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!

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!