Communication moved to the next level of Efficiency

Today is the last day we can use our phones in the car the old school way, with our hands. California requires drivers to use a hands free way of communication while driving their car.

I guess I got to buy one of these thingys that John Madden has endorsed. It's a state of the art, official EA sports hands free system.


Russian photo update:
Umm...yea...I am not sure either.

June Gloom

Finally, some June gloom. I was about to join Al Gore on his Global Warming Campaign and drive around in one of his Hummers.

On a photo note, I am almost done picking out my favorite images from Russia. Slide show is on its way...I just need to figure out how to put it on the blog...

Sometimes a vacation is closer and cheaper than you realize. Enjoying a run through the sprinklers can be a cool change of pace.

Marie & Vince Portraits

X/o Studios

My good friend from New Orleans, Dave Bachli, is getting some real positive community feedback for his hew art studio.
Check out Dave's X/o Studios Intervew by nola.com.
Dave is one cool dude and really loves all forms of art. He always asks people what their definition of art is. My definition of art is some form of decoration that takes effort to create.
Yea..art is one broad topic... paint, plants, fashion, photo, ceramic, pencil, farming, creative accounting, mechanics, architecture, movies, music, sales, design, websites, building houses, cooking...broad...




I can say I knew Dave before he was famous. But when he showed me around New Orleans, everyone already knew "Ranger Dave."

X/O Studio Press Release

Russian Landscapes

For the most part, the kids lived in these 200 year old towns by the river. It was like going through a time machine. One of the favorite things the kids like to do was to go and hang out by the river. A lot of regular citizens would drive to the river, have a smoke, and drive away on these dirt roads.




We didn't see any vans down by the river, just houses.


I love to photograph powerlines.

Return of My Russian Favorites

Last year, this was my favorite image from Russia. I framed a large print and put it in my museum.



But this year, Nadya was no longer living in the orphanage. Word travels around fast in these small towns and she came out to play with the Americans. Needless to say, she was easy to spot. I joked around with her for a while and got her really comfortable with the camera so me and Joe Photo could do a photo shoot with her for Children's Hopechest (the group that helps out the kids).

For the Fatherless

After coming back from Russia and visiting a lot of fatherless children last week, and for having two father figures walk out on my life, I have a few comments on this day to the men that have walked out on their families lives.
This is not an easy day for my family, and for just seeing a lot of abandoned kids a week ago, this day makes me real sad. Of all the celebrated holidays, this is the most broken one. I always think of how my life is, and how I will make it better for my children. But when I think about how to make it better, the answer is easy. Just be there and love your children. Life is tough, but that doesn't mean you should give up easily. After hanging out with so many orphans and through my road of life, everywhere I look, I see how not to be.
I will not be like my fathers.

At this time, I do not know how to be a father, but I have a great idea for knowing how much it means to love kids and be there for them to help them roam free, with love.

For the fathers that are still dads, congratulations and enjoy your day with your family.

GO LAKERS!

Nick Colombo Graduates High School

The Principal said instead of giving an inspirational quote from some famous dude, their inspiration comes from their very own student, Nick Colombo. The image above is the students standing ovation. O.C. Register Article


Nicholas stood up from his wheelchair to receive his diploma.





**Side Note:
I have been back from Russia for a few days and I haven't even unzipped my suitcase. Umm...maybe I'll get around to it next week. I guess I am preserving my memories like the Russians preserve Lenin. Thankfully, I have somehow managed to avoid the jet lag.

Hello from the Motha Country!

I am alive! We will on our way to Moscow and Red Square tomorrow and will be home tuesday evening.
I have a ton of pics...

Quote from a "World Traveler"

"I tell you, there is no place like home. I have traveled around the whole world and there is really no reason to leave Southern California."
-Phil Liberatore

If Southern California is the greatest place in the whole world, why travel the to all the the corners of the Earth? I am writing this post before I leave, so I will have time to really answer this question when I get back.

Tony's Pizza is BACK!

Tony's Pizza in the new Whittwood Mall is BACK! It is my favorite pizza and I remember eating there all the time when it used to be in the old mall. My favorite thing to eat is the spinach rolls. I took my mom there the other day (she really doesn't eat bread anymore), and she just said it was "damn good."
So be sure to stop by the best New York pizza place in town. This place is EXACTLY like the New York Pizza that I ate in Manhattan.
I never thought I would want to back to NY anytime soon, but after eating Tony's, I am seriously thinking of going back to NY within the next year. And also I ripped the jeans I bought at Macy's. So now I have two excuses to go to NY. Pizza, and shopping.