Family Weddings: Guests

I took these images prior to the reception.   And, I have no clue who they are.  But, I liked how people were smiling and enjoying the moment to be with friends and family.

My sincere thanks!

Family Weddings: Mothers and Daughters

It was very nice seeing families coming together to celebrate a wedding rather than coming together for funerals.   The kids have a LOT more fun at weddings.  

 So do their parents!

Family Weddings: The Power of Editing

The recent discussions of whether should police should wear body cameras has an interesting twist: the security of the image.  A simple edit can tell a completely different story.

Observe.  If you just saw this photo, you might conclude that a wedding guest was having a WONDERFUL time and has had a bit too much to drink.

However, with a slightly different image......you can see that the wedding guest was having a WONDERFUL time without the behavior modifications that can accompany too much alcohol!

The point.....always wonder what was left out.  Demand the entire story!

I really like the second photo!  My knees won't do that anymore!

Family Weddings: Mother of the Bride

Meet Terri!

She is the mother of the bride. 

Think they are sisters? 

Family Weddings: Family

Meet Tara!

I've known Tara since she was born.  And, I always enjoy chatting with her.   Looking good, Tara!  And, I understand congratulations are in order for your engagement!  Excellent!

Family Weddings: Guests

I actually have no idea who these people are.  They were guests at the wedding from the "other side".  But, I liked how they seemed to enjoy one another so much. 

I was wandering around the reception area just taking some random shots when I saw them.   They were, of course, gracious enough to let me take their photo.

My sincere thanks!

Family Weddings; The Singer

Meet Tammy!

I first met Tammy when one of the relatives married her!   Actually, I think I met her well before that at a wedding or funeral.   She has a marvelous voice and I can generally count on her singing if there is a family wedding.

Nice seeing you again, Tammy!   And, as always, NICE JOB!

Family Weddings: Another Photographer

The woman below was the photographer at a family wedding I recently attended.  We had a nice conversation about camera gear.  And, I was interested in how she liked the bracket that help the flash unit higher.

She had a commitment and had to leave at a certain time.  This mean that a few common events at a reception would not be captured.  So, I was asked if I would step in.

She was most delightful and charming. And, she liked my camera gear.  So, she was really smart, too! 

My sincere thanks!

The Fort Garry: A Guitarist

Meet Dave!

Dave walked in and started setting up to play guitar while I was at the Fort Garry.  It was late Friday afternoon and I had called it a day and was enjoying a glass of wine with a co-worker.

I was immediately captured by his playing.  I've seen a lot of guitar players.  But, you don't often see a classical and fingerstyle player.  I thoroughly enjoyed his music.

After he had played for about 15 minutes, I asked him if I could play his guitar.  He was gracious enough to say SURE.  So, I played about 15-20 minutes. If you aren't a guitar player, you need to know that letting someone play your guitar is a bit like letting a stranger hold your baby.  You get protective!

I will be looking for him again on my next trip!  And, I may even ask if I can play again!

If you are curious, check out his website here!


Thanks Dave! You were awesome!

The Fort Garry Walkway

Behind the Fort Garry is what was supposed to be a shopping mall.   Although, I am not certain it was every very successful as one.  There now appear to be various offices making up the space.  And, above that, is a parking garage.

But, the walkway from the Fort Garry to the mall and parking garage is lined with windows covered in translucent images of famous people, taking from paintings.  I suppose I should have captured their names in the images.  They were identified in small plates below the windows.

I believe this was Marie Antoinette.

It is pretty cool to see.   I don't know who came up with this idea.  But, I like it.

A Guest at the Fort Garry Hotel

Meet Deb!

I passed Deb on the second floor Mezzanine level as she was surveying the lobby below and the huge chandelier.  If memory serves me correctly, she was from Edmonton and was here for business. 

She was most gracious when I asked if I could take her photo.

Thanks Deb!

Winnipeg: The Toad in the Hole

Meet Mel!

She was a most gracious and kind waitress on a very cold night at the Toad in the Hole.  It was only a block or two walk to the restaurant from the car.   I wasn't sure I was going to make it!

Thanks Mel!  I loved the atmosphere and food!

Happy Birthday Little H

Happy birthday Little H.  Today you are 4. 

May you have a wonderful, happy life. 

And, Papa is watching out for you. 

Thanks for the big hug today.  It was most lovely.

Winnipeg: Guitarist at the Ford Garry

Meet Grant!

I thoroughly enjoy that the Fort Garry brings in live entertainment.   Grant had a great voice and the music was delightful!

Thanks Grant!

Winnipeg: The Fort Garry Guests

Meet Jen!

She was staying at the Fort Garry hotel and I crossed paths with her in the bar/restaurant.  She is a relationship mentor, writer, etc and does columns, radio and TV spots.   If memory serves me correctly, she was from Toronto.

The Fort Garry is a very old hotel in Winnipeg.   And, I like staying there.   You can tell that electricity was added after the hotel was built.  It is always a challenge to find an outlet in your room.  But, the old style decor is lovely. 

And, while the bar was added as an after thought, it is sufficiently stocked and blends in with the decor.

Thanks Jen!

Chicago: The End of John Dillinger

Chicago boasts (if that is the correct word) of a long history with organized crime.  It is fascinating to me how short sighted many government policies are.   There is able evidence to suggest that the rise of organized crime is rooted in Prohibition.   

John Dillinger was very well known to both local and national law enforcement.  

It was interesting to realize I was standing outside the theater where he met his end. 

Dillinger had been wounded and had managed to go into hiding for about a year.   He moved between 3-4 different states.   But, he returned to Chicago in July 1934 where he finally was killed outside of the Biograph Theater (now..the Victory Gardens Theater).  His "trusted" companion, Ana Cumpanas, who owned and ran the brothel where Dillinger was hiding, had tipped off the feds that she would be with Dillinger at the theater on July 22 and that she would be wearing red.  

Federal agents, led by Melvin Purvis and Samuel Cowley, were stationed around the theater and in the diner across the street.  

When Dillinger walked out, he was met by the Feds.   He ran and was shot 4 times and died in an alley just a few feet from the theater entrance.

Chicago: Millenium Park and Crown Fountain

Chicago had some rather interesting fountains around Millennium Park.   Crown Fountain consists of two glass brick towers with light emitting diodes that show images of people from the Chicago area.  The images change perhaps once every 5 minutes. And, there is a valve that opens and spews water out of the mouth in the image.   The water splashes into a shallow black granite reflecting pool between the two towers.

The towers are 50' tall and construction of this fountain ran about $17 MM. 

The black granite reflecting pool.

Eataly Chicago: Meat

I found the meat displays also quite fascinating. Note...wild boar is expensive!

I can't say I have ever seen an entire display of ribs like this before!

Eataly in Chicago: Wine

The wine choices and displays were delightful!

 

Loved the displays pointing out areas of the country where reds and whites were produced.

And, of course, the bottles were pretty cool.  It is very difficult to take photos of glass without reflections!

Eataly in Chicago: Cheese

If you are into Italian food, there is a wonderful store in Chicago, as well as other cities around the US, called Eataly.  Think old style Italian village market with 21st Century decor.

I was pleased they let me do photos.

Cheese anyone?

The smells of the various food products were incredible!

Chicago: The Bean

When the bus took us by the Bean, I thought...what is the big deal.   But, it was cold and raining and we didn't stop.

When it warmed up a bit and I got out for a walk, I got to see it up close.  It is impressive....not a seam that I could see.  And, the shape makes for some fascinating perspectives.

And, it is a great people gathering place!

I am never in any images of my blog.  But, I am in the next two.  It was not possible to take the photos without being there!

 

I'd like to go back on a warmer day and do more photos of the bean as well as the park around it.

 

Chicago: A City Bus Tour

It was very nice to get a bus tour of the city.  I could follow along on the map where we were and could begin to place landmarks.  

The following were other people on the bus with me!

If memory serves me correctly, at least one couple was from Atlanta and another from Cincinnati.  

Regardless...it was CHILLY

We all got out of the bus near the planetarium and could look north across the harbor.  But, it was raining and windy!

All three couples were delightful and charming.

My sincere thanks!