Christmas Day at Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Sacramento, CA 12.25.09

Happy Holidays everyone.

It has been a little while since our last post, and a lot has happened since. Christmas 2009 has come and gone, and while many were spending time with family and loved ones I was fortunate enough to get outside on a beautiful bright sunny day to escape to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Sacramento, California.  When I woke up around 7:30am my iPhone read that it was 30-degrees outside and while there was a chill in the air, it had that clean, crisp feeling (one that you dont often get in Southern California.)  After spending the morning with my parents and Melissa and sharing gifts with one another, we had a quick lunch and then I took Melissa out to the Nature Center (where she had never been before) and we got to enjoy the time together without all of the busy traffic and noise customary to Los Angeles.

When we got there, I was telling Melissa how we may see some deer, wild turkey, and various birds in the area but wasn't too sure because it was around 1:30pm and most of the time they are "hiding" until near sunset/dusk.  Sure enough, no more than 5 minutes into our walk down the path, we encounter the wild turkey in the near distance and shortly behind were a small family of deer wandering around.  After the deer crossed through, we proceeded down the path and down to the American River where the cold water from the Sierra Mountains were running downstream and there wasn't a single disturbance.  Off in the distance were a few Mallard Ducks in the river swimming around, and overhead was a hawk circling in the sky apparently hunting something from above.


All said, it was a beautiful day at the Nature Center, the weather just warm enough to not need a jacket and Melissa and I were able to spend some time together doing something completely different without any distractions of a cell phone, computer, internet, traffic, etc.  After our nature walk, it was back to the house to prepare for family to arrive for Christmas dinner and more quality time together as a family.  Good times in deed!!

Happy New Year everyone, please be safe where ever you may be celebrating and ringing in 2010.




 




 

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

Here we are, its December 20, 2009 and there are only 4 days left until it is Christmas. There are only 11 days left in 2009 and then we are off to 2010 and the start of a new decade!

Can you believe that this year has gone by so fast? I know I have said it before, but when you look back on 2009 and have flashbacks to all of those wonderful memories from this year doesn't it just make you want to relive it all over again?? For some, the end of 2009 may be a good thing...maybe they have a bit of superstition in them and are excited to begin a new decade! Just think, it was 9 short years ago and everyone seemed to be freaking out about Y2K and the possible end to all computers!!

Christmas is a special time for me each year, being far away from my family it is a time when I am able to relive my youth and be "home" with everyone again just as though I had never left home. I get to spend quality time with my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts...and even catch up with old high school friends that I haven't seen since last year. This year is extra special for me; this is my first Christmas being married. So this will be extra special for Melissa and I as we spend our first Christmas together as a married couple.

So to everyone reading this I ask that you please be safe out there if you are traveling (as we are) and here is to wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!

Live Sockets Block Party - Orange County - 12.05.09

Last weekend in Orange County, our friends over at Live Sockets Entertainment hosed a Block Party at BDL Industries near Angels Stadium.  The weather was a bit overcast and cool, but that did not stop the faithful from bringing out their cars one last time for the winter.  Along with a mini car show, there were vendors showing off some of their latest equipment including Volk Racing, Trendy Threadz, Live Sockets, and INGS.

Here are a few pictures from the days events...enjoy!!

a mixed (golf) bag of emotions....Tiger Woods, life, etc.

Happy Friday everyone.  I apologize that it has been so long since the last post here on the blog and I apologize because this is probably going to be a long post.  A lot has happened since the last post shortly before Thanksgiving...it is now December, and we are less than 3 weeks away from Christmas 2009!  This means that we are only 27 days from 2010...the start of a new year, and the start of a new decade!!!  To many that may be a big relief, and for many others it may be a time to celebrate and really reflect back on their 2009 and everything that has happened for them, to them, or what they have done for others.

I will look back at 2009 and remember lots of happy moments (getting married, buying a house, welcoming a new puppy into the family, maturing as a person, having photographed the most weddings on my own than ever before, and the list can go on for quite some time)...I will also look back at 2009 and try to evaluate where I can improve and make 2010 even better than 2009. 

The past few days I have been struggling with a personal emotion inside my mind and my heart... and I just dont know how to feel.  As many of you know, I am an avid golfer and I have been playing the game for over 20 years now.  When I began playing, golf was not the "cool sport" to play and it honestly was not very popluar.  Around 1994 or 1995 a man by the name of Tiger Woods began to surface in the media and was being touted as the next golf phenom to the legend of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, etc.  I can honestly admit that I am a fan of Tiger Woods.  During my high school golf years I watched Tiger as much as I could and would marvel at just "how good" he was at the game.  I am even quoted in my high school yearbook as quoting Tiger Woods. 

This past week Tiger fell into the media in no way he has ever been - linked to a scandal.  I was heartbroken, torn, and confused.  I never thought I would hear his name linked to something like this and ever since I have been torn inside and feeling crushed because he clearly is "my favorite athlete," a "role model," a "hero" if you will.  With all of the media attention, and rumors floating out there now my mind has gone into a serious denial that this has even happened.  I feel like this is just a bad dream and I wish it would go away as though it never happened.  I am sure Tiger is thinking these very same feelings as well. 



I doubt that Tiger would ever read this post, but if he should...please know that you are an amazing athlete and that I still think very highly of you no matter what "wrongs" you have done.  I agree, these are your personal dealings and they do not need to be splashed all over the media.  I truly and sincerely hope that you have since become a better man because of this and realize how much this truly hurts people like myself...your fans!!

OK, enough venting for now...everyone have a GREAT weekend!  Photograph lots of spectacular images and enjoy the weather wherever you are!