The Self in the Forties Photo Gallery by Carolyn B. at pbase.com

The Self in the Forties

Not easy to do - the self portrait of the forty-something year old who's entering the decade's ballroom with crotchety Time pulling at her glass-slippered feet and ragged gown, with her fingers grabbing at the doorway, bloody fingernails and all. I find myself wondering...have I done what I wanted? Am I "me" yet? Is being a princess all it's cracked up to be?

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Heritage	The Movie	Mommy and Marah through Adin's Eyes
For David - something soft	"Mom and Dad" taken by Adin	Half-tones and a Wash
The Haircut	Author

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jypsee		11-Apr-2008 20:06
Are we ever who we think we are? who DOOOO we think we are?? I sure have no idea...I sure know I haven't done all I wanted to do. But, the "want" changes daily :)

Carolyn B.		05-Jan-2008 11:58
You're very sweet, Dale.

dale		21-Oct-2007 17:42
Jesus. You are so gorgeous. Let the record show that long before I saw your pictures I already admired you for your words and your fine mind :-)

jypsee		04-Dec-2005 16:05
40???? I've got a little news flash, baby...it gets better and better the better you get!!

Guest		03-Apr-2005 03:33
Carolyn, "Don't Worry Be Happy" Lovely Self Portraits gallery, Kind Regards, Audra in San Diego

robin statfeld		02-Apr-2004 17:51
Carolyn, you're a mere CHILD : ) I turned 41 this past October, coincidentally the same day that the Harris Poll concluded that 41 is the ideal age!!! So just think how much you should look forward to next yearhttp://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=410 p.s. Very nice, expressive photos!

Gary Blanchette		27-Mar-2004 05:38
Well my wife and I both turned 49 towards the end of 2003. We both discovered that the 40's weren't all that bad. As we approach the big 5 0, we have learned to welcome each day as it comes and to alway expect the unexpected.

Adalberto Tiburzi		23-Mar-2004 21:41
I think I'd better remain in silence about this topic ;-)

Carolyn B.		18-Mar-2004 19:34
I'm so glad I put this galler up...for these wonderful, uplifting notations. Thank you so much!

Dan Chusid		18-Mar-2004 06:16
You can always rebel like I'm doing, turning back the clock and laughing at the aging process for the hollow numbers that they are. That Hearse driver is going to be waiting a long, long time.........; )

Guest		15-Mar-2004 13:39
Carolyn.... I too turned 40 this past year and discovered photography as more than a "click-it and capture-the-moment" hobby. It's strange and exhilirating to be discovering a new way to express myself and new ways of looking at things at this point in my life. I often feel as you describe in the header to this gallery... how did I get where I am and is this where I meant to be? I think everyone must feel that somewhere on life's journey. Glad you're doing the PAD and these self portraits. Look forward to seeing your progress.

Selvin Chance		13-Mar-2004 07:23
Carolyn, TS Eliot wrote the following: "There will be time, there will be time To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet; There will be time to murder and create, And time for all the works and days of hands That lift and drop a question on your plate; Time for you and time for me. And time yet for a hundred indecisions, And for a hundred visions and revisions, Before the taking of a toast and tea." from "The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock" There is time.... Been viewing your work, and my compliments. As most people in Pbase will tell you, they've learned a lot just viewing the work of others. Aloha http://www.pbase.com/selvin

Ray :)		09-Mar-2004 23:25
Carolyn, welcome! I started this project in my forties and now I'm in my fifties I guess. Its one of the best things I've ever done! Have a ball!

Phil Douglis		29-Feb-2004 20:42
Hi, Carolyn....40!!!! You are kvetching about 40???? In three months I turn 70, and life just gets better and better. The more you live the more you learn. All that stuff about crotchety time and bloody fingernails is behind me. I can assure you that you will, indeed, within the next decade, finally learn who you are. VirginiaCoastline knows whereof he or she speaks. Don't stress over "all the stoopid crap" -- it's now behind you. Phil

virginiacoastline		24-Jan-2004 22:58
Forty is a GREAT decade! You should celebrate that the thirties' transition is over. And what's even better is that fifty is just ahead. Relax. This is when you start to realize you didn't quite know everything (as you may have thought in the thirties) and your priorties change, they sesttle down . . .you can focus more. You don't have to stress about all the stoopid crap any more. And the fifties . .JUST WAIT!!!

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