Cup of Joe Photo

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when Stakes Are High

The keys to effective communication are complex. If they weren't, we would all communicate with each other perfectly. When I was in college, I chose a "interpersonal communication" class over the horrifying "speech class". Back then, I thought I knew it all. Today, I realize I don't know much. I'm on a constant quest to learn how to do things better. Communicating with others, especially when there could be conflict, is a skill worth practicing. Enjoy.

Communicating Best When It Matters Most A crucial conversation, as opposed to a casual exchange, is a discussion between two or more people about tough issues where opinions vary, stakes are high, and emotions run strong. When a topic needs to be breached that could easily lead to disaster, such as approaching a boss who is breaking his or her own safety or quality policies, or critiquing a colleague's work, or talking to a team member who isn't keeping commitments, talking openly is a must, but can be very difficult. Mastering your crucial conversations can kick-start your career, strengthen your relationships, revitalize your organization and your community, and even improve your health, according to the authors of Crucial Conversations.

Vision

How's your vision?

“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.”
Joel Barker

“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.”
Napoleon Hill

“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”
Jack Welch

Snow Queen

After the WPPI Awards Night, I changed clothes (of course) and a few of us fulfilled a long time goal I've had. I wanted to drink Vodka in the famous ice bar at Red Square. The staff at WPPI and a couple of us who love vodka, had the pleasure of putting on fur and doing shots. It's not cheap to do, but it is fun. You buy the bottle for $350 and drink it (about $20 a shot). I got home and looked up Snow Queen online. $25 a bottle. The experience, however, was priceless. Thanks to Charlie Samples for bringing his camera and for shooting the image with Charles and Jen Maring and I. Thanks also to everyone at WPPI. Nas Drovia!

Episode 3 "The Pep Talk"

Here it is. The big finale. Dane slaps me back to reality. Seriously. Friends do that sometimes....

Thank you to Ron Dawson and the Cast and Crew. This was way to much fun:)

Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend.

Diane Arbus

I always thought of photography as a naughty thing to do -- that was one of my favorite things about it, and when I first did it, I felt very perverse. - Diane Arbus

For those of you who have not yet seen FUR, check it out.

JPG Magazine

This freakin' magazine rocks! What a great concept. Check it out here.

The Devil Wears Boda

Here is the trailer for those of you who missed this one before the Awards Night ceremony. I have a small supporting role as "Joey". Ron Dawson rocks this one again!

Atonement

Since I was in Vegas last week, I didn't have time to finish my current book. I did however see a cool movie yesterday that I'd like to recommend instead of a book this week. Atonement is a beautifully shot love story with compelling dialogue and imaginative flashback sequences to keep the viewer engaged. It's worth a look. Enjoy.

He is Risen!

Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight

Wow! Those of you who have known me for a long time, know how much I'm interested in how our brains work. My wife was sent this link from a friend and she sent it to me to watch. It's a compelling 19 minutes long. This is a truly amazing story and an idea worth spreading.

Right Brain People Rejoice and be Happy! Left Brain People....move to the Right.

Unpacking

Today's Cup of Joe is being served late in the afternoon. Upon my return for WPPI I have so many thoughts and memories to unpack and journal. I am choosing to spend this weekend going deeper into my spiritual development. I'd like to wish you all a blessed Easter weekend.

Textured Favs from 2007 3

Good Morning Friends. I've preloaded images while I'm in Vegas. I hope you're out there for WPPI. But if not, you can still enjoy your morning Cup of Joe Photo. I'll be back tomorrow.

Textured Favs from 2007 2

Good Morning Friends. I've preloaded the next couple of days while I'm in Vegas. I hope you're out there for WPPI. But if not, you can still enjoy your morning Cup of Joe Photo.

Textured Favs from 2007

Good Morning Friends. I've preloaded the next couple of days while I'm in Vegas. I hope you're out there for WPPI. But if not, you can still enjoy your morning Cup of Joe Photo.

Buy and Hold

In these times of an economic downturn, there are great ways to capitalize on lower real estate prices if you have money to invest. I read this book a couple of years ago. It was recommended by another real estate educator. I have found David's philosophy presented within these pages a solid strategy for my future. Enjoy.

Description from Paradoxal Press DON'T MAKE A MOVE IF YOU WANT TO GET RICH. That's the word from America s leading real estate expert, David Schumacher, who discovered that the way to lifetime financial security is to buy smart and never sell. He s built a $20 million fortune using his own savvy advice. Forget about flipping properties. Say goodbye to late-night TV no money down scams. Here s a shrewd, moneymaking, step-by-step investment program providing proven advice on how to: --Pick the right property with the most profit potential --Choose locations that will be tomorrow s hottest neighborhoods --Negotiate lucrative real estate deals that can make you wealthy --Turn your property into a moneymaking cash machine --Use your property to make even more money with David s insider techniques. Packed with charts, graphs and David s real-life examples and axioms, here s your ticket to a sound financial future.

Slow Dance

This a a favorite of mine. A timely reminder to take it slow, and take in every moment. Happy Sunday.

Slow Dance
-Author Unknown

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last

Do you run through each day on the fly
When you ask "How are you?" do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last

Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die
'Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away...

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Reminder for WPPI

Vegas Baby

I'm driving out to WPPI this morning for business and to print judge tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you all out there. Stop by our Venue Booth at Bally's on Sunday from noon to 5 to say hello.

Express Yourself

I celebrate our freedom of speech. I certainly have my strong beliefs about many issues and I embrace the fact that you do too. Politics and religion really evoke strong emotions. Express them. Cup of Joe Photo remains open for you 24/7.

Yes We Can & john.he.is

This first video "Yes We Can" brings multimedia, music and politics together to entertain and uplift.

This "john.he.is" video made me laugh and cry as I think about the future of our country and that John McCain could be our next President. Just Watch, it gives you chills.

WPPI Las Vegas

I look forward to seeing you all in Vegas, baby YEAH! You can see me here:)

90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life

I received this book from my sister at Christmas. I set it aside with some other books and forgot about it. Then last week I got the audio book from Simply Audiobooks in the mail. I had, months before Christmas, put it on my rental list. It came and I listened to it. I am much more likely to hear a book than read a book. Anyway, the book was good, but not great. I did like the part when the author described his time in Heaven. But much of the book is about his recovery and depression coming back and living again. It is another reminder for me to value those around me whom I love. It may be our time to go, at any time. Cherish your loved ones:)

Synopsis on Barnes and Noble After colliding with a semi-truck, Don Piper died and went to heaven. Ninety minutes later he returned to life on earth. After years of silence, he is now sharing his life-changing story. As he is driving home from a ministers conference, Baptist minister Don Piper collides with a semi-truck that crosses into his lane. He is pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, Piper experiences heaven where he is greeted by those who had influenced him spiritually. He hears beautiful music and feels true peace. Back on earth, a passing minister who had also been at the conference is led to pray for Don even though he knows the man is dead. Piper miraculously comes back to life and the bliss of heaven is replaced by a long and painful recovery. For years Piper kept his heavenly experience to himself. Finally, however, friends and family convinced him to share his remarkable story.

Failure is Success

I'm always fascinated by the power of our brains' capacity to adopt new patterns and ideas. This quote reminds me of the power our words have on our actions and behaviors. May you turn failure into success this week!

Failure is Success To weight lifters, failure is success. Unless they lift a weight to the point of "failure," their muscles aren't growing. So they have programmed themselves, through repetition, to use the word "failure" in a positive sense. They also call what we would call "pain" something positive: "the burn." Getting to "the burn" is the goal! You'll hear bodybuilders call out to each other: "Roast 'em!" By changing the language, they acquire access to inner power through the use of the human will. Language leads to power. To optimize your levels of inspiration and motivation, be conscious of the creative potential of the language you use on a daily basis. - Steve Chandler, in "100 Ways to Motivate Yourself" (adapted)

This shot made me smile

Sky, Earth, Water and a beautiful Bride. I thought that this image might brighten up your day too. Happy Saturday.

Dynamic Light

I captured this image last summer, and it's one of my favorites from 2007. I wanted to share the before image too. Have a great weekend and stay true to your vision.

straight out of the camera

Kenneth Pool

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to meet New York Fashion Designer Kenneth Pool at Saks Bridal in South Coast Plaza. He is a charming and talented man. I had a great time getting to know him. I did a portrait of the famous designer and photographed some of his Platinum gowns for Priscilla of Boston.

Into The Wild

Man, I've been so emotional this past week. I've really taken a step back and realized my blessings. I'm sure it's a complex combination of many events coming together, but I'm going to simplify and condense my answer to "awareness". I'm in the process of becoming aware When I pause to consider the really important things in life, I see and do things differently, more slowly and with greater intention. This emotional response to my surroundings yesterday, left deep and joyful imprinting on my soul. Then, the icing on the cake last night was Into The Wild. This movie reenforced the value of relationships, truth to one's self discovery, and wonderment. Blessed are those who are true to themselves.

School is in Session

My awesome friend Becker asked me last week to film a short episode for The [b] school blog. "Of course", I said, jumping at the chance to be a substitute teacher. He told me I could talk about whatever I liked. So we filmed a few things on my mind, and then shot an episode on networking with vendors and other photographers. Beck posted the networking episode yesterday, and today's should be interesting (though it may just be senseless ramblings). You be the judge. Check out The [b] school blog daily and be schooled by the best!

Tuesdays with Morrie

I suppose it's official. I really like Mitch Albom as an author. As I was walking yesterday and listening to the author read his book, I smiled. I also laughed and got choked up at times. Mitch is a writer that I really like to like. His style is consistently his own, and I enjoy the humanity of his perspectives. I can relate to him and his experiences, because he touches on universal topics and emotions that we all experience. Once again, he has woven these into a compelling and thought provoking book. Enjoy!

Synopsis Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher. Someone older who understood you when you were young and searching, who helped you see the world as a more profound place, and gave you advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of your mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Tuesdays With Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift to the world.

Rule Eight... for a Better Way to Live

I often look for inspirational stories to post on Sundays. I found this rule as a part of 17 rules for a better way to live. I hope that you are blessed by this one. Happy Sunday!

Rule Eight... for a Better Way to Live:

Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now. Now! Not tomorrow!

D3 Test Drive (some more)

A few days ago I photographed Kelly Michelle's beautiful assistant, Meghan. We walked and talked as I photographed her around the business complex where my studio is located. These were all shot outdoors with available light an hour before dusk with my 85 1.4 lens. Enjoy.