Finding what fascinates you.

When was the last time you were fascinated by something?

Every day, whether consciously or subconsciously, I find myself fascinated by something. Genuine, wow that’s interesting, I need to know more! Whether it's a new camera lens or something weird that my dog does, I find the world around me a never-ending source of new information. I’ve always been an optimistic person. Not the hardest working but when confronted with a task I usually shrug ( ˉ\_(ツ)_/ˉ ) my shoulders, roll my sleeves up and get to it. I take back the not the hardest working. 

Want an easy way to be fascinated? Get a hobby where you have to get yourself moderately out of your comfort zone. For me it was photography. Right now, I am in a heated eBay battle for a Sigma DP2 Merrill. Its been a week of evening bids. I go to sleep and wake up the next morning to see that my arch-nemesis has outbid me by $5.00. Luckily the bidding war will end tonight and I plan on being the winner. This is all for a camera. If asked a few years ago if I would be in this position I would have probably said you were crazy.

I was sent to rural Iowa to sell software to farmers. Weird but I drove a lot. I think I clocked somewhere around 12,000-15,000 every 2 months or so. It was amazing. Iowa farm country is beautiful. The small towns I would drive through had their individual quirks and unique personalities. 

One of my favorite small towns was Dyersville. It was where Field of Dreams was shot. I just realized that maybe I am dating myself and not everyone may know one of the greatest baseball movies of all time. Fascinated I am. Regardless I think I was coming back from one of my cross-state drives when I saw a sign for Dyersville. I thought, why not? In a matter of a few hours, I found myself walking the baseline and wondering through the outfield. Surreal. 

These travels had me way out of my comfort zone. I was living in a Tyler Durden-esq house in Clinton, Iowa. Cold calling and scheduling meetings all around the state. I think I’m in sales because I find people fascinating. People fascinate and intrigue me. Back to photography. I remember on one of my return trips home that I bought a Sony a6000. 

The Sony a6000 was a 24 mp crop sensor camera. It was small, portable and took half decent photos. I took that camera with me all throughout the state. I would find myself constantly pulling over to capture a rusted-out tractor or dilapidated barn. The world to me at that time was in reach and accessible. I just had to hop in my 2-door, black, 05 Chevy Colorado and hit the road. It was a lovely time. 

As the years went by my equipment became more advanced. Nothing would capture my attention like a beautifully composed photo. On our honeymoon, my wife and I met a Filipino couple. The gentleman was one in a million. He had worked at the Dole plantation in the Philippines. Had a missing tooth knocked out by his grandson and hilarious jokes. He also said one of the most poetic things I think I’ve ever heard. 

It was something to the tune of, “The camera, It’s the only thing that can stop time.” 

Me and Rudy!

The process of taking the photo and the end result is two of the reasons I am constantly amazed by taking a picture. I’ve climbed mountains in Banff and traversed the Savannah in Africa. Each area presented a unique challenge. Africa in particular always presented a challenge. Sweltering heat, thorn bushes, patience, and loads of unique situations would always culminate in one opportunity to capture something unique. I would probably miss a great shot or screw up something somehow, but at the end of the day, I would sit in my bush camp scrolling through the photos on my iPad and come upon a gem or two. 

I probably have 10’s of thousands of photos locked away in a couple of terabytes on hard drives. Half of the excitement is the ability to go through the photos again. I found a hobby that has taken me far and wide. It has paid for itself over the years and brought me immense amounts of enjoyment. 

If you seek joy you will find it. If you seek to be fascinated you will find fascination. I’ve decided I’m going to start talking more about what fascinates me and others. I wonder what science is behind being fascinated? I sense something cool coming.