Photography, Tech News and Other Randomness

  As most of you already know Katie decided to change her hair color so I put two photos together to show you  the difference.

Last week Katie and I went to Cocoa Beach Florida for vacation, we had a great time. We arrived Saturday evening and drove the hour trip from Orlando to Cocoa Beach to the condo which was strange since it was the first time either one of us had been there without Gigi (Katie’s grandmother). The first full day there we did the normal touisty things like walked the beach (so much warmer then Hampton) went to Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, the local mall because most of the shirts that I had brought were now tents on me (hadn’t worn them since last summer). Monday we went to the Bervard Zoo were we got to feed and pet giraffes which was the highlight of the Zoo. We also took a kayaking tour of the zoo around the giraffe pen and the White Rino pen. We both got swarmed by Lorikeets when we got to feed them (one wouldn’t stop screaming in my ear).

On Tuesday we ventured out to Cape Canaveral and Titusville to visit the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Kate nor really knew where we were going just that it was out near NASA. So we headed out in the direction that we thought we should be going and saw a sign that we had entered the refuge so we thought we were good. Next thing you know the is a large gate with and a sign saying “security badges required”, the main gate to NASA. When we pulled up to the gate and the guard saw us he knew that we didn’t want to go there and asked if we were looking for the visitors center, when we said we were looking for the Wildlife Refuge he gave a slight laugh and told us that we were way off. He then gave us the directions to the area of the wildlife refuge that we were allowed to drive in (he was right, we were way off) and we were on our way.The wildlife refuge was great. We saw a lot of birds there but no crocagators (it looked like the area was going through a bit of a drought), Kate took pictures when we saw things on her side of the car and I took them when they were on my side of the car you can see them on my Flickr page. After spending over a hour slowly driving around and walking around a bit in a couple places we headed over to the Manatee observation deck were we saw a dolphin playing, but no Manatees. On the way over to the observation deck we saw the effects of the drought with acres upon acres of forest that had burned down along a several mile stretch of road.

The next day Kate and I took it easy and enjoyed the sun some more and waited for the arrival of one of Kate’s college suite mates Nikki. At around 10:30pm we picked her up at the airport and prepared for the day to come when we would be off to Disney. Thursday morning came and between the three of us were up, showered, dressed, and ready to go in 45 minutes and were on the road to the place were dreams come true, Disney World. We almost go lost on the way but thanks to Nikki’s photographic memory of the highway system in Disney World she navigated us to were park that we wanted to go to, The Magic Kingdom. After buying our tickets and boarding the monorail we arrived at the Magic Kingdom and on Main Street USA looking up at Cinderella’s castle. Kate and Nikki were like to little kids seeing it for the first time (even though they have both seen it a number of times before), taking pictures of the castle, pictures of each other in front of the castle, you name it they took it. Finally we were off to go on the rides. As some of you might know I’m not a fan of roller coasters or rides of that nature so theme parks are not really my thing, so I was the one standing waiting for them to get off Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain. You could see me on rides such as Dumbo, Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean. It was a fun day over all, overcast sky’s kept it from getting to hot and the quick sprinkle helped cool us down a bit and to end a day such as that there is nothing better then a trip to Ihop.

Friday turned into a day were we took Nikki to Ron Jon’s for her first time and a day were we swam in the pool, it was also the day were I forgot to put on sunblock and ended up looking like a lobster. Later that night two very strong thunder storms rolled through but since Florida is so flat we were able to sit outside and watch it slowly move in from Orlando, I was even able to get a photo of a lightning strike. Saturday we ventured back to Cape Canaveral to visit the NASA visitors center (we wanted to go that way this time). The first thing we did was get in line for the bus tour that takes you out to an observatory half way out to the launchpads were we got to see the shuttle Discovery (which launched the day I’m writing this) on the launchpad. We also got to see the crawlers that take the shuttle out and the very, very large building were it is assembled as well as that buildings that there housed in when not in use. Photos of these can be seen on my Flickr page as well. The second stage of the tour was over to the Saturn V/Apollo building were the have a full sized replica of the Saturn V rocket hanging from the ceiling along with other things like a replica of the car that was used and space suits. You were able to see just how small the command module was that the three astronauts had to live in. This was the second time that I had been to NASA and still enjoyed every minute of it.

Sunday was another lazy day for us, we went out for lunch, walked along the beach which was crowded for the first time that I’ve been there since it was Memorial Day weekend, went back to the pool (this time I remembered the sunblock). I headed in early and apparently Katie and Nikki fell asleep by the pool and when then came in were lobsters just like me. For some reason both of them didn’t put any sunblock on that day and paid the price just like I had two days earlier but worst. The three of us went out for one last dinner in Florida and complained about how much we hurt. It didn’t help much either that our waiter forgot to enter our order in so everyone around us that showed up after us got all their meals first. After finally getting food we headed over to Cocoa Beach Surf Shop so Nikki could find some sandals. We spent the rest of the night trying to stay awake so we could head off to Orlando to catch out flight back home at 3:30am.

So with that said Florida was great, Katie and I are pealing now and we want to go back, but thats how you know it was a good vacation right? You want to go back again and again.

Well it’s been almost a month since I wrote anything here so I figured it was time to do so. The last few weeks have been a little crazy between Christmas and New Years. Christmas started on the 23 for Kate and I with a trip to the Patriots/Miami game. There were exchanged gifts with Kate’s dad and had one of the rare opportunities to see her aunt and uncle. The next day was Christmas with the Werninger side of the family in Keene in the morning then up near Lebanon to Kate’s mom’s house. We spent the night up north then got up nice and early to head down to my mom’s and pick up my brother and sister to go to the Gagnon side of the family in Dover. When that was all done Kate and I headed home so we could celebrate Christmas with each other. Some of the gifts that we got were to seen “Curtain’s” on Broadway in NYC from Kate’s dad. Kate got me tickets to see “The Phantom of the Opera” later that day. We also got Guitar Hero III for the Wii (we need to get a second guitar so we can both play at the same time). I got Kate a Silent Brass system for her new French Horn so she can practice at home without fear of disturbing the neighbors (she’s a really good french horn player just people might not appreciate classical music). She also got a very nice mahogany music stand for my dad. I got tuned percussion tubes from Kate’s mom so I can start my own little Blue Man Group in the apartment.

For New Year we traveled 3 hours to visit some of Kate’s roommates from College. The trip up there was slow until Manchester since it had snowed that night. We had a great time there, there’s no better way to bring in the new year then with a bunch of friends. The trip home however wasn’t as fun as the time there was. When we woke up this morning we decided to go out and get something to eat before we all headed off back home, thats when it started to snow again. Everything was o.k. until we hit the Maine/New Hampshire boarder were the snow was starting to accumulate on the roads. When we got onto route 101 in Exeter it just go nasty. We traveled at 40mph if we were lucky, saw 2 accidents were one of them was caused by everyone slowing down to get around the first one. By the time we got to Dublin the storm was beginning to taper off and we could see blue sky’s but by then we had been in the car for over 4 hours (it should only take 2.5 hrs).

Next weekend it our trip it New York City. We will be leaving at some point Friday and returning Sunday. On Saturday is the whole reason the we are going, to see “Curtain’s” at 2pm the “The Phantom of the Opera” at 8pm. While we are there we might try to go skating at Rockefeller Center, maybe head up to Central Park if its not to col, and go to the “Cube” an Apple store on 5th Ave.

Over all 2007 was a great year and I can’t wait to see what happens in 2008, a new house maybe? We’ll just have to wait and find out.

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Roxie likes to climb, originally uploaded by The_Photo_Guy.

Kate was playing with Roxie tonight and she learned that she could climb up the scratching post that we got for the cats. Unlike Elphaba (our other cat) Roxie likes to climb on things like the table, bathroom sink, counter tops, and her new favorite place is the bookshelves in the office with the center piece from our wedding which she knocks onto the floor.

Last night my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The night started out by my grandmother being told to be at the American Legion hall at 4:00pm so she showed up at 3:40pm, but thats my grandmother for you. Other then that the night went great. There were stories told about the first time people met them. My grandfathers twin brother who was the best man 50 years ago gave the opening toast just as he did then. I got to meet relatives that I haven’t seen since I was a little kid. I can also say that no party is complete without a conga line and the chicken dance. There was a slide show with pictures through out there life, when there kids were little and Thanksgiving dinners and of their parents. I hope that in the year 2056 when Katie and I have our 50th anniversary we will have as many friends and family come out and have a great time with us as did last night for my Grammie and Pepere, Helen and Roland Gagnon, congratulations on 50 years and look forward for many more to come for the young couple.

For some photos of the night click HERE

I knew that one day Kate would get her break and and make it show business. She is currently playing June in the Springfield VT production of “Gypsy”. Not only does she act she also joins the pit band (June runs away with Tulsa at the end of the first act) and plays the Alto and Tenor Saxophone. This show also marks the first time that we have played in the pit together. I think that it’s great that she was finally given the chance to show the theater community that she has what it takes to get up on stage just about every night and give it her all.

Lonely Avenue

Here is the recording that was done by what my dad refered to us as the G-man. A Ray Charles/Van Morrison cover “Lonely Avenue” recorded in the living room in my dad house.

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Tags: LonelyAvenue, Ray Charle, Van Morrison, Recording, G-Men, Ben, Dan, Gary, Gagnon

Well it looks like the Gagnon family can start their own band. Two weeks ago My Dad, Brother and I recorded a song in my dads living room. My brother played the bass which he started play just a few months ago and has picked pretty quick and can hold his own at it. My dad played the piano/organ/saxophone (on the keyboard) which he has been playing since he was a kid but started on the accordion (he breaks that out on a rare occasion) and layed down the vocal track. I played the drums. This isn’t the first time any of us have recorded anything before. My dad has done several recording for the many bands he’s been with over the years. I recorded an album 4 years ago when I was in a band called Soul Drag_n (we broke up a week before going to NY to play CBGB). My dad is still in the process of mixing and re-recording his vocals but when it’s done I will have it up for everyone to listen to it.

Today we celebrated my grandfathers 75th birthday at their Cottage on Granite Lake. Its one of the few times when all of the cousins (minus one) get together. We ended up playing around with a Frisbee most of the day and I took the opportunity to take a few action shots.

Click Here to see more pictures.