Actually I’m in Guadalajara, Mexico now but I took this shot a few days ago while on the Pacific coast in PV. I attended a Board meeting there and am now in the midst of the Annual Convention of the Society of American Travel Writers where I will be delivering a professional development session on Photoshop. More photos and stories when I get back mid-week.

Okay. So, by now, you’ve probably noticed a change in my posting schedule. Like… I’m hardly posting.

I’ve been off the road for four weeks now. Four weeks. That’s almost unheard of for me. It’s not due to the economy — it’s actually been somewhat purposeful. It was time to recharge. Time to stay home for a bit. Time to pretend to be a normal person.

So what have I been doing? I’m slipping into routines. The above is my Saturday morning; 7:00 a.m. at the farmer’s market, then find some breakfast downtown where there’s sidewalk seating. This is my new life. Not too bad.

I’ve also taken on some affectations that I’m not sure are healthy. Top of the list is that I’ve started mowing the lawn in diagonals. I’ve seen people do this for years but I never thought I’d be one of them. Huh. I’m not shooting many photos other than with my iPhone (like the above) and I haven’t worn a backpack for over a month. Who am I?!?

Have no fear — I haven’t given up the life of the nomad altogether. In fact I’ve just signed on to teach a Photoshop and Lightroom workshop in Guadalajara in October and I have several other domestic assignments between now and then. More will also be added, I’m sure. It will be good to hit the road again. The road is one of my favorite places. Home is good, too. Balancing the two is the best.

Think of that bus as the new year screaming past. The first week of 2008 is nearly behind us and there are only 51 more to go. Time truly does fly.

It looks like the theme of my 2008 will be change. I know, everyone is talking about change these days — especially politicians — but I have other changes in mind. Plenty of them. Among the first is this blog and my new website. I’m changing the way I’ll be marketing myself as a photographer this year and the new online presence is just part of that effort. More on those plans in the coming months. I also find myself doing more teaching this year. I’ve taught Photoshop at University level before but I’m now beginning to do more workshop-style classes.

But this is just the beginning of the changes in store for me in 2008.

There will be other changes as well. One big change is that we plan on moving this year. We’ve been in our current house for over 20 years and we’ve wedged ourselves in quite well. It will be no easy task to extricate ourselves and relocate but it’s an exciting time and I’m looking forward to it.

There are other changes in store but I can’t talk about them all at this point. Lots of things that are still in the research and thinking stage but you can be sure I’ll share details with you all when I can.

Suffice it to say, it’s going to be a busy year.