new blogger friend

I have always valued true friendships. These are hard to find and are to be charished if you come upon one. If you have more than one of these, then you are truly blessed. Well, I have a new blogger friend, Jay, who has a blog called Jay's Blog. Its a simple title and to the point. You'll find his link in the right sidebar but if this will save you time, you'll also find it here.

Jay, I value all my friend's contributions to life and help them where I can. In return, we help each other through life's rough spots. We can never have too many friends. I look forward to reading more about your life, your interests and your joi de vivre! Will others follow your blog? My posting your link is certainly a start and may be destined to expand you circle of friends. Allow others to be part of your life, so collectively we become greater for it. I welcome you as my friend. May our friendship grow and prosper!!! - V.

male bonding

I first saw this photo of a group of guys arm in arm facing the sea with their butts toward the camera more than two years ago. It was on an Australian blog at the time though I'm certain that's not likely the first place it had appeared. Nudity brings us the feeling of freedom with the wind blowing through our hair and over our skin. Coupled with male bonding all are the same leaving their attire and station in life behind them. Ah yes, but here we'll have to wait until summer returns before we can do any frolicking in the nude. Its far too cold for that at the moment, unless you're in the tropic or in the southern hemisphere, in which case, take advantage of the pleasant weather! - V.

looking in the mirror

I guess at this point you have an idea what interests me. Guys with a lean, muscular physique certainly get my attention regardless of the angle the photo is taken. Here is another hot mirror image but unfortunately I don't have the name of the photographer. Grabs your interest does it? - V.

looking for male models

We have started an active search for prospective male models. The basic details are found at the bottom of this webpage but if you're male, over the age of 18, are in good to excellent shape, interested in modeling and live in the British Columbia lower mainland, then we'd love to hear from you. This would allow someone to expand their portfolio while allowing us to expand our own and benefits us all. The best photos would be posted on this blog (and the new website to follow). See the contact information at the bottom.

Brad's email address, which has been activated, will be included once he is ready to begin his part. We both look forward to this new challenge with great excitement. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Contact:

volker.bvartphotos@yahoo.ca

Thanks!!! - V.

Friday

Happy Friday. or as its commonly referred to, TGIF Day!!! The weekend is upon us and its been cool but sunny all week, since December 1st anyway. So its a weekend of sleeping in, catching up on things, shopping, paying the bills and with the weather as it is, getting out to get some photos taken. Its been quite frosty in the mornings lately and snow is a distinct possiility. Get cleaned up and have some fun. Enjoy your weekend, whatever it brings! More later. - V.

memories

Today I took the time to Google my old street address in southwestern Ontario and to have a look at the street view as the property is seen from the curbside. I was somewhat shocked by what I saw.

The roof was redone in a light brown shade of asphalt shingles but that wasn't the cause of the shock. Nor was it the fact that the shed had been moved. I had planned on doing that anyway and move it into the backyard if I had stayed but that wasn't it either. The new owners had a cast-iron planter at either side of the carport (at the front) but that wasn't it either. Well, what was a shock was that there was only trees and a lawn to be seen for the most part. Most of the flowerbeds with the flowering shrubs and roses were gone. The one bed that remained had been replanted.

The new owners have the right to do with their property what they will but from a point of stewardship of the land, the eco-system, it didn't make much sense to me. There was a lot of life on that property, like wild rabbits, bees and butterflies of all sorts. I can't say that the bees and butterflies are there anymore since there's nothing for them to sustain themselves on. There's lots of grass, so the rabbits may still be there. The same would hold for the birds since the trees are still there as well.

The lawn looks like a mono-culture affair, so the likelihood of chemicals (herbicides and pesticides) being used is high which is not a wise choice for the environment in my opinion. As a race we are paying the price now and will later with greater effects in the future if how we treat out environment isn't turned around. I spent years gardening using organic methods and rarely resorted to the use of chemicals to solve a problem, or a perceived issue. Aside from using organic methods, my view was to keep the eco-system strong and diversified.

All that aside, the front yard looks boring and uninteresting. No curbside appeal there either. But such is life. We live, we make mistakes or triumphs and learn from the results there of, or that's the hope. There's no sense in worrying about it since nothing will change the outcome. Such is life, so let's move on! - V.

Prospect Hill plays Roller Coaster

My friend Scott Herman sent me the link to this YouTube music video.  Its introduced by Scott himself, who plays a part in the video.  Prospect Hill is an up and coming band in the Boston, Massachusetts area of the United States.  Enjoy the video, and thanks for sending the link, Scott!!! – V.