They laughed when I sat down to play.

Many years ago an advertisement for the U.S. School of Music ran in newspapers throughout America. It was written by a very famous copywriter named John Caples. It was all about teaching people to play the piano and how shocked those in the audience would be when,in fact, the person could actually play. I never responded to that advertisement based upon my musical ability; another reason might have been it was written in 1925.

Having an ear for music is a true gift. It's not that I am incapable of appreciating music, I just can't play it---no matter what Mr. Caples wrote more than 85 years ago. It's when you see a young child sit down and play, you know there is something in them. We all have our talents.

Yesterday one of our daughters had a cello recital. Not one where a number of musician's played, but more of a cello critique for a limited number of students. The man who did the critiquing was very kind, soft spoken, and had one incredible ear for music. When the kids would play, he would write down if there was a single bar, note, or moment of timing off. Not that he was being overly critical, he wanted them to learn. It was really impressive to see him listen, write and then finally give his point of view in a matter of moments. Through it all he did something that was most impressive---he would critique their performance and no matter what, provide compliments. That's how you get students, no matter what age, to want to continue on.

My daughter really surprised me with her performance; she memorized the piece and played what I thought was flawless piece. I know she made some small errors, but for what I was expecting, she blew me away. The next group up, which were comprised of probably 15 kids, played the music from the DeBeer's commercials. (If you have seen their commercials, you will recognize the music.) That's the best way to explain it. They were outstanding and as I heard the parents talking, they had practiced on a very limited basis together. The man who was doing the critiquing again provided incredible insight on their performance. How he heard what he said he heard, I have no idea. If there was anything off, or out of balance, I had no idea. But as he provided his thinking he did it with compliments and suggestions---not only did the performers appreciate the feedback, the parents did as well. Unlike many people who critique, and destroy the confidence of students, this man raised up their dreams and made them want to be better at what they do. That's a real gift.

So did anyone laugh when they sat down to play...no they only smiled.

The photo above was of the piano at the performance. I have no idea what the white keys do or the black ones, all I know is that when fingers touch them---magic erupts. I may not know how to play a piano but I do recognize that we are all given different gifts in life---for me, the gift of photography is one I am grateful of having.

Thanks for stopping by.

The sole proprietor.

When you own your own business it's more than just a personal risk, it's spread out over all of your employees. Certainly when you are the owner you are more than likely to make the most money of anyone in the company, but the stress placed on your shoulders doesn't go away when you go down the elevator, out the door, or however you leave your place of business.

For some it's a dream to own their own business, for others it's a nightmare. The thought of keeping your own books, understanding all of the details of running a business and making sure everything is in balance is more than just a simple juggling act. When i was unemployed last year I started my own business. Although focusing on photography primarily there are other components to our business. As seamless as I was hoping it would be, as I begin to look into all of the information I need for tax purposes, I realize there is a lot to it. That's when an accountant comes into play. Mine is a friend of mine who I have known for most of my life...she is on my side and really looks out for me.

When I see individuals who have built a business and then sold it I have to wonder if that would be comparable to selling one of your children. I guess it depends upon what your dreams are and whether or not letting go is really in the best interest of your dreams. Think about Bill Gates. Could he really have taken what was a "game changing" idea and turned it into an industry standard without selling the company to stockholders. I don't think he could have---but in the end he still leads and does in many different areas that are well beyond computers. I saw the other day he was publishing his thoughts. Funny I don't think mine would ever get attention---but then again I am not Bill Gates.

When I was in college my Dad was let go from the company he had worked at for decades. Instead of giving up because he was older---he started his own company with my Mom. They made a business out of it, and actually survived longer than the company from where he was let go did. The understanding of how to run a business, along with keen insight of what he did for more than 30 years, let he and my Mom not only survive but thrive. That's what it's all about.

The photo above was taken at Laguardia airport in New York City. I had seen this man behind the counter a few times as I ventured down to the food court at the airport. I finally went up to him and asked if he was the owner. He said, "Yes may I help you with something?" I went on to discuss how I could tell he was the owner because of the pride he took with his "space" and customers; I think he was a little surprised---this was in New York after all. Turns out he has more than one restaurant however this is the one he enjoys the most. It allows him to interact with people who are likely never going to see him again and he just wants to make sure they enjoy what they are going to be eating. That's the sign of a proprietor---the one who makes America the land of opportunity.

Thanks for stopping by.

Days gone by.

When I think about how we’re in the year 2010, I no longer say, “Where has the time gone?” I now wonder, “What’s next?”

When I was young I used to watch a TV show called the Jetson’s. I would think, “There is no way we will ever have half of this stuff in my lifetime.” I mean can you imagine a device that let’s you walk in place with your dog? A treadmill. The ability to actually see the person you are talking with through a TV screen anywhere in the world? The Internet and Skype. And the best one of all flying cars? Okay, two out of three ain’t bad.

What’s amazing about the above inventions? They all have come about in the last 30 years give or take a few. Which if you do the math, let’s you know there have been tremendous accomplishments in a very short period of time.

So back to my question, “What’s ahead?”

Recently I saw a video that was both amazing and alarming. It showed a working model of a device you wore on your chest that allowed people to learn about your interests, provided a detailed look through the bar code about a company and their corporate stance on the environment, a virtual watch and phone, plus hundreds of other applications. You are probably thinking, “Yeah but its $200,000.” Actually the working model would have set you back $350.00. Yes you read that correctly.

Now keep in mind it’s not ready for mass production, but when it is, it will be much smaller and a lot less expensive. How will we feel about it? Will we let our children use it? Are there safety concerns? This is more than a technological advancement; it’s a social change that will provide more insight than we might be comfortable in showing. But is this different that Facebook, My Space, Twitter and Google? I am not sure.

Which bring us to the photo above. Not many years ago kids and adults road bikes to and from wherever they were going. Could be the store, a friend’s house, anywhere. But now as we have multiple cars and less time---we do everything we can to make sure we can squeeze anything into our day. From a visit over the phone while we are driving to shopping online to eating fast food for more and more of our meals. The days are gone when a slower lifestyle was the “norm”---hopefully we will one day find a way to bring a piece of the “norm” back into normality.

Thanks for stopping by.

iApple.

Yesterday three events captured the attention of millions of American’s. In no particular order of importance, just based upon the timing they occurred, Apple launched it’s new iPad, American Idol travelled to Los Angeles, and President Barack Obama gave his annual “State of the Union” address. Now in normal less euphoric times these events would be in reverse order, but we are not in normal times.

When Steve Jobs unveiled the new iPad, it was as if the “next big way of technology” was being introduced to us. Oh, it was. What we are about to encounter, and Mr. Jobs does say it well when he starts a meeting with the following…”We want to kick off 2010 by introducing a truly magical and revolutionary product today”…is something that will likely be found in briefcases, backpacks, and bedrooms for years to come. You might be thinking, heard that one before…and yes, you did. He said something similar when he introduced the iPod and the iPhone. These were not new category launches---we did have MP3 players and cell phones after all--- but these products turned their categories on their heads.

Not bad for a company a little less than 10 years ago was slated to be out of business in a few years.

I am an Apple user; I have been for years. You know you are different when people who are sitting next to you on a train or in a public area ask, “How do you like your Apple?” I have never asked anyone, “So how do you like your Dell?” When I had an iPod, I remember people asking, “What is that?” They would say, “It really can play that many songs?” It could. Now if I still had it, I would be laughed at for using something so big and not being able to take video, watch shows or looking at pictures on it. Oh, iPod envy.

What should be interesting is when in the next couple of years the iPad becomes a staple at schools. The belief behind it is, this product will replace many forms of media we currently use. It could likely become your newspaper, magazine, music and television all rolled up into a small tablet. How cool is that?

Remember, when the iPod came out iTunes was not around. In a matter of a couple of years this too changed the way we bought music. No more CD’s, now we just buy a song that we really want---and not the songs we use to get as part of the CD. Apple is now the world’s largest music store---that only took less than 6 years to achieve.

If you think I own Apple stock you are wrong; I would like to have bought a lot when it was trading at $5.00 per share….it now trades at $200. I would not be worrying about money any more had I bought it.

The photo above was taken at a car show in Idaho. As this big “candy apple” red Caddy maneuvered its way into a space, I couldn’t help but think about how not so long ago this size car was the norm and small cars were rarely seen. A lot has changed since this car rolled off the assembly line; we now listen to music on a device no larger than a pack of thin cigarettes, we talk on phones that have no cords, and now we have a small tablet that’s about ready to change our lives. Get ready for the future---you could be holding it soon in your hands.

Thanks for stopping by.

Last dance.

This decade has started out pretty much as expected for most people, except for the people of Haiti. Unless you have lived in a cave or have been away from all media for an extended period of time, you are most likely aware of the devastation that has turned this island into a poster child for mass mourning.

Of course there have been other disasters around the globe this year including airplane crashes, flooding, and bitterly cold weather, but nothing compares to what I saw on Friday night. You know something is a huge deal when all of the broadcast networks broadcast the same show at the same time. For some, the last time they may have seen a similar occurrence was when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated---I was 5 years old and I remember I wanted to watch cartoons. The difference? The networks were broadcasting identical coverage in 1963---all day---for several days. They could not allow for that to happen in however in 2010 because they would lose too much advertising revenue.

What I think is very important about the event on Friday night was how people worked together to help a country that was in dire need of food, water and medical supplies. I am not sure of the annual GNP of Haiti, but I would suspect the dollars flowing in at this time, and hopefully being distributed to those who are truly in need, are near or in excess of what would normally be generated for the entire year on the island. The difference is, the cost to clean up, re-build, and take care of the population on the island will likely far exceed the amount of money coming in. Haiti is going to take a long time to recover unless something miraculous happens to get it back on its feet; it has to act fast as they depend heavily on tourism for a majority of their income.

A few years back, the skies near our home darkened and in a matter of seconds all of the homes did as well; the power was lost for 4 days after a tornado moved down a street directly to the north of us. In a moment it took with it all of the power lines that provided electricity to our “grid.” It was like, as I am told, the tornado followed the road and cleared everything in its path. (And this was considered a small tornado.) For us, it was an inconvenience; we lost a tree and other replaceable items, but it was the miracle that happened, that proved to be the difference of what might have occurred during a violent storm. My daughter was sitting in the family room watching TV and instead of a 60+ year old tree falling against the house and shattering windows wear she sat, it miraculously fell across our neighbor’s fence and deck. Although the previous weekend he had painted his deck, he was more than happy to replace it in comparison with what might have happened.

In the U.S. we are actually fortunate the infrastructure is as good as it is---sure cities along the west coast are more prone for earthquakes, and those along the shores are more likely to have hurricane’s and floods---but fortunately (and this can be very frustrating and devastating for those who are affected by them) our government has the means to get the process moving. Although slow at times, it still has the process in place---just ask the people of Haiti what the difference is.

The photo above was taken about 18 months ago when a 100-year storm hit our area for the 4th time in 5 years; the good news, based upon simple mathematics, we should not expect one like this for 500 more years. Our basement became a sewer, and the items that were not recovered in time became floating reminders of how much water can accumulate in a short period of time. We have re-built the basement, and we should be much better prepared based upon all the structural work---but it’s like when you think you are ready for the big dance, and you put on your pink dancing shoes (I have no idea where these came from) and you get the flu. Thankfully for most of us we recover---hopefully the same will be said for those devastated by natural disasters.

Thanks for stopping by.

NBA Art.

I am not a big fan of tattoos, but that’s just my opinion.

The other night I went to a freshman high school basketball game and one of the players on the opposing team had several tattoos on his arms. One appeared to be a scripture of some sort, however I was not close enough to see it. But I have to wonder what happens if they spell a word wrong? I should have taken a picture, but didn’t. (I know I am as surprised as you probably are at this moment.)

Although well aware that tattoos are very much in vogue, I have explained to my kids that if they make the decision to decorate their bodies with tattoos they are on their own from that point on. My reasoning is fairly sound---I told them this is a drawing line. When kids under the age of 18 make life-long decisions I feel it is best the parent be involved. We’re not talking about what jeans to buy or hairstyle to wear---we are talking about something that has the potential to be with you for the next 60 to 70 years depending on how long you live.

When I was growing up tattoos were not something you saw often when you went to the fair, amusement park or sporting events. Maybe they were there, perhaps I didn’t notice them. But when I now go to any of the above venues, I am a minority---that’s the way it goes.

I actually have had many conversations with people who have tattoos and their reasoning for having them is often quite sound. Sometimes it’s in honor of a deceased friend or member of the family---or a particular passion they have and know it will always be a part of their lives. That’s cool. But when you have skeletons, dragons and spider webs all over your neck face and arms, I don’t know, it just seems over the top. I also have to wonder, “How do they get a job?”

There is one profession where tattoos are very much a part of the look---the NBA. When Dennis Rodman played for the Chicago Bulls he was probably one of the most “decorated’ players in the league. Combine that with orange, green and checkerboard hair, and you had a very interesting look. Players such as Allen Iverson, LeBron James and countless other stars have their dedications, feelings and loved ones exposed to millions of eyes who watch them play. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I was never very good in basketball. Who knows?

The photo above was taken at Bulls game last season; there was something about the tattoos that caught my attention. I think it had to do with the progression from one player to the other----one had a small number, the other more, and the last one, well a bunch. I have no idea what their artwork is symbolic of, but I am sure it is something they are proud enough to wear for the rest of their lives.

Thanks for stopping by.

The 8-hour day.

We have all had jobs we really despise. If you have not, consider yourself lucky. I am not talking about jobs such as babysitting your brother or sister, or working on the lawn for the luxury of having a room at your home, I am referring to the jobs that you knew, when you took them, were never going to be the ones you stayed at too long.

My first job, and this is fitting I guess, was a bagel baker. At age 15 you look for ways to make your first few dollars because these are the ones that allow you the freedom to buy things there’s little or no way you could afford on your allowance. It’s funny because as a bagel maker I would wake up on Saturday morning at 5:15 AM and head to work. That meant every Friday I would have to come home early because I had to go to work the next morning---sure enough, because I got up at that ridiculous hour, I was tired on Saturday night. So goes the rationale for my first job.

But I stuck with it---I mean it did pay $1.65 an hour, more than I had made as a baby sitter or lawn cutter. My first purchase…a pair of Bauer Supreme hockey skates for $150.00. That may not seem like a lot, but this was 1973. In today’s dollars that would be well over $500.

More jobs came and went; from selling Christmas ornaments and women’s shoes at a local retailer---my Mom helped me get the job as she was one of the star sellers of women’s hosiery at the store. The best part of working there---I met a lot of girls. I mean when you are selling women’s shoes the people shopping tend to be women; I was horrible at selling, I was very good at schmoozing.

During college I worked at a women’s wear manufacturing plant where my Dad was an executive. I worked in a much different area then he did---I was on the loading and shipping dock, he was in the executive offices. He did a great job, I was there for the money and it showed.

As I made it out of college, after stints as a camp counselor, advertising sales person for the campus newspaper and other jobs, I knew what I wanted to do and what I didn’t want to do. First and foremost, I didn’t want to have a boring job. When I hear people describe their jobs----accountant, tax attorney, and other occupations I would never have the desire to do---I realize that learning early in life what you do is the best education you can have.

The photo above was taken at the Art Museum in Chicago; it’s very apparent that this guard is elsewhere in his thoughts as he appears to be “holding up the wall” after a very long day. I am sure he is either on an island, at a ballgame, or doing something other than his role as a security guard protecting priceless works of art. For those who love the arts, this would be a dream job---for him, he appears to be dreaming how to leave it as soon as he can.

Thanks for stopping by.

What's inside?

Last year we went to Mexico for the day. We did not stay overnight and we were very well aware that the border towns were having security issues. I was only moderately happy about being there as I knew that there was some danger. But then again as someone who likes to take pictures, putting yourself in uncomfortable positions is what being a photographer is all about. At least if you are taking pictures other than weddings and birthdays.

When we crossed the border, it was very apparent we were welcome, but only to a degree. My wife's uncle was with us and he not only speaks fluent Spanish, he knew how to work his way around the town. This was not our first time there, but it was the first time I knew we were being watched---both as outsiders and tourists. As we walked around the town I saw something I had not seen in previous trips over the border; there was military all around and the machine guns they were carrying let us know they were not there for show. I didn't take too many photos of the military, but I did take some. It was the look that I "thought" they were giving me that convinced me that asking them to pose was probably not a good idea.

If you have been to a border town then you know there are some very poor people who live there. When you look at them you know they are only asking for help---they are not bad people. Life has just dealt them a bad hand. What amazes me is some of the products they sell there---whether it's the latest movie being bootlegged or pharmaceuticals that are available just by walking into the store, they sell it and it seems that a lot of the vendors have the same products. I have never purchased anything from one of these street vendors, but we have bought some souvenirs. I am the proud owner of a jeep type vehicle that's made of very heavy car parts. Why did I buy it? Because I knew I didn't want the bootlegged movie or drugs. it's very cool actually and it was very reasonably priced.

Americans are welcome at these stores because they have the money to spend; however, if you are someone from the town you are not welcome into many of them

The photo above is of a little girl who is wondering what's going on in the store we were in. She was hanging around to see what was inside as it is very likely she has never been inside. Very sad when you think she has as much of a right to be there, but all she can do is wonder what she's missing. Hopefully one day she will be able to find out.

Thanks for stopping by.

The Challenge.

Last night a friend who reads “Snap. Shot.” asked if I thought I could take a picture and write about it the same day. I said, “Of course I could.” So today I am up for the challenge…I will take a picture I think is good enough for the blog and will write about it all in the same day.

This morning I was attending the grand opening of the new “Recreational Center” in our town; I was there to photograph it. As a photographer you take pictures of some very exciting events and sometimes the "not so exciting ones." When I sense this is happening, I usually look for ways to create something interesting for myself and anyone who will be looking at the pictures.

To sum up what I was told to do, you will quickly understand why I went to search for more interesting topics to shoot. The first set of photos to be taken were of the head of the park district making comments about those responsible for the building---then I was to take pictures of the ribbon cutting. Okay, I have never taken pictures of a ribbon cutting, but it is pretty much what you would expect.

So I am thinking, “How am I going to live up to this challenge from last night?”

As I headed downstairs from the opening comments, I knew the next photos were probably going to require something truly interesting to fulfill the challenge. After looking at the ribbon cutting photos I knew this was not going to be as easy as I thought it was going to be.

Turns out the ribbon cutting took place by the rock-climbing wall---a very tall rock-climbing wall. I started to take some photos of the wall and one of the directors came up and said, “Would you like to take pictures from the top of the wall?” I looked up and said, “And how would I get up there?” I was told there was a ladder inside and if I was not too concerned about climbing it, it was very narrow, I could take pictures from up top. I said, “Sure.” It was narrow, and although the ladder was not hard to climb, there were steps that had obstructions in the way. Not a big deal, unless you have a camera with you.

But I made it, and sure enough I knew at that point I was going to be able to live up to this challenge and get some very fun photos. I won’t discuss the trip down the wall, but one thing I forgot to do was put the camera around my neck---so I was holding it as I went down the steps. Not a big deal, but the stairs going down were just as challenging as going up---now I got to balance a camera too.

The photo above was taken of one of the board members climbing the wall---in a tie of all things! He knew I was taking pictures and looked up when he got to the top. I really appreciated his playing to the camera as it made for a much more interesting photo---you can see how high up we were. As it turned out, there were many photos to take after the opening comments---it just goes to show if you go out and believe you will find what you are looking for, it’s always worth the challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mascots.

It seems every professional sports team has a mascot. Some make sense and really resonate with the team name, and some you have to scratch your head to figure out what were they thinking? In the case of Benny the Bull he is a great fit for the Chicago Bulls.

Benny is a bit rambunctious; he runs on the court, leaps over chairs and sprays Silly String into the hair of unsuspecting fans. He’s a lot of fun to watch, unless you are the center of his attention---then the fun might stop if you are not playing along with it.

At the game last Friday night, Benny was in full form. Before the game he raced around the court with the huge Bulls flag, sat on the laps of some very attractive women who were there with their boyfriends and husbands, and ran up the steps banging a drum. He doesn’t care---he has fun. One of the funniest incidents that night involved a woman who apparently was enjoying herself a little too much as she swayed back and forth in a drunken dance with him. She was doing everything she could to show off and boy he loves to give people like this a hard time.

As a part of the game, t-shirts and other items are thrown and shot into the stands. Benny made a point of letting this woman know if she danced right, she was going to be the lucky winner of a shirt. She gave it her all and you could tell she was sure she was going to be the proud recipient of a cheap Bulls shirt. She was wrong as it went sailing into the stands several rows in back of her. The crowd roared with laughter. She not only was embarrassed but it was all captured on the “JumboTron” for the entire stadium to see.

Later on in the game he wanted to make amends and gave her a pair of men’s briefs that look like they came from the men’s room. She was not happy but we were.

I have seen other mascots perform at stadiums but Benny the Bull is my favorite; yes he can be annoying, and he has had punches thrown at him for embarrassing the wrong person, but he certainly brings the fans to their feet. That’s what he’s supposed to do, right?

The photo above signifies what a mascot is really all about at games. They are an extension of the team---and when all goes well, they help keep the flow of the game heading in the right direction. They also understand that the game is great for kids---that’s why I like this picture. When you are with Benny, he is there to make you enjoy what’s going on when the action stops on the court---when he puts his arm around you, he wants you to know he is happy you came to spend time with him.

Thanks for stopping by.

Looking for a place to land.

They come into our world as “sponges” and throughout the next 22+ years they gain knowledge and understanding of who they are, what they want to be, and where they want to leave their impression in this world. It takes time to grow up, and time to figure out where you want to land. The question is, “Will it be a smooth or rough landing?”

With as many kids as we have in our blended family, they are all in various life stages; we know there will be changes in theirs, and our lives, for many years to come. Our oldest has been out of college now for more than 3 years and has now made a big move to take hold of his future. He is a very diligent and a wonderful kid (sorry, he’s still my son) but what’s most important is he has done what every parent looks for as they grow up---the move toward independence. Although he has been independent since leaving for college, a few weeks ago he started a job that is going to help guide his future on a number of different fronts. From professional to social, this change is the best thing he could have done for himself.

Our oldest daughter is in the process of determining her future; as her college years are nearing their end, she is truly “looking for her place to land.” Having “smartly” majored in business---and minored in music---she is preparing for her next step as a professional businessperson. But, knowing what to do, and where to land is a delicate decision. As I have explained to her, at least I hope I have, it’s okay to follow your heart and do what you think is the right decision. The good news is, you can always make what I call a “left hand turn” if things don’t go as planned. In other words you don’t have to remain on the same path should life require some adjustments along the way.

As a parent we all want our kids to do as well or better than we have done. However, there are some parents that place their children on “the” impossible pedestal in life---I am not referring to this---we just want our kids to do well and be happy with their decisions. As far as the parents who push their kids too hard---we all know people who have these traits.

My pride for my children is based upon what they have done to make their lives better; my son is a much better writer than I will ever be, my oldest daughter can carry a tune (we have addressed my lack of singing ability in a previous Snap. Shot.) and our other daughters are athletic, smart, artistic, and gifted in other areas. What’s interesting is I have a genetic deficiency where they excel. What’s best about each one of their individual talents is they are learning what they are good at and what their futures could very well entail.

The photo above was taken in South Padre, Texas. I had never been close to pelican, they are huge; as I stood on a pier, and watched the setting sun all I could see was this bird looking for a place to land. Funny how we all need to find our paths in life.

Thanks for stopping by.

Waiting for summer.

In a little more than 4 months, Chicago and the Northern U.S. will be celebrating the “start of summer” as Memorial Day kicks off the annual tradition.

Looking at life outside right now, it’s hard to believe, but we say that every year; but sure enough, we gradually begin to see signs that “Mother Nature is alive and well and remembers the agreement she made when the cold weather came in the fall.” There have been a few years where she has fallen short; for example, last summer we didn’t have as many warm days and we truly missed it. We have a limited window for our weather, so when the window closes we have to batten down the hatches and wait till next year.

Although hard for me to understand, there are many people I know who really love this time of the year. We have little in common in our opinions about the weather---however, they like the cold, outdoor fun, and joys of the long winter season. I still don’t get it, and never will.

During the spring and summer here in Chicago life comes back and it comes back strong. We love the beach, being out of doors, and best of all the food that comes with the warm summer season. If you have been here during the summer, the sidewalks are full as visitors and dining tables push out to the streets with little room to maneuver. There is laughter, there is crowd watching, and best of all there is warm weather.

The beach is an area I really like to take photos; sure it’s great people watching, and the activities do make for very interesting photos. But it’s the special days and nights that really make the beach an incredible place----before anyone arrives you will experience incredible sunrises as the sun makes its entrance from over the lake. At the end of the day, we have incredible sunsets, but this time the sun makes its exit over the trees that are very much a part of the region. A setting sun shining through the trees, a brook, or a barn is something that you can’t describe with words, you need a picture.

The photo above was taken last winter; these structures are alive during the summer, but silent during the winter times. Obviously someone was hoping one of them was open as the foot tracks make a path to the window---give it 4 more months and we’ll see you at the beach.

Thanks for stopping by.

Head games.

Throughout life we meet a lot of people. Some we immediately gravitate toward, and others well…we don’t. One thing I have learned over the years is being true to who you are will always come back to help you through life’s obstacles.

Recently, as written in “Snap. Shot,” my youngest daughter had a seizure. Since it has been well explained as to what we encountered, that’s not today’s subject---today’s topic deals with “head games.” Now for many of us, we see this as a negative. But as I see it, it’s really very positive. This past week we have been very fortunate to re-connect with many friends, who, due to very busy lives we have lost touch. What’s very cool about re-connecting is trying to realize why we drifted. Was it something we said? Was it something we did? More important, did they find someone they enjoyed being with?
This is what internal head games are all about.

What we learned---as many friends “contacted” us---was no one knew why we stopped seeing one another. All of our concerns were unjustified as it turned out that “life took over.” It just happens.

This past weekend my wife was out of town with one of our daughters---it was a cheerleading competition. The entire week before, she had devoted her life to our youngest daughter, and now she was able to spend time with the girls---she excels at both. She, however, had more fun with the “older girls”---guaranteed. I knew she would enjoy the time she was going to have with them, but nothing like what I heard when she came back.

She knew these women from the neighborhood but had never really spent much time with them. They have their friends, she has hers, and it was a chance weekend that brought them together. It was as if the stars aligned and she went from a passing “hello” to really “engaged” talk. Although I don’t have specifics, it was a lot different than she thought it would be. They talked, they laughed, they bonded--- most important, they shared. These were not the head games we all know where cheap chatter is the norm---this was real. Six women discussing their lives. What did they have in common? Their daughters? Husbands? Jobs? No, they had the desire to talk about life and felt connected enough to do it with people they really didn’t know all well. (In other words, Big Chill meets Breakfast Club for all of those who remember these movies.)

The photo above is from an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution. I am not sure which building it was in, but when I saw it I knew this was a very fun and unusual photo. I was not disappointed when I saw the outcome. Similar to the head games people play, you can always find something “real” about the person who is playing them. All you have to do is find a real point of interest and the history of the head games are put to rest.

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Time out.

If there is one thing a child hates to hear it's, "Okay, you have a time out." It's funny because as an adult, I think those words would be music to my ears. I know exactly what I would do. I would look the person right in they eyes, turn around and walk up straight to my room. I would close the door, not slam it, and hop into bed. Instead of the expected tears you would hear from a child, you would see a smile on my face. Ahhh...peace and quiet.

Of course there are 2 reasons we adults don't get time outs. One is because we are the ones giving them out and secondly we all feel pretty much the same as to what we would do if we received them. I know at my age if I received a minute for each year of my life---standard practice---we're looking at nearly an hour of rest. That would be more than okay by me.

As a kid I don't remember hearing about time outs; I heard a number of times about "getting my mouth washed out with soap" and of course the old, "I will break your neck," (Mine is still in good form after all of those threats) but never a time out. Could this be a development that grew out of the 60s and 70s? I have to believe during the decades of "free love" and "mod" that doing something as disgusting as using soap and breaking one's neck fell out of vogue. Who knows?

In our house the time out is usually held at the bottom of the stairs or in the offender's bed room. By their reaction you would think there was some major abuse going on. I can assure you there is not. They usually come about after one of them says something to the other, could be "I hate you" or "So and so hit me" or the best, "I didn't do it" yet they have the paint on their hands. When they do get a time out, we are usually cleaning something up, but we are laughing our heads off as well. It's just great being a parent!!

The photo above is of my nephew. Although it was originally taken because of the cool colors in the room, when I saw his face I knew the picture told a story---he was pissed. He is a really good kid but this day he must have been having an off one. Lucky for me I had my camera in hand to catch it, because when you capture emotion, it just makes you smile. Maybe not him, but me as he was having a time out.

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Fans.

When you think about the players in pro sports, you sometimes have to ask, "What are they thinking?" In just the last month or so, one has come out explaining that he took steroids, one had multi-affairs, and one had 4 guns in his locker. Sure they make good headlines and talk, but that's about all; they continue to reinforce with the fan base that these well known multi-millionaires are out of control. So as fans we continue to pay high prices to be a part of the sport we love knowing that at any time your favorite player can be dragged through the mud---both on the field, and off it.

Look at teams like the Atlanta Falcons---one year they are 8-8 and the next they have one of their worst in 43 years. For those fans who didn't give up on the team, in 2008 the Falcons did make the playoffs. But the embarrassment for the fan base was felt for the entire year and probably still is today--yet those same fans who stuck with the team were paying a lot of money to watch the team and hold on to their season tickets during the good and the bad. I know it's the risk you take for purchasing season tickets, but when the best player on the team is sent to jail for dog fighting, it just seems completely unfair.

Before I went to the game the other night, one of my associates said, "I can't stand the NBA." Because it happens to be my favorite sport, I had to ask, "Why?" I could not argue with his response. He said, "They don't start to try until later in the game, they are grossly overpaid, and many are thugs." Okay, so sue me, but I still "Love this game."

Because I am a white middle-aged male, I know my playing days are over; okay, they actually were never there but I used to dream I would wake up and they would be knocking at my door. I suspect they went to a neighbor. So that left me with loving the teams I grew up with---the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues. (I was never a big St. Louis Cardinals football fan, and the St. Louis Hawks basketball team moved to Atlanta when I was about 7 years old.) Even today, with Mark McGuire coming out saying he used steroids I still am a Cardinals fan. Why? Because like every true fan you know one day the magic is going to come back. When it does, I want to say I was there the entire time. This is the way I also feel about the Chicago Bulls.

The photo above was taken Friday night at the Chicago Bulls game. As the owner of one of those signs, I know they rarely if ever effect the shooting of the opposing players, but it's a lot of fun to be a fan helping to win the game. I do hope the leagues continue to closely monitor the players---the fans are the ones who also take it on the chin, gut and hearts. To think we pay for this!

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Little man in the big league.

When you think of players in the NBA, you would assume that everyone would be taller than my 12-year old daughter. That's not the case.

Last night the Chicago Bulls played the Washington Wizards. What should have been a complete blow out due to the Wizards best player being on the verge of going to jail for gun possession, the game went into double overtime. A bonus for me as I had plenty of media cards to capture photos and the Bulls did win!

One of the players on the Wizard's team is Earl Boykins, a shooting guard. Why isn't he a center or forward? Because Boykins is only 5'5" tall. He would have towered over the shortest player ever to play in the NBA---that was Tyrone "Mugsy" Bogues, who was only 5'3" and retired in 2001. If you think Bogues was ineffective, he scored nearly 7000 points during the 13 years he played in the NBA.

Being tall in the NBA is expected, being of normal height is not; it's when you see these shorter players that you realize how good they must be to beat out players who are on average more than a foot taller than they are. In the case of Boykins, he may not be the shortest to play, but he is the lightest at 133 pounds; he does play hard and avoids getting hit by the bigger players, a smart move if you ask me. To watch him shoot, dribble, and charge the basket it's obvious he has overcome a huge hurdle---height.

At last night's game I was fortunate to have a really good seat. Not the closest I have sat in the United Center, but for sure a direct view of the court. At the angle I was sitting, I was able to focus on the near court and down the floor---capturing any player from a number of different view points. That's how I noticed Boykin's size---when he walked next to the other players it was very obvious how much taller the other players were---but to watch him move toward the basket you would think he was 7 feet tall.

I saw Boykins play when he was with the Milwaukee Bucks a number of years ago and frankly had forgotten about him as you don't hear much about players who are not deemed superstars. In the 10 years he has been playing in the NBA, he has stood tall and lasted longer than most other players--- the number of playing years in the NBA is about half of what Boykins has played so far. In anyone's eyes he would be a superstar for battling as hard as he has and to stay at the top of his game.

The photo above is Boykins driving toward the basket. The person in back of him is Brad Miller who stands 7 feet tall and plays center for the Bulls. Both players are good enough to be in the NBA and play every night. It's when you realize how talented you have to be to play the game, and have what would be considered a real disadvantage, that you know you are seeing something very special when you see Earl Boykins play. For me, it was a very special night.

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Weathering the storm.

This has been a very challenging week. I learned a lot about the human brain, as much as one can, in a very short period of time. My daughter, last Saturday morning, had a seizure. Needless to say we had no idea what was truly going on as she lay limp in my wife’s arms staring off into space with an inability to focus. We thought we lost her.

When we first arrived at the ER---it’s really not like the TV show by the way, doctors and nurses who were ready to take action greeted us. We were questioned about family history, what happened during the moments before arriving at the hospital and signs from that day that something could be happening. We provided every ounce of detail that we knew. It was a nightmare, and like my daughter, I was not able to wake up out of it on the spot.

The hospital we were taken to was the closest to our home; after the doctors and nurses were able to stabilize her, she was then taken to another hospital, by ambulance. Upon arrival, they completely took charge of the situation.

As parents you can never prepare for this situation----but from the moment we walked in the doors of the hospital, we were provided with up-to-date information, and answers to any, and all, questions we had. Then something very interesting happened, and I know this was meant to be; one of the doctors on staff took us aside and opened up to us not as a doctor but as a human being. It was like Marcus Welby (too old for many of you) meets McDreamy. She had recently lost her youngest child and said, “I completely understand what you are going through, and I am going to be completely upfront with you on your daughter’s situation.” As a family, she was our guiding light.

Then it became more apparent as to why she had come into our life.

It turns out she has 6 children, through a blended family, and one of them was at the hospital with her that day. Her daughter is 8 years old, and she was looking for a friend to play with while her Mom worked. Later that morning, my 7-year old daughter came to see her sister and as she lay in bed sleeping, I said, “I would like you to meet someone.” The 2 of them became instant friends.

What did they have in common? They both had the exact same birthdays, had their ears pierced on the same day at the same retailer, plus so much more.

As the situation unfolded, and our daughter’s tests continued to come back negative, we became closer and closer with this wonderful human being who completely understands the role of being a doctor. Because of the bond created, we are planning to get together in the near future as families and we helped her select a camera. How cool is that?

This is a real life pay it forward situation that until recently I would have never believed could happen. I have made a personal promise to reciprocate if, and when, the need ever arises. No hesitation what so ever.

The photo above was taken in downtown Chicago; waiting too long, this bird was flying into a storm that had been gathering for several minutes. It now faced a much more difficult journey than it was planning as the sunny skies turned dark---I am assuming it made it home. We had some very dark clouds move into our life this past week---we are hoping that the sun has broken through as my daughter came home last night. It was a week I will never forget.

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Haiti

Being on an island is a very different experience. Surrounded by water, it's a very odd feeling when you think, "I am in the middle of nowhere and on an island." It's when you have a situation like that of Haiti, that you realize how truly isolated you really are---and they are near land!

I have been to Port-au-Prince when I was on a cruise ship; the island of Haiti is very pretty, and that's what you see as a tourist when you travel there. You don't see the poverty that makes up the majority of the island. You are exposed to the poverty only when the residents of the island ask you for money; they are usually quickly swept away so they are not bothering you. Tourism is so important to Haiti that they don't want anything to take away from the island experience.

What happened this past week on the island of Haiti was horrific, but not really too much of a surprise when you consider how poor this island really is. Unlike other islands in the Atlantic and Caribbean, it's hard to imagine what it must be like to live there but I say that about some of the states I have visited here in the U.S.

I do hope it recovers, but unlike other areas that have been hit by devastation, the concern comes in the form of corruption and concern of dollars not being funneled into the areas that really need it. I hope I am wrong. The people of Haiti are in a horrible spot right now---and no matter the weather they have, it's not paradise right now. I hope they recover because they deserve to live a better life than they are living right now.

The photo above is paradise. Taken in South Padre Island, TX it was a capture I waited and waited for---this was actually a sunrise and it seemed to take forever to make its appearance. It was well worth the wait as the water was calm, the skies clear, and the sun a bright orange circle. When I took this picture I was not sure how it was going to come out---when I looked at the view finder in back, I knew there was something special about it. I also knew it would be one that could end up on a wall---it did.

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What would our forefather's say?

When Betsy Ross was sewing the flag in 1777, I doubt she would have had any idea that the creation would show up on the bottom of pants, as rags worn the hair, or even on doorways.

I happen to love the flag; to me it is one of the most beautiful creations I have seen. Based upon the number of photos I have taken of the "Stars and Stripes" it would be hard not to figure this out. I think one of the reasons I love the flag so much is because of my favorite holiday---the 4th of July. Even when I see the flag from a distance, I will stop and look---or better yet, when I am driving and I see an enormous flag, I am transfixed. The way it flows in the wind and hangs during the times when it is waiting for wind to unravel it.

When I was at the Smithsonian Institution a few years back, I saw the flag as it was being repaired. It was very apparent they knew how painstakingly accurate the entire process needed to be. I mean it is the flag after all. Of what I recall the flag took up and entire room, was pretty much air tight and was not touched by human hands. It was quite a process.

The photo above was taken outside of Galena, IL. I was driving and saw the flag on the door of a house---I was both moved by it and kind of ashamed. I see the flag as one of the most important symbols of America---it's not something that we can take lightly. Next time you see the red, white and blue and take a moment and think about what it has done for you and the freedom it presents. You will know why it should not be on a door or the bottom of your pants.

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There is no grey area.

Of course I can not say I am surprised by the admission by Mark McGuire that he took steroids. If you saw pictures of McGuire when he played for the Oakland A's you would see a much smaller, leaner player. This same player hit 49 home runs his rookie season, so you know he must have the talent to pop the ball out of the park.

I saw McGuire play when he was with the Cardinals and he was a very big man. He also seemed to be a caring man---at least by appearance. I really don't know much about his personality but I did enjoy the relationship he had on the field with his son. To hear my Mom say it when he was in the home run race with Sammy Sosa, she would say he was such a good man and loved and cared for his son and the city of St. Louis. I don't know what his true feelings are about St. Louis, but I do know he will be well received by the city because that's the way the town is.

We were joking in the office today about this situation; one of my associates said that the one guy who did not "juice" was Ken Griffey, Jr. I asked how he knew and he said, you just know it. This is the same guy who missed many games during the seasons he played. I don't know much about "Junior" but he did have a beautiful swing.

The photo above is from the 500 section at U.S. Cellular in Chicago. Jim Tomme, the former Chicago White Sox player, hit a home run. The picture maybe in Black and White, but the photo is very colorful just the same. I do wish the game was not so questionable as I really did like the race during the 1998 season. It's too bad it will for sure carry an asterisk.

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Windows on life.

Of course we all know what a window is, but isn't it amazing how the world changes when you look through it? I have always enjoyed taking pictures where a window is a part of the photo. Whether a reflection, peak into a home, or looking in or out of it, there is much to be seen.

A number of years ago there was a contest for photographers who took photos on a particular day---the day was the 4th of July. What was interesting about the contest was how they looked at this day through a wide open window. Of what I recall, the photos truly painted a picture of what was happening all around America. From the far West to the Heartland to Maine---no area of the country was left out. The reason I liked it so much was the 4th of July is far and away my favorite holiday.

When I worked for a magazine called Sunset, they had a feature in the magazine called, "Window on the West." It was always one of my favorite things to read each month as it provided a real "snap shot" (hmmm) of what was going on around the Western U. S. What was so cool about it? The photography and the writing---it made you want to go to the place they were writing about.

The photo above is an example of a window on the west. Taken in Monterey, CA at a B&B, there are two components to the picture. You have the inside shot of a very worn window; one you can be sure has a few stories to tell as the home we were staying in was more than 75 years old and has probably welcomed many thousands of guests. Then you have the view through the window that looks to me like an old sea town---when placed all together you have a story to tell that only a photograph can capture. That's why I love a good snap shot.

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Humility.

Just when you think you are very good at something, you learn there might be someone who is even better than you are at that very same thing. Might be singing, dancing, or even taking pictures…but learning about this in the real world helps you learn how to be humble. A very good trait for all of us to know as we get older.

I have had a conversation with many people about this when we are talking about the best of the best in their community. It’s that 7 year old who is showing break out ability in baseball, that young girl who sings that National Anthem at a sporting event, or the person who spells “Lackadaisical” and does it in that very same manner. They get people talking and often times it starts with the parents. However, they soon learn there are others who can do the same thing---and sometimes better. It’s a real reality check.

My favorite analogy is in the world of little league baseball. There are about 12 million boys and girls, between the ages of 6-15, who play in an organized league. Of those 12 million, the number whittles down fast as they age; if they play college baseball, the number has now been reduced to 4,000. It’s when the 7 year old is now elevated to pro status that you realize the statistics are not in your favor as there are a little more than 1250 players in all of MLB. These 1250 players were far and away the best of the very best on their teams---and it’s the 1250th who is sitting somewhere he has not sat before … on the bench.

I learned this hard reality when I was in 1^st grade…one I have never forgotten. The first baseball team I played on was in St. Louis, MO. If you know anything about St. Louis, they love baseball, and it gets really hot and humid during the summer. So, when you are playing, your goal is to not be out in the field for too long. Our first team spent a lot of time in the field, we knew it very well. There was one game, and this was before the "slaughter" rule, where we spent over 2 hours in the field. In fact, we only batted one time and the other team, batted for 2 hours. That year, to no surprise, we went 0-15. That was a reality check.

The next year, we were all on the same team, we won 3 games—2 years later, we won 12 games and went to the playoffs. What happened? We learned the game and we knew how to lose, but really hated it, and liked winning more! By the way, no one from that team played past 12 years of age, because hockey came to St. Louis.

The photo above reminds me of the early days I played baseball. We would stand and watch the pitcher pitch as we sweated in the field. The difference is, this pitcher is a pro, and he could throw it down the middle of the plate---our pitchers could not. So what’s the reality check here? This photo was taken at a Cubs game in 2008 when the Philadelphia Phillies were in town. The Cubs were hot and were on a long win streak---they were talking this was the year to end the 100 years of not winning the championship. Confidence was high. What they didn’t realize that day was they were playing the next World Series Champion as the Phillies went on to win it all. Life can be humbling.

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Life off the highway.

If you have travelled along America's highways you sometimes will see things that are out of the ordinary. Whether it's a hawk sitting on a sign, smoke in the distance from burning leaves, or a barn that sets off the road...traveling these roads allows you to zone out and zero into surroundings you might not see in a big city.

Over the past 30 years I have travelled the highways throughout the Midwest,I have seen a lot while driving. I have been in a storm that spun a car completely around in the median, had a highway close down because of a horrible accident where the truck actually melted under extreme heat from burning fuel, and have witnessed a sports car pass me at more than 120 MPH. I was doing 80 and it was past me in a moment. I saw the car coming up from behind and within a moment is was well past me.

One of my favorite things to do when I am traveling is to get off the beaten track or in this case the well worn highway. By taking an exit and then traveling a mile or so you find more than you ever thought you would.

The photo above was one I never thought I would see. I was in Amish country and in the distance was a buggy and large clouds. It was one of those photos you can only wish for. Because the buggy was moving away I had only a few moments to capture it. It's one of the benefits of looking off the road when everyone is traveling down it.

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Away from home.

When it comes to being rural, I am not. Not even close. But for someone who doesn’t want to live on a farm or small city, I really do like to visit. One of my favorite subjects are barns---they may not smile or show emotion, but they are just beautiful to look at especially with blue skies and white clouds in the background.

Although I have not lived in what would be deemed rural America, my father was born in a small town in Iowa. Once while visiting Pella, IA, I stopped by the town he was born, Monroe, and walked around. I was in a suit and you can bet I was out of place---but I felt very much a part of being there. The year I went was my Dad’s 75^th birthday and to help him celebrate I took a picture of the water tower (it had the name “Monroe Wildcats” on it) and then called the Chamber of Commerce. My reason? I wanted the Mayor to wish my Dad happy 75^th. It turned out the Mayor only worked part time but the woman who I spoke with said, “I know he would be happy to do it.”

As it turned out, I don’t think it was as well received as I had thought it would be---it was hokey but how often do you turn 75? For those keeping track, that would be once.

My wife’s family lives in South Texas; think really South Texas and you are on track. It’s about 30 minutes from the border of Mexico. This past year we drove from Chicago to Harlingen, TX, where they live, and vowed to never do it again. But we did see a lot of rural America along the way---if you have never driven in Texas you are missing a lot of open land and a span of about 700+ miles from one end to the other. I had no idea a state could be that big.

The photo above is from my wife’s Uncle’s ranch. He had just purchased a herd of cattle and, well, we were able to get up close and personal. I was behind a barbed-wire fence when I took the picture as there was a bull nearby. When I took started to take them it was if they were ready to pose—especially the calf. I am not sure if it was more curiosity or the desire to see if I wanted to play, however I was just fine from where I stood as I did not want to meet his Dad up close.

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Times have changed.

As players command bigger salaries and the fan can only afford so much to watch a game or buy a partial or full season ticket, there had to be some type of change to make this whole thing work.

If you were to travel back 25 years, it was very likely the only advertising you would see in a stadium was above the field, ice or floor. Boy has that changed. Now players wear ads, the playing areas have them fully integrated so everyone is receiving a message of some sort. Even football had its players decked out this year---although for a good cause, the wearing of pink gloves was a sign that marketing was omnipresent. I don’t think we would be making any comments to lineman about their choice of color however---just an observation!

I am not a purist by any means, and I do realize that players want what the market will pay them, but the first time I saw for example an advertisement on the ice at a hockey game, I thought, “where is this all heading?” Of what I recall, and it did make sense, it was for an “ice” beer. Even though it had more synergy than say an ad for a car, it was a change---as they see it, space anywhere means more money.

The photo above demonstrates some of the biggest changes I have seen in sports. Sure football and basketball have their cheerleaders, and baseball its mascots, but what about the women who shovel the ice in hot pants at NHL games? I am not sure if this is an “around the league phenomena” or just in Chicago, but if they are looking for fan involvement, they’ve got it. Chicago Black Hawk fans are completely different than Chicago Bulls fans and they can not get enough of these women. Although both teams play in the same stadium, the changing of the court to ice and vice versa brings out a completely different fan base.

To be honest, you can tell these women are actually into the game and they are very good skaters---certainly not a bad idea if you are going to be doing the clean up duty at an NHL game. I am not sure what’s next on the sports agenda, but I will be looking through my lens to capture the latest developments and report back to you through Snap. Shot.

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Up close and personal.

Shooting pictures is a passion of mine---like you have yet to realize that huh? But even when you anticipate what the pictures are going to be like, say at a basketball game, there is always that element of the unknown. Will there be someone really large next to you? Or in front of you? Or worse yet someone who wants to talk with you while you are taking pictures. I am not an anti-social person, but when you are paying a $100+ for a ticket, and you want to take pictures, chitchat cannot replace cha-ching.

As a photographer you do get to get closer to people. Whether it’s a photo shoot or a sporting event, there is a closeness that happens just by looking through the lens. In the case of a photo shoot, you have their complete attention and they are usually doing everything they can to either get out of it as fast as possible, or get the best picture to be taken. My favorites are when they are dying to go. I will start talking to them and making comments about I know they are anxious to get out of there, but not until I say it’s okay. Amazing how they listen…of course I do it with a smile, but I actually mean it.

One of my favorite moments when shooting is when you catch an animal with an expression that you swear is human. I have had giraffes nuzzle, tigers smile, and apes give pose for what appears to be a portrait. Of course they don’t know what I am thinking, and I have no idea what they are thinking (except that they might want to consume me) but it’s all about the connection between them and another photographer. I can only imagine how hard it must be to be an animal at the zoo---especially a popular one like a giraffe.

In March of last year, actually on St. Patrick’s Day, I saw the Chicago Bulls play the then, World Champion Boston Celtics. The Bulls, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, wore green jerseys, and the Celtics wore white. The seat I had purchased for the game was 4 rows from the court---yes it was not cheap---but I knew it would be worth it. Until I got to my seat. It was very close to the court, but so were the Celtics who were blocking my view of the rest of the court. Of course the guy sitting next to me was big, and the 4 guys in front of me were continuing their celebration of St. Paddy’s Day. So I moved. I moved up 5 rows and it was it worth it.

I was right next to railing and sure enough there were the Celtics; I couldn’t believe that I was going to get a warm up shot. I got a 100 of them. I was going to be sure I didn’t miss this once in “my” lifetime opportunity. The photo above is the team jumping up and down as they prepare for the game. It’s one of those moments that most fans don’t see; I was able to spend a few minutes with them as my lens took me into their world without them even knowing it. It was the night of unexpected outcomes as the Bull’s beat the Celtics in overtime and my camera was willing to take the few extra shots even though I am sure it was worn out!

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The fear of getting older.

Maybe it’s me but there is a fear of growing old. I suspect I am not the only one who feels this way as I have heard many times, “I really hate getting old and if I am ever in a ‘home’ you know what to do.” Although a “throw away” line as I call it, the real fear of getting older is not knowing what really lies ahead. But isn’t this the way it is when you are young?

I know when I was growing up I knew growing older, or going out into the real world, meant taking on more responsibility; it was something I knew would happen, but was not sure I would be ready for it until it did. However, based upon comments I hear from my kids, I have yet to grow up so maybe I am just delaying the inevitable. Actually now that I am past a half century I can look back and say it’s been a heck of a ride---a good one with a few bumps, but all in all a good one. I am pretty sure I am not going to make a 100 so I assume I am more than half way done; I am okay with that I just want to continue to live a quality life.

What is amazing is how one person can age so well and another not as well, sometimes within the same family. I don’t know who gave me my genes, but I have been blessed with better than average ones. My brother and sister are as fortunate as they don’t look, but they do act their ages on a maturity level. (I am striving to get there but have a distance to travel.) If you are a member of Facebook, of which I am, then you know how amazing it is to see photos of people you have not seen in a while. In some cases it is more than 30 years; what baffles me, and this is just my opinion, would be why they put their pictures for everyone to see? The photos I have up, at least the ones I have uploaded, are of the Chicago Bulls and barn shots. Two of my favorite things to photograph by the way.

I don’t have as many Facebook friends as most of my close friends. But it’s that surprise when you are “friended” and you look at the person on your screen. Some look great, some look the same, and you get the rest. My fear is the person looking at me will be thinking I look like option #3.

Then there are people like the photo above. Her name is Thelma and with a name like that, you can be sure she was not born during the Tiffany, Brooke, and Ashley years. Thelma is in her 90s and when we visit her I have to shake my head. She still drives, gardens, and remembers birthdays. The right dates, not a made up one so she can then say, “Oh I made a mistake.” Although she is more frail these days, she is getting older after all, you would have no idea how she does it. Call it genes, call it lifestyle, call it a life certainly you would want to live. I will write about Thelma when she turns 100, because there is little doubt in my mind she will make it.

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24/7/365

We live in a busy world. But for some reason after a break in the action, we realize how this crazy world takes it out of us.

I am not sure if I am alone, but after the holidays or a vacation, I have to re-start my engines a few days before getting back into the action. Failure to do so means I am lost for at least 2 days and that just doesn’t work well in the business world. As we start the workweek again we recall about where we have been, and what we have done over the holidays, and quickly it becomes a distant memory---scary to think in some cases it was all less than 24 hours ago.

A New Year’s resolution was not included in my thinking on December 31; but that’s okay, I am going to set one on January 4^th instead. I am not sure I am going to be able to actually live up to it, but I am going to give it my best shot. For 2010, I am going to work hard, but I am also going to “stop and smell the roses” more than I am accustomed to doing. That might be trying a new food that in the past I would never have allowed to cross my lips, spending more quality time with the kids, or something I have not even figured out yet. But I know if I concentrate on bringing this into my mode of thinking…it’s a first step. An important one

I was talking with a business associate today and he was telling myself and another guy in the office about his trip to South America. He said to both of us, “you really should try to go down there.” He went for 21 days. I looked at both of them and said, “It helps that you are single because this doesn’t happen in real life when you have family commitments.” But as I made the comment I thought, “maybe one day” and meant it. I do believe I will have the opportunity to travel to new and different locations and would very much like to spend time shooting pictures wherever I go. I will not go alone I assure you that as my wife is a better photographer than I am.

I never ask for a feedback in Snap. Shot, but if you do have a resolution you have made, I would like to hear about it.

The photo above is of my wife in front of an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution; it’s a display of the United States and a montage of video clips from around the regions and states. Honestly, it’s confusing to look at up close, but when you step back and take a good look, it’s very easy to understand why a break in our lives is something we all need at one time or another.

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The Blind Side.

If you have seen this movie then you know it's ideal for the holidays. It's got a great message, is good for the family, and above all...it's true!

For many of us, growing up was completely different than what Michael Oher experienced; we likely did not grow up in the projects, our mother was not hooked on drugs, we had a roof over are head and slept in a bed.

Today's blog is not a review of the movie but focusing on someone who took the time to help someone they believed had the capabilities when few others did. For me, there were 3 people who made this happen.

The first was Frank Kelley; he was my first real boss and mentor. Frank saw something in me---he let me know this by providing me with the guidance he had had with over 40 years in the business world. He let me know it was okay to step outside the norm, proceed with confidence in a direction I might not be comfortable with, and to push my creative spirit. We also had something in common; Frank I were slobs. I mean real slobs. But in the end he let me know this was okay. When Frank passed away, part of my life went with him. He was that important to me.

The next influencer was one I would have never suspected. It was another partner at the firm I worked at with Frank, this man was Dick Opfer. If Frank possessed one way of doing things, Dick did the opposite. He was much more focused on the end result and what it took to get there. When he became my boss I was not sure we could work together; he and I had little in common as far as our styles, but he believed in me and I believed in him. Throughout time I knew what I was learning from Dick was the ideal complement of what I learned from Frank. In other words, Dick rounded out my very rough spots. After 26 years of working together, one of the toughest days took place when I told him I was leaving. He was not pleased with my decision, but in the end I think there was a level of pride on his part that I was leaving the nest and moving on to take what I had learned and played it forward. One of the hardest moments was to let Dick know I was laid off from my former company---I felt like I let him down.

The most important influencer in my life has been my Dad. Unlike any man I know, he is the one who molded, guided and instilled in me what being a man, Dad, and businessman are all about. Without my Dad's integrity I would be nothing. Like every child graduating college and getting into the business and real world, I knew what he gave me was invaluable---and learned that he was, in fact, right. (Wow.) But it was the years before graduating that set me on my path---for that, all I can say is "thanks Dad."

The Blind Side is a very good movie and proves once again that there is a lot of good out in the world; the photo above is a perfect example. My Dad is in this photo as are 3 of my 5 daughters. Without my Dad (and my Mom) and their acceptance that all was going to be okay during a very rough time personally for me---my divorce a number of years ago--- 4 very wonderful individuals would not be in my life at this time. I also have to thank my two other children who I hope understand that life does happen, and in the case of my life, my blind side now has 20/20 vision. I have a wonderful life.

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