~ Abandoned Kittens puts life in perspective ~

This weekend turned out to be quite an emotional experience for me.  I was out doing a photo shoot with my good friend and fellow photographer Mac Sokulski.  We were shooting two lovely ladies and had just wrapped up on a location and wanted to find a quiet road to do the next part of our shoot.  We had 3 vehicles so we drove outside of Edmonton and took a side road.  I was following a model when she stopped and asked if that spot was ok.  For some reason I said we should move on.  So I took lead car and they followed.  I arrived at a junction and Mac was riding with me, we decided to take a right turn.  We drove a few roads and eventually I asked Mac if the spot we were at was good and he liked it.  I quickly pulled over and we started getting geared up.  As we were doing this I started to hear some loud meowing coming from ditch ahead of us.  Mac was closer than I was so I called out "is that a cat?" and Mac went closer to the sound.  He called to me there were kittens.  I went over, my heart racing, not expecting to see something that would upset me like it did.  There in the ditch was a pile of tree limbs, in it were 3 small kittens.  Turns out they were about 4 weeks old.  My guess is some HEARTLESS, evil, horrible, (I can't find the right words) person dropped them off there and never even gave them a chance.  It was a HOT day and they needed food, water and LOVE.  Only 2 were alive, so Mac and I grabbed them and we took them over to show the models we were with.  We had water and were able to get one to drink.  We quickly wrapped up our shoot and drove back to Edmonton, kittens in hand.  I stopped at a grocery store and grabbed some food for the kittens.  We went back to Mac's place and his amazing wife took over operation rescue kitten.  Mac and I had an engagement shoot to go to.  It was such a tough experience for me, I just felt so horrible to know people could do that.  These two precious kittens were never even given a chance and yet they were so strong.  Doing their best to live...it just hit me hard.  This world is such a terrible place.  The area we found these kittens was a RICH place, HUGE homes, people rich with money and worldly wealth.  Right next to them were 3 kittens left to die and it just hurt my heart.  I have had some good cries and maybe even a few more yet to come.  It just felt like God meant for Mac and I to find those cats.  We could have easily took a different road.  I don't think any one of us can take credit for finding them, it was just meant to be.  I do feel happiness and joy for the rescue, to see these kittens now in Mac's home and getting water/food and most of all love.  I know that I could have the best house money can buy, the best cameras and gadgets but my cats, my family, my close friends are the things that are REAL and matter most to me.  Treating others with love and respect is so important.

When I was growing up we heard this song a LOT as a kid in church.  This weekend I was just reminded of it.  The part of the song that says:

God made the little birds and flow’rs,

And all things large and small;

He’ll not forget his little ones,

I know He loves them all.

Our world is so full of bad things, that I think the little ones are the most precious part of our world.  The little ones make life special.  A kitten 4 weeks old, is so small, so tiny but pretty much 2 REALLY tall photographers were reduced to mushy guys by these little ones.  This world is so full of greed and people only thinking about themselves.  It is sad to see the little ones suffering because of our actions.  I am so very happy that Mac and his family took these little kittens and are going to give them a loving home.  I think the names are so awesome too.  The little female is going to be called FUJI (Mac's xpro is a Fuji) and the male is going to be called EOS (for the Canon that Mac also uses).  Just so glad for finding these kittens and for how it really made me think about life....about my life....about the world I am in.  Those little ones taught me so much....they also made me feel closer to God.  Remembering that even God loves the little ones and I know HE loves me too.

NBA RANT, Myriam Edit, last day of classes

NBA RANT

Looks as though the evil Heat will win a Championship....with their BIG 3 superstars.  I am a Laker fan and realize that sometimes the Lakers have brought in superstars and won Championships that way.  However, a guy like James just ruins it for me.  I really have a strong dislike of him, so not happy to see him win a title.  I don't mind Wade, but the rest of the team is bleh! :)  I hope the young Thunder can somehow make NBA history and win the next 3....one game at a time boys.

LAST DAY OF CLASSES

Today is the last day of classes for the 2011-2012 year....YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Now just final exams, LOTS and LOTS of paperwork.  Then I can shut off the brain and grab a camera or two and go crazy enjoying summer.

Todays blog edits feature the LOVELY Myriam!! Hoping to track her down for a shoot soon.  :)
-Randy

We ♥ Photography Group

We ♥ Photography

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Weluvphotography/ is the LINK if you want to check out a new photography group on FB.

I decided it would be fun to create a fresh group and see how things go.  I really enjoy having fun with photography and realized I wanted to have a group that I can share my love of photography with.  The sad thing about photography and the thing I have constantly disliked is the fact that some photographers LOVE drama.  So I went with the name We ♥ Photography because I want people who love photography to be a part of the group.  You can be a noob, or a pro, I want you to join.  What I don't care for is the person with a camera that has the attitude of being better than everyone else.  I really believe that everyone's favourite photo is the one they plan to take tomorrow.  We are all out searching for a great photo.  It's why we love photography.  I wish someone would make a group called We ♥ Drama and have all the photographers who wanna be mean and nasty to each other join it.  They can all rant about all the people buying DSLR's and how it's killing photography and bash each other over and over.

We ♥ Photography will feature photo themes where members can go out and shoot on a theme and share their work.  Hopefully do some group shoots and just be a group to hang out and enjoy the world of photography.  :)
-Randy

My Dad

My Dad

My Dad is awesome.  He is quiet.  He is caring.  He cuts down trees.  He is a cowboy.  He loves God.  He loves me unconditionally.  He is always there for me.  He can play 1 song on the piano.  He is a Pastor.  He loves the Bible.  He always prays for me.  He had prostate Cancer.  He loves hockey.  My Dad always cheers for the underdog.  He loves licorice.  My Dad took me to my first Oilers game.  My Dad got me my first car.  My Dad always made me macaroni when I was home sick.  My Dad and I share the same middle name.  I love my Dad so much.

So it's Fathers Day and I wanted to reflect on my Dad.  I basically feel lucky to have had the parents I have. As a teacher I see a lot of young people that are living in tough situations.  I feel blessed that I had a loving home and had 2 parents that loved me so much.  Giving love to someone is the best thing in the world.  It seems a lot of parents have become so selfish that they forget about the love a family should be sharing.  A healthy family is not necessarily everyone having an iphone, or the newest console, or having a HUGE house to live in, or a massive SUV to drive the kids to a soccer game in.

It was hard when I heard my Dad telling me he had prostate Cancer a few years ago.  I really hear the stress and sadness in his voice.  But he is through that and has been successfully treated and hopefully will not have cancer problems again.  Again I feel SO blessed for having a Dad like mine.  He has always supported my interest in Art and photography.  Without his support I would have never become a teacher, artist and definitely not a photographer.

THANKS DAD and HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!! :)
-Randy

~ Almost 40 Reflections ~

June 10 has come and gone and I am 39 years old.  Looking back I can say wow, what a ride.  Lots of crazy adventures and a lot of encounters with a variety of people.  In lucky 2013 I will turn 40 and enter a new phase of life as a 40 something.  People sit there and say it's just a number, but the more you add on to your life the more a person learns (hopefully) and well, this is my place to ramble, vent, or just babble on, so here I go!

The day before my birthday weekend I was faced with a random internet rage moment when a guy that was on my friends list on FB started doing some really strange things.  At the same moment another person sent me a private message basically telling me I was the reason for a photography group I started was failing.  Fun times online.  In moments like that I ALWAYS hear the Headstones in my head.  The song "Smile and Wave" will always be my anthem for stuff like this.  Drama comes to everyone in life, some people seem to just look for it.  I personally am lazy and don't care much for it.  I'd rather be having fun and enjoying life.  I especially enjoy being with friends, people that share a common love.  For me, mine is photography and when I created this group it was drama free and without this kind of stuff.  However from talking with other photographers it sounds like SO many photography groups have it and seems unavoidable.  Photographers can sure be mean towards each other, something I don't get.  I love photography and want to share the love with others....I think the big egos and attitudes are stuff I just don't understand.  I have always tried to help out other photographers when I can.  I share knowledge, tips and whatever else I can to encourage them.  Then I get random drama and people pointing fingers at me.  Basically to quote a famous Lethal Weapon line. "I'm too old for this $@&!" I think that is it.

I plan on just leaving the group as quietly as I can.  I don't need to create more drama by trying to stay in it and fight it out or "defend" myself.  I have my life to live and it goes much further than social media and online drama.  I want to have real experiences and those are the ones where I am out shooting, not arguing with other adults online.  I had an experience early on in my photography where I was a part of the online canon forums and there had a LOT of drama and met some REALLY rude photographers.  I was younger and got caught up with it all.  Not realizing most of them were trolls and wanted me to react and respond....somehow people like that get fuelled by using the internet to create issues.  I soon realized that the solution was leave.  After doing so I never looked back and was a MUCH happier guy, I also went out and shot a LOT and got better.  Now I think if I were to go back I would prob find the same people still there creating problems and I don't miss it at all.

I am looking forward to the next part of my life, 39 is my age and I plan on making this summer and the rest of 2012 a great year for myself as a photographer.  Looks like new possibilities and hopefully make some new friends.  I think my goal is avoid drama, smile and wave and leave it in my dust.  Have already planned some pretty amazing shoots, just need to wrap up a year of teaching so I can focus back to my photography this summer.  Thanks to all that supported me on my Birthday.  Anyway, I gotta get to bed now, I am an OLD guy!!! :) heheheh Good night!!!
-Randy