Follow me on Twitter / Become a Fan on Facebook

Did You Say 830?

Yes. So 830 pictures later I put my camera away, left Jersey Village High School, and went home exhausted. A good four hours of taking picture in a darkened theater will do that to you. What was I doing you ask? I was taking pictures at the Mr. Falcon Contest, a boys beauty contest which is a major fund raiser for the senior class. This fund raiser is for their prom.

There were 26 contestants competing for the honor of being selected as Mr. Falcon. Only seniors are eligible for a nomination into the competition. I also took pictures for a calendar that was also part of the Mr Falcon contest.

Video 1 – Meet The Contestants

Video 2 – The Talent Competition

Video 3 – The Swim Suit Competition

Video 4 – The Formal Wear Competition

So there you have it. Four hours of taking picture wrapped up into less than 10 minutes. Aren’t you glad you waited for the video? Oh, if you were there and are interested in purchasing a picture from the event, click on over here to my online store for a review of the pictures and you can have some for your very own.

Did you like the videos? If so, drop me a comment below and share the love. Tell your friends at school so they can enjoy it too.

For a good holiday laugh, go and Elf Yourself. Here are the Falcons enjoying a good Hip Hop dance. The typical holiday dance, no? Look out Hollywood, who says we can’t dance!

Be merry!

So in my last post I mentioned a Caipirinha as Brazil’s national drink but what I didn’t tell you was that I HADN’T drank one. Until now. So let me give you the story.

In my hotel, they have a theme of food each night and the bar offers something similar by way of music/happy hour items. Well it just happened to be Bossa Nova night when I had the pleasure to try a Caipirinha for the first time. First let me tell you of the Caipirinha.

Well the base ingredient is Cachaça which is made from sugarcane. Wikipedia has a recipe if you want to try making it at home. Ingredients are very simple. Cachaça, lime, and sugar. That’s it.

I had the luxury of having my first made by Michael, the bartender in my hotel bar. Even better was the fact that it was free! Thanks Michael. So how does it taste, you ask? Sweet and refreshing. I could see this being a great drink for the beach or while lounging by the pool where the heat would compliment the sweet taste of the drink.

OK so back to Bossa Nova music. On this night, we were entertained by a local group that the hotel hires to provide some happy hour music. Bossa Nova is a style of Brazilian music that means new trend in Portuguese (why are you surprised? Look at where I am). It was a style that was popular back in the late 50s and early 60s. It is a style based on Samba and jazz. It is great music for the bar, easy listening, smart lyrics, with that jazz flavor. All I know is that it goes well with a Caipirinha!

So I was catching up on my emails and received a link to a video. It was of Eric O’Shea and his comedy routine about how TV commercials should have better music to sell their products. Very clever and funny video clip and at only two minutes, you can spare the time to watch it. Enjoy.

Eric O’Shea Standup – The funniest bloopers are right here

When I made mention of the website beforeidieiwantto.org the other day, I was also going to mention that there was a movie called The Bucket List that was based on that concept of creating a list of things to do before you “kick the bucket.” Saw it. Made me check to see whether I was living my life right. Think I am.

Well, I read this morning that Dave Freeman, co-author of the book “100 Things to Do Before You Die” died last week.  Dave was only 47 years old. He has been attributed with starting the “before you die” style of books. According to a BBC article, Amazon list more than 150 books written about things to do before you go. According to CNN, Dave had a list and he was only about halfway through it. Hmmmm.

I guess if you plan on starting a list, ya better get to working on it. I think I want another bowl of ice cream before I… go to bed!

I have been invited to watch the Spirit of Flight Airshow this weekend in Galveston, TX at the parent’s home of a friend. Their house backs up to Sydnor Bayou which looks across to where the event takes place. Why is this significant you ask? Because the plane’s flight paths take them directly in front (really the back) of their house. Now, isn’t that the coolest thing? You don’t go to the airshow… it comes to you!

Literally, the planes fly over the house at times. If you have never seen an airshow, you should. I will have to admit that last year was my first airshow and I now AM SPOILED rotten. It’s the only way to go. Her parents put on a feast of a barbecue, cold drinks (and adult beverages too), dessert, and a bathroom. What more could you ask for? Really?

Here are a few of the pictures that I took last year. If you get the chance, take in an airshow. You will have a real appreciation for people who learn how to fly. Up, up, up…. whoosh!

I think the weather is supposed to be awesome. Maybe I will get even better pictures this year!