A Tide in the Affairs... (TOP Summer Break)

TOP is going on "Summer vacation" for a couple of weeks.

Sad dog

When I made a reservation at a dog-friendly hotel in Mentor, Ohio, halfway between my old home in Wisconsin and my new one in the Finger Lakes district of New York State, the cheerful desk clerk asked me if I would be traveling "on business or leisure."

Well, not "business," exactly, no. But I'll be in the middle of a move, so...leisure?!? Oh my god...there are a hundred and one things to take care of, a thousand things to remember, and work, work, work, work. "Leisure" is definitely not the right word!

So "vacation" might be the wrong word too, although I'll be spending part of the first week of August at a rented lake cottage...if all goes well. So I guess it will end up being vacation. I have a long way to go till then, though.

Let's call this a "Summer break." That gets us around the whole "leisure" thing.

I have a week left to pack and finish saying my goodbyes to Wisconsin, where I lived from ages 7–18 and 43–58, 26 years in all, a bit less than half my life. A friend wrote to say, "As much as I can well imagine the stresses of moving (I just did it two years ago), I also remember well the odd mix of somewhat melancholic separations and the anticipation and joy of fresh frontiers." That's right. It's sadness and excitement all mixed up, the piquant quality of loss commingled with open-hearted hopefulness for a new and changed life.

Above is the trip I'll be making next week...in a U-Haul truck, towing the car, with two fractious dogs in the cab with me. The next big hurdle in this adventure.

If you'd like to know where I'm going, Google "Keuka Lake."

My big problem then is that I'll be a refugee for a while. I don't quite have my mortgage nailed down yet, and we haven't got a closing date on the new place, so I can't move in right away. After the week at the cottage I might be headed on to the East Coast to visit relatives, I don't know.

I asked TOP regulars to be patient with me during my move...but that was last year, during my previous move!! I was supposed to be all set and "back to work" by now. That was the intention. Life had other plans for me, clearly. It's not that TOP has taken a back seat, exactly, but, to stretch that analogy, it's had to share the ride. And now here I am doing it again.

I'd say "sorry," but I'm not sorry, actually. If there's a baseline to my metaphysics, it's that we only have one life on Earth to live. (That "...on Earth" accommodates most of those friends who believe in a life after death.) A quote from Shakespeare rendered in calligraphy hung on the wall of the "bookroom" when I was growing up; to date it's the only snippet of poetry I've ever managed to memorize:

There is a tide in the affairs of men.
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.

—Brutus, Julius Caesar, Act 4, scene 3, 218–224

In our own time's more demotic locutions, we'd say "you've gotta go for it while you have the chance." The future never yields up assurances; but that's okay. I'm grateful to have possibilities.

I hope you're enjoying your Summer! See you in August.

Mike

P.S. You can place bets how long I'll last without posting something. It's hard for me to keep away, even when I'm supposed to....

P.P.S. (Saturday 2:45 p.m.) If your bet was "half a day," you win. Just couldn't resist adding that I've gotten very interested in the Rochester-area camera companies from days of yore; there's a nice basic history here, written by the great optical designer and author on that subject and related ones, Rudolf Kingslake.

I spoke to Mr. Kingslake several times in the '90s (when he was also in his 90s) about the possibility of having him write some articles for Photo Techniques. He begged off, protesting that he "didn't really know anything any more" or words to that effect. That falls under the heading of someone who has "forgotten more than most people will ever know." Here's a short bio of him. 

Original contents copyright 2015 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

TOP's links!

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Darlene Almeda: "Please posts snippets from the road so some of us know you and the pups are doing okay. Maybe a snapshot or two would suffice? Sending a big hug to help send you off. Stay safe and pet the pups along the way; its all going to be okay."

Mike replies: I'll try! And thanks for thinking of the doggeroos. It's going to be a bit anxious for them too I think.

Jim Woodard: "Your Shakespeare quote reminds me of this, by Edgar Lee Masters...

To put meaning in one's life may end in madness
But life without meaning is the torture
Of restlessness and vague desire—
It is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid.

"I'm glad that you are 'putting to sea!'"

James Eaton: "Welcome to New York, Mike! I moved to Albany last summer and love it here. I've lived near Waukesha and 15 years in Milwaukee; I think you'll find the winters easily tolerable and there is amazing natural beauty everywhere. Plus better bagels and coffee.  :-) "

Jerry Eisen: "Enjoy your stay in Mentor, Ohio. Plenty of good eateries. It’s a nice city where I owned a full-line camera store in the '70s."

Mike replies: You mean you closed it before I got there, Jerry?

Earl Dunbar: "I stumbled across the Kingslake work some while ago—it is an invaluable piece. And the sadness of the Building 53 implosion a week ago somehow makes it more poignant...I knew it [the destruction] was coming, but still when the implosions started it was startling. I was sitting in the living room with my morning tea. I am a mile from that site as the crow flies, and could feel the floor and windows of my 1957-built ranch shake; the concussions hit my gut."

Comments

[Mark Kinsman]

Best of luck and safe travels. TOP has been and will continue to be the break of perfect light that shines on my daily grind, keeping me motivated to photograph life as it happens.
Heads up on your travel through Indiana. I just spent a day, today, with my significant other, along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. and we lost an hour plus in travel when heading east towards the L.P. of Michigan, due to construction. Be prepared for heavy traffic until you approach Michigan City.

[John Krumm]

Ugh, I wish you well. Don't hesitate to hire a couple people to help you load the van. It can save your back.

[Dave Stewart]

The bets we're placing, are as to when the next TOP move is! Next Summer? Earlier? Or later?!?

Your move sounds fairly easy compared with our less than two mile "flit". Then again, moving an educational establishment with thousands of Students and hundreds of Staff, that's been somewhere for 45+ years, is a slightly different scale. We've just finished week one of the (hopefully) three week move... into a building that's not yet finished. The week after that, the Lecturers return, and some of the Students start too. Challenging times.

Have spent 25 years working for the old place. Adding the three years spent as a Student, that's just over half a lifetime for me. There's mixed emotions here too. My new workshop will be a windowless box, so I'll miss my view to the hills. Then again that view was over the surrounding industrial estate, whereas the surrounding area for the new campus is lovely.

Best wishes to you and yours Mike. Enjoy the ride.

[robert quiet photographer]

Sometimes moving means being alive!
robert

[Alex Monro]

Mike, I'd be lying if I said I don't have a slight feeling of disappointment that I won't be getting quite so much of my regular fix of TOP over the next few weeks (I guess there's always the archives...). On the other hand, I also have a sense of eager anticipation at seeing more of your pictures of the area around your new home, which from what you've shown us so far looks as though it has a lot of potential for some lovely and interesting landscapes.

So best of luck with the move, anyway!

[Bryce Lee]

Life gets in the way of things when you're doing something else!

Like moving house and home one third of the way across your continent!

[Stephen F Faust]

Mike,
I strongly admire your Taoist-like attitude toward life and I wish you safe travels! If your East coast side jaunt takes you in or near Philly, I would be honored to share some good coffee and good conversation.

[John Krill]

As far as posting there's always Twitter. You can even insert a photo now and then.

Take your time. Go easy.

[James Eaton]

Welcome to New York, Mike! I moved to Albany last summer and love it here. I've lived near Waukesha and 15 years in Milwaukee; I think you'll find the winters easily tolerable and there is amazing natural beauty everywhere. Plus better bagels and coffee :)

[David L.]

I've moved like that in a rental truck, watch out for fatigue, rest often. Check the vehicle over at gas stations (tires, oil, etc.), sometimes they don't have the best maintenance. Take good care of the dogs so they can be happy companions. Keep a copy of their vaccination papers handy while traveling. If any issue comes up regarding the dogs you will likely be asked to prove vaccinations.

Be very aware of security for the truck with your belongings. They are enticing targets for thieves. I know 2 people who's moving trucks were stolen (yup, truck and all) while they were on the road. Ask hotel personnel for advice and keep an eye on it.

[Steven Major]

Easy does it. Hope you looked into "The Pod" storage and transfer systems. If the U-Haul truck is crap replace it before you depart. Traveling with pets takes an extra amount of extra caution. You can always get some Zs in a Walmart parking lot if needed. Looking forward to your good work in the future.
Safe Passage

[Jim Kofron]

Wow, nice collection of stuff!

in thinking about this, I've spent 24 years in NY state (0-22, 29-30), 24 in Wisconsin (24-29, 36-current), and the rest split between Philly and Boston. I'm very happy that you're getting to move to the Finger Lake district---it's a great area with full-year photographic interest and some very fine wineries. In fact, I'm jealous in that this is where my parents, brother, sister, and assorted nieces and inlaws live---and we don't visit them nearly as much as we should.

Fair winds for your travels, Mike!

[Dave]

Good luck Mike. I'm very happy for you. FYI, Motel 6 allows unlimited pets and they're very clean with free WiFi. I know because my family has moved cross country with our two dogs and three cats several times. Shortly after we moved to snooty Monterey, CA I got lots of funny looks from the moms at the park when my three year old daughter would demand that we play Motel 6.

Write when you can and don't stress. We'll be waiting for you on the other side. Moving can be a drain and a creativity killer.

Here's my favorite moving story. Funny thing, I didn't have time to blog about till a week or so after we moved in... http://www.photos4u2c.net/2011/04/09/breakdown-in-potter-nebraska/

[Darlene Almeda]

Please posts snippets from the road so some of us know you and the pups are doing okay. Maybe a snapshot or two would suffice? Sending a big hug to help send you off. Stay safe and pet the pups along the way; its all going to be okay.

[Geoff Wittig]

From the time we got married until establishing our current home, my wife and I moved a total of nine times. Each move was more excruciating than the previous one, largely due to the accumulation of stuff that needed moving, but also due to the progressively larger size of the roots being amputated.

We've agreed that if there's another move in our future, we'll burn our house to the ground and start from scratch. It'll be a lot easier.

[kirk tuck]

Have a fun move and don't worry about the blog. People will come rushing back to read the minute you re-engage. My kid, Ben, is over in Saratoga Springs. The whole northern part of the state is beautiful. Let me know when you are settled and we'll see what we can arrange by way of a house warming drive by. Any excuse to get out of Texas for a few days....

[Rick Wilcox]

I follow your blog because I'm a photo nut like you, Mike. But, I also enjoy all your off topic thoughts and adventures. And that is because you write well. Thank you.

[Bill Pierce]

Hooray for you. It takes a certain amount of guts to move. That may be the reason a few folks choose not to move. You should be proud to be one of the folks who will move.

[TBannor]

Safe travels. Life's an adventure with many chapters. All the best on this new one.

[Robert Fogt]

Mike,
Here's a little tune to cheer you along your way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmypaSeox3E

Safe journey!
Bob

[Earl Dunbar]

I stumbled across the Kingslake work some while ago, it is an invaluable piece. And the sadness of the Building 53 implosion a week ago somehow makes it more poignant ... I knew it [the destruction] was coming, but still when the implosions started it was startling. I was sitting in the living room with my morning tea. I am a mile from that site as the crow flies, and could feel the floor and windows of my 1957-built ranch shake; the concussions hit my gut.

[Bill Poole]

Mike:

Having moved several times with a rented truck, I have but one word of advice: watch them low bridges--they can get expensive.

For example:

http://11foot8.com

Travel safe.

Bill

[Hélcio J. Tagliolatto]

"Keuka Lake wine trail"
Wow! You don't need another reason to move there

[Graeme Scott]

First post here, Mike. Good luck with the move & best wishes for the future. Graeme

[MikeR]

Have a safe safe trip, and try not to get too stressed.

After all, the omens are good. Not only is your local "summer grocery store" a TOP (The Olney Place), but the supermarket in Penn Yan is TOPS.

Just got home last night from a week at Keuka, beautiful weather, nice water (they say - I don't indulge in immersion).

[Nigel]

Good luck. And that quote for WS is now going on my son's wall!

[FrankB]

Have a safe trip Mike. To cheer you up just think that you don't have to do it in winter. We will be waiting for you and look forward to a "trip report". It should provide material for several posts.

[Nick D]

Good luck with your move Mike. Twice in less than a year! She is obviously worth it.

[Marcelo Guarini]

have a pleasant and safe trip. Best wishes

Marcelo

[Carl Blesch]

When you get settled and are looking for a good and somewhat-local coffee roaster, head to the town of Painted Post, near Corning, and stop at Heavenly Cup. I stumbled upon this shop when I went to the Dr. Konstantin Frank winery almost two years ago, and I continue to buy from them by mail order. Amy, the roaster, always pens a nice personal greeting on the receipt - her way of personalizing the e-commerce experience.

[Tom Legrady]

We'll be expecting to see you in Toronto! Especially during Contact season.