Sunday, June 28, 2009

Master bathroom remodel

The last big remodeling job we have is the master bath. No better time to have it done than while I'm on my motorcycle trip!
We started the demolition and have picked out the tile, vanity, granite counter top and other fixtures. Here's the "before" look.Let the demolition begin!


Monday, June 15, 2009

Coast to coast on the Harley!

I've been planning this trip for some time... Actually since I was a kid and my best friend Bill Neith helped get me hooked on Harley Davidson motorcycles. Easy Rider was the movie that started my desire to ride a motorcycle from coast to coast. Bill and I would talk about it all the time. That was a long time ago and most childhood fantasies never play out in adulthood. I was determined to make this trip happen. Definitely a "bucket list" item!
The freedom and adventure of the road has always fascinated me. I'm fortunate to travel a lot for work, but most of that is via airplane. You miss an awful lot from 35,000 feet up!
Now it seems the trip is finally a reality. My brother Don and I are doing it together and leaving July 3rd from CA and riding over 3500 miles to the east coast and hopefully seeing some great sights along the way. We'll be riding from San Francisco through Yosemite to Mammoth Lakes, down through Death Valley into Vegas, over to the Grand Canyon, over to Colorado and the Rockies, down to Santa Fe NM and over to Arkansas and Tennessee, then finally back to FL.

I packed up the bike for a test run with my luggage before shipping it to CA where I'll fly out and meet Don at his house. Packing is tough because we have to travel light but still be prepared for all kinds of weather. We also plan to camp along the way a few nights, so tents and sleeping bags are part of the package!After figuring out how everything fits on the bike it was time to drop it off at the freight warehouse to be trucked to the west coast.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Columbus Ohio and the Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Museum

After a few years of missing this museum, I was determined to make it this time. I flew up to OH for the Memorial tournament on Wed.
This gave a me some time to visit since it's pretty near the airport.
Currently, they have a display called "Motostars" which includes motorcycles and other memorabilia from famous actors and musicians. The highlight of this for me was the display of Neil Peart's BMW R1100GS and his touring drumset from the Rush R30 tour. I'm a big fan of Neil's playing and his love of motorcycle travel. He has written several books about his travels (Ghost Rider, Traveling Music and Roadshow) and updates his website with lots of riding related stories www.neilpeart.net



Oh yeah, there were a lot of other bikes on display too. Below is a replica of the "Captain America" chopper from the movie "Easy Rider". Some vintage racing and touring bikes.
Wayne Rainey's Daytona Superbike.
A beautiful Arlen Ness custom.
An old Indian
A salt flats speed bike.
Some other fun displays.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Fuzion Golf at the TOUR Academy

The PGA TOUR Academy at Sawgrass is now offering Fuzion Golf.
It's a hi-tech clubfitting lab that uses video and computer and computer animation to analyze your swing and putting stroke.
Caryn and I shot the lab for their marketing collateral. Caryn stands in for a light test.The final edit. Jim did a great Job photoshopping the graphics into the monitors.Then the putting lab. Amber jumps in with Caryn for another light check.Travis works with Kenyatta in the final image.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

A1A Studios

I stopped by the new A1A studios in Jax Beach to shoot some photos for their website. It's a brand new facility and the guys did a great job building it out. Can't wait to get Dial-9 in there!
Here is the main room:The control room and board:The lounge/reception area:Practice room 1:Practice room 2:And a shower for those really long sessions!

Monday, May 18, 2009

TOUR Academy shoot

I had to shoot some TOUR Academy instructionals for PGA TOUR Partners magazine. Caryn came along to assist and blog the proceedings.
Travis chips on the 16th green.After the Partners shoot, I set up some golf balls on the range for something our design staff needed.Caryn was worn out from all that reflector holding!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

National Golf day Washington D.C.

I made a quick trip to Washington D.C for National Golf Day. As there were a couple of events that I needed to cover, I had some down time. There was a congressional breakfast and a press conference, both the next day. I got in to D.C. early enough so
I checked into the hotel and took a walk down to the mall.
My swanky digs in Georgetown.
Check out these bathrobes! I dropped my bag at the hotel and walked down past the White House.Always some interesting characters around!I walked down the the Washinton Monument.And then over by the Jefferson Memorial.I came back by the WWII Memorial which I hadn't yet seen. Beautiful job.Lots of tributes from families of fallen soldiers.I then walked up by the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial. Spring had sprung and lots of baby ducklings wandered around.There were lots of people milling around the Lincoln Memorial making it hard to get clean photos. The light in that place is so pretty, and the statue has such a powerful presence.From there it was back past the Vietnam War Memorial and back to the hotel.The next morning it was off to Capitol Hill and the breakfast.Then a quick Presidents Cup Press Conference at the National Press club with the Commissioner, Fred Couples and Greg Norman. After that, a cab to the airport and home!

Monday, May 11, 2009

09 PLAYERS

2009 PLAYERS... What a week! Monday was the first annual Nationwide Tour reunion and cookout. They brought in the "Big Truck" and fired up the grill. A bunch of former Nationwide players dropped by to catch up old with friends.Jerry Kelly adds his signature to the banner in the truck.We had a lot of requests as usual. Here is our shot chart for the week!Early in the week we gathered images of tournament preparation.
Caddies gather early near the clubhouse and wait for their pros.A bag of balls on the back range.
Tuesday evening was the player family party at the Ponte Vedra Surf Club. It was a circus theme and even had a performing dog show. Caryn was totally jealous!Climbing a ladder.This dog had a monkey on its back. Maybe too many years in showbiz?Wednesday is the annual caddie contest at #17. Players donate to the Bruce Edwards charity fund and then their caddies take a shot at the island green.Wednesday was also military day and concluded with a tribute to President George Bush (#41). I had a birds-eye view in a TV tower behind the 18th green. Thursday finally arrived and we got to photograph some golf! This is a photoshopped image from the 6th tee, one of my favorite spots.Friday evening was the media party and pig-roast. They had the full pig on a spit. I called Caryn in the media center and told her how "blog-worthy" it looked. She came right out.
I wanted to try a new remote location this year at the foot of the trophy presentation stage. Caryn grabs a shot of me and Stan as I'm rigging it up.Fans gather at the first tee for the final groups on Sunday.You never know who you'll see at the PLAYERS! Beth hangs with Lisa, Evan and Andrea as they taunt me with cold beer.#15 is another of my favorite tee boxes. Henrik Stenson tees off with the lead.
A remote shot at the 18th green as Henrik Stenson wins the 2009 PLAYERS.Rick Dole gets a shot of me waiting for the trophy ceremony.
I usually shoot from the side for a different angle.Halleran looks relieves that it's over. The remote I put on the stage worked out pretty well for the trophy handoff.Sergio congratulates Henrik on the victory.Rick Dole shoots the final trophy shot from the roof as Caryn gives direction.