Author: James Edward Mills

Commentary / 04.11.2009

Madison, WI 5:30 CST Dane County Regional Airport, Gate 12 En route to Banff, Alberta Canada by way of Chicago, Seattle, Calgary I love to travel. I’m heading west today to cover the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Five days of adventure movies, literature and lectures in the Canadian Rockies. Who could ask for more? The bustle of airports and long car rides suit me like a second skin. Aside from paying $15 for a checked bag that used to be free and the preflight strip search, the only thing that inevitably gets me a bit crazed is the anxiety I feel when I’m packing. I’m always afraid that I’ve forgotten something, a mission critical document, piece of clothing or equipment whose absence will spoil the flavor of my Joy Trip.
Quote of the day / 04.11.2009

"Here is a classic example of observing wildlife and learning their behaviors. In Yellowstone I would often see coyotes hunting voles in the fields. Each one would have a different stalk, approach and leaping technique. After watching, I could learn their behavior and anticipate when they would get ready to pounce. It was amazing the success rate they had." This photograph and advice from Chris Gibbs ...

Quote of the day / 03.11.2009

“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.” August Wilson ~  American playwright. His literary legacy is the ten play series, The Pittsburgh Cycle, for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. Each is set in a different decade, depicting the comic and tragic aspects of the African-American experience in the twentieth century. (1945 – October 2,...

Commentary / 02.11.2009

SeaTurtle_001 In the world of social media I have no fans, only friends. I’m very fortunate that a few hundred people follow my work on the Joy Trip Project. Most are strangers, but that’s only because we haven’t met yet. Everyone is a friend. So when Joel Knutson messaged me by Facebook I was more than happy to meet him for coffee. My work would suffocate in a vacuum of isolation. Conversations with even the most causal acquaintance can often lead to profound revelations. This was no exception.