Shot a wedding at Glenmoore Country Club today and it started with a short round of golf with the front nine. So while the guys were getting ready to tee up I decided to take a capture for the blog. The hole did not go as well as expected, out of a group of 5 only two made it across the water.  The cool thing about the group is that they didn't take themselves too seriously so they quickly laughed the 'lost balls' off.

 Enjoy,

Ja mata, Brian

D175 - Lines of Power

Beautiful sunset tonight with two power towers to break it up. I actually passed this up running an errand, but I had my camera with me in the car so after a quick u-turn I found a small field to shoot in. Off to a wedding in the morning so short post tonight.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D174 - Back into the routine

The routine is not just the blog. Getting back into the routine of practicing Japanese and trying to tackle a few characters a night. Actually I am planning on to take a Japanese proficiency test [N3] at the end of the year , which means I needs to know at least 350 characters, fun times.

This is the character for time, 10 strokes, can be a duration of time, time on a clock (one o'clock), interval, age, period, season, hour (speed per hour), moment, and several other meanings depending on the characters it used with. With practice reading the kanji and understanding it's meaning will be come second nature, just like anything that you do in routine.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D173 - Killed the Cow

Well I didn't kill the cow, but I did find a lot of bones on a farm in Walsh Colorado. After doing a little research online this bone is part of the neck bones on a not so big cow. For some reason we were swarmed with flies once I found the bones and stacked them on the RV.

Enjoy

Ja mata, Brian

D172 - Priorities

So the blog went silent for a few days, between looking for a WI-FI signal everywhere we went to have a few issues with the laptop it was getting harder to edit the images and post them. But ultimately, the focus was on helping the team complete the race so the blog had to take a back seat. Now that I'm home with a day to recover I can post the images, since it's not as if I didn't take pictures everyday. Back to June 20th, we were in Kansas, that was a tough portion of the course. In addition to being over 110 degrees outside there were some vicious cross winds coming in over 30 miles per hour. With the flat lands the riders had a hard time keeping the bikes from being pushed out onto the road from the shoulder. They made it through in good time, but no one wants to do that portion again. A few crew members and myself were sent to make a laundry run in the morning. We came across a small laundry mat that was retro fitted into an old service station in Eureka, Kansas. The owner was very nice and had a small dog that begged for attention, so of course she received a photo. More to come in the following days.

Enjoy Eureka!

Ja mata, Brian

D171 - Non City Sights

Another very cool part of this journey is that we get to see things we might not see in our own backyard. From technical advances, like wind farms, to the absence of light at night. The last two images are the good side to be unplugged with a camera. Just a reminder to always take a moment to slowdown and not take what you see for granted.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D170 - RAAM - Unplugged

There is no shortage of photo opportunities on this journey. I am actually finding I could use a few extra memory cards, additional camera bodies, and my own Wi-Fi network.  Yesterday we fell onto a cellular dead zone that was so big you could call it a graveyard. The service interruption was severe enough to have us imitating the old Verizon 'Can you hear me now' commercials. As funny as that might sound, it was a logistic headache that had us counting miles and estimating rider speed. We did this to give the resting rider group as much downtime as possible before they start their shift on two wheels. Now we are out of the mountains and into the flat lands so I finally have enough signal strength to upload my photo of the day. The photo is from Utah, just outside of the Valley of Monuments, hours before sunrise. Driving through was an experience of a lifetime.
Enjoy, Brian

D170 - Moving Along

Short post today because we need our sleep and have to study the routes, but before another mile passes,Thank YOU!  We could not do any of this alone, crew or riders. The generosity that people are giving us is humbling. Beds to lay our heads, an abundance of warm food, last minute rides for riders,  and most of all support. We cannot thank everyone enough! I know, I speak for the whole team when I say ' we cannot wait to share this experience with everyone!'

Enjoy.
Brian

D169 [RAAM] The Race is On

After a year of training, dieting, and planing to the 10th degree the race has started. Time passed incredibly slow in the hours and minutes leading up to the official start for team Ohio Cycle Works Charities, but now we can all feel the seconds ticking away. 

Today, I was in the runner vehicle which means we run ahead of the riders and support vehicles to get supplies, food, errands, and laundry for everyone. The positive side of this is we get to see the course the riders will eventually ride and can provide feedback. Also, as the riders need specific items, we can pick them up and do a hand-off with the support vehicles if needed. With no request from the riders or support teams we headed out to our destination, Prescott Arizona. Shortly after we were underway we hit the desert, and that is about the time we realized we forgot to stock up on water and snacks for our vehicle. Well it really sunk in once we noticed the temperature outside the car had hit 100 degrees, but we stopped briefly to rectify the situation and continued on our way. Some sights from our travels today:

Ja mata, Brian

D168 [RAAM] The Team

Inspections completed, gear checked, maps verified, teams introduced, and we are suited up and ready to go. Less than 12 hours to go until official race time. 3000 miles, 6 days, and countless hours of watching the world go by from bikes, an RV, and a couple of SUVs.  See you on the road.

Enjoy.
[Fine looking team is you ask me!]

Ja mata, Brian

D167 - [RAAM] The Gathering

Most of the team has made it to California with a good amount travel hiccups. From cancelled flights, delayed flights that cause missed flights, change of airports, and realizing that San Diego Airport has two terminals when pickup up team members it was an adventure. Today was a long day, but short, I'm sure, in comparison to the days to follow. For those reading, you can follow our progress, though my eyes as a crew member at least, on this blog. Also, at the RAAM website to see the status of our team Ohio CycleWorks Charities, and info. In the coming days I will also post links to more blogs to follow our progress. Tonight's images are photos of one of the support vehicles with it's fancy decals attached. Speaking of support, it is not too late to donate to the cause, just $5 to help us achieve our goal of 100K. If you already have donated 'Thank you!' but want to help spread the word you can re-post this link on Facebook or Twitter. If social media can make Rage Against Machine's song 'Killing in the Name' the #1 Christmas song of 2009 in the UK, then it can surely help raise 100K for Akron Children's Hospital. Helping is only 2 click away!

Enjoy.

The last image is one of the airport cell phone lot, as we spent a bit of time there waiting on those flight delays, including mine.

Ja mata, Brian

D166 - Dinner of Champs

Tonight the MS Society held it's annual Dinner of Champions Akron, honoring Dr. Luis Proenza and Theresa Proenza for all they have done to help further research for a cure to MS.  It wasn't until I started volunteering to shoot the MS Walks did I realize how many people I knew with MS. So if capturing images from the events will help get one more person to get involved, then it is worth it as you never know who you inspire and what one more person can bring to the table.  My team and I are still looking to inspire on our Race Across America as it kicks off this Saturday.

Enjoy

Ja mata, Brian

D164 - Perfect Mix

Just the right amount of rain, a splash of sun, and a cloudy backdrop to make this rainbow pop. If you look close you can see it's a double rainbow [What does it mean!?]. This capture is all about F8 and be there. About halfway through my drive home I saw the rainbow, I grabbed a few quick captures just in case the rainbow was gone before I had a chance to get out frame up and compose an image. Back in the film days I was walking in the field and found two spider webs on each side of a small sampling [tree] with the sun lighting them from the back. Natural symmetry at it's best and all I had to do was capture it. Out comes the tripod, then the K1000, next screwed on the shutter release cable, after that chose a lens, then looked at the webs and settles on a angle to shoot at, dialed in the exposure, got into position and...the sun hid behind a large cloud and a grasshopper decided to tap dance in one of the webs. I sat there with my mouth open thinking...'how did I miss it!?' Simple, everything leading up to the pressing the shutter should 'almost' be like auto pilot. While I was thinking how interesting the webs split by the tree looked, I could have setup the tripod, shutter cable, lens, and stated my exposure. leaving me to only think about the angle and why. Repetition is your friend, this is why those who practice, excel, and practice only cost time. You can get good at watching TV and wishing you were better, or excel at your craft and become better at learning more.

Your choice.
Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D164 - More Shells

A gift from one cousin to the other, funny how the know each other so well yet live a great distance from each other. A new place to hide treasures like teeth that have fallen out, small toys that would normally be lost, and of course sticks from outside. A keepsake box covered in seashells, it could not have come at a better time.

Enjoy.

Ja mata,
Brian

D162 - Happy & Gorgeous

I attended my little sister's wedding today, and if you don't know she is my Ace! Prior to her moving out of state some years back, we hung out all the time. From skydiving, carnivals, shopping, to just watching movies, I doubt we went 2 days without talking or seeing each other. Currently, as I said, she lives out of state so we don't talk as much, nor do we see each other as often as we'd like or should. But that does not change the fact that I am incredibly proud of her for all that she has accomplished and was able to overcome throughout her life. Today, I am especially proud as she starts a new life chapter marrying her best friend Jeff at a beautiful ceremony in the park. The wedding was simple yet elegant at the same time. The Pastor did not speak for an abundance of time but we all held onto every word as if it was the first ones heard in years. And being surrounded with close family and friends made the celebration that much more meaningful.

It was a day you'd wished never ended, and the start of Jeff and my sister forever after.
Congratulations you two, love you both!

Yes, my sis is Gorgeous.

Ja mata.
Brian 

D161 - Shells

Finally Sara lost her other tooth, I tried to convince her that this shell was her tooth. It didn't work for a minute. It's a quick post for tonight.

Enjoy

Ja mata , Brian

D160 - Flower Time

By special request of Sara this morning: 'Daddy, can you put this flower on your computer? ' Of course I can! The flower was from her graduation. This weekend we are going to plant a few flowers as well to see if either one of us has a green thumb. Sara don't believe she has one, I asked her about it and her reply was "That's just silly! my thumb isn't Green it's brown and peach!" Looks like I have my work cut out for me.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D159 - Sky's the limit

Today was Sara's graduation from Pre-K, and it was a perfect day for it. clear skies, warm weather, and friends to celebrate with.

To Sara and her class Congratulations on the Graduation! The skies are truly the limit to what you can do! (It's almost like finding Waldo!)

Ja mata, Brian

D158 - Cyclist & Ohio Cycle Works Charities

Getting ready to head home and I see cyclist racing by, perfect for a photo of the day. Especially since RAAM is coming up in a week and a few days. Our team and crew, Ohio Cycle Works Charities, will start in Oceanside California making our way to Annapolis Maryland. Keep your eyes on the blog for posts from the road. Also be sure to check our site Ohio Cycle Works Charities for more information about the cyclist, our mission to raise awareness and funds [$100K] for children in need via the Akron Children's Hospital, and to donate to the cause. With the power of social media [Facebook & twitter] and everyone's networks spreading the word we could more than hit the goal. Think of it like this, if we could get 1 person for each of the miles of the race (3,000 from CA to MD) to donate $11, we would blow the remainder of our goal out of the water!  Now that be a feat that would surely put smiles on the faces of the kids at the Hospital. Or 6k people at $6 each, which is not impossible, just takes a little bit of work to get there and you’re only missing out on one Coffee. The minimum to donate is $5 via the site: Ohio Cycle Works Charities, spread the word!

Enjoy,

Ja mata,   Brian

D157 - Up Close

Interesting how up close this hat looks like it could be snake skin.  Great, now that I wrote that I want to re shoot the image. Anyway, the hat is from a fair where I heard about Sara going for a pony ride, the ones where the handler walks the pony around for kids to ride. Never the less, Sara felt the need to yell 'Yee Haw!' every 10 or so feet with one hand up in the air. With all the pony fun she hasn't asked for a pony yet, but I am bracing for the day.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D156 - Cityscape

Last day in Pittsburgh, so I drive around until I found a fence-less barrier that I could get a clear view of downtown for the most part. I could seriously shoot around all day here. Onward to the next day.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D155 - Looking up

This is one of the most interesting ceilings I have seen in a while, at a hotel outside of Vegas. The William Penn in Pittsburgh, PA is photographers playground with all the details in the lobby alone. Not to mention all the nooks and corridors that are perfect for shooting a subject or just as art.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D154 - Loose Tooth

Once the first tooth drops the rest begin to follow suit. In a referencing to yesterdays post about time, Sara is loosing another tooth and growing faster everyday. The photos I have don't do the memories justice and the videos makes me wish I could go back to see her expressions just after the video stops. Back to the tooth, it's loose enough that I'm sure it will drop tomorrow and I will be playing the tooth fairy again. Fun stuff.

Enjoy.

Ja mata Brian