Starkey Gala 2008 in review.

Well, there are just too many images
to post on one day so I have opted to
put together a couple of slide shows
instead...hope you like this one...

Being selected to cover Tani & Bill Austin
on the red carpet the night of the Gala was
a real feather in my cap and I am so grateful
for the opportunity. Thanks Cheryl!

I'll post the Ultimate Bass Challenge
images another day and more from the Friday
night VIP party at the Austin's home.

Everything was as fabulous as it looks
and more!

Back to weddings and the upcoming RNC in
August/September!

Anyone interested in taking a look at more
images can go HERE. This was set up by the wonderful Cheryl, Rachel
and Caroline from the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Be sure to enter "star" for the password.
Nice job ladies...see you next year!

Starkey Gala 2008 comes to a close.

Well, it's bittersweet really but the
2008 Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala came
to a close last night at exactly 11pm
after Garth Brooks brought down the house
with all of his all-time top hits.
With just a guitar in hand, he rocked the
ballroom and all 2000 in attendance.

I'm sure I'll be telling stories for weeks
to come but for now, it's life as usual
and back to reality....for everyone. A
heavy sigh of relief came over me as security
simultaneously removed all of the staff
and media photographers...5 minutes into
Garth's performance (we were only originally
allowed between 30 to 60 seconds). All of
the staff photographers headed back to our
secured area to pack up and get our so very
cool gift bags and head out. But before we
did, I had to go back into the ballroom and
watch the rest of Garth Brooks' performance.

Then it was on to the infamous "after party"
at the gorgeous St. Paul Hotel just a couple
of blocks away. I, of course, brought my
camera and snapped away there as well (off the
clock) and met up with a bunch of old friends,
new friends & celebs (local and global). I was
glad I went! When I got up at 11 today I
realized that staying out til 2:30 am is not
my bag...even though it was worth every second!

I have so much to be thankful for and I have
much gratitude for the folks that had integral
roles in getting me into this position with
Starkey...Brady Forseth and Steve Chepokas
without whom I would not have connected with
such wonderful human beings and be afforded
some amazing opportunities. Thank you so much!

I have several thousand images to go through
but I already know where some of my favorite
ones are so I will share them soon. I spent the
past few days using my iPhone to blog with and
kept my Twitter updated as often as I could
due to the fact that my new 24" iMac Intel 2 core
duo is now in place after much anticipation.
It is so lightening fast and the keyboard is so
light and easy I fear my fingers may start on fire!

This blog entry could literally go on for days
so I'll end it here and fill in the gaps in the
days to come as I filter through all of the
fabulous images that I was able to get.

For now...I need to work on cleaning my work space
so that my new iMac doesn't think that I'm some
sort of clutter driven troll!

After Party!

Garth Brooks sings Billy Joel!

I'm in place on the red carpet

Lake Minnetonka!

Excelsior Bay.

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!

Happy Tuesday!

So this is the Starkey Hearing Foundation's
SUPER WEEK! Events starting tomorrow and will
run right up to the main event, the Gala, at
St. Paul's River Center on Saturday night.
This is going to be an awesome week!







Heather Lombardo has agreed to come along and
be a part of the festivities this week as is
Jason Stenvold. I hope they have as much fun
as I do!

Today, lots of hair and then perhaps one of
my last "official" PUG meetings.

I'm solidifying a deal with Urban Ventures here
in Minneapolis to work with them on some designs
for future media and publicity images...that's cool!
Thanks to Jacquie Boyer, my great friend & neighbor
who also happens to be a board member at UV and hooked
me up! Their big deal is later this fall. And while
I don't want to wish the summer away, they are
awaiting a response from Bill and Melinda Gates to
come and be the speakers so they can firm up a date.

Let's see, what else, My next wedding is on the
21st and the bride & groom, Jennifer & Michael, are
flying in from Massachusetts next week. Jennifer
is originally from here but they are living and
working out east. She is in her residency phase.

Gary and I sat outside last night....it was gorgeous
and a perfect night for a fire, some wine and great
conversation.

Good to talk to Dean (Gary's dad), down in Arizona too!

Starkey Gala 2008!

I forgot to fill you all in on my involvement with
the Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala for 2008.
I was involved last year as well but due to a
wedding that I was shooting in South Dakota, I had
to miss the actual Gala but was afforded some pretty
awesome assignments leading up to that so I was
grateful to be included nonetheless.

Well, the lovely Cheryl MacLennan came to town and
we got together to go over the assignments for the
photographers. In that I have covered the Bass
Challenge for Brady Forseth (of Northwestern Health
Sciences University) in the passed and know all
those folks, Cheryl plugged me in for this event.
Pray for awesome weather!

This is held on Lake Minnetonka and the Hearing
Foundation thought that this would be a wonderful
addition to the events of the week leading up to
the Gala.

Here's Brady (r) with Mark Zeigler, President of
Northwestern Health Sciences University.



Then, the night of the Gala I will be positioned
on the RED CARPET!! With Bill & Tani Austin.
This is quite an honor for me and I am just so
excited to cover this event.

Originally I thought that Sir Elton John would
be the main performer but this year it is, in fact,
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood! Tickets are
$1250 (keep in mind this is a fund raiser!)
There will be 1900 people in attendance and the
live auction will be amazingly incredible!
I think I had better pack some Red Bull!

Go HERE to get more information.

Now, I have to share with you some photos from
Boo's visit to see Dr. Rodney Toogood.

Anticipation...



How much do I weigh with just one leg?....



Heart sounds good!



Lungs sound good!



Teeth are......SHARP!!!



Clean bill of health for Boo!

Hilton later today for 1 family and then off
to Becky Chepokas' birthday bash!

No movie for old girls...

I'm sorry, but I finally sat down and watched
"No Country For Old Men" last night.
WOW. HUGE waste of time. Such a guy movie.
I may just swear off movies all together.
I love Ethan & Joel Coen...but seriously.
I'm sick of the hype, I'm sick of trailers,
I'm sick of "Oh, wait 'til you see...",
I'm sick of "And the Oscar for Best Picture
goes to....." I may just start reading books.

My sister in law shared this with me today.
She only likes to forward either truly funny
things or truly gross things....enjoy THIS.
I'm just happy to see that she can take time
out from being a mom every once in a while and
giggle like a little school girl! tee hee!

I talked with Cheryl MacLennan yesterday for
quite awhile. Cheryl is the liaison for the
photographers for this year's Starkey Gala
.
I'll be working the red carpet at the Gala
among other events that week. It's so fun!
This year the Gala will be on Saturday, June 14th.
I know for sure that there will be 2 parties
at Bill and Tani Austin's home. One for VIPs
and one for the Celebs that come into town for
the big event. More details to come.


Wolves game tonight with Ron & Cindy, Scott &
Jacquie...dinner at the Palomino first. Yum.
Always a crazy time when we all get together.

Um, and again with the snow today...a few more
inches...it's salt on last weekend's margarita!
What the.....!!
Gonna be tough to find all those Easter eggs
tomorrow! :)

Back to organizing files....

I'm getting PUBLISHED!

I shot a wedding for Bella Pictures last August
and they submitted it for editorial consideration
to The Knot. Now the Knot wants to run it in the
Fall/Winter 2008 The Knot Weddings ~Minnesota
as a Real Wedding Story!

Yes, imagine my shock when I was out to lunch
with my friend talking about getting published
and I got this e-mail on my iPhone right then
& there! WOW! I'll be posting more on that for
sure as the issue hits the stands!
Here's a few shots from that day...







At that same lunch, my friend Jacquie informed
me that one of my images that I shot at an
Urban Ventures event (Colin Powell Center Grand
Opening) last summer will be published in their
annual report (Jacquie is a board member for them).
I'm getting a byline! Super cool!



I actually think it might even be this one...



Lastly, I got the call from Cheryl McClennan.
She was the coordinator for all the photographers
at last year's Starkey Gala. This year I'll be
available for the Gala itself and that's gonna
be VERY cool! Sir Elton John will be performing!
If any of my photographer friends are interested
please send me an e-mail as you never know how
many they are looking for. They have so many
events leading up to the Gala. This year it's the
week of June 9th with the Gala on Saturday the 14th.









I forgot to post this image from the other night.



Enjoy your Sunday!

got power?

56,000 homes in the west metro are out
of power from last nights storm.
much needed rain came by way of high
winds, hail,lightening and crashing thunder.
unfortunately, all at about 3:30am.

i can't sleep when storms come in the
middle of the night. once it wakes me,
i turn on the television and then i pace.
we had up to 70 mile an hour winds here in
eden prairie and i was worried about trees,
windows...i'm a woman and gary was up north
so when you pile on the fact that i was
alone...well, you get the picture.

we have skylights in both bathrooms
upstairs and i had to "go" but all i
could think of was "what if i get struck
by lightening while i'm on the toilet~
i have a big wedding today!"
well, the good Lord spared me once again!
i survived the night..or should i say
the "wee" hours! (i know, that was bad!)

so, today is my big Bella Pictures debut.
i'm very excited! it's been a long time
since i have been a 2nd shooter and i plan
to have a really terrific time with that!
(i hope the bride was able to sleep last night
the storm was even worse heading towards
ramsey county! i pray that everything is
alright and that she is not in a panic.)

hey, huge news...
i received an e-mail yesterday from areina seay
with the starkey foundation. she sent me a
list of about 9 weeks of missions trips through
the end of this year that they have planned
and she is looking for my availability.
i, of course, wrote back immediately with
nearly all of them checked with my approval.
i know that i will need to do some juggling to
make some of them happen but i am thrilled
to be apart of the team and pray that this is
what i am supposed to be doing and God wants
me there to tell the story of folks getting
the gift of hearing.

still waiting for my sister to call about "spice".
she's due to have kittens any day now and
in preparation, i went toyou tube and
searched for "kitten births" and found myself
watching for about 20 minutes!!! crazy!

make the most of your saturday!

more bridge collapse images...

and no, i did not shoot these but
they are amazing images and worth sharing.

to date i do not know of anyone,
personally, that was involved in
the bridge collapse...and for that
i thank God!

well, on to the starkey event...
i picked up where raphael left off
(after the lunch break) and photographed
the first hour of dr. charles berlin's
lecture on diagnosing the need for
cochlear implants...(umm, yea...WAY over
my head! pretty interesting tho', i found
myself listening and trying to make sense
of some of the information!)










the student then broke off into other class
rooms and got into specific areas of interest.









then they all resumed in the large
auditorium for the closing and scholarship
awards. mr. bill austin arrive to hand those
awards out to some very deserving students!




everyone then had the opportunity to
change into jeans and head over to the
bowling alley for food, cocktails and
of course...bowling!!













this was a VERY energetic group!
i had a blast and so did they.
rapheal called and said they were running
the bowling photos during the breaks
today and that they were a big hit!

thanks raphael for calling on me to
help you out yesterday!