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Living with RAD
I have to admit, I was having a real problem deciding how I wanted to start this story. I could have said that I am a man that now carries a purse, but my girlfriend laughed and said that was not true. Okay, maybe it is not a purse, per se, but it might as well be. I do not really have a problem with it, as I volunteered to do so, but it is a recent development in my life. There have been several major changes in my life since October, and carrying around a \”purse\” is but a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. But like I said, I am okay with it. If I am going to live with RA, and I am, there are going to be some changes around here.
![\"Tanya\'s](\"http://www.gotbaddog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Feb12_0421.jpg\" "\\"Tanya,")
I know before you started reading this you had to have noticed the lovely young lady pictured above. One might look at the photo, see the smile and immediately think this appears to be a very happy person. A closer look at the eyes reveals that while this person appears happy, there is also a tiredness that can not be hidden by makeup. Only a large pair of sunglasses can hide this. This is my girlfriend Tanya, and she has Rheumatoid Arthritis, otherwise known as RA, Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease or RAD. Continue reading
2012 Easyriders Bike Show Anaheim
It is that time of year again as the Easyriders Bike Show Tour kicked off yesterday at the Anaheim Convention Center. I have been pretty busy this year photographing various events and getting ready to hit the trade show circuit, I spaced out that it was happening already. Luckily, one of my Facebook friends is a roller derby girl that was giving an exhibition at the show. Her status update reminded me it was happening now, so thank you Facebook and Darla DeVill.
As this was a last minute outing for me, I did not get there until the last couple of hours of the show. By the time I got there, I suspect most of the attendees had already left. That was okay with me as it just made it easier to take photos without getting in someone\’s way. The ride to Anaheim was a little faster than riding to the Sacramento show as well. Continue reading
Affiliate Summit West 2012 Begins
Internet marketing event, Affiliate Summit West 2012 begins tomorrow, January 8 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV. As I went through the photos I took at ASW11 I was reminded at how impressed I was at how much Affiliate Summit had grown since my last visit in 2008. If there is any doubt about the success of this event, consider that this is the 19th consecutive show that they have sold out due to capacity. That is pretty impressive. Unfortunately, I committed to something that fell through, so I was too late to try and get out to Las Vegas.
For those of you that are attending, I am going to suggest that you attempt to obtain a pass to the Affiliate Ball, which will be held at the Crown Theater in the Rio. It is starring hip-hop artist, Nelly and it is put on by Darren Blatt. I have known Darren for many years and he always puts on a great party. I highly recommend attending if you can manage it. In fact, if someone contacted me and said they wanted me to cover this party for them, I would fly to Las Vegas immediately. His parties are that good.
For those of you that thought ahead and got passes for ASW12, enjoy your show. I will do my best to be there next year. Continue reading
Whale watching at Point Vicente
Every year at this time, California gray whales migrate down the coast of California to Baja and their breeding grounds. The other day I read that there were a record number of sightings, so Tanya and I took a drive up to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes to see if we could photograph some as they swam by. I managed to get a couple of shots, but as the sun was setting the glare on the water made it a little difficult to spot them and get the shot before they went under water again.
It was a nice sunset though, so even if I did not get the precise shot I was hoping for, it was a pretty sunset and that made for some nice photo opportunities. Continue reading
The floats of the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade
These photos are exclusively of the floats in the 123rd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade. I had attempted to put all the photos from the event in one gallery, but that just made it too difficult for the viewer to sort through. As a result I now have two galleries; this one with all the floats and my previous Rose Parade blog entry which contains photos of the marching bands, drill teams, equestrian units and some people watching.
Like the prior Rose Parade gallery, since there are so many photos, you might find it easier to use the slideshow function and let it run on auto-pilot. There is even a full screen option, which I would recommend using as the photos are of high quality. It will be worth it. Continue reading
123rd Tournament of Roses Parade photos
Happy New Year! Yes, it is 2012 and so far, it is starting off with a bang. A tradition for the past 123 years has been the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA which is normally held on New Years Day. Since New Years fell on a Sunday this year and the parade has a \”Never on a Sunday\” rule, it was held on Monday. The theme for this year\’s parade was \”Just Imagine\” and as you can see by looking at the photos of the floats, there was a lot of imagination put into their design. This was my first opportunity to attend the parade but hopefully it will not be my last.
Since there were so many photos I had to break the parade up into two groups. These photos are of the marching bands, equestrian units and drill teams. The next gallery will be of all the floats. There are 900+ photos in this gallery, so if you marched in the parade, there is a very good chance your photo is here. Additionally, since there are so many photos, you might find it easier to use the slideshow function and let it run on auto-pilot. There is even a full screen option for your viewing pleasure. Continue reading
New Years Eve at the Redondo Beach Castle
In 2012, GotBaddog.com is planning on focusing more time promoting charity fundraisers and local events. To start this off, Tanya and I attended the Lady of Magic fundraiser at the Redondo Beach Castle, in Redondo Beach, CA. The fundraiser was for the Midnight Mission, which is a homeless shelter in downtown Los Angeles.
The Redondo Beach Castle is is owned by world-class magician and “Entertainers to the Stars” Sisuepahn Phila and Brian Gillis. It was a very nice party with live music provided by the Kevin McCarthy Concept, food, a DJ and some amazing magic. I did my best to give a feel of the magic, but these people are really good. It was also my first New Years with Tanya, so the magic was fitting.
By the way, if you are involved in fundraisers and want the coverage, please feel free to contact me. My social network links are on the right sidebar. Continue reading