A Magical Life I Lead and I Don't Apologize

On my list of people to photograph resides a brilliant singer, Santigold.  She is brilliant and lovely and talented in so many ways.  Oh and that's right, I get to meet her next Thursday and see her perform...  I'm already trying to remind myself to "be cool, be cool" for I may say some stupid thing that makes me sound creepy.  I mean similar things have happened when I have been so excited!



(by the way it was well worth the few year wait for a purely magical second CD release.  And hey she doesn't use auto-tune.  Imagine that, a real artist!)

-Gawdun

Good Times to Be Had

It's interesting the things your learn about people.  I  invest to much time into friendships that are just social encounters and not friendships.  I am a firm believer that you can tell a true friend by the amount of miles you have between you and the amount of communication and interest that fills that distance...  One of my best friends has lived in the same town as me, different countries and states and yet we have never grown apart. 

When you live in the high school world you think the number of friends means something.  Heck even in the Facebook world we live in today we think the number of friends means how cool we are.  But I have learned as you get older that number isn't important.  Your best friends are first your family, then the other people.  I am grateful for my family above all but so grateful for the friends that I can call friends in my older years.  Sorry to all those that are just social encounters, it's nothing personal, but we just never had it...

 Oh and on a side note:  Judging me by friends and/or associations then calling yourself my friend is so far from the truth.  Thanks but I don't need that negative energy in my life.

-Gawdun 

What Happened to Kick the Can?

'Take You Away'
-Angus & Julia Stone

Last week while I was in the Target I pa roused through the toy isle.  First off let me explain how I am impressed with the latest and greatest LEGO designs.  Bravo Bravo!!!

However what cracked me up was the below video I shot.  Just a advertising fail for Cars and Target...  It still cracks me up...  There was even a tire from another car that had popped off and was laying on the bottom of the display track.  LOL

'Matching Weight'

-Trespassers William

-Gawdun

My MInd Has a Part 2

Earlier this week I posted a blog of two topics that were on my mind...

I had a feeling was leaving something out and that would be #3...

3.   This Darn NFL Lockout!

Back at the end of the NFL season the stupid NFL moved into this "Lockout" mumbo jumbo.  I mentioned it to a few people that I found this to be a giant waist of crap news.  Here is why...  If I remember right almost every darn year at the end of EVERY sport season there is some sort of strike or lockout.  Mostly they want money is the underlining theme but they usually cover that up with some sort of other bull crap.  

So there I was talking to a friend and I said, "mark my words the NFL lockout will come to an end right before the training and preseason kicks off."  Boy I need to be paid for my predictions.  There I was this last week in the gym locker room and on EPSN they were talking about they players were being allowed back into the locker rooms now as training season begins as long as they got their physicals.  Huh ironic.  Pre season is just weeks away and the "lockout" sounds like it is vanishing away.  

Just be honest and say you are giving your players more money for the next season.  I believe they just use the "Lockout" also as a cover up to make it so much easier for us to accept the fact they are going to once again get pay raises and they deserve it.  We wouldn't easily accept a raise if they just gave it to them.  This is just further proof that the majority of America is blind and can't think on their own.  

(Once again this is just my thoughts and opinions if you did not like this post then you really should... I don't know, but you should do something.)

-Gawdun

Drink Responsibly & Get Sponsored Responsibly...

'Home is a Fire'
-Death Cab For Cutie


It's about time I posted a blog about this...

Let's face it!  I am a water racist.  I wont drink any other water but a certain Glaceau kind.  What kind would that be?  SmartWater.  It just taste better, smells better has better ingredients and I could keep going on for hours.  Oh but I must not forget to mention has the coolest packaging.  I have been drinking SmartWater exclusively for 4 years and before then I would mix my water purchases with tap water or San Pellegrino.  But I have been a avid fan of the Glaceau brand since I read an article on them in the Entertainment Weekly back in spring 2001.

There is just something magical about SmartWater.  No I don't feel smarter (which is the same lame joke people ask when they see me drinking it).  ---> I have always wanted to tell them that just talking to them makes me smarter, but I refrain.  Seriously the only ingredients are; Vapor distilled water and Electrolytes.  "So pure and crisp like from a cloud," as one of their marketing campaigns stated.  It's just down right tasty.

Thus brings me to my current goal...

I have spent enough money on this company that I deserve to be a major share holder in the company but I will actually settle for a major sponsorship of some sorts.  I'm sorry Jennifer Aniston may make drinking SmartWater look sexy in black and white (another campaign that ran last year) but I look sexy drinking it in color ALL the time, not just at the turn of the page.  I am a major advertiser for them and they don't realize it but it's high time they do.

So by year end I want a sponsorship with them!  I sent out a tweet about this a few months ago and one of my photography network members actually tweeted back saying Glaceau sponsored one of their wedding promo events and they ended up with tons of bottles left over.  To prove that I drink this liquid heaven everyday and everywhere I will be taking a photo of me and the SmartWater everyday until they notice.   I am creating a separate Tumblr page then my "Behind ARG IMAG Photography" page.  I will have the link for you by Friday as I am in the midst of designing the page :)

It's gonna be sick!

Let's look at the dedication I have to this liquid heaven:

1.  I have a 1L bottle with me during my gym work-out, which I attend 6 days a week.
2.  I have at least a full bottle and a backup one here in the office at all times.
3.  All road trips consist of a separate area in my car where I can reach a SmartWater at all times, even if I'm not driving.
4.  I will not waste a single drop by dumping out.
5.  Before crossing airport security I will guzzle the entire bottle I have left (see #4), which then causes me to pee a lot before flight and in flight.
6.  On my mission my dear friend Roxanne would send me packages in the mail with at least 3 of the 1.5 L size bottles at least once every 6 months.  I would ration it out to be used only during meetings and when I had a rough day teaching.
7.  I have a bottle with me whenever I do any public speaking.
8.  When I find it on sale it's all over.  I will buy a shopping cart full, but not in one trip, I make several trips.  I don't want people to think I run a mini-mart.
9.  I don't just throw the bottle away I will place it in the proper plastic recycle location just as it suggests.
10.  I actually just paused between 9 and 10 to drink some.
11.  Only water I will put in my protein shakes after each work out.
12.  I will turn my nose down at you if you reuse the bottle with any kind of water that is not the SmartWater.  I am not afraid to admit it.
13.  I can tell you are a good friend if you actually knew all this about me and don't offer me anything other than SmartWater at your BBQ's, parties, etc.
14.  Even when I was laid off I still managed to buy it and support the dedication.

AND ONE MORE:

15.  I have a bottle with me at EVERY photo shoot I do.



See I deserve a sponsorship!  So get ready for me to have it by year end of 2011.

(I totally just took this)

'You Are a Tourist'
-Death Cab For Cutie


-Gawdun

Fergie Say's

'Don't You Evah'

-Spoon

Why must we label?

-Gawdun

Man This Ship Has Left Already I See

I thought with me attending the gym 2 hours at a time for 6 days a week meant I could be proud of my accomplishments in the work I have done.  However according to the below picture I now need to find a large white board to hang around my neck when I go to the beach in a few weeks...

Welcome to Utah magazine racks...

However it looks like they missed a few that are more "skanky"than the fully clothed Olivia Wilde cover of Glamour.  So really what are they trying to sensor, I'm confused. :-/


On a side note:  Michael J. Fox looks so out of place.  Happy 50th Mike!

-Gawdun

Another Reason Why I Love Christina Applegate

Just watch it! Oh Christina you are the best.

Prenatal Pole Dancing DVD from Christina Applegate

-Gawdun

Really I Want to Just Stop

I've decided, I'm done.

-Gawdun

I Beat First and Ask Questions Later, Sometimes

Ok I am about to loose it.  I have a very important blog post to post here.  However Blogger keeps telling me that I can't post the photo I need to include in the post.  It says some mumbo jumbo about me needing "license rights."  Ok first off I own my own photo's that I take for my own business.  I have been reading the message boards but there are NO answers.  I am so frustrated that I am about to go Madea on this blogger and then switch over to Wordpress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OXfGR4dgiY

The post I need to post with attached photo is a huge thing and needs to be seen by y'all.  So if you know how to fix this problem let me know ASAP!!!


-Gawdun

Yes, You Did Ding Me!

'Emancipated Minor'

-Ani Difranco

Last night we had a rockin rain storm bust it's way through St. George. I'm not talking cat's and dog's rain, I'm talking small children from 3rd world countries were dropping on our lands. It was insane! Not to mention the lighting that came with it was amazing. I have NEVER seen lightning completely surround and entire town. I mean it was ALL around, usually it stays in a central area but not last night.

Anyways.

I was called by my Elders Quorum President as I was leaving work to show up for a meeting. I agreed, even though I am still having a hard time with this ward. Upon my drive there I found a parking spot right up front of the institute building, which was nice as I didn't have to run in the rain very far and look like a wet llama. The meeting was interesting and I left. Upon returning to my car I sat there and spoke to a friend on the phone right there in my car not leaving my parking spot. A few minutes into my conversation I watched two guys walk up to different sides of the car next to me. Obviously they belonged to it. I'll have you know what took place next SHOCKS me!!!

I was parked in my lane and not in any other lane. So I was perfectly legal in my parking. I'm there talking to my friend and all of a sudden the guy getting into his drives seat opens his door and lets it swing right into my passenger door and then proceeds to leave it that way and out his backpack in his back seat door!!!! You read it right. This kid ALLOWED HIS DOOR TO SMACK INTO MY DOOR!!!!!!!! I was shocked. My mouth dropped and I told my friend Nicole to hold a moment. I proceeded to lean over and roll down the passenger window and say, " Really!? You just did that?"

Yeah he just looked at me and got into his car and said nothing!!!!! NOT ONE WORD!!!! You know just a sorry is all I would like. BUT NOTHING!!!! So I explained the ordeal to Nicole and stared the guy down. I decided before it happened again by this guy I would back out and move. So I did, however I also memorized and wrote his plates down that way I can leave him a nice note next time I see that car about proper manners in times like that. I may even check out Emily Post to see if there is a rule on situations like said event.

I forgive the dude totally as upon inspection today there is no mark left from his Maroon Buick.

On a side note to make last night worse I really wanted Annie's Shells and White Cheddar Mac n' Cheese with hot dogs cut into it (totally against my healthier eating habits). Yeah what is it that whenever I want turkey franks they are NEVER on sale, but when I don't even need them they are dirt cheap? Really??

On a happy note it's almost Halloween and I can't wait! Two days of events to be two different things! (more on this later)

'Got Nuffin'

-Spoon

-Gawdun

Watch For The Sprays

Tonight, as for all Monday's, I was participating in FHE with a friend of mine by watching Real Housewives of Atlanta. NO JUDGMENTS. I know reality TV has ruined us but I can't get enough this show. I enjoy the other housewives in Jersey, BUT Atlanta is where it's at.

ANYWAYS

We were waiting for someone else to show and my friend directed me to this music video, which by the way readers is done by Willow Smith. (Yeah she's Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's daughter.)

I won't and can not lie, I'm all over this jam! The single hits iTunes October 26th and yes I am going to purchase. I am totally diggin this video and song! And let's not forget that Willow is ONLY 9 years old. I hope she keeps her style FRESH and INDEPENDENT (yeah that was a pun on her father.)

Now please excuse me while I go and whip my neck (I don't have hair that long) around spraying paint around my room.

-Gawdun

Clip A What?

You know, bless Hillary Clinton's heart! She is such a wreck and trying really hard in her political position, I commend her on the efforts she is doing. However did any of you see the hysterics that ensued this week after her latest UN gig? If not here you go...

I am dying when I see this photo. If you want more check out the slide show The Huffington Post has...

Enjoy Friday!

-Gawdun

Now Where Did I Place My Man Card?

I seriously don't know why I do this to myself. From the moment I saw the movie adaptation of, 'Where the Wild Things Are' while it was in theaters I loved it. I just forgot one simple thing. It made me cry! I was all sorts of a hot mess.

Currently I'm hanging out with the family and I said, "hey let's watch 'Where the Wild Things Are.' (I am such an idiot)

We aren't even 30 minutes into it and I'm trying to keep composure. Let's talk about all sorts of human emotion used and expressed.

I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it though.

Amazing music for the film too! Karen O from the 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs' and a bunch of kids cover the soundtrack. Perfect music to mellow out with and then get the occasional jolt of excitement from intertwined music tracks.

But seriously if you by chance have seen my "Man Card" please call/text/message me/or whatever and I'll send you my address that you can send it to, Thanks!

-Andrew

PS: I am man enough to admit this though. If my mom decided to watch 'Steel Magnolias' I would truly have to leave the room. That movie ruins me EVERY TIME! "Here, Take a whack a Wezza!"

Here Ye, The Sounds of Speed

While I just home from a run this early AM and waiting to use the shower I thought it would be a grand idea to share my running playlist and how well I am doing at this 5K prep.

With only 2 weeks from today I am on track. Tuesday of this week I RAN (no walk) with 2 others that are running the 5K with me a total of 2 miles. Wednesday I did (RAN) 2.1 by myself. That was hard as running with others turned out to be much easier, but I ran the whole thing.

Thursday was a booked day with work and a hysterical night that unless you were there I will never talk about, well except the point where I launched myself off my chair in the middle of 'Inception.' (Another post for another time.) But I will say it was my 3rd time seeing it so sleeping was inevitable.

Friday I was just too pooped to run. I knew I should have pushed myself but I didn't. I was given a complement at work though by one of the fellow co-workers who also is an avid runner with her boyfriend. She said you can totally tell I am running. It shows in my mid section. Now I'm no chubby buddy (as Kirstie Alley calls it) but I had developed a small attachment that I have been attempting to kill. I guess all this running is working better than the other stuff I did.

However today I got home and in bed at 2:30am. (It was my normal Friday of closing the bar and Ruby). I still managed to get up at 8:30 against better judgement and run at 9. As posted of Facebook I ran 2.2 miles today in 18:14 which averaged 8:42 a mile! Next week I kick it up to the full 3.1 miles.

To end it here is the playlist from today:

'Got Love to Kill'

-Juliette Lewis

'King of the Berry (Piano Slam Mix)'

-Happy Monkey

'Click Flash'

-Ciara

'My First Kiss (feat Ke$ha)'

-3OH!3

and half of...

'Empire State of Mind (feat Alicia Keys)'

-Jay-Z

Hope the weekend rocks for y'all!

-Gawdun

Oh You Sure Can Suck!

'Next Best Thing'

-Nikki & Rich

Funny how this song is jamming out of my iPod while I sit here and write this blog post.

So as many of you have read via Facebook and twitter I have had an amazing time while I was in Reno. (Currently I am sitting in the Vegas airport.) What began as a workation soon turned into a decision making choice. I have been struggling with myself in many forms and where I wanted to take my photography business. It's really hard anywhere I know to run a business and I know that no matter where I take the photography there will always be the "business stealer, price-under-cutter, and saturation of photographers." In Utah, for those that don't know we have many a persons that do photographer even it is a hobby that they make money at. Especially due to the amount of weddings we have taking place in this state. There seems to be no originality. However in defense of my fellow photographers, (don't get me wrong I am not bashing anyone who wants to venture into this life) I think personal creativity takes a back seat like Rosa Parks once did. Clients see what their friends had done in their photos and want the SAME DARN THING. You might not even be the same photographer. I understand that a client has say in the process but when you hire someone you truly hire them and their talent they have. Then with your ideas and the ideas and talent of the photographer you collaborate.

So just like Rosa Parks I tend to say "NO SIR I WON'T SIT ON THE BACK OF THE BUS!" This is my talent and life why sell myself short? There are people who love my work and style. However I have decided to move ARG IMAG flagship elsewhere that I can truly express my true self. Also to break into the kind of photography I want to do (print ads for magazines like VOGUE, etc) then I need to be in a city that has easy access to that life style.

You may say why not go to L.A. or New York? While I want to get there eventually I need to start somewhere larger than St. George. I have learned tons in St. George as a photographer and person but need to move up, and there have been many influences one of which is Kevin and Katie Hulett of K Hulett Photography.

A few months back I gave myself to the end of the 2010 year to find a new town AND state to reside in. Reno just sucked me back. Black Hole City is the reference I give to it. Driving down the street the other day not even desiring to move back there it happened. That feeling of being pulled. I told a friend last night about it and they said they know exactly the feeling I am feeling. I went there to work with two clients and then relax. I came back with a plan.

I will be heading back to Reno in October instead of L.A. (Day of the Dead festival will have to wait till next year, plus I went last year.) During the week, possibly two, I will be connecting with current and former contacts in regards to employment and business starting in the great city of Reno. I am truly finally feeling like I have a plan since coming home from the mission. I truly know this is right, and all will work out. The move will happen at the end of the year like planned.

I know my mom and little brother enjoy me living at home but it's time for this 26 year old to peace out like bad breath. The brushing has begun!

PS: To my faithful repeat clients don't you fear, I still will travel to bring a fresh look to your family every year or when you need it. I love you all and appreciate the business and new clients you bring!

'Sweet Disposition'

-The Temper Trap

-Gawdun

Do You Have Any Rhinos?

In my the swanky little town of Blackshear, GA resides many dirt roads that twist and turn to hidden trailer parks and sub divisions. I personally thought the best time to tract (door to door knocking) was more exciting after a nice long rainfall. You seemed to find more treasures that way. Case in point this video....

Yeah this was all found right after a nice down pour. What a gem!

-Gawdun

Throat Punch

'Stop Draggin My Heart Around'

-Stevie Nicks w/ Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

It's always interesting to receive not so pleasant news. It's also interesting to receive not so pleasant news with a large group of people. There seems to be a heavy cloud that will set in and there is not a darn toot'n thing to be done about it. That dark cloud keeps us human. Keeps us sane to know that life is not a big bowl of sugar (even though Poppins tries to sell it that way).

Albeit that cloud will depart, enjoy the ride that comes in conjunction. It's not as horrible as news of cancer.

'Pocketful of Sunshine'

-Natasha Bedingfield

-Gawdun

I'll Share Jail Time w/ Lilo

So I've been charged with "Having to Much Fun."

While she lands in one of these...

I will land in one which allows my cell phone...

More in a minute.

-Gawdun

Mountain Dew and Bike Cops

'Heartbreak Warfare'

-John Mayer (I will announce that I normally DO NOT like him. He creeps me out and I have been told on good word by a friend who has met and worked with him that my creepy feeling was true, he is a creepy guy, but this song is great.)

Last week I had the privilege of vacation and attending a mission friends wedding. No I did not shoot his wedding, and I will tell you that I prefer to NOT shoot a friends wedding. They EXPECT a cheaper price and special rights, that totally makes me laugh. Anyways let me take you to the night before the wedding, and yes if any of the attendees read this they may get mad but you should have realized that once I enter a room I am looking for proper blog worthy material. Not one person is free from this occasion :0)

I had been in Salt Lake City the the early part of the week and then had to drive to Logan, UT for the Friday full day wedding events. The wedding just happened to be for an elder that I trained on the mission so it was only once again proper that I make face time and show. So I arranged a place to crash which was also the home of another missionary I trained. I learned Thursday morn that the house I was staying at would also host the bachelor party. I was laughing when I heard this and knew that my blog would be happy. So I get to Logan around 8pm Thursday and the party had already started. Now mind you this is a L.D.S. (Mormon) wedding so all the attendees of this bachelor party were Mormon. I did the "hey how's it going?" catch up and found a seat to land on. There was the chit chat of non sustaining conversation until the steaks were finished. I must say that the steaks were amazing. Potato chips, baked beans, and Mountain Dew flowing was on the menu. I skipped the Mountain Dew as I quit the soda habit a few months ago, but everything else was amazing.

There was also the fire pit to be started and such events did happen. A nice mix of 'Can't Hardly Wait' and 'Night at the Roxbury' soundtracks played along side of other smashingly swell rap and R&B iPod tracks played.

After dinner one of the many 22-23 year olds in attendance got the bright idea to bust out the "Non-Alcoholic" beer to try. Let me just say that there still is a .05% in it! One of them tried to tell me that they just put that on the label in case a drop gets in it. I'm sorry I'm the bartender and I know better, so I stayed away. I was ashamed of my fellow male and Mormon race when they would pretend that they were gonna get so drunk off it. (The GROOM DID NOT PARTAKE, HE WAS SMART). I honestly laughed at the "interpretation of drunkenness," it was all wrong.

After literally 2 minutes of that the idea to start the XBOX Halo games. I more or less watched as I have never played such games. (I know, I know I am a shame to the male race). I was given the controller of one of the players and that turned out bad as I was killed. One day maybe I will play it and learn it... hmm.

Once that got old ( almost 2 hours later) we headed back outside where the music continued to blast (its about 11:30pm now).

I have the video of the next event so I will only preface it. I guess there is a beer drinking game where you tip a can side ways and cut a hole into it. Then after you all gather around you pop the top (which is sideways now) and you chug it. First one done is the winner. Man who seriously comes up with these games?

At this point there was seriously a serious sugar and caffein frenzy going down all around. Someone put on some insane German Techno song and there were white guys dancing around.

Not too long later about 1am after the 3o minute "talk" that a few of the non-married guys gave (that is a whole post in itself) to the groom he thought he should get home seeings how his wedding was at 10am and he had to be at the Logan Temple by 8:45am. Just as soon as he went to leave up walks to cops who obviously were bike cops, (they sported the Village People shorts). I knew it would happen due to all the noise we were creating with the music of choice and sugar high the guys were on. At first I wasn't sure if they were really cops or just friends who were there to 'Punk' groom. The reason why I say such things is some of the random comments. At one point when the words, "so who is the lucky guy" were uttered in a not so normal voice I knew more video footage for the blog would happen. Luckily it turned out to be real cops and they told us to quiet down.

The groom left and I soon headed to bed while there were people still all around the house on the XBOX and of course the guitars that were on hand.

Oh did I forget to mention that there were 2 girls there but only one really stuck around. Yeah, that's what I said. Honestly it was a fun time of random adventures for a more random marriage.

CONGRATS HOLYOAK's. (Here is the photo I tweeted to all the friends and family back in Georgia who also knew the couple.) ((I think I also forgot to mention that the groom and bride both served in the same mission as did I, BUT they were not interested in each other at that time. For their "Hearts were Locked"

-Gawdun