2012 in review

In the rollercoaster year of 2012, I worked at four newspapers in three provinces, graduated from Loyalist, retired my 16 year old minivan (RIP Grape), packed and unpacked too many times to count, and got my first permanent job as a jack-of-all-trades multimedia journalist at a small-town weekly. I've tried to keep my photography up to par and continue to improve, while juggling the occasional video, writing 10-12 articles a week, and trying to throw my name out there as a freelancer. One shoot for the Toronto Star in, I don't really feel like a successful freelancer, but hope more may come with time and with coercive badgering on my part.

In working for a weekly, I miss the quick turnarounds and mentoring aspect of working with other photographers. Seeing the opportunities others have been given to work in the field can be disheartening in an unproductive "woe is me" way. I know this isn't my permanent position and I'm trying to work my way up, as best as I know how. 

Here's approximately one photo per month of 2012:

CALGARY, Alta. (06/01/12) - Sam Hester stands in one of the dramatically painted rooms in her house on 23 Ave in Calgary on January 6, 2012. Hester is a cartoonist and painter passionate about her neighbourhood. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Calgary Herald.

KINGSTON, Ont. (13/02/12) - Vicki Keith, champion marathon swimmer and multiple world record holder, is seen at the YMCA in Kingston on Monday, February 13, 2012. Keith was the first person to swim across all five Great Lakes, as well as multiple other bodies of water. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (03/03/12) - Corbin Davies, 9, of Belleville takes to the air while ballet instructor Kristina McIntosh and fellow hopeful Emilie Anderson, 10, of Cobourg watch during the Quinte Ballet School of Canada's professional school auditions on March 3. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

WATERLOO, Ont. (19/04/12) - Wilfrid Laurier University student Emily Kennedy celebrates the end of exams by making a mid-air trek between two trees, also known as slacklining, at Waterloo Park on Thursday, April 19. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Waterloo Region Record.

GUELPH, Ont. (28/05/12) - Jackie Unsworth takes in a hot afternoon with her first ice cream of the season Monday along the Speed River in Guelph. Temperatures soared to 33 C by the afternoon with a humidex making it feel more like 38 C. The heat will continue into Tuesday along with thunderstorms, which will cool the area down by Wednesday to temperatures in the teens and low 20s. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury.

GUELPH, Ont. (14/06/12) - Around 30 people, including a handful of children, gather for a tour of the dam on Guelph Lake as part of the Two Rivers Festival in Guelph on Thursday, June 14. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury. 

GUELPH, Ont. (01/07/12) - New Canadian citizen Harish Vasudevasarma (left) watches as his fellow new Canadian John Ford is greeted by his 21 month old son Charlie at Guelph's Canadian citizenship ceremony on July 1. Vasudevasarma, a native of India, and Ford, a native of England, were amongst the 41 new Canadians welcomed at the ceremony. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury.

GUELPH, Ont. (29/08/12) - Clelia Porzio-Gouveia, 7, practices her silks skills with the help of Jessica Martin of Centre of Gravity circus summer camp in Guelph on Wednesday, August 29. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury.

This summer, I spent several mornings and long, hot and dusty days in the fields with four young farmers documenting their life on the farm and their dedication to organic growing methods. See more on my website.

ELORA, Ont. (18/06/12) - Yehuda Nestel, owner of Plowshare Farm near Elora, takes a break after lunch at the century-old farmhouse in June 2012. Photo by Rachel Psutka, Guelph Mercury.

KINGSTON, Ont. (11/09/12) - A heron stands along the shore of Lake Ontario in Kingston, Ont. on Sept. 11, 2012. Photo by Rachel Psutka. 

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (04/10/12) - Ella MacDonnell (left) and Lauryn Burke take part in a Terry Fox run with Children’s Place Day Care at Antigonish’s Columbus Field Thursday, Oct. 4. Photo by Rachel Psutka, The Casket.

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (14/11/12) - Former prime minister Brian Mulroney jokes with Central Nova MP Peter MacKay, alumni and students after a speech at StFX Wednesday, Nov. 14. Photo by Rachel Psutka, The Casket. 

St. ANDREWS, N.S. (13/12/12) - Grade 2 students Brayden Michaud (left) and James Deon are rocking as cool Santas during the St. Andrews Consolidated School Christmas concert Thursday, Dec. 13. Photo by Rachel Psutka, The Casket.

Starting this fall, I began a longer-term documentary project with a local man whose life was drastically changed by a car accident five years ago. Working with Darrell has been insightful and a highlight of my weeks, and I'm far from done. More to come here in 2013.

ANTIGONISH CO., N.S. (13/12/12) - Darrell Lake leans over in his power wheelchair to greet one of his dogs, Polo, in his trailer on his acreage outside St. Andrews on Dec. 13. Despite a life-altering car accident five years ago, Lake manages to maintain an active lifestyle, restoring and adapting vehicles to his needs, breeding Bernese mountain dogs and socializing with friends and family in and around his Antigonish County home. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Autumn in Antigonish

It's been a two-month stretch without any photos posted, but I assure you I am working more than my 37.5 and continuing to churn out images/words/videos for the newspaper. Here are highlights from the past couple months.

Tommy Landry works on one of his flower paintings at The Studio, run by L’Arche Antigonish, on Thursday, Nov. 22. Photo by Rachel Psutka. 

Tia Andriani (left) as Amy, Noella Murphy as Jo, Emily Scales as Beth and Christina Appleby as Meg rehearse a scene Thursday, Nov. 8 in Theatre Antigonish’s production of Little Women, which will take to the stage at the Bauer Theatre Nov. 22 to 25. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney jokes with Central Nova MP Peter MacKay, alumni and students after a speech at StFX Wednesday, Nov. 14. Photo by Rachel Psutka. 

Royals player Primrose Chareka (right) dives in to grab the ball from her fallen opponent from the Sir John A Macdonald Flames during the Mabel Arsenault Memorial/Subway Classic Dec. 7 at Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School. The Royals won this contest 54-45, with Scott scoring 25 points. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Watson Mabuku, the executive director of a rehabilitation centre for disabled children in Botswana, has learned about using his own community’s resources while studying at the Coady International Institute. He is pictured here in the Marie Michael Library on Friday, Nov. 9. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

A runner makes his way through a snowy field near the StFX campus Saturday, Dec. 15. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Morgan Gauthier hangs out in the trees in the snowy woods where she will spend a Saturday, Dec.1 night with friends from FreePlay Antigonish, a group providing outdoor physical activities for youth aged 10 and up. Despite the cold temperatures and several inches of snow on the ground of their Lanark area site, a total of 18 youth and three chaperones used their survival skills to build shelters and fires, cook a meal, and sleep out for the night. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Pablo Scrosati (left), Steven Keefe and Jimmy Elewa relax near the fire they built under their shelter in the snowy woods where they will spend a Saturday, Dec.1 night with friends from FreePlay Antigonish, a group providing outdoor physical activities for youth aged 10 and up. Despite the cold temperatures and several inches of snow on the ground of their Lanark area site, a total of 18 youth and three chaperones used their survival skills to build shelters and fires, cook a meal, and sleep out for the night. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

A woman places her poppy amongst dozens of others on a wreath at the end of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Antigonish Sunday, Nov. 11. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

StFX senior students wait as their fellow students file into the Keating Centre for the highly-anticipated X-Ring ceremony Monday, Dec. 3. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Grade 2 students Brayden Michaud (left) and James Deon are rocking as cool Santas during the St. Andrews Consolidated School Christmas concert Thursday, Dec. 13. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Grade primary student Matthew Lang is a little unsure of his elf hat as his classmates take to the stage during the second of three Christmas concerts held by Antigonish Education Centre Wednesday, Dec. 12. Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Duncan MacDonald unloads freshly cut Christmas trees to his selling location in Antigonish Friday, Nov. 30. MacDonald is one of several local growers of Balsam firs hoping that local residents will continue to support the real tree industry. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Life in the east

Every once in a while, life goes unexpectedly. I'm still spinning on the tangent that I've been thrown on since mid-summer, and I'm not sure where it's leading me. I dealt, and am still dealing, with some very serious issues that greatly affected how I live my life. I ended up stepping aside, at least mentally, from this industry, and have probably caused some damage to a potential career as a result. I need to start repairing that, a little bit at a time. Onwards.

Somehow, I ended up here, working at a weekly newspaper called The Casket in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. I've been here almost a month, working as their photo/video guru, plus the ten or so stories I write each week. Everyone's been very welcoming, both at the office and in public. When I went to switch over my driver's licence, I got a hearty welcome and a dinner invitation from the service person. When I went to do that in another province, the woman told me that I was too close to her counter and then told me my last name was too hard to type and I should change it so English people could read it. The differences are pretty stark.

Because I know words are boring, here are a few photos from my first month on the job.

Marlene Morell, co-director of the Antigonish branch of Ca-r-ma, holds five three-week-old foster kittens under her care at her home on Friday, Oct. 5. Ca-r-ma is trying to raise funds for their trap, neuter, release program. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Mark Chisholm, 12, is the fifth of six children in his family to deliver the Casket each week. Pictured here Tuesday, Oct. 2 while loading his weekly delivery into his family’s vehicle, Mark has been delivering the paper for five years, and his family has been involved with deliveries for 13 years. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Ella MacDonnell (left) and Lauryn Burke take part in a Terry Fox run with Children’s Place Day Care at Antigonish’s Columbus Field Thursday, Oct. 4. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Jessica Buteau was dressed for the occasion as she helped Ca-r-ma Antigonish with their annual fundraiser, Alley Cat Cosmic Bowling. The dedicated bowlers raised around $4000 for the organization that helps trap, neuter, and release feral cats. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Salmon fly fishing tourist Paul Chain, from New York, casts his line into the rising sun in the West River outside Antigonish Thursday, Oct. 11. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Ryan DeGruchy (bottom) and David Bond of the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals pile a tackle on Cameron Davidson of the Horton Griffins during second period Friday night football in Antigonish. The Royals lost 27-8. (Rachel Psutka photo)    

Cameron Davidson (second right) of the Horton Griffins is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals Friday night in Antigonish. The Royals lost 27-8. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Brennen Wray of the St. F.X. X-Men heads to the penalty box after a brief fight in front of the Saint Mary’s Huskies goal during home opener action Saturday, Oct. 13 in Antigonish. The X-Men won 5-3. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Alexandre Arseneau of the U de Moncton Aigles Bleus leaps for a header during first half action against the St. F.X. X-Men Sunday, Oct. 14. The X-Men won 3-0. (Rachel Psutka photo)

A singles rower waits to race Saturday, Oct. 13 at Lochaber Lake at the first ever regatta hosted by the St. F.X. Rowing team. Since the regatta, the rowing community and Lochaber have seen a half million dollar investment by the federal government into developing the lake as the only course east of Quebec for international-level rowing. (Rachel Psutka photo)

District 6 Strait Regional School Board candidate Carmel Beaton looks on as incumbent Brian Murray answers a question at a forum at St. Andrew Junior School Tuesday, Oct. 9. Murray was re-elected to the school board seat as a result of Saturday's voting. (Rachel Psutka photo) 

Grade 4 students Taleah Kennedy (left), Sophie Delorey, Effie Maggie Burke, and Catherine MacDonald take full advantage of the nature trail behind St. Andrews Consolidated School during a morning recess break Thursday, Oct. 11. (Rachel Psutka photo) 

Town of Antigonish Deputy Mayor Diane Roberts inspects the 1st Battalion of the Nova Scotia Highlanders in front of Antigonish Town Hall Sunday, Oct. 14, as part of the commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Accompanied by pipes and drums, the battalion marched down Main Street to recognize the gallantry of thousands of early Canadians who fought to defend their homeland during the war. (Rachel Psutka photo) 

X-Women Keirsten Wilson (left) and Melissa Landry take a tumble during pre-season action against the Acadia Axewomen Saturday, Oct. 13 at St. F.X. (Rachel Psutka photo)

X-Women Erin Sigalet (centre) and Aneta Nejmanova go up for a block against the spike of Jazmin Logue-Prest of the Acadia Axewomen during pre-season action Saturday, Oct. 13 at St. F.X. (Rachel Psutka photo) 

Grade primary students at St. Andrews Consolidated School have mixed reactions to meeting a real-life firefighter during a visit from St. Andrews Volunteer Fire Department as part of Fire Prevention Week Thursday, Oct. 11. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Rachel Dragan (right) of the X-Women watches her shot deflect off the post of the Saint Mary’s Huskies during first half action Saturday in Antigonish. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Dominique Comtois of the X-Men waits for medical treatment in the endzone during play on Saturday, Oct. 20. The X-Men lost 29-16 to the visiting Mount Allison Mounties. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Hayden Peters (right) of the X-Men avoids a couple of Mounties during play Saturday. The X-Men lost 29-16 to the visiting Mount Allison Mounties. (Rachel Psutka photo)

The Mounties celebrate a last minute touchdown following an interception during play against the X-Men Saturday. The X-Men lost 29-16 to the visiting Mount Allison Mounties. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Matthew Lavallee (centre), is joined by his daughters Meadow (left) and Madison to sing traditional songs as the public joins in for a circle dance at the Mi’kmaq History Month celebration held Monday, Oct. 29 at StFX. Sponsored by the Office of the Aboriginal Student Advisor and the Aboriginal Students at X Society, the event was attended by over 100 students and members of the general public and offered food, traditional dancing, and a film in celebration of the culture and history of the First Nations people in the Antigonish area. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Heather MacGillivray, Kristina Richard, Carol Ann Boyle and Mary Eileen Garvie show off their red shoelaces in support of Be a Fan Day, honouring Special Olympians, Thursday, Oct. 25 at the CACL workshop in Antigonish. (Rachel Psutka photo)

Mary Coyle, former director of the Coady Institute and current senior advisor, received an award for her work with women’s rights around the world from the Adsum for Women & Children’s 23rd Annual Successful Canadian Women’s Dinner Tuesday, Oct. 23. (Rachel Psutka photo)

And finally, because I did mention that I am a video guru, here's the only multimedia piece I've produced so far: