More than just another paycheck...Endurance House

Can't you just smell the Christmas Spirit?

Thanks Mom for the holiday vest!

Let's shake dice...how about 6-5-4?

Careful...you'll poke your eye out

Mix of 25 inches of snow, rain and warm temps

Take a left on KP just before Mazo

...and you'll find this...

A plate full of family

My plate runneth over...

Blowing in the wind

Here are a couple of photos I took on a cold and windy November evening.

Meet Erin and Gino

Many of you know that I've been slowly developing my photo taking skills. Step one was to actually buy a camera. That part was easy, expensive but easy. Next, I needed the skills to be able to work it properly. The nice people over at the Camera Company taught me the basics in a way that was easy to understand. I'll put it this way...I'm not a guy who reads owners manuals so when I found out they were teaching a class on how to use the camera I bought, I signed up right away. After the class I was empowered with the skills necessary to take some great photographs. I've spent the last 5 months, taking photo after photo...some good, some bad.

Then out of the blue I got an email from friend of mine, Jen. She had heard I was getting into photography, seen some of my photos and recommended me to a friend of her's. Jen explained her friend, Erin, was getting married in a couple of months and needed some pictures taken of her and her horse to use on one of the reception tables. Each table would be themed based on things that are important in the bride and groom's lives. Erin has always loved horses so it was a no brainer for her to dedicate a table top photo collage of her and her horse Gino. Erin contacted me and asked if I would take the photos. I said yes and we set up a date/time to do the shoot.

I quickly did some internet searching for suggestions on how to take photos of horses. I found a lot of great info that eventually came in handy on the day of the shoot (Sunday, November 9th). With plenty of layers on, I drove out to meet Erin and Gino. I couldn't have asked for better subjects. Erin welcomed me, answered all of my questions and was real relaxed as I was taking the 100+ photos of her and Gino. Shooting photos of Gino proved to be more of a challenge than both Erin and I expected. Gino is three years old and full of energy. Erin did a great job calming him down so I could sneak in a photo here and there. In the end, I was able to get some quality photos for Erin to use during her wedding and for her to have to always remember Gino. Thanks Erin for making my first "requested" photo shoot an enjoyable one.

Here are the some of my favorite photos from the shoot. Enjoy!

4.5 hours to another world

I just found these photos from a work trip I took up to Crandon during the summer. I was an invited guest of the Forest County Potawatomi. Personally, I'm fascinated with the traditions of Native Americans. This short trip gave me a glimpse into their way of life. I was honored to be asked to present to their youth. I have so much to learn and I look forward to more experiences like this in the future.

Drum circle

Drumstick workshop led by tribal elders

Inside the FCP Community Executive Building

Outside shot of the FCP Community Executive Building

The sign that greeted me as I approached the FCP Executive Building

On the road...between Pepin and Durand

I just had to stop and capture the barn in the foreground and the changing leaves in the background. BEAUTIFUL!

Slowing down in a speeded up world

Beautiful Pepin, WI

This week my work travels took me to Pepin, WI. Nestled next to the Mighty Mississippi just off of Highway 35, this sleepy little town offered me a chance to see what Mark Twain raved about in some of his books. As I waited for the sun to set, I thought about the history of this river and the importance it has played in the states it passes through. I was moved by it's size and power potential.

Painting the town pink

This post is dedicated to all of the women who have looked breast cancer in the face and said, "I will beat you." And to the women who have lost their battle to this disease, you live on in our hearts.

Who's there?

This isn't a post to scare the crap out of you with the thoughts that someone is actually watching your every move. This post was written to make you think about how much Corporate America wants to know about you. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked, at the check out counter, my phone number, zip code, email address and the list goes on and on. Although I work at a retail store and have to ask the same questions of the guests that come into the store, I really wonder when this got way out of control. I mean, does it really matter what my zip code is if I'm getting an oven mitt, an extra pillow case and some gum? Really, is it that important?

This really is a passive aggressive blog posting since I'm the dope that keeps giving my personal information out and then a week later wondering why I get so much junk mail. In the end, is there really a solution besides declining all of the requests for personal information including my favorite one "to save 20% on my purchases by applying for a Target charge card?" I know the information is being used to track my purchases to better help inform the store of my shopping habits and the habits of the hundreds of thousands that shop there.

Until I actually leave the retail world, I guess I'll go on giving my personal information and when I ask a guest that comes in the store I work at hopefully she'll return the favor back to me.

Have you ever thanked a farmer?

Monday, September 15 marked what's classically known as the night of the "Harvest Moon." It gets it's name from the period of fullness that is nearest to the autumnal equinox (thanks Wikipedia). This past summer I had a chance to tour a working dairy/crop farm in Cambridge. I also watched a wonderful documentary called King Corn. Because of my visit and this movie I've been more aware of the plight of farmers and the food I eat.

Being a farmer is a thankless job. How many times have you gone to the store and expected to find all of the foods you've come to expect? What if the food you wanted to pick up wasn't available or was now $5 more expensive than before? I bet that scenario would force you to think more about where it came from. Farmers are the first to get up in the morning and often times one of the last to go to bed. Farming is their life and if you ever meet a farmer they'll tell you they love every minute of it.

So the next time you meet a farmer tell them thanks for producing the foods we eat!

Did someone fart?

Got your attention didn't I? I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. Now that you are, enjoy this picture of a paper mill just outside of Wausau (in Rothschild to be exact).

A new day is begun

My job affords me the opportunity to see some of the most amazing vistas this side of the Mississippi. This is no exception. On a warm summer day back in July I took this photo as the sun was rising and I was headed up to Crandon for a youth training. I had never seen the sky in that shade of pink before, so I quickly grabbed my camera and took this photograph.

What's really important

"You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down." Know what movie that's from? It's probably right on the tip of your tongue. Click here for the answer.

I remember seeing that movie in 6th grade during an all school assembly on the last day before our class would go on break for the holidays. At the time, the meaning of the movie wasn't clear. To be honest with you, I saw the movie as an excuse to break from the monotony of 8 hour lesson in focus called school.

Fast forward to my adult years and this movie reentered my life in the form of a holiday tradition in Laura's family. Her family would assemble up in the north woods for a weekend of cheer. It was a time to eat delectables only prepared once a year. It was also a time to get caught up on relative gossip, marvel at the growth of the little tykes and just "be together."

Every year, like clock-work, after the dishes were done and those under 4 years old were in bed, Laura's Dad, Dave, would reach for the VHS copy of It's a Wonderful Life. For the next 3 hours we'd watch the adventures of George Bailey as he would figure out what really mattered in life. For those three hours and the days that past, our lives would be filled with the hope that we could see through all of the fuzz that cloud our minds and truly live for what's really important...friends and family.

Back up north...Turtle Lake

Work took me back up to Northwest Wisconsin earlier this week. I stayed at Canyon Road Inn, a wonderful Bed and Breakfast in Turtle Lake. I'd highly recommend you staying there if you find yourself in the area. The innkeepers, Judy and Ken will treat you like family. The rooms are uniquely themed, clean and spacious. While I didn't take any pictures of the B&B I did take a few pictures facing the lake it sits on.

Sun, sweat and satisfaction

Meet Pat and Michelle...they just completed the 140.6 mile Ironman Wisconsin on Sunday, September 7th. Amazing, right? Well, that's not the whole story. Both Pat and Michelle couldn't swim more than a length in a pool a year ago. After a year of training, they both made it and now are Ironmen. How'd they do it, you might ask? First and foremost it was because of their unbreakable spirit and motivation to finish this race of endurance.

Secondly, it was because of the Endurance House's Becoming An Ironman Team. Endurance House is where I work part-time to earn a few more bucks to afford my triathlon/endurance lifestyle. Last year, Endurance House formed a team of like minded individuals who wanted the guidance and support to successfully finish an Ironman. Following a training plan, provided by the team coach, these athletes trained day in and day out to improve their swimming, biking and running.

This story has a happening ending as each of the team members who started the race finished it. I was out on the course the entire day cheering all of them to the finish line. My camera followed me and I took these pictures. Enjoy!!

The day of the race also marked the three year anniversary of this moment. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Congratulations to all of the Endurance House Team Members on their Ironman finish! You truly are an inspiration.

Here's Michelle starting her second loop of the 26.2 mile run portion of the Ironman

With a look of determination, Pat runs by at mile 6 of his marathon
It is the Iron-Man after all!

Sunrise over Lake Monona just before the canon started the race at 7am

What's commonly referred to as the Ironman washing machine...you can see why

This sign got the most looks as athletes went by...I wonder why

It wouldn't be the Ironman if there wasn't a little perspiration

To see the rest of the photos I took that magical day check out this link.