Summer is almost here.

I love to read. I read a lot. So I was thinking last night it would be fun to track what I'm reading and how many books I'm into.

If you look on the left margin at the book I will list my reading list. These are current books with links to amazon with the description of the book.

Just a note for the wedding couples (love bunnies)- if you have not scheduled your wedding video Love walk, you need to do so asap. I am the only one who shoots these and my time is really booked. So give Marianna a call.


Wow we are busy with transfers in Toronto. We opened a new room at the studio. Because of the volue of work coming into www.torontohomemovies.com we had to convert one of the bathrooms into a work room. I'll take a photo, it kinda funny. I built shelves over the sink and toliet, and we set up 2 computers on a KVM switch. Right now there;s a blue lan cable running down the hall, but I'll move that when I get a ladder. ( I lost mine at one of the bridal shows this winter)

So we now have a new station set up to covert upto 320 slides x 2 = 640 slides a day plus upload hours of vhs and digital footage.

I Love computers.

Last nights wedding wiped me out!

Have you ever gone to sleep and had a dream that was so vivid that when you woke up you were convinced it happened for real.

Well, every once and a while I will dream that I'm working at a weddings. Of course, lots of wierd things happen. Last night, it was this weird reception hall raised 3 floors high with 10 weddings going on. When me and the videographer (vitali, then it was Alex, and then I was with Dima) got there the whole wedding went to the wrong room. So everyone, half way through the meal started walking down the hall to another room, all 400 people plus the bride and groom. Guest were carrying speakers for the DJ and a bunch of aunt took down flowers from the wall.

Me and the videographer ( can;t remember which one) started down the ahll when pur dolly (wheels that allow our video camera to move) jammed. We stopped for like 15 seconds and by the time we got in the hall they were in the middle of the parent dances and I'm freaking out because they started without me.

Remember this was a dream.


So I wake up in a cold sweat this morning and let out a big breath of air. Next thing I hear from the bathroom is Marianna - " Shot another wedding last night hahahahahah"

Couple of days into my diet and working out again. My energy level is picking up, but I've caught a cold. I feel lighter. I'll find out next week when I visit Dr. D if I actually lost any weight.

The hardest part for me seems to be after 8 pm. I get the munchies. Hey I think I just figured out why I had suck a funky dream last night. Before I went to bed I had a snak of green beans microwaved dipped in Mustard sauce with huge mustard seeds.

Marianna thinks I'm preggers.

Guys. I'm trying to get http://www.floridahomemovies.com indexed by google. COuld all of you click on the link once. It will help. Thanks

Won't be long now.....

I can't wait for the season to start. Yesterday in the park, today going over schedules and parks with Cinzia and Margarita.

Today we got stood up by Bell South. They were supposed to instal a phone line at the Florida studio but never showed up. I wonder if I can send them a bill for wasting Jame's time?

So third day on the diet and my head still hurts. Thank g_d for Advil. But even after 3 days I feel better. Not that my pants are any looser, maybe its the fact that Im acutally doing something about my wieght.

Last week I took a test at this website http://www.realage.com

Calendar Age 36

Difference +7.8

RealAge 44.5

Well that scared the beehegers (that a made up word) out me. So I went to the diet Doc, Dr Daniels, and I'm going to the Gym everyday. He said it would take about 7 months to lose 85 pounds. yikes

So you guys get to read my progress reports daily. I'm going back to the diet doctor next week so I will update how much I lost in the first week.

We got a million impressions this month.

The world has changed for me since last May. That is when I switch all my email and life into Google's hands. For example. This blog is part of the Google network of free products. So is gmail.

You might notice a new addition to the top left of this text.

Get Daily Updates Emailed to you!

Subscribe to Jean Francois's Blog by Email

If you click on the link and give your email, each time I write a new blog you will receive an email. Pretty cool huh?

It reach 22 in the park today, of course I was there shooting video. If you have not scheduled you Engagement Shoot and are getting married in 2007, CALL MARIANNA!!! We are booking fast and you will be left with the worst times. I am only shooting in April and May. Marianna and I will be in Florida for the first part of June.

Well I've had a headache all day. I think its cause of the diet. I've eaten 2 powerbars a bag of lettuce and now I'm off to the house to eat my 300 calorie meal. Yum. The good news is the doctor I saw yesterday said I need to lose 85 pounds. whine boohoo for me. I want chicken wings.

But on the other hand, its feels a lot like when I quit smoking (almost 10 years ago). I knew I had to quite. I know I have to lose weight. I'm sure I will fell a better in a few days.

I'm a pear :( 246.8

It's that time of year. Got back from Florida and had to see the Doctor. My doctor refered me to this diet doc. Dr. Daniels basically took all my info and said "Jean according to the BMI chart you need to lose 85 pounds - yikes.

I've been yoyoing for many years, the problem has always been that after I lose I gain it all back plus a little. Hell I ran a 10 km marathin last year and the year before!

So I'm on this new diet that supposed to reduce my weight in 7 months to 160 lbs. I'm going to take day by day.

Of course, I'm going back to the gym, I have my new phone Nokia e62 that holds 2 days of audio so Im going to load a bunch of podcasts.

FloridaHomeMovies.com is up and running thanks to Jeff and James. I'm already taking calls for weddings and videos. I have to say coming back to such great weather is a bit of a downer, I use to love to rub my tan in everyones face, but people are so happy. Damn global warming.

The problem with no sleep

I read a lot. Usually 4-5 books a week. I love everything. Action, romance, mysteries and especially business books. Oh I've been meaning to pick up a book on Freud (dont ask)But if I write it here then the next time I walk into a book stroe I will likely remember that I wanted to read a book about him.

The problem is that well it gets expensive, and I get bored easily. I try not to read more than 3 books at a time. Right now I'm reading a book about the 3rd bottom line, basically ecological business practice, also I'm reading the latest developments on Photoshop CS3 the upgraded verson, a romance novel (dont ask) and a really great book by the found of Body by Jake - Jake Steinfeld. That book is so good that I read a chapter then think about it for a day or two then go back to it.

I sometime reread my favorites. I have read David Eddings Fantasy novels - about 25 books in total - probably 7 times from book one to 25.

Just got a new blackberry - it a nokia e62 phone with blackberry connect service. The cool thing about it is that it has a built in Mp3 player. It also handles 2 gig miniSD cards. So I've loaded up my 3 favorite business speakers, David Maister, Brian Tracy and Bradford Rowley and I listen to their podcasts as I work and drive.'

Life is cool

Wow I really can't wait

Today I spoke with the owner of a very large photography lab. Of course, we discussed the old days of film (noticed I didnt say good) But what we did discuss was these new digital albums.

What we agreed on was:

a) They are really beautiful
b) They are really expensive
c) They are really really fragile.

You see as an artist ( by the way check out the videos we did for progressive art!! Here is a sample of the videos we produced for them for the New York Art convention a few weeks ago.

http://www.dgvideo.ca/progressive/final/


anyways I was saying

As an artist I create images from the environment around me. I then review in the images and make further enhancements using my creative genius (did I spell that right) and finally I get the image printed on the finest photographic paper available in the world. I do this final step to preserve this precious image forever if possible. Of course, you couples will benefit from my work as I will benefit from you paying me, but as an artist I can't let my work go out of the studio knowing that it won't last at least your lifetime. That is why we are members of the Kodak Promise of Excellence program.


____________________________________________________________________
Wedding Photos You'll Cherish for a Lifetime.
That's the Kodak Promise of Excellence.
Your wedding photographs are timeless reminders of the most important day of your life. In the United States and Canada, make sure they're wonderful by hiring a Kodak Promise of Excellence member photographer. POE members use Kodak Professional Film and Paper. And if at any time you are not satisfied with your wedding prints due to product performance, Kodak Professional will pay for a replacement reprint made through a Promise of Excellence member professional lab!*

_________________________________________________________

Lot of crack heads in Miami

Every night I have been here I have worked from 10pm to around 2am. And after a few hours on the computer I like to take a break, walk across to the store and grab a drink. Well last night and tonight at the same store I saw 2 different groups of crack heads. Pretty cool huh. Dont see too many of those at Yonge and Steeles.

ALmost done setting up the new studio in Boca Raton. Went to Tiger Direct in Miami and it was surreal. Basically the same store I go to in Markham but only Spanish speaking people. The first 2 guys that came up to me spoke to me for like 5 minutes telling about all the cool stuff each computer had before realizing my Spanish - well sucks.

So I'm going to learn Spanish. Few words a day. 5 a day x 300 days is 1500 words. Should be pretty much fluent in less than a year. Cool huh?

Welcome to Jeff and James. They will be running the Florida location. If you are getting married in the Miami-West Palm area give us a call. We are going to schedule ourselfs to shoot only 20 weddings in 2007. On your mark, get set goooooooo.

The new me.

It seems that I go through these cycles. I will read like crazy, then chill. I will work out like crazy then chill. You get the idea. Well lately I've been feeling fat. SO I;ve decided I have to get myself undercontrol. It usually sets in each time I visit Florida. All the thin healthy people on the beach cant help one feel self conscience.

2008 season began for us on March the 1st. As many of you know we only handle 2 weddings on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. We have an annual turn away goal of 100.

Boy its hot

Well its been awhile since I've updated the blog. Heres a few of the things going on.

FloridaHomeMovies.com has a home!!! We have offically began business today and opened the new location in the haert of Boca Raton Florida. I'm going to shoot some photos on Monday. I'm getting the place new carpets, and paint first. Sinbce I arrived in Florida 2 days ago I've arranged the Banking, a new lease, furniture, even purchased some of the needed equipment. TOmorrow is Saturday so I'm planning on hanging out on the beach, then during nap time take off to visit a some of the shops in North Beach.

Our hotel is this cool 5 star property called the Newport Beach resort. Its right on Collins (about 10min from the craziness that is South Beach). The greatest part is that the pool and the beach are just outside. We go down one floor then were there on the beach. Yesterday, I thought it would be nice to give Marianna some private time, and took the kids for a walk on the beach. 10 minutes later Sammy is cover is sand, socking wet and Isaac is about to jump in the pool. Needless to say my repremand was painfull.

We are slowly getting 2006 weddings out the door. THe main thing is getting those last few couples to place their order and pick up. If you have a video presentation this year I strongly suggest you give Marianna a call in the beginning of April to arrang to drop off the photos and your music selections.There is tons of work involved and I would rather get it done way in advance. Simply take the photos you would like in the presentation, NUmber them on the back in the top right corner of the photo in the order you would like them to appear. TO save time and ensure you are very happy, choose a song for each section.

ie - Her baby photos - one song - ie brown eyed girl

- his song - born to be wild

-couple photos - rock me amadaeus - (just kidding)


That reminds me. Seriously guys if you are numbering your photos then do the following.


Number them in the order they are to appear. So her photos might be numbered BP1 to BP16 - Then his BP15-BP30.

Icant tell you how many times over the past 10 years that the photos are number BP1-15 for him then the same for her. You can't believe how many 3 years boys look like 3 year old girls.