August 21, 2017 Some people have panic attacks over bills, work or their family. Not me, I have panic attacks over totality. Stargazers, such as myself, spend years thinking about an eclipse they might get to see. For this particular eclipse. For nearly 10 years, I waited anxiously for that 2 minute 45 second stretch […]
August 21, 2017
Some people have panic attacks over bills, work or their family. Not me, I have panic attacks over totality. Stargazers, such as myself, spend years thinking about an eclipse they might get to see. For this particular eclipse. For nearly 10 years, I waited anxiously for that 2 minute 45 second stretch of glorious darkness. The Great American Ecliose of 2017. An eclipse spanning the entire length of the continental United States and watched by millions of people.
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So many variables to worry about when viewing an eclipse. Will I be in a good location? Will there be clouds? Will their be traffic? Will there be coffee and a bathroom? These don’t even begin to touch on the more difficult factors to worry about, like will I get a good picture, how do I want to image it, do I have equipment to image and of course, will I get to enjoy totality.
After nearly 2 weeks of heart palpitations, horrible sleep, wrecked nerves and the last of my Xanax, I decided, I’ll get what I get and I’ll spend my time enjoying the beautiful show. I just won’t worry about pictures. Millions of people will get images, a few thousand will get decent ones and a few will get some really nice ones. My images won’t matter, but my experience will.
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I’ve seen a couple of partial eclipses, and even SLEPT thru one annular eclipse, but I’ve never experienced Totality. Heck, less than 10 years ago, I didn’t even realize that it actually got dark during Totality. So, you see, I had to make sure I experienced Totality..
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I planned, i ordered my glasses early, I practiced imaging, I packed up the family and we headed west to Tennessee.
Turns out, not only did I get to enjoy Totality, but I also got pictures!