Posts

Tribute To Rigel!

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  Please see below for the Japanese translation! This series of photos is dedicated to my good friend Rigel, one of the amazing teachers at the American School in Japan, and an excellent cyclist, and a wonderful all-round good person!   Rigel just got back from a satisfying trip to a number of places, including a camp property he owns in Nova Scotia. Not until now have I realized that one of my greatest photo adventures happened so close to that property. In 2015, I attended a family wedding on the east coast and then drove to Perce, which is just north of Nova Scotia. I then took a boat to Bonaventure Island, one of the world's best places to photograph gannets.  I will never forget that experience. After a short 30 minute boat ride, there is a 30 minute hike to the bird sanctuary. As I walked down the final hill to the birds, I could hear the most incredibly loud sound of thousands of these gannets. For the next four hours, my shutter went mad as I took 3000 photos...

Dreams Can Come True!

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  Please see below for the Japanese translation! I hope you enjoy these photos! They are from two dreams that came true! The photos with the gorgeous green statue were taken at the Toko-ji Temple. The cool river shot is of the Tama River. Details below! I think I may have mentioned that I have been doing Sunday morning bike rides with a wonderful group from The American School in Japan. Our rides have always taken us past the Toko-ji Temple. For several years, I have dreamed of going by myself and then taking the time to photograph that amazing place. Today I made it happen!   It was a gorgeous 10 mile ride through peaceful farmland. Not only was the temple a dream come true, I did not see a single soul. I had the place to myself! I have probably ridden past that Tama River shot several hundred times. Again, I told myself that one day, I would stop and photograph that lovely scene from the bridge. Dream come true number two! I continue to be so impressed with the photogra...

The Ups and Downs of Life!

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  Please see below for the Japanese translation! I hope you enjoy these additional photos from the Kashima trip that Setsuko and I did. What a beautiful place on the coast of Japan! Life is not always a bowl of cherries. Life can be tough. How many times have we heard these phrases??!! I would like to chime in and say I wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments. Sometimes life just kicks us in the butt.  The first kick to my rear has to do with rejection. I applied for eight teaching/teaching assistant positions, all of which I am well qualified for. Much to my dismay, not a single interview! However, never fear, this presented me with the opportunity to fulfill a dream: to start my own tutoring company. My web site is now live: tutorinspiration.com Yes, I am really into inspiration as the address of this blog is inspirationlongevity.com I wanted to mention that I started a new document that lists the most inspirational videos I have seen and listened to. If you go to the "Re...

Cool Kashima!

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  Please see below for the Japanese translation! All of these pictures are from the trip Setsuko and I just took to Kashima. We had a great time! As always, thanks to Setsuko for her excellent work! I felt like such a fool! Despite the fact that I used a travel list, I managed to forget the batteries for my pro gear camera. Darn! Despite that, I think I got some good shots with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.  This was my first time photographing surfers. So much fun, but next time, I want to have that big pro gear lens! The big blue boat is the Sunflower Kamuy, the 1st LNG-fueled ferry on the Oarai-Tomakomai route. It is without a doubt one of the coolest boats I have every seen!  On a different topic, I have been striking out in the job department. Not one to feel sorry for myself, I have decided to start my own tutoring business. I am excited about this as it will give me a chance to take advantage of all my experiences, knowledge, and training. My plan is to offer support and ...