9/19.

I was on call for NILMDTS yesterday.
As soon as I got my sister's foils in her hair
I got a call to go to the U of M Children's.
I was able to finish Anne and wait for the call from
Carin in Famiy Care for a more definitive time frame.
I was also able to arrange for a "shadow" to join me.
A shadow is someone that wants to work with NILMDTS
but perhaps is not certain that this is something that
they can do. This way they can come along, observe and
make the determination before getting on the national
call list as a full fledged affiliate.

This is a very, tough thing, as you can imagine.
This isn't for everyone or every photographer.
NILMDTS, after 3 years, is making their selection
process more defined. They are seeking professionals with
skills that perhaps that most hobbyists don't possess.

I thank each and everyone of you that support me in my
efforts to serve these families. I feel that this has
become my life's most important work. Not to make less of
MOMF because that has become quite it's own little engine
that could in a short time too. They are just so very different.
I wouldn't ever attempt to compare. Both foundations serve
families with devastation. My camera and I can somehow bridge
gaps for these folks and aid in healing. I love that.

Today I will meet with a family at, what has become know as,
"My Hilton". A family with a little girl enduring a struggle
with cancer will check in, with her family for a weekend
of fun, shopping, exploring, swimming, playing.
A respite, a break, a departure from her new "normal".
All compliments of the Airport Hilton and the MOMF!

Later I will meet up with Jenn Malone & Pedro Diaz of Bella
Pictures. Jenn is in town to shoot with me tomorrow and Pedro
is here shooting a wedding in Eden Prairie tomorrow as well.
So the 3 of us are going to meet up at Jenn's hotel and
swap stories and talk shop! Can't wait!

G...did ya get the package???



Boo liked Alison's lap...



...a lot.




Do more than you thought you could do today.

Confessions of a Weekend Warior.

Alright, here goes.
I had a Friday wedding this past week
which, for me, was out of the ordinary.
That left me with Saturday night off. So,
Gary and I decided that we should use the
free room at the Sheraton (494 & 100) that
I won at a NACE event last summer (it was
about to expire) and get in a little fun time.

Checked in around 3. I had NO idea that the
room that awaited us was A.) On the "club level"
and B.) A HUGE suite! I remember telling Gary
as we walked down the the hallway, "wouldn't it
be so cool if our room was the double door at the
end?" AND IT WAS!!! So unexpected!

I mean, the certificate read, "romantic, whirpool
suite for 2 and breakfast" Sure, whatever, right?
Well, we never actually filled the giant hot tub
in the bedroom, why? I don't know, just didn't.
But we did venture out and hit every spot within
walking distanced (you must know that this hotel
is a few miles from our home and we never go
there or to the restaurants/bars that are located
in that area). We decided that if we stopped in
everywhere and had a bump and looked at menus, we'd
surely find a fab dinner location.



We selected La Fougasse at the Sofitel. AMAZING!
Why have we never gone there before?
We will definitely hit that spot again. We sat
outside and had the best dinner.




We asked Ron & Cindy to pop out and see us
so they joined us for a cocktail on the patio.



Later, after Ron & Cindy left, Gary and I
walked over to the Dairy Queen and got Blizzards!
I got the Girl Scout Mint cookie one. My brother
was right, it was pretty darn good!

Say, I don't want to forget to give a shout out to
Anthony. He's the Bartender at Chez Collette in the
Sofitel. He took pretty good care of us while we
were out on tour.



Napped a lot yesterday and finished up my images
to present to Danielle for Urban Ventures.

Today, the 5th annual Miracle Open golf event.
Toted as "a mature event for immature adults."
I'll be covering it today and then several
high school seniors this week capped off by
the wedding of Kristin & Carlos this Saturday.

Another week, bound to go quickly!

Fraud Sucks!

Now, I understand that we must be vigilant
regarding protecting ourselves, our things
and our credit, but I discovered this morning
that my joint account debt card was recovered
somewhere and then used nearby. It's so sad
to think that, albeit my disregard...I take
full ownership of that, you can't trust people.
I have always said, in situations out of my
control.."I have faith in people!" Now I have
to say...."cover your ass whenever you can"

Sure, I'm disappointed in myself for not being
more responsible (my first time ever losing
a debit or bank card!) I even suspect that
just like locking car keys in the car, I will
forever make certain that I have my card when
I complete a purchase by double and triple
checking! There, that's off my chest!

Next on the docket...Starkey Hearing Foundation.
I just learned that I have been requested to
cover the VIP party at the Austin's home
tomorrow evening along with some other fun
photographers..Rafael Victorian and Dave Johnson
(of National Camera Exchange fame) We will ROCK
that party! I will be coming right from the
Ultimate Bass Challenge on Minnetonka performing a
quick change at home! I had such a gas last
year shooting at their home I can't wait to
get there tomorrow!

I have to get up really early to get over to
Lord Fletcher's to get suited up for my
Ranger Bass Boat that I requested so that I
can get some awesome action shots of all the
pro/am fishermen & women! Then I'll high-tale
it over to Al & Alma's for the boat cruise
with the Northwester Health Sciences University
folks for a lunch cruise on the lovely Lake
Minnetonka...I sure hope the weather holds out!

FYI, Boo slept with us last night and was a
very good sleeper. Who Knew!?

Matt & Jennifer are at the Mimi in Playa
celebrating their anniversary!
Anne and I sent them a bucket of beer over
the internet....COOL! I hope they love it there!

Have a great day!

First a word about NILMDTS...

I just got word that Jessica Person from
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep was on the Today
Show this morning. I actually read it on
Gary Fong's blog. Click HERE to see what
NILMDTS does and oh my gosh, how it's grown.
When I started there was about 9 photographers
in Minneapolis and about maybe 800 world
wide. This organization just turned 3 in
February. Nice job Jessica. I'm so proud to
be apart of such a wonderful foundation.

Okay, to happier things....
This morning I awoke to an inch of new snow.
By Friday, the temps will be below zero, again!
Altho' I just got in last night, I'm not
troubled by this at all. Why? you ask...
Well, cuz I'm heading out tomorrow morning
with my sister's family to Cabo. Never been
there before so I'm anxious to see what all
the hype is about.

Here are some closing shots from Playa.
I have some great ones on my iPhone as well
that I'll have to transfer and then Gary
took some as well, with his LUMIX.

Hey Mike! You need to start a franchise down
on Cozumel!! Whatta ya think about that!? ;)











Faibola, here's a few more of your lovely LUNATA!
I'll send you some high res images later.
Thanks for the fabulous room and stay, we love it there!!
I will come and photograph your hotel anytime.
Just shoot me an e-mail!









Hey, to all my PUGgers out there, check THIS out!
It's Gary Fong's "Puffer"!! On 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen!
A woman handed her camera off to the guy in the yellow shirt.

Playa, Playa, Playa, Playa....

Sometimes it helps to visualize yourself somewhere.
Especially when it's been as cold as it has around here.
"Nasty" is s good word to describe the weather lately.
"Bitter" works, so does @^!*^@^*#%*%&$##!!!!
I seriously don't know what we would talk about in
Minnesota if it weren't for the CRAZY weather.
I mean, what do you suppose they talk about in Hawaii?
(perhaps Sue & Jesse could help me out there!)

Well, what I know for sure is that we leave this
wonderful winter tundra on Tuesday for a week and
we will be exchanging white snow for white sand.
THAT I can handle...I can't wait to bitch about the
heat & the blowing sand! tee hee.

Jimbo took this one last year..



This I shot a couple of years ago..



And this is Lunata. Nicki & I stayed there
several years ago. Gary and I will stay there
this year. It's on the 5th Ave.~10 rooms, sooo cute!



That first photo reminds me....I took some shots
of the eclipse last night. I'll post them tomorrow.
If I remember!! ;)

(p.s. I fixed the photo of Carol on yesterday's blog.)

Lisa & Shane.

I met Lisa & Shane last night at the Sofitel in Bloomington.
That may just turn into my new favorite place to meet clients.
Suzanne, who works there, said folks conduct interviews there
and meet there all the time. It's really great!
I guess I just always forget that it's there and that it's
a terrific option!

Well, this couple is having their reception there so I thought
it would be nice to just meet there and take a look at the
ballroom as well. SUPER nice!

This couple has a lot to do in 7 & a 1/2 months and I'm sure
that they would love to cross "find the perfect photographer"
off the list! I enjoyed them thoroughly and would LOVE to be
selected. Lisa had a lot of great questions for me and I love
a bride that goes after what she needs as well as wants.
They leave for Cabo on Saturday and want to make their decision
prior to departure...I'll let you know.

I got an e-mail from Mike at the Hitching Company this morning.
Mike was looking for some images that I shot at Amanda & Mark's
wedding a few weeks ago to put up on his web site.
I sent them off right away so soon they will be appearing on
The Hitching Company's web site! That's so cool.
Mike is going to put a link in for me. Thanks Mike!

Perhaps he'll use this image...



Or maybe this one....



I love this one too!



Moving on, I'm getting a wee bit tired of the cold now.
The 20's make a return appearance this weekend and thank God
for that. I have a wedding this Saturday in St. Paul.

I'm meeting Tanya Villano today to discuss the studio thing.
I really think that we could work well together and I'm
so jazzed about the possibility of studio space!

Then it's on to meet Jane and discuss her selection for her
Valentine's Day card and Party invitation images.