Photography is one of my most passionate hobbies, so that was the original purpose of getting my own personal website. In fact I have owned my name as a web address for well over 10 years but had never used it. I figured that I would use it when I retired to publish my photos. Well, retirement is a long way off, and it is stupid to wait any longer to begin publishing my photographs.

I also quickly realized that the blog format was perfect for expressing my thoughts and opinions about things which are important to me. Many blogs are laser focused on one particular subject. Mine is not that way, and I don’t wish it to be so. That is precisely why I named my blog site “Tim’s Viewpoints & Visuals”.

Sometimes I have a lot to say. Growing up in the 1970’s, a time of great social upheaval, produced a very strong sense of social justice and a need to fight the wrongs that I see. My parents always encouraged learning and critical thinking, so I suppose it is only natural that I have a difficult time staying silent about important social and political issues. Public speaking is really an integral part of my job as an investment advisor, so the thought of putting myself out in the public domain is not too foreign.

I am also aware that by publishing the blog that people could get a feel for who I really am, especially if the blog is viewed as a whole. So, one might think of my blog as a type of “journal”. I have never kept a real journal other than for school assignments. But I have found that publishing my articles, stories and photographs helps give me a sense of calmness and clarity about things.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a super close relationship with my only daughter. We have really different core values and inner drives. I truly don’t think that she has ever understood what makes her Dad tick. So I hope that as she reads my stories and views my photography that perhaps she will someday begin to understand the what and why of her Father.

This blog is still in its infancy, and it will continue to evolve as I learn more about how to use it effectively. This whole personal “social media ” thing is pretty new for me, so this blog must be flexible and fluid. Who knows, maybe one day the blog will be strictly for my photographs and travels, and I will have another blog for my viewpoints. Or perhaps, I will realize that no one cares what I have to say, and I will eventually learn to keep my mouth shut. But my hope is that if I can bring enjoyment to just one person through my art (photography), and if I can help just one person to see more clearly the true value of an educated and civilized society, then perhaps this whole thing will have been worth it.

I have a few simple rules for this page. If you are going to make comments, be respectful and polite. I have the right to speak my mind, and you have the right to agree or disagree. Just do so in a polite and respectful manner. Thanks for visiting.