2024 09 18
Springtime in Humboldt Park. Chicago, Illinois. March, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
This is what my laptop desktop has looked like for about a year now. Instead of locating the folder I need on the desktop, I’ll open any random folder and use the search bar to type for it instead. My schedule, and my thoughts and focus, have been all over the place. I’ve been telling myself for months now that I will get around to organizing the desktop, and the studio, and the house, and my time. Yet, here we are, still scrambling.
I think this is a nice analogy for my life and a sign that I really ought to get my priorities a bit more straight. This is not to say I need a complete change in lifestyle, but better balance would be beneficial. It’s impossible to shine when you have a million tasks in front of you, blocking your view.
We watched Civil War last night. The movie is just okay but it got me feeling nostalgic for a different era of photography and photojournalism. Shooting film and developing film yourself while on the move. The movie got me wanting to get out and make more photos. The movie also got me wanting to make a movie myself. This post reminded me that I wanted to write some thoughts about the seasons and why I prefer living in a place like Chicago, where they are clearly defined (although increasingly less so these days).
Last week, I hosted a favorite musician in my space, David Dondero, for an incredible night, which was lightly attended. On Friday of this week, I am hosting a favorite Illinois photographer Nathan Pearce, which my negative-thinking brain assumes will also be lightly attended as it’s an afternoon affair. As I’m getting older, I’m learning that dwelling on the negative things doesn’t serve much good, and while I don’t yet believe in manifesting your reality, I see the point of people who do. More importantly, however, the takeaway is that I need to improve in communicating. It’s no easy task. I’ve always been wary of anything that feels like selling, but if I want people to participate in these things I am choosing to invest my time and energy in, it’s a non-negotiable!
This post has been as scattered as my brain has been felling, so I’m glad I could give you a taste of what I live with. Hope you can make it out on Friday!
-Clayton
