Pure Joy

This is the reaction I got from Frankie when asked the question "Do you want a fruit rollup?"

Now, I consider myself a happy person and I have an infinite amount of joy when I think about how lucky I am to have such amazing and beautiful family and friends.  But, I do not remember the last time I expressed that joy as wholeheartedly and unadulterated as this. 

So, at least today, I am going to try it. Join me and say to hell with being an adult and conserved and let others truly know how happy you are about something... especially how happy you are to see them. I am sure it will bring a smile to their face. Have a great day everyone!

Spiritual

I would not call myself a religious person. I have a hard time with organized religion, following every letter of holy texts, and coping with the zealots who (mis)interpret their religion according to their own whims to damn others. Please do not get me wrong, I am not against religion. There are many beautiful messages in all religions and many beautiful people who believe in them and follow their beliefs. I respect them and am inspired by them. 

I do believe at the core of most religions there is a spiritual message that is simply "be a good person" or to use a quote from the Dalai Lama "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." This is the message I believe in and choose to live by.

Peace to all and have a fantastic week.

Painted

Some people like tattoos. Some people don't like tattoos. 

Some people ask why I have tattoos and it is always a hard question to answer. It seems very surface to paint one's body... as if you weren't happy with what God gave you or you are trying to make yourself into a billboard or trying to be cool.  I guess some of that is probably true.  I am drawn to other people with tattoos and I often say those people are cool.  But not because they have tattoos.

The reason for tattoos is something deeper.  To others, it says I don't need to be accepted by you.  To me, it reminds me everyday of what I value, what I love, and who I am.  It represents my individualism in a world that doesn't always treat the individual kind...where the mob rules.  

In that world, I will take the underdogs... the people who don't live by all the rules, those who may be a little messed up by life, those who don't take the corporate jobs, those who are not afraid to use their voice and actions, those who are not content to just fit in, those who and kind and wear themselves on their sleeves.  

Okay, not the greatest explanation but you know what who cares. I guess I am just one of those people that like tattoos.

Three Monkeys

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.  Playing around with multiplicity but there can only really be one Frankie. She had a great time with this little photo shoot. Lots of good outtakes.

Pick your Poison

There was a going away party for a friend and coworker today at our local drinking establishment, Brickhouse.  This is a HDR combined with an Orton Effect. Pick your poison.

Ice Cream Man?

I wandered down to 16th and Mission in SF at lunch to take pictures. Even during the day there is some seedy stuff going on there and I don't recommend taking pics. On one shot, I didn't notice a drug deal going down in the background and was questioned by a very large man if I was taking pictures of him. I answered with "What the fuck would I want a picture of you for".  Acting tough can sometimes get you out of stuff and it worked this time, luckily. The pic was crap anyway and I deleted it.  Anyway, this ice cream guy didn't seem too threatening but I am not totally sure if there is actually ice cream in there... especially after seeing "The Wackness". 

Almost a Teen

It's hard to believe that Hannah is going to be a teenager in less than 2 weeks. I was just looking at pics from only a few years ago and it is crazy how much she has grown in that short amount of time. We keeping telling her not to grow up so fast but she is not listening.