WINTER FEELS

•NORTHEN WINDS HAVE STARTED TO HIT TEXAS AND WE CAN SEE IT ALL AROUND TODAY.

THE BEGINNING OF OUR FALL WEATHER BRINGS A CHANGE IN COLOR AND TASTE, SHOWING US JUST A LITTLE OF WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR.

 

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BRIAN BRUMLEY

WE ALL HAVE THAT ONE FRIEND THAT LOVES TO COOK AND JUST HAVE A GREAT TIME, THAT FRIEND WHO ENJOYS SEARING A MEDIUM STEAK OVER SOME FOOTBALL AND A COUPLE OF BEERS, ESPECIALLY A TEXANS GAME!! 🙌

WITH FOOTBALL COMING UP SOON, WHY NOT FIND YOU A GREAT WAY TO ENJOY SOME FOOD WHILE YOU KICK IT?

I REMEMBER MEETING BRIAN THROUGH SOME FRIENDS AT A LOCAL SUSHI RESTAURANT IN PASADENA CALLED, LITTLE TOKYO. BRIAN WORKED AT THIS ESTABLISHMENT FOR AROUND 10 YEARS, INTRODUCING HIM TO A WORLD OF FOOD AND BUSINESS THAT HE WOULD LATER USE TO HELP HIM DISCOVER HIS LOVE FOR COOKING PROFESSIONALLY.

AT AN EARLY AGE, BRIAN WAS ACCUSTOMED TO BEING AROUND THE KITCHEN WITH HIS MOM AND DAD, LATER MAKING IT A TRADITION TO MEET UP FOR THANKSGIVING. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET INVITED TO THE FAMILY RANCH WHERE I WAS ABLE TO ENJOY SOME OF THE FAMILY TRADITIONS. COOKING IS JUST SOMETHING HE WAS ALWAYS AROUND, WHETHER IT WAS HIS BROTHER BRAD COOKING ON THE GRILL, OR HIS MOM MAKING HER DELICIOUS FRIED CHICKEN.

AFTER PUTTING THOUGHT INTO THIS HOBBY OF COOKING, BRIAN DECIDED TO JOIN THE ART INSTITUTE OF HOUSTON. WHERE HE WOULD LEARN THE ELEMENTS AND VISUAL ASPECTS OF COOKING IN CULTURE TO FINE DINING AND CUISINE.

AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE INSTITUTE, BRIAN BEGAN A BUSINESS IN COOKING AS A PERSONAL AT-HOME CHEF. COOKING FOR HIS GUESTS IN PRIVATE AND LUXURY OF THEIR HOME, RANGING FROM COCKTAIL PARTIES, TO A MORE INTIMATE TIME WITH THE CLIENT.

BEING FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MEET BRIAN BEFORE HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER AS A CHEF, HELPED ME SEE THAT WORKING TOWARDS YOUR GOAL IS A PROCESS IN LIFE, THAT COMES WITH HARD WORK AND THE VISION TO DO IT. I MEAN WHO WOULDN'T WANT A CHEF AS A FRIEND! CHEERS BUD. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

VISIT BRIAN'S WEBSITE TO CHECK OUT HIS WORK AND SERVICES.

 

WWW.CHEFBOYARDADDY.COM

 

 

 

BRIAN BRUMLEY aka CHEFBOYARDADDY

SAMMY

A DAY OF SUN IS ALWAYS A GREAT DAY FOR PHOTOGRAPHS. AT LAST, AFTER A BUSSY COUPLE OF MONTHS I WAS ABLE TO GO OUT AND TAKE SOME PHOTOS. I FEEL THAT EXERCISING WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO STRENGTHENS YOUR END RESULT, AND KEEPS YOUR LIFE AND THOUGHTS BALANCED. GETTING TO PHOTOGRAPH SAMMY WAS A REMINDER THAT NO MATTER HOW BUSSY I GET, ITS ALWAYS GOOD TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND JUST BRING IT BACK DOWN TO THE BASICS OF KEEPING YOURSELF AT PEACE, IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR HIM TO GAIN SOME CONFIDENCE AND JUST SEE HOW IT WAS TO EXPLORE THE WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF SHOOTING, HE WAS ON THE SAME CHANNEL AS I WAS, MAKING HIS PHOTO SHOOT SO MUCH FUN AND EASIER TO WORK WITH.

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PIECES

A LITTLE THRIFTING BEFORE CLASS.

IT'S EASY TO LOOSE TRACK OF TIME WALKING AROUND A ANTIQUE PLACE, U CAN SIT AND WONDER ALL THESE STORIES ON WHERE ITS BEEN, AND HOW THEY GOT THERE. AFTER LOOKING AROUND FOR QUITE SOMETIME, I SAW SOME COOL TREASURES AND REFLECTED ON THE FACT THAT WE WILL ONE DAY WITHER AWAY, LEAVING BEHIND THESE MATERIAL ARTIFACTS THAT LAST LONGER THAN WE DO.

CREATIONS INSPRED BY EMOTION AND EXPERIENCE FROM LIFE, IS WHAT EMBODIES US TO CREATE AND SHARE. AS I LOOKED AROUND, I SAW A PIECES OF LIFE THAT WHERE ONCE CARED FOR, LOOKED AFTER AND APPRECIATED.

LETS NOT FORGET THAT TIME IS TICKING, SO LETS MAKE THE BEST OF IT.

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RAMEN NIGHT!


HAVING A GREAT DINNER SETS THE NIGHT AFTER A GREAT DAY.

HOUSTON IS KNOWN FOR HAVING A DIVERSE SELECTION OF FOOD CHOICES AND OFFERS A VARIETY OF NIGHTLIFE SCENARIOS TO FINISH OFF ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.

AFTER A COOL AND RELAXED AFTERNOON , I CALLED UP SOME FRIENDS TO TAKE ON SOME GREAT RAMEN TO LIGHTEN OUR MOODS.

WE BEGAN OUR NIGHT CATERING TO OUR TONGUES BY ORDERING A HOUSE DRINK INSPIRED BY THE CLASSIC OLD FASHION, THE KIYUSHIKI.

THE ASSEMBLY OF THIS DRINK MATCHES THE ANTICIPATION IN TASTE, A LAYER OF FLAVOR TO COMPLIMENT OUR BEVERAGE BEGINS WITH A SIMPLE SYRUP MADE WITH SHITAKE MUSHROOMS. SHE ADDED THE JAPANESE WHISKEY IN A CHILLED GLASS EMBODIED BY A SQUARE ICE-CUBE, SWIRLING TOGETHER THE WHISKEY BITTERS AND SYRUP THE CHILLED THE LIQUIDS AND STRAINED THEM INTO A FRESH CUP GARNISHED WITH A MUDDLED ORANGE PEEL AND CLOVES.

AFTER A COUPLE OF LAUGHS AND GOOD CONVERSATION, WE ORDERED OUR RAMEN.

DOUBLE EVERYTHING,SPICY, AND SEARED THE PORK TO A SOFT INSIDE AND CRISPY TOP LAYER.

U KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS.

I WILL END THIS HERE..... LET ME GET BACK TO MY RAMEN. 🤓

 

 

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DAY-DREAMING IN A DARK PLACE

A SLEEPLESS NIGHT I LAY AND WONDER, LISTENING TO FRANK AND SOUNDS OF THUNDER. 

IN MY ROOM. 

IN MY HEAD IS WHERE I SEE MY BLUE HUES TURN BLACK AND WHITE, I LAY BUT FLOAT WITH MEMORIES FROM THAT NIGHT.

COLD. 

IN THE PRESENT IS WHERE I AM, BUT IN THE PAST IS WHERE IT STAYED.

IN THE DARK.

TODAY I SAY, TODAY. I LET THESE DAY- DREAMS TAKE ME TO WHAT WAS AND WILL NEVER BE AGAIN.

I LOVE THIS PLACE.

I AM WHERE I DREAM I AM, I FEEL WHAT I DREAM I FEEL. 

IN MY HEAD. 

S.M

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GOVERNMENT

•SOMETIMES I WONDER WHY I FIND COMFORT IN THE EMPTINESS OF THINGS.

NOT SURE IF ITS BECAUSE OF THE SILENCE, OR THE FACT THAT I KNOW IT WILL SOON FILL AND BECOME THE TOTAL OPPOSITE OF THE STATE THAT IT'S IN.

TODAY ADJOURNED THE LAST DAY OF MY WINTER MINI CLASS. IT WAS A COOL EXPERIENCE GETTING TO MEET OTHER STUDENTS FROM OTHER SURROUNDING AREAS. 

ONE MORE SEMESTER LEFT AND IM HOME FREE!

LEE COLLEGE BAYTOWN , TX

LEE COLLEGE

BAYTOWN , TX

SUEÑOS DE HAVANA

IT WAS A SLOW BUSINESS DAY, UNUSUAL FOR A PLACE LIKE THE CUBAN CAFÉ IN BAYTOWN, TX. SERVING FROM DELICIOUS TRADITIONAL CUBAN SANDWICHES, TO THE CLASSIC “ROPA VIEJA” PLATE.

I TOOK A SEAT AT MY USUAL CHAIR CLOSE TO THE ESPRESSO MACHINE. A PLACE OF COMFORT FOR ME TO ENJOY A CAFÉ CORTADO WITH A YUMMY CUBAN SANDWICH WITH EXTRA PICKLES. OH YEA, CAN’T FORGET THE BREAD TOASTED ON BOTH SIDES.

A NEW FACE APPROACHED ME BY THE NAME OF CARMEN. SHE POLITELY ASKED, “QUE TE PIDO NIÑO?” SHE SAID,MEANING, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE CHILD? QUICKLY NOTICING HER HEAVY ACCENT, I ASKED IF SHE WAS FROM CUBA.

“YES I AM! , BORN AND RAISED”. CARMEN RESPONDED. I WAS TAKEN BACK BY THE PRESENCE SHE HAD IN HER VOICE WHEN SHE SPOKE. I CONTINUED TO ASK HER IF SHE COULD PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT CUBA, AND HOW I WANTED TO VISIT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

WE SPOKE ABOUT HER CHILDHOOD MEMORIES IN HAVANA, DESCRIBING THE WONDERS OF CUBA IN CONTRAST TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT DICTATES.

WHO WOULD OF THOUGHT THAT I WOULD LEAVE THAT DAY WITH A HEAVY HEART.

I CONTINUED TO INVADE HER SPACE BY ASKING HER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DELICIOUS FOOD SHE PREPARES FOR THE CUSTOMERS, FOLLOWED BY A GESTURE OF APPRECIATION FOR MAKING MY DAY A LITTLE BETTER EVERY TIME I WENT IN THERE.

SHE SHARED INTIMATE MEMORIES ABOUT HER FAMILY BACK HOME AND OUR BLITHE CONVERSATION QUICKLY CHANGED, AND PROPOSED A DIFFERENT TONE IN HER SOFT VOICE.

ILEGAL-IMMIGRATION IS A COMMON THING WITHIN THE STATES, AND SEEKING POLITICAL ASYLUM FOR A BETTER LIFE IS WORTH EVERYTHING FOR SOME PEOPLE.

SHE DREW A MAP FOR ME AND EXPLAINED THE EXPEDITION FROM HAVANA, CUBA TO MIAMI. GIVING ME A SYNOPSIS ON THE ROUTE SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE TO AVOID DEATH WITHIN THE DEADLY WINDS AND WEATHER FORMATION FROM THE AREA.

CARMEN BEGAN HER VOYAGE TO AMERICA, SEEKING A BETTER LIFE  AFTER BEING INFORMED OF HER FIRST HUSBAND'S DISAPPEARANCE AT SEA.

“I COULD SEE THE LIGHTS FROM THE AMERICAN COAST EVERY TIME WE RODE THE SWELL OF THE WAVE BEFORE IT CAME CRASHING DOWN.” CARMEN SAID. AS SHE HELD HER 2 CHILDREN WITHIN THE PROTECTION OF HER ARMS. “I JUST WANTED THEM TO MAKE IT HOME SAFE, EVEN IF IT TOOK MY LIFE TO SAVE THEM”.

TO THEIR DISMAY, CARMEN AND HER CHILDREN WERE PICKED UP BY A RUSSIAN VESSEL ONLY A FEW NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE AMERICAS.  TAKING HER AND HER CHILDREN BACK TO CUBA. AS I SAW THIS WOMAN GO BACK IN TIME TO A PLACE SHE LEFT IN CUBA, ALL I COULD SEE IS HER NOSTALGIC STARE.

TIME WENT ON AND HEALED HER WOUNDS, AND CARMEN'S FATE WOULD ONCE AGAIN BE SHOOK.

CARMEN WAS EVENTUALLY EXILED FROM CUBA AND ALMOST KILLED AFTER PROTESTING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IN REVERENCE OF HER FIRST BORN CHILD, AT THE AGE OF 14, HER SON WAS KILLED BY A LOW RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IN A DRUNK-DRIVING INCIDENT. BECAUSE OF INJUSTICE IN THE SYSTEM, THIS DROVE A HURT MOTHER TO FIGHT FOR ONLY RIGHT SHE WAS NEVER GIVEN.

LITTLE DID CARMEN KNOW, THE MORNING OF MOTHERS-DAY WOULD BE THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HER SON.

LITTLE DID SHE KNOW WHAT THIS MEANT TO ME.

LITTLE DID I KNOW IT WOULD REMIND ME TO ENJOY THE LIFE GOD HAS ME. 


-GRACIAS CARMEN.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME AND READING TODAY.

S.M

 

HUNTER VS HUNTER

IT WAS A COLD AND RAINY SUNSET THE NIGHT OF MY FIRST SUCCESSFUL HUNT, KILLING A WHITE-TAIL DOE.

MY FINGERS FROZEN FROM THE COLD STEEL, & MY HEART STILL BEATING PROFOUNDLY AS I SHOOK THIS NEW PROFOUND EXPERIENCE.

I PUT MY RIFLE DOWN, THEN SHOT THIS OWL WITH MY CAMERA.

A MUCH MORE FAMILIAR EXPERIENCE THAT BROUGHT BACK WARMTH TO ME.

MASON, TX

MASON, TX

SURREAL

A new year is among us, leaving behind memories, special moments, and for some, even loved ones. As we conclude this past year, we continue our journey in present time. Bringing with it new opportunity for growth, adventure and discovery.

 I was fortunate enough today to witness, and capture a photo of my nephew trying to figure out his shadow against the light.

 -S.M

 

 "Self-observation is the first step of inner unfolding"

-Amit Ray

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SHAWN

SHAWN SITTING AT HIS STUDIO CHAIR.

A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE WE SHOT THIS PHOTO, SHAWN AND I TALKED ABOUT HOW HE GOT INTO ART AT AN EARLY AGE. SUCCESFULLY I GOT HIM TO THINK A LITTLE ABOUT HIMSELF, AND NOT ABOUT ME AND THE CAMERA. THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF THINGS I CAN SAY TO DESCRIBE HOW HIS PASSION DRIVES THAT MOVEMENT OF HIS. 

CHEERS TO A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL FUTURE MY FRIEND.

SHAWN IS  CURRENTLY WORKING ON SEVERAL ART PIECES HE WILL SOON BRING TO LIGHT.

 

-S.M 

-SHAWN'S PERSONAL STUDIO CLEARLAKE, TX

-SHAWN'S PERSONAL STUDIO

CLEARLAKE, TX

TREASURE HUNTER

ON THE THURSDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING DINNER, I WALKED UP TO DICK AND WATCHED HIM STARE AT THIS SILVER SPOON HE WAS TRACKING DOWN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. I SAT THERE AND TOOK PHOTOS WHILE HE GAVE ME A SMALL LESSON ABOUT THIS OLD METAL HE WAS ADMIRING. DICK HAS SEARCHED FOR METALS AND OTHER ARTIFACTS IN THE GROUND FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW. I LISTENED AND REFLECTED ON THE WAY SOMETHING YOU LOVE CAN JUST FREEZE TIME AROUND YOU AS IF THE WORLD WAS STOPPED.

THANK YOU DICK.

-S.M

-LAZY B RANCH

MASON TX.

PERSONAL VENDETTA

AS THE YEAR CLOSES IN ON US, I FOUND MYSELF REFLECTING ON THE PAST CONVICTIONS I DROVE MYSELF TO DWELL ON. I SIT BACK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT I HAVEN'T FELT A HUNGER I ONCE HAD TO CONTINUE TO GROW AS AN ARTIST.

 

-S.M

MASON, TX

MASON, TX