Filed under: family

The Celebration of Celebrations

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As our country turns 234 years old this weekend, I'll be partaking in what is probably my most favorite event ever: The Nelson/Hagen/Versteeg Family 4th of July.
 
It takes place at my Grandma Nelson's farm near Monroe, S.D., and it's attended by representatives of every branch of my father's family tree (and neighboring trees),
 
This year, we'll also be honoring Grandma Nelson's 85th birthday in conjunction with the usual summertime activities. She's an amazing person, and she deserves the amazing celebration. There's going to be horse riding, boating, backyard sports, camping, grilling, four-wheeling, clay shooting and bonfires. My cousins and second cousins will provide the quinessential 8-hour display of fireworks - probably one of the largest causes of global warming - in my Grandmother's driveway with the barn looming in the background.
 
When I think of summer time in South Dakota, this is where my mind wanders.
 
As my aunts, uncles and cousins venture to rural South Dakota from places like Sioux Falls, Dallas, Seattle, Minneapolis, Nashville and Yuma, I'll be making a very anticipated trip back home to reunite with them all.
 
I'm excited for the weekend. Perhaps more than ever. 
 
Happy 4th of July!
 
 
Photo: The Nelson/Hagen/Versteeg 4th of July Celebration at the Lowell Nelson Farm near Monroe, S.D. (C)John Nelson 2008

 

Where I'm Going

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I've lived in Brookings since Sept. 3, 2004. 

For those of you who are as bad at math as I am - that's five years and 9 months. A total of 2,115 days. Two dorm rooms, two town homes and one apartment. 

On that first day, I hugged my teary-eyed parents in an SDSU parking lot and opened a new chapter in my life. 

While living in "B-Town," I've:
  • Met some of my best friends and colleagues
  • Spent time and bonded with my family in the area
  • Discovered my future with photography
  • Set up my biz
  • Graduated college
  • Dove into a career in marketing
  • Went to many places: Mexico (x2), Arkansas, Texas, California (x2), Las Vegas, Arizona, Canada (x5) and Minnesota (x463*)
  • Most importantly - I found the best thing I will ever find - Stacy. 
This town means a lot to me. In fact, I promised my life to my woman on the steps of the most recognizable edifice in this city. (By the way - she said "yes.")

In two months, that chapter will end as I marry my best friend and move on to bigger and better things in Sioux Falls. It's a step that several of my friends have made in the past few years, and one that I anticipate with faith. There's a lot to worry about (including an unfamiliar, super-saturated photography market and a 50-minute commute on three days every week), but I'll make the jump with my head up and with my thoughts on good things. 

My checklist for moving to Sioux Falls:
  • Pack stuff
  • Unpack stuff
  • Set up shop 
  • Chill with friends and family
  • Meet people
  • Take photos
  • Share photos
  • Sustain the good stuff

Photo: The southward lane of 22nd Avenue as seen from 6th Street in Brookings, S.D. (c)John Nelson 2006

Easily Entertained

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A while ago, Stacy (my soon-to-be-wife) and I visited Custer State Park. It was great. It was one of the best vacations ever. Blah, blah, blah.

Did I want to snap some gorgeous landscape photos? Nah. Did I want to see the majestic buffalo in their native habitat? Nope. Was I seeking to re-ignite my South Dakotan pride? Not really. 

I looked past all of those (appreciation-deserving) things to find the scruffy, tourist-food-eating, man-transplanted donkeys. That's just how I roll. 

Like many of my comrades, I find myself awkwardly trying to fit myself to my cubicle-based job. It sucks the personality out of me and quite literally turns me into a small part of a very large and un-personable machine. It's a bigger problem than I make it out to be, but this is where I'm at. Is it where I want to be for the rest of my life? Of course not. 

You probably know me as a goofy-looking photographer, or something of the like. You know the "me" in the photo above. 

In reality, I'm a 24-year-old who works at a grey-walled desk on the weekdays. Only on the evenings and weekends am I the person you know. Only away from that cubicle do I get to interact with and enjoy the people who matter to me. Only on the evenings and weekends am I the person I 100% want to be. But hey, it's 2010, and I've gotta pay doze bills.

I have problems, but who doesn't? This blog is gonna help me keep that introspective life stress at bay. S'gonna help me keep things real. 

Also, I know a few wonderful people who use writing to cope with their problems, to share themselves with the world. They impress me. They influence me. They make me feel... I'm not sure what it makes me feel, but I just like how it makes me feel - how their words move me. 

These people might not know it, but they mean a lot to me, and I'm just trying to repay the favor. 

I'm also trying to remind people to appreciate the donkeys in their lives.

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I've got lots of blog post topics to try in the next few days, but I want you to let me know if there's anything you'd like me to shed some light on for you. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Photo: Yours truly with the wild donkeys at Custer State Park near Custer, S.D. Shot by Stacy.

Back on My Path

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It wasn't the first time I'd escaped the present, but this time I saw where I was going. There's a path here and I'm going to write my way onto it. I finally motivated myself to value having a blog again.
 
I know. "Riiight. How many times have I heard this before?" [eye roll]
 
Where does it go?
 
I'm not sure, but the journey is the destination. Chances are, if you're reading this, you've got a good handle on how blogs work. This is my brain in words. This is me. Vulnerable me.
 
Who's it for?
 
You. Your friends. Desperate twenty-something, observant, open-minded, thoughtful people. This is me reaching out. Not taking, but giving. Providing, then observing, then providing. A transaction of necessities and frivolities. (I couldn't think of a better word than "frivolities." My bad.)
 
What am I here to blab about?
 
Things on our minds. Things that matter. Things that excite, entertain, educate and encourage.
 
It doesn't appear so, but (just like you) I have several ideas tumbling around in my brainage. Mostly about marketing, interwebbage and photography. (I know. Original, right?)
 
Why should you read this blog?
 
Because I'm a goofy-looking, quarter-life-crisis-experiencing, Twins-loving, tech-watching, business-hustling photog in South Dakota. You care about what I have to say because you can relate to me in one way or another. 
 
Because I write with words you can understand. 
 
Because I like helping people. 
 
Because I see things differently.
 
For those of you who hate reading long blog posts (like me) - fear not. Luckily my brain can't stay still longer than it will take you to read most of my posts. (This post = five sessions of writing, four Weezer albums and about twenty gallons of coffee.)
 
Bonus: since I'm taking time to tap the shutter, I will also provide a plethora of pretty pictures herein.
 
I hope you come back, and I hope you get as much as I try to give.

(Photo: Sunset on Moose Lake, Manitoba. (c)John Nelson 2010)