In tribute to @ojtheviking (who first nominated me) followed by @sirena, @thimeow, @loz829, @elune, and @tallandspooky I offer my favorite photo challenge offering.
Everyone has a story. I stole that thought from the Book/Film/Website "To Write Love On Her Arms." If you're not familiar, I definitely recommend looking it up and checking out all the positivity they spread and help they offer for people in... dire mental situations, to put it kindly.
I thought I would do something a little different because that's how my mind thinks, so I posted a photo I took just a few moments ago. I was enjoying Mustachio (pistachio) flavored coffee by Bones Coffee in my newly (gift to myself) coffee mug from Deathwish Coffee. I usually relax and awaken my senses with a nice strong brew after work so I can remain awake for blog posts, gaming sessions, television marathons, or just talking on the phone with distant friends. I thought it was a good theme for this particular post. Why? Well, the answer is simple and I'll start my story right after this.
I don't own many photos of myself because I was usually camera shy or tend to delete selfies quicker than I can take any. Most of the photos of me that are floating around the world through social media are usually very boring. My photos at skate parks and at derby bouts are usually right before or after any action so I tend to appear as if I was just standing around doing nothing. Many times I was at my happiest involved no technology, cameras, or anything that could record the evidence such an event happened and I'm not mad at all over any of those memories. I have struggled with depression and happiness for as long as I can remember and may tell most people the last time I remember being truly happy was when my age was still in the single digits and the moments all happened in the company of good friends. That being said, I have appreciated every moment happy or sad ever since.
This is not a sad moment. It's not an over joyous moment either. I chose to follow this concept by taking a recent photo because I wanted to remind myself as well as everyone else that the happiest moment in our lives is no other than right now. "But... it's supposed to be your favorite photo of yourself!" Yes, I know it is supposed to be my favorite photo. I probably have a handful of really cool images of myself smiling with friends, in the arms of a girlfriend or two during times I smiled bigger than ever, or just conceptualized an image that turned out way better than expected (some of which you will see in my album if you take a peek back during my re-introduction in late 2017 and early 2018).
"How does this fit into the idea of a favorite photo if you're not posting one of those cool images you're talking about?" Ah, here's where philosophy comes into play and I answer simply, "my favorite photo is one that display my current state of being." I've accomplished a few cool things in life and have experienced some great moments with friends, family, love, and celebrities. I've (barely) traveled and learned a thing or two, but most of it has no record of proof beyond my memories. All of those memories whether photographed or not turn up in each moment I breathe another breath. Therefore,my favorite photo is displaying my current state of existence whether it looks epic and cool or like a blurred out selfie in the dark.
Most of us have chose some really cool photographs indicating a neat time in our lives, a cool person we met (and possible remain friends with), or just a neat piece of art that speaks volumes about the person we are. The same concept fits into each of these choices that you all have already chosen, but they were picked from previous moments in time instead. Every photo has led up to the moment you are reading this post right now.
This photo is my favorite because it describes my current state of being. The story is simple. I'm drinking coffee to relax and energize my brain. I recently opened (and dug through) a box of birthday candy from @redkaya and just opened up my contest winnings from the lovely @kaliva (more on that later) so I'm actually smiling bigger than my photo proved my face to allow.
If I could take a photo collecting all the times I fell in love with each of you as friend, brother, dream girl, or acquaintance on their way to hopefully becoming closer friends it would be the photo I posted, but that photo exists only in my mind as a concept. I wish I could show you something really cool like a back flip on skates (I can't do that) or a kiss between a girl and I (it's been a long time and I do believe only a few ever existed but I won exactly zero copies), but you get me right now. Hopefully you have enjoyed a little insight into my thought process and a recent photo of the bearded coffee drinker in action at this desk.
