Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Log / Pic 100 Jungle Jack Hanna

So this is my 100th blog! Wow! for over 5 years I've been blogging about my travel, adventures, or experiences. Well, this month I was fortunate enough to meet one of my heros, Jungle Jack Hanna. I've watch Jack on Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures, Jack Hanna's Into the Wild, Letterman, and Ellen (not that I watch that show...unless Jack is on). Jungle Jack travels the world to see wild animals. He also raises awareness to help animals in need through books, television and talks. Saturday he spoke at the Warner in Torrington, CT. I got there a couple hours early (it's what I do). I went in to see if he would be signing books before the show. He had just arrived and was in the lobby. I walked up and started talking to him. He brought me backstage to give me a picture. There was a problem so I had to wait. I waited while he directed all the staff on how the show would go (music, videos, lights, layout, etc). I waited contently as I watched all the animals being brought in from outside-a sloth, cheetah, owl, python, fox, etc. Above is Jack signing a photo for me backstage.
Below is a photo of me and Jack that I was wicked psyched to get.
Jack's Into the Wild Tour began with an inspirational speech, followed by videos of him going into a bear den and holding a baby bear.
He also had video of him and his family visiting mountain gorillas...
...my favorite.
Jack brought a bunch of animals on stage and gave a bunch of interesting facts about each one of themHere is a two-toed sloth. I hiked for days (okay, hours) in Central America on several occasions to find a sloth, and nothing!
an owl
a type of wolf
a huge python, a penguin, and many others-my favorite being the cheetah.
It was a great show and a great experience. After the show I bought his book, and he signed it, Jungle to Jungle.

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Log / Pic 99 Natural Wonders Photographs

So September was a great month for Natural Wonders. This is me at the Litchfield arts & craft faire. Below I am replacing a sold picture.
I also sold my book here.
One of my students came by to show his support.
September was a good month for Summers Off too!
I had my books for sale at the CT Authors and Publishers Association (CAPA) booth at the Big E. On the 22nd I did a 3-hour book signing.
Below is me signing for Patrick and Anneka from Switzerland.
Two happy campers
I did an art show in Simsbury on the 17th and 18th.
Sold photos...
and my book.
Great success with both.
I entered an art contest in Agawam MA.
Won Third Place!
My first ribbon for photography
Proud Boy
My winning photo
After winning this award I was selected to judge an art show in Rockville/Vernon.
I was also commissioned to decorate the Crown Plaza Restaurant/Bar. There are fourteen 16x20 and 20x30 inch pictures currently hanging in the Cromwell location on Rt. 372.
Below is a show I did in Berlin. Yes, I always wear the same shirt to my shows.
Below is Glo-my mom, who helped me set up the show.
Below is bro-my brother, John, who was also in the show with his woodcarvings.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Log/Pic 98 Utilla, Honduras

Flying to the little bay island of Utilla from the main land Honduras.
Above is my back porch.
Below is the view from the front.
Our whale-shark shaped pool
Thiery from France, Liz from Venezuela, me and lisa...from the USA
Our cool dive shop
Keeping away boredom when the boat broke down...sound familiar?
Visiting the fishing village a few islands over.
This family lived alone under a boat on the adjacent abandoned island.
A fisherman feeding the birds
Our first week's dive buddies: Doug, Josephina, Juju, Mark, Barbara, Lisa, me, Victoria
Alien Bubbles
electric eel
Gigundous octopus
stingray
my favorite-seahorse
a ramora tries to suck onto me; the hair turns him off
atoad fish-my first
a lionfish-speared
bonding with squid again-we say them mate!
underwater reflections
Halli Burton Shipwreck
Last day, couldn't dive, so kayaked