Where have I been?

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi guys

Just wanted to check in and let you guys know that while I haven't been around much, I am still around.

I know I've been pretty vacant the last few months - I certainly haven't been doing much practical astronomy or imaging, or photography. I've been checking in on the forums daily still (several times a day usually) and check out the threads and conversations that are happening, but I just haven't been contributing to them.

Some of the things that have been going on..

- I got my black belt in Karate.. Obviously leading up to my Black Belt grading, I was very focused on that, and didn't have time for much of anything else.
- I've been very focused on work, trying to get ahead of everything that needed to be done.
- I had an operation on my ear to get a skin cancer cut out and a nice big skin graft placed over the top. They had to take a lot of cartilage out too so the top of my ear is now a bit 'saggy'.
- I was made redundant at work last week Completely unexpected. So now my focus is on finding another job, quickly.
- All the while I'm still trying to gear up for IISAC2010, but the bookings are coming in VERY slowly. It gets to this time every year and so few bookings are coming in I wonder whether it's worth it. I hope it picks up soon!

I really do miss astronomy and astrophotography, but the motivation is so low at the moment. I haven't taken a single photo of Jupiter this apparition, which is really really sad.

Like all hobbies and obsessions, motivation is bound to go up and down and I'm just right in the middle of a down time I guess. It's been up for so many years now I guess it had to happen at some time.

But i'm still very focused on this great community and I'm still working with Terry to implement a lot of new features and changes that I've wanted to do for a very long time, to make the IceInSpace site and community the best in the world (as if it already isn't! ).

So sorry for my absence lately - I still care about you guys and all the friends I've made here, and I hope I'll be able to invest some more time into astronomy in the next few months - especially at IISAC2010 and beyond.

Cheers

[taminga16 (Greg)]

Sorry to hear about the job thing Mike, I hope that the family is well.
Greg.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Sorry to hear about your mishaps. Glad to see it's all good now. Don't stress about the job. It's just a job. You'll get another one in no time. Health is more important.When everything goes wrong and I'm at the bottom I always tell myself there is now only one way and it's up - it can only get better.

[sheeny (Al)]

I hope you find a new job soon Mike. I'm sure you will.

Don't worry about motivation swings... they come and go.

Al.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Things will only get better with time

Try to keep a positive outlook and just take one day at a time.

We're all behind you

[erick (Eric)]

I had noticed you have been quiet. Now I understand why.

Best you get the job sorted first. Providing for family is a big priority. I spent many years with dependent wife and three children - it was always a big task/pressure to ensure roof over heads, clothes on backs and food on table. But I scrapped through.

Keep in touch.

Unfortunately for me, I cannot make IISAC10 - hopefully in the next years I can make an IISAC.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Mike,

Sorry to hear of all the badness.

Glad you got the skin cancer sorted. It's the last thing you need to worry about.

Hope to be able to make it to IISAC 2010; this hinges on projects at work and having enough leave.

Take care.

H

[asimov (John)]

Sorry to hear about the job mate. You'll find another one soon.

Yes the interest in this great hobby of ours ebbs & wanes, but you'll bounce back into it I'm sure.

All the best.

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Sorry to hear about the job Mike, I'm sure you'll find another very quickly! And congratulations on your black belt, that's a major accomplishment. Great to know that you've achieved what you set out to do
My motivation varies as well, I guess that happens to everyone. You'll be back into it before you know it

[Ric]

I know how you feel Mike, sometimes there just isn't enough hours in the day.

Good luck with the job hunting, there's a bigger and better job waiting for you.

Cheers

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Hi Mike,

I'm sure everything will fall into place, let's hope it's soon!
And remember you have almost 8000 members on your side!

In the meantime, if there's anything I can do in the lead up to IISAC please let me know.
I'm retired now so have time on my hands.

Cheers
Chris

[lacad01 (Adam)]

Hey Mike, sorry to hear about your situation. Hope everything works out.
cheers
Adam

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Hi Mike,

The job and the health issues are a pretty bad combination. I wish you all the best in dealing with both.

You will get back into astronomy when you are good and ready.
Many of us have, I'm sure, experienced the need to put aside
hobbies and interests for a while, in order to concentrate on
the things that really matter.

Congratulations on achieving Black belt standard in karate,
that's a real achievement. Do the things that make you happy
and you will bounce back in no time.

Cheers, Paul.

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Sorry to hear about your job, Mike. Hope something comes your way soon. I also wish you well with the recovery from surgery. It must take a bit of adjusting to a different profile of your ear. And also congratulations on the Black Belt - quite an achievement.

[coldspace]

Mike, I've been down the same road you have since the start of the year with job, lost astro intrest. Had not even opened my observatory roof for 3 months.

Went to Astrofest and got excited about the hobby again and work is starting to pick up for me.

Good luck with the job hunting.

Matt.

[Mick (Michael)]

Chin up Mike and get well soon, I also was made redundant for the first time in 27 years of working. It was a shock but after three weeks off I found a new job in a different direction and it has been great. It is amazing how this community has changed and adapted over the years and it is a credit to you and your team.

[Jen]

Next time you better apply for a leave pass Mike
Its ok we been looking after the place in your absence

Good luck job hunting

[leon]

Not good news Mike, but I know what you mean about the down times in this hobby, it happens to all of us at some stage.

Work and supporting your family is more important than astronomy, the Stars will be there forever, I hope good luck comes your way soon, in the employment side of things.

Good Luck.

Leon

[norm]

Hey Mike,

Sorry about the bad news of late (job, cancer). I hope things turnaround for you quickly and everything things pick back up.

Your a talented guy and appreciated by all on this forum and many will be thinking of ya.

For what its worth we all go thru' lull periods in life - feeling a bit like that with work pressures atm.

For what its worth, I'll sort my leave out and book the camp for 4 asap.

Cheers,
norm

[acropolite (Phil)]

Sorry to hear about the Job Mike, even more so about the skin cancer problem, look after yourself, the forum will look after itself.