Day 45: Happy Lovers Day!

I have to admit I approach this day with a bit of skepticism and reserve.  I'll be honest, I still don't get why we celebrate a day where we have to acknowledge our love and affection for someone.  I know some of you really look forward to this day.  There are many of you that love to go overboard in how you display your love for others.  And there's just as many of you sitting back, waiting and wondering what you'll receive from your loved one.  My question to all of you is "what are you doing the other 364 days of the year?"

Thanksgiving is my favorite "holiday" but I try make it a point to be grateful in my heart and hopefully to others nearly every day of the year.  If you're waiting for that one day of the year to be thankful, loving or generous, what an empty life you must have.  I guess that's coming off a bit judgmental.  But what I'm really trying to say is you should allow yourself to give and receive those small gifts of love, generosity and thanks every day of the year.  I truly believe you'll find your life much fuller and gratifying.

As for Valentine's Day, my wife and I pretty much tow the line, giving each other the requisite Valentine's card.  But instead of blowing a wad on expensive dinners, candy, flowers, trinkets, etc, we do lots of little things throughout the year to let the other know how much we love and appreciate them.  I can't tell you how many times I'll look across the way at my wife or see her walk into the room and be completely dumbfounded as to how lucky I am that this woman loves me and wants to spend her life with me.  Neither an expensive dinner nor power tools ever brought about that same feeling.  I can only hope I do as much for her.

Happy Valentine's Day to all.  Love and be loved, this day and every day!

Day 44: Failed Hunt...

Well, this afternoon I had to brave the wilderness that is Walmart.  Maybe it's just me but I cringe every time I have to go there.  Ok, let me be fair to Walmart.  I cringe every time I have to go to any shopping center, even the places I like (i.e. Sports Authority, Best Buy, Total Beverages).  I think I feel a bit overwhelmed every time I step into one of those places.  There's so much of everything.  And most of it is just crap that's in the way of me getting to what I came for in the first place.  And I'm not just talking products.  I'm also referring to the other hunter/gatherers that go there as well. 

At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man (too late), there's a lot I can't stand about shopping.  Too many sales people asking me if I need help when I don't.  No sales reps when I need something.  The people that insist on bringing their seven children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, all sauntering around as if this store is some kind of museum of natural history.  MOVE PEOPLE!  I just want to get my one, frickin' item and be gone.  Believe it or not I'm trying to do you a favor by getting out of YOUR way so I can get on with my life.  Nothing against you, I'm sure you're all wonderful people.  I just don't want to be a part of your day.

And the inventory.  Rows and rows of "stuff" (trying to be nice here) that wouldn't even sell at a garage sale.  Most stores always seem to have every conceivable, random piece of "stuff" but NEVER what I'm looking for.  This inevitably forces me to engage with the local help.  And I use the word "help" very loosely.  Trying to explain where I can find a particular widget usually takes me down the path of "Uh bahhh, hmm, ah, let me, ah, check".  Thirty minutes later, after several calls over the loud speaker, a few clicks on the computer, playing follow the leader through the maze of displays, a few more calls, some blood samples, rubbing chicken bones together, and a few chants, I'm finally told, "looks like we don't carry it.  Want me to call another store?"  NOOOOOOOOO!  I settle upon the realization that once again I've failed in my attempt to acquire a simple little widget.  One that remains elusive to this very day. 

So for now, I'll sit here with the Holy Grail, Jimmy Hoffa and Big Foot and plan my next hunt.  Better luck next time...

Day 43: I am Wolfgang!

Back when we were living in Irvine, Ca, I use to go to 24HR Fitness (at all hours).  There was this one older man I use to see nearly every day.  Ok, I'm the same age now that he was then.  Any way this guy, Wolfgang, would pull up in his tricked out triathlon racing bike.  He'd quickly rack and lock his bike, toss his membership card to the receptionist and run to the nearest treadmill.

What came next was a frenzied workout like nothing I'd seen before.  He would sprint for a couple minutes on the treadmill, hop off, sprint to a weight machine and frantically press out 10 to 15 reps, then sprint to another machine, then another, and then another, then back to the treadmill, a few more weight machines, a stairclimber, back to the treadmill, more weights.... I get tired just rethinking it.  As quickly as he arrived, he was off on his bike, most likely to put in an easy 50 before he worked out later that afternoon.

So now I live in Colorado.  I go to Fitness 19 and have this amazing trainer that always seems to have me do more than I think is possible.  Every time I meet with Natalie she sets up a new exercise routine that puts the previous one to shame.  Recently she put me on one that consisted of multiple groupings of exercises, each includes a sprint on the treadmill.  Each group of exercises is done three times with little to no rest in between.  Ok I'll admit, when Natalie's not around, I'll sneak in a few seconds to catch my breath.  So, after a good 45 minutes of this madness I'm just a heaping blob of sweat.  I came home from my workout and told Julie all about the latest beating I received from Task Master Natalie.  Julie laughed and said, "Oh my God, you're Wolfgang!"  Took me a second to register the comment and then a slow smile grew across my face.  I guess I am Wolfgang.  Not sure I'm nearly as fit now as he was then but it certainly is something I can try to live up to.

..... unless Natalie does me in.  I sometimes can't help but wonder if she's conspiring with my wife to split my life insurance.  :-\

Day 42: Boulder in Winter

Today was sort of an errand running day but we decided to take Sophie along to Boulder, to give her a chance to go play in the snow and for Julie and I to get a chance to take some winter pictures.  VERY cold so we weren't out too long.  This was taken at the Eben G. Fine park in Boulder.  One of our favorite go-to spots for family portraits as well as a great place to picnic.  Visit Julie's Facebook sites to get more pictures, especially of our Sophie frolicking (yes, I said frolicking) in the snow. 

Day 41: Mad Skills!!!

Check out the wicked air time! Check out the skills!  Check out the ski lift pole in the upper right hand corner.  Gotcha!  Bet you were thinking that one snow board lesson I took really paid off.  This was actually taken from the ski lift heading up to Peak 7.  Another crazy, awesome day on the slopes of Breck.  Other than the blustery FREEZING temps at the top of the lift it was an amazing day.  LOVE snow boarding like no one's business.  Colorado IS the best play ground.  Can't wait to head back up there!  Who's with me?

Day 40: The hour has been chosen...

Remember my Day 2 blog, where I gleefully declared the gauntlet had been thrown and I was going to do a half marathon this year?  Well, it's definitely for real.  My darling little trainer picked the battlefield and this is no typical battlefield.  This race is touted as "America's Highest Road Race".  It's called the Mt. Evans Ascent (http://www.racingunderground.com/mtevans/index.html).  It's a half marathon that STARTS at 10,000 ft elevation and finishes near the top of Mt. Evans summit, one of Colorado's 14ers.

It figures, I sign up for one of the toughest races as my come back race.  What the hell was I thinking?  Well, I'll tell you what I was thinking.  I'm a sucker for a pretty face.  Guess that's why I deny my wife and daughters nothing.  All my daughter, Sam, has to say is "Dad, pleeeeeeasee?" and I cave.  My wife says "Honeeeeeeeeey" and I've lost all resolve.  My trainer is not so endearing.  She uses a nice smile in combination with attacks on my male pride.  Damn you, Natalie! 

As for the picture above, this is the "before" picture.  Yeah, that's right, the "before" picture.  I suspect over the next few months those toes will be blistered and the nails will be black and blue, ready to fall off.  I'll decided later whether I post the "after" picture.  If I do I'll try to post a warning before hand. 

So, it's on.  Time to hunker down and get serious...

"May fortune favor the foolish"

Day 39: You are go for launch...

I did it!  I launched my first ever photo biz Facebook site.  After much encouragement from my wife and mentor, I took another step in promoting my work as an actual photographer.  My wife, Julie, helped me create the Facebook pages.  Now it's time to fill it with what I hope is interesting content.

You may notice in my profile it says "Artist".  I actually felt a little self-conscience about calling myself that.  I knew I didn't want this to be classified as a business.  For me it would be incredibly hard to maintain my creativity while being saddled with the burden of making a buck.  So I guess you'll have to classify me as a "starving artist".  Now that's not to say I wouldn't mind making a few bucks here or there.  But keep in mind what you see is what you get.  If folks see something they like and want to buy it, that's great.  If they don't, they don't.  Regardless, I'll keep taking pictures and sharing them with anyone who's interested.

So moving forward, it's my hope that through this web site I can provide images, thoughts and advice to anyone with an open mind and open heart.  I  can't promise you you'll like everything you see or read but it will be an honest reflection of me, warts and all.  Years ago a friend of mine coined a phrase I still use today to describe who I am.  "I'm an off-the-rack guy in a custom fit world".  T's and jeans.

"Like" me at...  https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Karp-Photography/360329710646345

Wow, does THAT sound needy?!