"Tartuffe"

'Tartuffe' opens this weekend at the Regent University Theater. It's a good show and you should swing by and see it.

"The Guardian"

This photograph was taken on one of our many rest stop breaks. This happens to be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I noticed that this small tiger toy was on top of the trash can in the parking lot. I want to imagine this more as a Guardian of the highway and less like a toy forgotten by its young owner.

Fight mightily and strong fierce guardian of the trashcan!

"Packard"

"Barn"

"Schoolhouse"

"Just Gray"

"Anniversary Tree"

There is a story behind this shot like many of my photographs. Several years ago, I flew to Arizona to help my sister drive across country back to the east coast.

All through the trip I told her that if we saw a single tree in the middle of a field, pull over, I want the shot. Although we found on in I-40 somewhere in Texas, I never really liked it and have continued to look.

This tree is the tree I looked for all along. This shot is only one of a series I shot in MI. I don't feel all that badly waking the girl that lived on this farm to ask for permission. And even though I had to walk through the field, past a deer that had been hit by a car in my dress shoes, It was soooo worth it!

"The V"

"Snow"

The week before in the part of Ohio where we stayed, there was a snow storm of 10" dumped on the ground. And this was on the side of the hotel beside where I parked.

I enjoy having a clean car but I wasn't going to wash it in 17 degree weather.

"Smoke Break"

"Packed"

Friday January 20, 2012

I am leaving for a trip to Lapeer MI on Saturday to memorialize my Uncle Jim's life. He passed away on January 13 of this year.

I am taking my mother Julia, Aunt Betty and Pat (my Uncle Jim's sister) to visit my Aunt Mary as she celebrates the life of her husband of 51 years with her family.

Long trip ahead but worth it for my mom and her sisters.

"Amigo"

This is my new friend, Martin. I was honored to photograph him on stage tonight at the Sandler Center. This talented entertainer, plagued by technical difficulties in the microphone department, still humble enough to admit that his sock choice for the evening might not have been appropriate.

Give 'um a C, Martin... a bouncy C!

"Dave's Way"

This is hanging my office door at work. Several years ago my good friend and his roommate 'acquired' this sign from their place of employment for me, a popular fast food restaurant.

Although this is not my supervisory motto, I kinda like it.

"Ivy"

My neighbors behind me moved out of the country about a year ago and the house is sitting empty, waiting to be foreclosed on. Weird situation...

But when they first moved in and set their privacy fence up, they used cheap landscape timbers as posts for the fence. We have been slowly watching the fence sag and lean and piece by piece, fall onto the ground.

Today when I came home, this section with two others had fallen flat on the ground as well. You can't tell by this photograph but the shot was taken with me standing over this piece of ivy growing between the slats.

"Clock Tower"

"Mom"

This is my mother in her Bible Study class on Sunday. My wife attends the same class and it has become a ritual of sorts to meet them there after our classes on Sundays.

She usually hates having her photo taken but it is a little easier for me because frankly... I am her favorite.

"The Rails"

"Birthday Boy"

This is my friend Carl who turned '39' again today! Happy Birthday Buddy!

"Luncheon"

"Still Life"

I work with a guy named Eric and he is the most talented artist that I know. He uses oil paints. And today, I was locking up the back of the warehouse and he had this little still life set up and was preparing to paint it for an art show he's entering.

I snapped this quick shot before he turned off the lights and went home. I am not a still life or flower photographer usually but I couldn't resist this.

"Brochure Editing"

This has pretty much been my viewpoint for the past 4 hours. I am working on a photography brochure and sine I am my worst critic, I edit and manipulate, stop for a second and look... then redo some of it.

The good news is that I am close to being through! Ready for the printers.

"Orniments"

Now that Christmas is over at work, we have the task of tearing down Christmas Trees and other decorations all over our buildings. This colorful collection are being prepared to go into storage for a few months until we start this process all over again.

"Kindeling"

Courtney has found a new pastime, playing with her Kindle Fire that she got for Christmas. Even my photographing the mistletoe on the trees, outside of my front window didn't seem to interfere.

"Recycle"

I know that I promised a 'new' photo every day this year but this is an exception. I am looking through a lot of my photos for a brochure I am creating and I came across this shot.

This photo was taken in 1991 in Nashville TN and is my favorite photo of all time. It has a certain quality that is unexplainable to the average person. If you are below average like I am... you'll get it. If not... have someone explain it to you.

"Guardian"

I think my favorite part of my job is the diversity of the talent that works there. Sadly, some of these people move on to pursue other paths. But, on a recent visit back to the shop, Bob, our former graphic artist left a couple sketched blocks for our amusement.

Thanks Bob for adding some whimsey to our day in your own special way again.

"Rancho"

I suppose that for about four years now, I have been going to this little Mexican place during lunch. I had been going there with a co-worker or two until recently. Because of work projects, holidays, vacations and tons of other reasons, I found myself going alone on occasion.

This is not a bad thing at all for you see, when I worked for myself back 'in the day', I'd cozy up to some lunch counter with a book and read. I didn't know how much I missed reading regularly. Now with my Kindle app on my iPad, I read a lot more now than I think I did then.

Back to the restaurant. I seem to think I go there more than I should. I am on a first name basis with my usual waiter Mario. He knows my order; a sweet tea, no lemon with a lunch number five. When I don't sit in his section, he makes sure he tells the others. They will give me a friendly smile then ask me in their best, broken English, "Sweet tea, number fibe Mr. Da-beed?"

"6 Speed"

The cold weather has caused some 'sickness' with a couple guys in my shop this week. One of my stage crew who is our primary driver has been infected. Today I chipped in and drove some of our stuff around using this beast. I don't drive a manual often but it is like riding a bicycle... some things you don't easily forget how to do.

"Monticello"

I had to do some business downtown this afternoon so I decided to ride the Tide for the second time. This time I jumped off at the correct stop (seen here; Monticello Station). The first time I rode it was when I went to shoot the WWE at the Scope a couple of weeks ago. Despite the 30 degree weather outside, inside was nice and cozy. Even the lady that couldn't stop talking to herself enjoyed the break from the weather.

"Stick"

We had a few windy nights this week and this stick came from the tree outside of my front window. I am still a day or two away from being able to throw this out in my trash so capturing this image today will still give me time to keep my hands clean of it.

"New Year Resolution... I hate that term "

I am not one that likes the term 'New Year Resolution'... however, I have decided to make some changes to my routine in life and profession. One of these is my 'resolve' to take at least one photo per day and post it. I came to this decision a few days ago but like my decision to get back to the gym and read more, the start of the new year seemed to be the best time to do these things. Luckily for me, my gym thing starts tomorrow. Sadly for me... the photo I posted a few minutes ago was shot last night and the shots I took today from my iPhone are of my socks and pajamas while I was stretched out on the couch watching tv.

So, tomorrow... I begin! For now... ice cream time!

"Communications Building"