Japan. Haiti. Phuket - Trying To Get My Head Around It.

How quickly we forget that which does not directly effect us. Haiti, Phuket, Japan and thousands of near misses that we global face daily. Our hearts go out to those in need with thoughts, prayers and perhaps even donation. What do so say? How do you heal? Where do you go? Is your family alive? We can only be thankful for the human spirit that powers us to above all – survive.

Having become a father some three plus years ago, the fear I felt in watching this thinking about my own family was nothing short of nightmarish. I can only hope that in moments like these that we in some slight way drop our defenses about race, creed, political, religion and just see one another as people, nothing more and nothing less. 

Here's a first hand representation of what it is like to face the wrath of this disaster. SFW.

Google Crisis Response – 2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami hub

• http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

Facebook’s Global Disaster Relief page

• http://www.facebook.com/DisasterRelief

Cycling: A Growing Love Affair

If you would have said that I'd enjoy cycling a couple of months ago I'd inform you that 'meth kills' and seek help at your local rehab center.

That being said my legacy with the bicycles is a trail of Vikings tears but I don't know why.

• My first bike was a Schwinn Sting-Ray "Orange Krate" Bicycle with orange metallic fleck banana seat. I cannot tell you what I would give for this bike today.
• Then I had a Raleigh Rampar that I drove into the grave
• I dabbled with using my Mother's (then antique 1971 Raleigh Grand Prix 10-speed).
• Then in 1991 a Cannondale M400 Mountain Bike.
• Then in 1999 a Cannondale M800 Mountain Bike.
• Then a cruiser to change things up, I got an Electra Ghostrider.
• ...And now a 2010 Cannondale Quick 4 with carbon fiber stays.

I've tried NOT to be a Cannondale fan but I just find on the days I go to buy a bike that I end up liking the Cannondale as much if not more than anything I test. I know they're supposedly overrated and not worth the sticker on the frame but whatever. Like I said I don't tell you what to ride.

The difference this time is that I'm road riding. And I can see a much more expensive bike in my future I'm afraid, as this sport has really bit me in the ass for some reason. Just like most humans, I'm not much of a fan of working out in the gym. I hate the muscle heads and that stink, and the guy that has -14 body fat talking to the triathlete chick that's been running like a cheetah on the treadmill since I got there and still is after I leave. Biking offers a lot of benefits, especially for me as I've had an ACL replaced and I have bad knees to begin with.

• Different terrain challenges

• Low-impact workout with extreme aerobic benefits

• Exploring new and varying geographical landscape opportunities (this is also why I like golf)

So far my primary struggles with increasing my distances has been saddle (bike seat) pain. Let's face it I have a boney ass and the San Marco bike seat that came with the Cannondale was clearly constructed to retrieve enemy data from GITMO detainees. They should give riders of this brand a necklace with "The Patron Saint Of The Battered Taint" inscribed on it. That being said, I'm researching other options and finding that this hobby is incredibly fun and interesting as well.

Some other interesting facts I've learned in the past few months:

• You can get by by simply adjusting your seat to reduce the numbing in your hands from long-term riding (no more than 2 to 3º nose upward).
• That "drafting" is for pussies.
• Good gloves can save your hands from numbness.
• Be sure to eat some protein prior to a long ride to ensure you don't "bonk."
• That people with bikes they perceive as more expensive than yours (or at this point any bike that has drop handlebars) will not smile or nod at you when passing. Therefore I classify them as "douchcopters."
• The cold weather totally sucks to ride in; breezy and gusty cold weather is the doorway to Hell.
• You must drink an adequate amount of fluids while riding.
• Hardcore Italian bicycle guys are cooler than I would have thought.
• Make sure your "sit bones" are properly measured and you have the correct, style, height and installation of your seat.
• Do your best to establish proper riding form, leg position and back angle throughout your ride.
• Wear a helmet; or don't if you're an aforementioned douchcopter.

If you're shopping for a bike in Orlando, Florida here's a my short list of vendors:

Orange Cycle of College Park: World-class shop with awesome selection of bikes and accessories, friendly staff. Go see my boy Andrew Spears for the best bike buying experience of your life. He's the tall, skinny kid that with a giant beard and looks like Grizzly Adams joined the NBA. Far and away my favorite shop for all level or riders, and bike styles – even recumbents!

David's World Cycles of College Park: If you're a pretentious cyclist that only cares about a 100mile ride even if the world was under attack by naked porn starlets looking to mate, then David's is for you. Located just down the street from Orange Cycle, the angry staff will be sure to take the time to laugh at you under their breath if your not willing to pay more than $1,000 for a bike.

Advanced Cycles of Orlando: If you're looking to race and want the very best bicycles and advice then go here. This place is filled with Italian cats that know their weight in grams and can back it up on the road. They're not only knowledgeable but extremely nice not matter what level of rider you are. It's a smaller shop but worth the drive if you're into racing. If you're looking for the best (and most expensive) racing bikes then look no further.

Lastly, please hit up --> http://bit.ly/TourdeCureFL <-- the "Tour de Cure" to help me raise a couple of bucks for the American Diabetes Association and thanks a million. Ride with us on March 6, 2011!

A Joyus Daybreak: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

"Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children."

Vivian Maier – We Only Know You Now

My Wife Shannon saw a side of me that few witness when I turned a corner in the Metropolitan Meusum Of Art in New York City and I walked into a sea of Van Gogh's work and became to cry. Now, I'm an overly sensative artistic type to begin with; but it's rare that I'm moved by visual imagery as I consumed so much of it on a daily basis. So those moments are rare indeed. So I didn't expect to get 'hit' with this kind of gut shot the day back to work from my Christmas Holiday, until I met Vivian Maier due to the tireless efforts of one John Maloof.

Vivian Maier - Her Discovered Work

This was created in dedication to the photographer Vivian Maier, a street photographer from the 1950s - 1990s. Vivian's work was discovered at an auction here in Chicago where she resided most of her life. Her discovered work includes over 100,000 mostly medium format negatives, thousands of prints, and a ton of undeveloped rolls of film. I have approximately 90-95% of the work.

John Maloof:

Some have suggested that I add more information on the story of Vivian's work and such. Here is what I know.

I acquired Vivian's negatives while at a furniture and antique auction. From what I know, the auction house acquired her belongings from her storage locker that was sold off due to delinquent payments. I didn't know what 'street photography' was when I purchased them.

It took me days to look through all of her work. It inspired me to pick up photography myself. Little by little, as I progressed as a photographer, I would revisit Vivian's negatives and I would "see" more in her work. I bought her same camera and took to the same streets soon to realize how difficult it was to make images of her caliber. I discovered the eye she had for photography through my own practice. Needless to say, I am attached to her work.

After some researching, I have only little information about Vivian. Central Camera (110 yr old camera shop in Chicago) has encountered Vivian from time to time when she would purchase film while out on the Chicago streets. From what they knew of her, they say she was a very "keep your distance from me" type of person but was also outspoken. She loved foreign films and didn't care much for American films.

Some of her photos have pictures of children and often times it was near a beach. I later found out she was a nanny for a family on the North Side whose children these most likely were. One of her obituary's state she lived in Oak Park, a close Chicago suburb but, I later found she lived in the Rogers Park neighborhood, in Chicago.

Out of the more than 100,000 negatives I have in the collection, about 20-30,000 negatives were still in rolls, undeveloped from the 1960's-1970's. I have been successfully developing these rolls. I must say, it's very exciting for me. Most of her negatives that were developed in sleeves have the date and location penciled in French (she had poor penmanship).

I found her name written with pencil on a photo-lab envelope. I decided to 'Google' her about a year after I purchased these only to find her obituary placed the day before my search. She passed only a couple of days before my inquiry on her.

I wanted to meet her in person well before I found her obituary but, the auction house had stated she was ill, so I didn't want to bother her. So many questions would have been answered if I had.

• Unfolding the mystery of Vivian Maier
• The original flickr discussion
• Support the documentary film of her life and work

2010 Archive: "Change" & Rebooting Your Life

I guess I should not be surprised that [real] life-changing things are happening to people I consider to be real extended family. Just like your parents telling you "wow, we have friends passing away" you don't hold hands with mortality in the same ways that they do from generation-to-generation. While I'm sure I will just not at this point yet. But many things have transpired, and are transpiring in my life that are reminding me how fragile life really is and how much my loved ones and friends mean. In fair-weather times we naturally take these moments for granted, but in times like these I'm beginning to see one door close and another open. It's not good or bad (dependent upon situation) it's simply being confronted with unknowing, and often times uncontrollable change. I see more and more that humanities real survival is not just adpating and evolving but the acceptance of this change. No, this post doesn't end with some witty takeaway just know that beyond this holiday season take the gift that is change and do your best to accept it and apply it. Learn from your past as it's trully all you have as reference at any given moment and work to make your life better for yourself, your family and those around you. One final thought, log off and log back into your childs eyes. Hold them, be happy with them and cherish your significant others.

Distribution According To My Three Year Old Daughter

Sydney and I were playing with barrettes for her hair and after I had received and placed one securely to what little hair I have left on my bangs I was informed:

Syd: "Ok Daddy, now I get three."

Me: "Ok."

Syd: "I get whatever I want, cause I'm a Princess!"

Me: "You're Daddy's Princess but you DO NOT get whatever you want."

Syd: "Yes I do, or I do not?"

Me: "No you do not."

Syd: "Yes, or No? Am I your best friend Daddy?"

Me: "Of course you are sweetheart. Forever and ever."

Syd: "So why can't I have everything Daddy?"

Me: "Sydney we all get the things we want and need over time if we work hard for them, do as we are told and help others get the things that they want and need too."

Syd: "That's SILLY! Let's watch Dora."

Me: "No."

Syd: "Ok, we'll talk about this later. I want some Goldfish."