Since we always talk about the blog as a community wouldn't it be great to get to know each other? Better still maybe we could create social connection locally by getting in touch with other blog readers local to us and maybe have coffees and discuss photography? Maybe?

 

First off, my name is Kirk. I live in Austin, Texas. I'm 67. I love taking photographs. Mostly casual people images but urban landscapes as well.  Now it's your turn. Who are you? Where do you live? What did you/do you do that you'd like to share? What's your particular interest in photography? Do you have friends close by whom you meet for coffee? 

Now to the crux of this post: Wouldn't it be cool to know someone near you who shares a lot of your interests and who might be interesting to talk with about photography? And life? And stuff?

I was talking to B this morning over breakfast and she mentioned an article about loneliness and how it's epidemic in post Covid times. Especially for people over 50. And the health ramifications are dour. I could list them but the one I disliked reading most was: "early mortality." The cure, it seems, is to spend more time with people and to work on maintaining old friendships and building new ones. 

She asked me what I was doing with the blog to help with that. And while I think there are benefits to having friends spread out all over the place (and I do consider a large number of you to be in the "friend" category) I'd love it if we could encourage each other to reach out and connect with at least one new person, local to us, that we could actually meet face-to-face, have coffee with, discuss photography with and get to know. Mutual photographic support. Human face-to-face.

I have a friend here in town named Frank. He took the initiative and reached out to me at least a decade ago. We've met, on average, once a month since then to catch up with each other, trade information about gear we're using and techniques we either tried or read about, and to be mutually supportive. I always look forward to our morning coffees. We don't always agree on every aspect of modern life but we respect each other enough to dodge around subjects that might engender conflict and stay on a brighter, happier path. His advice about business and finance is always so welcome. I know I've benefitted from knowing Frank and I hope he feels the same way. 

I bring up my friendship with Frank because it happened as a result of the blog. We met at a book signing for Michael O'Brien's book on the homeless. A book signing he read about here; on the blog.  

So after talking with B this morning I'm trying to figure out how we can use the blog to help readers all over the place make some local connections that would bring the same kind of benefits to other readers. 

I was thinking it would be good to drop a first name and general (city-wide?) location, from anyone interested in taking a chance, into the comments below. I'm trying to figure out a safe way to connect people via the web so if you have any ideas I'd love to hear them. I want to make sure no one gets scammed or taken advantage of but it would be great if a couple readers in San Antonio, for example, could connect and at least introduce themselves to each other. Share some good news.

It may just be a pipe dream but if you know how to make this work please help me out here with more/better strategies. How can we make connections with other VSL readers?

Another thing that brought this to my attention was a phone call from a long time reader's spouse. She was calling to see if her husband and I might be able to meet up when I finally get to Tucson to see the McCartney show. I was flattered. I'll make sure to get to Tucson and meet one of my long time but never met in person friends. But during the course of a phone conversation it was suggested that calling me or contacting me might be somehow wrong. As though they were intruding. I assured them (honestly) that I'm always open to people getting in touch with me. I don't have an entourage. No one is screening my calls or email. I'm always open to answering question via email. And as long as my schedule permits I don't mind phone calls; especially from long time commenters whose names I recognize. 

But my real intention today is to motivate VSL blog readers here to reach out locally and find like minded folks who might meet up occasionally for a bit of camaraderie and photo/knowledge sharing. Please let me know what you think with a comment. But don't share your social security number, drivers license numbers, credit card numbers or your home address!!!! (I know you wouldn't but I had to say that even if it's partially just a joke). A first name and a city is a good introduction. A few short sentences about what it is in photography that interests you. Maybe even your focus on photography, examples: landscapes, street photography, portraits, or any other interests. 

This may just be a blogger fantasy that results in a complete face plant but most of my readers are way smarter than the average person in the street and perhaps the guidance that emerges in response will add to our success with this. As usual, if this doesn't appeal to you at all you have my permission to ignore the post, and the intention, and just read the stuff you like. 

Fun days ahead. Waiting with trepidation for the budget ceiling drama. Focusing more and more on swimming, vitamins, and playing the role of artiste. Thanks for sticking around and reading my stuff.