Tom Goss

Tuesday night I went to Three Layers Cafe to see Tom Goss sing.  I really enjoy his music, can’t quit listening to his cd’s.   Check it out at www.tomgossmusic.com

 

Fine Friday or is it Sexy Saturday already

Andy has been my fine Friday I know at least once, lately the guy has just been getting more and more pumped.   One day I’m getting out to Austin.    He and Jef seem like a great couple.   Would really love to spend some time with them.   Anyway been a while since I’ve done a Fine Friday or  a Sexy Saturday but here he is.  The guy is brilliant as well, not just another purty face!   

Happy Birthday Handsome man!

Patrick Mark Salazar is the wonderful photographer for his pictures. Here’s his website: http://manofaustin.com/

One day I’m going to take some shots of him that I’ve got in my head.

The weekend

This past weekend was the Shrimpfest in Fernandina Beach, went up Friday-Sunday and spent with my friend Donny and Dan at there home.   Had a blast all weekend with them.  Went to a party Saturday that my friend Tom co-hosted, I’ll post pictures of later and more of the shrimp fest.    Had a wonderful breakfast at Mrs. Caroline’s, then went to the party and ran around the streets of the shrimpfest.  It was very hot.   Gavin and Mike came down too, and they came over to Dan and Donny’s as well later in the afternoon, and Donny fried up some fish and shrimp and fries.  We ate like kings.   Dan’s sister Kris came with her friend Mebane and we took some pictures down on the beach, and Donny and I got to take some at the Plantation.   Here’s a few of them.  It was also Gavin’s birthday on Thursday, and Mike surprised him with tickets to “Wicked”.  Will write more later it’s getting late.  More pictures to come from the shrimpfest and Roger and Tom’s party.

David Gano shot a bear

Went to opening of the beaches Saturday, was a great crowd there.   Ran into David Gano from http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidgano  he had taken this picture of me last year.  I wasn’t as lively as I was last year this year.   I don’t think I’ve written about this but I got robbed a few weeks back.  They kicked the front door down and took my laptop, computer and cameras.  So I really havn’t been writing much lately.   But things are coming together, a buddy of mine from Atlanta sent me a laptop to use till I can get my own.  (Thanks Daryl)   I should be getting my new camera sometime this week hopefully, if all goes as planned.  So hopefully very soon more pictures will be posted, and more blogging.

Last night in my dreams I saw a child that child was me, he was embracing himself against the dark. He knows not why, nor imagines why. He only acknowledges the existence and the “feel of things” to come. He waits…He waits… He waits for the reality that will knowing come, He knows it will come…with a vengence and a rage, it will come, and he waits…   Life without pain, He waits… For neither shame nor sorrow He waits… He waits for the scars to heal, They are deep, The soul was wounded, And it lies there bleeding, until it too will come, with a vengence and a rage masked by duty. Oh, Yes!  It too shall come.   Muffled voices fall on a muted, numb brain, but he feels the tension.. he knows, Anticipation crushes his chest… and he knows. Oh God!  Please!  But he knows. Fear grips his eyes as it turns them to liquid. Light suddenly and blindly explodes the room It has come.   Somewhere tonight a child sleeps, curled inside himself.  He tries to reach the womb, nine months without pain, no sorrow, not tears. For in the womb there was comfort and peace.   The child will find much in this world, pain and sorry, joy and love. So for now he waits… and dreams of gossamer wings that will fly him to peace and a life without pain… He waits.   by Derek  

Autumn turned 9

Autumn turned 9 on March 27.  Man how time flies, sSeems like yesterday she was this little amazing new bundle of life that was about to change all of our lives. Wow how she’s changed in nine years. Guess I have too. When I first saw her when she was here two weekends ago, I couldn’t get over how much she’s grown and the little young lady she’s becoming. They took her too Atlanta to see her mom and celebrate her birthday up there. I was there last year for her birthday, her Hannah Montana bowling birthday party. Just wanted to take a few minutes to wish her a wonderful 9th birthday Happy Birthday Autumn It is your birthday and on this day, I want you to know that you are a very special niece who has touched and warmed all of our lives, including mine. I just want you to know how much I appreciate you. I hope you celebrated the beauty of your funfilled spirit, embraced the dreams of your heart, acknowledged the great joy you bring to the world, and most of all realize just how much your life means to those around you.I love you! Your smile lights up my life! Happy Birthday

Happy First Birthday Gavin

He was sitting in my lap in this picture a year ago.

Yesterday my nephew turns one. It’s his first year milestone! I was lucky enough to get to spend some time with him last weekend. From the time Amy got him out of the car on Friday till Sunday when I said goodbye to him he was smiling. He’s such a happy child. Hopefully I will be able to make it home soon. I love time with my family! I think back to a year ago, where I was in my life, and Gavin just starting the journey of his life. I sat and stared at him for hours last year. Filling myself with the wonder of life and thanking God for such a blessing in my brother and Amy’s life, in all of our lives. I’m still very thankful for that blessing. God can use you at any age, I guess. babies sure bring happiness to mine when I see them, especially my niece and nephews. The each have filled my life with joy I can not exactly explain in words although I try many times. Today is also my friend Phyllis’s birthday, she turns 60, just a few years older than Gavin. Something about her eyes have always reminded me of my niece and nephews eyes, they all have the most beautiful blue eyes. My pepa had really blue eyes like this. Phyllis has a beautiful giving spirit, she always has a hug to share, and a kiss as well. She has something bright shining in her soul, just like the light of baby to me. In writing this entry, my mind wanders to the different ages of life. One second I’m thinking of my nephew turning one, then the next I’m thinking of different ages. I even think about Ms. Beaulah and her birthday’s, 90 something birthdays. I think of all those little men and women I see in Taylor Nursing Home that I see, all of them raised their families and retired from their careers. Now they can no longer live on their own, so they are at a nursing home, sort of a last stop before Heaven. I watch in the halls because I have to actually pass at least 4 different hallways before I come to Ms. Beaulah’s, I watch their interactions, some seem to enjoy each other’s company, some seem ill, I remember my friend Wendy trying to open the door for one little lady. We sat and talked to her for a while. I see flirting sometimes between some of the old timers, flirting wasn’t something I thought I would see. Actually they have one hall that has the wall full of pictures of the women there back when they were in their 20’s. I look for Ms. Beaulah on the wall, but can’t even imagine her in her 20’s. I find myself looking at one woman who looks like a movie star back in the early 30’s or something. So many life’s lived. Sometimes Ms. Beaulah is not happy when I visit her, today she was sad. She said something my Mema said to me once, she questioned why God was so slow in taking her to Heaven. Mema was ready to go after Papa passed away. I guess in ways today I find myself deep in thought, I’m young compared to Ms. Beaulah, I’m old compared to Gavin. I have my good days and bad days just like those people in Taylor Nursing Home. Some days even I struggle with feeling of usefulness. I guess today’s lesson for me is we’re never too old. God uses us all no matter what age, if we are willing.

My mind is full today, my heart is with Gavin even if I’m not there in person. Wishing you Gavin a very happy first birthday. I love you very much, my birthday wish for you to continue to bring much happiness to other hearts as you have mine!

Dena

My sister Dena turned  thirty five on March 8th.  I didn’t forget her birthday but I didn’t write about it this year on my blog.   Well the whole family came to Jacksonville this weekend.  Here’s a few pictures I took of my sis.   It was great seeing the whole family more on the weekend later my show Lost is about to come on soon.

Happy Birthday Chad

Today is Chad’s birthday, so I wanted to write a special Happy Birthday to him.  He’s a special guy to me.  He’s only been a friend of mine for a  short while. I find myself wishing for him things today on his birthday.

  I see a little of myself at that age, so maybe I wish for him some things that I never received at that age, although he may have already received much of those things.   I wrote he’s special at the top of this entry, why, well he listens when I rant, he offers his presence if it’s just a phone call or just a running partner.   He’s got a smile that just looking at it makes me smile, and eyes that are as brown as mine, but much more intense.   He’s pretty laid back, I enjoy his company, and feel great when I’m around him.   Chad, I wish for you to have a beautiful experience each new day as you follow your dreams.  Hope all your birthday wishes come true. 

Capturing what’s REAL

As many of you know I’m a photographer.    Many would think one of the things I say often is, “Smile”.   Actually I don’t say it as much as you would think.   I do say it though from time to time.   But I remember something I was told about myself when I was a little boy.   I can’t remember if my mom told me this or my Mema.   But she said that when I was a little boy that I had a smile that lit up an entire room.    She said it was a natural kind of smile, and you couldn’t help but be happy when you were in the company of it.    She said that at some time people started commanding me to smile for them.   That everyone wanted to see the smile that I had always  shared with them.    She said the more that people commanded it that the less and less that I would smile.    That story has always stuck with me to a certain degree.   So I don’t command smiles to those I photograph, I may compliment them on their smile but I never command it.    A real smile comes from inside this I know.  It’s from the heart, not of the face.  Sometimes I can tell when someone is giving mea  phony smile in a photograph.    Seems in photograph’s especially people are looking for happiness.   I watch as parents coax and beg little ones to smile.   Most of the time not all of the time I do better without their pleas and coaxing.   Whether we’re happy or sad or mad is essential.   I rather capture the real emotion going on within someone than something that is not real.    REAL is something I wanted and strived for ever since I read “The Velveteen Rabbit” not so many years ago.   I know about putting up a happy face even when I may not be feeling happy, I did that for years.   Changing our facial expressions is easier than changing our attitude that’s for sure.   Different things makes people happy, for some it’s music, for some it’s children.   For some, like me it’s capturing a moment in time,that’s real!