i've obsessed way too long over renaming this blog. the title has always reflected a state of mind or an era, and right now this is where i'm at. it's not meant to be a depressing reminder, but a prologue of everything yet to come.
there's a family in Comfort that puts on mexican-style rodeos. it supplements their income and is a total blast. i'll be hanging out with them more in the future.
the gray navigation arrows underneath the photo to the left will click through the slide show. i'm still working out the kinks of embedding.
so much has changed in just one month.
the decline of the newspaper industry finally hit my inbox. in february, after a year and a half, i was laid-off from the tribune.
even though the decision wasn't personal, it's hard not to take it personally. it's just business. but for me, for so many of us, this job was never "just business."
we give so much of ourselves, physically, emotionally, creatively. there's so much that goes into a photo that you never see, but it's the reason the photo exists at all. the job is not a byline and a paycheck, but a relationship with a community.
the end of the paycheck hurts, sure. this is a scary enough economic climate, even with steady income. the thing that hurts more, though, is the end of that relationship. it gave me a sense of purpose, a symbiotic exchange that both inspires creation and demands it. it's how i make anyplace feel like home.
i also had to say goodbye to the tribe, the family i forged in missouri.
nick. parker. it's a rare gift to find inspiration and friendship like that. looking back i wish we had tag teamed more projects, gone down to the river more, taken a few road trips, talked less about work and more about life. this is what retrospect gives you; a few regrets, but mostly appreciation for the salad days. i learned so much from you both and laughed my ass off. a pitcher of beer is never too far off to catch up, so expect the invitation often.
with few freelance prospects in missouri, i moved back to my native central texas. i'm working on the dreaded plan B and grieving for the loss of plan A. i feel a bit adrift right now, a community journalist without a community.
life after newspapers. when i strip out all the blase assignments - the grip n' grins, the building mugs, the business profiles and last minute portraits, what am i left with? what are the things i love? the things that reward my interest and effort with photos that mean something? is it possible to build a life and career around these things?
the short answer is "yes." i'm working on the long answer. i have a hammock and a texas spring to help me figure it out.
this blog is, of course, sticking around. the columbian epoch is over, but i am not. i'm sure a clever new blog name will come to me soon. until then, peruse the new website - www.juliarobinsonphoto.com - and hug a journalist.
a week ahead of the presidential inauguration, i photographed the 55th governor of missouri in his own inaugural. this is as close as i came to d.c. this year.
John and Jean Greer read their programs as some of the first arrivals to Missouri Gov.-elect Jay Nixon's inauguration Monday morning in Jefferson City. John Greer sat on the board of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and worked with Nixon on MOHELA-related legislation. "We've had nothing the last four years," Jean said. "We're really, really looking forward to Nixon's term."
(Left to right) Mike Quily, LeeAnn Kenley, and Roger Whitten survey the seating area before the start of the inauguration in Jefferson City.
Left to right, Roneisha Curtis, 12, Breanna Lee, 12, and Chalice Richardson, 13, read their programs as they take their seats before Missouri Gov.-elect Jay Nixon's inauguration Monday in Jefferson City. The Gentry Middle School students came to watch the ceremony with the MAC Scholars program.
A gospel choir sings on the Capitol steps before the arrival of Missouri's new governor during the inaugural proceedings Monday morning in Jefferson City.
National anthem.
An attendee takes a photo of the inaugural ceremony as the crowd waits for the clock to strike noon.
Democrat Jay Nixon shakes the hand of Chief Justice Laura Denvir Stith after being sworn in as Missouri's 55th governor. Nixon took the oath with his hand on a Bible that has been passed down through his family since the late 1700s.
Jay Nixon gives his inaugural address Monday afternoon after being sworn in as the 55th governor of Missouri.
Former Governor Matt Blunt takes one last look at the podium as he is escorted from the inaugural ceremonies with wife Melanie on Monday morning in Jefferson City.
got a visit from david noles last week. if you haven't seen his work, check it out. he came sans camera for a change, so, as i gave him a tour of winter weather and the middle of "real" america, he was in front of the lens for a change. january in los angeles is a bit more hospitable.
after waiting out a snow storm in st. louis, we decided to tour the gateway to the west before driving back to columbia.
i had no idea the elevators to the top were so, umm, strange. a tiny circular pod for five, but luckily we were the only ones on this trip.
took a drive down to mcbaine to see the burr oak and got lost in eagle bluffs on the way to cooper's landing.
model FAIL
the missouri in winter.
i've never listened to an icy river before. it sounds like a slushy machine on overdrive.
the devil's ice box wasn't so icy compared to the rest of the world this day.
hardhats are overrated.
it was wonderful to see your face, david. ship some warmth and sunshine back to missouri.
