Life Is Good

Life is good. The golf courses opened today, well some of them did. Of course I went out and actually played pretty well. It was surprising how it all comes back and you get that passion to be out there playing. I am already thinking about my next round. It won't be tomorrow as we are going skiing. I told you, life is good. See you on the golf course. The picture above isn't so hot, because I took it of myself on my phone.:)

Kolob Canyon and Family Dinner

On the way home from Saint George Susan and I stopped off at Kolob Canyon. I have never been here before, but saw it online and thought we would make the stop as it is right off the freeway. It was beautiful. I was kind of surprised how quickly you could drive through the whole thing. There were a couple of hikes, but we didn't really have the time to do any of them. Plus, it was sooooo cold. 

Our monthly family dinner was this evening and we made it back just in time. My grandparents are here from Wisconsin and it was so good to see them. They are so cute. We are looking forward to spending some time with them this next weekend. They are doing awesome for 91 years old. The evening was tons of fun and it is always entertaining to get together with my family. Ya, crazy! Tim and Tiffany were awesome hosts as always. Thanks guys. We had a blast.

Here are some more photos from Kolob Canyon and the dinner.

Las Vegas

We had a whirlwind day in Las Vegas. Leaving Saint George around 10 am and arriving in Las Vegas around 11:30 am for a few hours to roam around the city and do some shopping. I had forgotten how fast the drive was from Saint George to Vegas. We had bought tickets to see Mamma Mia at Mandalay Bay, so we dropped the car off there are began walking up the strip. I was in Vegas about a year ago and I was surprised at how much the city has and is changing. It is amazing the amount of money that is spent in this crazy city. But this is one of the best places to take pictures and people watch. I could seriously spend all day just watching people. So many cultures all in one place. Very interesting.

We had a good time shopping in Caesars Palace at the Forum Shops and wandering through the Venetian. These casinos are so much fun to wander through.

Mamma Mia was fantastic! I didn't know a lot about the show and was a little skeptical. I only knew that it had the music from Abba and not really being an Abba fan I didn't really know what to expect. I was beyond pleasantly surprised. I didn't know how much of Abba's music I already knew. I strongly recommend seeing this if you have the chance. Plus, there is something to say for seeing shows in Vegas. Where else could you where jeans and a polo, bring your drink into the theatre, your bags from shopping, and your camera? 

Here are some more photos from the day.

Zion National Park

Susan and I ended up exploring Zion today and had a great time seeing the national park in a winter setting. It was really interesting because this is not the way you would see Zion and it was fun to slide all over the place and try not to fall. The weather was perfect and it was just gorgeous.

I have added a few photos from our excursion. Here they are.

World Cup Short Track (part 2)

No this isn't a second part to the World Cup, but an addition to the photos that I posted yesterday. Due to the wonderful comments of "Musical Mom, Melissa, Mariea" and my little sister Jill, I have decided to add some more photos. (I told you I had a lot.) Thank you for your fantastic comments and warm praise. I am kind of disappointed in myself for not posting these yesterday. There are so many good one's that I left out. I am definitely a short track fan now.

Ladies, if you are interested in any of these photos, just let me know and I will email you a copy or send you a cd. It would be nice to know that they are going to good use. (Other than being posted on my blog of course. :) )

Here are the second additions.

World Cup Short Track

Susan and I went to the Utah Olympic Oval to watch the World Cup Short Track event. It was kind of fluke that we even ended up there and just worked out perfectly that we got there early and got great seats. I have never been to an Olympic event, or Olympic like event, and it was a real joy. As they played the National Anthem I had chills running up my spine. I looked around the oval and you could see flags from all around the world and I swelled with pride for this country and for being an American. There aren't very many feelings like this and I was so proud to stand there with my hand over my heart as the National Anthem played. Amazing.

The races were fantastic to watch and I have even more admiration for these athletes. Being right against the ice really lets you know how fast they are really skating. These were the 500 and 1,000 meter short track. Ya fast! I was excited to see Apolo Anton Ohno, especially after watching him during the Olympics. He ended up winning the gold medal in the 1,000. America as a whole did not fair that well, but I was still so proud of them. The Korean's were incredible and there were two world records set today. 

I had a ton of photos and only put up about 28. I would have loved to have shown more, but I feel it may take too much time to load. I didn't put any captions by them either. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Click here to see the rest.

The Great Salt Lake

I have been fighting a cold for the last few days and haven't had the energy to do anything. Lots of liquids and tons of rest. When I woke up this morning I still didn't feel good so I figured I would just sit around the house doing a whole lot of nothing. Well, later on this afternoon it really started to drive me crazy and I needed to do something. I decided I would head out to the Great Salt Lake to get some sunset pictures. Sunsets always make you feel better.

All day it had been overcast and it seemed like the cloud cover just started to fade away as I drove out there. I arrived at the lake a good half an hour before the sunset and wandered around the deserted Salt Air. I am always surprised at the length of the walk out to the water. It is always a lot further than I remember. It was nice to get out and walk around. I was plenty bundled up against the wind coming off the lake. I had figured it would be cold and I knew I would be staying out there long after the sunset.

I reached the edge of the lake just a few minutes before the sunset. Good timing! As I sat and watched the sun set I was touch by that familiar feeling of calmness I always feel at moments like this. Alone and quiet and watching the finale of the day it just sort of comes on. I think calmness describes it best. It is kind of like your mind and body being swept up in softness of the dying light and you relax. No stress, no people, nothing but you and the raw earth. I think we all need more sunsets in our lives.

Here is the link to the rest of the photos. I hope you like them.

Why do you take pictures?

That is an interesting question and there are probably as many reasons why as there are photographers. But I think when we all step back for a minute and really think about it, we are all documenting our lives and the world around us.

Here is a link to photographer Jack Radcliffe's gallery. The gallery is comprised of photos he took of his daughter Alison growing up. From the early carefree days to relationships, trials, and adulthood. He writes about the way he would bond with his daughter and expose her to the camera from an early age. This enabled him to connect and photograph her in moments not normally captured on camera. (At least not by the father.) I also like how he says, "I wanted to photograph her in all her extremes, and to be part of these times in her life without judging or censoring." I know how hard that is to do as a photographer. I am constantly thinking about and judging. Not necessarily what I am shooting, but how people will perceive the final image.

Looking at his photos motivates me to capture life as it really happens and not so posed. There is a time and place for each, of course, but also accepting what your photo is without judging it. It is a fleeting moment that is already passed the minute you click your shutter. Accept it and enjoy it for what it is.

Alison by Jack Radcliffe

Hockey

Susan and I went to the Grizzlies game last night and it was an absolute blast! We were on the front row and I had my camera glued to my face the entire evening. (I must be a lot of fun to hang out with.)

I have been wanting to try out my new camera (Nikon D300) under these conditions. Everyone was talking about how awesome it was at high ISO's and what better place to try it out than hockey. Most of these photos were shot at 1600 f/2.0 at ISO 1600. All I have to say is that NIKON ROCKS!!! This camera is incredible. Canon has been the standard for sports and high ISO photography for so long, and I would choose this camera over my Mark IIn any time. I am seriously thinking of getting rid of it.

We had so much fun and got a lot of great photos. Here are a few (18) from the evening. Plus, the Grizzlies won!

Click here to see the rest of the photos.