Dancing tree

I've photographed this oak before, but not for a long time.  On misty days when the backdrop is a post-apocalyptic grey, it looks like it's dancing.  This morning there was a gull flying around it aerobatically. This morning watching the dancing tree, and listening to the green woodpeckers laughing, and the great-spotted woodpeckers drumming, I could only feel joy.

But when I think of Blipfoto, I don't feel joyful.  Yesterday, there was a great show of solidarity, with the community holding hands.  I chose not to take part.  I have very mixed feelings.  On the one hand, the community of blip is a real joy to be a part of, and long may it continue.  On the other hand, I feel desolate about what has happened to Joe and the 11 staff who have been made redundant with, it would appear, little prospect of being part of Blipfoto's future.

There is a whiff of treachery about the partnership with Polaroid, and now the rescue package to save the sinking ship. Let's patch her up, give her a new crew, a new harbour and a new set of sails and she'll sail on with her loyal passengers.

At the moment, I'm feeling like I don't want to be on board, I don't really want to be part of some unknown organisation's corporate assets.  Blipfoto was like being a member of a benevolent and extended family.  I was proud to belong to it, and I felt deeply about its welfare.   It was founded on principles that ultimately perhaps proved too idealistic for a growing business, and I would have been prepared to compromise on advertising and higher membership fees, and paying membership for all.  But for whatever reason, we didn't have that option, and no doubt that is what the new company will offer.

There are good reasons to stay if I can get used to being a corporate asset.  One thing I'm certain of is that I'm not jumping ship to 365Project.  I need some time out to think, and I need some time away from the computer in the evenings for other reasons.  So I may be absent for a while, at least from posting, though I will look in now and again to shower stars and hearts.  Sail on, blippers.