chasing the dream and remembering it

Courtland Cadi, ©2010 gary garbett.com

2010 is nearly over and with nothing more than cliches to come up with, the time just flew by. With that, it was a remarkable year for me and I continue to place one foot in front of the next to move with a forward momentum. I'm not sure how else to do it. I continue my personal push to absorb life along with all of it's riches. At least those that are within my reach. And for those that aren't, I work at getting myself closer.

One year ago, I had sincere concern about my addictive nature and my health. Always being one in control, it was extremely difficult to confess to myself that my alcohol addiction had taken control of my long personally controlled life. Suddenly, for the first time in my life, it wasn't me that was in control. I was scared and doubted that I'd be able to recover. It was time for "me" to make a change in "my" life.

I needed to find a focus. I needed to find me. I needed to believe. I needed to be alive. And, I needed to be sober.

One day at a time was a huge challenge and there were days when I wasn't sure I'd make it drink-free. Three hundred and sixty five days later, I'm one year sober ...and still one day at a time. I'll always be, but I'm up for that challenge. With my decision of a year ago, I'm happier and more at peace with myself than I could ever be. I knew that I had to make a change. I had way too many things yet to do in my life, more goals to attempt, more people to meet, more love to share, more art to live, and another day to celebrate, followed by another, then another, and another.

A number of years ago, I watched as my father crossed the same path in his life. With a strong dedication and belief, he too beat his addictions. And although he died at a young age, his life was made so much fuller because of his taking control of those things that controlled him.

I can do nothing more than to be true to myself.  With that, I'm another step closer to wherever it is that I'm headed. I don't have a road map or a even a schedule... I'm just following my life path and today I'm challenged by it, I revel in it, and more importantly... today, I can see it.

This isn't meant to be "my" personal soapbox or preaching. It just isn't. That's simply not me. What this is, is an honest recount of where I've been and a true celebration of love, thank you's, and joys for today.

Life moves forward. Embrace it, love it, and allow it capture you in it's moment.
Peace, health, and joy.

photography captures life

photo: Brian L. Frank

A camera is nothing more than a box with a hole. Light travels through that small opening, time is frozen and history captured. Within in a blink, what seemed current suddenly becomes nostalgic. Life or the memory of the moment is translated to an expression of vision.

a sequence finds closure on a graduate program

At the age of 50, I finally feel like I'm getting a grip on this life plan thing. Exactly two years to the week of my very first graduate class, my thesis exhibition opened at the Rawls Museum Arts in Courtland, VA. The exhibition titled insequential sequence, is a mixed media fusion of captured normalcy delivered through mixed media drawings and paintings, large format photographic sequences, and short films, all of which I created during the past year.

I know its because of my age that people ask, "Are you planning to march in the graduation ceremony?" Each time I hear it, I laugh and my reply is always similar to the comment I share when asked about my wearing silver and orange braces. "At my age, I'm really excited to be able to wear braces ...and I wanna make sure everyone sees 'em."

So, will I be marching during the December 11th playing of pomp and circumstance at VCU? Hell yeah!... and I'll be doing so sober, with straight teeth, wearing an honors cord, ...and sporting a stylish 4.0 GPA smile.

This life plan thing is just starting to get interesting. Life is good.