50 years, Bluey, Family…

This weekend was jam packed. My sister got to come in from Seattle with her bf, Doug.

I scooped them at the airport and we got into prep mode for our parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. I got to experience Costco for the first time. I refrained from impulse buying a pallet of iced coffee.

Several family members and close friends came in from out of town.
My Aunt Lynn -my father’s sister- even got to visit. She is delightful and I love her so.

After that we got to experience Bluey Live at the Fox! I was brought to tears. It was wonderful.

Yesterday we got to see Joel and Elise’s new place in Alton. I’m so happy for them and their new space ❤

Here’s some photos from the weekend ❤ ❤

One thing that’s not fairly represented in this post is the fact that my mother’s birthday and father’s day this weekend was a thing. But gosh I can only highlight so many things in a post. 😂

Meet Me in Chicago

We’ve been on a mission to take our son on a Chicago trip ‘just the three of us’ for years. Covid slowed that down a bit. But we finally got to get away for a weekend and take our oldest son to see Half*Alive at House of Blues.

So thankful for my son and how wonderful of a human he is.

Current likings from Cash:
D&D, Learning Guitar, Learning Animation, Meeting New People with Similar Interests, Pokèmon, Switch, getting hella tall.

I’m so thankful for the person he is ❤

CUTC in the Studio!

The theater company, Curtain’s Up Theater Company, that I volunteer my time with in the areas of Marketing and Media Advisory got to go into the recording studio last night. I was able to capture some BTS photos of the session.

I really enjoy seeing young people getting to experience things like being in a legit studio with an engineer at such a young age. And with such a noteworthy engineer.

Shoutout to music director, Steve Shininger, who made the connection.

If you’re wondering what they’re recording. Sometimes in Theater you have to get creative to pull things off. In this session they were tracking their own voices singing in the choir for some of the scenes to help guide the show a bit. Not sure if it’s cheating or not. But I won’t tell if you won’t!

Here’s some moments from the session that I was able to capture…

Also, if you have engineering needs. Check out Rick Turcotte of Flatlander Sound Studios.

If you live in the St. Louis area. Consider grabbing a ticket for the performance for Wizard of Oz in August. There are 6 different shows to choose from!

TicketsForOz.com

How about an update?

Having a ‘personal blog’ in 2023 is probably the least beneficial tool in existence as far as promoting or furthering your business goals. Or maybe it’s the best? After 12 years in marketing, I have no idea what I’m doing. And yet sometimes I know exactly what I’m doing, but turn that switch off for the sake of having a corner of the internet just for me? Or just for people that really want to look for me…

On May 26th I threw a DIY concert at LongStory Coffee in Belleville. My friend Drew Danburry came and played music. Additionally my pal Andy Moore and brother in law, J O E L each played sets.

Here’s some photo highlights from that…

The next morning we had brunch with the Moores and Drew…

Then I grabbed my camera and headed to PointFest 2023 to capture the set for I Like Snaps, an act based in St. Louis who won a slot at the Pop’s Stage.

They played a KILLER set and even debuted a new song. Such a great group of guys…

Then I reapplied some deodorant and high-tailed it to watch a wonderful couple tie the knot…

There’s a lot more going on right now that I will share about in the near future.

But for now. Know this:
Your worth doesn’t come from external approval. You are an incredible human in the shoes and with the abilities you have right in this moment. Don’t question that for a second.

Concert Announced!

Come see Drew Danburry, Owen Pye, John Krane (Update – John has Covid and will be replaced by Andy Moore) and JOEL play live at LongStory Coffee in Belleville, IL

May 26th @ LongStory Coffee (732 S Illinois St, Belleville, IL) @ 6pm

There’s a $10 suggested donation to help support our touring artist. Also be aware that LongStory will be serving drinks for purchase as well.

We’re thrilled to be having this show and thankful for LongStory for joining us for this special event.

If you don’t have cash the day of show, or you spend it all on coffee but still want to support the artist you can utilize the following options:

Venmo | Paypal | Patreon | Bandcamp

Springfield, Illinois

This past weekend I was asked to be a judge for the IAAF State Talent Show contest at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois. Huge thanks to the board and my friend Kris Lowe who serves as Secretary for St. Clair County for asking me.

Jillian and I packed the crew up and we stuffed like sardines into the hotel room. Really it was meant for 2 adults, but that’s how we roll sometimes.

Before we headed home we did a little bit of site seeing around town.

One of the spots was this spot called Dumb Records. Highly recommend if you need some vinyl OR want to checkout some arcade cabinets or pinball machines. Of which they had a nice little collection!

In no particular order. Here’s a few shots I captured during our trip…

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever — “Behind the Curtain”

Curtain’s Up Theater Company, a local theater group that our family as grown close to this past year, has their final show of the season this weekend: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Z and Cash are both in the play and my sister-in-law, niece and nephew are playing as well as several friends of ours that we’ve made this year.

I asked Evan Totsch, our young actor friend in the theater community if he would help me with a “man on the street” esk behind the scenes bit last night. I filmed it and edited it within a 24 hour window. I’m very pleased with the fun result we got out of this. Evan came up with the brilliant name. He wrote all of his material that he came up with on the fly. Awesome job, Evan.

Check out the video and then go grab your ticket!

BestChristmasTickets.com

Haven Homes Grand Opening

Big thanks to Melissa MacIsaac for asking me to provide photo coverage for her Grand Opening event for her real estate business, Haven Homes, located in O’Fallon, Illinois.

The event began after sunset, so you’re only seeing the interior of this wonderful space which neighbors Harmony Health and Home Birth as well as Premier Kitchen and Bath at their new shared building space.

Also shoutout to the event planner, Trinity Griffin, who did a remarkable job setting the tone and vibe for the evening.

If you’re in need of a home purchase assistant or looking to sell your home, reach out to Melissa MacIsaac and let her know! She and her new business partner (and husband!), Charlie, are ready to serve you at Haven Homes. You can contact Melissa HERE.

Here are a few more photo highlights from the evening 🙂

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

The Fun and Learning Variety Show

I had the pure joy & honor of recording The Fun & Learning Variety Show. This production is put on by The Colleen Nesbit Memorial Foundation and features skits and songs performed by adults with intellectual disabilities.

This Saturday Curtain’s Up Theater Company and the Nazarene Community Theater is playing this video on their movie screen and all of the performers and their families have been invited to come see themselves on the big screen.

I really hope this brings joy to the performers as much as it did mine 🙂