I-196

Disclaimer: These are the faces I came home to this morning. This should make it transparently obvious that none of the sentiments below denote any variety of complaint, but rather a new found appreciation for that which once was commonplace and very ordinary.




I hoped that a photography business would provide an outlet for the art nerd within me, enabling me to put my color-and-composition-obsessed brain (not to mention the art degree) to good use, while maybe making a little extra cash for a checking account buffer or college funds. Nearly a year after launching BeeTree, I'm struck by the unexpected joys that having a little side business afford me. Quiet drives to clients' homes are close to the top of the list.

I took Derek's car this morning. It's not as sexy as the Jeep, obviously, but it gets better gas mileage, and it didn't seem worthwhile to switch out the carseats I'd need to leave with Mr. Mom while I was away for the morning. Preparing for my shoot, I considered the nuances of a six-month-old as I drove through McDonald's, mentally compiling ideas for how to capture what it is that makes this age unique. The hot hash brown was mine alone; there were no pleas from the back seat from little baby birds who don't yet possess the shame attached to their taste for fast food. By the time I got onto the freeway, my mind was loosed from the needs of the morning, unfettered by anything but the rules of the road and my own expectations of the session ahead of me.

I had a professor once who said that the Interstate is its own state altogether. Cruising at 75(ish) toward Grand Rapids, I flashed back to previous trips along the same stretch of pavement to shop for prom dresses, pick up sheets of copper for printmaking in college, attend lectures at the UICA, visit friends at Michigan State. I said nothing.

I. Said. Nothing.

No explanations, no exhortations, no threats, no pleas, no "Keep your hands to yourself or so help me I will TURN THIS CAR AROUND!"

(Just kidding, I don't really say that. Often.)

I listened to music. Music! And not Feliz Navidad, either. XM has some killer decade stations, and I toggled between 70's and 80's music, with a little 90's thrown in for good measure. Toto, New Kids, Prince, The Clash, The Carpenters. And me. And the highway.


And I thought of what a blessing it is to have a little business on the side.

{{And I got some nice photographs, too.}}