SURVIVING TSUNAMIS...

 Ten years ago today, Sri Lanka became the international poster country for the havoc wrecked on this part of the world by the infamous 'Boxing Day Tsunami' of 2004. Though other Asian countries, even Africa, recorded devastation and tragic loss of lives, Sri Lanka was truly hammered...40,000 death toll! Literally, everyone here was affected dramatically and personally...

 

Since 1980, my family has been actively involved in a poor fishing village community down the coast from the capital city of Colombo (check us out http://communityconcernsrilanka.com/) Most of the people we were working with at that time lived in makeshift shanties along the thin shoreline between the railroad tracks and the sea. On December 26, 2004 every dwelling and everything inside was unceremoniously swallowed up by the tsunami monster. Fortunately, it was 8am and nobody was sleeping. Miraculously, not a single life was lost in our area! Immediately though, we had 6,000 instant refugees without a thing in this world or a place to lay their heads that night. From that moment and for the next four years, immediate relief, rehabilitation and building projects became the priority. These are shots of some our people who have weathered the storm...

I say, God bless all who have selflessly chipped in so many ways along the way...
And, here's to the resilience and perseverance of the Sri Lankan people who seem to be able to smile through any adversity...

From the Island of Smiles  :^) Tom

SPEAKING OF MOTHERHOOD...

AND THE ESSENCE OF LIFE...

In honor of true heart connections...We go about our business, in time giving way to desires designed to perpetuate our progeny...

They call it love...
Makes the world go 'round,
Melts you down,
Can reduce you to tears...
  


And, at the end of the day Job said, I have spoken of things I did not understand...too wonderful for me to know... :^)

ONE LUCKY GUY...

Before I move on from Massimo to another blog model, I just wanted to acknowledge a special life connection, so apparent coming off a recent visit by this beautiful pair...    

It goes without saying that we all have mothers, but to be around one whose joy in life is her son...committed to loving and raising him all the way from a bouncing baby boy to becoming a solid man... It's a beautiful thing! In this regard, I can't imagine a more fortunate boy than Massimo.
So, man up fellas, better show some appreciation this time around. They certainly deserve it and are a real blessing to be thankful for...and some aren't bad in the kitchen either :^) 
Happy Thanksgiving, 
Tom

TO THE BAT CAVE!!!

Bruce Wayne is called into action...

Rise up, laddies! It seems there is trouble abrewing...

Batman is beckoned to the Bat Cave where he finds his little older love interest, lovely Linda Lane lurking about with the keys to the Batmobile dangling from her dungarees!

Holy Headturner!!! It's easy to see why Batman has a thing for lovely Linda. She's a knockout for sure, but seems to be a woman who knows how to have her way with a man...




Beware, Batman!
We're just sayin'...
:^)

IT'S ALL GOOD...

all the time...

It's always a true reflection,
in the tabernacle...
On earth as it is in heaven   :^) Tom

MAN UP!!!

Massimo says, Go KC Royals!!!

AND SHE'S OFF...

...to the Big Apple

 

Jessie Kenner Tidball is a wonderful treat to behold on stage where she literally comes to life, masterfully embracing her characters with uncanny skill and control. She has been chosen for leading rolls all through her college career along with local theater performances (too many to list) receiving rave reviews every time out. This week she headed out to New York City where she will be basing for a while. We did a little promo shoot together not too long ago, and...

 

I may be a little biased about Jessie since I am her uncle, but as a few doors open, I'm sure lots of other folks will be just as taken by Jessie doing her thing under the lights.

Mighty proud, 
Fan Club President,  
Uncle Tom :^)

IN THE TABERNACLE...

There's always something going on...
Go near to listen...

and stay tuned,
Tom :^)

REAL AMERICAN HERO...

While the rest of the world's been busy dodging contrived boogie men, chasing after 'likes' and 'hits' and finding identities in political affiliations and correctness, Bob Downey has stayed home, rolled his sleeves up and made it a better place.
We needed a shot of the new Humane Society digs for our upcoming 2015 issue of 'Lincoln Today' magazine and this is what I came up with...Bob and Chewy cooperating perfectly.
While working at the Humane Society most of his life, Bob's been a hero to many but usually an unsung one. As president and CEO of the Humane Society for the last 30 years, he's been instrumental in all the updates and improvements along the way. I've known Bob for a long time as a kind man of genuine love especially for the Animal Kingdom, and here he still is developing more efficient ways of treating and finding homes for the helpless and homeless... 
Way to go, Bob!
Thanks, we're proud of you...

Homeless in this world,
Tom :^)

SOCK IT TO ME...

Yesterday was proclaimed 'Jack Sock Day' in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Woods Tennis Center where Jack learned to play the game as a kid. Everyone around here is proud of homeboy Jack and his budding professional tennis career. This summer he won the men's doubles event at Wimbledon with partner Vasek Pospisil, and is steadily climbing the ratings in both singles and doubles.
Keep an eye on Jack. He's one of the good guys...

You go, Jack   
We've got your back   :^)

A LONG WAY TO GO...

TO THE ROSE BOWL...

The Huskers looked good last night beating Miami in Lincoln...
It was great to see the benches clear backing up a comrade under attack. Way to go, guys!
Nearly 92,000 in attendance and an ongoing sellout record of 337 and counting! 
There really is no place like Nebraska where we take care of our own...
Who's got your back?
Tom :^)

EVERYBODY NEEDS IT...

a little place to go...

This is one of my favorite spots, a tabernacle of sorts, where the water meets the shore...
Whenever I'm walking or running or biking by, I usually stop and check in or at least give a salute to honor this particular inspirational point of mine.
It's even become my launching pad when I walk on water (in the wintertime)
People ask if the connection's true...
I say, Yes Indeedy  :^)
Anytime is the right time if you know the Way...

HERE WE GO AGAIN...

Go Big Red!!!

The Cornhuskers are off to a shakey start...
Let's hope they get their act together...   :^)

OLD HIPPIES...

Where are they now???

 Well, a few of them were in Lincoln a couple days ago. English rock group, The Moody Blues, were always one of the more poetic bands, sensitive with a heart, hence one worth paying attention to. Here are Justin Hayward and John Lodge. Graeme Edge is back behind playing his drums. It's so good to see them still together, sounding great and still playing their timeless hits after 50 years! They performed at the Pinewood Bowl in Pioneers Park on a perfect night... 

Any further Questions, check them out...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wDHvmCVRxU

and, In Your Wildest Dreams...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmmPFrkuPq0

you might just catch your Balance...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlFYWRajMKY

Some things seem to never change... Tom :^)

GIRLS WANNA...

THEY JUST WANNA...

...dress up like Katy Perry on the way to the concert. Katy agreed to have me shoot her on stage, but changed her mind. Hmmm...I'm just sayin', but that's OK. We had a great time out on the street as you can see...

 Girls having fun...It's a beautiful thing.
But, a woman's love...Woah!
It makes the world go round,
and where would we be without it?
The spice and inspiration in life!
You just can't beat the real thing, 
because love always wins in the end...  
You know the Way,
Tom :^)