I’m not a real descriptive writer. That’s why I’m a photographer, a visual artist. I let my images tell the story. Cubans were very friendly, interested and loved to interact. Tour guides loved to tell the stories of the Revolution and the strength of the culture. Owners of paladores wanted to not only share their tasty cuisine but the stories of their families. Street vendors along with the hustlers were happy to share their smiles. Others just wanted to enjoy their siesta.
My three Gds (l-r) Payton, Natty and Parker
This post is actually for my Granddaughter, Payton. I hope someday she spends some time and reads my blog to see what “PoppaZ” did and thought. But I’m a little ahead of myself.
Payton Jo Rohrer was born seven years ago yesterday. It has been a crazy time. Having a grand daughter is the best reminder that you’re not young anymore. I’m not….
I was very blessed to have been invited to see the birth of Payton. I was there documenting the experience until the doctor told me to get out. A short time later we heard the newborn cry. And there she was.
Payton created a lot of fun even before she was born. Her mom, Tiffany, and I had several heated discussions about the choice of Payton as a name. My argument, it’s a boy’s name and as a Charger’s fan, it’s the same as Payton Manning, our arch nemesis, on the football field. I lost the argument, and Payton Jo it was.
Personally, I was hoping she’d be born on the 4th of July. It would be special imagining her sharing a famous holiday as PoppaZ does (Cinco de Mayo). But once again true to her Mom’s stubbornness Payton arrived on the 3rd instead. She wasn’t going to share here birthday with anyone….. Happy Bday Pay.
I am a procrastinator…… there, I admitted it, finally. Obviously I am if I’m just now jumping on the blogging bandwagon. I’m not sure what it is, whether it’s to show a little more insight into who I am, drive traffic to my great website www.zwink.com, talk about my life or maybe just explain a little bit about a gorgeous little girl who has totally messed up my life.
I was born May 5th, 1955. I’ve had a great life growing up in a nurturing small Kansas farm town and eventually moved to San Diego. I like to say I was a kid in Kansas and became an adult in San Diego. I’m now a commercial photographer based in San Diego with a great wife and three grown kids. Even as they grew up, I was consumed with photography. I always wanted to be where the action was to shoot and document it all. And I did what I could. The Super Bowl twice, World Series, All Star games, Rose Bowl, Holiday Bowl and the America’s Cup just to name a few of the biggies. So then it happened……
Payton Jo Rohrer was born July 3rd, 2007 to my daughter Tiffany and her hubby Chris, aka “Dough”. I was asked to be in the labor room with them until the doctor came in and kicked me out. I was overwhelmed when I saw her for the first time. Even though she was my grand daughter I didn’t realize you could be attached emotionally to someone else’s child like I was with her. Wow….. almost like when her mom was born. While I was staying with them in Arizona for the next few days I started questioning whether I’d been around enough for my daughter and her sibs as they grew up. Tiffany so tactfully said that “I was there when she needed me”. I still wonder. So I now strive to find that balance. I don’t want to miss more of my family growing up, any of them.
I really am trying to find that balance. I’ve started to market more for architectural work. Maybe if I go and look for the work instead of waiting for it I can spend less wasted time at the office. Don’t get me wrong. If anything I feel more passionate about my work and feel after all these years that I finally know what my “style and vision” is. More on that later.
So, enough for a first entry. I hope to use this blog to share a little of my life, travels, my photography and family including the dogs and cats. I’ve never kept a journal before so this adventure could get rocky. I hope you enjoy it.
My other work can be viewed at: www.zwink.com
