Strangest Email Request from A Bride EVER received...

OK - the name on the email was changed to protect the innocent BUT check this out... she never actually asks if I could tape a wedding; she just wants to see if I'm not booked, I guess so that she could haul off my dead body.

Day Job...

On Saturday I had to cover the opening of the Konrad Dannenberg Papers at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (my alma mater, by the way). It doesn't sound very sexy but Dannenberg was one of the original rocket scientists who came with Dr. Wernher von Braun to the USA after World War II. To make a very long story short, had they not come over, there would be NO NASA, no man on the moon, and certainly no Redstone Arsenal. I had to produce a short mini documentary for the occasion. My boss reviewed some interviews and speeches Dannenberg gave and my job was to package it all up and research and add footage (that's the fun job). Results are below. By the way - I got sick as a dog this weekend with either The Flu or a really bad cold.

I've Got a Crush on You...

The Ann Wade Parrish photo shoot with Valerie... Fabulous! Val is such a sweetheart and joy! These photos really bring out the best in Val and the worst in that man with all that powder in his hair... like, what's up with that? This is just a glimpse. If you need to, breath in the bag.

ef•fuse

ef•fuse
Pronunciation: \i-ˈfyüz, e-\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): ef•fused; ef•fus•ing
Etymology: Latin effusus, past participle of effundere, from ex- + fundere to pour —
Date: 1526
intransitive verb usage 1 : to make a great or excessive display of enthusiasm

Psalm 19:1

The day started out with this verse from Psalm 19, Verse 1: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. And in north Alabama today on this first day of November, it was Psalm 19:1 day. I had to run over to Huntsville to shoot some pics for a work buddy of mine. Tammy and her two daughters (and her mom, and sister, and her kids, etc., etc...) met me at Redstone Arsenal. Tammy's husband is working in Iraq and I guess these are for him. By the way - I used to enjoy taking photos. I don't do it often or for profit. But I USED to enjoy taking them. And then - Ann Wade Parrish. Now I feel so impotent and so lacking when I have a camera in my hand. Anyway, had a great time with the whole gang on this absolutely glorious day!

Tammy's nephew and niece... they are always cute when they're young - then they grow up.

Tammy's kids

I have no idea how this pic slipped in here...

Wishin' and Hopin' (UPDATED w/sample)

I was listening to some old airchecks from WABC (770 AM) out of New York City the other day and one of the PSAs (public service announcements) they cut back in 1969 had a song in the bed that I vaguely remembered but had to do some research on. It was a Burt Bacharach song called Wishin' and Hopin' (click here for sample) that was covered by a number of artists but made famous by Dusty Springfield in 1964. Really great song...

Wishin', and hopin', and thinkin', and prayin',
Planning and dreamin' each night of his charms.
That won't get you into his arms

So if you're looking for love you can share
All you gotta to is hold him, and kiss him, and love him,
And show him that you care.

Ah - they don't write songs like this anymore. So here's the Song of the Day on a non-wedding, non-work, non-wife, football-watchin' fall day. And just another chance to show you another pic of my girlfriend takin' by Ann Wade...

Almost famous...

Went and had some pics done of my girlfriend and me by my buddy Ann Wade Parrish http://www.awweddings.com/ . I don't think I've ever had my photograph "professionally" taken before the other day. Here's a sneak peak at some of them http://www.awweddings.com/blog/claus-martel . It was a lot less painful than I thought. Actually, Valerie did NOT want to get out of the car and Ann Wade actually persuaded her to get out! It was the quickest 45-minutes of my life and for all the time I've been telling others how painless I've observed AWP makes it for brides, she makes it equally painless for old men with dogs. Ann Wade also said some very, very sweet things about me and for that I am humbled and grateful!
For all my wedding buddies out there - Ann Wade's running this really great special just in time for the holidays. Check it out at
http://www.awweddings.com/blog/sign-up-today . If you know anything about professional photography (and professional photography prices), you know this is a steal (and, NO, I don't get any commission).