Ever Think About…

From one father to all the rest out there, I want to wish you a Happy Father’s Day.  The definition of a father is constantly changing, you may be a step dad, a grandpa, a mom that plays both roles or even just someone to look up to.  So many of us fit the definition.  Sometimes it is very hard being a dad, worries abound, sacrifices never end and decisions have to be made.  Tough ones sometimes.  I just want to remind you, we all feel each others pain.

Today is one day every year we get to take a little time out.  Some of us soak it up and enjoy a nice peaceful day, all the worries and decisions waiting until Monday morning.  Some of us have to keep doing what we are doing and don’t have that luxury.  It doesn’t matter which or what you do with the day, all that matters that you earned it. You may not be famous or rich but the look in those eyes from your kids is all the fame and wealth I need for right now.  So here is to all those dads out there that earned today.  For providing  for your family the best way you know how, you earned those pancakes today dad and hopefully bacon too.

As a little gift from one father to all the rest out there, here is photo of my kids with a big chicken I made them stand next too.  Its good to be the dad.

Once upon a time, this blog was going to be about things things that might make you think just a bit.  That idea changed into stories that compliment photos I have taken.  Now I basically write about anything that comes to mind, so it really is a mash up of those ideas.  Today’s topic is exactly the same but completely different.  It will makes sense in a minute I promise. Well, maybe.

Today, a brand new book published by Quirk Classics is hitting the stands.  “Android Karenina” is the latest novel from Ben H. Winters and Leo Tolstoy.  They bring Tolstoy’s classic “Anna Karenina” into a totally different light.  Not to worry if you enjoyed the original the love stories are the same, they just added androids!  Yes, those steampunk fantasies you have late a night have come to 19th century Russia.  Do not worry, I will not judge you.

In honor of this publishing event Quirk Classics is giving away 25 Quirk Prize Packs.  These packs include various books from the Quirk library and a really cool “Android Karenina” poster.  But wait, there’s more!  Well that’s what they said, its a surprise if you.  Winning one of these prize packs is very easy, all you have to do is follow this link, mention my blog and you will be automatically entered to win fabulous prizes!  Good reading and good luck.

I know this is totally my own fault but I hate the fuckers on eBay that just sell empty boxes.  Yes, it did say that it was only a box and yes I did miss that part of the description, however I can still be pissed off.

This past Sunday morning I was cruising along State Road 529 just outside of Orlando.   I was taking the family to see our good friends that live out that way.  I came up on a green Kia SUV doing under the speed limit, who would have thought right?  As I passed them I noticed something small, white and pinched between the passenger’s fingers.  I didn’t give it much thought as some people do still roll cigarettes.  After passing them, then slowing down to let them catch up I saw the look on his face.  That look told me those were no ordinary cigarettes, this guy was “pre gaming” 4/20/10.  I pulled away and didn’t give it much more thought.

Eventually they caught back up to us and I looked over again, now I noticed the driver had that same blank stare.  Now I have nothing against the “wacky weed” I just know that you shouldn’t drive and smoke.  So I started thinking about what they must be thinking.  I could just imagine their conversation going something like this “Dude, is that grey truck following us” he says to the driver, “No way.  Wait a second, I think it is.” She replies back.  ”Do you think its a cop?” He asks.  ”I don’t know, but here he comes again, dude just look normal and put that thing out.” He promptly throws what’s left of the doobie out of the window.  Now of coarse if I had been a cop I would have pulled them over for littering, wrote them a ticket and asked for a hit “Super Trooper” style.  Have a great 4/20 guys!

I recently read an anecdote from another photographer, sorry I forget his name, basically he said that when he picked up a camera for the first time he had his first real spiritual experience.  Now, I am not a very spiritual person, but I feel exactly what he is talking about.  When I pick up a camera and look through that viewfinder its like entering a whole new world.  It’s a world half way between reality and imagination.  Its a place where anything can be real and at the same time not real.  Its a way to share the things that you come across with others.  It could be as simple as a child’s face or it could be as odd as a lipstick kiss someone left on a wall.  Taking a photograph can be whatever you want it to be, it can be an extremely complicated shot or it could be just a click of the shutter release on a beautiful day.   You never know what you might find after you hit that little button.