X mass in and around the Finger lakes

A few sick days, a few flurries, a little drive lead to a walk about one of the finger lakes.
The winters chill chased me around the lake, but night fell I was back at my finances home shedding my damp clothes and pulling four covers over my body.

Wishing all that be Merry! safe and hopefully you have a designated driver......:)

Cheers!















More images from the past, the present and of course the future!

When we align with Nature, Magic Happens" John Friend~ Goodbye 2010 Hello 2011

As 2010 comes to end as my eyes close and I breath in all that I have experienced. I dream of the open road, the snow capped mountains, the sweet taste of salty air from the ocean shores, hiking up a trail under the clouds but most all I long to continue to explore the destinations & people of the world....



From the Mountains of New Mexico, to the flats of Texas, to the beaches in Miami to the farms of upstate New York it has been a magical ride through out the country this year.

Life has filled my glass and I have slowly enjoyed each sip as though it was is my last. The good thing is that my glass remains full & my palate is quenched.



I have posted many kudos about the people of that I have encountered from across the states in the past. I have been touched and I have just recently learned what it means to live a charmed life...............................




No matter what life throws at you the one thing I know and understand is that you have to be like bamboo!
You have to absorb it and be very strong, your roots have to be firmly planted and you have to suck it up..


Because it will change it will get better, it is just a chapter of now, not then, not the future, it is just NOW.............It will change....





Like you I look forward to what 2011 holds....




I follow you and you follow me...........

Holidays cheers, the cold the snow and the fauna

The year is coming to an end quickly! New families members have entered the picture and the days of 2010 have almost come to an end, like "time" ticking forward I am clearing computers for a fresh start in 2011. Up north the friget cold and snow days combined with the white out skies...... Oh what fun it is to be upstate......

These types of days I have not seen in many years living and working out of Miami.




As the new years closes I am reminded of my childhood ways of playing in the cold running wild or biking in the snow. I am reminded of what once was.



I am thankful for all that I have. Nothing has rang in my ears louder then the clinging of glass's while sharing drinks and a meal with my closest family members.




What matters is Family! What matter is cherishing the time that we have...


I wish you all the Happiest of days and nights leading up to 2011.

From the powers that be..... to those that will listen....

I returned to NY and followed my path and saw the most brillant shooting star that passed right under the full moon. The tail of the star stretched 3 miles long with its tail glowing white, blue and yellow. For 6 seconds I starred at it, I followed it with my eyes. I wished upon that shooting star 10,000 times. I was following my path and it lead to Erin's front door at 4am................ My future has begun again with so many major changes from where I was to where I am going with my future wife......................

Our location is unknown but our path is before us............... It all starts in Cananadaigua!

Five days in Miami: 2 shoots one amazing event for the Hero's of the Hemisphere

Five days in Miami: 2 shoots one amazing event for the Hero's of the Hemisphere on the Solstice Cruise line organized by the PADF out of Washington D.C., then A Dalai Lama Fundraiser in Coconut Grove with his holiness and then heading back to NYC to get engaged only to leave a few days later for New Mexico.... More A...LOT MORE TO COME LATER!

From The Hero's of the Hemisphere:

I was just in Miami and working with the Pan American Development Foundation where I was hired to shoot the Heros of the Hemisphere event on Oct. 17th on the
Solstice Cruise line organized by the PADF out of Washington.. It was an
amazing event Some of the stars joining with the PADF at the 2010 Heroes
of the Hemisphere celebration were actress Gabrielle Union, actor Jimmy
Jean-Louis, former NBA player Olden Polynice, celebrity chef Ron Duprat,
actress and Cover Girl model Dania Ramirez and television host Maria
Elvira Salazar. Univision's Satcha Pretto returned this year as the
mistress of ceremonies.


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All in good time............. Tonight!

Mindless thoughts on a never ending journey of finding happiness!~ Maine

Late afternoon a few clams on the coast of Maine!



Three stages of day! Three moods of me!



Being lost is one thing finding yourself in paradise whether on one side or the other! It is true the grass is greener on the otherside!




If on a rainy fall day you happen to be lost on Deer Isle and come up to the pearly gates of Peter Beerits... If you are lucky enough to meet scout then you might be lucky enough to meet Peter....... I did both and then spent an hour getting lost in conversation!

Sharing! continued Sharing! This is REDS EATS in Maine:

Sharing! continued Sharing! This is REDS Eats in Maine:

I am still not sure how much food I ate or how many napkins I
used...lol but one thing is for sure I shared so much with the owner
...and the team at REDS Eats but even more with the
customers while eating and after I photographed each of the dishes.. ...I
felt like a king at a table and I could not count the people,
stories and laughs I shared..

Here are few of the Hits on the Menu:
The lobster roll & Haddock sandwich ... Fist sized onion rings and
fried zucchini that was like a foot long per piece.!

Taste a little here:



or here: http://destinationstravelmagazine.com/October2010/

One of the best meals I have had.... Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company! Maine!

One of the best meals I have had: Enough to share with many friends......Like I told the owner Lucinda I am a little guy remember I cant eat that much.. not even
with you standing over me... I cant.... but I tried....... I really
tried....

Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company
...www.harraseeketlunchandlobster.com




More on Maine later..........

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia! Up and down the Coast for Destinations Travel Magazine and Sunday Drive!

Watch the video or read the whole beautiful article on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Sept Issue of Destinations Travel Magazine!

The Magazine:

http://destinationstravelmagazine.com/September2010/index.html?pageNumber=10

The Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA13E_6EpWc&feature=autofb


Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia





Images by Steve Levine/ steady70

'Ground Zero' & The Sept 11th Photo Project by Brook Peters

The Sept 11th Photo Project... 10 years later..

I was contacted by Brook and his mother to contribute images for his film project.

Brook is a 13 year old boy and is about to finish his project- Documenting the schools that were shut down during 911 attacks in Manhattan. Brook who was at school during the attacks. Is busy working on finishing the film for the Tribeca Film Festival. He has been contacted by the NY Daily news and here is the article about him and his film...

Brook Peters, boy who grew up with 9/11 makes a film about 'Ground Zero'
students and teachers
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/26/2010-09-26_witness_to_horror_boy_who_grew_up_with_911_makes_a_film.html


All I could do is say yes....... and send him many images for him to choose to use........

Kudos to Michael Feldschuh from the 911 Photo Project who has been very supportive..........

Local Love- Local Life- Local is Maine.......

Local Love- Local Life-


As my assignment came to an end in Maine and I have returned to NY. I wanted to share the love and some of the culture and the life with you. But it is hard in just one post so there will be a few to come over the next few days....

Walking-seeing-touching through this part of my journey is the love of the people, the love that each person felt, the love that so many people expressed about their town or village, the love for their neighbor's, their love for life.... A salute to the clammers, to the farmers, to the lobster men, to the bartenders, to the doctors, to the cooks and to the worker bees that support each other and all the members of the communities that welcomed me in. Thanks for showing me what Maine life is like, I have shared a few fresh caught fresh cooked lobsters, a few home cooked woopies, a few home brewed beers, a few handful's of local strawberries and many times the smiles... the smiles while holding the door open for me when I was 15 feet away from the entrance because it is that type of place we are in! Happiness is bliss!

It is an amazing feeling to be made feel like I belong when I just arrived but it is probably the first time I was received and felt... Felt well you know like a local...





From the desk of Christina @ at the Inn on the harbor:)
Once you arrive you do not ever want to leave!



Seeing- touching- building..... ""Hi"" from Maine



It starts with a hello or ""Hey you"" then ends with let me show you.... circling around the coastal towns, by way of boat, pick up truck or by foot....... much too see and do in Maine!



This excursion ended I was looking for the best sunset shot I was lead to this point....................




Laughs come in all shapes and sizes, locations and kinship's formed on waters on land and the middle of a hiking path..........



Sidebar: Cliff notes: Praise: Shout outs:


A few shout outs lol:
Darlene @ Destinationstravelmagazine.com My talented editor who is a work alcoholic dedicated to getting it done and does not take no for an answer. Meals, rooms, entrance fees what ever you need just talk to my editor.... :) Thanks Darlene...........

Jason @ sundaydrive.net: the gas the drive the opportunity to get when we need to get! It is all about apping or mapping the world one state, one destination, one country at a time....

Kate @ sundrive.net The map the app the route... I can see for miles and miles and miles...but no matter how much I try my phone never works where the miles and your maps lead me... I will always come through for you even when I am unreachable.... I look forward to more miles more known and more unknown....Thank you...

The Inn on the Harbor: Christina, Vicky, the birthday girl, man I hate that I cant remember your names... but WOW The place the room, the view, the sounds that put me out and woke me up.. The karma of your place, of your friends, of all of you being you! I cant wait to I return...

LL Bean: Well a few key peeps.... Eric (mgr)- Jess (Cafe 1921)- Molly (the ring leader and chief answerer to the people! - teddy bear giant * really he was almost 7 feet tall a giant bear of a guy. When he was behind the counter I thought he was standing on a step or steps but when he walked around the counter to escort me to the hunting toys area I cracked my neck as I looked up and shook his hand....

Red's Eats - Wiscasset, ME
hmmm where do I begin...ok for starts Maine people and while over 100 people waited to order when I pull up I notice employees are handing out samples of their foods, behind the food guy was another employee handing out ice cold water.. I met Debbie big smile very happy very busy owner order taker head crowd pleaser or server where ever help is needed Debbie is there helping assisting.. I had the good fortune of sampling some of her specials....Images and stories later.. BUt WOW the lines the talk of the town the talk of the nation.. yes it is true...

Deb @ Winslow Memorial Park... Your keen understanding of human nature is unmatched your connection to others is paramount to allow you the ability to delve in to the spiritual world.. I am still blank for words.. But I am still thinking about what you said..

To the boys / girls cooks and tenders @ grittys I am still waiting to get pushed to the top of the list and get my own mug! my own seat like the 496 other members of the town's brewery. We will talk about it when I return!

Nancy and Jim The life of lifes... Nature-nurture and probably the best company and conversation that I have shared at a random table....
But I am sorry I did not get to stop @ Jordan's Restaurant for breakfast Next time I am in town..I am diving into their blueberry pancakes..

Frank @ Cap'n fish's

I like how you parked who do think you are... very funny I said the photographer who was supposed to be here 2 days ago but got lost driving in circles in town.....do you think you can find a spot other then in the middle of the street? I was told I was a local therefore I could stop and hold a conversation in the streets *** right Kristina lol.....
Thank you for offering me the whales and boat...


Ruth & Scott @ the Brewster House Bed & Breakfast: right smack in the center of everything.... maps and directions galore, fresh coffee a fantastic bed. Thanks for taking the time to answer my never ending questions...

Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Co.

Lucinda.... Lucinda...Lucinda... It was a sincere pleasure, truly an honor meeting you and for taking off your glasses lol... But again I am a little guy remember I cant eat that much.. not even with you standing over me... I cant.... but I tried....... I really tried...
I cant wait to try again...

Wicked woopies: no please just one no no twos okay three is well I can share them four is come on I only know 2 people in town here's 10 make some new friends and find home... Thank you... thank you.. I think I did....

Elena and Mark in Freeport:

I am still at a lose for words b/c of how you shared your meal your boat your life with me. The one time you both needed and spoke about escaping for a picnic alone at sunset because it is what soothes you and makes you happy...And then we met....I joined and I enjoyed..I was made to feel very, very comfortable and a happiness that came out for reasons known or unknown...You showed me what it is to be happy and content with your significant other....

Back to NY after Maine......

I found the ME in Maine! Cheers to you and wait till you see the results and here the stories........



Thanks to a few special people with out your help well.....it would have been? hmmmmm not Maine and I would have not become a local!

Bigger the wishbone - bigger wish- bigger the return of that wish.........

Man could life get any better then this...Bigger the wishbone - bigger wish- bigger the return of that wish.........

Being in Love.........Still on my mind as I plan my next adventures!

A week after my return from Love VA:

There was more LOVE in VA then I have ever experienced. The comical thing is or was I was alone on this assignment. No G/f, no assistant, no help and oh yeah thanks to ATT no phone service, internet was non existent. It was paradise for me and hell for my editor Darlene, With no way of contact no images equals no feature story..

I found my place - I found my happiness- I listened to the voice of mother nature- I was soothed in the waters of lake Sherando- I was swept away by the winds on spy rock-


I soared with the hawks and ran with the deer- I tasted the sweetness of wild flowers and got engrossed with the mating ritual of the butterflies....

It was the first time in ages I journeyed and found the most perfect wishing spot and said my peace and left my mark...... I share some of the LOVE with you........

Leaving NYC@ 4:44am after one amazing weekend in the city!

After a few strong nights in NYC- I left the city at 4:44 am and headed up to the mountains.....

Driving through the rain in complete blackness running after Monday morning's sunrise in the valleys and the hills NY state










Up and down winding through the vacant roads I just found my spot and found emptiness. That emptiness just happened to be on the Everette's farm somewhere off rt 20.


Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Everette for allowing me to park on your farm, then jump over your fence to get a few pictures. PS Your dogs are very nice but bark a lot!

Two Steak and Sushi Den

Meeting and working with the team at Two Steak and Sushi Den lead by James Beard award winning executive chef James McDevitt was an honor and a privilege. Below are just a few of the dishes that was created for there new marketing material's and website.

This is either heaven or hell....

This is Kris Smith.. One of the last things he said to me was....

This is either Heaven or Hell!
These are a few of the images that did or did not make it into the Sept issue of Destinations Travel Magazine, but left a deeper impression days after I returned home.




By the time you finish with this hike you will know....

As I sit here now in NY I know whole heartily this was and is heaven...


From the open road to the cross roads this assignment was in my top 3 adventures...







Over and under trees and rocks just jutted out, fell over and found there place....

I was just lucky enough to be able to see, hear and share some of those things..

On the road with Destinations Travel Magazine and SundayDrive.net

On the road with Destinations Travel Magazine and SundayDrive.net for the Sept 2010 Issue. Images and story about the Blue Ridge Mountains and Skyline Drive.

Sunday Drive is the newest breakthrough for Smart Phones –The downloadable App will offer step-by-step directions, maps, aerial views, POI, descriptions, photos, videos and more.

**Sunday Drive makes #2 on the list of the best tour apps in Travel & Leisure magazine.Best iPhone Tour Apps - Articles - Travel + Leisure
www.travelandleisure.com


Read the story and view the images at

http://destinationstravelmagazine.com/September2010/

I am in Love with Love VA...

Simple Life in Love Va, The Blue Ridge Moutains and Skyline Drive....... Butterflies, deer, water falls, rivers, lakes, blue grass music and this old dog is getting hammered by time.......as they say in Antigua """ More Time"" Wait till you all see whats next....

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When its raining and the skies are black I am very happy ...

To be working inside.........I owe it to myself to show and tell, to post all / more but being overloaded is no excuse...

Immersed these past 6 weeks in friends- in family- in myself~ Overloaded with options- backing flipping over clients~ hopscotching over dreams~

But all I really want is another piece of this..............



And 2 other things.........

See it... Feel it.....Live it.....

I am now at 40, I have seen it, I have felt it and I lived it. I survived I get it: I found this little gem of a place on the east end on LI. Beaches galore, the randomness of getting lost and waiting on friends.. Like the many times before I have trespassed, I found or felt a push or pull to go ahead and do it. Most if not all of those times I have had this feeling it leads to little or no issues.

I hop a 6 foot row of hedges: I cut through someones precious landscape lawn that hides this mansion and I find a path that leads me to this private beach... I am walking on the beach now, I am jabbering on my phone listening to worst possible story from a friend of mine yessing her to death I must cut this conversation short.... I found my spot, I see a chair just close enough to the tall grass hiding me from the owners house and the still waters of the Long Island sound..... I find myself lost in thought, lost in images. Filtering thoughts pictures, moments lasting minutes...Many random eye opening images that sputter long enough in my head to leave its taste in my mouth... Accidents on Boats: cars: motorcycles: language barriers when crossing boarders: life: women: many to many bizarre incidents to name here...Then like a knife a multitude of positive life changing moments take over my thoughts like a movie I am laughing, I am secure, I am moving happily through these moments... I reach into my bag and pull out my phone and turn it off, I don't care my friends are attempting to call me I don't care what time it is . I found this spot, this perfect spot there is no one for miles no boats, no people, no gardeners, nothing but silence. I am free, I am clear, I am ... ........... I am now at 40, I have seen it, I have felt it and I lived it. I just want to enjoy this precise moment here on Long Island...





Once again: Whether traveling / working here in New York or San Jose, Antigua, London wherever each time I find a place like this I forget the journey that got me here/ there I only remember the SPOT! For the next 40 or so years I will remember the The Journey as Much as I remember the SPOT!

The process + seeds = life! Organic Foods at Northshire Farms NY~

Seed, soil, water, cleared fields. The process begins with organic seeds and ends in fruition. Northshire farms in West Winfield, A totally organic farm where growing is an art and that art is sold in NYC at the Green Market in Union Square every Saturday... This is just part one of the process that goes into every veggie, every egg, every day rain or shine, in the green houses or spread out over the hundreds of acres.. This is the life of one organic farmer and his chickens & quails fresh eggs and his exotic worldly vegetables.