/Rant

It's been quite a while since I visited this place. Looking back through some of these posts open tiny little windows to my past. Rose colored panes of glass lie between me and the memories, but that's probably for the best. I post now as Dandoval, as I feel Death was a name for another me. I've grown and matured, but just slightly. Bringer of the Dead is a part of Dandoval as much as The Police is a part of Sting. Without one, there would probably not be the other.

It's incredible how times change, and yet things stay the same. I considered abandoning this bastard child of a time gone by (blogger? Who even uses that anymore?), as many of my friends already have, and yet here I am, contributing to the life of this slowly withering flower. I considered changing the name and re-branding it as something that is more up-to-date with my current life, but I considered that to be a too much like erasing things.

I don't write as much as I used to, which you can probably figure out based on the quality of this post. Looking back, I think I started this blog as a way of improving my writing, and it may have for a while (although there are certain friends who will undoubtedly say otherwise), but what it became was something else. I don't know exactly what, but it became a mishmash of emotions, snippets of life, and most importantly, a repertoire of memories, both wanted and unwanted.

What's new? Well, after many years of saying I would, I redid my site. It's old news, to be honest, but it's new here. I'm living in Berlin, experiencing European life (and weather), and having a great time. There's a girl who adds a nice amount of drama to my life. Long time followers to this blog know how I love drama. I still love photography as much as the day I started this blog, perhaps even more so, but the reality of life has started to kick in, and I'm constantly struggling to stay the course and continue pursuing the passion. And one of my greatest new accomplishments: Having visited 32 countries before turning 31. I had never been ahead in this number until now, and my new goal is to continue visiting new countries, and never having less countries visited than I have years of life. It's a big world, and I think it's doable.

If you ever want to read something more professional, consider checking out my website and looking for "Blog" under categories, although that gets just slightly more attention than this. If you want to read the occasional nothing that will generally just spew from my head, stay tuned. Maybe Ill be back in a year or so. Maybe sooner. Maybe later. Maybe never.

Thanks for reading.

 P.S. Bonus photo if you made it this far.

Greetings from Dan. I need your help.

Hello there,

It's probably been a while since we last spoke, but I need your help. Don't worry, this is not some sort of Nigerian royalty scam. I write this e-mail because I need your help in winning a Facebook photo competition. I know, I know... Why am I bothering you with this? Well, the simple reason is this: I am behind in a competition that I very well could win! Winning this competition would send me to Namibia in Africa, where I could go and take wonderful photos to post when I get back! So I'm really sorry to bother you, and it might be an annoyance, but I only need about 100 more people to "like" my photo to get back into the lead, and every single vote counts. So here is my request:

If you have a Facebook account, go to the link below and read what is going on. Then, click on the link to the photo, and hit the "like" button to submit your vote. Then, go ahead and share the photo with everyone you know.

If you don't have a Facebook account, tell your family or friends that do have it. OR, what better time to experiment with something new?

The competition ends October 31st, so please go do it as soon as you see this e-mail. Thanks again. I really appreciate your help! Anyway, I hope this e-mail finds you well, and I really wish you the best. I thank you for the time you took to read this, and finally, here is the link to the photo:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151271875601350&set=a.10151235049931350.512723.175660281349&type=1&theater

And for a bit more info:
http://www.facebook.com/events/427221590670512/


Thanks again!

 

Dan Sandoval, photographer
www.dansandoval.com

Still Alive.

Its been over a year since I last posted. Much has happened since then, and much more will happen over the next year. This last year has seen both opportunity, and loss.

A Ship and a Man (as told by a boy)

Sometimes we find quiet moments where we can finally hear ourselves think. This is almost one of them. Im not a writer. Not by far. I wish I was, but at best, I can only really admit to decently being able to throw thoughts onto a virtual paper. Writing is not a passion. It’s not even a hobby. But sometimes, every now and then, I do enjoy it. Let’s call what I just wrote a preface, and allow us to move into something different.

It’s been loud lately. My mind has been wracked and savaged by the foul seas of drama, and yet here I am, still casually floating along. My sails may be battered, and my hull may have some leaks, but it is nothing that can’t be patched with a little time. Finding the time to work on myself, though, has become increasingly difficult. There hasn’t been a dry dock in sight for ages.

My mind does funny things, sometimes. It sails from port to port searching for some fabled treasure, only to find that at some point, I came back to a port I had visited before. Its a roundabout road, but only until I come to the realization can I really take measures to sail in a different direction. A compass, I find, is useless, as my sense of exploration has a tendency to lead me off any planned course.

So what is one to do? Sail the seas endlessly bound to crash upon the same reef, or perhaps just narrowly missing it again and again? Or does one set a course for calm seas? For now, Ill just let the wind decide that one.

Over the clouds

Over the clouds, originally uploaded by Dandoval.

From the balcony of my house here in China.

Wont be back this year...

Looks like I wont be in the states until NEXT year (July 2011). Oh well. Keep Checking the weeklies: http://www.dansandoval.com/weekly

Fw: Happy New Year

Happy New Years from China. I know I'm a few hours early with this, but here, its been New Years for almost 12 hours. Hope the new year finds you all well. Ill be back in the states for a month this August, so make sure you keep in touch. Also, if you're heading out to the far east, let me know, and there maybe a chance to meet.

 

Dan Sandoval, photographer
www.dansandoval.com

Update on updates

Because of the situation with this blog being blocked in China, it has become a little more difficult to update. I am currently updating my twitter fairly often (http://www.twitter.com/dandoval) and also try to update a gallery of current photos every week (http://www.dansandoval.com/weekly) Feel free to send me twitter messages and e-mails (dan(at)dansandoval.com). This blog will be sparsely updated until the situation with Chinese censorship changes.

 

Dan Sandoval, photographer
www.dansandoval.com