RIP Jule....

A gorgeous sunrise as another soul returns to the earth. You are greatly missed. We loved you so much.

30 Seconds To Mars Show @ First Ave

Great show! Jared is a great performer. A must see!!!

Social D.

Rock on!! I've been waiting for a very long time to see these guys rock out the stage!! Then they say they are coming out with a new album and I get to hear songs before they are released! Holy Shit! Awesome!

On The Ride Home.

Had to stop and take a pic. Hope you like it!

4-Wheeling Up At The Cabin

Grilling At Mi Casa!

Got a new camera as well!

New Nephew!!

Joseph Austin Connolly! So precious.

Bonsai Collection Growing Larger.

Had to make a tiered table to fit them all! Not so bad if I don't say so myself! Made of 75% recycled wood!

Salsa Garden

Planted! There is a Tomatillo plant, Tomato, Green Pepper, Serrano, Habenero, Poblano, 6 Jalepeno plants, and onions! Can't wait to start eating some veggies!

Misty's Tree!

Thanks to everyones donations, Misty's tree has been planted! I just want to thank each and every person that donated. You are amazing people.

Thanks again, Dan

These Are New!

They remind me of the decals used in California saying drains to ocean. Very cool.

Como Ferns

Today I went to Como zoo to check out the Bonsai exhibit since I met Mike. The collection is amazing! You have to see it! I will post some pictures for you to check them out but I would highly recommend you go and see these in person! Her tho is the picture that stole the moment. A fern. Love the colors and the lines of this simple yet majestic plant!

Bonsai Class!

I've been getting more into Bonsai this year so I decided to take a little class through the school district. It ends up that the teacher, Mike, is a main person at Como zoo building up the collection! I learned a lot about Bonsai!

This is the tree I made to take home!

Tragedy Strikes!

It was a blustery day! Blew over a sapling that I was going to train in the way of the Bonzai! Hope it survives!

Brick Border Around the Trees in Front

Finished! Russ and I raked out all of the rocks that used to be in there and I bricked all the way around it! Not as bad as I thought it would be... just took me forever! Putting in an hour here and an hour there. Ugh, done!

RIP Joe Bergeron.

Sad, sad day.

Now That Is A Gun Rack.

No explanation necessary. Other than its not a completely fake rack. Just the guns. Lol.

There is A God.

... and this is proof that he loves us.. Lol. Fired up the smoker and slow-roasted some Baby back racks of ribs! If any one out there is an avid BBQ'er you should give me a call, we have something in common and we need to cook some shit up!

550th POST!!!

I wanted to let you all know that I am starting a fundraiser. I am raising money to plant a tree for my friend Misty Cortez. Here is my story.

Please click on the link to Donate.

Growing Memories Facebook Page

As I rode in the back seat of my parents’ car one wintery afternoon on highway 61 in White Bear Lake, we came across the scene of a horrendous accident. Crushed metal, glass, and emergency vehicles were everywhere. One particular thing stood out to me amidst the chaos – a small yellow object lying motionless on the ground. When we got close enough for me to make out what that object was I froze. It was a young girl that couldn’t have been any older than me lying lifeless on the icy road. I shuddered and returned to my gaze frontward. Little did I know at the time that the scene I had just witnessed would stay with me forever.

The following day I resumed my normal activities – until I walked into my third grade classroom. The first thing I noticed was that one of the girls that sat at my table was missing. Right after the teacher called the class to order she announced that Misty Cortez had been in a car accident and killed. My parents later informed me that the car accident we saw on highway 61 was the one that had killed Misty.

In an effort to keep her memory alive my elementary school planted a tree. We had a ceremony the day we planted the tree in her honor and everyday after that we’d see that tree and remember why we planted it.

Many years passed by and one day I noticed that the tree was no longer there. I do not know why it was gone but it was and, once again, I remembered Misty.

It saddens me that her memory was swept away under the rug, forgotten as easy as yesterday’s trash. She deserves to be remembered, as everyone does. We all get a chance to make a name for ourselves and be remembered in various ways. Misty never got that chance. I want to give her that chance to have a long prosperous life as a part of nature. Blessing our lives with oxygen and completing the circle of life. We still need her, as she needs us to keep her alive. I am just the vessel that her memory lives on in. I want to pass that on to you.

Together we can make a difference in anyone’s life. All we have to do is reach out. Even a little will go a long way. Help me keep Misty’s memory alive – for Misty, her family, and for others that have passed on.

Time To Fire Up The Smoker!

Oh spring is here! I can't wait to taste some sweet juicy ribs on my tongue!!! Ahhhh! Tomorrow is too far away I tell you!!!

Sweet Shirt and Chucks!

Rock it out bro!

Map Spot!

I can finally put this dot on the map! Saweet!

New Belgium Brewery.

This was the culmination of the Denver trip to me. It was amazing to see my cousin again, it was fun hanging out with the crew, and I liked the Coors brewery... but this place is absolutely amazing. The brewery is so friendly to the tours, environmentally friendly, the beer is fantastic, and I just plain want to work there! If you have never been, I totally recommend it!

Wahoo's!!!

I effin love these tacos!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

I Rode the Bull!

And totally bailed it! Denver rules!

Kiss Me I'm Irish!

What a way to celebrate spring every year! Kisses and beer! What more could you want from a festive day? I don't think any others hold such a splendor.... nope.

Blast From the Past.

I give these an A. They totally remind me of my grandmothers. Close my eyes and there she was...

Just a Little Drawing I Wanted to Share.

London

This was the window display in London. Visual Merchandising is a dying breed...

Side Note.

I found out today that Bugs Bunny is jewish. I find that odd because he is a cartoon.... Think about that.

Creole!

I was in the mood for some finger-eating and licking goodness! So my sister and I boiled this up and put it on a cookie sheet and went to town. I like eating with a pregnant lady! She's almost as ravenous as I am on a good day..

Bowling Fun!

P.S. Can you get my shoes?

Ah, To Be a Kid Again...

Playing cars on the floor... I strive to be young at heart, so I got down there and played as well. We ran our own impound lot, tons of cars and two Tow Mators. My sister made her first attempt at baking my grandmothers recipe for cinnamon rolls. I gave her a B, she did very well for her first time. It could bring back some old memories but just a little off.. She'll get it next time!

Happy Birthday Desiree!

Even got the waitress in on the group shot! It was a fun time, we acted like 12 year olds (with shots.. hehe) bowling and playing laser tag. Never a dull moment!

V-day

Had some grilled cheese and tomato basil soup. You know how I like to play with my food... and since its V-day and all. This is what you get! Hope you all keep warm on this lovers day that comes but once a year!

Minnesota Nice.

Well I have conflicting stories today... I was driving up 35W today when I was about to split off to 36 East. A pick-up truck that I was coming up on saw some brake lights and decided to change lanes with out looking. Almost hit me and tried to run me off the road. At the last second he saw me and pulled back over, it was such a close call that he pulled in behind me a second later. When we caught up to the brake lights the lanes that were going to 36 we slower than the lanes staying on 35W so as anxious as he was pulled back into the other lane and proceeded to pass me. I looked over and saw a big middle finger pointing my way. MN nice at its finest. A guy almost hits me and its my fault. What a selfish asshole.

So as I'm starting this blog post I'm watching the news, and its been a crazy day for news today, when this story comes on. Its a little puff piece about a man who got stuck in the snowstorm a few days back on a rural road in southeast Minnesota. Roads were shut down and no one could go out to help him until the storm had passed but the man had little snow gear and little over a half tank of gas. His wife grew frantic over the passing hours, knowing that he would have to be there overnight she started to get more and more desperate. She started doing some research on where he was and using the internet started calling residence that were close to the snowbank that had encapsulated his vehicle. After trying half a dozen businesses and residences trying to find someone that was close enough and had the correct equipment to save her husbands life, she ran across a certain family. A family that took this personally. This family had the means and this family had accepted responsibility to go out and attempt to save this strangers life. They succeeded after a few hours of locating him by means of snowmobile, bringing a duffle bag of heavy clothes to get him back to the house. The man and his son that saved this strangers life said one thing, "If you are able to help someone that needs it, you do it."

I was going to leave this post as a cynical explanation of what I have come to believe what MN nice means to me but I have decided to add that second part. Maybe there are some good people left on this earth. I just think that it gets harder and harder to find them if you are not looking for them. "If you are able to help someone that needs it, you do it." We should all take a chapter from this rednecks book, lets just leave out all the hillbilly shit.

Most Expensive Couch I've...

ever had my hands on! I guess in the back of my head I knew that these types of couches were out there for those people that are so rich you just want to puke. $20,340 for a 3 piece sectional. I think that when I buy furniture my budget is what they would pay as tax on this one... Thats a trip.

Snow Much?

I think its fair to say so.... ugh, why do we live in MN again?

Smashburger...

I love these burgers... Eat one, they are freshly made and very tasty!

America's Most Wanted in White Bear Lake

How come I do not remember this? This happened quarter mile from where I lived! Guy kills his wife, gets out on bail, skips town, fakes his own death, then finally gets busted on this TV show? I didn't even think any one watched this show... Interesting story. Oprah is putting it on her monthly "must read" next month. Don't miss out!

AMW | Captures | Gordon Weaver | Brief

Sign Up!

On the right side of this page sign up to be a follower! C'mon people! Its easy!

-Camera Dan

The Trifecta Perfecta. Lol.

I don't know where this is going really... We inducted my buddy Tony B to the Superhero status of Spiderman. Now Superman has to make another logo of us. Why doesn't he use this valuable time to go save some ladies from purse snatchers or crazy aliens from invading the planet. Idk, I'm gonna take the Batmobile and roll around the city looking for some hoodlums to beat up. Cuz thats what I do.

I've Got a Secret.

I'll let the picture do the talking...

2 Years of DITLOCD!!

I have been blogging for 2 years now. I don't know where the time has gone and you have been there with me through it all. I want to thank you for that, I also want to thank you for your continued support over the next few years! Through good times and bad I want to keep bringing to you real life encounters and experiences, hopefully you continue to enjoy them. My utmost gratitude goes out to my fans, the fans of Camera Dan.

Thank you,

CD

I Just Think This is Beautiful.

I Don't Even Know Where to Start...

How about I will B*tch slap this MF if I ever met him for being the dumbest, most mentally challenged, not smarter than a 5th grader dumba$$. Whew, I feel better. Just in case you just clued in. This car is probably worth more than your house and this guy seems to be so arrogant that he drives it in the salty, snowy, wintery roads of MN. The stupidity just baffles me. ARE YOU NEW??? Anyone who has lived here for one winter knows it will ruin your car. This is just a disgrace to that car. If I sold him that car I would punch him. (Really I'm not such an angry person, I think I need a glass of wine...)

Helping Haiti!

I feel better about helping an organization when I know what is going on and how it is going to help instead of giving large, almost corporate like, organizations just cold hard cash to spend however they see fit. Not that they don't help, don't get me wrong. I still donate blood to the Red Cross every time I'm eligible. Maybe its the personal satisfaction I get knowing that I've made a difference. But when you get a progress report like this... It definitely feels better than giving to a black hole.

A final look at some numbers from our 2010 Kids Against Hunger event:

• 1 grant from St. Paul Public Schools Service Learning Department

• 700+ students motivated to make the world a better place

• 70 flexible, supportive staff (including administrators, teachers, interns, office staff, custodians and cafeteria workers)

• 118+ parents and grandparents who helped with the food-packing events

• 24 enthusiastic Open School students, who helped with our hunger banquets, and organized and ran our packing event

• 15 "lead volunteers" (parents & staff) who worked all day Friday and/or spent hours beforehand translating documents, planning the schedule, counting funds, buying supplies, setting up the gym, organizing volunteers, planning the assembly, donating food for volunteers and more.

• 3 heartfelt student speeches at the assembly

• 1 surprise visit by the Leo el León, the energetic Adams mascot

• $8668 raised

• 59, 832 meals packed!

• 1 amazing community service project!

Best of Luck Annie!

Well first I have to say obviously I didn't take this picture so I wasn't the one who blocked the flash! (Sorry Netty I had to!) I learned today that Annie had made a decision to move down to Dallas for work and she is leaving tomorrow! So a few friends gathered over at Netty and Aarons for a little fair-well soiree... I wish you the best of luck Annie in your endeavors! This is such an opportunity for you and I hope that you take advantage of it to the fullest. All of or thoughts and prayers are out to you! Can't wait to see you in March!

Superman is Lonely.

Since being a superhero is so lonely, I become dubbed Batman. Now Superman made me this logo. What a dork Superman is.

MN Wild!

We almost had this game! Hockey is such a better sport in person than on TV. You lose so much energy through the cables attached to the video cameras. Wow, I just had Deja-vu.... weird.