TOPPINGS FROZEN YOGURT

It was a great day.  I spent some time at the Leica Los Angeles Flagship Store this afternoon, first time back since it's opening a few months ago.  Demoed a few lenses.  The gallery is showcasing Craig Semetko's work from his trip to India commissioned by Leica.

But the real highlight of the afternoon was taking my girls for frozen yogurt at Toppings on Robertson.  Such a wonderful time and Glenda came too which made it all the more fun.  We laughed and chatted.  Estella spotted a puppy about half way thru and was smitten.  She loved the fruit and Sylvie the Mango frozen yogurt.

Here are a few that just light up the world.

MY INSTAGRAM DAY IN MANHATTAN

We had an amazing weekend in New York City, visiting Amanda's good friend Beth Miller who was getting married in Great Neck, Long Island.  While everyone was preparing for the special evening, I ventured into the city, channeling the spirit of my nine year old self, with the goal of making it to the top of the Empire State Building by noon, hoping to either run into King Kong or better yet, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.   See, the last time I was up there I was a young boy on a trip with my family over the summer between 2nd and 3rd grade.  We stayed at my Aunt Judy's apartment in Chelsea.  Saw practically everything you can see in a weeks time. 

I was sad not to have Amanda by my side, but worse yet, my girls, to share in the fun of traveling 86 floors and then to the 102nd, like when I was younger, to see the world from a different perspective.  All in good time, all in good time. 

The journey was liberating, I felt like a true New Yorker venturing in on the LIRR to Penn Station, then on foot to 5th Avenue. 

At the top nothing but clear skies for miles, beyond Liberty Island and the Brooklyn Bridge, deep into Jersey, and of course back up to Central Park and beyond Harlem. It puts a lot into perspective at the top. The world is a big place. We are but small pieces of the larger puzzle. 

My day didn't stop there, I LOVE NYC shirts and replica ESB statues for the girls, and a photography book for me.

Afterward I ventured down 5th to Madison Squate Park, the Flat Iron Building, families playing and enjoying the 60s plus temperature.  Everyone happy. 

Eventually my day trip came to a close and I needed to get back to Great Neck. Amanda and I were mesmerized earlier as to the process of getting on a train at Penn Station, everyone waiting patiently, almost like the winning lottery numbers were to be announced at any moment, but in this case what track your train would depart from back to Long Island. We waited, waited a little more until the track number displayed on the board and dashed like children to track 16 for a ride home. I bet it never gets old!

Until the next time, #iheartnyc. 

INSIDE SYLVIE RAIN

It was the birthday that never ended but what better way to send Sylvie Rain off into her fourth year than taking a look "inside" her special day that simply fills the heart. Hope you enjoy.

Inside Sylvie Rain - 4th Birthday from Andrew Calof on Vimeo.

OJAI VALLEY INN & SPA AND LAKE CASITAS

We started off the year with a spontaneous and quick trip to Ojai, CA - always a great getaway, far but not too far, close, but not too close from home. We crushed the outlets, swam, walked the amazing grounds, had some fun meals, arts and crafts, built some forts in the room, and went on a boating excursion at Lake Casitas.  Was a wonderful trip.  Hope to go back soon. Estella's first voyage to the inn.

YEAR IN PHOTOS 2013

To be honest, I don't know where to begin. It's like "the world went and got itself in a big damn hurry." "If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." It's the truth. And when it comes down to it, it's all about the truth. Being truthful to ourselves, to one another, the ones we love, etc. Because that's all we have at the end of the day. For me, the truth is in these pictures.

So what to say. Hmmm.  I learned something from a movie the other day. Would you believe that finally this year, my 35th year of life, I finally watched It's a Wonderful Life?!?!? And I work in the biz! Don't tell anybody. I've seen bits and pieces over the years, but never put the whole thing together until now. Yep, I'm the one. And truthfully, now I get it, some of the best filmmaking, quite practically ever. I now I know, but I had to watch it to finally see what all the fuss was about! Some of you probably hate it, or think it's overrated, but whatever. After watching, a lot of this past year crystalized for me. You see George Bailey was too blind to see that he was loved and appreciated. That there were good people just like him. And what he wanted most in life, more importantly, what truly mattered most, was right there in front of him all the time. He thought there was something more fulfilling out there, something he was quite possibly missing, something bigger. But at the end of the day, he came home, back to the here and now. I'm not saying I don't love what I have, in fact, I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the world. I love my wife, she is my soul mate and forever, I dream about her even when she's right there in front of me in the real, she makes me a better man, and she deserves everything, EV-REE-THING. For my girls, I cry just casting an eye upon them because I can't put into words how proud I feel, how amazing they are and will become as they grow up.  Please don't ever grow up, please. 

I'm not going to do one of those recaps like I do each year and what I hope for the next. I just hope more of us will simply take a moment and really think about our lives - what we have, what we want, and appreciate the journey we are all on. We are only here for a second, truly. One day, one moment, it's over. Have fun, smile, make the best out of the moment, never stop dreaming, hug your kids, kiss your wife, find the good in people, have good values, instill them in your kids, help people, help as many as you can, gossip less, smile again, work hard, repeat, and don't fuck it up. Tomorrow may never come, and then what?

Again, what do I know, not a whole lot, but a thing or two about a thing or two, just take a second and think about it, appreciate it, smile, dream, live...

So here is the truth!

Estella Lake

Sylvie Rain

Amanda Dame

Sylvie Rain & Estella Lake, Estella Lake & Sylvie Rain

Family

Snap Shots

Friends

Me aka The Guy Who Clicks The Shutter And Makes Pictures