So, it is 2019 and one of the things that I would like to improve upon is simply saying, ‘yes’ more frequently. Like most people, I think, I tend to stay in my lane and will rebuff opportunities that require me to take a path less traveled. Simple example…

The world spins, faster and faster every day. For the better part of my life, I have embraced the building momentum with technology, gymnastic scheduling and an overarching desire to be part of it all. From time-to-time, however, we all need to carve out some time to recharge or gather ourselves. Generally, you will hear me drone on about forests, trees, nature and generally being outside as my chief source of recharging. What I might overlook in these sentiments is quite literally the place that we have chosen to live though. 

I am always struck by springtime. In the span of a few weeks, a seemingly lifeless landscape bursts forth with new life and color - bringing with it a sense of renewal. No matter how many times I experience it, I can't help but feel energized by the transformation.

I’ll let you in on a secret. I don't love flying. It's not so much the act of flying that gets me or even the taking off or landing, but just the lack of personal control in what is largely a Boolean experience. Once an aircraft is flying, it is either flying or it is falling, (arguably it could be both) and just being along for the ride is disconcerting to me. 

Growing older is a surreal experience. The thing that I am constantly challenged by is how unexpectedly different I feel in comparison to how I thought that I would feel at this age. I don't mean physically, but as I watch my goals become achieved or morph, relationships grow or wither, children develop, spouses change, and time passes, I find myself constantly...

Following the warmest, least snowy December on record here in Rochester, it is now January and we finally have snow. There are plenty of folks who were thankful for the late coming of winter to the upstate New York region, but I am not one of them. The snow is here and I am glad!

So, there I was a few months ago declaring that I wasn't going to be so absent on this site. It would seem as though I lied. I didn't intend to lie and I had the best intentions, but as with all good things, they are susceptible to outside forces, which can erode momentum and will. I believe that I underestimated the energy required to get through shooting the end of the racing season, as well as launching The Ascend Collective.

The past month or so has been like a looming storm headed in my direction. Life has been hectic to say the least and my absence from posting anything here is evidence of the fact that some things have slipped out from under my eye. Sorry about that.

I am here to declare, however, that I am feeling like I am getting back on track, as my primary focus - The Ascend Collective - finally launched...

Here in Upstate New York, we are blessed beyond measure by the amount of nature preserves, state parks, etc. that we have available to us. I realize that while many other states have some pretty great things to see or do, the accessibility of forest areas or marshlands or whatever is one of the best things that New York has to offer...in my completely biased opinion of course.