A little wisdom from Bob...

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
― Bob Marley

The Last Exit and National Geographic Update!

In photography, you learn to view the world in a different way than the average human. Your eyes are trained to observe moments in the scene before you that generally go un-noticed by the masses. A key part of this element is lighting. Different lighting can show everything there is to see in one eighth of a second, or tease you with only certain areas of an image lit well enough to see at first glance. It's these images I love the most. You look and see one thing, but with careful observation, you notice something else. The next time you look at the very same image, another piece of the scene becomes a part of your awareness. A well lit ( and I don't mean brightly, I mean well lit as in creatively with darkness and light) piece can tease you with it's image at first glance and keep you looking for the hidden objects that are just barely visible in the darkness or the peripheral edges of the work.

I walked into a place in Memphis and was blown away by the lighting in a very popular night spot. Bare light bulbs hanging from the ceiling on, what appeared to be the original early 1900's light fixture. One would think this would make for a hard scrabble existence in the night club world. Not so for this place. The owner was a friend to the man I was there to interview and photograph. Consequentially, I met the owner and we had a great discussion on the history of the building, it's previous owners, the current incarnation, and the ghosts that claim the building as home to date.

The bare light bulbs gave the club the depth and character that suited it's historical place in Memphis music history. My first visit was an experience I'll never forget and I'll have a full story on that in the book. (We are in the home stretch with the writing by the way). I serendipitously met a man who was a significant player in the change of history in the South with civil rights, along side Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. He took me there, introduced me to the staff and owners, showed me around, and gave me a great history of his part in the 60's, 70's.

The club has paint peeling off the walls, the lathing is showing in spots where the plaster has fallen away. Small club tables, that you'd swear were original to the building when it was a cool place to hang out in the 1920's, ashtrays, coke iceboxes, and claw foot bathtubs still in place from when it was a overnight porter rooming house during prohibition. The lighting is a key element in the character of this building and is the subject of a recent canvas I had printed to auction at the Diabetes Fundraiser at Hotel Arts in Calgary on June 15th. Tickets are $75 and it's called A Creative Affair. Please come out, it's for a great cause. I won't be there but the canvas will be! ( The canvas by the way, is a 14 x 26 Fine Art Canvas print of the upstairs hallway in this joint. and Yes I can safely call it a joint) The owner gave me a picture of Elvis and BB King standing together in the very same hallway. For those of you that don't know, Tupelo, Mississippi is a short drive away and some would say this club's original musical line up would have been some of Elvis's most influential experiences.

The canvas is titled 'Last Exit' and the description talks a little about what I've written above. The impact the image had on me when I first saw this upper hallway was indeed, the last exit. A hallway with an exit sign, a window up to heaven, or a partially visible stairwell leading below, with a guiding light (the bare bulb over the stairwell and window above.) For those of you like myself that were raised with serious religion in the family, the image clearly has hidden meaning about the pathway to either, the choices you can make with doors on one side and windows on the other. You have to see it to really read this description and understand the image. The lighting plays a key roll in what's visible and barely visible.

This is my favorite kind of photography, where there is a vision that emerges more and more with the study of it. Something that is not staged but already exists as it is. Someone, like myself, comes along and sees, not the bare bulbs and decaying building that it is, but an image of our history, whether personal or practical and photographs the scene with a whole new perspective.

If you all have a mind to see it, Get a ticket for "A Creative Affair" at Hotel Arts on June 15th, 2012. It's up for silent auction. For whomever buys the piece, it's signed and numbered as 1/1. There will never be another one printed on this medium. All future prints will be limited to 50 and not on canvas, or that large. The full story of the meeting, interview, and photography of this event will be in the book so it will have a history of it's own that the new owner of the print can refer to for their own enjoyment.

Don't forget to check your Compass!
Cole

PS Update for National Geographic post... there are some people coming to Calgary this June for some NG business, not sure what their connection to NG is but I think I may have a meeting arranged... I'll keep you all updated! Keeping my finger's crossed...

The $50,000,000.00 question...

On a recent work/play trip to Naramata, my friend and I discussed the many options available to those with money and what they accomplish here at home, versus what other's do with it in many foreign entities.

I've heard many people wax and wan on the subject at length and what they would do with that kind of money. Now this is a side of me many already know and understand. It's also a notion of how our charitable system works. I've given this much thought over the years, when you're a single parent working yourself to exhaustion, occasionally you get a few spare moments to dream up a utopia. There were many hours of dead time when I was working in law enforcement with intermittent showers of furious activity in the dead of night where I could design my perfect world. Bare with me as I bare my idealistic soul to some of you for the very first time. Please be gentle on your comments as this is a subject dear to my heart.

I have had many mentors over the years that have shown me the value of having copious amounts of liquid assets to make the world a better place. I've always admired those corporate entities that take a portion of their company and get the employees engaged in a giving attitude. I love my friends at CAWST.org for their selflessness in assisting the third world in clean water and sanitation. Here at home, we take this for granted and consider it a right and not a privilege. We have governments here in the west that have passed laws to grant us these rights to disease free drinking water and sanitation. We have Civil Engineers that ensure our safety on a daily basis, and for this we are only just getting the message that our wasteful ways of the past are socially unacceptable. In the third world, this is the privilege of few that can afford it. CAWST.org makes it as affordable as possible to those that would not have the option otherwise. They offer education and sustainability over the long term along with their initial investments in each location they work with. I love to work with this group doing photography. They are true leaders and all have a direction not born out of financial gain. They all work for much less than what they could make in the Oil and Gas industry.  please look them up and get involved if you like what they stand for. A lot of their biggest supporters are our own Oil and Gas and banking big names. CAWST.org.

I have volunteered my skills for many non-profits here in Calgary and abroad and learned important lessons about each of their charitable cause of choice. A local company that I work for often and consider my most favorite, I have learned the most important lessons of all. When I have major liquid assets, I'll be following the model of charitable giving they have presented.
 Each and every event they throw is dedicated to a new organization except one. At Christmas, they support our Poppy Fund. The Poppy Fund gives to our veterans. Need I elaborate? These men and women put themselves in harm's way so we can live the comfortable lives that we live... everyday. I would make provisions for The Poppy Fund in my ideal world.

The one thing I would most certainly do, because it's a subject close to my heart, is build a scholarship fund for single parents. When I was a struggling single Mom, the help available was limited by my government, local, provincial, and federal. There was nothing in place that could help me better myself or the lives of my children. There were systems of assistance that made sure we would stumble along in poverty and government dependence for a lifetime. There were very few options available to us and I can say very strongly, I didn't feel that being a drain on the system or stagnant in the welfare-mother pool a path I wanted to experience, or an example I wanted my children to emulate as they progressed into adulthood. I worked, often to exhaustion to keep our heads above water and show my kids that working hard may be tiring and sometimes difficult, but worth it in the end. I am proud to say they both have this as part of their general life values. They learned to take nothing for granted as well.

Okay, enough poetry of my last life... here's my plan...

With 'money to burn', I would establish a foundation that makes grants, micro loans, and assistance available for single parents. The criteria would be simple and to show commitment, the parent would have to meet a strict set of non-negotiable steps to qualify for the foundation, and during the whole period of time, regular meetings, check-ups, and references to ensure the criteria is being adhered to would be required as well. There would be very little or no actual money available but bills would be covered for each successful applicant over a period of time. Bills would be living, childcare, transportation, and tuition/textbooks etc. Micro loans would have to meet a similar criteria as well as a viable business plan.

The whole point of the grant is to give people the tools to be successful. To be successful, sometimes people just need that little push to change their world for the better. The criteria required weeds out the ones who may not be a good risk, because essentially there will always be a risk of some people not being emotionally strong enough to stick with anything. A big part of this would be giving a first year of application to the foundation all about counselling, developing coping skills,  inner strength, and problem solving. Even those that don't make it through that first year of assessment, may benefit and become stronger, better human beings.

For every 4 single parents that qualify after the first year of assessment, 4 more from a developing nation would also get a grant, micro loan, or some form of assistance to improve their lives or the lives of their whole village. It is essential to keep the program small and personal so no one is lost in the system, no one falls behind, and everyone, including the future employers or customers of the successful foundation members, can go forward and be successful. Even the tiniest success can make a huge difference in the lives of a single parent.

I firmly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to have success, no matter how small their success may seem to the rest of us, it may make a major difference in their lives, the lives of their children, and possibly generations to come. This is something I take from working with the non-profits and corporations that spend major amounts of their money on helping others. Who knows what I could have done with a little help when I was a struggling single Mom? With my career success based on massive personal effort, sacrifice, and serendipitous moments, I can claim very few people had stepped forward to give me an assist. Those that have, I continually Thank them and remember to convey my gratitude whenever another big success is accomplished. I will continue to do so for all my future success as well. The best way I can show my gratitude is to take what I have learned and give it back to others. Who knows what they can achieve with a small lift up?

I know there will be groans of protest and perfectly valid points of rebuttal to my Utopian dream, but truly, I don't care. It only takes one small effort to give someone the power to get on their right path, make a difference, and change the world for the better. Even if you're only changing one person's situation, at least that's one more person who can hold their head up everyday. One more person who may be able to teach their children to live a better life. For any of you friends reading this who are screaming liberalist, socialism, communist, blah, blah, blah... I'll make my $50,000,000.00 the good old fashioned capitalistic way... it only takes a few years of good photo ops to make it happen... or Lotto Max... Hahahahaha.

SO yeah... don't forget to check your Compass.
Cole

PS... still no word from National Geographic.... I can only imagine the amount of photographers sending in their stuff everyday hoping to be 'discovered' and dragged out of obscurity to be stabled by National Geographic. After 28 years of chalking their boots, I've learned the patience of sainthood. I'll be sure to let everyone know how that pans out as it goes. Thank you all for the emails, comments, letters, and words of encouragement. Thank you for standing beside me while I wait. I am so grateful.

Thank you ... and about that night....

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the amazing readers who log on to read my posts. I am so grateful that everyone is interested in what I know, what I think, and what I am doing these days. I know most of you are people I know personally and are secretly hoping I won't write about you and tell all your secrets, (so you keep checking back to be sure I didn't write about that night years ago when I walked in on you and that anonymous super star). Just so everyone is sure about this, I NEVER tell names, and if it's something particularly incriminating, I will always change the name, the time of year, and the place. I have seen many things and would never want to be the cause of someone elses personal implosion. Most people have a way of managing that well enough on their own without any help from me.

This blog has reached 2000 regular readers and as of right now 2002 to date. Thank you all so much, so I'm going to try and thank my largest audience by country, please don't be offended if I miss anyone or don't get the translation quite right. I'm sure you'll all get the gist of what I am saying. Other than Canada and the US, my two biggest audiences, a lot of the data is compiled by continent based on readership. To those of you that don't see your country here, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Pentru a tuturor cititorilor mei din România, o inimă vă mulţumesc pentru toate e-mailurile. Sunt atât de recunoscător şi mulţumit vă puteţi bucura de poveştile mele. Când am terminat de scris cartea mea, voi face cel mai bine mi sa tradus şi publicat în limba română.

Мои русские друзья, я скучаю по вам всем спасибо и надеюсь посетить родину когда-то в будущем. Прошло столько лет, так как я был дома и с нетерпением ждем встречи с вами снова.

เพื่อนของฉันเองในประเทศไทย ... มากรักในหัวใจของฉันและขอบคุณสำหรับการติดตามเรื่องราวของฉัน หวังที่จะเห็นคุณทั้งหมดอีกครั้งในช่วงเร็ว ๆ นี้!

Mein Deutschen, meine Freunde und Familie ... wir sind alle so weit auseinander, aber nicht so weit, wenn wir in Kontakt bleiben. Danke für das Lesen meiner Arbeit. Cheers!

A todos mis lectores de habla hispana y amigos, que son como familia para mí y mi corazón siempre está pensando en usted, no importa dónde estoy. Gracias por siempre leer sobre mi trabajo y viajes. Mucho amor siempre a México, Perú, Brasil, Argentina, Venezuela y España. No me olvido de mis amigos en el Caribe de habla española tampoco.

The friends and readers in the United Kingdom, we are all one and keep the fires burning, I'll be there soon! Thank you for tuning in and keeping me in your lives after all this time.

Mana latviešu ģimene un draugi, debesis ir zilas šodien un nākotnē ir spilgti mums visiem. paldies par skatoties uz mani vienmēr. Es glabāt jūs visi manās domās!

Lietuva, mano tėvynė ...Į prerijose mėlynas dangus atrodo tiek daug, kaip ir Vilnius.Architektūra yra ne tiek istorinis, bet energijos yra šviežia ir nauja.Dėkojame, kad mano gyvenime.Esu dėkinga ir laiminga, kad jūs darote.

لقرائي كل عربي. أنا أعرف بعض من كنت في حالة من الاضطراب في هذه الأيام، ولكن الأمور تتحسن. آمل أن يكون هذا وأنت بأحسن حال وآمنة وقلوبكم البقاء كبيرة وجميلة. وافتقد كورنيش، والأسواق، خصوصا سوق الذهب. خياط بلدي من قبل السوق الحرير، والسيد ممتاز، في الدوحة، لا يزال لدي جميع الملابس التي تمنيتها لي ولكم أزرار اليد التي قدمت ولا تزال الكمال. وافتقد الشمس الحارقة، والأصدقاء البدو بلدي، وجميلة البحار الخليج. البتراء، وادي رم، والكثبان الرملية الملك في قطر، وفندق شيراتون الدوحة كل ليلة السبت مع فهد وشارع...............

Grazie così tanto i miei lettori belli d'Italia. Presto mi recherò in visita e si possono incontrare a Roma in piazza per un tè pomeridiano e giornali. Si prega di tenere la lettura e ti farò sapere quando sono sulla mia strada! Tanto amore e felicità a tutti voi.

Pour mes fans français, les amis, la famille, et les critiques, oui, et même les critiques ... Je t'aime tous et je vous remercie d'être intéressés assez pour garder réglage pour mes émissions écrites, oui, même les critiques. Je sais que vous devez aimer certaines d'entre elles parce que vous revenez toujours à le lire et partager avec des amis. Quel que soit votre raison de continuer à accorder, Je vous remercie et je vais continuer à écrire afin que vous puissiez en discuter amonst votre auto et être ainsi très français dans vos commentaires! Cheers!

Finally, to my American readers... you are all so awesome. The letters, emails, cards, and texts are a big part of why I keep writing and you push me to be more bold, more bright, more everything. The boundaries are stretched a little more each time and you'll see it when the book is finished. Thank you for the support and well wishes. Whomever keeps sending me the anonymous donations... you have no idea how great your timing is for the help and I thank you so much for your patronage. Of course you all know where and when I'll see you all, as often as we meet. Book Launch maybe by the end of 2012/early 2013. So excited!

Last but not least, Canada, my home, my love, my haven. Canadians are the best, no offense to anyone else. It's my Canadian pride, where I was born and raised that makes me so proud. You always come through, my friends, fans, and family. Even if the post is a little slower, not as funny as the last, or not as colorful, you still read it to the end and comment anyway. Blessings on all your sweet Canadian hearts for your kindness and friendship. I hope you all love me as much when the book is done. Show your love in sales please! A portion of all profit will be donated to an amazing cause to help women in underprivileged countries be independent, educated, and business owners. When you educate a mother, the future of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren is likely to be much brighter. They will educate, they will share their knowledge in their villages and raise the bar for everyone else as well. Micro loans to help them be prosperous and live better lives. These are all things we take for granted here at home. Lets share the wealth and raise everyone else up with us as we go!

Again if I missed anyone, I am so sorry. Don't hesitate to send me a note or a comment and I'll be sure to correct my omission in the future.

Thanks to all!
Don't forget to check your Compass!
Cole xo

PS... There is still no word from National Geographic on my last submission.

The Dream...

Most of you know, it's always been my dream to be a part of National Geographic. Since I was a little kid, sitting on the floor in our living room in front of the TV. We only had 3 channels on the farm so it was a foregone conclusion that I would either grow up to be Cher, Jacques Cousteau, or a photographer for National Geographic. Just so you know, Cher was already all that and a bag of chips, Jacques Cousteau was already a legend, so National Geographic it is. I briefly toyed with idea of being Marie Osmond but was disappointed to learn I did not have that amazing smile or all those brothers.

When you're a kid growing up in a difficult environment, anything is better than where you are. When your life is limited in real time, your daydreams become your solace and a safe place to retreat when it gets really ugly. I did this often, play acting with my friends that we were variety show performers on the swing set in my neighbor's back yard, singing at the top of our lungs, putting on one heck of a show for the dogs and cats. We scared away the magpies from the garden so the parents didn't mind so much. We had underwater adventures complete with workshop goggles as our scuba masks. The endless ocean of grass and alfalfa fields were places where all kinds of creatures could be found to examine, tag, and set free to be caught again the next day, and the alfalfa was shoulder height so we could wade through and pretend we were swimming and diving in a clear green ocean.

It's funny how when you grow up this would be an action that would get you psychiatric care, but really, do we have to cease dreaming and playing? Why do we need to lose our innocence and get serious about work, family, and life? I know that I did. I had to get serious fast. I had 2 children to raise and I had to do it alone and make it work no matter how bad it got. While I was being serious, I was losing my ability to daydream, to plan, to enjoy, to laugh. I did make it through, and so did my kids. We were all a little battle weary, but like my favorite quote from Vince Lombardi, once the kids were on their own,

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious."

This was how it was when they left to make their own way. They are good people, my kids. They try to do the right thing, even if it costs them. They can laugh, enjoy, and dream and live. I feel truly victorious in the regard. even if they struggle here and there a little, they both have a solid foundation and I know if anything happened down the road, their ability to navigate the storms is so ingrained, they'll both come out of whatever it is okay.

I feel this way about my own situation now. No matter what the situation. I am no shrinking violet. I will come out of it okay. Only now there is no urgency to survive, no stress, no, pressure. Just planning and dreaming for my own future.

I graduated business school a few years back, too many to mention. One of the exercises they ask you to do on the first day is set goals. We set goals in a short term and long term plan. Set the goal and then build your plan backwards as to what methods you'll use to achieve your goals. The instructor asked everyone in class to stand up and say out loud what their goals were. As we go through the rows of student, everyone had some pretty reasonable goals. When it gets to my turn, I stand up, a little shaky as we all know I had stage fright back then. I clear my throat and read from my goal sheets.
"I will own my own photography studio, I will make 'x' amount of dollars per year. I will travel extensively photographing as much of the world and the life in it for National Geographic."
The instructor stares at me blankly for a minute and then says out loud in front of the class " Don't you think that you should set a more realistic goal?  I mean, that is just not realistic."
The silence in the classroom was palpable. To his credit, one of the guys that sat in the back of the class said loud enough for everyone to make no mistake what he said, " Well I think it's a really cool goal and I hope you reach it." His comment was seconded by a few other murmuring students, but the majority were either too stunned by her bullying tone, or too weak to speak up, but the general consensus was that they all wished me well.

Now keep in mind, I had given up so much hope, lost my will to daydream, and had lived in survival mode for so long, my ability to read her negativity for what it was, was still on shaky ground. I had just recently found my voice and realized I could do anything I wanted, like I did when I was 5 years old and singing my heart out on the swing set. My kids were just coming into their adulthood, I was free to dream as I pleased, and she wanted to stuff me back in that little box with broken dreams. I was that battle scarred warrior, kneeling on the battlefield, victorious, and she dared to wrest my victory from my still bloody grasp.

Let me just be clear, less than 2 years later, I spent two days with His Holiness, the XIVth Dalai Lama, photographing his engagements here in Calgary. You want to bet, I sent an email to my Alma Matter to keep them posted on my progress fresh out of school. Realistic? Really?! Where would we be if the Wright brothers had been told not to dream? Steve Jobs? I say go ahead and dream! Go big or go home!

So I sent some of my work, along with a proper letter to National Geographic today. I've been sending them stuff for years, but had never been given permission to send it to the people who matter. With very heartfelt thanks to the people who believe in my skills and have been kind enough to recommend me, I sent it. It will take 6 to 10 days by regular mail to arrive at the head office. By the time it makes it's way through their mail room and delivered to the right person's inbox, it may be a day or two more. This same person probably gets 100 pieces of mail daily so when said person has a chance to open it, we'll see how far I've come.

If you all would care to wait with me, I'd appreciate your support and faith, prayers, facing east, meditation, blessings, well wishes, if anyone wants to invest in some fairy dust, that's acceptable as well.
So wait with me, and we'll reach for the stars together.

"Puerilis animi bona, quia est via ad astra." Virgil

Don't forget to check your Compass!
Cole

facebook, twitter, blogs, and work

I've received close to 1900 emails, texts, and messages, and everyone wants to know what my new projects are that are taking me away from Facebook, Twitter, and the Blog. Let's be clear about my goals first of all.

It's not just one project, it's several. Some are based here, some I will be very far away for. To add to the mix, my Mom, we have been told, will not be much longer for this world. So I will spend my time shuttling back and forth from Calgary to Edmonton to see her while I can. The fact that I tend to keep my serious personal info, very personal, it is not common for me to share a current event that is ongoing. I usually wait until all has passed by to fully evaluate it before I write or disclose anything. Much easier to find the forgiveness and humor in a situation once it's done and the dust has settled. As I was saying, these current events leave little time for Facebook, Twitter, and the other frivolities of social interaction. Some have been quite offended at my offhanded shuffle of information but to be truthful, sometimes you have to pare your life down to the essentials. Not that I don't consider my friends essential. You are all very valuable to me. My face to face friends as well as my virtual friends. So let's be clear, I have a big heart, I care about everyone, but I must stay focused on those that need me most just now, as well as keep my work growing. If you don't hear from me, know that it is in good cause and don't take it personal.

Aside from the new work, my Mother's time passing by quickly, more now than ever, my son has put in his application to the Armed Forces. I have mixed feelings about this. I have many soldier friends. Mostly US Special Forces. I know what this life entails, I understand the risks involved, I understand the odds. I am proud that I raised two children who have stood up against all odds of being raised in a one parent family, and become successful adults. I am proud that they have stood up to bullies and discrimination. ( Yes, coming from a single parent family is a difficult situation for kids and they face social discrimination from teachers, other married parents, and a few factions I care not to mention ) I am proud that my son is willing to put his life on the line for his country. I know the position he wants to be in with the military as a career, and I can fully see him there and support his decision. He is a brilliant young man and has so much heart that I believe in his ability to manage the situations at hand. Having been all over the world before the age of 5 may have had a hand in giving him the ability to adapt and have strength in any situation.

With all this new stuff coming all at once, you'll all understand if I beg off of posting on Facebook and Twitter for a short 6 months. It really just seems so trivial all of a sudden up against the big picture. If you stick around, I'll post stuff here, on the blog when I have time from my hotel rooms, or when I'm jet lagged at home. I'll be grateful for your company if you leave a comment or two when I'm stuck in some third world area. You're welcome to share this on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn if you like. If you scroll down to the bottom there are faded little buttons that will help you post it directly.

To all my regular readers scattered all over the globe, my fellow writers, travel junkies, journalists, and photographers, I Thank you all so much for your continued presence and comments. I usually respond personally to everyone but that may not be possible to do in a timely fashion for a while, but I will try.
Thank you in advance for being interested enough to read my blog and take the time to send a comment or email. In however manner you do it, it's no small thing and it's appreciated.

So if you're interested to know what I'm up to, check back here. Can't say I will be posting on a regular basis. Just when I can and I hope you'll all still stay friends on Facebook etc. and maybe I'll see you in the fall.

Don't forget to check your Compass!

Cole

Nothing like a little sports critique to get the debate started....

As a photographer, I have had the privilege to photograph some of the greatest NHL hockey players and goalies of our time. My son played at the higher levels of minor hockey and was considered a talented goalie and has a hard fast shot that can rival some of our NHL boys today. It made it much easier for me to get the right shots, at the right time, when watching the big boys play through my lens.I loved watching my son play, even though at first I would have been happier had he chosen a less expensive sport. To be truthful, I didn't like hockey that much until he started playing. By the time he ended his playing days, I loved it. I loved the game, not so much the parents that criticised and said rude things to his face as he was walking out of the rink with his gear. Even when he was one of the best, the criticizing became worse. It wasn't enough that the team played their hearts out, as adults, you'd think there were lives at stake based on the chatter from the parents.

As a hockey fan, and photographer, I love seeing these men at their competitive best. The freshly washed ice behind the Zamboni, the cheering fans, the slap of the puck hitting the goalies gloves at record breaking speeds, the sounds of skates meeting ice as the shavings fly up and spray the air when they come to a sudden stop. What I have never understood, is fans of the home team slamming their players when things aren't going well in the season. Most who appreciate the game, probably played, or knew someone who played as a kid. Really... this is Canada... who didn't?

This brow beating of our own team completely amazes me. They lose their momentum just a 16th of a degree because of a reason, we, the ticket buying public may not be able to fathom, and we lose our cool at these players. Then the magic is diminished and we bully them even more. The press takes up the gauntlet and not only are the fans booing and making them pay for little mistakes, but they are being skewered to the stake and members of the club, from the high profile players to the equipment guys are being thrown to the wolves.

Can you imagine what it must feel like to have 20,000 people giving you the evil eye because you were late for work, forgot to sign your rent cheque, or missed a Dr check-up? That's a lot of hate and bad energy we heap on one person, or one team of 21 guys. Whether you agree or not, they hear what we say, they feel the losses and triumphs so much more than we do. We are the fans, but this is their life. They live and breathe hockey. The emotional commitment to this game for them is 1000 times more than any fan, parent, or friend. When they miss a key pass, or fail to backcheck at a serious defensive moment, you can bet, they are beating themselves up inside more than we ever could. We're just making it worse, pushing them to lose their momentum, we are failing to be the support they need to want to win. It takes a huge amount of commitment and compromise for these guys to get where they are. They and their families sacrifice every day of their lives so we can have but a few hours of enjoyment a few nights a week. For them, it's not just a few hours, it a way of life. These same guys, get up on their days off, to come out to our community events to lend a hand, make an appearance for our benefit instead of spending the day with their kids, wives, or parents. What do we do in return? We slam them, sometimes to their faces. Honestly, some of the things these guys have to put up with from us, even on a good day, and they have enough self control to not show their disappointment in us as fans.

Being a hockey parent, you learn it's not your place to give your kid the gears about his game after the fact. That's the coaches job. Do we honestly think the coach isn't throwing around a few garbage cans or hockey sticks in the dressing room? Really? Isn't that enough? Do you think that we need to say it too? That they need to be scolded like spoiled little boys in public?

I personally, love these guys and their families for spending what few years of their youth, or as long as their bodies can take the punishment, keeping sports alive in my city. I love them for sacrificing time with their loved ones so I can spend a few hours at a game with mine. Yes, I want them to win. I would love to see our Red Mile with wall to wall Red jersey's celebrating a Stanley Cup win here in Calgary. I also know that unless you are surrounded by people that believe in you, you will have to fight so much harder to be successful. Why would we make it harder for them to win? It's time for us to pick up the slack and support our Calgary Flames. I love these guys, win or lose, because they have given so much to the city that I love. SO, where is your winning spirit Calgary? Give these guys a reason to sacrifice their time for a win. Be the change Calgary.

PS... For anyone who dares to say " they make XXX amount per year so I expect ...." How much is time away from your family worth to you? The commitment to the training, the lack of a private life? , so save it.

Don't forget to check your Compass!
Cole