THE GRAND OPENING...

Last evening we had a grand time opening the new 'Designer Masterpieces and Art Gallery' in Colombo, Sri Lanka... 21 of my photographs were printed and displayed in this lovely new gallery. My daughter, Subha was once again the straw that stirred the drink! She not only makes everyone smile, but did a great job curating the show. We knocked it out of the ballpark!

 Here are some of the images I printed for the show...

The name of the show is 'Paradise Island'...funny how often Sri Lanka is referred to as 'Paradise'. I suppose in our efforts to find the most appropriate description, that's about the highest praise available for the exquisite beauty of this place...
You gotta love it,
Tom

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

While most of the rest of the country is experiencing economic woes and far from prospering, Lincoln is moving right along...Thankyou, very much! The recent opening of the new Pinnacle Bank Arena in the Haymarket is a testimony once again to collective ingenuity, sound fiscal management and midwestern frugality. Unlike our Federal counterparts, we don't buy what we can't afford...

 Proud Mayor, Chris Beutler poses in front of the finished product.

Several events have been big hits and top name performers have already taken the stage. Concert goers love the new venue...a really big deal for us small town, cornfed Huskerheads!
Recently, I had a chance to do a little shoot at country queen, Miranda Lambert's 'Locked and Reloaded' tour concert...

 Above is the new skyline from the Hawks Field at Haymarket Park and below is a shot of the old downtown US Post Office's new neighbor.

Next up, the basketball season...

Go Big Red!

Tom

A TRIBUTE TO TIMING...

Wrapping up the shooting list for our upcoming 2014 edition of Lincoln Today Magazine, I needed one more shot of the James Arthur Vineyards in the rolling hills just north of Lincoln. Having missed a turn on the way out, I arrived just as the sun was setting for the day. Ten minutes later would have been too late. I spotted this lovely and accommodating group of audiology students and one lucky guy enjoying the evening together...

I love this picture for many reasons...just a perfect evening, perfect fall weather, perfect lighting, picture perfect models, Sriyani's perfect touch adding 2 blue bottles on the table...just a real sweet vibe all around...making it more than obvious, there is really no place like Nebraska! (^_^)
I love it when everything comes together...dancing in the light, timing is always the key.

Once again...
Mission accomplished,
Tom

PLAYGROUND UPDATE...GOOD NEWS!!!

A while back, I made an appeal for help in funding playground equipment for school kids in war torn NE Sri Lanka.
These are the blog links...

http://tomtidball.blogspot.com/2012/11/turn-em-loose.html

http://tomtidball.blogspot.com/2012/07/play-time.html

I am so happy to report that small mission has been accomplished. With great thanks and appreciation for dedication and hard work displayed by the wonderful staff at Community Concern who followed through sharing love all along, and not forgetting of course those who donated cash... I post this little video clip of the dedication and opening of the school playground in Vavuniya. Sri Lankans love these events!
Please excuse the reference to myself in the video as I didn't really do so much. To me, this is just another good example of what teamwork can do and how in the end everyone is blessed...
Enjoy the smiles...

http://www.mediafire.com/watch/q0066td4kh4a224/CCS.mp4

and once again thanks to all who helped out...
Tom

SINTRA, PORTUGAL

If you like being a tourist, go to Sintra... Maybe I was a little burned out by the traffic or the heat or the other tourists by the time we got there, so possibly I didn't give Sintra a fair shake. Anyway, here are a few pix from historic Sintra which is kind of photogenic, located on the side of a 'mountain' with a castle on top...

                                                           






You can see a few more  pix at
https://www.facebook.com/tidballphoto in my Sintra Album...
Enjoy, Tom

FATIMA, PORTUGAL

Passing through...had to stop and see what this spot was all about. Religious Roman Catholic pilgrims take very seriously the significance of the apparitions and messages given to three young shepherds in 1917... Many thousands flock there every year...

                                   It is what it is....

                                                      Tom

MAKING IT...

...at the Old Ballgame

Last night, Sriyani and I took in a ballgame at the 'K' in Kansas City. The Royals are on a great winning streak right now and were playing the Mighty Red Sox of Boston. Here I am making my way to the gate...

 The rain stayed away, so it turned out to be a beautiful evening for a game...

 The easy going nature of baseball allows for people to bring some of their personal preferences and entertainments along with them to the game...including ball gloves, snacks, cameras, cellphones and favorite team caps and favorite player jerseys. In the case of the couple who sat in front of us, they brought most of that and more...They brought each other to play with!

It was a little tough to see when they stood up...

 but, harder to concentrate on the game when they sat down...

 Ok, you two...let's get your heads in the game.

Royals won 5-1!
It's a beautiful thing!
Everyone went home happy!
Go Royals!
Tom