One of my photos of a sleeping groomsman from Caitlin and Jerry’s wedding got First place in the Humor category in Bella Photography’s monthly contest for June 2009.
Uncategorized
Reflections on Turning 50
Ive hit another big milestone in my life today turning 50. For the last month Ive been reflecting on my life and what wisdom I would share on this special day. More than ever, Im now being sought out to give advice and share my experiences.
Many of my values that define me where shaped by growing up in Nebraska. I lived in an idyllic setting much like fictional town of Lake Wobegon made famous in the radio show Prairie Home Companion. Living on the edge of the prairie gave me a set of unique experiences that have propelled me through my life.
My wife Gina and daughters have also impacted my life with their un-ending love and support. My daughters have always inspired me to step back and take a look at things through a different un-filtered view.
My mother influenced me with her artistic skills and sense of humor. And my father instilled into me skills to be a life long learner.
Some phrases that have stuck with me over the years:
You never make it unless you deal with the person at the top This was advice that my neighbor Mrs. McLaughlin would always tell us growing up with her very heavy Boston accent. McLaughlin was a very formal lady that always wore white gloves. She was very successful as a businesswoman and owned about half the real estate in our downtown area.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This was the Golden Rule that my grandfather Geddes would always quote to me. He was a mortician and always had to deal with people at the time of their deepest sorrows in life.
No matter what happens people will always eat Was advice from my grandmother to hold unto ConAgra stock that has been in the family for 4 generations.
Ive always set significant goals than define each decade of my professional life. At age 20 I got a lucky break and had already worked at the White House as a photographer. I was challenged by a mentor to put myself on the map at a major national newspaper, so I ended up at the Orange County (CA) Register as an editor when I was 31. When I hit 40, I was a Vice President of an Internet company.
Now Im in the position to help provide people the tools and the strategy to move into the digital age that is rapidly changing our lives and economy.
I end with one of my favorite quotes from the martyred Lutheran Minster Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
“By the time you have grown up, the old country parsonage and the old
town villa will belong to a vanished world. But the old spirit, after
a time of misunderstanding and weakness, withdrawal and recovery,
preservation and rehabilitation, will produce new forms. To be deeply
rooted in the soil of the past makes life harder, but it also makes it
richer and more vigorous. There are in human life certain fundamental
truths to which men will always return sooner or later; we have to be
able to wait.”
Reflection on past Memorial Day weekends..
Spring is here!!
Our dogwood tree in full bloom!
And here is a photo of Day 1 of my garden this year. I planted:
12 tomato plants (5 varieties), green beans, snap peas, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, rosemary, cilantro, basil. I’ve still got some room left in the garden..but will leave it for the cucumbers to take over.
so how fast is FIOS service???
I get asked a lot about FIOS internet service. I love it…great speed for downloading and uploaded.
Here is a speed test result:
Shopping for prom dresses with Emma
My station on Last.fm — Enjoy
My profile at TJ Maxx
Passing time at the train station….
Penn State Altoona
We visited the Penn State Altoona campus this weekend. The photo above is of the campus reflecting pool. Emma will be attending the school next fall.
Photos from my new camera
A view of Grovers Mill Pond NJ. The Martian’s landed to the left.
My neighbor’s horses mugging for the camera.
Sunset at Grovers Mill Pond
Photos from my parents wedding…
The photographer who shot my parents wedding for their 50th anniversary mailed them back the 4×5 negatives. He shot 30 shots with with a 4×5 camera. Quite a difference from today…where I’ll shoot 800-900 images at a wedding. I’ve got a new scanner that scans in large negatives, so I am going to be scanning in the negatives during the long winter.
A very gray and foggy winter day in jersey….
true signs that winter is finally here…all the leaves are gone and the sky is a 18% gray!
The view from my office window…
Fall has come to NJ and this is the view out of the window from my home office.