Throwback Thursday

[nanila]

Death Valley, California, USA. 2003.



I note that this photo was taken when my self esteem was pretty low. I'd finished my PhD, was doing my first postdoc and was not really sure what to do with my life. I was coming to the conclusion that academia was not for me, but all the alternatives scared the poop out of me. So I made myself look like the cartoon/superhero character I wanted to be but didn't feel like I actually could be.

Comments

[soliano]

Great pic. Awesome background. You look kick-ass! Certainly worked.

[nanila]

It's Death Valley, which is basically a massive stunning backdrop for...anything, really. Especially searing heat.

[darkemeralds]

You do look like a superhero, though! If you hadn't described what you were feeling at the time, I'd never have guessed. Great picture.

[nanila]

It's weird, isn't it. I was pretty physically strong at the time, too - rock climbing regularly.

[emelbe]

I know that... feeling? State of mind? Deep, dark hole?

[nanila]

What's that icon you used to have? "The light at the end of the tunnel is the train"? Yes. That.

[weaverbird]

Well, you could have fooled me. That photo exudes confidence.

[nanila]

I have no idea why! :P

[lark_ascends]

Remember that feeling. But it is a pretty kickarse photo!

(And yes, a bit Orphan Black-ish)

[nanila]

Thankfully I've not been acquainted with that feeling (at least not with such intensity) for some time. It's nice to be in a much happier place these days.