Cast photo for the 2008 Christmas Program at SBC. Just imagine me in it. I was taking the photo.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
You have GOT to be kidding!!!
Anyone who knows me, knows that I prefer to be BEHIND the camera and not in front of it.
About a week prior to the announcement that my lightning photo was one of the four selected to go to Yosemite to b taught by four professionals I ran across a video from the first winning team. They were answering questions and just talking about the experience.
I have to tell you, I almost wanted to pull my entry right then and there, but the prize was to good to pass up. Thankfully, I kept my entry in.
Last night I receive an email from a gal named Liana. She introduces herself as the video producer for this winning team and wants to know if she can send me some questions to prepare me for the video shoot.
YIKES!!!
Not only that. It seems this teams video is going to be more involved than the last one.
All I can say is, "Pray for me!"
Friday, December 12, 2008
Published again
I was chatting with Ali as the ship sailed out of Monrovia harbor and on its way to maintenance for the next couple of months. During this conversation I told her how amazing God is.
See, I had planned on trying to return to the ship this past July as long term staff. They found another videographer and selected her. I can't say I was crushed, but I was hurt and upset with how they handled it. VERY unprofessional!
Looking back, if I had gone to the ship I would not be doing the things I am doing right now with stills. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to take photos of foster children at camp this summer. Photos that, for some of them, are the only happy memories they will have during their childhood.
I would not have captured the winning lightning shot as I drove back from Williams after taking photos of our high school kids at their camp.
And I would not have had the opportunity to go on this one-on-one session with professional photographers in January.
The Lord has something happening in my life and it has to do with stills photography. I'm loving every moment of it.
I received word today that one of the photos I took at "Might Mud Mania" in August is going to be used on Schmap, and online map that has photos of events. Here's the link:
http://www.schmap.com
Ali also told me she is excited to see the images I bring back from Yosemite. All I could say to that is, "Me too!"
See, I had planned on trying to return to the ship this past July as long term staff. They found another videographer and selected her. I can't say I was crushed, but I was hurt and upset with how they handled it. VERY unprofessional!
Looking back, if I had gone to the ship I would not be doing the things I am doing right now with stills. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to take photos of foster children at camp this summer. Photos that, for some of them, are the only happy memories they will have during their childhood.
I would not have captured the winning lightning shot as I drove back from Williams after taking photos of our high school kids at their camp.
And I would not have had the opportunity to go on this one-on-one session with professional photographers in January.
The Lord has something happening in my life and it has to do with stills photography. I'm loving every moment of it.
I received word today that one of the photos I took at "Might Mud Mania" in August is going to be used on Schmap, and online map that has photos of events. Here's the link:
http://www.schmap.com
Ali also told me she is excited to see the images I bring back from Yosemite. All I could say to that is, "Me too!"
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thankful this week is over
Chernobyl had nothing on what took place in our office today. You want to talk about a SeRiOuS meltdown, Bradley and I had it out today. Goodness, it has been a long while since that has happened. But in all actually, nothing like this has ever happened between us. I don't mean the fighting. It's what happened at the end of the day.
See, both of our father's names are G(J)erry, mine with a G - his with a J, we have joked that perhaps we had the same father. That would make us brother and sister because we can certainly fight like it. Trust me, I grew up with two of them.
There was a lot of stress in putting this years videos together for the Christmas program. If you haven't seen the Christmas program,,, you never read this. You know nooootttthhhhiiinnnngggg!!! ;-)
What made this different was we were actually able to talk to each other at the end of the day. Bradley joked that it usually took a year for that to happen. And I hate to say it, it was not on his part. Yah for progress.
Anyway, 18-minutes prior to curtain, I delivered the final, for today anyway, DVD. Talk about cutting it close. At this point there was nothing else that could be done. "The show must go on!!" and it did not cost a working relationship, but only made it stronger.
HA!! Take that Enemy!!
Anyway, some photos for your enjoyment.
See, both of our father's names are G(J)erry, mine with a G - his with a J, we have joked that perhaps we had the same father. That would make us brother and sister because we can certainly fight like it. Trust me, I grew up with two of them.
There was a lot of stress in putting this years videos together for the Christmas program. If you haven't seen the Christmas program,,, you never read this. You know nooootttthhhhiiinnnngggg!!! ;-)
What made this different was we were actually able to talk to each other at the end of the day. Bradley joked that it usually took a year for that to happen. And I hate to say it, it was not on his part. Yah for progress.
Anyway, 18-minutes prior to curtain, I delivered the final, for today anyway, DVD. Talk about cutting it close. At this point there was nothing else that could be done. "The show must go on!!" and it did not cost a working relationship, but only made it stronger.
HA!! Take that Enemy!!
Anyway, some photos for your enjoyment.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
What the Christmas season SHOULD look like
This has not been me these past couple of weeks. It should be!!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
I WON !!! I WON !!! Goodness Gracious, I WON !!!
My lightning photo has won one of the four places in the competition I have been seeking votes on for the past couple of weeks!!!
Scott Bourne made the announcement on his blog this evening.
http://aperturenatureworkshops.com/?p=195
I'm so stinkin' excited.
UPDATE:
Okay, now that I am home from work and can focus a bit more on this, I have just rented two lenses to take on the trip, purchased my plane ticket, started to research a new tripod head, thinking of what I will need to pack for clothes and generally just tried to keep my feet on the ground.
Some have asked me what I have won. Here goes:
1 Firewire Drobo (A hard drive system) - approximate value $500
1 Lensbaby gift certificate (Very cool lens) - approximate value $350
1 Premium subscription to lynda.com value $375 (Teaching, teaching, teaching)
1 set of all current Peachpit Press Photo-related books - approximate value $500 (Oogle at other people's works of art.)
1 ThinkTank 360 Photo Bag - approximate value $350
1 Apple Aperture 2.1 - approximate value $200
1 Lifetime Pro Membership to Photrade - approximate value $500
The collective works of the photographers involved will be included in a new book published by Peachpit Press, with some proceeds going to a photographic charity.
AND the one prize that I am REALLY excited about:
A trip to Yosemite National Park to receive one-on-one training from a professional photographer and training on the software "Aperture".
I really want to thank those of you who placed a vote for me. You helped kept my photo up front where the judges could see it. You blessed me tremendously!!!
Scott Bourne made the announcement on his blog this evening.
http://aperturenatureworkshops.com/?p=195
I'm so stinkin' excited.
UPDATE:
Okay, now that I am home from work and can focus a bit more on this, I have just rented two lenses to take on the trip, purchased my plane ticket, started to research a new tripod head, thinking of what I will need to pack for clothes and generally just tried to keep my feet on the ground.
Some have asked me what I have won. Here goes:
1 Firewire Drobo (A hard drive system) - approximate value $500
1 Lensbaby gift certificate (Very cool lens) - approximate value $350
1 Premium subscription to lynda.com value $375 (Teaching, teaching, teaching)
1 set of all current Peachpit Press Photo-related books - approximate value $500 (Oogle at other people's works of art.)
1 ThinkTank 360 Photo Bag - approximate value $350
1 Apple Aperture 2.1 - approximate value $200
1 Lifetime Pro Membership to Photrade - approximate value $500
The collective works of the photographers involved will be included in a new book published by Peachpit Press, with some proceeds going to a photographic charity.
AND the one prize that I am REALLY excited about:
A trip to Yosemite National Park to receive one-on-one training from a professional photographer and training on the software "Aperture".
I really want to thank those of you who placed a vote for me. You helped kept my photo up front where the judges could see it. You blessed me tremendously!!!
Good-bye Liberia.
I capturing audio for this weeks Christmas program, so while it is loading into the computer, I read an update from Ali. Remember Ali? She is the one I asked for you to pray for when she and a couple of others from Mercy Ships was in a car crash a couple of months ago.
The outreach is coming to a close for the m/v Africa Mercy. The ship is set to sail on Sunday and return to the Canary Islands for routine maintenance. I can't believe how fast this year has gone. I was there just after the ship arrived in Monrovia. I was there to see the medical screening day and I was there for the loss of two children during the first couple of weeks.
Ali updated her blog she has been going through a difficult bout of bronchitis. I can relate after coughing for 9-weeks myself. Here is what she has to say about the end of outreach.
-------------------
I'm sorry for the long silence. Truth is, I'm in a weird place right now. I've been sicker than I really realized over the past few weeks, and I'm just now coming out of the fog enough to realize how much has passed me by. Maybe it'll be better once I'm well and not so worn out, but I'm overwhelmed by the sense that things are just unfinished here.
I mean, they're not really unfinished. There's nothing left to do; the wards are closed. The last patients went home on Friday, Eddie and Kwelywoh to the MSF hospital for further care. Dr. Gary reported to me today that Kwelywoh's CSF drain is working well and that the swelling between his eyes is gone; he might not need any further surgery. Back on the ship, the hospital is silent and mostly dark, wards piled with mattresses and bed frames and supply carts all lashed together and tied down to bolts in the floor, ready for the sail.
But I missed all that. I wasn't there to kiss Eddie's little face before he headed out the door, and I wasn't there to feel the gentle weight of Kwelywoh's body as he leaned up against my legs, beaming up at me in one last search for stickers. I couldn't even help with the cleaning and packing up, since the thought of dust and chemical fumes was enough to send my lungs into a full-scale revolt against the rest of my body.
There were parties, celebrations for all the translators and disciplers and the myriad other dayworkers who have served alongside us during this outreach. The ship was full of friends, dressed in their finest, and I couldn't find the energy to greet them all, or to say my farewells. They've all left now, gone back to their homes for the last time and I didn't get a chance to tell them I loved them.
I'm sad and I'm frustrated and it kind of feels like I got cheated. I've been here since the beginning. I made it through screening day, I helped open up the wards and welcomed the very first patients. I cared for three of the little boys who went to Jesus over the past months. I have seen so many patients come back for multiple surgeries, greeting me like an old friend as they're re-admitted.
And now, now that it's all over and done with, I feel like I missed the end, and that's not good. I'm not sure how to leave this country when it feels like my chance to say goodbye passed me somewhere last week while I slept through yet another day. I hate feeling like this, but I'm not sure I have the chance to change it; we sail before Sunday.
I just wish it didn't all seem so unfinished.
---------------------------------
Ali with some children when we were at the Hotel Ducor.
I can relate to what she says. I was there for the beginning, but not there for the end. I have continue to live my life since returning from Liberia. For the most part I have been able to focus on what is going on here in Scottsdale. There are moments that flash in through my thoughts about things I saw, people I met and the people still there. While the ship was still in port in Monrovia, I had a connection to the country. I was still able to hear of the life changing stories and see photos. Now they are preparing to sail and my connection is lost.
I ask you to please lift Ali, and all the crew, up in prayer. Some will be leaving the ship for good, others will be going to see family and then returning for the next outreach. But regardless of where the Lord is leading them, there is an adjustment time ahead of them and they could very much use our prayers.
Thanks.
The outreach is coming to a close for the m/v Africa Mercy. The ship is set to sail on Sunday and return to the Canary Islands for routine maintenance. I can't believe how fast this year has gone. I was there just after the ship arrived in Monrovia. I was there to see the medical screening day and I was there for the loss of two children during the first couple of weeks.
Ali updated her blog she has been going through a difficult bout of bronchitis. I can relate after coughing for 9-weeks myself. Here is what she has to say about the end of outreach.
-------------------
I'm sorry for the long silence. Truth is, I'm in a weird place right now. I've been sicker than I really realized over the past few weeks, and I'm just now coming out of the fog enough to realize how much has passed me by. Maybe it'll be better once I'm well and not so worn out, but I'm overwhelmed by the sense that things are just unfinished here.
I mean, they're not really unfinished. There's nothing left to do; the wards are closed. The last patients went home on Friday, Eddie and Kwelywoh to the MSF hospital for further care. Dr. Gary reported to me today that Kwelywoh's CSF drain is working well and that the swelling between his eyes is gone; he might not need any further surgery. Back on the ship, the hospital is silent and mostly dark, wards piled with mattresses and bed frames and supply carts all lashed together and tied down to bolts in the floor, ready for the sail.
But I missed all that. I wasn't there to kiss Eddie's little face before he headed out the door, and I wasn't there to feel the gentle weight of Kwelywoh's body as he leaned up against my legs, beaming up at me in one last search for stickers. I couldn't even help with the cleaning and packing up, since the thought of dust and chemical fumes was enough to send my lungs into a full-scale revolt against the rest of my body.
There were parties, celebrations for all the translators and disciplers and the myriad other dayworkers who have served alongside us during this outreach. The ship was full of friends, dressed in their finest, and I couldn't find the energy to greet them all, or to say my farewells. They've all left now, gone back to their homes for the last time and I didn't get a chance to tell them I loved them.
I'm sad and I'm frustrated and it kind of feels like I got cheated. I've been here since the beginning. I made it through screening day, I helped open up the wards and welcomed the very first patients. I cared for three of the little boys who went to Jesus over the past months. I have seen so many patients come back for multiple surgeries, greeting me like an old friend as they're re-admitted.
And now, now that it's all over and done with, I feel like I missed the end, and that's not good. I'm not sure how to leave this country when it feels like my chance to say goodbye passed me somewhere last week while I slept through yet another day. I hate feeling like this, but I'm not sure I have the chance to change it; we sail before Sunday.
I just wish it didn't all seem so unfinished.
---------------------------------
Ali with some children when we were at the Hotel Ducor.
I can relate to what she says. I was there for the beginning, but not there for the end. I have continue to live my life since returning from Liberia. For the most part I have been able to focus on what is going on here in Scottsdale. There are moments that flash in through my thoughts about things I saw, people I met and the people still there. While the ship was still in port in Monrovia, I had a connection to the country. I was still able to hear of the life changing stories and see photos. Now they are preparing to sail and my connection is lost.
I ask you to please lift Ali, and all the crew, up in prayer. Some will be leaving the ship for good, others will be going to see family and then returning for the next outreach. But regardless of where the Lord is leading them, there is an adjustment time ahead of them and they could very much use our prayers.
Thanks.
A Photo of Jesus.
I saw this video this morning and had to laugh. The animation is very well done. The storyline will bring a smile to your face.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Decorated Cactus
I drove around trying to find some Christmas lights to take photos of. Didn't really find anything good. Pastor Jamie mentioned how odd it was that we decorate cacti in this neck of the woods. Sure enough...
Blast from the past.
Forth grade; I used to have a ton of those types of hair bows. Wore them all the time.
Ahhh, graduations photos are so much more creative than back in the 80's.
Me and my two bro's.
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