Grandson #2 ~ The Baby Shower
On Sunday friends and family will be at our home to celebrate the coming of our second grandSON. That’s right it’s another boy. I am O.K. with that because I come from the school of as long as my daughter and grandchild are healthy. When the baby is born Adrian will be the four year old big brother. I think he is starting to warm up to that idea of that but I am sure he has no idea of the pending change.
Now about my invitation design. Pretty cute I think. The photo was from a photo shoot from JC Penney when Adrian was about one. I cut Adrian out and placed him on the bottom and added the text. I used a fantastic company called MPix to print up 50 invites. I uploaded my design into their template and sent it off in the morning and received an email four hours later that my order has shipped. A few days later the package arrived and I was blown away. The quality was top notch. The printing was my personal design on the front, back, inside, and outside. The printers got everything correct and they used quality stock with a professional glossy finish so it looked like a real store bought invitation.
Good people pass through your life.
I came to meet Tom Jones IV (Tom broke away from the lack of creativity mode in the Jones family apparently) when I joined the Nevada Camera Club. I admired Tom’s work and also that he got to be up close to sports action on a regular basis. I love sports and have had a few chances in Las Vegas to feel the jazz of being close enough to capture the shot. I am not in position to chase that dream though. It would require a great deal of personal and financial sacrifice which I’m not prepared to do. Not to mention my required physical condition is not the same as it was 30 years ago.
I have been offered many opportunities to participate on the field and up close designated press areas to shoot from. I have declined so many times it’s almost rude. Tom is one of the ones who never stops asking and encouraging me. I need my set two days off and more importantly want my days off as I get to spend them with my best friend. Sorry Stacey (wife), I am talking about our grandson Adrian.
Back to Tom – Tom recently sold my wife unknowingly a Nikon D300s. It was a gift for my 50th birthday. Could she have shopped online, perhaps, but she chose to go into Casey’s Camera on Tropicana in Las Vegas. My wife Stacey is in retail and hears online shopping stories from clients coming into her store Fred Meyer Jewelers @ the Galleria Mall. Yes you can save a few dollars online but do you get the level of knowledge and develop a trusting relationship online.
I am taking a few minutes today to thank Tom for sharing what he knows. Devoting his time to his craft and passion which is photography and people. He has always taken some time to acknowledge my photos and offer tips, critiques, and encouragement. I respect that so much I can’t hardly express how appreciative I am of Tom. He also posts his photos on flickr and includes his EXIF data which I study closely. It’s all about sharing and not being overly protective of your knowledge. I will hope to pay it forward as well (as soon as I get some more knowledge).
Thanks Tom
Life Lessons – Death Lessons
I am approaching fifty and it is a good time of my life, overall. I am blessed to have my incredible marriage to my wife Stacey. My child is healthy, happy, and provides a good home life for her family. My son-in-law is doing the same. My grandson, the most cherished of all my ‘possessions’, is so well loved by everyone that takes a moment to get to know him.
But, and there is always a but, as you are in a fun time in your life you begin to realize you are going to have to deal with loss. So many of the people that have influenced and enriched years of your life are coming to their life’s journey end. You begin to dwell on moments that you and your loved one shared over the years. Those are the true gifts in life. The gifts of memories they gave you are yours forever. Remember to pay those gifts forward as I try to fill my families memory with gifts. Moments with family may seam routine and mundane may become lifelong cherished remembrances.
What about the physical possessions. Suddenly you realize that the loved one you have seen through to the end of their life’s journey touched many lives. The memories no longer are that valued possession it once was. Emotions become irrational among the most devoted and intelligent of people. You must take inventory of your possessions and plan there future existence precisely. Memories of some become very clear during this period and some become very cloudy. I am saying, as I have yet to prepare one myself, is get a will. Inventory everything in your life from books to clothing and clearly determine it’s final journey. Perhaps a disinterested party is clearly the best executor to a will. I have lived these memories of postmortem decisions for fifty years and watch the best of friends and family mishandle the wishes of a loved one.
I’ll have been there too. Luckily my mother did make a will and left me as executor and sole recipient of all her possessions. Being an only child sure helped in my situation. Many families have been torn because of a stupid $1.99 letter opener. But, that opener had been used everyday for thirty-five years and your memory of that letter opener will trigger the loved one back to your thoughts. So give some thought while you can and leave some triggers to all who mean something. Inventory your life and be precise. Dividing property postmortem when sadness and emotion is still fresh is never a good situation. You can never make happy – happy with all parties interested. So even with the best of intentions and wishes a loved one supplants an uncomfortable task and layers a memory at a time when grieving should be paramount.
Make a will. Leave that gift with your loved ones and get busy making memories.
Published Online: The Digital Story with DERRICK STORY
For my second time I am chosen to be published on this website. The Digital Story <<(LINK) under the ‘Grab Shot’ submission area.
The story was I actually first saw some lady taking a picture of the cat from up the street. My wife spotted her and was curious as to what she was photographing. Well I had my Canon G-9 at the ready and I closed upon the “Cat of Greenwich Village”. You know how skittish cats can be so I was amazed as to the resilient temper of this cat. He paid little attention to me or anyone walking on what appeared to be his sidewalk. I assumed that if you needed anything or had a problem on this block you had to take it up with this cat. Anyway, I snapped this photo and when I returned home I had time to give it closer inspection. I like the grittiness of the texture around the cat as well as the cats aloof expression. Every once in a while serendipity happens when you have your camera (a good lesson) in your hand. I would like to see the lady’s picture who prompted my attention to this cat.
Disneyland: The Happiest Place On Earth
This is a trip that I will never forget. It was my getaway with everyone that most matters in my life. The Disneyland Hotel housed us in a comfortable room in which the five of us made a mess of. Towels everywhere along with daily accumulation of souvenir bags and empty Dasani water bottles. A Disney family was a celebration of wife Stacey’s 45th Birthday and our kids wedding anniversary. Disney is still magical despite undoubtedly feeling the pinch of the recession. The character breakfast was special and also my grandson responding for photo’s with Minnie Mouse. The other characters mostly received a high five from Adrian. My personal highlight was a passing ‘brothers’ nod of acknowledgment from Tigger at breakfast! Captain Hook challenged me to a duel I wisely retreated from as I was armed with a butter knife. I had not been to D-Land in many years so I got a lot of enjoyment from California Adventure Park. It appears to be the shining star when fully completed. The parades sure thrilled Adrian – he was totally into it – clapping and waving. The pure innocent joy on my grandsons face made me feel that somehow I ripped Disney off. I got more than my moneys worth. I really enjoyed traveling with my wife and kids. I plan to save some time to do this more often, however the circumstances change a little next year. Have to add another car seat in the rented mini van….
A trip to Newport Beach
After three days of walking through Disneyland and California Adventure Park we diverted to the beach before heading back to Las Vegas. The beach was a great place to have some fun and relax. Seeing the joy of my grandson Adrian feeling the freedom of what we all covet from a beach experience. Digging in the sand, making sand mountains. only to watch the water roll up the beach and destroy his creation. Not a bit of frustration, only an exciting opportunity to start anew. Be able to see Adrian take off in a full run and not worry about some authority figure stopping him of if he fell it would be in the forgiving sand. Myself always at ease around anything aquatic took to the ocean. Though my body now pushing three bills feels totally mobile in the salty sea water. Feeling like a teen again I was soon watching the sets of waves trying to catch the “BIG ONE”.
PICTURED: Jeremy Dietz ( Bryants brother), Adrian Dietz ( My Grandson), Bryant Dietz (My Son-in-Law)
Was Michael Jackson a great father to those children? MY DAD IS A GREAT FATHER!
Let me tell you about my father.
My father still loves me unconditionally and perhaps Michael Jackson did love those children just the same.
But here is where they differ.
My father never spent a day in a courtroom.
My dad never had to hire or fire an attorney.
My dad never paid a family $20 Million to remain silent about molesting their child.
My father has to be pushed to swallow an aspirin. My dad was not narcotic abuser.
His veins are clean from needle marks.
He never required a doctor to live in his house to illegally administer drugs and supervise him to see that he keeps breathing.
My did have an unusual skin color from working construction and the driving a cab with his left arm out the window.
He took me to museums, sporting events, auto shows, taught me right from wrong… and so much more.
So read MJ’s autopsy and tell me how was he was being a wonderful father.
The skeleton of a man was in a fucking drug induced coma. Drugs to go up and drugs to come down.
So I dare anyone to challenge me on this one.
How can I speak of a dead pop star so poorly. I guess if you came home to find your child in the bedroom of a forty year old man
who had cameras and alarms outside his bedroom. Don’t say to me “I’m Childlike” and “It’s innocent”.
You died a fifty year old demented creep. Who was once a talented entertainer.
You became an sick child abuser just like your father, Michael. Your kids sadly express love to a man who at best was ‘altered’
in so many ways. I love my dad.
Art Gallery: A Collaborative Piece (unnamed)
In May of 2009 two artists Thomas and Nick Yagoda traveled to Las Vegas to complete a project with famed painter Adrian Dietz. The finished piece is currently being viewed in Las Vegas before touring galleries around the world. Adrian Dietz began painting at the of two he now has a full year of experience. Being self taught Adrian brought in the Yagoda brothers for inspiration to complete his vision. This award nominated piece is expected to be a first in a series of collaborative works between these brilliant artists.
Happy Mothers Day
Silhouette of Adrian (in) Mothers Day Greeting
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michael.cortina
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