Fall is Change

It's fall, and I can't believe it.  I was so astonished by the trees that line the middle of Wisconsin Avenue the other day, that I nearly crashed into some people while riding a bike home from class.  The trees weren't totally blood-red yet, but already had some splotches of color going on.  Not only were they suprisingly beautiful, but they reminded me how much time flies.

I can hardly believe I'm entering my third year at Marquette and my first year as a journalism major.  It feels like life is passing me by, and that's a scary thought.  I was talking to a really good friend last night, and he told me that he was going out to dinner with his girlfriend for their two-year-anniversary.  I feel like it was just a few months ago that he dumped that crazy, neurotic ex-girlfriend of his and started dating this new girl.  Two years.  Just like that. 

So, I couldn't help but look around my room last night and realize I have a lot of clutter.  I feel like I'm at a point in my life where I need to start making some decisions regarding my future and mold my lifestyle around it.  I think it's time to find out what is really important to me and what I really want to make of the next fifty or so (hopefully) years.  So, I cleaned my room and started thinking.  It was 2 am, and I didn't make any groundbreaking discoveries about myself, but i did realize a few things.  First, I'm one of about 7 billion people on the planet.  Second, most people on this planet have it a lot worse off than I do.  Third, I feel obligated to do what i can to improve the conditions of others, my fellow human beings.  So, this is all great and probably a bit dramatic.  But maybe not...

Okay, off the soapbox.  Fall is a time for change.  Maybe it can be a time to step back from the busy clutter of everyday life and think about your own life in the context of others.  Where do I fit in, and what can I do to make the place I live better.  We're not here long.  Take it a day at a time.  Tempus Fugit!

Photo Story

I took these photos at a "trance party" just outside of Cape Town, South Africa over Easter weekend of 2010.  This particular party is called Vortex.  At these parties, "trance" music is expected to play all day and all through the night, usually for an entire weekend.  Trance parties, however, were much more about meeting new people and sharing stories (and obviously stomping some earth all through the night).  This photo story starts from the bottom with Tavas, a friend from Cape Town who drove a few friends and me to the party.  Next is a pretty random circle of friends, gathering under the tent we brought.  The thrid photo is of my friend Hayley (left) joking around with a few other party-goers.  Next is the massive stage area where all the dancing took place for three straight days.  And finally a photo of the crew right before we packed up to leave.