After returning home at 6:30 a.m. from dropping Brandon off at the airport, I came across a cute pair of ducks that were enjoying some peace and quiet…poolside. Only two minutes after I took a few frames, our poolman had to chase them off so he could clean.
If there is one thing that makes me happy, it’s happy fish. I got two new goldfish about a week ago, and they’re just now starting to relax in their new tank. Splash and Bubbles. I love watching Splash – he’s always swimming through the bubbles and jumping out of the water.
Ok…so I haven’t been posting in awhile – I know. But, I’ve been working a lot in the past month. I got a full-time temporary job at The Gainesville Sun as their sports online/multimedia producer, and I’ve been filming and editing a bunch of videos ever since.
The first video I ever attempted to film and edit was Gatornationals — a four-day event that brings in about 100,000 specators every year. I was so nervous, but determined — for anyone that knows me, I’m head over heels about cars and racing, so i was driven to produce something good. I’d never been to an NHRA event, and apart from the crazy stories of how loud it would be from colleagues, I had NO IDEA what was coming. I was practically going into convulsions when the first two Top Fuel cars flew down the track. Unless you’ve been there, there’s just no way to explain how it feels to be six feet from a 300+ mph car when it launches. Freaking AMAZING. I hope I’ll be able to do it again next year.
Glenn Epps, of Plantation, sports a mohawk at the 2007 Gatornationals Sunday afternoon. Epps said that he’s been coming to the event as often as he could since 1982.
Mike Bell warms up the tires in a burnout before racing in the 2007 Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway Friday afternoon.
Denise Mills, from Orlando, covers her ears as two funny cars blast down the track Friday afternoon during the 2007 Gatornationals. This was Mills’ first time at Gatornationals. Lining the track, the bleachers vibrate from the sheer intensity of the sound resonating from many of the top division class
Drag racer Ashley Force, daughter of 14-time NHRA funny car champion John Force, speaks to members of the media about moving up into the funny car division and competing against her father this year at the 2007 Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway Friday afternoon.
Ashley Force, daughter of funny car driver John Force, screams down the track in her 2006 Ford Mustang in the 2007 Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway on Saturday. Ashley Force ending up with an ET of 4.832 at 306.67 mph in the quarter mile.
Startled by the sound, Jennifer Schooler, of Gainesville, reacts with excitment while Johnny Diamond, of Pensacola, shields his ears from the sound of a funny car roaring down the track.
Jim Head warms up the tires in his 2007 Toyota Solara before racing down the track.
Crew members prepare Mike Ashley’s 2007 Dodge Charger during the funny car division race at Gatornationals Saturday afternoon.
Funny car driver Scott Kalitta does a burnout in his 2007 Toyota Solara before racing at Gatornationals Saturday afternoon. Kalitta ended up finishing with a 4.919 ET at 257.87 mph in the quarter mile.
The decorative tale of William Hernandez’s kite flickers in the wind during the 15th Annual Kite Day Festival at Haulover Park Sunday afternoon. Families and kite enthusiasts from all over the nation took part in the event, hosted by Miami-Dade Parks and Skyward Kites.
A dolphin-shaped kite sails high in the sky during the 15th Annual Kite Day Festival at Haulover Park Sunday afternoon. More than 200 kite enthusiasts came to enjoy the weather and take part in the event.
Seven-year-olds Diana Ruiz, left, and Kamaile Luciano, right, entertain themselves on an inflatable slide at the 15th Annual Kite Day Festival at Haulover Park Sunday afternoon.
Naples Park Elementary student Tyler Daugherty, 11, studies a World War II rail car that was used by Nazis to transport Jews during the Holocaust. “It breaks my heart to see it,” Daugherty said about the rail car. “I can’t believe that they actually stuffed people in this – it makes me sad.”
Henry Eisenberg, 84, is comforted by Merle Saferstein from the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, Inc., during an emotionally touching speech by Auschwitz survivor Leo Schneiderman. Hundreds gathered in the Broward County Convention Center Tuesday afternoon for the unveiling of a World War II rail car acquired by the HDEC.
Leo Schneiderman, an Auschwitz survivor, captivates the audience with chilling stories about his experiences during the Holocaust.
The eerie sight of a World War II rail car looms in the background as the audience listens to Holocaust survivor Leo Schneiderman. 
A model sets the tone in “Evening on the Med” – the grand opening ceremony of Acqualina’s new spa, ESPA, and eatery, Costa Grill. The hotel/condominium’s event also included a beachside buffet and silent auction hosted by Celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito and Law and Order Actress Diane Neal – benefiting Safe Horizon, a victim assistance organization.
Acqualina, a luxury hotel/condominium in Sunny Isles Beach, celebrates the grand opening of its new 20,000 square-foot spa, ESPA. The new addition features 11 treatment rooms, an outdoor spa veranda with a Jacuzzi and pool.
A Pucci outfit shimmers onstage during an Emilio Pucci fashion show at the grand opening ceremony at Acqualina.
Sherry Patrick, the new president of the Gainesville Alachua County Association of Realtors, poses in the lobby of Coldwell Banker Wednesday afternoon.
Rabbi Alexander Kaller, upper left, overlooks Rabbi Yochanon Klein as he carefully fills in a letter for Lillian, Tatyana and Misha Podlog during the completion and dedication of the new Torah Scroll in Aventura.
Rabbi Yochanon Klein carefully fills in a letter of the new Torah Scroll during the completion and dedication ceremony in Aventura
After placing the crown atop the new completed Torah, David Joukov, left, leads a parade of followers across Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach to the Chabad-Russian Center.
The crowd dances and claps in celebration as Rabbi Alexander Kaller, left, chants verses from a prayer book at the welcoming of the new Torah at the Chabad-Russian Center in Sunny Isles Beach. 
