Classic Quote

Greetings.

I came across this quote today and thought is was worthy of sharing with you all. Anyone care to venture a guess as to who said it??

"I don't use a blow-dryer. I comb it. Once I have it the way that I like it, I spray it and it's good for the day."

C'mon Blog-vember-ites...you know this one.

A date with The Boss.

Hello Friends,

The dog days of Blog-vember are upon us. It's been quite a run but one things' for sure...this guy's still got some legs left in him. Thank you all for being such loyal readers and participants...I've had so much fun!

I wanted to do a quick post to commemorate an amazing experience that I had last week with two of my heroes: My mom and Bruce Springsteen. Together (they're not together-together although my mom sure as heck wouldn't mind if that were the case!!!), they represent a major chunk of my childhood memories and have instilled in me values that have helped shaped me into who I am. I've sat and listened to each of them for hours as they've shared their experiences, views and insights. In them I see humility, compassion, joy, love and most importantly, hope. Hope that I forever remain grounded. Hope that I am constantly evolving. And hope that life keeps getting sweeter with each new day.

So last week Ali, Kelli, my mom and I piled in for the long haul out to Albany, NY to witness the awesome phenomena that is Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. ...and for the 2.5 hours that we shared the same space and time, we might as well have been living on another planet!!! Nothing else existed. Again I was reminded of what I am reminded of every time I see Springsteen, that absolutely nothing can take the place of persistence. Not talent, education, genius...nothing. Sure, they have all of those things, but if any one of those guys were willing to take no for an answer, it would have been over a long time ago. This life's a journey, and my journey, your journey, my mom's journey...they're happening everyday. ...and I know that none of us would have it any other way!!!

I didn't do much by way of photography on the trip but I did manage to snap off a few. This first is a portrait of my sister Ali, who could not possibly be a more beautiful person. She also makes my list of heroes.

Who's fired up???

Adjusting the window light to bring out Kelli's eyes. puurty, no??
not sure here...kinda kewl.
out the car window shots of the New York State's capitol city...also known as the Collar City.

Fans lining up outside of the Times Union Center.
now this is why I have to get a portable camera. These last two are taken with my Razr cell phone. The image quality leaves a little to be desired. just a little...
they turned the lights on for the encore...Thunder Road! So wicked.
Well that just about covers it. I have another music related post to get to in the next couple of days so stay tuned. oh, and some wedding pics to show off as well.

See you next time...same blog-time, same blog-channel.

All the Best,
t

warm weather images for cold winter nights

Greetings,

With the weather getting colder and the days shorter, I thought that it would be nice to post some travel-themed snaps from my recent trip to Nassau in the Bahamas. This is in no way intended to torture those of you living in the Northeast…but more to provide therapy as we enter into the long winter haul. During these cold, dark months, I try to remind myself to embrace the winter's charm by engaging in cold weather activity and noticing the unique beauty that is abound during this time of year. Truth is that there is still a part of me that would rather be sitting on the beach watching the sunset! ...that's where these pictures come in.

I gathered them while exploring with Kenny during our down time:

We begin at sunrise…...then back to bed for a few more hours of sleep!!!

We decided to leave the comfy confines of our resort atmosphere and head into Downtown Nassau for some urban shooting...

urban sniper shots...

...and an encounter with a hook-handed pirate pedaling rum cakes.
...then back to Paradise Island.
this is in and around where they filmed the latest Bond film, Casino Royale, The Executive's Club.



sunset is upon us...it's getting interesting...


How low can you go?? This guy was serious about his limbo...notice the flames??
...interior shots from in and around The Atlantis Resort.






self portrait with 15ft sharks swimming over my head.
...and finally, my picks for favorite pics...




What an amazing experience!!! A super huge, mammoth thank you to Kenny Kim for inviting me to work alongside him on this project. It was both a joy and an honor. I'll be posting images from Jina & Joe's wedding real soon, so check back often.

Well my fellow blog-vember-ites, that concludes this installment. I want to wish you all safe travels and happy times during the Thanksgiving Holiday. There is so much to be thankful for...

All the Best,
t

Shine on

Hello World!

I was sitting in the studio this afternoon sorting through images from Jina & Joe's wondrously beautiful wedding in the Bahamas last month and I just wasn't feelin it. "How can this be??" I thought, "look at the beauty that your eyes have seen". "Get fired up, would ya??". Somehow, I had arrived at a state of inexplicable and unprovoked funk. Did you ever have one of those days??

Well, at that very moment, this happened:
Call it divine intervention, dumb luck...whatever you will, but the light that illuminated the room at that very moment was undeniably rejuvenating. Golden and warm and ooey gooey. I could actually feel my spirit being lifted...it was pure magic. Maybe I'm making more out of this than it really is, but for me it was a clear illustration of the power that one moment in time can possess. So often we get caught up reliving the events of our past or forecasting those of our future, that we miss what is all around us. ...and what is all around us can make all of the difference.

OK...I'll get off my soapbox now. But not before I leave you with an image that I captured from the fortune I received after dinner 2 nights ago at PF Changs. I usually don't put a lot of stock in these little 'wisdoms', but this one got my attention and is relevant to this post.
I hope that you are all enjoying what you have at this very moment, and enjoying it with all that you are.

Much Love,
t

Van Halen in Canada, eh??

Howdy!!

First off, I want to let you all know how spectacular this blog-vember is turning out to be. You are all so attentive, supportive and fired up. I am blessed to have you all in my life...and on my blog!!! This is not the time to get lazy though. Let's ride this wave straight through and see what comes of it. WHO'S WITH ME???

About a month ago, Kelli and I had the life-altering experience of seeing my childhood hero, Mr. Eddie Van Halen, and the newly reformed Van Halen (featuring David Lee Roth back on Vocals) at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. We were a bit rushed getting to the show, so there aren't any images from the shenanigans and antics that transpired prior to the band ripping into 'You Really Got Me'...the first song in a string of 20-plus tunes that night. Yes, I lost my voice and suffered a minor strain in my wrist from killing it on air guitar all night long. But what can I say, they were in their 80's hairband, hotpants glory, and I was psyched to be there to witness it.

The next day was simply fantastic. The weather was warm with just enough cloud cover. The city was hopping with tourists and locals visiting the shops up and down Yonge Street. We walked for miles taking in all of it's beauty and stopping for the occasional photo op. I really enjoyed getting familiar with the streets and alleyways of this great city. If you haven't been, go...if you have, go back, I'll go with you.

Here are some images from that afternoon.

Leading the charge is a cell phone pic I snapped during the show. Can you say nosebleeds?? We got tickets 3 minutes after they went on sale and this is where they stuck us.

Now is the day after the night before. Enjoy!!!
modern architecture.


We found the mecca of Converse All Stars. It was paradise. I know that it's on Yonge Street but I was so excited to have been there that I forgot to snap a picture of the sign on the way out. Oh well, guess I'll have to go back. Darn.

The challenge was to find cool spots and act as models for one another. Here are a few. What are the odds that we found a wall to match her socks. Only in Toronto!

This is one of my all time favorites. Kelli almost got run over finding an angle for this shot. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!



We were attacked by a gang of these things. What are these things??
The CN Tower

signature sunglass shot at sunset.

loved this sticker. "you will be photographed". Potential slogan in the making here.
We ate dinner at The Loose Moose. How do you not eat dinner at a place called The Loose Moose??


and of course...some textured shots.

Excellent.

In other news, I spent a better part of yesterday updating the photo galleries on my myspace site. I did this in anticipation of my upcoming website overhaul which should be taking place over the next two weeks. That makes it not only Blog-vember, but website overhaul-vember as well. I'll be sure to keep you all posted.

One more thing worth mentioning. The Benefit celebrating the Life and Music of Tony Cavagnaro will be this Sunday at Water Street Music Hall. Over 15 bands and 100 musicians are scheduled to perform. Please stop by to show your support and get your groove on. All proceeds go to Tony's son, Calvin's Education Fund. I have donated some pieces for sale in the silent auction so stop by the booths while you're there.

OK...so Blog-vember charges on. Stay fired up!!! Before I sign off though, I will ask a favor of you all. Tell someone that you love how much you love them today. Be careful though, these kinds of shenanigans could be contagious. The world might become a better place!!!

All the Best,
t