Tonight I watched the movie "Hugo" In the movie one of the characters said, "Time is everything." This reminded me of a once loved concept; Time. We all have a set amount and what we do with it is what makes us who we are or how we are remembered. A close friend and mentor of mine once explained how we spend our whole lives taking pictures that all together may barely add up to a few minutes in time. But those few exceptional photographs and the adventures taking them make the whole thing worth it. I recently was sorting through photographs from the past five years, stopping to reflect here and there. I sat staring at the photo on the screen and remember a clip of the moment. So many smiles, goofy faces, and good memories. But I sit here and now grinning like a butchers dog as if I had just re-lived each and every one of them. How sad it is that they are to be nothing more than memories.


Mark

Rest well Sensei.

Burning time.

Not so much photography

Shot my cousins wedding not too long ago. It went decently well. I'll get around to posting some pictures soon.

Now is more of a venting session I suppose. Went to the docs today with my normal attitude of I'll be fine nom after what. Turns out that is not the case. As of today I am in kidney failure and it was suggested to be admitted to the hospital for yet another biopsy and possible treatment. With the way things have been I doubt a rejection so the way I see it is I have a shelf life now. Which I might add is not very long. Curse words such as dialysis and "the list" we're mentioned in today's meeting. Everything is scheduled for Monday. If anyone reading is willing to donate a kidney let me know lol.

Happy fucking holidays.

Oh how relationships have changed since the 70's

It is becoming more and more apparent how much I screwed up. Also how true it is that you only miss someone when they are gone. These days Gum lasts longer than most relationships and it is thoroughly discouraging. It takes Internet dating services to put two people together instead of finding that person you want to spend the rest of your life with the "old fashioned way" of meeting someone then becoming friends etc. As I have said before priorities change it's sad when they don't realize the importance they are. At the same time I am forcing myself to realize that the moon has set and I can't see my own hand in front of my face. Light up my world with even a flicker of the beacon that once was.

Please don't promise me forever

I want us to love each other one day at a time...
... And string those days together like the precious things they are...
... Instead of trying too hard and promising too much.
Please don't expect me to always be good and kind and loving.
There are times when I will be cold
and thoughtless
and hard to understand.

But it will only be because of the weather, or the flu, or one of my moods
... not because I love you less. Please remember that.
Please don't think about all the things that could happen to us.
Don't think about other people coming between us.
Don't think about outgrowing eachother or growing out of love.

Please do think about al the good things that could happen to us.
Think of growing closer to each other,
finding new reasons for being together...
... and think of loving. I will, too. I am right now.

Please don't get mad at me if I forget your birthday,
or some special day we share...
... and please remember that there is an "everydayness"
about what we have that is beyong birthdays and anniversaries
That's why, sometimes, I may not remember on special day...
... because all our days are special to me.

Please don't ever sign a letter "as ever"
Please don't be too easy on me ...
Or expect me to be easy on you.
Both of us have room to grow,
and both of us have to grow if we want to hold each other's love
Please don't ever give me too much of yourself
or take too much of me.
In our togetherness, we still need our private places.

Please listen to me, when I'm talking to you...
... and please don't ever think about someone else when I kiss you
Please don't start an argument
or make me look foolish in front of other people...
... but when we're alone
don't feel like you're walking on eggs.
Go ahead and say what you think.
if I need telling off, tell me off
Then we can have our fight
and make up
and love again
just us.

Please remember to call me sometimes for no reason
except that you feel me thinking about you, needing your voice
Please don't ever lose that laugh of yours-
It's such a real laugh.
And never change the way you brush my hair back from my eyes
and smile when I'm trying to be very serious...
or the little odd ways you have of saying things that make you "you"
one of a kind,
the one I love.

Please, lets not use politeness
And busyness and silence
to avoid our problems
and the places where we hurt if something is wrong,
lets go after it and make it right.
It's a good feeling to think of growing older with you
but please, let's not ever grow old
I want us to always hang on to the newness
that we have right now.
And lets never be ashamed of our innocence,
of the child within us.
Lets never give up our dreams.
Please don't try keep it from me when you're feeling down
I'll never be able to share your joy if you try protect me from your sadness
Please don't ever say never...
... and please don't promise me forever
All I ask
is that you love me
now.

And please know that I love you more today then I ever had before.
I can't promise you forever,
but I can promise you today with the hope and belief
that there is a beautiful tomorrow in store for us.


1976 Rick Lyons

Happenings

I lost sight of things that were the biggest priorities in my life and as a consequence they no longer wish to be a part of it. This has Decimated my creativity. I have yet to pick up my camera since that day.

I feigned knowing what degree I was striving for. After visiting the advisor and hearing how I would have three years left that quickly changed my mind.

On a lighter side, I am currently ironing out the details on my resume. I will be gunning for an internship with national geographic this year. Based on their criteria I believe I exceed all requirements. Everything starts with a foot in the door. Wish me luck Internet.

If you are reading this know that I will always love you.

Google+ for the win!

Just got accepted. looks exciting so far.

Frank Lloyd Wright's "Kentuck Knob"

The signature title Wright left. 

After visiting Wright's "Fallingwater" we drove half an hour to the other Wright house "Kentuck Knob" This house was built to be an all year house opposed to the vacation home that is "Fallingwater." The home was built for the Hagen family. They moved into the house in 1956 and when they invited Wright to see the home he responded with "I designed the house from the floor up. I already know what it looks like." Three years later Wright died in 1959. He never did see Kentuck Knob finished. 

The Hagens sold the property to Lord Palumbo who still visits the house and has built a collection of Wright furniture from all over the world to furnish the house. While it is a nice collection the house lacks any flow that Wright himself would have originally planned. 

One feature that was very nice was the skylights lining the overlook. 

The natural sundial moved towards
 the railing as it got later in the day. 

Looking up through the skylight. 

Frank Lloyd Wright's "Fallingwater"

Today I visited two houses designed by FLW. The forst one was the iconic Fallingwater. Photography was very limited on the tour so I was trying to ninja some pictures without our guide seeing me. I was successful but others in my party were chastised for disobeying the rules. 

Red maple trees on the property. 

Falling water as we walked up the entrance. There were far too many people on rotating tours. It was very difficult to take a picture with out anyone in it. The good news is it shows how large the house actually is in scale. 

As we walked in this seating area was on the left. FLW designed all of the furniture to be very low so none of the views were obstructed. He described this style as Usanian short for United States of North America. 

A little further to the right was this desk and next to the flowers were sliding glass windows laid horizontally so that they would slide onto each other allowing access to the stairs leading down to the base of the waterfall. 

Continuing to the right was the sitting area showcasing more of the Usanian collection that Wright designed specifically for Fallingwater. Fur alert!! Avert your eyes animal lovers. The love seat was covered in animal fur. We weren't allowed to touch (but it fealt so soft!).  

This picture highlights the unique corner windows Wright designed. Each window parts at the corner and both panes would swing outward in opposite directions. Every segment can open this way. At the bottom of the picture is a boulder (its cut off dead center) Wright did not want to move or cut this boulder in any way while building Fallingwater so instead he built the house around it. This boulder extends into the dining room floor. Wright said this was done to reinforce his design of organic architecture. Where the house is to look as if it sprung up from the rock instead of dominating the natural landscape. 

Heading back inside you can see the same boulder extending out from the fireplace in the center. To the right is where the Kaufmanns would eat their meals while visiting Fallingwater. 

As we exited the tour from the four car carport we were greeted by this huge tree. Following the path to leave I had the opportunity to stand in the footsteps of the many great photographers and take the iconic photos that are associated with Fallingwater. 

After we were done visiting Falling water we took a short ride up to the other Wright house. This one was not anywhere near as spectacular as Fallingwater but it was still interesting and I am glad I had the chance to see it. 

Kentuck Knob will have its own separate write up. Stay tuned. 

30k feet and 1000 miles away

Woke up to people bustling about my room at 6:30AM EST. Much too early for my personal taste. Got in the car and drove an hour to Tampa International Airport. The ride was uneventful but it was dreary outside threatening to rain the whole way up. Once we finally arrived at the terminal I let the wonderful TSA officer know that I have had a hip replacement and need to go through the special machine. No big deal just don't touch my junk! We boarded the plane around 9:40AM EST.

The a snap flying over the Howard Franklin Bridge. 10:00AM EST

ADD moment "OOOOOO pretty clouds!" 11:50AM EST

Finally we landed safe and sound in Beautiful sunny Pittsburgh PA. Just as the children behind my girlfriend and I stopped whining and kicking the backs of our seat. 12:00PM EST

After another 2+ hours I arrived at my destination, Johnstown PA. Photos of my Grandparents garden when I have time to edit them. Stay tuned. 

Mark

P.S. I love my little Canon G10. Great pictures, small form factor, unobtrusive, plane friendly!

Look what the mailman brought me.

Vigorous testing will ensue. Stay tuned. 

Todays Happenings......

     Today my significan other and I went to the International Mall in Tampa, Fl. She was in need of a new dress for the upcoming wedding we are attending (I refused to let her wear the same clothes she normally wears to work.) At her work she is obligated to wear 70%-80% black as their uniform and myself being a color addict is growing tired of the lack of personality that black white and grey put forth.
     We found a really awesome steel blue white and silver dress that fit her really well and I agreed to buy it before seeing the price tag. Fortunately it wasn't ungodly expensive. After finding that gem we went down to the mens department to find myself a tie that would match her newly acquired dress. There were a few in the running but nothing just right. (I have come to the realization that I am extremely picky with my ties.)
     After we walked around the actual "mall" mall I begged her to let me explore the Sony store and got some insider info on the Alpha series from the manager ITs always nice to be able to completely nerd out about camera gear and techniques with other human beings. There are very few people within my circle of friends who will indulge me.
     The Mont Blanc store was the last stop of the day I needed to pick up some more ink. This past semester sucked my trusty pen dry. I ended up getting a new roller ball refill and also picked up a new color ink for my fountain pens. Midnight Blue. I looks like a mix of blue, purple, and black its a bit darker than my usual color Royal Blue but it looks very professional and nice on paper.

Gearing up for a fun expedition to PA. (HDR followup)

My cousin is getting married and I will be attending the wedding, however, secretly im going to use this as an excuse to go on  a photo adventure. I already have many things lined up for the 5 days I will be there. The most exciting of which would be the Frank Lloyd Wright houses. Im not expecting to get any new or revolutionary pictures while at these historic landmarks but I will certainly have a "I was there here is proof" moment/archive.

Following up on my last entry here are a couple HDR panorama shots I took while visiting Anna Maria Island in Bradenton, Fl. 

click for larger view

This one was taken in Sarasota, Fl at the Ringling Bridge. 

click for larger view

Still exploring the technique. I have read much and understand theoretically but when I end up setting up the tripod and actually getting down to business theory doesn't always apply. 

Giraffe at the state fair in Tampa, Fl

click for larger view

Long time no update.

My adventure was cut short after having to have emergency surgery to correct an infection in my hip joint. What fun that was. My surgery was on March 1 and I am just now getting back up n running so to speak. I havent accomplished much but im am excited to continue down my life's journey and possibly pick up where I left off.

Todays major focus. HDR photography. I have tinkered in the past with this but now its time to get in depth.

Working out of my comfort zone.

It is said that if you arent comfortable you are learning something. I'm finding things that work and more often than not finding things that repel each other. The good news is this project is well on its way to complete.

The quick brown fox Jumped over the lazy dog.

Off on a journey to see where exactly it is that art takes me. It will surely be like an upsidown family tree. Going from many different interests, points of view, mediums, etc. To a single unified style. From there I will branch out in a more organized chaotic way.