Wedding Photographer?

So I've been telling people, "I'm not a wedding photographer." Why?

1. People can be really uptight at weddings (Bridezilla is a word.)

2. You've got one shot at it; ONE.

3. They're Fri. and nearly all day/night Saturday.

4. Um yeah, I have a job ;-)

Contrary to my words, I've accidentally done two:

Elijah & Alyssa click

Echo & Brian click

I said yes to EJ & Alyssa because they're great young people and I wanted to give them a (hopefully) great gift. I said yes to Echo because she's Echo: she has a great personality, would never be a Bridezilla, doesn't know how to take a bad photo and her location was to die for.

I'm not sure who in their right mind asks someone to photograph their wedding, whose really not shot a wedding before. But perhaps Echo's reckless confidence in my modest photography skills made me want to do it. Who doesn't like a wild card? A long shot? A little risk?

So currently...I have two people asking about my availability to shoot their weddings. What to do? What to do?

Feel free to weigh in.

Occupy the Y: wk 2 Begins

(If you missed the first post in this series, click here.)

It's Monday night and week 1 of 12 is in the record books. The good news is today's workout went pretty well. The elliptical machine kicks my butt, but Chad McCarter & I survived it.

So far I've learned a few things:
1. I'm in incredibly poor shape.
2. This is hard physically and mentally.
3. Dave's the loud one, Chad is the nice one & I'm the quiet one.
4. Nicole is very nice but I'm still nervous when she's there.
5. I left the C out of the YMCA...

I realized today that in our first week of working out it was just me versus the workout. I know God is in me, wants to be with me, and do life with me. But somehow last week I locked Him in my car during the workouts.

So today I tried to smuggle Him in. Here and there as I was gasping for breath, I tried to pray to Him. I'd asked Him to help me grow in strength mentally, physically, and spiritually. I prayed for our church staff and my family.

No long profound prayer time here; I mean I am seriously just struggling to stay in the game when we're there. But I found while praying on the treadmill today, the time seemed to go faster. Not that I was going any faster, mind you.

So as we start week 2, I am aware how mentally tough this is. And I am aware that God wants to go with me to the workouts w/Nicole and the other Hombres. Because clearly--He needs a good laugh too!

Thankful to be part of this. If you're so inclined and would like to pray for me in this, that would be great. If you're not so inclined, little dabs of encouragement do wonders.

If you want to follow us on the Twitters we're
@morgancafe
@GraphicsKing209 (Chad McCarter)
@DuBeeDuBeeDoo (Dave Dubois)

Peace my friends!
      --Morgan of the Tres Hombres

21 Ways to Make 2012 Better

 This came from Mark Malin's Jan 9th Oakbrook Blog. It's so good it warrants re-posting. Choose one or two that stick out, implement them and see what happens!


1.  Believe the best about people. Make trust your default, not suspicion.

2.  Be on time. Great leaders are rarely late.

3.  Under promise and over deliver. Our tendency is to do the opposite.



4.  Stop blaming people. Just stop.  Your will start taking responsibility for yourself as a result.

5. Pray for your enemies. You will forgive them…and they will not be your enemies for long.

6.  Review the week ahead on Sunday night for ten minutes. Monday won’t seem nearly as intimidating

7.  Get up earlier. The early bird actually usually does get the worm.

8. Go to bed earlier. Stop falling asleep on the couch.

9.  Read the bible. Read at least 3 verses of scripture every morning, more if you’re up to it.

10. Never say “I don’t have the time.” Instead, say “I’m not going to make the time.”   It will change how you see time…and priorities.

11.  Smile. Most people look moderately unhappy most of the time.

12.  Clean your personal space. A clean desk, car or office makes you feel better about yourself.

13.  Give 10%.  Give away the first tenth of everything you make.  You’ll be surprised at how liberating this is.

14.  Pay cash (as in bills in your wallet) for discretionary items. You will spend less and save more.

15.  Exercise.  Enough said.  Just get moving.

16.  Do something for yourself everyday. People who care for themselves are better at caring for others.

17.  Read outside your area of interest. Apps like Zite and Flipboard even make this so easy.

18.  Automate what’s important. Schedule appointments with yourself for what matters.  Automatically take savings and givings out of your bank accounts.

19. Serve somewhere. People who serve others live longer and are happier.

20.  Show up prepared. Whether it’s a meeting or simply coming home, prepare yourself before you show up.

21. Play. Most of us have forgotten how to play.  Rediscover it.

Occupy the Y: Day 1 of 12 Weeks

photo dubiously acquired from Kokomo Perspective...

The last couple months of 2011 ended positively with a great partnership with Dr. Haendigas' medical weight loss program. Lost 20 lbs and continuing on with her great staff--wonderful program and people!

Now to add the piece of the Haendigas puzzle that I heretofore have not been very good at: (enter music of dread) Physical Exercise!

Thanks to my wife, the YMCA and personal trainer, Nicole Peele (oy--if she only knew what she was getting herself into) YMCA CEO Dave Dubois, Kokomo Perspectivian Chad McCarter and I will spend five days a week working out together under Nicole's Torquemadian guidance for the next twelve weeks.

For simplicity in the future I'll simply refer to us as the Tres Hombres. That sounds slightly of infamy but simply translated: three guys. How descriptive and apt.

I have to admit, approximately 2 hours from workout #1 I'm a little nervous. Human nature; fear of the unknown. And slightly nervous about my lower back disc issues; I ain't a kid anymore!

All jokes aside, I truly appreciate the Kokomo YMCA and Nicole and the other Dos Hombres for making this opportunity possible. More than the nervousness, I am looking forward to pursuing physical health in a holistic way that I've never done before. What an opportunity!

So look for the occasional blog update and follow along on "the twitters" @morgancafe. Now let's get this party started! ;-)

The Gospel of Food

This week I had the honor of performing a funeral for a friend's mother. To my surprise God has revealed to me over the years that funeral's are in my wheelhouse. That is to say, He's gifted me in such a way to serve people well through them. As I see it, for me as the officiant I am in essence the story-teller of the deceased's life. Listening and putting words together in a meaningful way is a good fit for me. It's a blessing to bless people in this way. God is good.

Nevertheless, this post is not about that. This is about the simple and profound impact of food.

While we were at the funeral, Shelia Miller had arranged to bring a huge spread of fabulous food to the family's home. Prior to that, she had organized a small army of women to bring these dishes to the church.

Most people in our church don't know this behind-the-scenes stealth group of culinary angels exists. But allow me to say, their impact is profound and meaningful.

As we got back to the house, a huge spread of comforting food enveloped the large kitchen, from sides, salads, entrees and desserts. As I hung out over the next hour I honestly can't tell you how many times I overheard these words,

"Who brought all this food. It's amazing!" "DeAnna's church." "Wow..."

It's truly amazing what a simple and touching blessing it is for a family who just buried a loved one, to come home to an array of wonderfully delicious food. It's more than just convenience; it's very real care and compassion.

And I just kept hearing, "WHO did this?" "The church. Her church did this."

I can assure you, this makes an impact on people. I didn't know everyone there. But I know there was everything from sinner to saint. And it spoke to them all. Compassion is the universal language of love. It translate whether Christ is one's Savior or just an idea.

At a time like this, food is one of the most loving testimonies the church could provide. I am so proud of Shelia and all the women who serve stealthily in such a hands-on loving way. The gospel of food speaks to everyone in challenging times; and I believe the Holy Spirit uses this opportunity to linger about the bounty.

Pass the chicken...

Apology to My Non-Christian Friends

I'm sorry that we Christians have defined this holiday as "the war on Christmas." I'm sorry that we get our panties in a bunch over the use of the word Xmas. I'm sorry that we write CHRISTmas, as if you hadn't seen the root word before. I'm sorry that we display the zeal of politicians in our embrace of Christmastime. I'm sorry that some Christians will read this and think, "Don't apologize for me!"

Even though you may not embrace Jesus as the center of this season, I appreciate that you like to embrace the general goodness and generosity of this season. I appreciated that you too, try to make this world a bit better during this season. I appreciate every kindness you extend to strangers regardless of your beliefs. I'm sorry that some of my fellow Christians don't appreciate that about you because "you're not getting it exactly right" from a Christian perspective.

I want you to know that like my fellow Christians, I too am guilty of making it a point to say things like Merry Christmas and God bless you, more than I am actually serving people in compassionate ways. I want my life to be exemplified as the hands and feet of my Savior, but sometimes--maybe even especially at this busy time of year--I give lip service to my faith more than actual compassionate acts. I'm sorry if I've displayed my Christ-laced words more than my Christ-based lifestyle.

But I want you to know that I and other Christ followers are trying to do better. I am so proud of my church. Can I share just a little? Just one small paragraph, I promise.

This past year we've given over 20,000 lbs of food to people in need in Kokomo. We've given 4,000+ man hours to help people and organizations in need. We've built two wells in third world countries. We bought a trailer this year just so we can take tangible things to people in need. But please don't hear bragging; I'm just proud that we're stepping up our tangible ways that reflect the heart of Jesus.

Like other churches, my church isn't perfect. We're doing better trying to live out our Christ-centered beliefs, but we have tons of room to grow. We are trying. I am trying.

Even though we Christians get it wrong, turning this season into a war and showing you our zeal; I want you to know that my heart breaks a little every time we don't lead with love. My Savior was all about love. He is love. That's what I want you to see and know. That love...the real love of Christ changes my life a little every day. I'm sorry it's not always the first thing we lead with.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Merry Xmas...

Love,
   Morgan

Politically Incorrect Music Editorial

There are two groups of singers/front men pictured. Take a look at them. Look closely.

One of these I can naturally relate with; the other not-so-much. As I write this I am 47. I relate with the older guys, but not because of age. It's because of something less tangible.

One these groups simply isn't very manly. They embrace their not-so-toughness and wear it like a badge of honor. I have no problem with that. No problem.

It's just that I don't relate with it. As I was coming of age, it was all about becoming a man. Not like a mindless macho douche kind of way, but in the completeness of manhood. Tough enough to not run from a fight. And tender and intelligent enough to appreciate art.

One group looks like it would have been chased down the halls of high school. The other group might be the chasers. One I relate with and the other I don't.

I'm not trying to trash a certain style of band here. It's just that I've been wrestling with why I'm not identifying with a lot of the current music style. Part of it is my age. I'll give you that. But the other real part of it is I don't relate with guys who could get beat up by most of the girls on their high school volleyball team. There. I said it.