I hate this time of year!

[Mike Hoyer]

Well hate is maybe too strong a word, but…

Christmas doesn’t really do it for any more. Maybe it’s because the rest of my family are off on a short holiday, and Christmas Day is just another day for me. I’m not bothered by that, I’ll just watch TV, play on the computer and over indulge in food and drink! Then the day after I’ve got a race to cover, which is cool.

But apart from that… the new season just seems like such a long way off. There’s a lot of waiting, and what-ifs… what if I don’t get the jobs that I did last year?... what if I can’t afford to pay for it all?... what if someone comes along and takes all my work? etc… etc. Plus right now there's no point contacting people to try and do deals. By the time they get to read my email or whatever it'll probably get missed.

I’m sure it will all work out fine, and I have a few things lined up which will hopefully pay off. If my main client pays the same as what they did last year, I’ll be laughing…

But I can’t help wishing it was April/May time, and all that was sorted out! Is it just me that feels like this?

[Andrew Wheeler]

Mike,

I think what you're going through right now is something we all experience when we do not have a regular "upcoming event", which is that the mind starts to wander.

I would say do what I do, use it to do some fun stuff, get outdoors, put the camera down, visit an art museum, take yer mum out to lunch, do something OTHER than think about this stuff. You'll go mad.

In this business there are many variables. If you have to think about next year, remove the IF, and turn that that into a mental commitment and NEVER assume you're going to get what you really want.

Contingency. Look back over the past year, truly evaluate your work, and then bleach the old brain, and go and do something different.

Andrew :)

[John Thawley]

I have a four year old boy.... I LOVE this time of the year. In the last week or so, he and I have gone to see Polar Express, gone shopping for his presents to his mom and other holiday activities with just the two of us. Honest to God, I guess I'm just an old softie... but I absolutely melt just watching him enjoy himself. I practically sat through the entire movie just watching him. And a couple hours at the mall, watching him chat up the sales girls and walk up to the counter flashing my Platinum card is the best Chrsitmas present I could ever ask for.

I feel your pain, though Mike. Scrambling for clients and trying to line up the next 12 months (so I can KEEP the Platinum card) does get a bit frantic. But... it all works out and for me, nothing's more important than him.

JT

[Morgan J Segal]

Welcome to the club :cool:

[Mike Hoyer]

I have a four year old boy.... I LOVE this time of the year. In the last week or so, he and I have gone to see Polar Express, gone shopping for his presents to his mom and other holiday activities with just the two of us. Honest to God, I guess I'm just an old softie... but I absolutely melt just watching him enjoy himself. I practically sat through the entire movie just watching him. And a couple hours at the mall, watching him chat up the sales girls and walk up to the counter flashing my Platinum card is the best Chrsitmas present I could ever ask for.

I feel your pain, though Mike. Scrambling for clients and trying to line up the next 12 months (so I can KEEP the Platinum card) does get a bit frantic. But... it all works out and for me, nothing's more important than him.

JT

Absolutely. I don't have a massive thing against Christmas or whatever. It's great when you're young, and no doubt great when you have children of your own. When you're in your mid 20's (reasonably)single, and mad about what you do, it's just an annoying interlude!

Hope you and your son have a great day tomorrow! I'm gonna spend the day blasting around Le Mans on my PC :)

[John Thawley]

Well, I'm sure he'll have a great time. LOL - Not sure about these 56 year-old knees crawling around on the floor with him.

His biggest problem will be getting every open with out losing his train of thought as he goes crazy-big-eyed from one toy to the next. He's at the age where the toys aren't just "tear it open, give it a glance and get back to it later." Everything is a major heart-stopper for him. :) I've got a hunch the Robo-Raptor is going to be the prized-possession of the season receiving his MVT Award (Most Valuable Toy) though we started him on Lionel last year... and we've added the Polar Express and an inner-circle passing loop this year. He's a total train freak, so he'll probably go into sensory overload. LOL

The coolest thing I found were these little boxed archeological digs... a cube of dirt with dinosaur bones that you have to dig up and then snap together. He watches dinosaur movies 24x7 so I know the "digs" will be a huge hit too.

Of course, all of this is just a distraction to make sure he keeps his sticky little paws of my new slot car set. LOL

Whoa... better make sure I film for the camera!!! :)

Merry Christmas

JT

[Gary Parravani]

what if someone comes along and takes all my work?

btw just in case you are a little worried i might be trying to do that with the-paddock.net, dont.. i'm just filling in the gaps. too early on in this game for me to be stepping on anyones toes or making enemies (although i did make a few enemies on POTN forums :) )

happy new year!

[Mike Hoyer]

Don't worry, I didn't mean any specifics really! It's good to have a couple of photographers to cover events.

[John Thawley]

btw just in case you are a little worried i might be trying to do that with the-paddock.net, dont.. i'm just filling in the gaps. too early on in this game for me to be stepping on anyones toes or making enemies (although i did make a few enemies on POTN forums :) )

happy new year!


Does the-paddock.net actually PAY?

JT

[Mike Hoyer]

No. That's why I don't mind!

[Gary Parravani]

you mean they arent paying you? you need to have a word ;)

:)