9/19.

I was on call for NILMDTS yesterday.
As soon as I got my sister’s foils in her hair
I got a call to go to the U of M Children’s.
I was able to finish Anne and wait for the call from
Carin in Famiy Care for a more definitive time frame.
I was also able to arrange for a “shadow” to join me.
A shadow is someone that wants to work with NILMDTS
but perhaps is not certain that this is something that
they can do. This way they can come along, observe and
make the determination before getting on the national
call list as a full fledged affiliate.

This is a very, tough thing, as you can imagine.
This isn’t for everyone or every photographer.
NILMDTS, after 3 years, is making their selection
process more defined. They are seeking professionals with
skills that perhaps that most hobbyists don’t possess.

I thank each and everyone of you that support me in my
efforts to serve these families. I feel that this has
become my life’s most important work. Not to make less of
MOMF because that has become quite it’s own little engine
that could in a short time too. They are just so very different.
I wouldn’t ever attempt to compare. Both foundations serve
families with devastation. My camera and I can somehow bridge
gaps for these folks and aid in healing. I love that.

Today I will meet with a family at, what has become know as,
“My Hilton”. A family with a little girl enduring a struggle
with cancer will check in, with her family for a weekend
of fun, shopping, exploring, swimming, playing.
A respite, a break, a departure from her new “normal”.
All compliments of the Airport Hilton and the MOMF!

Later I will meet up with Jenn Malone & Pedro Diaz of Bella
Pictures
. Jenn is in town to shoot with me tomorrow and Pedro
is here shooting a wedding in Eden Prairie tomorrow as well.
So the 3 of us are going to meet up at Jenn’s hotel and
swap stories and talk shop! Can’t wait!

G…did ya get the package???

2868blog 9/19.

Boo liked Alison’s lap…

4362 9/19.

…a lot.

4359 9/19.

Do more than you thought you could do today.

Lake Nokomis MKT 2008!

Another successful event for the
Miracles of Mitch Foundation!
The rain held off until much later
in the day and I couldn’t have been
more proud of this organization for
banding together a TON of volunteers
(Thanks to Cargill!) so that every last
detail was perfect!

This was just the 2nd year for the Nokomis
location and already it had doubled in entrants!
Pretty amazing considering that this is a
fundraising event!

xslide1 Lake Nokomis MKT 2008! xslide2 Lake Nokomis MKT 2008! xslide42 Lake Nokomis MKT 2008!

Thanks to Tony Schiller for tirelessly
molding a wonderfully successful event!

The Chanhassen event is on Saturday
August 16th! See ya there!

MiracleKids Triathlon 2008~Nokomis

Today is the 2nd annual MiracleKids Triathlon
at the Nokomis location. YAY!
Last year was GORGEOUS! A wonderful way to
start at a new location. I hope there are
a ton of new kids racing this year.
Here’ some shots from last year..

 MiracleKids Triathlon 2008~Nokomis
 MiracleKids Triathlon 2008~Nokomis
 MiracleKids Triathlon 2008~Nokomis
 MiracleKids Triathlon 2008~Nokomis

The Chanhassen (original)location is holding
it’s Triathlon on Saturday, August 16th.
Last year it was cold and rainy. Not good.
But the kids came out anyway and completed
the course like true, dedicated athletes!
Champions, each and every one!
Here’s some shots from last year in Chan.

3641 MiracleKids Triathlon 2008~Nokomis
3948 MiracleKids Triathlon 2008~Nokomis
4015 MiracleKids Triathlon 2008~Nokomis

I’d better get a move on.
Race starts at noon!
(Chanhassen start time is 8am!)
C’mon out to either or BOTH, I’m the
one in the crazy orange hat!

Starkey Gala 2008 comes to a close.

Well, it’s bittersweet really but the
2008 Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala came
to a close last night at exactly 11pm
after Garth Brooks brought down the house
with all of his all-time top hits.
With just a guitar in hand, he rocked the
ballroom and all 2000 in attendance.

I’m sure I’ll be telling stories for weeks
to come but for now, it’s life as usual
and back to reality….for everyone. A
heavy sigh of relief came over me as security
simultaneously removed all of the staff
and media photographers…5 minutes into
Garth’s performance (we were only originally
allowed between 30 to 60 seconds). All of
the staff photographers headed back to our
secured area to pack up and get our so very
cool gift bags and head out. But before we
did, I had to go back into the ballroom and
watch the rest of Garth Brooks’ performance.

Then it was on to the infamous “after party”
at the gorgeous St. Paul Hotel just a couple
of blocks away. I, of course, brought my
camera and snapped away there as well (off the
clock) and met up with a bunch of old friends,
new friends & celebs (local and global). I was
glad I went! When I got up at 11 today I
realized that staying out til 2:30 am is not
my bag…even though it was worth every second!

I have so much to be thankful for and I have
much gratitude for the folks that had integral
roles in getting me into this position with
Starkey…Brady Forseth and Steve Chepokas
without whom I would not have connected with
such wonderful human beings and be afforded
some amazing opportunities. Thank you so much!

I have several thousand images to go through
but I already know where some of my favorite
ones are so I will share them soon. I spent the
past few days using my iPhone to blog with and
kept my Twitter updated as often as I could
due to the fact that my new 24″ iMac Intel 2 core
duo is now in place after much anticipation.
It is so lightening fast and the keyboard is so
light and easy I fear my fingers may start on fire!

This blog entry could literally go on for days
so I’ll end it here and fill in the gaps in the
days to come as I filter through all of the
fabulous images that I was able to get.

For now…I need to work on cleaning my work space
so that my new iMac doesn’t think that I’m some
sort of clutter driven troll!