Oct
06
The family cottage is sold and a chapter closes on this Canadian peninsula.
Helmet cam: I perched my little point-n-shoot atop my riding helmet and rotated it backward to snap shots while Strawberry “furiously charged” ahead.
Black sand beaches. Just the name sounds exotic. I’ve always wanted to see one and visiting the so-hot-it’s-cool Pacific Ring of Fire, I knew I’d have a chance.
My daughter sits atop a small waterfall on geothermal Kerosene Creek outside of Rotorua, New Zealand.
A babbling brook on a hot summer’s day turns out to be a 100 degree geothermal creek.
Mud bubbles up into pools with the smell of either bean & bacon soup or, more succinctly, farts — as my traveling companions report.
These cracks in our perception of the way the earth should be are magical and meaningful.
Welcome to Rotorua.
Somewhere out there, a thousand penguins are getting ready to barf.
Close your eyes and imagine sitting by the sea. You’re on a multi-level deck, accessed by a long and winding walkway. Now look out over sea, the clouds have gathered around the already set sun. Ask yourself what would make this scene better, perfect actually.
Why penguins, of course, hundreds of ’em. Close to a thousand.
Oct
01
Our photography business is green. To make our eco-friendly wedding photography business comply with green standards, we put solar panels on our roof, drive hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) and now our delivery system is all electronic. We’ve greatly reduced our carbon footprint and have a 85% recycle to trash ratio, including composting of organic waste. Our workspace is energy efficient and we are working with a LEED consultant to certify our studio.
Our photography business is green. Read More
Sting and Peter Gabriel rock the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan.
35 years ago, my not-yet roommate was belting a song on our college quad about a guy who died in a South African prison. “Who sings about stuff like that?” I wondered.
Peter Gabriel sings about stuff like that.
On that same quad, someone’s radio was playing a boppin’ song from a British band and to this day I remember my introduction to Sting as he sang with his band The Police.
Sting also sings politically charged songs. Peter Gabriel also sings boppin’ songs. They’re on tour together and I got to witness their synthesis last night at The Palace.
“Buckingham Palace?” my cousin Keith joked via text. No, although they’re both British, this was at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Apr
30
Talented, funny installers from Strawberry Solar — Will Held, Connor Lark and Joe Nagle — attach panels to our garage roof in rain, sleet and snow.
For about the price of an average used car, we’ve decided to install solar panels on our garage roof.
It’s 4:34 am.
I call this time “heh.” I’ve written about it in the past, back when my digital clock seemed to be chuckling at me. Turn 4:34 upside down and it says hEh.
Heh, you’re not sleeping. Heh, those thoughts racing through your brain are going nowhere fast. Heh.
May
03
The bright red tulips magically sprang forth from the secret bulbs I planted for my wife last fall.
“There ain’t no better time of year.”
That’s what I wrote to my college roommate who has been going through his mother’s death, a divorce, a job loss, long-term unemployment and then, whoosh, finally a new job.
We’ve been there for each other over the years. He for me during my insane sicknesses and now me for him. I tell ya, it’s great to give back.
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Apr
21