I never really know what I'm going to write about when I sit down to update my blog. I guess that's because I'm still really sort of finding my voice with it. A photographer I know posted tonight a "change" of focus in his blog. He said he had been feeling pressured to be politically correct since the blog was a marketing tool for his business. He was alerting his audience that he would be throwing caution to the wind and taking his blog back. Personal Journal or Marketing Tool? Writing for yourself or writing for others to read? It's a funny question -- of the handful of blogs I read, I don't think I've come across one that is totally written as a personal journal. I guess that's because they are inherently PUBLIC. Is this just my businesses version of reality tv. I can answer that ... it definitely is -- and it makes me wonder just how REAL any of it really is.

Still unpacking from the Pasadena move. I can't wait to finally get the office and the rest of the place set up. I love my new location. I Love my new home!

Two things I did today that totally humbled me. I ordered an IPOD gift certificate for my client. (I still don't have one.) and I got my first blackberry. I feel some sort of pressure to keep up with the technology - but honestly -- it takes me a while to get interested and see the value. Maybe that's how it happens. Have you ever really wondered about that thing where older pepople become "anti" the newest technology. I'm happy to report -- that I really, really want an IPOD and am disappointed that I didn't get one for my birthday and I'm totally excited about the blackberry. (Once I learn to answer it == I'm sure it will be smooth sailin' :)

What a weekend. My good friend Tracy came to the Nissan Golf Tournament and put in a really long day with me. We were up at 4:45 and on the course by 5:45 am. We shot two courses of players and then met at a local Palm Springs lab. While the pictures were printing we grabbed lunch and then started stuffing folios. Tracy was with me at WPPI in Las Vegas this past April and she said -- I'm having Vegas flashbacks which was in reference to the serious manual labor we did for that project. Amazing how many events I particpate in that involve these manual moments of over achieving. Wonder what that says about me :) and now Tracy :)

The dinner was incredible. I got to see it again for the first time through Tracy's eyes as this was her first year. She was moved to tears, got goose bumps and was Wowed! by the amount of money raised and the fun that was had. All and all -- signs of a GREAT EVENT. Way to go Nissan!

Stopped by the outlet malls on the way home to Los Angeles and Tracy helped me pick out a new pair of sunglasses. It's funny how you always chose the thing that's the most famillar. I kept reaching for glasses that were small and subtle -- but this year -- big and bug like is totally in. It took some encouraging -- but I finally found a pair of BIG, BUG LIKE, SWANKY SUNGLASSES. I'm going to have to really change the way I have always seen myself to pull these off - but then, isn't that the beauty of it!

Tomorrow I am heading to Palm Springs to shoot an annual Golf Tournament that I have shot for the past 3 years. It's a fantastic event that is hosted by Nissan to support Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. It's called the KIDS DREAM. It's a super LONG DAY for me -- but lots of fun and for a really great cause. I'll have sunburned shoulders on Monday for sure :)

On another note, I had an interesting call today from a photojournalist in San Francisco. He had attended the Gary Fong: One Step Ahead Tour in February. He wanted to know if he bought the Step by Step Guide to Getting Rich as a Photographer DVD (which is a recap of the One Step Ahead Tour) would Gary be willing to mentor him if he had questions.

His call made me think about something Gary always says... "I can tell 10 people the secrets to making money" and only two of them will actually do anything about it. This man was saying -- I want to do it -- sign me up -- etc, but yet, I could hear something else in his voice. I think I recognize something else in myself too.

Have you ever wondered what you actually do believe about success -- and more importantly -- what do you believe about yourself AS a success?

I do my best thinking in the shower -- and yesterday's shower produced this thought. I DO WANT TO HAVE A BLOG OF MY OWN.

I live in a world of people who communicate and live by blog. It's sort of surreal and has taken some time to get used to.

I have been an advocate of using the blog for business for a long time now... but that's not what I want to use this one for. I want to use this one for ME.

I work with a great man who is always telling me to keep a journal. (I thought it sounded dumb at first) but he says its a great way to know where you are....where you are headed and where you have been.

And frankly, amazing things are happening in my life and I think having a place to record those highs and lows might help to give me the outside perspective that I have been missing. (At the very least -- it should make for a good laugh every now and then.)

I just celebrated a birthday, created a wonderful new beach home for myself and made a committement to really move beyond the things that I have held as limitations in my life.

The funny thing about making a committement to change onself is that -- all the stuff you need to change starts to show up.

It's going to be a wild ride!