Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Post App Wars....

It's been a little over a week since The App Wars had its big night at 3rdSpace in San Diego. 200 amazing photos submitted from photographers worldwide. Plus 7 students from the AjA Project had photos to display as well.

It was such a great feeling after the show closed knowing that it had been a huge success. My girlfriend Holly and I were laying in bed a few nights before the event and I think an overwhelming fear came over the both of us. What had we gotten ourselves into? Having never hosted a gallery exhibit the unknown factor was in full force. Would people show up? Would the displays work correctly? Photos were still in the processing stage. How were they going to turn out since they were obviously the most important part of the show. Basically we were freaking out but not really saying anything.

So our fears seem to fade away by 7:30 on that Saturday night. Over 50 people had arrived in the first 30 minutes. Everything was coming together. Months and months of hard work was now rearing its handsome face. The space looked great. People seemed intrigued. A really great vibe was taking place.





Friday, November 23, 2012

Can they do it better? Only time will tell. I've seen it happen before and I'm sure I will see it again. Good luck! Competition only makes a person stronger.




Thursday, October 25, 2012

Happy Hour

If you enjoy a good cocktail from time to time and just not beer then I'm sure you a have a few places that have left a lasting impression alcohol wise. Here is a list of my 5 favorite watering holes.

5:  Island Beachcomber Hotel bar - St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands Probably my favorite place to drink when starting or finishing a vacation in the Virgin Islands. Located next to the airport and having a great water view, this open air bar even offers free chunks of lettuce to feed the iguanas roaming the property.
Nothing fancy but why should it be?

4:  La Coralina - Bocas Del Toro, Panama  Sadly this wonderful place shut its doors last year but the great memories still linger. Bocas Del Toro is sort of a dingy little island off the coast of Panama but once you reached La Coralina you never wanted to leave. Awesome views looking over the water and one of the strongest rum punch drinks ever made. It was almost impossible to walk away since stumbling was usually the only option. Once back at your room and it was off to sleep with the sound of the surf pounding in the distance.

3:  Pacific Shores - San Diego, California   This place is the recipe for a great dive bar located in the hippie/junkie/weirdo neighborhood of Ocean Beach. Dark and serving cheap drinks by San Diego's high price standards. Weird glowing murals adorn the walls, a juke box filled with drunken hits and a pool table tucked away in the storage room.

2:  Shipwreck Landing - St. John, US Virgin Islands  A must do if you are ever in St. John. Located on the quiet side of the island...I have been going to this place since the late 80's. Nothing ever changes and that is a good thing. Views looking out to Coral Bay and blackened shrimp scampi appetizers to go along with some really good rum drinks. This place would be #1 on the list but the last time I was there was before owning the Hipstamatic.


1:  Tiki Ti Room - Los Angeles, California   This place ranked #1 because it is not only a great cocktail lounge but also a virtual Tiki museum. Located in the ultra hipster neighborhood of Silverlake, this small bar has a capacity of about 30 patrons and serves up some of the best and most potent rum concoctions known to mankind. Many famous Hollywood stars have been known to slip in for one of the many awesome drinks on the menu including the Chief Lapu Lapu, the Pain Killer or maybe even the Ooga Booga. A must stop if you are ever in the Hollywood area. (See the drunken Hipstamatic shot pictured above)

If you are looking for a great beer experience then you might look elsewhere. These places are all about the rum which is basically the only type of alcohol I enjoy.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Exploring life's journey: Part 2


The second shot from this series

Exploring life's journey....


Home Sweet New Home....my fascination with the work of Ralph Eugene Meatyard continues. Meatyard died of cancer at the young age of 47. An amazing photographer who probably wasn't fully understood at the time of his death. Having myself turned 47 last week it seems to bring up a lot questions and thoughts. Life gets shorter each year. Is there a final goal? What is fulfilling? What is not? How did I get here? Where am I going?
This was shot last month in Joshua Tree. Hopefully it would have made Meatyard smile.