Category: Uncategorized

STORYTELLER, NOT MYTH MAKER

With social media being what it is, there are all sorts of myth makers out there. Facebook and other platforms were never meant to be journalistic. Unfortunately, people begin to believe what they see, read and hear on a constant basis.

Building community enthusiasm for a worthy cause is one thing, but providing misinformation or engaging in flat out deception for personal gain whether it’s on social media or in print is another. You will never find that coming from me as an automotive journalist. When people ask me why that is, I always reply “I’m from Alaska.” It’s become a bit of an inside joke.

(Photo of Randy: Andrea Wells)

FORESHADOWING

If the latest reports are to be believed, this world is in trouble (and that’s putting aside all the humanity problems). Solar eclipses, solar flares, global warming predicted at +2.5 degrees celsius, and AI that can’t be explained but is going to be used everywhere anyway. I think they may have got it wrong in the Stanley Kubrick 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, it looks like it could all come down around 2050.

Enjoy it while you can.

(Image above: Courtesy of MGM)

THE ROAD TO H*** IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS

The key is to never let it get you down. There can be a lot of mis-communication when everyone is coming from a different point of view. Fractured is how I see the world today. It can be frustrating, but it’s up to each of us to follow what we know to be the truth. It’s good actions that matter. Forget the rest. ‘Relax-Ay-Voo’

CHEAP AND GOOD ENOUGH

If you are a budding photographer who wants to add a side hustle shooting automobiles, make sure you are “cheap” and “good enough”. That way you might get enough gigs to survive your first year in business. If you work really hard shooting cars once a week and practicing Photoshop every day, you may eventually have “something to say” (aka: develop a great eye and a style) that will separate you from the pack. Then you can charge more. If that happens, it can take up to five years, but learning on the job requires that. Remember, it takes 10,000 hours of intense focus to become an expert, technically. Just don’t try to fake it ’till you make it. That never works for very long.

(Illustrator: Unknown)

11-2-23

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

My father would be 98 today, but he passed away about 20 years ago from Parkinson’s. We still have my mom.

P.S. To good friends lost in the last month:
11-9-23 God Bless Fayne
11-12-23 R.I.P. Mark
11-30-23 R.I.P. Nick

Never a Beatles fan, my dad Chuck probably would have liked the new Stones album better…

6-20-23

IT’S A LOVELY MORNING – BUT NOT EVERYWHERE

I often take my good fortune for granted.

It means I need to work at gratitude on a regular basis. In the process, I’ve come to realize that my life’s journey is an evolution that fills me with wonder and joy at the best of times. I think the world could use more of that.

Thank you to all my friends. I’m lucky to have each and every one of you.

(Photos by Randy and Andrea Wells)

Cumulus Clouds over AZ

ACCEPTANCE, NOT EXPECTATIONS

Not everyone seeks perfection. In contrast, I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist. It stems from my belief that things can always be better.

As I’ve matured, that trait has been somewhat subdued by my need to be more mindful of others. Judging others and criticizing behavior is not where I want to be. As I let go of that, my life becomes easier. And in today’s world, anything that simplifies my journey is most welcome.

(Photo: Randy Wells – Un-manipulated sky in Arizona)