Its official, I am a graduate, that was the easy part... now I have to live up to it.

What magical powers does this document poses you ask, my answer is simple, none. The magic is inside, and the learning process is like a grand buffet, where one gets to sample a multitude of foods before deciding the direction of a gastronomic experience. Funny how a photography career is like food, the tastiest foods, aren't the one ones that are good for you or quench ones thirst. The approach seems to be much the same, sustenance before indulgence, in short nutrition before desire. But a life without desire is one not worth living. What do I desire? When I can answer it truthfully, my inner compass will lead the way, I trust it. Until then, sustenance, a good nutrition and daily workout, still talking photography but that's the trainer in me, and a reminder that I need to work out.

Back in the USA

Landed on US soil on Saturday, Again we were split up , by an Isle only this time. Flight delay's, long lines at US customs at dawn, re screen all luggage at 1st port of entry, shuttle bus to regional gates, two jet-lagged kids and a two month old baby, Stroller, car, seat and my Pelican case with camera gear. ( I will post a review of that case down the line) Fun times!!! but we made it. Note to self buy a 50ft sailboat with blue water capacity, and sail next time.

The art of racing in the rain  Garth Stein. — The art of racing in the rain Garth Stein.

Arriving home, we all had mixed emotions, the comfort of home called to us, but this time it was empty, no barking joy and excitement from our dog Zodi, it was a reminder of how much life has changed and empty without him, I think we all found our way to the corner of the sofa where his spot was, just to smell that comforting smell once again. While away, I was fortunate to read a beautiful book, recommended to me by my friend Seth, who just experienced a loss of his 4 legged companions. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” a novel by Garth Stein

Is a wonderful, heart wrenching life story of a family from the a the the point of view of the canine narrator Enzo. This book found me at the right time, and I would recommend it with the warmest of recommendations to anyone, dog lover or not. Some books leave you with timeless gifts, this one did just that and more. Thank you Seth.

Do yourself a favor, and read it before they make a movie out of it, oh too late, motion picture in development :) "The Movie Link"

Last days in Israel

The old port city Jaffa.

Jaffa is one of the world’s oldest cities, with a harbor that has been in use since the Bronze Age. The city’s history is connected to a series of successive conquests through the millennia. In biblical times, Jaffa was ruled by the Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Philistines and other ancient peoples. The tribal Israelites of the post-Exodus period then ruled untill the Assyrians, then the Babylonians and other conquerors. The Romans captured and destroyed Jaffa during Maccabean times.

During the Middle Ages, Jaffa came under Arab control and served as a major regional port and provincial capital. The Crusades marked a violent period with fighting between the Christian forces and Saladin who tried to keep the area from falling to Christian rule. When the city came under the control of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, it was in ruins. During the 18th century pirates took control of the port. World War One brought British control with the Mandate period that lasted until Israel’s independence in 1948. Following Israel’s 1948 War of Independence, Jaffa became part of the new State of Israel, and then was folded into the municipality of TelAviv-Jaffa.

Today’s Jaffa is a city with a diverse population of Jews, Muslims and Christians. Jaffa is a socio-economic mix of young artists, new wealth and older, less affluent inhabitants. Culturally, Jaffa has become a place where creative types of all kinds live, work and set up shop, making its streets a maze of discovery.

We started the evening at Kalamata, a gem of a restaurant sitting atop of the old city with a commanding view of the Mediterranean sea. The camera was with me, but the grilled artichoke hearts with Thahini sauce, cold beer, warm soothing sea breeze and hypnotizing view had my full attention, best I could do was a quick Instagram iPhone shot, to make sure this moment was recorded and stamped in my memory bank.

As night fell we explored the old city streets, and met up with good friends R&R and their beautiful kids for an evening of great big smiles, beer and even some trance dancing with the kids in the old harbor, good times indeed. Cheers to you all, Miss you already.

Looking back at the last days in israel, it seems like it was ages ago, and not even a week has gone by. The leaves started changing here, and we came back to cool fall days, leaving behind summer, sand and a sun that sets in the ocean, as it should be. Blue at Tel Baruch beach in North Tel Aviv, became a second home. The girls loved the shallow warm Crystal clear waters, a far cry from the dark cold deep and powerful Atlantic waters here on the east coast.

A pace of life that revolves around water and light, infused with smiles and laughter, family friends. As the sun starts to set, the hunger awakens, and the salty lips need that cold refreshing post "fun in the sun" beer, and a cold israeli salad with tehini, simple and delightful. Eating in the open air, leaning back in the bamboo sofa, watching the sky turn pink and then orange as the blue hour sets in

Family, Friends... Sea and Sun

Watching the girls, play into the night, and feels so at peace with the beach while sipping on one capuchino after another, I cant really ask for anything more, I am complete. Then back to reality, where I strive to find the balance and a pace that leads to such a life, Family, Friends... Sea and Sun.

Farewell Tel Aviv, until soon

Hard to believe how fast time flies at times. We landed in Israel just over a week ago, jet lag has faded away, but the tiredness of making each day count is apparent. The change in the quality of light is always interesting, light here is bright and flat mid day far more then back home, but when the sun is low, the golden hour isn't holding back, and gifts its true beauty at full force.

Yours truly, raising a cup of wine at Cafe Sigal. taken by Roee Yaniv.

The freedom the kids have here is glorious and a reminder of my childhood here, my two older ones are in seventh heaven and speaking fluent Hebrew. My old neighborhood hasn't changed much aside from a missing orange orchard (now new private homes) and the addition of the lovely Cafe Sigal, which has become our official hangout, and espresso addiction management center.

All three sisters had their babies in the past number of months, so it has been a baby reunion, or a Milk Maid get-together, depends who you ask.

We spent a day at Caesarea, where one can walk through the ruins of Herod's port city, it was true a joy. I wish I could of stayed longer to photograph the softer colors there, but we opted to go for a swim in the ocean under the Caesarea Aqueduct, where sheltered by the ruin of ancient breakers, little fish nibbled on our feet in the warm clear waters.

Aqueduct of CaesareaThe Aqueduct brought running water to the old city of Caesarea, along a raised aqueduct. The source of the water was the springs of Shummi, 10KM away. Herod build the aqueduct in the 1st C BC. later, in the 2nd C AD it was expand… — **Aqueduct of Caesarea**
The Aqueduct brought running water to the old city of Caesarea, along a raised aqueduct. The source of the water was the springs of Shummi, 10KM away. Herod build the aqueduct in the 1st C BC. later, in the 2nd C AD it was expanded by the Romans. Later, 2 more aqueducts were built.

The camera has been a recorder of excursions, babies, smiles and good times, but I do find myself wishing for the time to head out hunting for images, the creative juices are calling out, but on this trip, time has been condensed somewhat, but still the good old 5DMKll is in hand.

Caol Ila, Distillery, Port Askaig, Isle of Islay.

Family lunch at the Coffee Bar in Tel Aviv is always an outstanding gastronomic experience. The menu is well thought out, and the food is good. Seeing the Isle of Islay's Caol Ila (scotch) sitting there brought a smile, and an immediate toast went out to Yolit, Moti, Lena and Yotam, who were probably sipping the same golden drink as I was. Cheers! see you next week.

I am savoring the simple food of Hummus & Thehina (thahini sauce) with a dash of lemon and olive oil, the diced Israeli salad and the local Goldstar beer, all of which can be had back in the US but the taste isn't even close. Eating good seafood at Yulia restaurant, along Namal Tel Aviv while the spray of crashing waves finds its way to you is pretty close to perfection.

Almost every day has ended as it should, in the warm waters of the Mediterranean, either at Blue, Kachol in Tel Baruch or like last night, at the “Metzitzim” beach where we played and body surfed in the churning swell, yes swell...these were rideable, maybe a surf sesh before I leave?