"This Ain't no Picnic, It's War"

Another book title out - Cyprus 1974 "This Ain't no Picnic, It's War": The Combat Diary of Alain Gaudet, Canadian Peacekeeper edited by David Kielstra. This is a wonderful look at the thoughts and the sentiments of a 22-year old Canadian Paratrooper who maintained a diary of events as he saw them. The forward is written by Major-General Alain Forand and although Gaudet is not always aware of the bigger picture, the general adds that "it is rare and extremely interesting to look and live an operation through the eyes of a soldier. It is refreshing to read Corporal Gaudet’s experiences straight from the heart and sometimes with “undiplomatic” comments concerning the on-going activities of his peers, superiors, the fighting adversaries and the unfortunate civilians caught in-between." (p.8) For this reason alone it has been a fascinating book to work on and one of the few that I have read cover to cover.

The book is also the first in a new series - Laurier Military History Series - prepared by the Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies. The series is sure to produce a number of excellent short booklets between 40 and 100 pages. It continues the mandate of the Centre and works well with the desire of Terry Copp, the Centre's Director and WLU Professor Emeritus, to see quality work from academics and graduate students in print..

Florida

It is really quite nice that about once a year my family manages to get together for a little vacation. This year, like last, we went to Florida. This year was my 30th Birthday and my bother and father planned a pretty special trip to play the TPC at Sawgrass. On the list of courses a golfer would love to play before he dies, in no particular order, includes Augusta National (not bloody likely when presidents have a difficult time getting a slot), the old course at St. Andrews in Scotland, Pebble Beach, and the TPC at Sawgrass. Sawgrass, of course, is home to the fabled 17th hole, a devilish 125 yard par three that you either hit the green or your add your ball to the 120,000 their hired diver retrieves yearly. My father, a 12 handicapper in his prime, found the middle while my brother, myself, and Evan the hooters tour professional we were paired with all found a the water. My second shot landed dead centre and I calmly made four. The real highlight for me came at the par 4 18th and the menacing tea shot. My brother captured a great photo of me coming through the golf ball and it was likely the prettiest drive I hit all day. A 296 yard tea shot that left me 131 yards from the pin. Only one person has ever recorded a birdie on the 18th enroute to the players championship.

The highlight for my brother was deep sea fishing. I would rather jump in a tub full of scissors than spend an afternoon on the Gulf Of mexico trolling for grouper. As tasty as they are fresh, the act of fishing holds no enjoyment for me at all. Here is a photo of the crew minus me at the end of the day. Mark and James are holding the prize fish of the day.

Looking back for a client

I found a shot from one of my shoots ages ago. I was hired to design an ad for a Hair Salon and that sent me searching my archives. The client wanted an edgier shot and the I thought of the shoot I had with Stephanie...I really enjoyed working with Stephanie - she had that spunk and a real willingness in front of the camera. Often when I'm shooting models I have to provide much of the direction but the really great ones make me chase them. Here is the image and when I have permission I'll post the final Ad.