One of the courses I am teaching is the advanced photo class.  Its a small group...all women.  For our our first assignment I asked them to document their life in whatever style they photograph in.  I had several intentions with this.  First, I was curious what they would come up with.  Secondly, it is hard to step into someones artistic development without having seen much of their work and be able to give much helpful advice or critique.  Thirdly, not only was the project intended to help me become acquainted with their work, but also them as students and perhaps, depending upon how honest they are, the complexities of their lives.  After giving the assignment, I thought that I was in somewhat of an interesting place to do the same thing. The work is intended to highlight in someway my current existence...living in Minot with a family during the week and at my own apartment with my wife on the weekends.  

Perhaps it is thoughtless to begin a blog post with such a title in the midst of such a drought across much of the Midwest...but I use it, as most people do, in a metaphorical sense.  Life for the past month has been crazy to say the least.  And I have said little about it here on the blog.  The craziness I mention is of good things...great things actually that far exceeded my expectations.    

About a month ago now, I was offered a one year teaching position as a Visiting Instructor of Photography at Minot State University.  It was shocking to get the call and the offer.  As one who likes to plan everything, this was not the way I would have preferred it to go.  However, I am beginning to thing that God rarely acts in those expected ways (and perhaps we can be thankful for that).  Not only am I thankful for the opportunity to teach, but to be in a supportive faculty as well that is helping me to acclimate to the department and caring for me in the transition.  I am teaching two great courses: Beginning Photo and Advanced Photo..oh and supervising to independent studies.  

Prior to this craziness of moving to Minot for the weekdays, I had already planned a trip to Iowa and Northwestern College for an opening (see last post for photos).  It was such a great trip.  A remarkable turnout from students, family and friends.  I have done 2 diferent interviews for the show...something I am not used to.  Once again...I am overwhelmed and thankful.

October will be one of the busiest professional months of my life with 3 conference papers.  Everytime I submit a paper proposal I am quite sure that it will not be selected and always amazed when they are.  

And the most recent develpment...I looks fairly certain that I will be having a solo exhibition in NYC later this fall too.  It is simply unbelievable all the things that have come so quickly and seem to be stacked so heavily this fall.  

All of it...plus health, a loving wife, good friends and family and mentors...I am overwhelmed with thankfulness these days.