It’s That Time of Year
What a fuckin roller coaster of a year this was.
It’s genuinely difficult to comprehend that so many things happened in one year.
I have an annual tradition of looking back on the past twelve months, questioning whether I met my goals and setting new ones for the following year. Unlike previous years, my express goal for 2025 was to “surrender to the wind”. Which is my fancy way of saying to stop fighting my life and myself and just go with it.
It took a surprising amount of effort, but I did ultimately surrender. Well, there was some back and forth.
The Jazzland Project heated up in the first part of the year. There was a lot of financial strain and I had to convince myself that it was worth whatever price I needed to pay. Opportunities like this only come once in a lifetime. I had the same decision to make later in the year, when the company I worked for put me out of a job and hired outside contractors. I still hadn’t paid for my trip to Europe in November and I was freaking out. I’d pretty much decided to do the responsible thing and told my friends I wouldn’t be going with them.
Then I realized that I was being stupid.
Why would I pass up the opportunity to spend two weeks going to Europe and Africa with some of my closest friends? Being responsible is a good thing. It’s a great thing, actually. But not at the cost of living your life. Do I need to tighten my belt? Yes. But we only get one life. Fuck it. Live well. See the world. Take chances. Make mistakes. If you’re not hurting other people, do what is best for you.
Though I didn’t specifically state any goals for the year, I do have a list of yearly goals that I strive for every year.
Improve my skills
Face my fears
Travel
Build and Create
Make time with friends
Remember what is important
Live
In 2025, I have most certainly lived, traveled and created. I’ve faced my fears, for sure. Not sure it went well, but I did it.
While I haven’t improved as a writer, I think I’ve grown as a photographer. Got some one-on-one tutoring with Jason, so my understanding of lighting has improved. I’ve also started making changes to the way I edit; trying to create more naturalism and consistency.
Actually, lately I’ve been trying to change the way I do a lot of things. Still working on that in some way. But I have done a few things. First of all, started my newsletter, Strange World. You can read it on the web or subscribe. I’ve also separated my instagram into three accounts. My pro account is Santino.imagery. I’ve moved my Six Flags New Orleans images over to my new account, Santino6fno. And then you can find random things on my personal account, Buck_Lightning.
I’ve been thinking about the Buck Lightning thing a lot lately. When I started using the name years ago, it was meant to be a joke. But as happens a lot in my life, people take my jokes and run with them. There are human beings on this planet who know me only as Buck Lightning. The joke stopped being funny for me a long time ago, but the name has stuck. I’m kind of good with it now. I even had an idea for a Buck Lightning tattoo.
So what do I want from 2026?
Travel will be limited.
My next big trip is to Puerto Rico in 2027. No big trips until then, but i am looking towards a few weekend trips. In January, I’ll be attending Imaging USA in Nashville. I also plan to go to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Florida. The third trip is undecided, but I am leaning towards New York CIty. I almost went there a couple of months ago when my favorite street photographer, Alan Schaller was in town. Didn’t work out.
Improving my skills is a constant goal. They all are, really.
I suppose my biggest goal is to get things done.
One of my biggest flaws is my tendency to come up with ideas and quickly move on from them. It isn’t a lack of interest. It is a combined lack of focus and a tendency to become overwhelmed. A month ago, I decided I want to crowdfund a product. This wasn’t a wild idea. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. But as I got excited, I had to remind myself of the projects I have put on hold… some for months, others for years.
If I keep adding to my plate, nothing will ever get accomplished.
So that is what I want for 2026. Maybe I only do one thing. Maybe I do all of them (doubtful) or a few (hopefully). But something needs to get done.
Also, it would be nice to get a date. My attempts this year didn’t go well.
#2025 #2026 #newyearsresolution #goals #photography #writing #nashville #orlando #halloweenhorrornights #merrychristmas #getthingsdone
