate is 100% so why mess with that.

HNY

Hey Rick, it sounds like 2019 turned out great for you and 2020 should be even better! And congrats for going out with a 100% resolution rate, quitting smoking is a really great resolution to make!

 

[rfkiii]

First off, happy new year to all of the Focal World folks.

A year ago I was given 3-8 years. With exercise, treatment and diet I plan to make that 8 years, and not just surviving, but doing what I love. I am looking forward to all my photo trips this year. I plan to focus more on the less well known places within 2-300 miles of home. I really like the meet ups and hope to get in as many of those as possible.

So you won't be eating the Chicken Fried Steak at Duke's then.

 

[Ben Egbert]

So you won't be eating the Chicken Fried Steak at Duke's then.

Nope, but I will be eating the ribeye and ice cream sundae. By eliminating bread and most sugar, I get a few treats.

 

[rfkiii]

Hey Rick, it sounds like 2019 turned out great for you and 2020 should be even better! And congrats for going out with a 100% resolution rate, quitting smoking is a really great resolution to make!

Since I am vice-free now (except maybe sweets and gravy which I do not intend to deal with), I have nothing left to resolve.

 

[JimFox]

First off, happy new year to all of the Focal World folks.

A year ago I was given 3-8 years. With exercise, treatment and diet I plan to make that 8 years, and not just surviving, but doing what I love. I am looking forward to all my photo trips this year. I plan to focus more on the less well known places within 2-300 miles of home. I really like the meet ups and hope to get in as many of those as possible.

Hey Ben, first off I hope that the 3-8 years is way underestimated!

One thing I think that's great is your attitude and your just living life to the fullest. I know I do look forward to getting together at least once or twice this year with you and others hopefully.

 

[Carlo Didier]

Happy new year to everyone!

My favorite moment (day) in 2019 was when I was wild camping in the Scottish Highlands with my dog.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Hey Ben, first off I hope that the 3-8 years is way underestimated!

One thing I think that's great is your attitude and your just living life to the fullest. I know I do look forward to getting together at least once or twice this year with you and others hopefully.

Hey Jim, I am looking forward to our meet-ups. And don't feel sorry for me, in 8 years I will be a very old man.

 

[JimFox]

Happy new year to everyone!

My favorite moment (day) in 2019 was when I was wild camping in the Scottish Highlands with my dog.

That’s a fun memory!

 

[JimFox]

Nope, but I will be eating the ribeye and ice cream sundae. By eliminating bread and most sugar, I get a few treats.

You and Rick are making me hungry!

 

[JimFox]

Probably my best memory from 2019 was the 5 week trip this past summer which included a week of camping with my daughter and her (at the time) 5 kids up in the Tetons. It’s awsome when kids start camping before they start walking. And from there I spent 2 or 3 weeks up at various mountain high altitude basins and valleys like Blue Lake, Sky Pond, etc capturing an insane wildflower bloom.

For 2020, I hope to be able to pick up a van by the beginning of summer and start building it out. I want to have a bit more space then I currently have in my Jeep SUV, including the ability to stand up and have a table to sit at.

 

[Levy Davish]

Happy new and wonderful year to all of us

 

[Nilo Photography]

Happy New Year everyone!