Well, here we are. It's the 4th anniversary of my starting PAD.

When I first stumbled on Photo-A-Day on Pbase, I was both intrigued and excited. I liked the idea of having a regular routine
and discipline for taking photos as a way of improving my skills and as a regular creative outlet. So much good work was being
posted by so many good photographers! There was a sense of camaraderie and community that I found exciting.
Man, I really wanted a piece of that!

So, I jumped in. Not easy at first. Before I really took the unofficial 'rules' to heart, I would take a bunch of pictures on one day
and then dribble them out on PAD for a couple days. On many occasions I simply didn't feel like taking a picture and so I would
miss a day, sometimes more. I was rather inconsistent, to say the least. After a few months it dawned on me that the point was
to take a pic and post it that same day, everyday. Like creative exercise, it was about taking a disciplined approach and giving
the eye, the mind and the lens a regular workout. I really tried to take that to heart. Boy, that could be tough. On occasions I
suffer from bouts of depression and there were many times when I couldn't even get myself off the couch, let alone to pic up my
camera. Add to that the passing of my mother and surgery on my hand and I missed a few days in years 1,2 and 3.
Quite literally, after three years of PAD, this fourth year was the first where I absolutely missed no days.

Has there been a benefit? Certainly. I look back and can see a marked improvement in my work since beginning PAD. I think I've
learned a lot, developed some skills and grown artistically. I can also say that I've met and made some good friends through PAD
and Pbase, people I would gladly share my table and my home with. Sadly, many of them live too far away to see in person on a
regular basis.

So, what of all this? Well, this is my final Photo-A-Day post. At least for now. I've decided to take a break from PAD for a while.
I need to recharge my batteries and I have a few photographic projects I promised myself I would tackle. Does this mean I won't
be around? No. I'll still be on Pbase and I'll check in with friends. Does this mean no more posts? No. I'll retire this PAD but I'm
starting a new gallery for the not-so-often new work to reside. And, though many don't know about it, I'll continue my long-running
blog (recently redirected towards photography) over at my website: www.michaelthorpephotography.com.
Please feel free to come by for a visit and leave me a comment.

Finally, let me say thanks.
Thank you for all the comments, thank you for your support, thank you for the lessons in photography, thank you for your
creative example and, most of all, thank you for your friendship.