Unless some Christmas miracle happens, I’m slowly starting to accept this Friday at Evergreen may be my last on-assignment for 2020, maybe ever.
I‘m not really thinking about Indy, Vegas, Texas or even Phoenix right now. I want to cover those, but I’m just focusing on Friday.
This was the mindset I had this Wednesday morning when I made those comments on Twitter.
However, as I’ve thought about it some more, my thoughts have changed with my photo on-assignment at Evergreen being just two days away.
Yeah, it’s not a healthy ARCA Menards Series West field with only 11 slated to show up according to the “Event Guide.”
Yeah, it’s only a 12:30 p.m. qualifying session and then a 100-lap race at 3:00 p.m. PST before they head to Douglas County in Oregon the next day.
Yeah, it’ll be a real short day to capture racing photos for the first time since Daytona back in February.
At the end of the day, it’s at least something.
My carcass will be doing what I love most, covering motorsports in person rather than being couped up at the house.
The challenge will certainly be how to execute those fancy ass shots similar to the fine photo staff of INDYCAR, Formula One and IMSA. I’ll find a way to be proactive and shoot like there’s no tomorrow, but doing it with high quality.
Whose to say Friday will be viewed as an absolute final resort of a little game called “desperation for relevance.”
Here’s why I feel this way:
All of us independents and freelancers have struggled miserably in 2020 due to the pandemic.
I’ll never deny the cause of many dreams and goals I’ve set back in the winter has been altered due to the health crisis that continues to be problematic.
I won’t be silent about the issues I’ve seen within the media family. I would’ve loved to have seen is a sense of all around support.
However, I’ve hardly seen any support to those who are gifted and down right can produce amazing content.
Instead, I’ve seen more of a strain like society has been with the whole “You have to be XYZ to be this or that. Otherwise, you ain’t shit” mentality.
Sounds familiar, huh?
That’s because it is feeling like a class system. Something I’m really not liking about being in this profession.
Why does it have to be this way?
When we need one another more than ever before, we’re drifting ourselves apart.
If you’re not doing this due to things such as restrictions or lack of financial help, you’re nothing to others. It stinks, but that’s the cut throat nature of media.
Even if I don’t like it, it’s part of the business and rather than submit to the demon known as “failure,” I’ll still fight another day in some shape or form.
Despite the dream of covering an event at Indianapolis and/or Charlotte by 2020 dying every hour, I’ve come to terms that I’m going to make the absolute most out of a quick Friday in Monroe.
Positivity is what I need more than ever and aside from being at Cle Elu/Ellensburg this past weekend, I haven’t had much to celebrate in 2020.
This Friday is what I also need in my life!
Sure, I’d love to provide photos for race teams to see if I can earn some bills to really make it worthwhile, but that’s not how life works.
Especially, for this poor bastard with a measly Broadcasting and Digital Media degree from Idaho, a place I don’t have the fondest comments for since graduating in 2016.
Despite the setbacks, I’m really looking forward to see what I can shoot on such a short day.
I’m there to regain my confidence and provide some content for a few outlets and bring fresh video and photos to this website, the site I’ve proudly written for would love to continue beyond 2020 (Motorsports Tribune) and my main content debut for The Podium Finish.
If it somehow ends up being it for 2020 as far as being at a race track or shooting photos in general, at least I can end it on a positive.
Something I didn’t have whatsoever when I packed my bags at Daytona when the 500-mile race was postponed due to rain and couldn’t stay. A subject I really don’t want to discuss to this day. Probably never will due to the long term ramifications its had on my personal and professional life.
If this is not my swan song as a journeyman media personnel who sorely thrives on doing on-assignments, then I’ll be even stronger than ever before.
I’m ready for the challenge in Monroe and go there with positive vibes. Put the hell that’s defined my life, career and 2020 behind me for at least one day.
Until we meet again, doubt me if you insist, prove me wrong if I give consent.
For now, use your head and stay safe!