The Dance.

"And now I'm glad I didn't know

The way it all would end, the way it all would go

Our lives are better left to chance

I could have missed the pain

But I'd have had to miss the dance."

Life is a guessing game. The only part of it we can guarantee—it will not last forever. If for some reason you thought it would, I hate to ruin your day. But then again, maybe I am wrong and you will live forever. I would suggest not betting on it.

There have been some incredible statistics floating around regarding being prepared for the time you retire. It might be close, it might be in the distance, but there's little doubt we will one day, "call it a day." We all want to be prepared, but what if we're not? I have thought about this probably more than I should. It's been more of a focus on what would I do once I leave the rat race and slow down. It's an interesting thought for me; one thing I know for sure is I will not be sitting on the couch.  (Unless it's a really comfortable one and then I just might do it more than I thought I would.)

I have told my friends if I won the lottery, for example, I would of course quit my job, but not stop working. That would be very difficult for me, and even more difficult for my wife and kids—-actually, much more difficult for them. You can laugh, and others have, but I would like to get a job where I can help people, be personable, and have little stress to deal with. I would like to be a Walmart greeter. I am serious.

Here's why….

As a greeter you can engage with people when they come into the store; I was always impressed with the way I have heard Sam Walton did it when he ran his "Five and Dime" store. This would be  before Walmart. He just knew how to be friendly—and whereas he may not have been "on " 24/7, I do believe he was pretty darn passionate about helping people. That would be cool…I think I would be really good at it too. Would I take a salary? Are you kidding me? Nope. I would be set having won the lottery. 

One thing I would love to do is pull surprises on people when they are in store shopping. Can you imagine seeing a family— knowing they're working as hard as they can to make ends meet—and then when they approach the check out, walk up and plunk down a credit card for their purchase. Or better yet, not have them know you did it and see their faces when they hear, "It's paid for, please enjoy your day." What a photograph that would be! 

In today's culture we need to emphasize the good because we all know the opposite is out there just as often. We can't all be as giving as we would like, but if we do something to lift someone's day, it for sure will make you feel better and someone will truly appreciate it. Think about giving it a try. Just once.

The photo above is of my daughter prior to a dance recital this past year. When it's all said and done, we have one chance to make the most of our lives—some will do the tango, others line dances, and still others whatever they feel deep inside. Enjoy the ride, it's one of a lifetime.

Thanks for stopping by

H2O.

“Inflatable pool full of dad's hot air

I was three years old

Splashin' everywhere

And so began my love affair

With water.”

I was talking with a friend today whose daughter is in graduate school out in Colorado. She is focusing on environmental engineering with an emphasis on water. Seriously. Once I heard “grad school” and then “environmental engineering,” I knew she was a lot smarter than old “you know who.” It was the “water” focus that piqued my interest. I knew what that was.

For many years I worked with a magazine based in the Western US. Although it was difficult to comprehend at times, they talked about the politics of water in the region. Here in the Midwest we really don’t think too much about water until we have an over abundance of it usually thanks to floods. Sure, we have had droughts, but in general, that’s the least of what we worry about. That is not the situation out West.

I remember talking with friends who live in California, Northern and Southern, who would describe what it was like dealing with a scarcity of water. Sure they have a big pond to the West, but try drinking it. I learned of people using “grey” water as part of their fight against droughts; simply, that’s when they place a bucket in their shower, or another area where clean water is used, and then re-use it in their gardens or any situation where fresh water is not as necessary. From a Midwestern perspective, I can’t imagine it. However, if my water bill were as high as theirs, I would be happy to carry a bucket into the shower.

Today must be weather day.

This afternoon on our weekly conference call, my boss was commenting on the Nor’Easter heading toward New York and the Northeast. They were bracing for some really bad weather. For some reason, and it usually happens this way, he said, “So are you having a Nor’Easter in   Chicago?” I paused and trying not be a smart-ss said, “We live in the Midwest, we don’t have Nor’Easters. We have tornados, floods and cold weather, though.” He laughed, but it was not the kind of laugh you like to hear. But, he asked the question and I answered it.

Certainly I’ll be watching the weather to the East, we really don’t need any catastrophic storms right now, we have enough going on in America.  

The photo above was taken several years ago while I was traveling in Ohio. Having come from Chicago that morning, and experiencing some “wicked” storms before I had left, I knew what was going to happen in the next few hours. I was right, that evening there was a downpour unlike no other, mix it with tornado warnings, and a long night of thunder and lightening and there was plenty of water. In the end there was no damage, but I know people who live out West would have seen all the water as a blessing. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Sooner or later.

“I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy,

To be calm when you've found something going on.

But take your time, think a lot,

Why, think of everything you've got.

For you will still be here tomorrow, 

but your dreams may not.”

A few weeks ago I wrote about a father and son who I met at the Iowa State V. Oklahoma game in Ames, IA. They were there cheering on their favorite team, The University of Oklahoma Sooners; “cheering” is the only word that comes to mind, but it was much more than that—it was all about an incredible bond between a father and son who were on the experience of a lifetime.

After I wrote that particular entry of “Snap. Shot.” I heard from Bill (the Father) after he had read it. Needless to say he was pleased I had written about he and his son, J.T., but honestly, it was such a unique experience, I felt I had to share—I also left out much of their story.

Until today.

A few days after our first talk, I spoke with Bill again; I wanted to learn more about the leather helmets, passion for OU football, and how it all started with he and his son traveling to games. His story is really quite remarkable, transparent, and something we all need to think about when raising our children. Apparently Bill, like many of us, has seen how outside forces can disrupt our lives and take us on unexpected paths. He dealt with divorce, excessiveness in areas of his life, and a family that was going through a very challenging time. In other words, he was just like the rest of us. No real biggie.

Oh, but it was a biggie!

As he was trying to deal with life’s issues, so was his son. A son who was seriously in need of someone to listen to his needs, and be assured he was going to be heard! According to Bill, it was going to take much more than just a quick conversation that clears everything up and everyone walks away happy. Nope, far from it. JT was struggling, and his calling out for help was well beyond the norm. So he and Bill looked for something… a mutual connection…one that they both could experience “together.” That connection, believe it or not, turned out to be college football held in a stadium that holds over 80,000 people —where 2 in attendance are looking to build an unbreakable bond. Whoa.

The first time they went to an OU game, JT was very close to the action—he had a front row/rail position where he could be as close to the players as possible and get to experience the game; that is, without being hit. As games passed he would give the players—-and anyone else walking by, “high-fives”— as you might guess, over time “strangers” became friends, and suddenly he was very much a part of the “Sooner” scene.

As the years have passed, OU players, and even the marching band, now look for JT at games (he cheers for the band—who cheers for the marching band?);  a group of OU ambassadors--known as the “RUF/NEKS," whose purpose is to create enthusiasm and engage with the fans at the games— regularly seek him out. His passion for OU player, Joe Mixon, (Google him) is well beyond that of a person his age. In fact, if you met JT, at least as how he has been described to me by Bill, you would vote for him to be one of the team captains at something affiliated with the University. (Most probably football!)

Okay, so now what?

This past season, JT and Bill went to every regular OU game and recent bowl game—home and away. (This was not their first time doing this.) This type of bonding is much more than your average father and son outing, it's about how two souls literally “saved each other” from what could have been a very unfortunate outcome. As a pair, they faced the lowest of lows, and have found the strength to rise up and celebrate "one another" through a common passion—Football and The University of Oklahoma. Whereas football is an important part of it, it was the connection and care both had for one another, that made this a story worth writing about. How cool is that?

The photo above was taken at the game; sure it  was a great catch, but the real experience was being able to walk down the sidelines during halftime and witness a bond between a father and son clad in two leather helmets. As parents we need to be present for our children and vice versa. We get busy, we get side-tracked, we sometimes take things for granted—what I learned from these two individuals was love and respect really does conquer all. What an experience for a photographer taking pictures, on a warm November night, in the middle of Iowa.

Thanks for stopping by.

The Whole World's Watching.

“Someday you will see how long

We've been waiting for the time

To show you how we've died

To get together with you all.”

Unless you have decided to turn off all forms of media today, you know it’s a day that is being discussed and most likely will be for some time to come. Whatever your feelings on recent happenings with our change in government, it’s actually a good reminder of what freedom of expression is all about and why we should be thankful.

I am not going to discuss the issues here, you most likely know what they are and have your opinions

Today’s “Snap.Shot.” is about being involved in a moment in history. It doesn’t matter what side you’re on, it’s all about being on a side and having conviction. There’s also something else that should be considered; if someone decides to capture an event, and uses a camera to do it, maybe we are doing it to be involved in the moment and not just a statement. For me, that’s one of the reasons I was in downtown Chicago this morning.

This year I have been able to fulfill several of my bucket list wishes. What’s funny is, up until this morning, I had not planned to attend. I was going to go to a movie and photograph a basketball game. With 52 minutes to spare before the train left for the city, I said, “I am going.” I have wanted to photograph what I perceived would be “historical moments” and this was my chance. This may not be at the same level as other events, but for me I was really glad I did it. (I was surprised by the number of people attending; once again, they had miscalculated the crowds before arrival.) The last time this happened was when the Chicago Blackhawks one the Stanley Cup—the original estimates were a bit short…by 1.5 million people.

Having the opportunity to photograph this march today was much easier than I had anticipated. I was not sure who was going to show up; would it be an aggressive crowd, passive group—-I really didn’t know. What I can say…people were very spirited but calm; I spoke with some police officers and I suspect they felt this was much calmer than a typical IKEA opening.

I am optimistic  America will come together and be one. I know it’s a stretch, and know the last time we saw this was 9/11, but I am hopeful we can work together to bring America back into a better space. It will take time, and we will take steps forward and back, but that’s okay. All I would like to do is capture it with my trusty Nikon…because selfishly, I think it matters.

The photo above was taken this afternoon in downtown Chicago. The signs were fairly explicit, and reflected to tone and mood of many American’s, but in the end we are all better for being able to express who we are and what we believe. In my world, chalk another one up on the old bucket list. 

Thanks for stopping by.

This is country music.

“So turn it on, turn it up, and sing along

This is real, this is your life in a song

Just like a road that takes you home

Yeah this is right where you belong

This is country music”

Whereas I know how it happened, I still can’t believe it did. It was about 25 years ago, I was in a Yellow Cab in Chicago, and I heard Randy Travis on the radio. I had no idea who he was, nor did I care at that moment to learn. I did ask the driver, “What station is this?” My tone was pretty even, and he said, “Oh that’s US99.” I thought, “that figures, it’s the only country station in Chicago.”

I got out of the cab a few minutes later and didn’t think much about it.

A couple of days later, different cab, there it is again, US99 and country music. It was kind of a cool tune this time—so I listened for it to end and heard the name, “Mary Chapin Carpenter.”  Her voice was not twangy, and her words were quite good. Really this was country music?

I took the bait.

That night, of what I recall, I was driving home and turned on US99 for the first time. This is well before satellite radio, CD’s were a treasured item (much better than cassettes) and there certainly was no country of anything in the car--except the radio. I have often described country music like scotch whiskey. It’s an "acquired taste." You take a sip, think about it, look at it, still not sure, and then take another sip..and so on. By the way, whiskey and beer are big topics on country radio—you probably knew that.

It was not long until I bought my first country CD. It was Mary Chapin Carpenter, the artist I had heard in the cab that day. Suddenly more CD’s were ending up in my car  and finally, I actually went to a concert. A new artist named Toby Keith was playing at a local fair near where we lived. Yes, you read that right. He had just launched his first album and there he was playing in front of probably at least 700 people. If you know of him, you’re aware he has since sold millions of albums since.

During the past 25 years I have sold advertising for Country Weekly magazine, met several artists, and today country music fills my iPod. You see, country music is now part of who I am and if you read, “Snap. Shot.” on any type of regular basis, you will find many of the lyrics are country songs. 

The photo above was taken one night driving down a busy road where we live. The truck, the dog, and yes, country music was flowing out into the night. It was the perfect setting to travel down the road of memories of another day and take a good sip of country music.

Thanks for stopping by.

Alone.

“Life is a mystery

Everyone must stand alone

I hear you call my name

And it feels like home.”

A friend of mine at work has told me many times, “you can miss many appointments, but there’s one you have no control over.” As funny as it seems, he is right! When it’s your time, you can’t say, “I’ll be there in a moment.” 

There is no denying, when it is our time, we will not be late; but until that time, it’s important to make the most of whatever time we have here with family, friends, and even strangers who may come into your life. Once you get to know them, they won’t be strangers—in the beginning everyone in our life was new to us. 

Over the past few weeks, I have met several new people. Most I have liked and am looking forward to becoming better friends with them. We, as they say, “seem to be on the same page.” Yesterday, I walked to the train with a new associate who just joined our company. I knew of the company where he had worked before, and asked him “what building they were in?” He said, “We were in the other elevator bank around the pillar and I worked there for 24 years.” What a weird experience—-I had never seen him before.

Many years ago, when I was interviewing for a job, I was talking with two separate companies who were both based on the same floor. I knew that both of the owners (they were small companies) were aware of the situation. Awkward. When I did join one of the companies, I had to walk down the hall and talk with the other owner letting her know my choice. (I did make the right choice—one went out of business a few short years later.) But it was still very weird.

Where I probably meet the most new people now is through photography. Since I do a lot of local work, people actually know who I am. Usually it’s, “Hey you’re the photographer who took the pictures at the play or something like that.” What makes it even more enjoyable, and this happened last night, is when you see someone who was in a performance and in his case has a disability—-and he got up on stage and “killed it.” I said to the boy’s Mom, “Your son was awesome in the play.” Pride spread across her face—it was pure love. 

The photo above was taken at this year’s Ringling Bros Circus; as this performer hung from well above the ground, it reminded me that in the end, “We must all stand alone.” Since no one wants to think about it, get out there and enjoy your moment--it's well worth it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Heroes don't come around every day.

"And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on

And you cast your fears aside

And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone

Look inside you and be strong

And you'll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you"

We all have those who we look up to in our life. It might be a mother, father, sister or brother; it also might be someone you've never met but for some reason they hit a real chord with you. 

Stepping outside the ordinary, and doing something that makes a person extraordinary, is what makes life interesting. One person's belief of greatness might be looked upon by another as no big deal. We see it in our everyday lives and often it is on a much larger playing field.

This past year has been one for the ages. We saw the passing of many individuals who we deemed as geniuses in their fields, sports teams rise up and perform amazing feats, politicians defying all odds to either be elected or walk out the door. Today's "Snap.Shot." is not going to discuss politics, I am way smarter than that. 

Heroes have been around for a long time. You can travel back to the Gods who are part of mythology—and new names that have popped up in recent days. Whoever they might be, they have stepped up and done something different that makes them stand out. 

Although we didn't lose him last year, it seems like only yesterday when Robin Williams decided it was not worth being around any longer. It was tragic, it was personal, it was something that rocked millions of lives. "If he only knew," some might ask. He did, he just had trouble—apparently—being someone that excelled above many others in his field and understanding. He did a lot right, some wrong, but all in all he defied the odds from the moment he stepped onto the major stage as "Mork from Ork," I miss him.

I think we are all looking into the future to see who is going to emerge and help deal with the fears many people have at this time. There's an unknown and unknown's can be scary. A year from now, I am hoping we can look back and say, "we learned and we moved forward." For us, it's the way it has to be.

The photo above was of my hero in life. It's my Dad's obituary. Although he is coming up on the 2 year anniversary of his passing, I can say with absolute certainty—with the way he raised and guided me, he has provided me with the "with the strength to carry on" no matter what comes my way.

Thanks for stopping by.