Dispatches, vol. 3 07/31/24
I swore I already wrote Dispatches vol 3 for June but I think that was just moving madness. It’s been a whirlwind couple of months since we got back to Montana. Filmed a wedding in Lincoln, photographed a wedding outside Butte, flew back to Washington for a multi-day wedding in Ocean Shores, and went to Big Sky Conference Media Days (more on that later (and on the Sickos Committee Substack)). We’re mostly settled into routines, have had some fun adventures, and couldn’t be happier to be here. Let’s recap some of what we’ve done.
No Time For Summer Doldrums
Like I said, it’s been a whirlwind. We got the house 90% unpacked in about three days while the kids stayed with the grandparents. That last 10% keeps staring at us, mocking us. We’ll get it done someday. In our defense, we’ve been busy. Changing markets is always a challenge but thankfully I’ve been staying busy with previously-booked work, work I’m picking up, and prepping for the coming year.
By the way, if you haven’t booked your fall session, or if you’re a 2025 couple, get in touch now. My books are already filling up and I hate telling people they missed out!
That said, the kids have been busy with swim lessons and day camps. When I’ve been working, they’ve been going on adventures with dad and the grandparents, including their first Powwow up in Arlee. They got to try frybread, see some amazing dancing, and learn more about the people whose lands we occupy and the history (and present) of our state. They also did a week camping with the grandparents, and the Flathead Cherry Festival after a night with the grandparents while mom and dad went to see The Decemberists for our anniversary.
Long story short, it’s good to be back. For a lot of reasons and in a lot of ways.
In My Ears: “Twisters: The Album”
Kids, remember the 90s fine art film “Twister”? It’s back, in 2020s form. And it’s a fantastic movie, and not just from a summer blockbuster perspective. In addition to commentaries on social media and PTSD, it’s got a great soundtrack. I still maintain that 9/11 killed country (you can’t be both an outlaw and bootlicker, or a bootlegger who loves the cops) but we’ve had a great crop of alt-country/new outlaw country artists coming up in recent years. Including my boy, Tyler Childers, who is included on this soundtrack (and who I will be seeing at the end of the month). And all around good guy Luke Combs (his is still my favourite song on this album). Don’t sleep on Tanner Adell, either. She’s massively talented and bringing more extremely necessary Black representation to contemporary country music.
There’s just something about twangy guitars, wide open spaces, and flying through them going 85 down the interstate that just hits different. This album has gotten a lot of play this month.
On My Screen: The Thirty-Third Olympiad
I like sportz and I don’t care who knows. I used to post up in the Montana State library for long reading and paper-writing sessions in college with streams of football games on in the background and nothing has changed now. You’ll still find me watching some manner of college football all day on Saturday and NFL RedZone all day on Sunday while I edit photos. This month, it’s been GoldZone on Peacock for the Olympics. I’m a complete sicko for any sport. Am I still mad about the results of synchronized diving? You bet I am. The US was robbed.
In My Hands: “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi
I have grown very fond of Scalzi. The Kaiju Preservation Society was a super fun read. A quick romp with great world-building and fantastic wit. Starter Villain is all that and more. It’s even got some perfectly-timed and perfectly placed Big Ten jokes, which is a guaranteed way to get me to love your book every time. Jokes aside, it’s intriguing, it’s funny, it’s a commentary on contemporary capitalism — it’s a genuine delight.
I’ll see you all next time, friends! Apparently it’s almost August. Did I remind you yet to book your fall sessions? Yes? Well, I’m doing it again.
