eddiedonlin.com » Family http://eddiedonlin.com/blog ...husband, father, photographer...maniac for living! Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:18:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 I Found a Hobby http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/12/04/i-found-a-hobby/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/12/04/i-found-a-hobby/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:57:28 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=2169 Finally!  I’ve finally found a hobby that doesn’t require a camera…not that I was looking for one, but it’s nice to be able to enjoy something without creating more work to get to.

A few months back some friends and I decided we wanted to take a stab at making our own beer.  We drink enough of it, and we like good craft beers, so why not.  Benny got to work studying what we’d need to make it happen.  A couple of small investments later, we were ready to brew.

The first beer up was an IPA…there’s no way it wouldn’t be.  Benny and I both drink our fare share of it, so why not start with what we like.  The brew went well and we had a great time.  The only hard part was not being able to drink it immediately.  That first IPA had to sit for 3 weeks before it was ready for bottling!  So we kept ourselves busy with other beers…

Next up was a Belgian Wheat.  I’m not the biggest wheat fan, but at this point we’re just learning, so we’re brewing pretty much anything and everything.  We had another great 5+ hour brew session that night as well.  The wheat was brewed a week after the IPA, but both would be ready for bottling at the same time, as the wheat takes a week less.

So, two weeks after brewing the wheat Benny and I sat down to bottle 93 bottles of our own making.  A simple process really, but again we were cursed with beer not yet ready to drink.  Patience…it’s important to beer making, apparently.  With the bottling of the first two batches out of the way we got to work planning our next 2 brews…

For the next round of brewing we ran back to our favorite, the IPA.  This time we mixed it up a bit.  I tried a Dogfishhead 90 recipe and Benny went after a Ruination.  Two nights in a row of great brewing and learning…learning that mixing up your yeasts will probably not result in the beer you were aiming for…Oops!  Yep, we accidentally swapped the yeasts between the recipes.  Doh!  Oh well…lesson learned…the beers should actually be fine…we’ll know in a few weeks.

While these two IPA’s were fermenting, we finally had our first real beer casualty.  Benny’s Ruination was fermenting so intensely it blew the airlock off the top of the carboy.  Not a huge mess, and the beer wasn’t ruined, but something different for sure.

And that about brings us to this weekend.  This time we pushed the capacity of our setup and went for a double batch of the Belgian Wheat.  It’s takes nearly the same time and the grain costs are minimally different…and the first round of wheat was so popular with the folks that tried it, we thought we’d give it a go on a larger scale.  As has been the case, we had a blast brewing and are very much looking forward to the weekend before Xmas when a whole bunch of this stuff will start to be ready for sampling…

We’re having fun…We’re eventually going to be saving money…We’re learning lots of cool stuff…and it’s pretty neat to be able to create something we dig so much.  Oh, and the first 2 brews, the IPA and the Belgian Wheat…both are effing awesome!  They didn’t last long, but they were damn good while we had them…

Rock on!

 

]]> http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/12/04/i-found-a-hobby/feed/ 0 Susquehanna River Flood 2011 http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/09/10/susquehanna-river-flood-2011/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/09/10/susquehanna-river-flood-2011/#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:33:22 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=2077 On our way to dinner last night we stopped by the bridge in town to see the Susquehanna River swollen beyond its banks.  Most of Berwick sits way up from the river, but across the bridge in Nescopeck it’s a much different story.  In 2006 something very similar happened here, but this seems quite a bit more intense.  The bridge closing is a big deal…it never happens.  Like 5 years ago, throngs of people came out to see the river at near record levels. And seeing the river flowing through Nescopeck making it impossible to get from ‘here’ to ‘there’ without going way out of your way was wild.

 

Just crazy, that’s about all you can say.  Life’s adventures happen all around you…some are big…some are small…noticing them is the part the matters.

 

Rock on

 

I found a few shots from the 2006 event…added them at the end of these.


 

D33_4671 D33_4679 D33_4684 D33_4690 D33_4693 D33_4712 D33_4718 D33_4721 D33_4725 D33_4735 D33_4743 D33_4749 D33_4753 D33_4756 D33_4764 D33_4768 D33_4777 D33_4781 D33_4789 Flooding-28JUN06-7 Flooding-28JUN06-9 Flooding-28JUN06-18 Flooding-28JUN06-20 Flooding-28JUN06-53 Flooding-28JUN06-58 ]]> http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/09/10/susquehanna-river-flood-2011/feed/ 0 Maine 2011 http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/08/14/maine-2011/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/08/14/maine-2011/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 02:46:06 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=2048 Every year we head up to Maine to hang with whatever part of my family happens to be living there at the time.  An annual voyage of lobster, beer, family and breaking dads toys.  Had a great time as always; whipped out a few ‘camp projects’, did some knee-boarding and ignored quite a bit of real life for a few days.  I tend not to shoot much when I’m on vacation; one hand for beer, the other for s’mores…it’s tough, y’know.  But I couldn’t resist a few snaps of the girls playing with their Maniac cousins – plus my mom wouldn’t let me NOT shoot.

 

Reality is back in full swing…lots of editing to catch up on; weddings, seniors, families and whatnot…Maine was a nice break from it for a bit.  Here’s to making great memories with the ones that count the most!

 

Rock on

 

DiM-AUG2011--5 DiM-AUG2011--10 DiM-AUG2011--12 DiM-AUG2011--14 DiM-AUG2011--23 DiM-AUG2011--34 DiM-AUG2011--38 DiM-AUG2011--39 DiM-AUG2011--43 DiM-AUG2011--53 DiM-AUG2011--58 DiM-AUG2011--73 DiM-AUG2011--86 DiM-AUG2011--95 DiM-AUG2011--115 DiM-AUG2011--130 DiM-AUG2011--140 DiM-AUG2011--160 DiM-AUG2011--197 DiM-AUG2011--211 DiM-AUG2011--224 ]]> http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/08/14/maine-2011/feed/ 0 It’s “Take The Family To Work Day”! http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/07/02/its-take-the-family-to-work-day/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/07/02/its-take-the-family-to-work-day/#comments Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:48:58 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=1979 As often as possible we try to keep our little crew of ladies with us…if we can take them on a job, we do it.  They’ve had some crazy cool experiences and we’re pretty sure that’s a good thing! :D  For sure it can add to the logistics and whatnot that go into planning a shoot, particularly a location shoot with a few hours of driving in between, but it’s totally worth it.  I’m hoping they learn something about the balance between work and play…and perhaps realize that if you can make your play your work, you’re doing pretty well…

 

This past weekend we cruised down to Ocean City, Maryland to do some family portraits.  We put in the time Sunday evening and Monday morning getting what we needed for ‘work’, then took some time to hang out and enjoy a little of what going to the beach has to offer.  Watching Jazzy & Nora playing tag with the surf will never get old; and when the weather turned a little south we ran inside to do some underwater shooting in the hotel pool.  I love documenting the girls being girls…it’s what being a parent is all about!

 

…Jazzy also wanted me to make sure I mentioned that they were catching jellyfish too.  Sadly, I don’t think I got any shots of them as they were doing this while I was working with the family we were there to shoot.  Regardless, I can confirm that she actually did catch some…and yes, I think she’s crazy! :P

 

Love you girls! :D

 

P1050241 P1050242 P1050245 P1050258 P1050273 P1050291 P1050327 2 P1050330 2 SD2_1454 SD2_1466 SD2_1478 SD2_1480 SD2_1485 SD2_1502 SD2_1505 SD2_1509 SD2_1513 SD2_1528 SD2_1529 SD2_1546 ]]> http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/07/02/its-take-the-family-to-work-day/feed/ 0 Sunday Evening With The Ladies http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/02/27/sunday-evening-with-the-ladies/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/02/27/sunday-evening-with-the-ladies/#comments Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:33:23 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=1388 No real point to this, but we don’t need one…I had some gear at home and the girls were ready to go.  They’re so much fun…when we play by their rules! LOL

More fun than the Oscars! :P

DFP-27FEB11-10 DFP-27FEB11-16 DFP-27FEB11-35 DFP-27FEB11-60 DFP-27FEB11-69 DFP-27FEB11-71 DFP-27FEB11-87 DFP-27FEB11-89 DFP-27FEB11-92 DFP-27FEB11-107 DFP-27FEB11-109 DFP-27FEB11-112 DFP-27FEB11-117 DFP-27FEB11-124 DFP-27FEB11-134 ]]> http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/02/27/sunday-evening-with-the-ladies/feed/ 0 Remembering To Have Fun http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/02/20/remembering-to-have-fun/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/02/20/remembering-to-have-fun/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 02:05:01 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=1367 Whenever I get the chance to mix shooting in with hanging with close friends, I jump on it.  It’s a great way to bring together different parts of my life.  Connie, Monica and Amy came up with a reason to play dress up a few weeks ago and have been working on getting things around for it since then.  Prep involved a brewery run, a trip to a local SalVal for clothing options, and some silly hours working on hair and makeup.  Steve-O and Andy were on hand to pour drinks, play some tunes and make the kinds of comments that only really really close friends can dream up.  We had a blast, got a few memorable shots in the process and it gave me the chance to recon a new shooting spot.  Fun, productive and educational…it’s a good combo.

Havin a blast…

MAC-19FEB11-9 MAC-19FEB11-33 MAC-19FEB11-36 MAC-19FEB11-63 ]]> http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2011/02/20/remembering-to-have-fun/feed/ 0 Maine Sept ’10 – Day 1 – Playing With a Point-n-Shoot http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/09/18/maine-sept-10-day-1-playing-with-a-point-n-shoot/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/09/18/maine-sept-10-day-1-playing-with-a-point-n-shoot/#comments Sun, 19 Sep 2010 03:20:09 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=1133 We’re spending the next week on the road going from Maine to Virginia and back to PA.  We have the short ones along as this is all about family; and being road warriors!  As is the gig, I have an assortment of photo gear with me as well.  New for this trip is a Panasonic GF1 point-n-shoot camera on loan from Barry & Cathy Beck.  I didn’t know what to expect when I picked it up, but now I really don’t want to put it down.  It pretty much has everything I need for making fun images, minus an eye-piece; but I am starting to get used to shooting with camera at arms length.  Full manual everything and menu’s that feel pretty intuitive; enough to make run & gun shooting nearly possible.  I dig it!

We made the trip with plenty of time to rest up before today’s birthday party for my niece, her dad and his twin bro.  The kids burned off any leftover energy and we all enjoyed a stunningly perfect day here in Maine.  And we made it to George’s Pond just in time for a gnarly sunset on the lake.

Have a rad one!

PT (Maine 2010)-45 PT (Maine 2010)-73 PT (Maine 2010)-97 PT (Maine 2010)-165 PT (Maine 2010)-173 PT (Maine 2010)-175 ]]> http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/09/18/maine-sept-10-day-1-playing-with-a-point-n-shoot/feed/ 0 Chapter Change – Connie’s Canvas http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/08/14/chapter-change-connies-canvas/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/08/14/chapter-change-connies-canvas/#comments Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:53:15 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=1095 It’s been a long haul, but we’ve finally found our home.  When we jumped into the home buying market 2 years ago I really had no idea what to expect, and I’ve learned along the way that that’s pretty normal for most first timers.  Thankfully we had the right realtor (Mike Yonick) who showed us anything and everything at the oddest hours of the week. As our ideas of what we wanted changed over time, Mike rolled with the punches during what must have seemed like a never ending adventure.  Thanks for hanging in there man.  You’ve got a friend and client for life.

There’s a lot I can say about this place, but for now I’ll just let the pics show you what we’re starting with.  I’ll do some progress and finished(ish) shots along the way.  As we get closer to the end it’ll be more clear what each space is, or is intended to be.

A quick kudos to the Donlin Girls; they really got to dislike looking at house after house, with Mom & Dad never seeming to make a decision.  It was obvious that they’d lost the love of the hunt a little over a year ago…but they always hung in there.  Thanks homies…you helped Mom & Dad keep our sanity a tad longer.

…and to Connie…I thought you’d never decide dude! :P Of course, in hindsight your patience rocked harder than ever and we scored big.  I’m super stoked to be hitting this one head on together.  Do what you do and rock this canvas out babe…I know I’m not the only one waiting to see what you can create!

Home-Before-2010-1 Home-Before-2010-2 Home-Before-2010-4 Home-Before-2010-7 Home-Before-2010-10 Home-Before-2010-13 Home-Before-2010-15 Home-Before-2010-25 Home-Before-2010-27 Home-Before-2010-28 Home-Before-2010-31 Home-Before-2010-40 Home-Before-2010-43 Home-Before-2010-45 Home-Before-2010-46 Home-Before-2010-48 Home-Before-2010-59 Home-Before-2010-75 ]]> http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/08/14/chapter-change-connies-canvas/feed/ 1 Updates…Studio & Community Art Stuff http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/06/23/updates-studio-community-art-stuff/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/06/23/updates-studio-community-art-stuff/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:11:55 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=947 We spent the last 5 days in Colorado visiting some friends that moved from Berwick. Caught a Rockies game, hit up a museum and had a blast catching up with them. We’ve now moved on to Sedona, Arizona…the force behind this trip. This is the first family reunion my mom’s side of the family has ever put together. Apparently my grandmother thinks Sedona, AZ is 1/2 way between the East and West coasts! lol Just kidding…she’s a rockstar and my favorite person in the world to torture and tease. She takes it like a champ and dishes it back like a pro.

Anywho, this is just a quick update while we’re on the road. When I can, I’m making progress on the editing (those waiting, I thank you massively!).

…Firstly…

I need to officially thank everyone that showed up at the www.300AlmostNakedPeople.com shoot on the 13th. Besides the nerves and stress that I was ‘enjoying’ we had a great time and got some cool images. Hoping to have those done up soon.  Big props to Ben T. and M.J. at the Press Enterprise from stopping down to cover the event…and then for the amazingly awesome FRONT PAGE article in this past Sunday’s P.E. Thank you both for helping to get the word out!

Tara and Leah Mangan blew everyone’s mind with the cake of cake’s!  Thank you both mucho! There’s so many more people that NEED to be called out…once I have the images ready, they’ll all get the props they deserve. I’m definitely looking forward to doing it all over again soon. I’ll be posting more info on that as it becomes available.

Other things:
The Berwick Mural Project is rockin big time already. Alley Art is making major progress and the YMCA retaining wall will be in full swing once we return to PA. The blog is a touch outdated, but I’ll be making that right in the near future. We’ll be posting ‘artist profiles’ soon so everyone can get to know the great people MAKING this a reality. As always, we’re looking for volunteers all the time. Whether you can paint or not, there’s plenty of ways to get involved. Touch base with Connie through the BMP blog if you’re ready to be part of something HUGE!

Things To Do In Berwick

Check out this cool new Facebook group started by Berwick doer Steve Hampton. How smart is this…whether you’re looking for, or know of something to do in Berwick, share it here. Props to Steve for making this convenient and totally useful community board.

…and lastly…

I’ve got the goods on ANOTHER community art project that will need LOTS of people…about 100 I’d say. :P That’s all I want to dish on that right now as we have a few things to finalize, but if your interested you can talk to the man himself that came up with the idea. Berwick native, Zach Bremmer. Bro doesn’t even live here anymore and is rockin the creativity for the hometown. When I have more info set in stone, I’ll post it for sure…until then, dig it out of Zach if you can.

That’s it…time to go prospect for gold…Uncle Steve scored some yesterday and I need a tan, so why not!

]]> http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/06/23/updates-studio-community-art-stuff/feed/ 0 …and a few more recent images http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/05/24/and-a-few-more-recent-images/ http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/2010/05/24/and-a-few-more-recent-images/#comments Tue, 25 May 2010 03:28:21 +0000 vard http://eddiedonlin.com/blog/?p=916 …is this ASAP enough?

Joey & Jamie’s Vegas mind-melt gave me some time to work up a couple of posts I’ve been wanting to do.  Nooooo, not WHILE in Vegas…you can get a lot done on a 3 hour flight!  Here’s a few from Connie’s most recent modeling shoot.

How much does she ROCK for getting the hair dyed dark just to do this shoot the way I’d pictured it in my head?  Every shoot seems better than the last with her…and that’s a damn good thing!  :D  Once again, thank you Kat for rocking the makeup & general shoot assistance.

SD1_8584 SD1_8614 SD1_8690 photo-2 photo-1 photo

And here’s a few from the most recent band promo shoot I’ve had the opportunity to work on.  1 Hot Mess is 1 rad crew of people to have on the opposite end of the lens.  Connie and Kat rocked out the back end of this shoot as well.  When the 3 of us are firing on all cylinders, life is GOOD!  Thank you to everyone involved!

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