Recharge & Voltz: Ramblings of Introversion "Recharge & Voltz" is about subjects on photography, videography, writing, tech gadgets, outdoors, family, and this thing we call Life. Feel free to contact me anytime. Thank you & Enjoy!

Ok, so some of you are aware I will be heading to Nebraska at the end of May to hunt/film a turkey hunt. For those of you that do not know. Upon creating a relationship with an acquaintance from a recent freelance video job through Paradise Louisiana, I have the privilege of joining Mr. Dennis Aucoin of Slaughter Logging out of Clinton, LA and his son William on a 3-day adventure to hunt Merriam’s Wild Turkey in Nebraska. The hunt will be hosted by Outdoor Adrenaline Guide Service http://outdooradrenaline.com/turkey.html located in Nebraska. This will be my first trip to a Guide Service/Outfitter for Wild Turkey and my first attempt to "tangle" with the Merriam’s sub-species of the wild turkey. Merriam’s turkeys are noted for their incredible heavy weights and light colored tail feather tips as well. It ought to be a great trip. Our departure will be from May 23rd and returning home on May 27th. Stay tuned for a full report!

SPP filmed Ms. Ainsley Beeman, Ms. LSU 2009, this past 2010 Spring on a Turkey Hunt in Clinton, LA. Although we did not harvest a Turkey this day, we did have a great time afield and did witness a "Close Encounter" with a hen.

WOW... is all I can say about my Paradise Louisiana Video Shoot yesterday with Host Mr. Dennis Aucoin of Slaughter Logging and Hunter "Ms. LSU" Ainsley Beeman. MISSION: to capture Ms. LSU harvesting a Wild Turkey for Paradise LA TV Show, but that's not where the excitement & action happened to be on this day. The hunt itself was just that, a hunt. Old "Tom" Turkey did not cooperate with showing himself on this day, although it was great to hear my first "Gobbles" of the year from two birds dug in deep, back in a slough. Mr. Dennis did an outstanding job of roosting and putting us in a "hot spot" for turkey activity; the birds were gobbling and many hens showed themselves, but just no "Big Boy." It was a two camera set up with Mr. Dennis running one across the field and myself filming with Ms. Ainsley. The hunt was a bust, with video highlights of a close encounter (about 10 yards away) visit of a hen and the interview from Ms. LSU herself!

After the hunt, Dennis says, "Come back to the house... we're having Chicken Dumplings.." So we did. Took a brief tour of the hunting tract then headed for the "Aucoin Compound" for a feast! Pulling into the drive, we were greeted by Dennis' Jeweler & Investor as they stepped out from the Mercedes. The Jeweler, Mr. Richard Buscemi of Anton’s and Mr. Chad, the Investor were up from Baton Rouge for a visit to show Dennis' Fiance' some new pieces of "The Sparkley's," BLING in lamens terms. Upon introductions I recognized his last name..."BUSCEMI..." I asked if he were any relations to Steve Buscemi the Actor; you know, Mr. Pink from Reservoir Dogs, The Villain in Fargo, also in Armageddon & Con Air! I asked this jokingly of course.... he says, "Yep, he's my Cousin." As we entered the home, there were people everywhere... Scott Owens from SPP, Ms. LSU, Dennis, his Fiance', Dennis' good friend Mr. Tom, the Jeweler, the Investor, Dennis' Dog Trainer, His Uncle, the Cook, etc... It was crazy!! Dennis says,

"... it's always like this for lunch. You just never know who will stop in ..."

Sitting in the Dining room was reminiscent of Fine Southern Living, "Old Corrant-Style" so to speak. The dialogue over lunch was engaging, humorous, and intriguing to say the least. The amount of people Mr. Dennis knows is mind blowing.... Dinners & Galla's with Sean Payton, etc... Dennis is associated in some form or fassion to all of the above: LA Logging Assoc., LA Forestry Assoc., Boy Scouts of America, Board/Chapter of the NWTF, Board of Jurors for East Feleciana Parish, Sponsar for the Children's Miracle Network and this is just the tip of the iceberg, I'm sure there are many more. The highlights of the luncheon banter came when they brought up their personal Tailor Mr. Manuel Martinez, in which Dennis, the Jeweler, & the Investor all share. The story of Mr. Martinez is amazing, he came to Lake Charles, LA as an immigrant, was taken in by a wealthy southern family and while here honed his craft & skills for fine Men's Clothing & Tailoring. Today, Mr. Martinez is known as one of the Top 5 Tailor's in the Nation. He owns and operates his business, Martinez Custom Clothiers in Baton Rouge, LA (http://www.martinezcustom.com/). Many times at the table Ms. LSU & I would look at each other in amazement and just wonder what life here for the Aucoin's is like on a day-to-day basis.

After saying our goodbyes and leaving with a full belly of outstanding southern-style food at its finest, I drove down Highway 67 with a smile on my face, reminiscing already of the days events, pondering.... was this real.... did I just enter the "Twilight Zone" for a moment in time??? Nope....it was just another day in the Life of a Professional Logger & Landowner from a small town in Clinton, LA!

A big "THANK YOU"  goes out to Mr. Dennis Aucoin of Slaughter Logging, Ms. Ainsley Beeman "Ms. LSU 2009" for being such a trooper/hunter even though her allergies were driving her mad, and to Mr. Gary Rispone of Paradise LA who made this all possible for myself to film and experience. Here are a few images from the hunt, Enjoy!

Gavin and Dad headed out to the Bonne Carre Spillway this past Saturday for a little quality time on the water. We headed all the way to the back section close to the lake as I knew of some nice secluded spots to look for Irises'. You'll notice towards the end of the slideshow Gavin is draped in my camo polartec jacket; you'll see a log Gavin was at too, we tried to sneak just under that log and tipped a bit getting the cockpit of the yak filled with water!! Both of us had wet "back-sides" after that one (notice we both wore our life vests as well). Upon leaving the spillway, we noticed some Military at the launch, seems they had drills or test runs with these odd boats. Notice that onboard the trucks they are "capsule" shaped, but in the water they open up, etc....Cool! All in all we had a great trip, I wouldn't trade it for anything!

OK, it all started this morning as usual with waking up, getting Gavin fed and ready for school; normally were out the door for 8-8:30am. This morning though I had an extreme case of scat-attack, a bad one came over me and an immediate release of the putrid waste was needed. With all this I did not get Gavin to school until 9:45am. OK, where am I going with this...have patience. I listen to WWL 870AM in the mornings; The Bob Delgirno Show is first with Garland's “Think Tank” Show starting at 10am. I usually get to work when the “Think Tank” is just starting or before it starts, etc. Due to my scatting fiasco, I listened to the Think Tank; Garland was interviewing a guy about New Orleans Entrepreneurship and how to get started with an idea, biz plan, etc. Was this fate???? Who the shit knows, but it stirred a fire yet again in the sense that I am not doing exactly what I want; I am not being challenged anymore. I am fed up with "waiting" for things to happen. Life is too short to wait. We are only here for a short time, I want to "DO" something both fulfilling, exciting, and with purpose, etc. Is it wrong to “Want” this? Should I just be content knowing I have a good job and that I am providing for my family? Can’t I have both if I have the skills, knowledge, & resources?
     Let's face reality...I doubt I am going to get rich slinging wedding videos & selling decent photo prints, nor do I think I will get rich with this possible endeavor either. Sure the possibility is there, but how long before I become "known and/or established?" Here I am a Geospatial Professional with additional highly developed skills in both Photography, Videography, MultiMedia, and Post-Production work. I want to combine these. I am going to seek further information into building/creating an Aerial Photography/MultiMedia Company that will be the first of its kind possibly in the Southeastern Region of the states, definitely in the New Orleans Arena. This interviewee spoke on aid/help for young Entrepreneurs; how to create a real Biz plan, how to identify your markets, is there a market, financial aid, etc. I am going to find out who this man is and make an appointment to speak with him about my idea.... Scout Pro UAS (Unmanned Aerial Services).
      I'm fed up! I'm ready and willing to dedicate my hard work and valued time to something I believe in if there is a possibility for success. My only two main obstacles are finances & if the markets are there. I stopped short last year with this momentum due to the fact that I am ignorant to any aid that might actually exist to thrust me further; shot down by startup costs, risk of failure and not being able to provide for my family when we need it the most…are all on the forefront of my mind. Can't both Risk, Knowledge, Research, Planning, Finances, etc. all be overcome? I think they can... I want to believe they can; I just do not know enough about what is available "out there" to aid me in this quest and for this reason I will pursue like a battering ram to find out. At the end of my life I want to know that I had done everything I could to see if this could be attained...no regrets. After all this is still the United States of America...a place where dreams still can become reality if you play the maze correctly.... at least the USA “is what is” for maybe just a little while longer; maybe I can “get in” just under the "cap" in time before it crumbles, as it will.
    What will happen now? What information will I find out? How may it change my life and family’s life forever? Will I succeed? I am ravenous for this knowledge. I salivate of the idea that maybe, just maybe one day I will be running my own company and making a sustainable living at it for myself and family... that's all I want. What do you want?

.... TO BE CONTINUED.

My son Gavin and his Nanna walking up the isle to present the palms on Easter Sunday 2010. Shot with the Pany GF1 on Program/Auto Movie-mode at 720 30p. You may need to pause the video after you start it to load enough buffer to play depending on your ISP settings, etc.

Enjoy!

Spent another great Easter in Bay St. Louis at the camp; weather was lousy, but we all enjoyed ourselves, most importantly the Kid-O's!!! Do you know of any other kids that experience Easter like this.....CRAZY!!!

Took the Kid-O's to St. Paul's Methodist Church in Harahan; Mrs. Dorthy walked Gavin up the isle as he carried the Palms. Gavin was a little embarrassed, but did a great job! Press the "Play" button to start the video.

Enjoy!