City View Trail, Henderson, NV.

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On May 20, 2017,  City View Trail was my first nature walk in the Las Vegas Valley. It was the beginning of what became an obsession I developed with photographing parks and trails. And, it almost killed me. Well, it certainly made me think I was going to pass out from exhaustion and dehydration. It is now on private property and closed to the public, and several reviews state that the locals are very rude and they will call the cops. There were no signs declaring it to be private property when I was there.

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This bench is at the halfway point and might be why I am still alive today. I was winded by the time I reached it, but dummy me had to keep going. For younger folks with little or no health problems, this is not that hard of a climb. But, for a fat-butted retired truck driver with a recent quadruple heart bypass, it can be a killer. But, I rested here for a few moments, took a few photos, and climbed to the top.

 

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The pile of rocks at the top was, I think, places there by others before me that made it to the top. Reviews show that lots of people have returned several times. Me, although I would like to boast that I have returned, I have not done so. There are lots of hills, mountains, valleys, and streams to cross in the Las Vegas Valley. And, I did not follow the same path down that I came on. I followed a much less used path down the back side of the hill. I was elated that I was still alive when I reached the bottom. 

More photos of this climb can be viewed and purchased from the Better World Media website. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Life Goes On

Me in 2009 at 287 pounds.

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Someday I will return to Las Vegas, hopefully, to live, but after experiencing what goes on in that city during a panic like the Plandemic caused I think I am better off in a red state. I plan to do basically the same kind of photography in Oklahoma and the surrounding states as I was doing in Nevada, but I also plan to do more industrial work, like trucking photography. And, of course, I hope to start playing my music again. And, I would like to get back to driving a truck to make a living. 

Me today at about 220 pounds.

I am feeling better about myself than I was just a couple of days ago when I still had no idea about what to do about my financial situation. You may think I am nuts, but by mid-October, I will be on the road to boondock as a way of life. And, I still need to make a trip to Bullhead City, Arizona to get my belongings that are in storage out there. I have plans and dreams. It is time for me to do something with my plans. It is time for me to chase my dreams. I am again putting a hold on my GoFundMe site, at least until another incident puts me deeper into the crapper. I am putting all of my troubles in God's hands. He is a lot better at managing my life than I am. And, yes, I hope to be making a living driving a truck by October.

Me at 18 and 157 pounds.

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Bouncing Back and Starting Over - Update

In the past week, I have made four unanswered calls to the insurance company handling the claim on my van which was hit from behind on June 16th, 2022. On Monday I will try again. Also, I will talk to my banker about what I should be doing. Next Tuesday (July 12) I will have a vision appointment in Mustang, Oklahoma. Hopefully, that will put me one step closer to getting my CDL-A back. But, I have 4 or 5 other medical tests to go thru before I can take a DOT physical.

Premium Stock vs Micro-Stock

https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/200825070/Keith%20Birmingham

The Adobe Stock agency is a Microstock agency. The pay is low per image sold or leased. I plan to now try to start posting to a Premium stock agency where the pay is much higher, but the acceptance requirements are much more stringent. I believe my photography belongs on a Premium Stock site. My future transportation and travel will be posted on the Premium Stock site.

Microstock agencies accept amateur photos and have a lower entry barrier. While the price they pay per image is quite low, it’s important to notice that most buyers are working with these platforms. Examples of microstock agencies include iStock, Dreamstime, and Adobe Stock.

Premium stock agencies demand higher qualifications and therefore it’s not as easy to sell your images from there. However, the payout for the photos is usually much higher than microstock. One of the most popular premium stock agencies is Getty Images.

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Good Mornin' - by Keith Birmingham

"Good Mornin'"

An original tune written and performed by Keith Birmingham.

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Please listen to this song and let me know what you think. I wrote it and close to 100 more several years ago. But, I got too involved with my photography work to try to market my songs or myself as a musician. I have not played in front of an audience since I was 17 and playing bass with a working band out in California. When I quit that band we were negotiating with Janis Joplin to front her and Big Brother and the Holding Company on her upcoming tour. Anyway, I am 73 years old, but when I listen to some of my stuff I start thinking that I am as good or better at singing as at least 80% of what I see and hear from the amateurs on my Facebook music groups. I would like to use my original songs and cover songs to perform when I go on the road. Should I try it? Please let me know.