Hahahahhahah This made me

Walking through San Francisco's Chinatown, a tourist from the Midwest was enjoying the artistry of all the Chinese restaurants, shops, signs and banners when he turned a corner and saw a building with the sign “Moishe Plotnik's Laundry." "Moishe Plotnik?" he wondered. "How does that belong in Chinatown?"
He walked into the shop and saw a fairly standard looking drycleaner, although he could see that the proprietors were clearly aware of the uniqueness of the store name as there were baseball hats, T-shirts and coffee mugs emblazoned with the logo "Moishe Plotnik's Chinese Laundry."
The tourist selected a coffee cup as a conversation piece to take back to his office. Behind the counter was a smiling old Chinese gentleman who thanked him for his purchase. The tourist asked, "Can you explain how this place got a name like 'Moishe Plotnik's Laundry?'
The old man answered, "Ah...Evleebody ask me that. It name of owner."
Looking around, the tourist asked, "Is he here?"
"It me," replies the old man.
"Really? You're Chinese. How did you ever get a name like Moishe
Plotnik?"
"Is simple", said the old man. Many, many year ago I come to this country.
I standing in line at 'Documentation Center of Immigration.' Man in front of me was Jewish man from Poland. Lady at counter look at him and say, "What your name?"
He say, "Moishe Plotnik."
Then she look at me and say, "What your name?"
I say, "Sam Ting."

I did it!! and a bit more

I 've officially lost more than 30 lbs. In fact, I have lost 32.5 pounds since I began seeing Dr Daniels March 28th 2007.

Click here to see the post from that day.

What really surprises me is how much energy I have. I have to remind myself that its time to eat. Of course, Tuesdays all I think about is my daily weigh in.


Off to Florida in a few days. Can't wait, staying at the very posh BocaResort. It's my 10 year anniversary (Marianna's too), so I'll probably be unavailable over the weekend, but if you send me email, I will respond, usually late at night, when all is a sleep but me.






I have been listening to my iPod again lately. Since I completely destroyed my last one and my old laptop exploded (really it just kinda fizzed) I had to go through and choose new podcasts to listen to. Well one of my new favorite podcasts is the history's best speeches.

I found my self driving to the studio, tears streaming down my face a few days ago as I listen to Martin Luther King give his "I have dream" speech. Today I listen to JFK's inauguration speech. You know the one "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country."

Lets just say I'm really pumped when I get to work each day.


New slideshows will be up on the site everyday, rather than post a note each time, I'll add the new marker next to the name of the couple on the couples pages.

1st wedding one is Jill and Emerson. I promise all the other couples from the past 3 weeks, I'll get yours done asap. If you have a song suggestion PLEASE email asap.

Congratulations Aaron Mortson

It's offical. Aaaron has taking on the position of Digital Artist for Excellence photography and TorontoHomeMovies.com and FloridaHomeMovies.com. In his role he will be converting photography taken by me, Natasha and Marianna and exploring his deepest artisitc talents for you!!

He started a blog that I hope you will visit often. There he plans to regularly feature work that he has done both for us and personally.

Here is one of my favorite shots from a past engagement shoot.

Its monday morning.!!!! yippeee2

Another fun filled weekend with cool couples and tons of incredible photos!!

Natasha has been blowing me away with incredible candid shots for tha past few weeks. This one here just stops the excitement as it happened. Wow






We have started a new blog for Video!! Check it out at


http://dggroup.blogspot.com/

The guys will be posting videos on a regular basis to click back to see more of our work.




Its official - Jill and Emerson are the funniest couple ever. They get my jokes!!!

4 days until we leave for Florida. That doesn't mean work will stop here. In fact, I find that when I'm away not hanging over everyone (as vitali pointed out) they are more productive.

If you need to reach me, send me an email. I will only respond after 10pm, as this will be a working family trip. I'm reviewing the work that is being done at FloridaHomeMovies.com, visiting some great photographer friends in Miami, and taking a few days with the family.

Common Sense

Wow I'm pissed.

I went to the Shoppers Drug mart on Steeles and Dufferin late last night. I bought a couple of books. Anyhow, I read alot and when I took them out to look them over turns out I have read 2 of the 3 books. On the way to the studio I stopped in to exchange them.

Apparently the management at this shoppers have no common sense. I spend over $100 a week there on books, meds,diapers and various things. The assistant manager Kami refused to even switch the books.

Seriously - even after I got upset and told -- duuuudee I spend over a hundred a week here and obviously didn't even crack the book open, all I want is to exchange it for another book. "No our policy is blah blah blah."

Its not the 10 bucks. I'll pass the books on to my wife or Mom, it's that he refused to use his mind. Didn't see the bigger picture. It's people like this that bring a company down, lead to family feuds and wars. Such stubborn refusal to even contemplate the fact that there is a compromise or a solution to every disagreement or problem.

OK maybe I took that a little far but he pissed me off.

This freaked me out

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by itslef but the wrod as a wlohe.


Kewl

I'm sooooo sad

OK I more than sad, I'm upset. I didn't lose my goal this past week. Only 1 lbs. My average is 3.5 per week

For the world to see here is my list of things I should not have eaten last week.

• too many ceaser salads - should have been low fat
• too many greek salads - wrong dressing and feta cheese
• I ate an extra meal on Monday - 300 additional calories
  
• I ate a low fat ice cream but it had 110 calories - my snack is supposed to be less than 30
  
• Ok Ok I admit it. I had deep fried calamari - not supposed to eat anything deep fried.

So almost got that jungle gym up. Spent a total of 12 hours that I could have spent catching up on work. Kids are freaking out. I started to think back to when I was a kid. I remember that between my house and my neighbor there was a dirt driveway. I spent hours digging it up with trucks and toy soldiers. Basically I played in the driveway. But I was happy. Here Sammy and Isaac go to Wonderland 10 times a year, Disney Land once a year and on a Disney Cruise once a year. Wow. I would think they are spoilt but there not. In fact, I think my kids are amazing. I come home sometimes and just stare at them and can't believe - wow.

Wow I'm wiped out!!

I'm naturally an energic person. (Must be the coffee) but lately I'm burned out. I have several huge project on the go as well as the expansion of FloridaHomeMovies.com.

But I think the main reason is that I started lifting weights at the gym. I'm always sore. Especially my arms and (get this) pectoral muscles. I want to wait and talk to Dr Daniels and see if I made my 30 lbs target. I need Steak!!!

Anywho - Check out a few new slideshows on the couples pages on the Excellence Photography site. Some really interesting photos taken recently. Should be seeing some weddings soon too.

Speaking of FloridaHomeMovies.com the site was revamped again yesterday. I spent from 10pm until 2am adding photos, cleaning up the grammer and spelling, basically giving the site a facelift. If you see any further problems send me a note. After spending time on FHM I decided to update TorontoHomeMovies.com too.

DesignerGeek will also go through the ringer, but not until I'm back in Florida. I have too many videos that I need to review.

OOOOOhhhhhh - Funny thing happened the other day - I was in the park waiting for a couple to show up when these 2 people started go at it the car. It was 3pm in the afternoon!! Anyhow the next thing you know another car drives up and rams the car from behind, the guy gets out and starts screaming a the car to stop, but (his wife apparently) sees his pants at his ankles and hit the gas even more trying to push the car down the hill. Cops show up, all funs stops. Party poopers.

The next time your wife to be suggests a do it your self installation, thank her, kiss her and hire someone.

Here I am, so busy I need to go to the studio at 11pm on Monday night (End of a long weekend) when I should be home sleeping, and I spent 10 hour putting this thing together.

No I'm not done yet!!

When I was a kid I got a card board box and a knife. "Go make yourself a castle. But don't you dare bleed or you'll walk to the hospital"

Features & Specifications

With two swings, a two-person glider, a slide, monkey bars and a lookout tower, the Durango wooden play center offers full-fledged playground-style fun. That means lots of healthy activity for them and greater peace of mind and convenience for you. And, because it's manufactured from premium playground lumber with a protective polyethylene coating, it'll withstand years of enthusiastic play. Backyard Ventures play-sets come with a 12-year warranty against insect infestation and wood rot. Key Benefits: Kids benefit from frequent physical activity and exercise You benefit from knowing they're secure in your own back yard What's Included: Two playground-style swings, a two-person glider, a slide, monkey bars, ladders and an extra-large lookout tower Front ladder doubles as a rock climbing wall with bolted-on handholds Canopied 4'-high play deck measures 45" x 45" Capacity: Designed for max. 3 occupants not to exceed 280 lbs. total weight (Single occupant not to exceed 150 lbs.) Setup and Safety: Setup dimensions: 13'11" L x 11'7" W x 9'9" H (Allow 6' safety perimeter around playset) Easy Setup in 3 hours estimated time when 2 adults participate in construction Includes pre-assembled ladders and floor panels for easy set-up Fort Assembly has Pre-Drilled Holes Customer is required to drill some holes for hand grips and to mount ladders and slides Set includes stakes to secure the play set into the ground after assembly Tools Needed (Not Included): 3/8 Drill Socket Wrench 7/16 Socket, 1/2 Socket, 3/8 Socket 7/16 Box Wrench , 1/2 Box Wrench Tape Measure & Level 5/16 Drill Bit Shop Hammer Phillips Bit (included in hardware bag with purchase of play set) Materials, Care and Warranty Information: Backyard Venture play-sets are designed using a combination of premium-grade playground lumber* and Dura-wood.** *Playground Lumber refers to the combination of one or all of the following durable and safe high-quality woods: redwood, red cedar, cypress and/or fir. **Dura-wood is a patented polyethylene coating used on the top ladders and end ladders and uprights for extra durability where you need it most. It requires no maintenance. Backyard Ventures play-sets come with a 12-year warranty against insect infestation and wood rot. The warranty requires that you care for your wood. We highly recommend treating your set with a sealant to protect it from the elements, just as you would a deck or fence.

I love old people

Since I started TorontoHomeMovies.com, FloridaHomeMovies.com and NewYorkHomeMovies.com I have come to appreciate my life so much more than when I was a kid. I just had this incredible conversation with a customer who is nearing the end of his days. Family is all gone and in his words all he has is his memories. ( I excused myself at that second and told him I had to answer a question in the back cause my eyes started to water and I didnt want to look like a suckie baby)

Anyhow, he has 4000 slides and negatives that he wants transfered to digital and of course thats what we do. I know I will immediately the second I go home, grab Marianna by the hand and kiss her, then chase the kids into the living room and pretend to eat their bellies until the scream for me to stop, because this is life. Right now today! Don't waste a moment.

The power of digital

Everyday I thank my lucky stars ( What a weird saying!) that we are in a digital world. At university I had the class called art history. It has taken nearly a decade for me to be able to truly become the artist I had hoped to be when I was learning about Rembrant, Picasso and Jackson Pollack.

We now have all the control in the world, just like a painter we can decide where our art takes us. And we are lucky enough to get paid for it.

If I have not said it before, I thank you all my couples for allowing me to be a part of your special day. For trusting us to complete your vision and letting us into your world (briefly).




Yesterday I was laughing so hard I almost peed my pants. I love technology. Using my new laptop (finally!!!) I hooked into the office computer in Florida. While talking on our voip phone, over the internet (free long distance) I was able to work with James for over an hour.

So whatever I did on my laptop I control the office computer in Boca Raton. I'm setting this up everywhere so that I can log into any computer on our network in Toronto, Florida and soon to be ....... (its a secret)

We are putting the finishing touches to the http://www.floridahomemovies.com website. If you check it out you can see the colors have changed, we have made a new logo, tons of features for existing customers. This is my prototype for the new 2008-2009 Excellence Photography site. I gots plans.

Wierd I can't shut my laptop off?

I remember reading under my blankie (yea I had a blankie) until my eyes close by themselves. Well its after 2am and instead of shutting my book and going to sleep I have to turn off my laptop.

You see I'm reading a book online.

This one is on Sigmund Freud but, since its online I cant read it in bed. Well I could but that would be weird.

Got my laptop!

Today has to be a quick one, I'm soooooo busy. Anyhow, got my laptop ofter much BS. Purolator is by far the worst company in the world.

Super fast timeline.

• ordered from dell
• 5 days later they ship
• 3 days later purolator attempts to delivery before 9 am even though I noted to dell and called purolater the day before, there is no one here until 9:30
• They leave no note saying they were here I only found out by tracking through dell
• I spend 2 hours at the depot only to be told they will call
  

I'm getting upset again so I will finish another time.


I did learn a very cool thing last night. I figured out how to use our newest reel to reel audio tape machine. 30 years ago this sold for over 10,000$




Reel to Reel transfers are an art. There are so many things that can go wrong when converting audio. It reminds me of the old days when I used to edit wedding video swith the old panasonic wj-ave5.

I seriously used to make wedding video using the bloew mixer and 2 VHRs. I remember slowly sliding the bar from one channel to the next with a cool circle FX as a transition. Nice.

Nice day again

I came in on Monday morning, all relaxed from my 15 minutes of reading at Starbucks and forgot to start my day with the blog and my personal diary. Now it 3pm and the day flew by.

Kick ass weekend. Were still working on the photos but soon you'll see a bunch of wedding slideshows.

Wow. Aaron spent the day taking photos of all the old equipment for Ebay. Yike lots of junk. Can you believe the retail price of all that junk is over $30,000. I expect that we'll be linky to get $4500.



Only a few more days until Marianna's birthday. Seriously, this is nuts. All of these happen within a month and a bit.

- Mothers Day
- Marianna's Birthday
- 10 year Aniversary
- Sammy's Birthday











The coolest gadget is igoogle. When you log into your gmail account you can add gadgets to your desktop. So I have a few things.

-theme
-this day in history
-recent gmails
- recent google docs

Summer is almost here!!

Too bad I'm still on the diet. Everyday, an ice cream truck stops in front. Its killing me. I understand what going postal means.

Ahhh its Friday. Final packing to take care of. Little things like labeling tapes, cleaning cameras and formating cards. Now that I'm in the zone, I can't wait for the weekend weddings. Tomorrow I have a nica italino couple and Natasha is shooting a gooda Polish and Portuguese mix.

You know tomorrow will be dedicated to the the art of the shrimp. Since both weddings will be sure to have lots.

I have a video presentation tomorrow and on Monday I will start posting videos to our new Video Blog. I will still post videos here but also in the video blog so that in a few months there will be a huge collection.

Here is another reason. As you many already know I also own a company called DesignerGeek. In the very new future we will be changing the company focus to more online marketing consultation. In other words, we will aid companies that are moving from "bricks and mortar" to the wonderful world of the internet. Even more specifically, we will specialize in advertising on the internet to obtain new customers.

This blog is an example of Online Marketing. When you read this blog and tell a friend we increase our membership. The more hits we receive the more likely Google will increase our organic search results. I do not advertise Excellence Photography in any way except for 4 bridal shows, and yet last year we turned away a 76 couples as we can only handle a limited number of weddings.

The video blog will draw more people into our web (like a spider) Since the videos are hosted on YouTube, anyone searching for wedding video samples on Youtube will possible visit the footage, thereby possibly linking to the videoblog or DGVideo.ca or Excellence Photography


Even the links to Excellence Photography act as mini boosters.

Sorry girls I know this post was a little technical so I'm going add some cool photos to make up for the above jargon.

When is the right time?

Music has always ben a big part of my life. Today as I drove Sammy and Isaac to school we listen to African chants (one of the record to CD transfers from www.torontohomemovies.com) Some day we listen to Paul Zimm, others Mozart, and tons of other classical composers.

One of my favorites is Phantom of the Opera and Fiddler on the roof. Its kinds of funny to hear Isaac sing " If was a wealthy man"

Back into the season proper. We are shooting 2 weddings every Saturday and most Sundays. Most people don't realize how much packing goes into a wedding. I have been packing on Thursdays for Saturday since the 1st wedding. It just makes sense. This way if we find a problem we have all day Thursday and Friday to arrange a fix.

I joke to many couples that when I show up to your wedding day, i's my day off. The studio is insane during the day during the week. Right now there are 6 people working and 2 more will show up in an hour. I love the fact that at the wedding its all about creativity.

I love my new diet.

You know my new diet is getting eailer and easier. Check out this ad for fish at Ruth Chris. Technically I can eat this for dinner with veggies and still lose weight. Of course, I gotta be careful with the butter they soak this in.

I have offically lost 24.5 pounds. Sorry for the confusion on previous posts. I weight myself in the morning everyday and the bathroom scale (digital scale) reads one amount, the gym scale looks like the one at my family doctor and it give me different results and finally once a week I go to Dr Daniels office and get another number. So from now on I will only post the results from Dr D.

5.5 pounds and I get my 100$ steak from Mortons. Although - that fish looks pretty good.

I've also decided a few things lately and I hope that making it public I will force myself to actually get it done. This blog is a powerful motivator cause everyone I know reads my blog. The other day I was meeting a potential client (now new customer) for a job at his office downtown. A real big wig. The first thing he says is" how the diet coming along?" I was like ...fine? Do I look fat? Then I realized he read my blog.

So here goes.

• I have nearly lost 25 pounds - I will another 5.5 and get my steak
• I will lose another 25 and the reward - I will have to think about
• I'm off to Florida in June. James and I will run a 10km marathon
• I read a blog for a fellow photographer and he started a new thing - He wants to be able to do 50 push ups a day. I'm going for it too. Apparently there is this famous Taekwondo dude name Jhoon Rhee that does 1000 push ups a day - here check out the site

Wow just check out who this guys has trained --- http://www.jhoonrhee.com/photogallery/

Back to the old days

A few years ago I hit rock bottom. I'm not going to tell the whole sad story, suffice to say life sucked. I lived with my parents, my car was a 1984 Lemans station wagon, my finace (not Marianna -- duh) was cheating on me and I was broke.

I can't remember the precise moment things changed but it started with a decision. It was simple. This cannot continue.

Now today I have 2 incredible children a supermodel wife (really) and 5 successful businesses and I'm not happy. Well my mom is sick (recovering thank g_d) But, for the past few months I've been not completely happy. I can't explain why and thats the most frustrating thing.

Life goes in cycles, slowly as our experiences affect our expectations the circles getting bigger every year.

Anyhow----- A few years ago I started the day with writing in my personal diary all the things I dream about and an affirmation list ( all the things I am grateful for) Sounds corny I know, but it works. I would begin the day in a positive mood thankfull for all that I have.

I've gotten out of the habit. I used to spend the first 15 minutes at the office for me. Everyone knew and wouldn't bug me. But lately I've ran into the office tackled the 20 things on my mind as I drove here and forgot about me.

This cannot continue.

__________________________________________________________________

So sorry!!!

I actually write my blog 10 times a day. But usually in my head. The problem is transferring all the things I think about to the computer.

Here is a bunch of jumbled thoughts.

• damn I'm behind of videos
• wow havent seen much of Pamela Anderson lately
• where did I put my Visa?
• Marianna is going to kill me.
• I sure hope Isaac is felling better
• What a nice day!
  
• Maybe I should shoot this with him crouching down and her hand on his butt
• I really want a burger, a classic double with cheese
• Why is Lawyer calling me about an invoice that doesnt relate to his account?
• Oy I hate taxes
• Sammy is so cute. I think I'm going to buy him a new game for his nintendo DS then I get to play it when he's sleeping
• We need to finish the changes to the FloridaHomeMovies.com site. (check out the new site as we are building it - click here)
  
• I gotta get more posts on my blog.

Ok so I have a lot on my plate.

Very busy week!! Lots of photos to show you.