The "ABC"s of Me...

366 Project - Day 26 - "Chicken Feet"

2012-01-26T20:15:00.003-05:00

January 26, 2012 - "Chicken Feet"

I just got a delivery of 12-lbs of fresh chicken feet from a local farm.

How fresh? Well... just this morning these birds were walking.

So... what do I do with a 12-lb bag of fresh chicken feet?

I take pictures.

Then I use take said bag of chicken feet and use it to taunt the vegetarians I work with.

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 25 - "Udon and Phở"

2012-01-25T21:44:00.003-05:00

January 25, 2012 - "Udon and Phở"

Today was a very tasty day!

A lunch of Udon Noodles in a super-spicy hell-broth...

A quick stop for fat-free frozen coconut yogurt at Peachwave...

To top it all off - an abso-freakin'-lutely AMAZING dinner with my good friend Lenny at "Phở Vietnam" - where I had incredible Oxtail Dumplings... and a big bowl of traditional Phở which was pure heaven!

And the photo? A bundle of Udon Noodles resting in a bowl, waiting for the broth to come to a boil so I could finish making my lunch.

* * *

366 Project - Day 24 - "Seeds"

2012-01-24T21:12:00.002-05:00

January 24, 2012 - "Seeds"

I find myself sitting in the break room at work, playing with half of a red bell pepper... completely in awe of it's abstract beauty.

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 23 - "Red Velvet"

2012-01-23T20:30:00.002-05:00

January 23, 2012 - "Red Velvet"

A co-workers birthday = RED VELVET CAKE!!!

(Don't worry... I only had a 1/4" slice!)

* * *

Thankful... 01/22/12

2012-01-22T22:40:00.002-05:00

* * *

Today I am thankful for...

... a wonderful evening spent with wonderful friends...

... coffee mugs with Great White Sharks hiding inside them...

... zombie mermaids...

... hugs...

... and finally being able to finish Christmas.

Today I am thankful for...

... A.S. Roma destroying A.C. Cesena - 5 to 1...

... Il Capitano, Francesco Totti...

... the New York Giants going to the Super Bowl...

... and another weekend of great games.

Today I am thankful for...

... back-to-back episodes of "Oddities" featuring the wonderfully beautiful Laura Flook...

... Real Burlesque...

... glittery, sparkly fabrics...

... the original RENT broadway soundtrack blasting on my stereo...

... and not giving a damn what anyone thinks about any of that!

Today I am thankful for...

... the loud click of my Canon F-1's shutter, scaring people...

... a stack of Kodak film waiting to be shot...

... standing in snowy fields, pressing icy cold shutter release buttons with freezing fingers...

... having three cameras in my bag at all times...

... and the knowledge of a Leica M3 coming my way in the near future.

Today I am thankful for...

... a dancing daughter...

... an incredibly imaginative son...

... a dumbass cat who falls off of his perches...

... and my wife's butt shaking while she's on her hands and knees looking for a tiny Swarovski crystal she dropped on the floor.

Today I am thankful for...

... having an amazing coffee house so close by...

... Mr. Happy Cloud's cover of the entire Lucinda Williams' album "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" being sooooooooooo much better than the original...

... coffee...

... more coffee...

... and... even more coffee.

Today I am thankful for...

... miles and miles and miles on the treadmill...

... rediscovering muscles I had forgotten existed within my body...

... music helping to push me further...

... having goals...

... and the feeling of stepping out of the gym - hot and exhausted - into the wonderful, icy January air.

Today I am thankful for...

... knowing that today was wonderful...

... knowing that tomorrow has the potential to be even more wonderful...

... and knowing that the "wonderfulness" of all of my tomorrows is completely up to me.

* * *

366 Project - Day 22 - "Finishing Christmas"

2012-01-22T19:42:00.002-05:00

January 22, 2012 - "Finishing Christmas"

Tonight we're finally finishing Christmas.

Sure, the tree... the lights... the decorations have been down for quite some time...

... but we still hadn't been able to get together with two wonderful friends to exchange gifts...

... until tonight, that is!

So - after having a very filling dinner...

... and lots of conversation...

... and exchanging gifts...

... Christmas is finally and completely finished!

The only remnants are a box full of torn wrapping paper...

... and many wonderful memories!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 21 - "Kodak"

2012-01-21T19:14:00.003-05:00

January 21, 2012 - "Kodak"

It was a very sad day when - earlier this week - Kodak announced that they have filed for bankruptcy.

I, like so many others, sincerely hope that they are able to pull out of this!

* * *

366 Project - Day 20 - "Molten Java"

2012-01-20T23:55:00.002-05:00

January 20, 2012 - "Molten Java"

Our first visit to the new home of Molten Java coffeehouse in Bethel, CT.

Wonderful new location...

Wonderful show by the even more wonderful Mr. Happy Cloud...

Wonderful friends and wonderful conversation...

Wonderful happy-goodness...

I guess you could say that the entire night was... well... "wonderful"!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 19 - "Blood Orange"

2012-01-19T21:41:00.002-05:00

January 19, 2012 - "Blood Orange"

I'm doing my weekly "Produce Photo Shoot" at work: Every week I take photos of the fresh produce we get delivered, so I can post it to our store's Facebook page.

I get distracted by the intense beauty of a sliced organic Blood Orange.

It poses for me for five or ten minutes...

... then it's "back-to-work" time.

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 18 - "Chocolate Cravings"

2012-01-18T23:07:00.002-05:00

January 18, 2012 - "Chocolate Cravings"

I'd practically kill for a chocolate bar right now...

but I'm being "good"...

no chocolate for me tonight!

So instead I'm just taking photos of a stack of chocolate bars on a drugstore shelf...

... and trying to convince myself that THAT will be enough to help the craving.

* * *

366 Project - Day 17 - "Jelly"

2012-01-17T20:15:00.002-05:00

January 17, 2012 - "Jelly"

Hard workout today.

My legs feel like jelly.

My arms feel like jelly.

My whole body feels like jelly.

But I like jelly!

Especially canned jellied cranberry sauce!

(Which just happens to be part of tonight's dinner... and a fitting subject for today's photo!)

Life is good!

* * *

Thankful... 01/17/12

2012-01-17T15:02:00.002-05:00

* * *

Today I am thankful for...

... Noodles...

... Spicy Broth...

... Chopsticks...

... and Slurping.

Today I am thankful for...

... my new Asics gym shoes...

... improving endurance...

... ice-cold Penta water...

... and hot, sweaty women in yoga pants.

Today I am thankful for...

... a (relatively) clean house...

... San Lorenzo by the stove...

... cats who hide in boxes...

... and white porcelain Espresso and Cappuccino cups, hanging in rows... waiting for me.

Today I am thankful for...

... days off...

... rejuvenation...

... getting things done...

... and feeling "complete".

Today I am thankful for...

... free music...

... amazing headphones...

... body movements...

... within and without.

Today I am thankful for...

... the smell of a roll of 35mm film...

... the sound of the film advancing in my Canon...

... the feel of the lens as I focus...

... the mystery that comes with not always knowing what was actually captured.

Today I am thankful for...

... planning trips...

... dreaming of Cadillacs...

... Sunroofs open to the night sky...

... and jazz-filled nights.

Today I am thankful for...

... Roads that go ever, ever on...

... re-taking old journeys...

... the pitter-patter of raindrops on my roof...

... and the ability to be carried away.

Today I am thankful for...

... all that I have...

... all that I am...

... all that I know...

... and all that I have yet to become.

* * *

...

BEST ALBUMS OF 2011 (In my not-so-humble opinion, that is!)

2012-01-17T12:45:00.002-05:00

Was “2011” as good as “2010” in terms of music? Well… not quite.

Sure, there were some super-hits such as Adele’s “21” and “Watch the Throne” by Jay-Z and Kanye West. Those made Rolling Stone’s “Best of 2011” list at Numbers 1 & 2 respectively. But they did not make MY list.

And there were popular releases by Foo Fighters… Fleet Foxes… The Decemberists… Wilco… The Black Keys… P.J. Harvey… Florence + The Machine, and the final album from R.E.M. - all of which seem to have landed somewhere in the “Top 20” on just about every “Best of 2011” list I’ve seen. But they did not make MY list.

No… this year it was much tougher to come up with my “Top 10”. Too many albums to choose from… and too many of which just didn’t seem up-to-par. A lot of it just seemed to be the same. Still, somehow I did manage to purchase/download over 110 albums from iTunes during the course of 2011 - and there had to be something in there worth writing about… right?

Right!

So, here are MY picks for the “Top Ten Albums of 2011”… and once again I will not play favorites. I will not be starting with a “No. 10” and working my way down to a “No. 1” choice. The albums are just so different from one another… yet all are amazing in their own way. They are listed in the order in which they were released.

And here they are...

“The King of Limbs” by Radiohead (February 18, 2011)

Is it as good as, say “OK Computer” or “Kid A”? No. But “The King of Limbs” is very much a Radiohead album. Haunting. Almost “sacred” sounding. The more you listen to it, the more you find… and the more it grows on you. Highlights include: “Lotus Flower” and “Codex”

“Wounded Rhymes” by Lykke Li (February 25, 2011)

Bolder than her 2008 debut… “Wounded Rhymes” gives us a more confident Lykke Li. This album still has a bit of that classic-y, vintage sound to it… yet it’s completely current and modern at the same time. Does that make sense? Who cares! Just listen to it! Highlights include: “I Follow Rivers” and “Get Some”

“Holy Ghost!” by Holy Ghost! (April 04, 2011)

Who is going to fill the void left after LCD Soundsystem called it quits in early 2011? Well, it just might be Holy Ghost! - which happens to be on the DFA Records label founded by LCD’s James Murphy. This album is phenomenal… one that you can’t help but move to. If I had to choose one favorite amongst these ten - this just might be it! Highlights include: “Do It Again” and “Wait and See”

“WhoKill” by Tune-Yards (April 15, 2011)

OK… this album is NOT for everyone! Some might describe it simply as “weird”. At times it’s sort of “Björk plays ukelele to an African drum beat”… which just makes it even more wonderful! Merrill Garbus’ voice is powerful… and the music is… well… there’s a reason why this album is making so many “Top 10 of 2011” lists. Just give it a try! Highlights include: “Gangsta” and “Bizness”

“Burst Apart” by The Antlers (May 10, 2011)

This is a simple, yet complex… sad, yet beautiful album. There’s a hint of Radiohead influence here… but there’s also so much more. It’s soulful… emotional… wonderful. Highlights include: “I Don’t Want Love” and “Parentheses”

“Past Life Martyred Saints” by EMA (May 10, 2011)

In my opinion you just have to love an album with a song that opens with the line “Fu@# California… You made me boring”! This album is powerful… confrontational… poetic… and, well… yeah - there’s a heavy Patti Smith influence here! It’s a bright spot in a world of “same-ness”. Highlights include: “California” and “Milkman”

“Destroyed” by Moby (May 17, 2011)

Some loved this album. Some hated it. I think it’s amazing. It’s dream-music. Moby composed and recorded the album while on tour… often recording songs in his hotel room while suffering from insomnia. He described the album as “Broken down melodic electronic music for empty cities at 2 am”. That description is perfect! This is the music in my head when I’m sitting on the windowsill of my room at the Hotel Chelsea, looking out at the city while my wife sleeps and my head races with thoughts. Highlights include: “Be The One” and “Victoria Lucas”

“Il Volo” by Il Volo (May 17, 2011)

Completely different than anything else on the list… Il Volo is the self-titled debut album from the Italian classical pop trio. What makes this album so amazing is the pure talent - especially when you consider that the oldest member of Il Volo is a mere 18 years old! This album took the rest of the world by storm… while the U.S. was obsessed with Rebecca Black’s “Friday”. What does that say about us? Highlights include: “O Sole Mio” and “E Piu’ Ti Penso”

“Born This Way” by Lady GaGa (May 23, 2011)

OK… OK… I know what you’re thinking! I don’t care though! Yes… this album was a mega-hit. Yes… the title song has been played, and played, and played some more. Yes… some of it sounds a bit too influenced by Madonna. Yes… it’s Lady GaGa. All of that being said - I love this album! It’s powerful… and I don’t think there’s another album released in 2011 which has influenced pop-culture more. Say what you want about Lady GaGa… but this album deserves to be in the Top 10. Highlights include: “Born This Way” and “Edge of Glory”

“Strange Mercy” by St. Vincent (September 09, 2011)

Sorry, I know I already used a Björk reference here once… but I have to again: Annie Clark’s voice IS Björk-like at times… especially on the opening track, “Chloe in the Afternoon”. I also hear hints of “Shakespeare’s Sister” here. The similarities end there though. This is very much it’s own album. Personal. Wonderful. Highlights include: “Cruel” and “Cheerleader”

HONORABLE MENTION:

“Into the Woods” by Of Monsters and Men (December 20, 2011)

I’ve heard them referred to as “Iceland’s Mumford and Sons”. I don’t know about that. I can’t stand “Mumford and Sons”… but I’m loving “Of Monsters and Men”! This short EP was released to build up the U.S. audience prior to the groups full-album debut release in 2012. All I can say is I can’t wait to hear more! This EP only has four tracks… so I won’t choose two as “Highlights”. They’re ALL highlights!

WORST ALBUM OF 2011:

“Lulu” by Lou Reed & Metallica (November 01, 2011)

I listen to this album, and all I can say is “Why?” - while shaking my head. I had doubts from the moment I heard of it’s possibility… yet I clung to the hope that somehow this might work. Well… it didn’t. This was not only the worst album of 2011… it just might go down as being one of the worst albums EVER!

BEST METAL ALBUM:

“Beyond Magnetic” by Metallica (December 13, 2011)

I wasn’t impressed by much in the way of Heavy Metal offerings in 2011. I was, however, happy to see the release of this little EP by Metallica late in the year. It’s actually comprised of songs recorded during the “Death Magnetic” sessions… which never made it to that 2008 album. So it’s not exactly “new”. Still, it does make up for the atrocity that was/is “Lulu”. Well… maybe not completely… but it does help! Again, this EP only has four tracks… so I won’t choose two as “Highlights”.

BEST POSTHUMOUS RELEASE:

“Lioness: Hidden Treasures” by Amy Winehouse (December 05, 2011)

Some loved Amy Winehouse. Some hated her. Others didn’t quite hate her… but didn’t quite understand why she was such a big deal, either. I was among those who loved her music… thought her to be talented… thought her voice to be powerful and soulful… and thought it sad that she was not able to pull herself together in time. This album is a fitting tribute. Highlights include: “Tears Dry” and “Valerie”

BEST RE-ISSUE:

“Nevermind: Super Deluxe Edition” by Nirvana (Originally released September 24, 1991)

Re-Issued in celebration of the 20th anniversary of it’s release - (Has it REALLY been 20 years!?!) - this album is still as powerful, awesome and relevant now as it was then. The “Super Deluxe Edition” has 70 tracks… (almost five dozen more than the original) - including alternate takes, B-sides, rehearsal takes and some live recordings. Highlights include: Well… THE WHOLE DAMN ALBUM!!!

* * *

366 Project - Day 16 - "Asics"

2012-01-16T20:30:00.003-05:00

January 16, 2011 - "Asics"

I'm a little bored... and completely exhausted - so it's a "quick shot" tonight...

... my new pair of Asics... which I bought just for gym use.

These things are so light and comfortable... I'm in love with them!

I've only had them for a few days, yet they already have at least a dozen treadmill miles on them.

In fact, today we had quite a work out together: An hour and-a-half on the Tread... plus time on the strength machines...

... and it felt so good!

* * *

366 Project - Day 15 - "Waiting To Be Watched"

2012-01-15T17:44:00.004-05:00

January 15, 2012 - "Waiting To Be Watched"

The Golden Globes are tonight.

So many movies I haven't seen yet!

In fact, I've got a whole stack of BluRays...

... sitting on my TV stand...

... just waiting to be watched.

Someday!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 14 - "Self Portrait (Post-Workout)"

2012-01-14T19:35:00.005-05:00

January 14, 2012 - "Self Portrait (Post-Workout)"

Long day.

Shot a roll of film at the closed/abandoned Fairfield Hill's State Hospital in Newtown...

Ran errands...

Came home to watch the A.S. Roma game, which ended in a draw after rain shortened it to only an hour...

Hit the gym...

Walked...

Walked faster...

Walked even faster...

... then even faster than that.

Soaked in sweat... came home to shoot some more...

... including this shot as I cooled down and prepared to make dinner.

Cooling down.

(lifeisgood)

* * *

366 Project - Day 13 - "Lightwave"

2012-01-13T23:15:00.003-05:00

January 13, 2012 - "Lightwave"

A wonderful night spent with even more wonderful friends!

A very tasty (and healthy!) dinner at a favorite local diner...

Followed by a very tasty (and healthy!) dessert at a (new) favorite local frozen yogurt shop...

... which is where I came across a wonderful white plastic lamp, a small portion of which found it's way through the lens of my camera, to become today's image.

A wonderful night spent with even more wonderful friends!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 12 - "The Underside"

2012-01-12T19:24:00.002-05:00

January 12, 2012 - "The Underside"

Changing perspective...

Looking at the underside of life...

And finding it to be just as beautiful!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 11 - "Waiting for the Music"

2012-01-11T21:28:00.002-05:00

January 11, 2012 - "Waiting for the Music"

One-hundred blank CDs...

Sitting in a stack...

Waiting for my call...

To hold the music...

Music to be shared...

Music to be enjoyed...

Music to be danced to.

But for now they sit in silence...

... where they meet the macro lens of my camera.

(lifeisgood)

* * *

366 Project - Day 10 - "Burn"

2012-01-10T22:17:00.002-05:00

January 10, 2012 - "Burn"

Another night at the gym...

Another high-intensity burn.

Sweating like a pig...

My legs feel like jelly...

I'm out of breath...

And I couldn't be happier!

* * *

Thankful... 01/09/12

2012-01-09T22:15:00.004-05:00

* * *

Today I am thankful for...

... improving health...

... twelve lost pounds (so far)...

... a gym I love going to...

... and a great friend to go with! (Thanks Lenny!)

Today I am thankful for...

... Lacuna Coil on my iPod...

... Hot tea in the evening...

... blank Moleskine journals, waiting to be filled...

... and a Kindle full of journeys.

Today I am thankful for...

... knowing farmers...

... being able to easily get Heirloom Berkshire Pork...

... and Heritage Breed Chicken...

... and Lamb...

... and grass-fed Beef...

... all of them raised without hormones or antibiotics...

... all of them raised locally.

Today I am thankful for...

... "A Bit of Fry & Laurie"...

... Laughter...

... Smiles...

... and a "YO, BITCH - I DIDN'T ASK FOR NO SPRINKLES!".

Today I am thankful for...

... "now"...

... the possibility of "tomorrow"...

... "tomorrow" becoming nothing more than "now"...

... and "now" always being "good enough".

Today I am thankful for...

... "you"...

... "this"...

... and, for "life"...

... which is good!

* * *

366 Project - Day 09 - "Walk... Hydrate... Color..."

2012-01-09T20:08:00.003-05:00

January 09, 2012 - "Walk... Hydrate... Color..."

Gym-time...

Hit the treadmill...

Set the incline...

Turn on the iPod...

"Seven Nation Army"...

Go.

Walk...

Faster...

Harder...

Increase incline...

Walk...

Faster...

Increase incline...

Sweat...

Hydrate...

Wonderful... Cold... Water.

Close my eyes...

Tilt back my head...

Visions of colors.

Walk...

Increase incline.

Burn...

Iron Maiden... Metallica... SlipKnot... Otep... Lacuna Coil...

Walk...

Faster...

Increase incline.

Go...

Go...

Go...

Hydrate...

Feel the burn...

Go...

Go...

Go...

Hydrate...

Feels good!

Cool down...

Slow...

Slower...

Slow...

Slowdown...

Smile.

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 08 - "Coloring the Night"

2012-01-08T21:18:00.002-05:00

January 08, 2012 - "Coloring the Night"

The night is kind of "ordinary".

I'm wandering the aisles of the supermarket, with camera in-hand...

... surrounded by "ordinary".

Nothing is jumping out at me....

Nothing exciting...

... that is, until I happen upon a package of brightly-colored plastic straws hanging on an end-cap at the final aisle.

Color!

Beautiful color!

Beautiful color... coloring the night!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

366 Project - Day 07 - "Caught on Film"

2012-01-07T20:07:00.005-05:00

January 07, 2012 - "Caught on Film"

One of my personal projects for 2012 is to shoot (at least) one roll of film per week. Whether it's Black & White... or Color... Whether it's 35mm... or 120/Medium Format... or Pack-film in one of my vintage Polaroid land cameras... At least one roll of film per week... every week... for one full year.

So, today I did just that!

I loaded up my Canon "New F-1" with a 36-exposure roll of Kodak Professional Black & White film (ISO 400) - and went out "exploring".

First stop - an abandoned greenhouse, formerly part of a flower shop.

Snap... Snap... Click... Click.

Second stop - an abandoned factory and warehouse.

Snap... Snap... Click... Click.

And to finish it off - a stop by the natural foods store where I work...

Snap... Snap... Click... Click...

The last stop including taking this photo of my daughter, while standing in front of the store.

Roll finished... head to the photo lab where they were surprised to see someone coming in with "film".

An intense workout at the gym while the lab worked on the records of my day... then swing by to pick up the photos.

In my opinion, "Film" = "Magic"!!!

And "Life" = "Good"!!!

* * *

366 Project - Day 06 - "Eating Healthy"

2012-01-06T19:54:00.003-05:00

January 06, 2012 - "Eating Healthy"

OK... I'm eating healthy.

Fruits...

Vegetables...

Nuts and Seeds...

Good protein...

Lots of water...

Organic food...

No hormones...

No antibiotics...

No "nasty-ness"...

Eating healthy.

So all of that is good... and good for me too. But no matter how "healthy" I get... I just can't bring myself to do the whole "Wheatgrass" thing!

To me, it's much better for "photos" than it is for "drinking"!

And that is that!

(Healthy) Life is Good!

* * *

366 Project - Day 05 - "Powering Down"

2012-01-05T23:24:00.002-05:00

January 05, 2012 - "Powering Down"

Wake up...

Shower...

Dress...

Organize...

Eat...

Work...

Deliveries...

Meetings...

More deliveries...

Organize...

Work...

Head to gym...

Walk...

Walk...

Walk...

Walk...

Sweat...

Breathe...

Home...

Shower...

Cook dinner...

Eat...

Bring daughter to dance class...

Visit mom...

Do more laundry...

Try to stay awake...

Falling...

Falling...

Falling...

Powering down...

So I'll have the energy...

... to do it all again... tomorrow.

(lifeisgood)

* * *

366 Project - Day 04 - "Laundromat - Wednesday Night"

2012-01-04T21:22:00.002-05:00

January 04, 2012 - "Laundromat - Wednesday Night"

Standing in the laundromat on a very cold Wednesday night.

Some washers swish...

Some washers spin...

Dryers tumble and hum...

Women chat while folding clothes...

A Spanish soap opera plays on the TV...

Children play with the rolling baskets...

And my son waits, patiently, through the boredom.

Everyday life...

... which is good!

* * *

366 Project - Day 03 - "Dinner and a Movie"

2012-01-03T22:41:00.002-05:00

January 03, 2012 - "Dinner and a Movie"

I'm out-and-about... spending time with my best-friend, Lenny.

A viewing of "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows"...

Popcorn...

Coca-Cola...

Robert Downey Jr....

Jude Law...

Stephen Fry...

Noomi Rapace...

Laughter...

Awesomeness!

Sharing an "Original Tomato Pie with Mozzarella and Sausage" at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana...

Iced Tea...

Conversation...

Laughter...

Friendship...

Awesomeness!

A wonderful night... spent with an even more wonderful friend!

Thank you, Lenny!

Life IS Good!

* * *

366 Project - Day 02 - "Treasure"

2012-01-02T18:31:00.004-05:00

January 02, 2012 - "Treasure"

My son has a bit of a hoarding problem.

Paper...

Broken balls...

Bits of metal...

Broken toys...

All sorts of things kept with the plan to create some sort of dragon, or robot or magical invention that will change the world.

He's incredibly creative and wonderful...

... even if it's not always fun for us to have to clean his "collections".

This small mountain of mayhem is just a portion of the contents of his backpack - which we cleaned out tonight in preparation for tomorrow's return to school after the Holiday Break.

The treasure of a 10-year old boy... isn't it wonderful!?!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

Thankful... 01/01/12

2012-01-01T23:48:00.002-05:00

There was a little "project" which I started doing in a spirituality group on MySpace - WOW - Remember MySpace!?! - way-back-when.

I believe it was 2006... but that doesn't really matter now, does it?

Anyway - there was this little project which I started doing on MySpace way-back-when. Every day I'd post a list of things that I was thankful for. At first it was a straightforward list of 3 to 5 things - like "Family"... "Friends"... "Health". Then it became a little more specific to the day - like "A wonderful lunch with wonderful friends at the Holiday Diner today". Then it expanded even more... expanding and evolving to become an abstract - and often quirky - list of random thoughts, items and feelings - sometimes posted daily... sometimes weekly - which often brought about enthusiastic responses and comments from friends and family members and even people I didn't know.

It has been a while since I've done that little project. Eventually I left MySpace (didn't we all?)... and went to Facebook. I started this blog... and for a time I posted some "Thankful" lists here - but a few years ago it just sort of fizzled out... and the last one I did was in January of 2009.

Well... now it's time to change that!

So - using that post from January 2009 as a bit of a base to expand upon... here's the first of what I hope will become many "Thankful" lists for 2012!

* * *

Today I am thankful for...

... a new year...

... a blank slate...

... and a world of possibilities.

Today I am thankful for...

... having a job that I actually love.

... with awesome co-workers who have become even more awesome friends...

... and amazing, understanding, and supportive bosses.

Today I am thankful for...

... my amazingly wonderful and beautiful wife.

Today I am thankful for...

... my amazingly wonderful and beautiful children.

Today I am thankful for...

... my iPhone and Mac - and the moments of "connectedness" they bring.

... my iPod - and the moments of "sanity" it brings.

... my camera - and the side of me it brings out.

Today I am thankful for...

... giant pots of "Sunday Gravy" bubbling away on the stove...

... and the wonderful memories the aroma brings.

Today I am thankful for...

... Molly Wringwald's lips...

... and "Jake Ryan's" too!

Today I am thankful for...

... rolls of Kodak professional Black & White film waiting in my fridge.

Today I am thankful for...

... "Felice Anno Nuovo!"...

... being able to say "arrivederci!" to 2011...

... and bringing in 2012 with a bang!

Today I am thankful for...

... a sense of Self.

... confidence.

... creativity.

... inspiration.

... desire.

... passion.

... dreams.

... music.

... and an intense "need" to express myself.

Today I am thankful for...

... now...

... this moment...

... and the possibility of the next.

(and the immense beauty inherent in that).

Today I am thankful for...

... Walt's words (Whitman... not Disney)

... and the fact that, yes - even I, get to contribute a verse.

Today I am thankful...

Today...

... I AM...

... thankful.

* * *

366 Project - Day 01 - "Saying Goodbye"

2012-01-01T16:01:00.003-05:00

January 01, 2012 - "Saying Goodbye"

Today I am saying goodbye to 2011... and welcoming 2012 with open arms!

Tossing out the last remnants of what proved to be a VERY challenging year for me... with far more "downs" than "ups"... and very much looking forward to all of the wonderful possibilities that 2012 brings!

I have quite a few projects planned for this year...

* To complete my third consecutive year of the "365 Project" (now the "366 Project", since 2012 is a Leap Year) - without missing a single day.

* To shoot at least one roll of film per week... using a different camera each month.

* To complete my first "52 Weeks" project: One self portrait per week, every week for one year.

* To complete several specific photo projects/themes I've had in mind for quite a while now, and have been putting off.

* To have another solo show/exhibition.

Those are just a few of the photography-based plans I have for 2012... and I have quite a few others as well.

I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be a phenomenal year... filled with blessings... and much creativity!

I hope that yours will be as well!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

365 Project - Day 365 - "Champagne Dreams"

2011-12-31T23:46:00.002-05:00

December 31, 2011 - "Champagne Dreams"

And here we are... at Day 365. My second year in-a-row of attempting and completing the "365 Project" - without missing a single day...

... which means it has now been over two years since I've gone a day without pressing the shutter of one of my cameras at least once.

Another year... another project completed.

And what will 2012 bring? We'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see!

In the meantime I'm having a glass of champagne to bid 2011 a farewell...

... and to welcome 2012 with open arms!

This is one flip of the calendar I am VERY much looking forward to!

Felice Anno Nuovo!!!

And may you all enjoy a year full of blessings!

(LIFE IS GOOD!)

* * *

365 Project - Day 364 - "Color... Light... Happiness"

2011-12-30T22:27:00.004-05:00

December 30, 2011 - "Color... Light... Happy-ness"

Tonight I'm playing with LED Christmas ornaments.

Color...

Light...

Happy-ness!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

365 Project - Day 363 - "Nothing Special"

2011-12-29T22:12:00.002-05:00

December 29, 2011 - "Nothing Special"

My brain is fried today. No creativity. No drive.

So, tonight there's a photo of nothing special.

And that's it.

* * *

365 Project - Day 362 - "Le Curves"

2011-12-28T19:06:00.004-05:00

December 28, 2011 - "Le Curves"

The beautiful curves of the lid to my new Le Creuset stock-pot...

Simple and beautiful!

* * *

365 Project - Day 361 - "Jungle"

2011-12-27T23:10:00.002-05:00

December 27, 2011 - "Jungle"

Tangled...

Dark...

Jungle-ness.

* * *

365 Project - Day 360 - "Caught"

2011-12-26T23:44:00.002-05:00

December 26, 2011 - "Caught"

Caught in a net.

That's the way I've felt this whole year.

And now it's time to push and cut myself out!

* * *

365 Project - Day 359 - "Christmas Music"

2011-12-25T21:36:00.002-05:00

December 25, 2011 - "Christmas Music"

Christmas Day...

A day spent with family...

smiling...

laughing...

singing...

... and, of course, eating!

A wonderful day...

A magical day...

... and the best Christmas we've had in years!

And the photo? A close-up of the innards of my wonderful brother-in-law's baby grand piano... which, though it remained unplayed today, was witness to the music of a family celebrating Christmas together.

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

365 Project - Day 358 - "Vigilia di Natale"

2011-12-24T23:34:00.004-05:00

December 24, 2011 - "Vigilia di Natale"

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu che i Vati da lungi sognar,
Tu che angeliche voci nunziar,
luce dona alle genti
pace infondi nei cuor!
luce dona alle genti,
pace infondi nei cuor!

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu di stirpe regale decor,
Tu virgineo, mistico fior,
luce dona alle genti,
pace infondi nei cuor!
luce dona alle genti,
pace infondi nei cuor!

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu disceso a scontare l'error,
Tu sol nato a parlare d'amor,
luce dona alle menti,
pace infondi nei cuor!
luce dona alle genti,
pace infondi nei cuor!

* * *

365 Project - Day 357 - "One Day Closer..."

2011-12-23T22:46:00.003-05:00

December 23, 2011 - "One Day Closer..."

Presents wait beneath the tree...

and we're one day closer...

... to magic!

(lifeisgood!)

* * *

365 Project - Day 356 - "Christmas Wrapping"

2011-12-22T23:47:00.002-05:00

December 22, 2011 - "Christmas Wrapping"

Getting closer and closer to the big day!

(lifeisgood)

* * *

365 Project - Day 355 - "Personal"

2011-12-21T20:54:00.002-05:00

December 21, 2011 - "Personal"

Some things are personal...

... and just aren't anyone else's business.

* * *

365 Project - Day 354 - "Frozen Color"

2011-12-20T21:42:00.002-05:00

December 20, 2011 - "Frozen Color"

Looking for an image...

Looking for an image...

Looking for an image...

Looking for an image...

... and I find it... in my freezer's ice cube tray.

Who knew!?!

* * *

365 Project - Day 353 - "Red & White"

2011-12-19T21:48:00.003-05:00

December 19, 2011 - "Red & White"

I'm in an abstract state-of-mind right now...

... I think.

* * *

365 Project - Day 352 - "ROMA!!! ROMA!!! ROMA!!!"

2011-12-18T21:14:00.003-05:00

December 18, 2011 - "ROMA!!! ROMA!!! ROMA!!!"

Today my beloved A.S. Roma pulled off what many claimed they could not do...

One week after holding Juventus to a 1-1 draw... they defeated Napoli with a final score of Napoli 1... Roma 3!!!

This win bumps Roma from 12th in the Serie A points - to a tie with Napoli for 6th. Juventus continues to hold the lead.

Yes... there are still many more games to be played - and the points will change dozens of times before the season is over - but today, as I venture out into the cold wearing my A.S. Roma scarf... I do so with a certain smile... and an inner chant of "ROMA!!! ROMA!!! ROMA!!!"

(lifeisgood)

* * *

365 Project - Day 351 - "Rockefeller Center"

2011-12-17T23:11:00.003-05:00

December 17, 2011 - "Rockefeller Center"

Lights twinkling...

Happy-ness!

(lifeisgood)

* * *

365 Project - Day 350 - "Tunnel Vision"

2011-12-16T21:26:00.005-05:00

December 16, 2011 - "Tunnel Vision"

I'm bored...

And not feeling very "creative" today.

So a crumpled-up piece of foil and some LED lights and I'm done.

That's it.

Nothing else.

Nothing more to see here.

Move along!

* * *

365 Project - Day 349 - "Little Plastic Castles"

2011-12-15T22:31:00.004-05:00

December 15, 2011 - "Little Plastic Castles"

Today I'm reminded of one of the verses in one of my favorite Ani DiFranco songs...

The title track of her 1998 album "Little Plastic Castle"

"In a coffee shop in a city
Which is every coffee shop in every city
On a day which is every day
I picked up a magazine
Which is every magazine
Read a story, and then forgot it right away

They say goldfish have no memory
I guess their lives are much like mine
And the little plastic castle
Is a surprise every time
And it's hard to say if they're happy
But they don't seem much to mind..."

* * *

365 Project - Day 348 - "Down(town) at Night"

2011-12-14T21:51:00.003-05:00

December 14, 2011 - "Down(town) at Night"

I'm not having a good day.

Actually... I'm not having a good week.

Strike that... I'm not having a good month!

Actually - this year has been pretty sucky!

I'm not well. Not feeling well.

Having lots of pain in the area of my liver... again.

Not sleeping at all at night.

Feeling worn-out and stretched-thin.

Tonight - while making a quick trip to the grocery store, I collapsed into the shelves.
Head-spinning...
Body-shaking...
Vision-blurred...
Hearing-distorted.

Not well... and wanting all of "this" to be over with already!

* * *

365 Project - Day 347 - "Waiting Room"

2011-12-13T22:10:00.003-05:00

December 13, 2011 - "Waiting Room"

Another late night.

Sitting in a hospital waiting room... waiting for my mother to come back from having more tests done.

Waiting for answers.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

* * *

365 Project - Day 346 - "Scopa!"

2011-12-12T21:14:00.004-05:00

December 12, 2011 - "Scopa!"

OK... I admit it... I've become a Scopa addict!

On my laptop...

On my phone...

Or in "the real world"...

I'm constantly playing Scopa!

* * *

365 Project - Day 345 - "Poinsettia"

2011-12-11T20:31:00.002-05:00

December 11, 2011 - "Poinsettia"

We're out-and-about... doing our final bits of holiday shopping... and I come across a display of Poinsettia for sale.

How could I resist?

(Life is good!)

* * *

365 Project - Day 344 - "Clearing away the cobwebs"

2011-12-10T23:25:00.002-05:00

December 10, 2011 - "Clearing away the cobwebs"

It's time.

Time to grab the feather-duster and clear-away the cobwebs from my life.

It's time.

* * *

365 Project - Day 343 - "Babbo Natale"

2011-12-09T20:58:00.004-05:00

December 09, 2011 - "Babbo Natale"

The house is quiet...

The Christmas Tree is lit...

My son is curled up on the couch with his pillows and blankets...

I work on my computer...

... while Babbo Natale watches the scene.

* * *

365 Project - Day 342 - "Green"

2011-12-08T21:31:00.004-05:00

December 08, 2011 - "Green"

I feel like air bubbles, trapped in glass...

Able to see the light and shadows of the world around me...

... yet unable to move towards either.

* * *

365 Project - Day 341 - "Lemon Drop"

2011-12-07T22:35:00.004-05:00

December 07, 2011 - "Lemon Drop"

Water...

Lemon slices...

Candlelight...

Magic.

* * *

365 Project - Day 340 - "Neon Night"

2011-12-06T21:29:00.002-05:00

December 06, 2011 - "Neon Night"

Can't sleep...

Diner...

Coffee...

Christmas music...

Tinsel...

Raindrops...

Neon glow...

Neon night.

* * *

365 Project - Day 339 - "Candy Cane Colors"

2011-12-05T20:42:00.003-05:00

December 05, 2011 - "Candy Cane Colors"

Sitting with my wife and children...

Watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas"...

And munching on colorful candy canes.

Life is good!

* * *

365 Project - Day 338 - "Life"

2011-12-04T20:03:00.005-05:00

December 04, 2011 - "Life"

"Red"... as in "love".

"Red"... as in "passion".

"Red"... as in "life".

* * *

365 Project - Day 337 - "Black & White"

2011-12-03T23:49:00.002-05:00

December 03, 2011 - "Black & White"

Tonight I find myself in the Kit Kat Klub once again... for the final performance of "Cabaret" at The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts...

... and the final night of my first solo photography exhibit.

Music... Dance... Beauty... Art...

A wonderful, magical evening!

* * *

365 Project - Day 336 - "Shining... Shimmering... Beautiful!"

2011-12-02T22:44:00.004-05:00

December 02, 2011 - "Shining... Shimmering... Beautiful!"

I have a star in my hand tonight...

Shining... Shimmering... Beautiful!

* * *

365 Project - Day 335 - "Narsil"

2011-12-01T22:19:00.004-05:00

December 01, 2011 - "Narsil"

The pommel of Narsil... The Sword of Elendil... which hangs upon my wall, as I watch the Extended Edition BluRay of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King".

Narsil... the sword that cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger.

Narsil... forged by the great Dwarven smith Telchar in the First Age, when Elves and Dwarves were friends.

Narsil... whose Elvish name means "Light of the Sun... Light of the Moon".

Inscribed on the pommel... in the Elvish language, Sindarin Quenya - it is written...

"Narsil essenya, macil meletya - Telchar carneron Navarotesse"

which translates to:

"Narsil is my name, a mighty sword - Telchar made me in Nogrod"

Narsil... the sword that was broken... and re-forged - to become Andúril, Flame of the West... Sword of King Aragorn, Son of Arathorn... the Sword of Kings.

(Yes... I know... I'm a geek!)

* * *

365 Project - Day 334 - "The Heavens"

2011-11-30T22:15:00.002-05:00

November 30, 2011 - "The Heavens"

The Star at the top of our Christmas Tree twinkles in the darkness.

Beautiful!

* * *

365 Project - Day 333 - "Another Rainy Night"

2011-11-29T20:46:00.002-05:00

November 29, 2011 - "Another Rainy Night"

Another rainy night.

Another night of exhaustion.

* * *

365 Project - Day 332 - "Empty Spaces"

2011-11-28T21:52:00.002-05:00

November 28, 2011 - "Empty Spaces"

I'm tired.

Long day at work.

Hospital, to visit my mom.

Tired.

Dragging myself to the car to head home and figure out dinner.

TV.

Bed.

Quiet.

Empty.

Sleep.

* * *

365 Project - Day 331 - "Pizza and Memories"

2011-11-27T20:29:00.004-05:00

November 27, 2011 - "Pizza and Memories"

Colony Bar & Grill in Stamford, CT

I cannot even begin to count the number of times I've walked through that door...

... or sat at that table...

... or played at that window as a child, while the rest of the family sat and ate and talked.

How many times have I played songs on the jukebox here?

How many slices of pizza have I eaten here?

After all... their pizza was the first I ever ate... having grown up just two streets away.

And here I am again... filling myself again...

... with pizza and memories.

Life is good!

* * *

365 Project - Day 330 - "The Cure: Reflections"

2011-11-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

November 26, 2011 - "The Cure: Reflections"

The Beacon Theatre - New York City, NY

The Cure - "Reflections Tour"

The best Cure concert I've seen... and one of the most amazing concerts I've ever been to! Six sets... a total of 48 songs... almost four hours of happy-ness!

And my darling Robert looked (and sounded) as perfect and beautiful as ever!

It truly was a magical night... and the best birthday present I've ever received! For that I thank my best friend... the love of my life... my wife, Holly! (I love you!)

THE SETLIST:

Set #1 - Three Imaginary Boys

1. 10:15 Saturday Night
2. Accuracy
3. Grinding Halt
4. Another Day
5. Object
6. Subway Song
7. Foxy Lady (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
8. Meathook
9. So What
10. Fire In Cairo
11. It's Not You
12. Three Imaginary Boys
13. The Weedy Burton

Set #2 - Seventeen Seconds

14. A Reflection
15. Play For Today
16. Secrets
17. In Your House
18. Three
19. The Final Sound
20. A Forest
21. M
22. At Night
23. Seventeen Seconds

Set #3 - Faith

24. The Holy Hour
25. Primary
26. Other Voices
27. All Cats Are Grey
28. The Funeral Party
29. Doubt
30. The Drowning Man
31. Faith

Encore #1

32. Do the Hansa
33. World War
34. I'm Cold
35. Plastic Passion
36. Boys Don't Cry
37. Killing An Arab
38. Jumping Someone Else's Train
39. Another Journey By Train

Encore #2

40. Descent
41. Splintered In Her Head
42. Charlotte Sometimes
43. The Hanging Garden

Encore #3

44. Let's Go To Bed
45. The Walk
46. The Lovecats
47. The Caterpillar
48. In Between Days

* * *

365 Project - Day 329 - "Decking the Halls"

2011-11-25T22:17:00.002-05:00

November 25, 2011 - "Decking the Halls"

The day after Thanksgiving...

and in our house that means it's the day we Deck the Halls, and put up our Christmas Tree.

White LED lights...

Red ball ornaments...

Shimmering tinsel strands...

Garlands...

Antique family heirloom ornaments and decorations...

Christmas music...

... and happiness!

Life is good!

* * *

365 Project - Day 328 - "The Aftermath"

2011-11-24T20:28:00.002-05:00

November 24, 2011 - "The Aftermath"

Just a very small portion of the aftermath of a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Life IS Good!

* * *

365 Project - Day 327 - "Pizza Remnants"

2011-11-23T22:04:00.003-05:00

November 23, 2011 - "Pizza Remnants"

I finally got some pizza...

... and I didn't have to kill anyone for it!

* * *

365 Project - Day 326 - "Jesus and Mary"

2011-11-22T21:56:00.002-05:00

November 22, 2011 - "Jesus and Mary"

I like freaky religious things.

Antique relics.

Weird statues.

Creepy pictures.

So when I came across an antique framed moving image of Jesus and Mary at a tag sale this past weekend, I just had to have it!

You look at it one way, and you see The Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Move a little, and the image becomes The Immaculate Heart of Mary.

And if you look at it a certain way... you see a bit of both images at the same time.

The picture is in an old brass frame... with a light fixture at the top, illuminating the whole scene.

Freaky. Weird. Creepy. Wonderfulness!

* * *

365 Project - Day 325 - "Electric Flame"

2011-11-21T21:18:00.003-05:00

November 21, 2011 - "Electric Flame"

Sitting in front of the electric flames...

... allowing myself to be mesmerized.

Thoughts drifting...

Eyes half-closed...

I'm no longer "here".

(lifeisgood)

* * *

365 Project - Day 324 - "Mum"

2011-11-20T22:06:00.004-05:00

November 20, 2011 - "Mum"

Today we bought my mom a present to cheer her up while she's stuck in an isolation room at the hospital.

A chrysanthemum flower... made to look like a Thanksgiving Turkey... with orange, brown, yellow and red pipe-cleaner tail feathers... and brown poof-ball head with googly-eyes.

She loved it! She has always loved cheesy things like that!

* * *

365 Project - Day 323 - "Comfortably Numb"

2011-11-19T21:58:00.002-05:00

November 19, 2011 - "Comfortably Numb"

I've reached that point where the pain is so "familiar", I've become "numb" to it.

I'm in a blur.

Walking... Moving... Living...

... in a blur.

* * *

365 Project - Day 322 - "OPEN"

2011-11-18T21:51:00.003-05:00

November 18, 2011 - "OPEN"

Long day. Late night.

Just left the hospital after visiting my mom.

Feeling exhausted.

Worn out.

Depressed.

Need food... but don't want to be "seen". Can't go to the usual places...

... so I find myself at Three Brothers Diner... where I never go.

Decent food... but I think one of the employees is someone I knew in the way back when.

Can't deal.

I go sit in the car while everyone else finishes their meals.

I sit... and wipe away tears.

* * *

365 Project - Day 321 - "Twisting, Turning Through The Never"

2011-11-17T21:46:00.003-05:00

November 17, 2011 - "Twisting, Turning Through the Never"

Well... that's what life feels like right now, anyway!

* * *

365 Project - Day 320 - "Lourdes (Trying Everything)"

2011-11-16T18:46:00.004-05:00

November 16, 2011 - "Lourdes (Trying Everything)"

Turning in every direction...

... looking for answers...

... looking for healing...

... on every level.

I just received a bottle of water... direct from Lourdes, France...

... taken from the spring at the Holy Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, just mere days ago.

The glass bottle is cold in my hand... even though the house is quite warm.

Turning in every direction...

... looking for answers...

... looking for healing...

... on every level.

* * *

Something very freaky about this image: I took this image by holding the glass bottle of Lourdes Water up to the marble statue of the Virgin Mary that I have... and shooting it with my camera in Macro Mode. The image of the Virgin Mary on the left - with the praying hands - is the statue. As for the image of the woman on the right, however, I don't know what it is. The picture was taken against a black background... and there's nothing else around there that could have reflected into the glass or ended up in the photo. So I don't know what the heck is forming that image! Pretty spooky, eh!?! It didn't show up in any of the other images I took.

* * *

365 Project - Day 319 - "Rising"

2011-11-15T21:30:00.003-05:00

November 15, 2011 - "Rising"

Rising up...

High into the sky...

High into the night...

Above the streets...

Above the lights...

Rising...

Rising...

Away from it all.

* * *

365 Project - Day 318 - "Drowning"

2011-11-14T23:49:00.000-05:00

November 14, 2011 - "Drowning"

I feel like I'm drowning, right now...

Or, more accurately - like I'm being held under.

Not by you...

Not by "him" or "her" or even "them"...

... but by "it".

(Or, more accurately "IT")

Pushed down...

Held under...

Forced to look up at the light... and gasp for air...

... as the last bubbles climb towards the surface...

... and the darkness pulls me down deeper...

... into the depths...

... of nothing-ness.

* * *

365 Project - Day 317 - "Home"

2011-11-13T19:02:00.004-05:00

November 13, 2011 - "Home"

How many times have I been here?

How many times have I looked up at you?

How many times have I opened myself up to you...

... reaching...

... searching...

... for something far, far beyond me?

Years pass... and yet your face remains so familiar...

... every curve...

... every highlight and shadow...

... even it's warmth -

... so familiar to me.

How many times have I been here?

How many times have I thought of you?

How many more visits must I make...

... before you take me home again?

* * *

365 Project - Day 316 - "Light Strokes"

2011-11-12T20:52:00.002-05:00

November 12, 2011 - "Light Strokes"

I'm painting with light today...

Brushing away the darkness...

... from my mind.

* * *

365 Project - Day 315 - "Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome!"

2011-11-11T23:55:00.001-05:00

November 11, 2011 - "Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome!"

I find myself sitting at a Cabaret table in the Kit Kat Klub...

as extremely talented, half-naked women (and men!) dance around me...

and writhe on the floor in front of me.

Beautiful...

Talented...

Powerful...

Incredible...

Emotional...

Wonderfulness!

(I can't wait to go again!)

* * *

365 Project - Day 314 - "Torn Inside"

2011-11-10T22:26:00.002-05:00

November 10, 2011 - "Torn Inside"

Little tears inside...

Little rips and tears...

Like little cuts from a razor-blade.

That's what it feels like in my side.

That's what I've been dealing with.

That's my life these past few weeks.

* * *

365 Project - Day 313 - "Psalm 30:5"

2011-11-09T23:16:00.003-05:00

November 09, 2011 - "Psalm 30:5"

My favorite passage from my favorite Psalm...

"Crying may last for a night,
but joy comes in the morning."

* * *

365 Project - Day 312 - "Mess"

2011-11-08T23:08:00.000-05:00

November 08, 2011 - "Mess"

Things are chaotic right now.

A mess... thrown on the table...

... waiting to be dealt with.

* * *

365 Project - Day 311 - "Tangled"

2011-11-07T21:19:00.003-05:00

November 07, 2011 - "Tangled"

Life...

Becomes...

More...

And...

More...

Tangled.

* * *

365 Project - Day 310 - "Empty"

2011-11-06T19:57:00.002-05:00

November 06, 2011 - "Empty"

In the hospital to visit my mom.

Find myself in a maze of corridors marked "Authorized Personnel Only"...

... and in a room I probably shouldn't be in...

... but I'm drawn to it's "empty-ness"...

... and have to capture the moment.

* * *

365 Project - Day 309 - "Relic of San Gennaro"

2011-11-05T21:10:00.003-04:00

November 05, 2011 - "Relic of San Gennaro"

A full week after the storm and we FINALLY have power... and heat... and phone... and water!

And we've FINALLY returned to our own home!

Now the clean-up can begin!

In the meantime, a little prayer to San Gennaro to avoid any other disasters.

* * *

365 Project - Day 308 - "Closing Time"

2011-11-04T21:23:00.002-04:00

November 04, 2011 - "Closing Time"

Late dinner at the Sycamore.

It's quiet...

... almost closing time.

* * *

365 Project - Day 307 - "Like Jenga Falling Down"

2011-11-03T23:10:00.001-04:00

November 03, 2011 - "Like Jenga Falling Down"

Sometimes things feel nice and stacked and orderly...

Other times things feel more like a Jenga tower, falling down...

* * *

365 Project - Day 306 - "Hep"

2011-11-02T22:58:00.003-04:00

November 02, 2011 - "Hep"

Silent within me...

Painfully through me...

Quietly overtaking my thoughts...

Forcing me down roads I long-ago abandoned.

* * *

365 Project - Day 305 - "Light"

2011-11-01T17:03:00.003-04:00

November 01, 2011 - "Light"

It's quiet...

Except for the sound of melting snow falling from roof to deck...

and of my son battling robots in the bedroom...

and a dog at my feet, snoring...

and the clicking of my computer keys...

and the sound of a plane, off in the distance.

Except for those things, it's quiet.

And the sun breaks through the pattern on the frosted glass of my mother-in-law's front door...

... and falls onto the wall in the entryway.

And I capture the scene...

... adding the "click" of my camera's shutter to the quiet silence that surrounds me.

(lifeisgood)

* * *

365 Project - Day 304 - "Hallowe'en (Supposedly)"

2011-10-31T23:28:00.000-04:00

October 31, 2011 - "Hallowe'en (Supposedly)"

It's Hallowe'en... supposedly.

But there's snow on the ground...

... and it's freezing outside...

... and the mayor has ordered Hallowe'en/Trick-or-Treating to be cancelled...

... and we have no power... no heat... no water... no phone...

... so we're camping out at my mother-in-law's house...

... eating pizza...

... and watching "The Worst Witch"...

... and praying that all will go "back to normal" soon.

* * *

365 Project - Day 303 - "Healing"

2011-10-30T23:11:00.000-04:00

October 30, 2011 - "Healing"

Yesterday's storm leaves us without power...

... without heat...

... without water...

... without phone...

... cold - very, VERY cold.

So cold you can see your breath indoors.

And I'm still sick.

Still in pain.

Still exhausted.

So we leave our house... and make our way toward the warmth of The City.

And I find myself sitting in St. Patrick's Cathedral on this Sunday afternoon...

listening to Mass...

... and praying for healing.

* * *

365 Project - Day 302 - "First Snow"

2011-10-29T14:53:00.003-04:00

October 29, 2011 - "First Snow"

First snow of winter 2011/12...

... and it is an impressive one!

Eight to ten inches expected...

The "snowflakes" are more like "snow clumps", being thrown at the ground.

Everything is covered in a white blanket...

... and it isn't even Hallowe'en yet!

* * *

365 Project - Day 301 - "Sprite"

2011-10-28T23:19:00.002-04:00

October 28, 2011 - "Sprite"

Bored.

Feeling like crap.

Exhausted.

One photo...

... my bottle of Sprite.

That's it.

* * *

365 Project - Day 300 - "Cor's Restaurant on a Rainy Thursday Afternoon"

2011-10-27T20:01:00.004-04:00

October 27, 2011 - "Cor's Restaurant on a Rainy Thursday Afternoon"

Having a late breakfast...

... and some memories.

* * *

365 Project - Day 299 - "Preparations"

2011-10-26T19:09:00.001-04:00

October 26, 2011 - "Preparations"

Rows of black wood photo frames... waiting to be filled with my images for my first solo exhibition.

(lifeisgood)

* * *

365 Project - Day 298 - "Autumn"

2011-10-25T10:30:00.004-04:00

October 25, 2011 - "Autumn"

Autumn...

Changes...

Everything.

* * *

365 Project - Day 297 - "Down"

2011-10-24T20:08:00.004-04:00

October 24, 2011 - "Down"

Down.

Several steps backward.

More pain... under the rib and below it.

Fear.

Worries.

Concerns.

Sick.

Sick of this disease I can't even see...

... which is drying me out from within.

Sick.

Worried...

Sick.

Turning in directions I never thought I'd turn...

... again.

Lost.

Worried.

Exhausted.

Down.

* * *