Today marks the end of my first year of Picture A Day. This collage represents not necessarily my
best or most popular pictures from the year, but my most memorable. After doing PAD for a year, I
had originally planned to stop there, but I really don't think I can. I'm going to keep going and
see what happens. It is very interesting to have such a journal to look back on each month and see
what was going on and what was important to me.

It started innocently enough as a way to get myself to take more pictures. Early on, it wasn't easy
and I can see why people stop after a few weeks quite often. It did give me a chance to experiment
and try things I ordinarily would not have done, like the water drops or my Polaroid week in March.
However, it was an innocent question from my niece in July that changed my PAD forever. "Will you
take some model pictures for me?" "Hmmm," I thought, "I have never done that, but always wanted to
try." "I guess that's a no," Courtney replied while I pondered this request. Of course we did take
a few pictures of her, and the rest is history.

In retrospect, 2005 was an eventful year. A lot happened for me personally. I won my first photo
contest in January with one of my infrared pictures. Johnny Carson died. A corner grocery store
that had always been there closed in February. It was the 10th anniversary of the OKC bombing, and
I visited the memorial for the first time. I tried Polaroid for awhile, and I bought a pocket
camera for my PAD. And in July... well more on that later. In August, I changed jobs,
moving from University staff back to faculty and working with students. That was a great change.
September saw my first sports pictures with Courtney's softball team. Unfortunately, her arm was
in bad shape all year so I didn't get to see her play much. In October I celebrated my birthday
by having Courtney come visit for more pictures. In November, my niece Meagan had her first Junior
High basketball game, I added to my studio light setup, and we prepared for the upcoming holiday
season. December brought 2005 to a close with some snow and a growing collection of presents for
everyone.

My two fantastic nieces... what more can I say about you two? I've had a great time working
with you on our photo projects, and just getting to know you better. I look forward to talking to
you two online every day. It has become very important to me, as have you. I love you both very
much.

Meagan, you have gone from a 12 year old kid who wanted a Nemo birthday party to a teenager who
talks about boys all the time and is struggling with all the teen angst that we all had at that age.
Thanks for talking to me and confiding with me. You are gonna make it. And thanks for inviting me
to your basketball games! You are gonna be a heartbreaker just like your sister (I mean that in a
good way).

Courtney, I don't know if I have the words to describe how important and special you are to me. You
have gone from a niece that I always enjoyed seeing at holidays and the occasional visit to someone
who I can't imagine not talking to all the time now. The pictures we have done together this year
are by far the most important pictures I have ever taken. I'm looking forward to what we come up
with in 2006. You always say you are just a softball player, but you have the soul of an artist and
the heart of an angel. I hope you always stay that way. All those boys who have broken your heart
don't know what they are missing. And I know one day I am going to get a poem out of you!! You are
absolutely the best!

To my sister-in-law Denise, thanks for letting my steal your kids every once and awhile. Can you
believe they have both turned out so great?

And thanks especially to my wife Jennifer for putting up with my pictures and all those little brown
boxes from B&H that kept showing up on our doorstep. I'll get you to try digital sooner or later!

Who knows what 2006 will bring? Stay tuned to my PAD rev. 2006 to find out!