Introduction

[KimC]

Hello, I joined this site in July of this year, and didn't think to introduce myself. I learned of this site as a result of a photography course I took this summer.

I am 51 (52 in October) and work for a major insurance company. I have worked there for 28 years. Although I have had a lot of success with my career, it's never been my passion, as I have always been more of a creative type.

Recently I discovered my love for photography. I feel like a fire has been lit inside of me; I am so excited to learn photography as well as post processing. It's such an adventure. When I capture something exactly as I had hoped, it feels like Christmas morning to me. :-)

I must tell you patience is not a virtue of mine. My goal is to learn as much as I can ... you see, I am losing the muscle in my right arm (my hand is impacted the most right now & I am right handed). They don't know what is causing it, but my hope is it will stabilize. I am grateful for what I have today.. and what I hope to build on for tomorrow.

I am married to a wonderful man and we have 3 cats, a horse, and a pony.

Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself. Thank you all so very much for the help you have provided.

[Kodiak]

I am married to a wonderful man and we have 3 cats, a horse, and a pony.

…and no bear!?!?!?!

[KimC]

…and no bear!?!?!?!

The Pony's name is Bear (not kidding) - does that count? ;-)

[Kodiak]

The Pony's name is Bear (not kidding) - does that count? ;-)

Yes, granted… you may enter the club officially!
And If you shouldn't mind, I shall keep an eye on your threads! ;-)

[rtbaum]

Any one with a pony named Bear....and a passion for photography besides.....Shoot, give her the keys!!! I, also, will keep my eye on you!

[Kodiak]

I, also, will keep my eye on you!

THAT should increase your paranoia! We are two! ;-)

[KimC]

Yes, granted… you may enter the club officially!
And If you shouldn't mind, I shall keep an eye on your threads! ;-)

Well thank you for the privilege - I am honored.

Please do -- I always appreciate your insight and guidance.

[KimC]

Any one with a pony named Bear....and a passion for photography besides.....Shoot, give her the keys!!! I, also, will keep my eye on you!

Thank you for the keys! The more, the merrier!

[Mike Buckley]

Now that we know you have a pony named Bear, you really do have to tell us the name of your other animals.

[KimC]

Now that we know you have a pony named Bear, you really do have to tell us the name of your other animals.

Their names are:

Horse - Corey
Ragdoll cat #1 - Mia
Ragdoll cat #2 - Catman
Rescue cat - Lilly

The pony looks like a brown bear :-) His full name is Little Bear, but we prefer Bear.

[NorthernFocus]

Belated welcome, Kim. I guess you couldn't wait to dive right in. It's wonderful to hear from someone that's so passionate about photography. You'll fit right in around CIC. Hope things work out OK with your arm. Having physical constraints that limit what one does for fun stinks. Got some of those types of issues myself.

[Manfred M]

Belated welcome to CiC from me too, Kim.

I've been told that photography is somewhat akin to playing a musical instrument; you can be good at it, but continuous effort is the only way to improve your skills, and unlike riding a bicycle, these skills do deteriorate if you do not continue to practice to stay sharp.

I'm sorry to hear about your health problems; I'm just really getting over one I had for many years and it really did affect my photography; not being able to stand for extended periods without support or being able to walk with the risk of not getting back without using some pretty high-strength painkillers. Fortunately for me the issue was diagnosed and the surgery I had 2 years ago worked and i am making up for lost time behind the camera. There are several frequent posters who do have health issues and have found assistive devices to help them with their picture taking.

I certainly hope they figure out what is happening with you and that they get things under control soon!

[IzzieK]

A nice warm welcome to you Kim...
Your intro reminds me of an old song called "On the Good Ship Lollipop" because you found yourself joining this good ship of a forum with Kodiaks' candies scattered all around this board. And as Manfred said, I too hope that your doctors will find out what is wrong with your arms so they can do something about it. Good luck on your journey around here...

[Stagecoach]

Welcome Kim, I very much look forward to seeing you post some of your work

Grahame

[Kodiak]

Their names are:

Horse - Corey
Ragdoll cat #1 - Mia
Ragdoll cat #2 - Catman
Rescue cat - Lilly
Nice Husband - ?????????

The pony looks like a brown bear :-) His full name is Little Bear, but we prefer Bear.

Now really Kim, Mike meant:
"…you really do have to tell us the name of all your other animals."

[KimC]

Belated welcome, Kim. I guess you couldn't wait to dive right in. It's wonderful to hear from someone that's so passionate about photography. You'll fit right in around CIC. Hope things work out OK with your arm. Having physical constraints that limit what one does for fun stinks. Got some of those types of issues myself.

Thank you Dan. I am excited to be here. We all have something that we struggle with... Just have to make the best out of it.

[KimC]

Belated welcome to CiC from me too, Kim.

I've been told that photography is somewhat akin to playing a musical instrument; you can be good at it, but continuous effort is the only way to improve your skills, and unlike riding a bicycle, these skills do deteriorate if you do not continue to practice to stay sharp.

I'm sorry to hear about your health problems; I'm just really getting over one I had for many years and it really did affect my photography; not being able to stand for extended periods without support or being able to walk with the risk of not getting back without using some pretty high-strength painkillers. Fortunately for me the issue was diagnosed and the surgery I had 2 years ago worked and i am making up for lost time behind the camera. There are several frequent posters who do have health issues and have found assistive devices to help them with their picture taking.

I certainly hope they figure out what is happening with you and that they get things under control soon!

Yes, I agree Manfred - have to continually work at anything we want to excel at. I'm glad they found a solution to your problem - that sounds extremely difficult. I am glad that you can now continue on with your photography and all the other passions you may have. :-)

[KimC]

A nice warm welcome to you Kim...
Your intro reminds me of an old song called "On the Good Ship Lollipop" because you found yourself joining this good ship of a forum with Kodiaks' candies scattered all around this board. And as Manfred said, I too hope that your doctors will find out what is wrong with your arms so they can do something about it. Good luck on your journey around here...

Thank you very much Izzie. I'm happy to be participant on this ship :-)

[KimC]

Welcome Kim, I very much look forward to seeing you post some of your work

Grahame

Thank you very much Grahame.

[KimC]

Now really Kim, Mike meant:
"…you really do have to tell us the name of all your other animals."

Hmmmm Daniel, I refer to him as Gremlin... ;-)