Who said art isn't dangerous?

My new header photograph is a glimpse of a small, forgotten pond in the back of the Birmingham Botanicle Garden. Though I snapped the photo, my brother gets credit for artistic vision. Back in March, he and his fiance visited me and one afternoon we wandered around the massive garden, explored some of the less-traveled trails, and snapped lots of pictures (well, Beth and I chatted while Ben patiently played with light and angles). Seemed he met his match at the mini, oval pond filled with floating flowers. He wanted to capture the black water dotted with weary petals but unable to get a good birds-eye view, he was ready to give up. Until I hatched a plan to climb on his shoulders at the edge of the pond and take the picture. Probably not my smartest idea ever. There I was tottering over a pond holding a camera. I am still amazed that (a) I didn't drop the camera in the water, (b) I didn't fall backwards and land on the unforgiving brick patio, (c) my brother stretched out his sore back and suffered no lasting damage, (d) the lighting and ripples came out so well in the photo (of course, there were dozens of other photos that did not turn out so well). So, there you have it. A new spin on artistic collaboration with the flare of circus-act bravado.

Speaking of photography and my brother, may I take a moment to brag on his mad photography skills? A few months ago he entered photoUF, a contest sponsored by the University of Florida. The challenge: photograph artistic glimpses of life on campus. The prize: Fifty winning photos would be displayed in the student union art gallery in July and August. Now the exciting news: Two of my brothers photos were selected! I am thrilled, to say the least. Even more thrilled that on my way down to his wedding, I can swing by Gainesville and see these photos full size. In a gallery. My brother's name in a neat little plaque on the wall.

I have decided I need a job that involves encouraging people to develop their passions. Can you see the job description? Wanted: one person who is passionate about people who are passionate about things. Honestly, one of the things I love about being part of college students lives is the diversity of their interests and intensity of their talent. So, really, I already have that job in some ways. Funny how celebrating what makes people feel alive - whether it is painting or lacrosse - will land you in the midst of honest - though sometimes awkward - conversations about life, both the joy and mess. Sometimes I worry about how few people actually have hobbies once they "grow up" and enter the ultra-busy, product-driven workforce. (and actually, that driven, apathetic, boredom seems to be showing up younger and younger). It's a balance, I know, and many days I need to pull my head out of the clouds and be settled in what is sacred about normal, everyday, uncreative (but absolutely necessary) aspects of life.