…Since I’ve been to Italy; since I’ve blogged; since I’ve taken the slow leisurely time to notice things, taste things, think about things. And I’ve begun to notice in all my travels, there are different styles of approaching a destination. Of noticing, of wandering and slowing. Of becoming aware of the specifics of locations.

One thing in particular about this trip is the amount of time it takes around here. People find themselves waiting a lot. and honestly, it’s good. because not only am I being forced to take time, I’m slowing myself down and simply enjoying it…

It’s been awesome to be here with some really great people and to also get the opportunity to cross off another country of the travel list with Ali. over the years we’ve figured out an awesome way to share similar creative ideas and our eyes capture things in ways that result in a simple look and a shared smile. It’s a comforting thing.

My time in Italy ends soon. but you can bet I’ll take with me, all the little things. The visually rich things. And the “HEY, Slow yourself down!” things and try my best to apply it to my at home adventures…

Happy Travels...

Shooting Student portraits at a local dance studio this week. It’s been hectic and fun- yet I feel buried under photos! Still am working on the Inspired slide show in between it all…

But when I stop and think about it, there is nothing to stress over. I would CHOSE this over and over again. Because one of the greatest gifts I’ve discovered is the power we possess to change. We already possess what we need. It’s just at times we forget. All it takes is a single decision to change our lives and change the world in which we live.

I once read:
A thousand mile Journey begins with a single step.

It does indeed. However, I believe the first step happens long before our feet hit the pavement. It starts when we make the clear and decisive decision. It starts with one single CHOICE.

What are you choosing today?

Happy Travels…

To those of you who listened to the roundtable interview, here’s the video i talked about shooting in Athens, Greece.  It’s very simple yet I am transported back to that very spot when I watch it. The warm late summer day, the tired legs from wandering, the delicious Gyro that I ate 15 minutes later after stopping and capturing the moment… 

video.php?v=1391006655000

Now the important question:

Who wants to go back?!?

Happy Travels…

Last year I submitted a photo to a local exhibition that was sponsored thru the National Arts Program. I had no clue that it would eventually lead to receiving an award as one of several selected as judges favorites.

It also lead to a month long exhibition this past January. Such a great honor…

So, this year I decided to submit the following image and am blowing it up to a 30inx30in size. It’ll be the largest print I’ve ever attempted. I’m excited about it- the print should arrive in the next couple of days.

I’m calling it:
Even Angels Reach for Stars.

The image was taken in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and obviously has gone thru layers of filters in photoshop.

I’ve got a few days so I’ll be figuring out one other photo to submit. We’ll see how this year goes! Here’s to capturing and sharing

Happy Travels…

Contemplating and thinking time are frequent practices for me. But i have a particular love for doing that work while up in the clouds.

I think it’s because I did a lot of laying in the grass staring up and looking to the clouds as a kid. Some of my first recollections were even contemplative philosophical questions while laying in that same grass.

but these days I love spending my thinking time in the clouds; disconnected from things while looking out rather than up.

This time of consideration and reflection is important. It reconnects us to our sense of self and recalibrates us for what is up ahead.

so cheers to whatever your contemplative practice is. and to finding the silver linings in your clouds.

last night, I had a couple of friends come thru the airport while working a shift. In normal fashion, we all asked about when we would all next get together.

I quickly hopped on a computer, and chimed in:

I finish at 6:30, and there’s a flight at 7:45 with availability. I can be there at 10:30.

They looked at me with that look. That SERIOUSLY?!?! look.

I have always made it a point to have an overnight bag with me at all times, for this exact reason: Life should be lived and spent with people who you love being with. and traveling for. people who encourage you to be and adventure and discover and see.

so you should always be prepared. Always.

(some snapshots from the adventure below)

Happy Travels…

Yesterday, my mother was telling me a story about a gentleman she had helped on the phone at work.

Apparently a few years back he was travelling by public bus and was caught in the middle of  a shooting. He ended up being struck by a bullet which paralyzed him.

She had fielded his call inquiring about the possibility of a payment plan for a bill he had.

Before the call ended, my mom mentioned that he had given her an incredibly genuine and sincere Thanksgiving greeting, mentioning his great love for the holidays and how a lack of friends and little money made it difficult to celebrate.

Since he was local, my mom decided to take down his info and with my dad make an unannounced stop on Thanksgiving day.

The gentleman instantly recognized my mom by the sound of her voice and they brought him some food and goodies and they visisted for a short time.

Needless to say he was touched.

And as they left his home, the man’s nurse had come out asking my parents to wait for a moment- At which point she handed my father a sword. A full fledged samurai sword- in a case.

Apparently, in his earlier days the man was a martial arts and sword fighting instructor. He had a rather significant collection of swords and decided to give one to my father as a token of gratitude.

I would have never thought that a sword would come to represent the gratitude I have in being the son of such incredible people. But this is exactly what is. And I only hope that I can be the kind of “goodness warrior” that my parents are, changing and making a difference in the world in simple yet significant ways.

Thanks Mom & Pop. I’ve got some aspiring to do…

Happy Travels…

it’s early.

and the winds that have been blowing over the Aegean sea have calmed and in comparison to the last few days, are virtually non-existent.

I’m sitting quietly on the patio, with an expansive view of the water, the moon bright overhead, and the music from the clubs bouncing faintly off of building walls rolling across the hillside: the Greek nightlife continuing well beyond half past 6. The Sunday morning daylight is slowly arriving and the clinking bottles of the trash man is also adding to the mix.

All these little things add up when one is traveling. because- these are the things that remind us that real life is happening in this place. and real life is about journey.

Traveling is essentially a manifestation of some inner journey. If one listens and pays attention enough, the little things are present to help us understand the processes and things going on within our selves because with each trip comes its own set of lessons.

For this particular adventure (and this particular scene), I’m realizing this:

I do not have to cut the music in order to take out the trash.

In other words, I’m realizing that the fun; the adventures do not need to end. I can still clear my life of the unnecessary clutter and make the little changes I need to make in my life- while the music still plays.

And traveling never ceases the use of the compass. These are the gifts of being open to the sights & sounds; and being willing to trust in the direction we are heading.

These are but the courageous steps each of us take when we commit to our very own journeys.

Happy Travels…

there’s something about being up in the clouds that captures me and sends me thinking- about life, meaning, what makes me happy.

I don’t do this enough when I’m on the ground- there are too many distractions: things to do, people to see. But being in the clouds is different. I intentionally bring no book to read, and this time I intentionally left my headphones behind too. Because it’s been quite some time since I’ve done a long haul. And there’s tons of thinking to catch up on, tons of considering to do.

I noticed that before I left home, I was getting a bit sad- and the difficulty of saying normal goodbyes was a bit hard. I was a bit confused- because I have not felt this way in some time, and for Pete’s sake it’s only two weeks. But what I realized is this: every trip I take is life changing. And maybe, just maybe this is one that will change me more than I know…

And as scary as that unknown is, I reluctantly have to trust; that with the goodbye comes a hello. A new and exciting and fascinating hello. A hello that offers an infinite amount of possibilities. A hello that introduces me to discovering another part of me.

So…

Hello, Adventure.

Let’s do this.

Happy Travels…

What a fun filled summer it’s been…

it actually feels like it started back in April- when I started by taking a quick trip to Kauai. then it was crazy- Charlotte, San Fran, back to Kauai, then to NYC, Victoria, B.C., Eugene, L.A., and San Fran.

tonight I just found out I’ll be leaving a couple days early for Greece where I’ll be for a couple of weeks and then possibly meeting up with a friend in Paris for a couple of days before heading home… it’s been fun and I have a feeling that won’t be going away anytime soon…

And traveling often and much does take it’s toll: especially on my relationship with my nieces and nephews. I didn’t see them much this summer and so I’ve been missing them. Every time I do see them, my eyes can’t believe how fast they’re growing….

And this weekend, I got the chance to see them all. Lexi and Cole brought their “traveling hats” (which consequently were traditional Mexican sombreros) that they wore goofily and in the vain of their uncle’s typical behavior… (and why didn’t I photo this?!)

And Margeaux and Brady just decided to “drive around” in my old school “slug bug yellow” and kept climbing around in and out of it…. it was perfect. tons of smiles and hugs that reminded me that being an uncle is the coolest job.

I’m the proudest Tito there is!

Happy Travels…