A fisheye view in Singapore - The courtyard in Raffles

A fisheye view in Singapore - The courtyard in Raffles, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Wow, I think I finally have it! I spent what could be calculated by any sane and rational man as an eternity over the past few days searching for a new blog theme and layout for my new site and think I finally have it covered. Not sure when I will switch over for sure, but I'll let ya know. Seriously though.....I uploaded wordpress onto the server at least 3 times, had it freeze up, screwed up the permissions settings, had import challanges, couldn't see the images while experimenting with one of the cool themes I liked, you name it. There was one session is which I don't think that I left the chair from about 8PM till 4AM! Not sure if that can be labled as tenacity, dedication, or insanity!

All that being said, the real reason for my Dallas visit was not one of a creative visit, but more about additional education in my real estate investment ventures. My vision of the trip before I had left was to balance out the long and couped up days with evenings of exploration of the Dallas night scene and capture it thru the lense. Well, not so much LOL!

Anyway, I am pretty excited about the new possibilities for the blog now with a totally new look, format, and direction.....so stay tuned!

As far as this image, it was taken during one of those trips in which I DID allow myself to wander about a new a foreign city. Singapore, as is South Florida, is humid.....very humid. This shot was setup and exposed in a pretty cool hotel called Raffles right in the heart of the city. I don't like to overuse the "fisheye" effect, but this spot seemed like the perfect place to play with it!

One more thing....

I came across this video that another blog posted while catching up on my email this evening. Its a bit long, but cool if you are a fan of Tim Ferriss's book called the Four Hour Workweek. I had never seen him speak and was a bit surprised at how good he presented his message live too. Check it out!


Tim Ferriss keynote The Next Web Conference 2010 - Love the Haters from Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten on Vimeo.

Matterhorn on a misty mountain afternoon

Matterhorn on a misty mountain afternoon, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

"The only Zen you can find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there." -
Robert M. Pirsig

There is something very settling and familiar when exploring about an area like Zermatt. Seems like no matter where you are, one of the most majestic of all mountains called the Matterhorn always seems to be looming off in the distance - like an old friend there to comfort you, ya know. (my gosh, where in the world is all this going?!) Nowhere I guess.......now what?

Hmmm, how about a little about the image?

I had to do a bit of work on this one. The light was kinda flat and even, so I played with painting a bit of contrast in here in there to create more of a sense of depth and texture. There always, at least when I was there, seems to be a mess of clouds around the peak (like the time-lapse I took when I was there). I'll link to it on the blog if you want to check it out. In this case, the sense of mystery helps a bit (I think). Hope ya like :)

Austin Capital on a cool Texas evening

Austin Capital on a cool Texas evening, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

A little gift that I received the other day reminded me of the images I have yet to process from my trip to Austin a while back. A special thanks to Cliff for the cool art that he sent me! Check it out

And, of course, the link to my last piece of performance art!

The last disastrous video LOL!

A playground of images - wedding details

A playground of images - wedding details, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I've often referred the the business I am in (providing lighting and effects for special events) as getting the chance to play with a really big toy box filled with goodies. I know, kinda silly, but its felt that way since the beginning. This season, more that average, has found us lighting quite a bit of weddings. It seems only natural that I approach these environments with my camera like a playground.....with goodies to photograph all around me. I know, REALLY silly. Speaking of silly, check out the video I uploaded this evening. I don't know where I could have possibly thought that I would have the time to video blog from the event in the Bahamas we are leaving for in the AM, but I decided to record an intro video this afternoon. Well, an on camera talent I am NOT! As I looked over the clips for a shred of anything useful, I realized that what I had actually created was a bunch of out-takes. Check in out if ya get a chance. Lets hope it gets better as the week goes on!

Banyon on the Bike Trail - and a Sunfest 2010 wrap-up video

Banyon on the Bike Trail - and a Sunfest 2010 wrap-up video, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Well, the end of another great Sunfest weekend has about come to a close. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this one more that any I can recently remember. Although the music was quite lame and the food had a lot to be desired (unless you actually were looking for a full on artery block.....I mean, is it too much to ask for a fruit, vegetable, or salad ANYWHERE in this festival?) sorry, I'm back.....where was I now? Did I finish that sentence? Never mind...

For me, it was a few things. The time off (finally), the art booths (I always love seeing artists give their gift to the world, and of course best of all, the precious time with my child. I look forward to next year!

Here's a quick little wrap up of the fireworks finale' of the event. Enjoy :)

From the Patio at the Oasis in Austin

From the Patio at the Oasis in Austin, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Wow, could it actually be? It seems like I have been blogging for over 2 years now. Yes, over 2 years of random thoughts and verbal diarrhea. What on earth have I rambled on about for the better part of 25 months!

I must say though, my usual blog time (between 11PM and 2AM) has yet to find me in the sharpest of cerebral moments. A million times a day, I find myself saying to myself "oh, thats a brilliant perspective...I should blog about that". These moments of course seem to get flushed out of the mind a couple of hours before I find myself in from of the keyboard attempting to recall a morsel of anything entertaining......and well, this is what ya get. LOL....just me, and rambling on about nothing.......

The image? Taken and processed during a workshop in Texas with the one and only...Trey Ratcliff from Stuck in Customs. I loved those cool shadows raking themselves across the deck...very cool :) .... ya like?

Hope you all are enjoying this wonderful weekend!

And of course, the video link below has not an ounce of reason to be here....other than this band rocks. If there is one performer I could see touring with, Jamie Cullum would have to be up in the top 5 for sure. This clip was from the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam. Three days of some of the worlds best music. Enjoy!

End of the day in the Cote' D'Azur

End of the day in the Cote' D'Azur, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I absolutely love train travel! For me, some of the best tracks around are the ones that trace the coast of the Mediterranean. Here in the South of France or specifically....the Cote D'Azure, there are endless little pockets of goodness to explore about. Yummy! Pick a train, pick a random stop, and go!

And on a totally unrelated note....I got chickens...lotsa chickens! I paid a little surprise visit to one of my newly acquired rental properties today and took a peak around back at one of the units and .... well...there was this cage, with what appeared to be about 5 or 6 chickens. Actually, looked like mix of roosters and hens, very strange non the less.

So, now that were rambling here a bit, here's something even more unrelated.....

Just a quick clip of a pretty cool "fire effect" we created for an event this evening. Worked out pretty cool actually. As always, my rock star crew helped make it all possible.. Thanks everyone!

Now, what to do about those chickens........hmmmm......

(more on all this later.....)

After the Implosion

After the Implosion, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

As far as implosions go, I had no idea the artists that engineer this spectacle could execute it with such precision! Just after the building disappeared from the West Palm Beach skyline, my friend Kevin and I decided to do a little investigation of the area. I must say, within minutes, it seamed as it the pile of debris was neatly swept into its tiny little 45' tall pile quite literally in the center of what used to be 1515 Flagler Blvd. Damaged during the 2004 Hurricane Emily, this eyesore has been the poster-child of what bureaucratic red tape is all about. After this exhaustive process took its course, the developers were finally allowed to put it to rest.

For more images, check out the little collage below as well as the video I shot. Look for a few more images tomorrow!

Merlion Fountain - Singapore (and a couple of New Years Clips from the Paradise Ball with a bit about 2010) ... wow, long enough title or what??!!

Merlion Fountain - Singapore (and a couple of New Years Clips with a bit about 2010) ... wow, long enough title or what, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Well, first post of the year.....what to say, what to say....

For one thing, for me anyway, the new year is always a great time to reflect on past accomplishments and give gratitude. This past year has rewarded me with a bit of travel....visits to places I never dreamed I would visit, and for that....I am sincerely thankful for. Iceland, France, Italy, Switzerland, and of course the US. And with a cool sounding year (Twenty Ten.....I like the sound of that don't you? Has a positive and energetic ring to it), I am sure to be treated to more opportunities!

Being in the events industry, I must admit, New Years Eve is always one of those evenings that I am usually working, but I love it....so that makes it fun actually. For the last 25 years, I have for the most part been on one of our events. This year was no exception. The countdown is always a kinda cool deal when you are responsible for a few effects to happen on Q. Sure, I've witnessed my share of balloon bags that never opened or confetti cannons that for whatever reason, decided not to go off....but this year, like most so far....we rocked the house! Here's a little clip from the countdown here in Palm Beach at the Paradise Ball while the second one is a little rough handheld psuedo timelapse clip created from a few images a couple of years ago.

Enjoy, and oh yeah, Happy New Year! May yours be safe, prosperous, loving, and full of self growth. More on that in future blogs to come. :)

View from the dimmer beach

Well, the last day of the Market America Convention is in full swing. We are about an hour into the show this morning and off to a good start! I shot this yesterday, and although it starts a bit dark, the level picks up a bit after it kicks in.