No clone.

We all have our differences, some are obvious, and others are because of our culture, religion, and/or location of where we live. For some it’s difficult to accept, for others it’s what makes America the melting pot that it is known to be.

This past week I sent out e-mails to a company we work with here in the U.S. The only difference was, this time I sent the e-mails out all over the world. I sent them to Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and countless others. In the e-mail I explained why I was writing, and the work we have done with their home office. My concern, would they be able to read what I wrote it in the only language I speak..English. In the back of my mind I knew they would be able to correspond back to me because many countries around the globe know English, and speak it, whereas we are really not able to say the same.

A woman from Quebec wrote me and started the note, “Bonjour;” luckily the rest of the note was in perfect English. I wrote back thanking her for her help and just to let her know I recognized her usage of “Bonjour” wished her the same in her native tongue. I did explain very quickly that my French is at best poor, I took it in 7^th grade, and would not want to embarrass myself by making any attempt to write her back in her primary language. I have not heard back from her, but I suspect she appreciated my acknowledgment and openness about how she was well spoken in English, and how I was very honest about my deficiency in French.

I do have the opportunity to travel around the U.S. and have been pretty open about the people I meet. Yesterday is a perfect example. I was on the train and sat across from a young woman who was taking a picture of herself with her phone. (It had a camera as part of it as do most phones these days.) I asked her if she would like me to take her picture with it? She was so happy I asked. We talked the entire ride in to Chicago. I learned that she was a recovering drug addict who had been sober for 2 months, had 2 children with a father who was still in the picture. He had been sober for 7 months and she was very proud to say she was on her way. She was so well spoken, but she had run into the evils of drug usage. She had a job, was looking for a second one, and when I said “good bye” to her, I very pointedly said, “Stay sober, if not for you, for your kids.” She thanked me for not being judgmental.

The photo above was one of those special moments that do not come along every day. Today while I was in between meetings, I went down to the river where the Arch is located in St. Louis. When I saw this group coming, and I am do not know if they are Amish or Mennonite, I knew I had to take pictures. I was as discreet as one can be with a gigantic lens on the camera, but I was also very careful not to invade. I have always been very intrigued by these two groups---I am sure they knew I was photographing them. I have learned a lot through the lens; I have learned that we live in a wonderful country made up of all types of people, and from where I stand, I am very thankful to be able to photograph them and talk about it here on “Snap. Shot.”

Thanks for stopping by.

One of those days.

We all have them, at least I do. I am having one of those days. The ones when if it can go wrong, it has a very good chance of happening.

It all started this morning when I was heading out to catch the train. Because I am wearing a black pair of pants and grey and black sweater, it’s probably a good idea to wear black shoes. I have little fashion sense at times, but I do know the basics. The problem that arose was I could only find one of my black shoes, and if I was planning to wear either a matching pair or only one shoe and sock, this was a problem. So, yes I do have brown shoes on today. If anyone asks, I will explain. If they still ask more questions, I will ask, “Ever have one of those days?” Bet they have.

Barely making the train, because my Wall Street Journal decided not to make an appearance at the end of the driveway (yesterday’s was there but that would do me little good), I raced to the train. Of course on the way, my shoelaces, on my brown shoes, untied---2 times. I did grab another newspaper because it contains a crossword puzzle; as you might guess, the words that were coming together must have been in a different language because they made no sense to me. I tossed it in the trash; I attributed it to having one of those days.

Everyday, and this is a pattern, I head to McDonald’s to get a medium coffee, one cream two Equals, and sometimes like today, a yogurt parfait. All was going well as I slid into the seat of the second train I take to get to work that I catch in Chicago. Sounds like things are getting better, right? Well it was until my briefcase hit the coffee causing it to tip over. I did clean up as much as I could, but right now I am watching the “snake” of brown liquid make its way around the train car. Yes, they know it’s mine. Worst part, I take this train every day and sit in the same area---not the next time, I am switching cars.

So yes I am having one of those days. But writing it out in “Snap.Shot.” is helping put a smile on my face. I know the shoelaces are tied, I made both trains, the next crossword puzzle will be there tomorrow (as will perhaps tomorrow’s Wall Street Journal) and my coffee, well there’s always another cup at the office.

The photo above was taken at Brookfield Zoo outside Chicago. A very large brown bear appeared to be having one of those days. Not that I was going to get close enough to ask, suspected since Mrs. Bear was nowhere to be found, he was just bored. Unlike the brown bear, I know every day changes---here’s hoping tomorrow isn’t just another one of those days.

Thanks for stopping by.

Time Travel.

What if you could travel back in time and change the outcome of your life? Would you do it? Would you make changes you knew would enhance your life so it would be perfect, or would you still want to experience mistakes along the way? I think it’s a tough question.

What if you didn’t marry that “special someone” and you never knew your kids? What if you could predict all of the events that were going to happen and you stepped in to literally “save the day?” You would certainly be the most popular person in the history of the world, but you might not like it either.

Last night I saw a movie called, “Hot Tub Time Machine.” Yes I am that kind of person who likes these kinds of movies, which are referred to in our household as, “movies you see by yourself.” I did. Just like Back to The Future, Peggy Sue Got Married, It’s a Wonderful Life and countless other movies where time travel occurs, it does make you think, “What would you do?” Since I am reasonably confident Hollywood does not emulate real life at times, these are just thoughts, I am not going nuts.

But, if I were able to go back in time, just for a day, week or month, I might make some dramatic decisions that I believe would affect the outcome of my life. Some are personal, some are not; I will stick with the non-personal ones. First I would have started exercising long before my 20s, I would have listened to the advice of my parents as I do realize they were indeed correct more than I had given them credit for, and I would have invented the Internet before Al Gore did. (Just kidding on this one, but I would have for sure not given up photography at a young age like I did.)

Other things I would have done include not studying as hard as I did---I am in sales it really doesn’t matter when I look back on it---but I would have taken more marketing and arts courses. Also, I probably would have invested in companies I could have guessed would have done well. I didn’t understand investments back then, so this would have been seen as “dumb luck.” So be it---Wal-Mart, Apple, Starbucks, and other iconic brands took guts to invest in, but I would have found a way to explain why I did it.

One thing I would not do is change the outcome of the kids who are in my world; I can’t imagine what it would be like to not know them, have them as a part of my life, and vice versa. (Wonder if they would say the same?)

The photo above was my dream when I was young. I wanted to be a goalie in the NHL. I never knew what got into me to think I would have been able to do this, as I was hurt so many times when I played. Whether it was the slap shot to the head that took away my hearing for 6 months in one ear, the bruises that lined my arms, stomach and legs, or just the wonderful feeling of getting yelled at for letting a shot get by me---I still wanted to be a pro. If I could travel back in time I would still want to be close to the puck in hockey, but instead of being in goal I would want to be behind it taking pictures.

Thanks for stopping by.

Here comes goodbye.

With all of the travel done every day here in the U.S. and throughout the world, it’s never easy to say goodbye. Even though we often know we are going to be back soon, it’s still a struggle leaving people who are so important to you at home ---I assume I am not alone.

Today is a different day for me. This time I am not doing the travelling; it’s my two youngest daughters. They are leaving to fly overseas with our sitter, we know him very well, and they will meet up with my wife and other daughters in Thailand. All combined, there will be 12 people together ---I am tending to work and our dog. Yes, I drew the short straw. But I have to be honest, the thought of flying for almost 20 hours is about as appealing as going to the dentist and having a root canal. (Without Novocain.)

There is one bonus to being in Thailand and that’s the weather, food (I guess) and photo opportunities. Of course being with family is a great part of it, but we can do that in the states; okay, I do wish I were there. Who wouldn’t want to be?

Knowing our girls, and my wife, are going to experience the trip of a lifetime makes me very happy. But as a parent and spouse, I still deal with the unknown. What if? Suppose? Why? I will only feel complete again when everyone is back on our soil in our home.

If I am being weak or sappy, I just am; family is that important to me.

When I travel next I know one of the things I am planning to do; I will be taking pictures of one of the best-known landmarks in the world. I will not discuss it because it will likely be seen in “Snap.Shot.” but even when I am taking these photos I will know I am feeling some emptiness. As of next month one of my daughters will be joining the working ranks forever---and my son is already there. I think this is one of the most difficult parts of growing up----from the young father to the older one. There is pride, but there will always be concern.

The photo above is actually a sunrise and not a sunset. It looks like it could be either one, but it was taken in Padre Island, TX very early one morning. I wanted to be up when the sun made its entrance and it sure did; I will be taking my children to the airport today, and as their plane takes off headed west into the sunset, I will likely be playing the song, “Here Comes Goodbye” from Rascal Flatts in my head.

Thanks for stopping by.

Gimme the dirt.

It’s the time of year we wait for, yet in some ways we dread. When springtime hits, the world comes back to life; plants come out of hiding, temperatures soar above freezing, and people venture out of their homes to discover that life is not over as thought---it’s springtime.

With all of this wonderment, the mud comes with it. Just look at our kid’s shoes and our dog’s paws. Only one can be left at the door and not tracked in to the house---dogs must stop and have their paws cleaned.

Even with the mud, I love springtime. It does bring about the feeling of hope, new adventures, and photo opportunities. Okay, so maybe photo opp’s are not the most commonly thought of part of spring---but tell me how many times you’ve taken pictures of flowers or the buds on the trees and shown people. I haven’t, but I know other people who have taken their fair share.

Spring also brings out another type of dirt that creates a lot of interest in people. It’s called “gossip, the poop, dirty laundry” and this year it’s in abundance. Think about Tiger Woods, Jesse James (Sandra Bullock’s husband), or countless other celebrities; I know there is local dirt, but since I am not often kept in the loop, or wish to be involved, I know more about celebrities than the individuals who live nearby. The one thing about anyone who has dirt on them, remember they are all human and they have judgment strewn all over them. It’s not fun to be in that kind of limelight---but sometimes bad judgment brings about bad publicity. (They do say that any type of publicity is better than none at all.)

Today all over the Internet was the news about Tiger Woods first interview prior to the start of the Master’s Tournament. After the number of times he has said, “I am really sorry,” I have to believe he cannot wait to get this first tournament past him. Unfortunately the dirt is going to stay for a while because in the sports world (and real world) this was a big deal. Unless he wins and then it will likely go to the back burner. (He did say he had 5 stitches in his mouth after the accident he had last Thanksgiving---I guess a 5 iron can do that.) Just kidding.

The photo above was taken this past weekend at the St. Louis Zoo. A Rhino was rolling around in the mud and was happy as could be. I think they enjoy it because it cools them off---I actually have no idea. I can say for sure, when they are finished with their mud bath, they need a real one.

Thanks for stopping by.

4/4

When you are born, that day becomes your day for the rest of your life. When you are young, it’s the most important date, and for some when that date comes along as they get older, well it’s not as important.

One other fact you learn is that other people have your same birth date. Yes you have to share this special date. Here’s some news you might be interested in…give or take few hundred thousand people, on average you share the date with more than 18 million people around the globe. Also, you sometimes share the date with events that have significance with this very important day of your life. When I was 10 years old, as Bono has sung many times in the song, “Pride (In The Name Of Love”---Martin Luther King lost his life, it happened on my birthday in 1968.

This year, Easter fell on my birthday and other years Passover; Bob Costas and other sports stars, celebrities and even my first cousin all were born on this date. Actually my cousin Alan has first right to the day as he is older than me.

What other incredible events have happened on April 4? Well, John Tesh married Connie Selleca in 1992, and are you ready for this? In 1993 at Wrestlemania IX, Hulk Hogan pinned Yokozuna—how much better does it get than that?

As important as Hulk Hogan pinning his opponent, and Connie and John hooking up, this date has substantial meaning to me. On April 4, 2009 we learned my Mom was sick. What we had hoped was the cause of her facial droop was not what he had prayed for---it was much worse. Combine learning this on my birthday and my cousin’s birthday---we all attended a family event that entire day. One I can tell you I had no interest attending once I learned something was wrong and only the doctors knew what it was; or at least what they suspected. They were right unfortunately.

We all have special days in our lives and once they are attached to you, they will always remain. I am very happy to have a date associated with memories---personal and global. I feel like I am truly blessed to have this special date as one that’s mine and shared with 18 million others.

The photo above is actually one of my favorites. The words “Happy and Day” are blocked but the word “birth” is visible. When it’s your day, it helps to know that it all started with the birth of another human being. For me it is not only the celebration of my birthday, but also the day I will always remember how my Mom was going to spend some of her last days with us.

Thanks for stopping by.

A right of passage.

When we are growing up, there is the fear that when your parents go out they might never come back. A babysitter comes to your house and you think, “Why is she here?” I don’t want Mom and Dad to leave and then the crying and tantrum starts.

But then something funny happens. You as a parent come home and sure enough the crying has stopped, the nightlight is on in the darkened room, and there is light breathing coming from your child’s bed. All is safe and you as a parent got the night off. Yes it cost you $9.00 per hour, no taxes of course for the sitter, but it was worth the $50 to $60 for the break. (Plus the cost of whatever you did…okay, it was worth the $150.00 for the evening.)

I was not much of a baby sitter when I was young. In fact I think I only did it one time if I recall---and that was enough for me. I believe I made either .25 or .50 per hour. Can you believe that? I probably maxed out for the afternoon at $1.50. That doesn’t even buy you a soda or coffee at times. Yet I got to deal with that headache. I knew my babysitting career was over and I wasn’t going to do it again---or at least I thought. Now I do it for free as I am the Dad.

Two of our daughters have hit the babysitting age. One is on the outside in the age area and one is smack dab in the middle of being the right demographic. She is really good with kids, not always her sisters, but she is good with kids. Our older one is excellent with other people’s children and we have been told she is just an angel to have as a sitter. I have to sit back and think to myself, “Are we talking about the same child?” Oh, it must be the money that motivates her. I should have thought even though we give her money to spend, but that doesn’t count and we do see a different side of her angelic personality at times. A much different side.

The photo above was taken tonight; it’s of my two youngest daughters watching the movie, “Home Alone.” They loved the movie--- it was the amount of giggling coming from the room that confirmed it. What I find amazing about this “right of passage” is when you are finally old enough to stay home alone, you don’t want to be alone. You want as many people around as possible. Yes they might be your friends---and let’s face it a party is a great way to spend time when Mom and Dad are out.

Thanks for stopping by.