My 2010 holiday wishes to all

No matter what your faith is, or what your ecumenical or theological beliefs are, this is the one time of year when we all wish each other the happiest of holidays, the warmest of cheer, the true seasons’ greetings and peace on earth, good will toward all.

Let me take this moment right now, while I’m parked in front of my computer on Christmas morning, before I go out this weekend and take my last Kodachrome photographs, to extend my holiday wishes.

First, to my daughter Cassaundra Miller, who has grown up so much in the past year, and to her friend Kelsie Koja, who makes Cassaundra very happy.  I’m glad my daughter has grown up into a strong and secure adult, and hopefully I did the best I could as a parent to guide her on her way to the future.

To my Street Academy trivia teammates Jeremy McNamara and Alexis Curry, two of the best teammates anyone could ever hope for.  I’ve had trivia teammates in the past and sometimes they’ve worked out and sometimes they haven’t; but the two of you have really made what was once a “one-man-wrecking-crew” into a full-fledged trivia powerhouse.  Plus, it’s always nice to know that we can hang out on non-trivia events, whether it’s at Ultimate tournaments or anything in between.

And for that matter, to all the trivia hosts out there – Kevin Baker, General James, Paulie, Stephen Murray, Anthony and Dan at Meka’s Lounge, and everywhere else in the Capital Region.  Thanks for providing a fun outlet for those of us who want to get together, answer some questions, and drink and eat and sometimes win money and prizes.

To the staff at DePaula Chevrolet-Hummer, who helped me get through a very traumatic loss (my dearly departed 1991 Pontiac 6000) and helped me get a car that I love just as much (my 2005 Saturn Ion Cardachrome).

To the staff at Mohler and Choo, D.D.S., who helped get my dental health back on the right track.  Even with the cute dental hygienist, Miss Brace, and the cute dental technician Mrs. Colgate.

To the owners, staff and players of the Premier Basketball League, including Chairman of the Board Severko Hrywnak, M.D., Director of Operations Carrie Ann May, Director of Officials Phil DiMaso, Administrative Assistant Jessica Gonzales – and those associated with the Vermont Frost Heaves, Kebs de Quebec, Rochester RazorSharks, Halifax Rainmen, Manchester Millrats / Saint John Mill Rats, Dayton Air Strikers, Kentucky Bluegrass Stallions, and the previous teams in Buffalo, Maryland and Puerto Rico – whether I’ve traveled to Nova Scotia or New York, to Maryland or to New Hampshire, Vermont or Quebec, no matter where I’ve gone, I’ve always felt welcome in your buildings and with your teams.  I’ve worked with and for many different minor league sports organizations, and I can say with absolute certainty that the Premier Basketball League is tops among them all.

To the crew at Ritz Camera in Crossgates Mall, and to the staff at McGreevy Pro Lab, both of whom have helped me put together award-winning photographic presentations.  I could not have won as many awards this year had it not been for the help of your staffs in foam-boarding and printing and presenting my works for display.

To Meghan Murphy and the organizers of Schenectady Art Night, for helping me set up my first art show and helping me cross another thing off my life list.  And for that matter, to her and Polaroid Pete and Kim and the rest of the staff at Stuyvesant Photo, who always take time to talk to customers and answer any questions.

To the crew at Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas, for not only developing my dozens of rolls of Kodachrome, but also being patient with all my questions about development dates and times and stuff.  And yes, I will be using Dwayne’s in the future for other film development.

To the production crew of the motion picture Salt, where I worked as a “car extra” for a couple of weeks to help earn just enough money to finally get my Nikon D700 – and for allowing footage of my Pontiac 6000 to survive the “cutting room floor” and appear in the film itself.

To Arnoff Moving and Storage, who allowed me to take pictures of the Nipper statue atop their warehouse.  Dream come true.

To the New York State Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, for allowing me to take pictures at night off the Helderberg Escarpment and capture the beautiful star trails over the Capital District; and for directing me to the best locations to shoot images of the illuminated and fireworks-blessed Niagara Falls.

To the staff of St. Agnes Cemetery, for helping me not only achieve a fantastic photograph – the Star Trails image that won the cemetery photo contest – but also to help me finally bring closure to something that should have been done forty years ago.

To companies such as Blurb.com and CreateSpace.com, who have helped me in assembling two art books (Ghost Signs of the Capital District, Motivations Vol. 1), and the publication of my original fiction novel (The Robins of Iverhill: A Minor League Fairy Tale).

To all the trivia teams I’ve played against – the ones I’ve beaten and the ones who have beaten me – including Lynch’s Mob, Tres Hombres, Surf Tulsa, Stern Fans, A Few Cards Short of a Deck, Woo Hoo a Go Go, Skid Marks, The Wrong Guy, Team Schooled, Get That Poison Out, Blue Mooned, Just the Tips (both teams – the ones at Brown’s and the other team with the same name at Elbo Room), Da Bears, Sneaky Petes, Boats and  Hoes, and everyone else.

To the wait staff and bartenders at Pizzeria UNO, Brown’s Brewing, Meka’s Lounge, Elbo Room, McGeary’s, Legends, Graney’s and every other place I’ve had my din-din before I win-win… sorry, couldn’t resist using that one… again…

To my friends Bob Crosby, Tracy Rogers, Tony Butala and the rest of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, Pennsylvania.  Your organization has done so much for artists and performers in terms of both honoring them and protecting their rights.  All the best.

To Glenn Slingerland and the staff of the Glenn Slingerland Situation, who let me be on their show and to meet the pretty girls known as the Situation Stars.  Hope to do it again in the new year.

To those who watch over us in time of need, and for those whom we watch over in time of care.

To those who have taken dogs out of horrible situations, and granted them the chance to spend the rest of their life fetching a stick or curling up in front of a fireplace.

To those who have taken cats out of miserable living conditions, and given them a chance to spend the rest of their life lapping up milk in a dish or purring on a lap.

To Michael Huber, the person who brought me into the Times Union family of bloggers – and to my fellow TU bloggers, including – but not limited to – Naomi Seldin, Teri Conroy, Kevin Marshall, Amanda Talar, Roger Green, Marianne DiNapoli M.D., Sonja Stark, Don Rittner, Susan Holland, Daniel Nester, Jeannine Trimboli and all the rest.

To those bloggers who operate outside of the Times Union blogiverse, who have also set up their own successful blog portals – including Greg and Mary at All Over Albany; Greg at Nippertown; J. Eric Smith and the crew at Indie Albany; Rob Madeo at Keyboardkrumbs.com; Alan Pinney at Project Movie House; and so many many more.

Lumps of coal are to be handed out to Steven Dock at Rocky Mountain Film Lab (who still holds my roll of Kodacolor-X C-22 film hostage after 10 months).

And now in tribute…

I raise a drink to those who have crossed over to peace in 2010, including TU blogger and political reporter Jay Gallagher.

I raise a drink for the innocent, including dance major and college student Jenni-Lyn Watson, and musician and college student Tyler Clementi.  You are remembered in the hearts of all who love you.

I raise a drink in honor of Harriet Gibbons High School / Street Academy of Albany, thanks for 40 years of educating those who were in need.  Your legacy will never be forgotten.

I raise a drink in the memory of John Strickland.  Rest in peace, Franchise.  You finished your breakfast.

I raise a drink to those who entertained my childhood, including Gumby / Davey and Goliath creator Art Clokey and Speed Racer voice actor Peter Fernandez.

I also raise a drink for the one year I was blessed in photographing with Kodachrome.  What a great and rewarding experience.

I also raise a drink to the Technics SL-1200 MK2, the  greatest phonograph turntable ever manufactured.

I also raise a drink to one of the longest relationships I’ve ever been involved with.  Sixteen years was a very long time.  God bless you, Vicki.

And to you, my dear reader – whether you read my blog every day or once in a while, whether you read my blog for the photographs or the personal stories, for the triumphs or for the tragedies, whether I’ve brought a smile to your face or a tear to your eye, I hope that whatever I’ve written – whether heartfelt or snarky or wry or reverent – has made reading my blog worthwhile for you.

To all those people and organizations, and especially to you dear reader, who for some reason took a quick glimpse at my blog between opening presents, to see if yes indeed I would still have a fresh blog post on Christmas Day (and I did – my 602nd blog post since joining the TU blog community in August of 2009), I wish all of you the happiest of holiday seasons, peace on Earth, and a joyous and prosperous 2011.