When I think of a simple occasion, yet one that can often become a most memorable one, good friends sharing an excellent meal is at the top of the list.  Many years ago, visiting the West coast on business, my long-time friend, Dave, invited me over to dinner to meet his wife, Melissa.

After working a full day in an executive position, Melissa served up a meal that was a culinary piece of art — both in appearance and flavor. I was quietly in awe. After that evening, I don’t believe I ever mentioned it to them again, but it was as casual as it was uniquely special, becoming a simply unforgettable (as well as an unforgettably simple) occasion that still elicits a warm smile.

Success in the culinary arts requires passion, just as any art form does.

The Culinary School Guide

Recently, I discovered that the online Culinary School Guide published their list of the Top 100 Useful Search Engines for Chefs, Cooks and Food Lovers.  When you read down the list and begin to visit their selected sites, I suggest you begin at a comfortable time after eating a meal … don’t do it when you’re hungry.  It is eye-opening.  The sites they chose offer an incredible variety of sources to find virtually anything one could drool over — well, almost anything.
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The following post falls directly into the category of shameless self-promotion.

This is a closely monitored category by the Special POC Police Force. The POC consists solely of police cadets who failed training in any other police program — this is a group you do not want to mess with.

Those who break the rules concerning self-promotional activities are usually snatched-up, without warning, as they walk out their door, exit their car, or are just taking care of business in a public rest room. They are immediately blind-folded, and taken to the special venue established for public humiliation.  At that point, only the unspeakable remains.

So, to play it safe, I just checked the Big Book of Rules, sub-category Self-Promotion, sub-section Shameless or Flagrant, and there it was — it would appear that I am no where near my quota.  Actually, I’m in a credit status, telling me that I need to do more of these.

In any event, you can comfortably breath a collective sigh of relief.

WAIT! Don’t go yet. We haven’t arrived at the start.

Sorry about all that — just taking care of business (not as in the way used above).

OK, here’s the start:

MSNBC.com has a sub-section in the Travel sub-category titled Picture of the Week.

A photo that was exposed in the camera I was holding, loaded with Kodachrome 64, back in 1983, while shooting a Honda commercial in Arches National Park, is in this week’s finalists for Picture of the Week.  I would guess the idea now is to be the highest vote-getter.

So, to make it easier to find my photo on the MSNBC Web page, I created a focused version — simply click on the Web page thumbnail and you’ll see where my image is.

As it looks now, I don’t have a chance in hell of winning.  But, if you take the time to look at the page, and feel just a bit of pity … that’s good enough, as I’ll gladly accept a vote of pity.  And sharing this info with your closest friends (down to distant acquaintances) would be acceptable, too.

Just think how great you’ll feel as being part of a group that really made a difference — or, consider how you’ll feel if you don’t.

Lastly, please feel free to use any or all those little tiny buttons right there … see them? … just below these last few lines, for your added convenience.

Ready to Vote?   MSNBC’s PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Gracias … Thank you … Obrigado … Вы … 감사하십시오 … Merci
Dank u … 谢谢 … Σας ευχαριστούμε … ありがとう… Danke

FINE ART PRINTS

This photograph is also available as a high-resolution, gicleé print, with many sizes to choose from. Custom framing is also available.

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What would you do?

You become aware of secretive information that would directly hurt one or more of your friends — physically, financially or emotionally — and not only were those secrets meant to deceive, but you were even aware that their ongoing denial that secrets even exist, in itself, is just another deception.

You can look the other way, and avoid any risks that you would potentially be taking, and just feel lucky that those secrets will have no effect on you. Or, can that be your own denial?

You know you have your own issues to worry about, and you will simply play the safe game, and if the shit does hit your friends, as it most likely will, you’ll certainly offer some comfort, though of course you’ll do it in a safe place, so it doesn’t appear you’re on their side.

So, considering your decision, why do you call them friends?

Or, do you still have your integrity and morality?

To be continued . . .

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Well, yes, but only since 1995 … not nearly as long as photography, design or film making.
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An endorsement is humbling no matter where it originates, but occasionally the humbling is mixed with some pride when it’s printed in a respected industry journal.
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In a story on the growth of the web, and those being recognized for their lead, the respected advertising trade journal, AdvertisingAge, included Lar Matré with, “[Matré produces] clean, simple to navigate web site designs developed from a marketing perspective.” continue reading >>