Wednesday 31 December 2008: Tears in Rain
I can't sleep and neither can my little girl.. we sit here in the first hour of New Years Eve. I take her photograph. She commands, "Daddy, put your camera in the bag." I do as she requests and we sit together secure in the warmth of the living room looking at the white ice increasing on the trees in the moonlit garden. Poppy whispers"..it's snow..it's snow outside Daddy." I'm not going to correct her. There isn't any snow, it's too cold to snow right now... We hold hands and listen to Gladys Knight and the Pips and everyone else in the house is asleep as we share a perfectly precious short spell of time. Recently, I've been preoccupied with thoughts about Blipfoto; all the contributors, past and present, all those unique images and insights, slices and fragments of real life.
"Memories like the corners of my mind
Memories Misty watercolor memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were
Oh can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
And if we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me?Would we??
Could we??
Memories may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we'll remember
We'll remember
Whenever we remember
The Way We Were..."
First of all let me offer my sincere thanks to Joe and Team Blip. I joined Blipfoto just a day or so after Joe launched it to the public in the Summer of 2006 and was privileged to be a small part of this fledgling community which became a significant part of my life, allowed me to document the birth and development of my two children, stay in touch with friends and family abroad and virtually meet a wide range of fantastic and wonderful human beings. There is no doubt in my mind that Joe and family deserve the fruits of their labours. Think of the thousands of hours they have devoted to the project. But the fact remains that each and every Blipper has also dedicated precious time, effort and endeavour to the cause. This union led to a vibrant website which for a time helped restore my faith in humanity. However, now, it seems, miscommunication and misunderstanding abound.
Having expressed my opinions honestly and freely by emailing Joe, I have received his response, and he has assured me he will progress and 'monetise' blipfoto as originally planned.. I can't argue with that. It his company and his absolute right to do with it whatever he pleases. I have issued a statement on the forum. It is with a great deal of soul searching and regret that I now feel it is time to take this difficult step. Many thanks to each and everyone of you. Some of you will never comprehend the positive impact you have had on my life. You are the Heart and Soul... You are the salt of this Earth... I will dearly miss you...
Please remember you are always, every single one of you, welcome to contact me anytime by e-mail and see my images in other places by following links in my about section. So, now it's time for me to bail out for a while.. I will not stop taking photographs everyday. It's my life and my livelihood and in 2009 I have a great deal of work to do establishing a new studio and gallery, as well as helping to parent Poppy and Gabriel.
Just in case any of you feel bad for me, please don't as I know, beyond all doubt, that this is the correct direction for me to take right now. I have had a long time to think about this course of action and I have searched and failed to find alternatives and compromises. I do not have a single grudge or bad feeling towards anybody on Blipfoto and I can honestly say I haven't had cross words here since my arrival on July 22nd 2006. I depart five uploads shy of achieving 900 consecutive blips and it really has been a pleasure and privilege. I will never forget your support, kind words and positive sentiments.
I am ever the optimist and you never know, one morning I may wake to transcend through a myriad of multicoloured bokeh lights into the Utopian Dreamscape of a parallel universe where I am still a small part of a Donations' propelled Blipfoto and I just might be able to back blip all the days I will miss... ;) Have a soulful and spiritual New Year...
I'll leave you with one of my favourite all time quotes, which sums up my feelings about the beautiful and ephemeral nature of this life..where every moment is precious... I have loved my time here but I accepted from the beginning that it had a finite lifespan.
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Time to die."
Roy Batty, Nexus 6, Bladerunner.
Comments
With your contribution to Blip, both in your stunning inspirational images and supportive amusing commenting, you will be missed.
All those hours spent on blip will be much better spent in moments like the one above ;-)
Heres to a very happy new year to all the Croz clan and heartfelt best wishes for all your ventures in 2009.
~ smithski
As I'm sure everyone will agree, you will be missed. You have taken some stunning photos which have been both a pleasure and delight in viewing.
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your family grow and I will definately keep watch of the progress of your little ones in the future.
All the best for 2009.
~ lhr
oh my word, when I began reading this I had that horrible feeling in my tummy you had made this decision. It is your decision alone, but I for one will miss you, Cryno, Gabriel and of course my favourite little girl, Poppy.
I feel a little sad that the old crew are diminishing. I suppose it's a part of life.
Smithski is right though, the less time you're on here the more time Poppy, Gabriel and don't forget Lisa will get to be with you.
You know where I am by email and in reality. Feel free to bring the beautiful people to the wrong side of the Pennines if you're ever here.
I'll be paying particular attention to Flickr now :0)
XXXX (one for each of you)
PS you're a bloody good photographer too. Nearly forgot that bit :0)
~ mackintosh
ooh I think that's my longest comment on Blip ever.
~ mackintosh
Sorry to see you go. Croz.
~ Red
Croz take care. You will all be missed here. x
~ jay
Wishing you all the best in the New Year! I'll miss your blips, but hopefully will be able to follow you on your blog etc. It's a great loss for the blipland.
~ hrubieszowianka
I understand the rationale as to why and share the issues you raise however its sad to see people go all the same, thanks for the great images you have put up :)
~ SimonC
It was a real pleasure watching Poppy and Gabriel ..
shame to see you leave blip.
Wish you and Family ALL the best in 2009 and in the future!!
~ Orchid
Sorry to hear this news but understand your decision, which I'm sure you've mulled over for quite a while. Good Luck in the future and I must say that this is a beautiful portrait with which to bow out.
Happy New Year!
~ Grandmama
You will be greatly missed. I enjoyed looking at your pictures especially the ones of Poppy and Gabriel.
Anyway all the best to you and your family for 2009.
I presume 'Cryno' will stop posting as well.
Take care x x :)
~ Jude
Smithski: Cheers mate .. the feelings you express are mutual :)
~ Croz
lhr: thank you.. all the best
~ Croz
Mack.. Cheers .. we're all sending much love back to you.. have a wonderful 2009
~ Croz
Red: All the best Red.. I will certainly miss your incisive wit and charm
~ Croz
Jay: cheers.. stay in the wildscape :)
~ Croz
hrubie: Hope to see you elsewhere ;)
~ Croz
grassroots: thank you and happy Blipday
~ Croz
Orchid: cheers I'll miss your blips.
~ Croz
Grandmama: Thank you.. best wishes to you and yours...
~ Croz
Jude: Yes, cryno and I have been discusseing this for some time and she has stated that she feels it is time for her to stop posting too. But perhaps you'd have to ask her :)
~ Croz
Bon voyage croz! Hope you'll pop in again!
We want to wish you all a super 2009, may all your wildest dreams come true!! From the four Zamboons.
~ LuvU2
:-( Will miss team Crynoz immensely. Your Christmas Day blip is even more special now! Will say au revoir, in the hope you do appear again one day but will try and tune into Flickr stuff until then.
Happy New Year to you all. x
~ Fi
Bye bye, you will be missed! Have a Happy New Year!
~ MissU2
Thank you for all your wonderful photos . I will dearly miss you . I would like to wish you and your family a Happy New Year filled with joy, hope, prosperity and laughter . I will never forget your daughters' images :) Please take care !
~ stuff
The fondations of this community are shakier fnow that another pillar of your charisma, talent and sensitivity opts to bow out.
I will miss your entries and comments Croz, I most surely will!
Your final write-up is a masterpiece and the final portrait has just the right amount of melancholy in it.
Adieu Croz!
~ raheny_eye
It's been my pleasure to see your wonderful emotive images, I, only with many others, will miss them.
~ annekingston
Croz, too much to say here, I will reach out in the next few days via email. You, your family, and your journal will be dearly missed. Best wishes, Apple.
~ anappleaday
Croz, our child is probably around Poppy's age and he's made the odd appearance in the journal, so I empathise with what you're saying here.
Sorry to see you go.
Happy new year and all the best for the future.
~ skyroad
Will miss you on blip Croz, you've been an inspiration. Hope you all have a special 2009 :)
~ dailydoobs
Bye. 'Tis a pity.
~ wingpig
one of my favourite movies.
was sad to read the news in the forum.especially from the man who made me want to take smoke shots.
whatever you do be happy.
wishing you and the family a happy and healthy 2009
~ McDawg
Zamboons.. Cheers
~ Croz
THF.. All the best for 2009... from Crynoz
~ Croz
missu2 missu2
~ Croz
stuff.. Thank youa nd wishing you all the best for 2009
~ Croz
raheny: Adios amigo
~ Croz
anne K: thank you I appreciate your kind words
~ Croz
Apple: Looking forward to hearing from you.. All the best for09
~ Croz
Skyroad:: all the best to you and yours too fro 2009.. I see your on shutterchance .com the free deal. what do you think of it and if you upload another shot as it stands will it automatically deltee your first shot ot can you select a shot to delete?
~ Croz
doobs .. Cheers the feeling is mutual ;)
~ Croz
McD: Must do some of those again when i get chance.. stay true my friend.. All the best for 2009 ;)
~ Croz
Croz, I hardly use my Shutterchance (Caveart) gallery anymore, though I like some things about the site. I was surprised to find I was only allowed 30 images unless you paid for the upgrade, so I left my stuff as it was. But i checked just now and yes, you can change your images in the gallery. So the standard service is pretty good, considering it costs nothing. My stuff has been there, untouched by me, for the best part of a year now, and it's all still intact.
BTW thanks for reminding me, I have just put a new image in there. I think I'll start using the site again; the resolution of the images looks great on my new I-Mac 10.5.6.
PS
You can also send people e-cards of your images from the site, a neat idea. Maybe I'll see you there in the new year.
~ skyroad
This is sad, as I've said in my 365th, I came to meet friends, and Blippers who became a part of me day by day..like Gabriel's birth, etc... so your departure makes me feel sad ... Anyway, Good Luck and wish you, Lisa, Poppy and Gabriel the best.
~ mats
Croz:
I understand and support your choice. That having been said, this site will be less exciting without your part in it. Bless your family for having the patience to put up with a confirmed photographer who was so faithful to the promise of a picture a day. Go with God, Croz and may all your hopes be realized.
~ Joyfull
Skyroad: Thanks for that.. It's like an ever refreshing gallery of 30 images.. I like that idea and will be over there myself soon too.. All the best and thanks again
~ Croz
mats: thanks again for all your comments, insights and support.. but don't be sad .. this is not a wake.. I'll still be active elsewhere posting images and I hope to see you around too.. All the best for 2009 Mats.
~ Croz
Joyfull: Thank you for all your support.. May 2009, be full of love and bring you great joy ;)
~ Croz
Well, I am sad to see that I have returned to blip too late. But I have several months of your past posts to catch on and i know where your website is, so I wish you and your beautiful family all the best in the coming new year! Well done... God speed.
~ Chaos
Goodbye. Thank you for all the wonderful images you shared with us. Have a good 2009!
~ Elmer
A beautiful image to end your Blip life.
However, in the words of Sean Connery "Never say Never".... you never know.
I have had a great time looking at your fantastic photos. Keep enjoying.
~ bethceol
Croz - goodbye. You're a remarkable photographer and blipper, and were instrumental along with Joe with inadvertently introducing me to a certain stock photo agency - a year later I'm selling them regularly and have appeared in national newspapers - thank you.
I'm doing much thinking myself at the moment as to the future of my blipping - we'll see.
All the best - see you around in cyberspace sometime!
~ dailypost
I will say Adieu Croz but not goodbye.
I have so enjoyed the glimpse of your life so far, you have a beautiful family and your photography is amazing.
I wish you well in the coming year of your life and in everything you plan to do.
Thanx Croz and a Happy New Year to you, Cryno, Poppy and Gabriel x x
~ Jaxter46
Take care Croz. You take wonderful photos, have uploaded excellent blips and even have a decent taste in music!
~ buzzcocksfan
Happy New Year Croz. It's a real shame to see you leaving, but I hope you and your family have a brilliant 2009!
~ richie_rollover
Oh, all the best for 2009, Croz! Happy new year to you and yours.
~ Red
Does that mean there's a spot opened up on the popular page? It's dead man's shoes that page.
...(joke!)
Seriously... Am sorry to see you go Croz - and will miss especially the pictures of your children obviously inspired by your total devotion. Which I suppose is one of the driving factors for your choice. Hope that you don't become a stranger. And all the best in 2009 with the other projects.
~ Anonymoose
Bloody hell mate, didn't realise that you were leaving!
Your part of the furniture around here and you'll be missed for sure. All the best man.
~ missing
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
~ Flick
what CRAPPY New YEAR News Croz :(
boo hooo boohooo booo hhoo
I am staying to make sue it doesnt alter hope you do come back
~ Flick
please?
~ Flick
Happy New year to you all tho :)))
~ Flick
I'll miss you on here Croz. Big Time. You've been something of an inspiration, especially with your wonderful baby portraits - if I ever get the chance to take ones half as good as that I'll be a happy boyo.
Happy New Year. I may just get in touch sometime :)
~ sp33dway
So sad to see you go - I enjoyed all your great pictures and will miss seeing precious Poppy and Gabriel.
But I understand your reasoning - I'm not entirely sure myself what to make of all this quite yet.
Have a wonderful New Year 2009, best of luck to you and your family and maybe you will stop by again one day after all :-)
All the best
~ nberghoff
your work is amazing. thanks so much for sharing it over the past several years. you will be missed.
~ bluesheep
I may be posting too late, sorry to see you go, and I will look you up offsite. Not sure about my journal either, all the best!
~ kuchingboy
Chaos: All the best..
~ Croz
Elmer: take care of your lovely family.. It has been a pleasure to see images of your life in Nederland.. tot ziens
~ Croz
bethceol: All the best.. I feel refreshed and re-energised shooting images yesterday freely, without the restrictions of being concerned about finding a last minute blip.. ;)))
~ Croz
Anonymoose: Yes, my last image will quickly fall off the popular page no doubt and you can gladly have my place... :))))
~ Croz
dailypost.. thankyou.. I wish you all the success that I have had and continue to have in the stock game, It is a tough old business and getting tougher. Hard graft but worth it... I love it..Even now it 's still a good buzz licensing images on a daily basis.
~ Croz
Jax: thank you for your kind words and comments ;)
~ Croz
buzzcocks: It's all in the music my friend.. Thank you
~ Croz
richie: Thank you for commenting.. I thought I would be placed in a virtual oubliette for disafilliating myself and I'm pleased New Founding members/financers are being friendly. :)
~ Croz
missing: You're right about me being furniture .. i was becoming a bit static don't you think? ..I didn't realise you were on flickr.. thanks for making me a contact and I will be able to see your blip images there.. excellent. Is barker on flickr I miss his image here :)
~ Croz
Flick.. All the best to you, Shy and family for 2009..
~ Croz
sp33d: You're always welcome to get in touch.. Best wishes mate.. ;)
~ Croz
Nora: thanks for your comments and best wishes in this New Year..
~ Croz
Blue: thanks and all the best.. Give my regards to Benek.. and it's great news about him and Jenny.. and thank you for all the excellent and creative images you have shown here..
~ Croz
kuchingboy.. It's never too late.hahaha ;) Thanks for your comment and kind regards..
~ Croz
Everybody: Thanks so much for all your comments, farewells and very kind words.. I say a final goodbye to Lonely Little Petunia, BB, A Dog's Dinner and Joe Blogs and I wish them all the best with their New venture and thanks to them for allowing me to participate in the pilot scheme. I hope Blipfoto is able to survive in these harsh financial climes... Allowing for the constraints on my time, if I can I will pop in again, here in the not too distant future and respond to any remaining comments I've missed before bowing out for a final time... Please stay in touch via my about section where there are several links... It's been a genuine pleasure.. Adios
~ Croz
I 'll miss you...
Take care...
~ rena
Read your comment on the forum and truly respect your decision. Your reasons are so similar to Bisk's. Those are sentiments so many of us share. For so many of us, blip is so much more than a daily photo album... It is this feeling that makes blip special.
The ones among us who choose to continue will try our best to keep blip the same and hope it will only rise. Perhaps that can bring you and some of the others back.
~ farsidehues
Sad to see you go, but I completely respect your decision and share some of the same feelings. I will truly miss your gorgeous portraits of your beautiful children -- they always just take my breath away. Wishing you the very best in 2009 and beyond.
~ distractedhausfrau
Bye, Croz.
895 consecutive blips was some doing.
May 2009 be good to you.
~ Cradlehall
Croz, sorry I missed this. All the best for 2009 and the future, for you and the family, and I for one will follow those links to your photo's.
Cheers, Chris
~ Chris
croz, you might not get this but oh well... sorry to see you go - i hope you'll leave your library up here for a while so we can all share your past wonders a little longer, it's been lovely sharing your life this past few months. good hunting.
~ astudyinscarlet
Very sorry to see you go, Croz. I've loved seeing your journal and following the progress of your family (and footie team!). Poppy reminds us here so much of our little girl Grace, just a year older. Seeing the arrival of Gabriel was special too. Hope 2009 is a great year for you and the family. I'll keep an eye out on your other online photos.
~ marypot70
I have just been catching up after being away for New Year and I am truly sorry to see you go, what ever you do in life I hope you and yours will be very happy.
~ brickmaker
So sad for us but I'm glad for you as it is YOUR decision. It was so much easier to follow you and your family right here.
Ce n'est qu'un aurevoir. I hope. All the best for 2009.
~ joe_cool
Just catching up with the forums now and discovered your departure.
Very sorry to see you go - hopefully see you in the Flickrsphere...
~ bri
Oh dear. Late to the party again. I only just (Jan 5th) see you are no longer amongst us :( I am sad about this. I'll miss your beautiful images of your family. And of all the gorgeous images you create of so many other things in our world. I'll keep watching your other sites. Maybe you'll find more time to keep your blogspot account up to date? :)
~ lrw
a brave step. In the words of the mighty Chicago: (blip) is a hard habit to break!
~ archangel
croz - good luck to you. I've loved seeing all of your posts here since I joined. They were very inspirational. 895 and no dips in quality. I'll keep following your entries elsewhere.
~ khancollective
Croz, I'll miss you, your beautiful family and wonderful imagery. Two things will always remind me of you, Bladerunner and apple rings (remember them come teething time).
"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long...
...and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy."
Tyrell, Bladerunner
~ Northern
so long, and thanks for all the fish.
~ StevieFish
rena: take care
~ Croz
farsidehues: My reasons are similar to Bisk"s and I've held them for a very long time.. thanks for your kind words.
~ Croz
distractedhausfrau: thank you.. but it's been great to meet you again at flickr
~ Croz
cradlehall: all the best..
~ Croz
Chris.. best wishes
~ Croz
astudyinscarlet:thanks for the kind words.. Cheers
~ Croz
marypot> see you elsewhere :)
~ Croz
birck. my sentiments are mutual.. You're a great kindhearted guy.. I always wanted one of those special bricks one day as well..I would have treasured it... all the best my friend
~ Croz
joe_cool.. Sorry but I had to go.. there were plenty of reasons and I had no choice
~ Croz
bri: definitely
~ Croz
lrw: all the best .. see you soon
~ Croz
archangel: it's been a piece of cake.. there's a big world out there. hahaha.. :) a blipper informed me that you"d left me a dedication.. that means a lot my friend,.. thank you and see you soon.. Back in Manchester at the end of January..
~ Croz
Khancollective: thanks and see you soon :)
~ Croz
northern.. thanks for the farewell and the quotation.. what a movie !!
~ Croz
StevieFish: and there are many more to catch.. cheers :)
~ Croz
EVERYBODY: Please do not see this as an ending only as a New Beginning.
~ Croz
I wondered why you had so many comments ... and then I see you responded to everyone :-)
Thanks for finding me on Flickr. I just wanted to record here that your shots and journal have been a source of inspiration for me and you've always offered help and comments where you could.
I'll be following on Flickr and continue to watch and learn.
Thanks mate.
~ 42
exquisite portrait and the treatment is impeccable
~ stingdingsbook
Still kept you on my subscription list - thats a full 3 months now past ...as much chance as there is of a Bladerunner 2?
Not even tempted for an April Fool either!
It'd be one hell of a back blip....so I'll check in quarterly!
~ misterbee
Haven´t had a lot of time to miss you. But I do! Didn´t realise you had left. Sorry for that! But I´ve seen where I can find you :)
But I have so little time for blip/flickr still, sorry to say.
I hope you have a great time anyway!
~ MissRAble
Hi Croz. Just read your final Blip, It is sad when anyone leaves something like Blipfoto, particulaly someone like you who has been in from the start. A relatively new conrtibutor, I was just getting to know you when all this blew up. It is obvious you have been missed by many.
I guess we are all waiting to see how things progress.
Good luck with the new studio etc.
Cheers
Jon
~ jonstorey57
hi croz,
no idea how i missed this for more than a year.
i still wish you all the best in the future.
and surely have a flick through your flickr images.
take care.
michi
~ michihughes
Wonderful picture!
~ suslohan
You haven't been invited to comment on this journal. Why not start your own journal and join the community? It's free, only takes a minute and you'll be able to comment on everyone's journals. Click here to get started.