Brush Fire Smoke!

=========================

From June 27, 2008

=========================

Brush Fire Smoke! 

In June of 2008, there was a brush fire at South Mountain. The brush fire smoke could be seen throughout the valley/Phoenix-Metro and specially from South Phoenix, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Chandler areas that were our main stomping grounds when living/working in Arizona. These are the quick snapshots taken during one of the drives home from work. 

Audio: "Unlit Highway" by Joel Steudler from the Epic Royalty Free Music Collection Vol. 2 that I acquired via Humble Bundle. It doesn't require attribution, however I like knowing/remembering where/who they are from.

Holidays 2007!

=========================

Taken December 20-29, 2007

=========================

Holidays 2007!

This is a photo collage of the photos taken during the Holiday season of the year 2007. They range from around the Xmas Holiday and just before the new year. It appears that I didn't take any on New Year's Eve nor Day. 

The first half are in Eagle Pass, Texas, USA and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. The last half are back in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

December 2007 was when my maternal Grandmother passed away. Although my cousin Jerry and I traveled from Phoenix, Arizona, USA to Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, border town to Eagle Pass, Texas, USA, we didn't make it to the funeral. However, we did get to spend a few days with family which was nice, specially because it had been several years without visiting during the holidays. In fact, we still didn't visit often during the holidays. Even now in 2024 when this video collage is being made and we both live closer to family, my cousin in San Antonio, Texas, USA and I in Eagle Pass, Texas, USA, we still don't get to spend much time with blood-relative family during the holidays. The reasons now not so much due to distance, but because everyone has grown up and have their own families. Perhaps one day we may have a holiday season where we can somewhat relive, if only a bit, how it was when my grandmother still lived.

The second half of the photos are back in Phoenix, Arizona, USA and it appears that I only took photos of when Sammy, who passed away in 2023, was trying out his Holiday attire. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and of the holiday decorations and cards from that year. 

Today we said farewell to the physical form of sweet Samson... Sammy as we most often called him.

https://youtu.be/l2NIUbNMZIc?si=N0uiMx7aXfW6CR7Z

Rest easy Sammy! 

https://youtu.be/bv0F3x_n4J0?si=qT4eo-yVz6QPbvpf

Audio: "Lost at Seal" by Track Tribe from the YouTube audio library.

Arizona Book Festival! - 2007

=========================

Taken April 14, 2007

=========================

Arizona Book Festival! - 2007

There were various festivals on that particular weekend and one of them was the 2007 Arizona Book Festival. Target had a presence with a tent and manned by Target Volunteers. Took just a handful of photos of the event of the Target tent and of a reptile at another. 

When I originally blogged and briefly mentioned: https://elkirbster.blogspot.com/2007/04/maricopa-county-fair.html

Audio: Goestories by Noir Et Blanc Vie from the YouTube Audio Library.

Memories of Yore: Photos from My Mother's Camera - 2008 ~ Phoenix ZooLights

=========================

Taken in 2008

=========================

Memories of Yore: Photos from My Mother's Camera - 2008 ~ Phoenix ZooLights

Hello there. After having taken out all the photos from my mother's camera, which had photos from 2007 through 2011, I thought perhaps making photo/vid collages of them. 

In the past I've uploaded a video here and there, however, ultimately decided in making specific photo/vid collages of them to share. This series is titled Memories of Yore: Photos from my Mother's Camera and will include the year. The years where there were so many photos that would have made for a far too long of a video have been broken down to specific videos.

The background image is a photo I took of my mother in 2007 where she is looking at the photos on the camera where all these photos were taken. 

Audio: Snow Princess by Jimena Contreras, Christmas Chores by RKVC, and Oh Christmas Tree by DJ Williams which are all from the YouTube Audio Library.

Phoenix ZooLights 2005!

=========================

Taken on November 24, 2005

=========================

This is a collage of photos & videos of the Phoenix ZooLights 2005. The six videos you've likely seen before as I'd uploaded those individually previously. This was my first time going to the Phoenix ZooLights and went with my mother. You can hear her a bit on some of the videos.

Music: The Christmas Song by Sammy Davis Jr from the 2007 Christmas with the Rat Pack holiday album. 

#Holiday #lights #Zoolights #Xmas #Christmas

Delta Flight 1994 - PHX to JFK!

=========================
Taken on May 03, 2018
=========================

I went to New York City for the first time ever in May 2018. This is a compilation of videos of the flight from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to the John F Kennedy Airport.

Take off, In Flight, and Landing!

Target Volunteers at 2015 Phoenix Pride Parade!

Target Volunteers at 2015 Phoenix Pride!
=========================
Taken on April 12, 2015
=========================

The Target Tempe HQ & Target Stores volunteered at the 2015 Phoenix Pride Parade as the De-Staging & Crowd Control!

Celebrating 35 Years of Pride!

Passionate, Powerful, & Proud!

Target does it again! For the second year in a row, over 100 #TargetVolunteers, including myself as the Route Manager leading both the De-Staging & Crowd Control teams, volunteered their time and effort as Crowd Control and at De-Staging! Volunteers helped ensure that participants and spectators had a safe and enjoyable Parade!

Phoenix Pride: http://phoenixpride.org/

Music:  Sino a ti (with Thalia) by Laura Pausini from the album 20 The Greatest Hits/Grandes Exitos 2014

#TargetVolunteers
#TakePride
#PhxPride
#CommunityStrong

Southwest Flight 5661 PHX to SAT!

=========================
Taken on October 14, 2017
=========================

I've always wanted to take video of the clouds while in flight and finally did it on my say to San Antonio, Texas, USA from Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

I used just my regular point-and-shoot Fujifilm Finepix AX300 camera.

The sounds of the plane and watching the clouds is very soothing and relaxing to me, almost like autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR).

Phoenix Pride Parade 2017! - Quick Peak

====================
Taken on April 2, 2017
====================
With me as the lead coordinator, the Target Tempe HQ & Target Stores took part for the First Time Ever as a walking group, with over 300 walkers, at the 2017 Phoenix Pride Parade!

This is a quick peak at some of the photos I took that was an auto-video that Google Photos made and I edited just a bit.

Music: Auto/Stock music from Google.

#TakePride

Target Volunteers at 2011 Phoenix Pride Parade!

====================
Taken on April 16, 2011
====================
The Target Tempe HQ volunteered at the 2011 Phoenix Pride Parade!

In 2011,  Target Volunteers continued volunteering as part of the Phoenix Pride Parade De-staging Team. This team helps in keeping the parade flowing by directing participants at the end of the parade route.

Phoenix Pride: http://phoenixpride.org/

Music:  I Believe In A Thing Called Love by The Darkness from album Permission To Land

#TargetVolunteers
#TakePride
#PhxPride
#CommunityStrong

Target Volunteers at 2010 Phoenix Pride Parade!

====================
Taken on April 17, 2010
===================
The Target Tempe HQ volunteered at the 2010 Phoenix Pride Parade!

In 2010,  a handful of Target Volunteers joined the Phoenix Pride Parade De-staging Team. This team helps in keeping the parade flowing by directing participants at the end of the parade route.

Phoenix Pride: http://phoenixpride.org/

Music:  Tu Eres Mi Vida [(I've Had)The Time of My Life] by Thalia, Live from Spanish TV Show VIP Noche 

#TargetVolunteers
#TakePride
#PhxPride
#CommunityStrong

Target Volunteers at 2009 Phoenix Pride!

====================
Taken on April 17, 2009
===================
The Target Tempe HQ volunteered at the 2009 Phoenix Pride!

With a couple more volunteers than the previous year, the Target Volunteers helped with various tasks as needed with setup of the Festival grounds.

Phoenix Pride: http://phoenixpride.org/

Music:  Don't Look Back by Thalia from album Thalia [English]
#TargetVolunteers
#TakePride
#PhxPride
#CommunityStrong

Target Volunteers at 2008 Phoenix Pride!

====================
Taken on April 11, 2008
====================
The Target Tempe HQ  volunteered at the 2008 Phoenix Pride and helped prep the float for the Parade!

The handful of Target Volunteers also helped with various other tasks as needed with setup of the Festival grounds.

You don't see me because I took the photos and took very few.

Phoenix Pride: http://phoenixpride.org/

Music:  Toda la Felicidad (Don't Look Back) by Thalia from album Thalia [English]

#TargetVolunteers
#TakePride
#PhxPride
#CommunityStrong

Target Volunteers at 2014 Phoenix Pride Parade!

====================
Taken on April 05, 2014
===================
The Target Tempe HQ  & Target Stores volunteered at the 2014 Phoenix Pride Parade as the De-Staging & Crowd Control Teams!

Amazing! With over 100 volunteers, including myself as the Route Manager leading both the De-Staging & Crowd Control teams, Target's volunteer participation increased exponentially from previous years! The most volunteers from any one company.

Phoenix Pride: http://phoenixpride.org/

Music:  Tumba la Casa by Thalia from album Arrasando

#TargetVolunteers
#TakePride
#PhxPride
#CommunityStrong

Dance Troupe at the 2013 Phoenix Pride Parade!

====================
Recorded on April 06, 2013
====================
This dance troupe performed at the end of the 2013 Phoenix Pride Parade!

Phoenix Pride: http://phoenixpride.org/

#TakePride
#PhxPride
#CommunityStrong

Target Volunteers at 2013 Phoenix Pride Parade !

====================
Taken on April 06, 2013
===================
The Target Tempe HQ volunteered at the 2013 Phoenix Pride Parade as the De-Staging Team!

With 13 Volunteers, including myself as the De-staging Manager for the Phoenix Pride Parade Committee and the Lead Coordinator for the Target Tempe Volunteer and Diversity & Inclusion Councils, Target increased the number of participating volunteers compared to previous years. Additionally, in years past we had been part of the De-Staging Team, however this year we were the entire De-Staging Team.

You don't see me because I took the photos.

Phoenix Pride: http://phoenixpride.org/

Music:  De Donde Soy by Thalia from album Amor A La Mexicana

#TargetVolunteers
#TakePride
#PhxPride
#CommunityStrong

How to do the YMCA by the Village People

====================
Recorded on April 22, 2012
====================
The Village People show how to do the YMCA at Phoenix Pride 2012.

Village People: http://www.officialvillagepeople.com/

Phoenix Pride: http://phoenixpride.org/

#PhxPride
#CommunityStrong

Volunteers, Contingents, and Upcoming Travel Oh my!

Volunteers... It was a busy Saturday, 23rd with Orientation with Phoenix Pride for the Parade Volunteer Orientation. Only Six of my 18 registered volunteers showed up. A little disappointed 'cause I hoped to see all 18 there, however there is one more volunteer orientation which is Tomorrow, Monday. 25th at 6pm at the Phoenix Pride Office, and I already know of few that are confirmed. Crossing my fingers that the rest show, otherwise we'll see where I end up with as far as volunteers. Ideally all of them not just show up for the orientation but also for the actual day of the event, April 6th.

The orientation itself went great. Speech by Phoenix Pride Executive Director Brandi Sokolosky who introduced her staff, board, and directors, of which the Parade Director is Michael Sciacca, who I report to as the De-Staging Manager/Lead. A "short" speech was given by a Stonewall veteran which was great, before Michael introduced the other Parade directors, managers, and support. We then broke up into Festival and Parade and then from their to our specific teams to deliver our respective orientations.


Contingents... After the Volunteer Orientation and a "quick " lunch  the Contingents line up meeting was next for our day. This time a short speech by Brandi introducing Michael who very efficiently provided the info for the Day of the Parade for the floats, walking groups, bands, politicians, vehicles, etc., and introduced us managers. Met with the IONAZ rep who had a special request for when they get to the De-Staging area. Also, met with one of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who will have a fabulous showing at the Parade. I'm not spoiling that, so you'll just have to attend the Phoenix Pride Parade to see it. :)

Upcoming Travel ... If you saw my twitter feed earlier in the month then you know that I got myself as a Birthday gift Tickets to go see Thalia at The Wiltern. Although it will be a short visit to L.A, since I'll be there from the day before the concert and leaving the day after the concert, my partner has a list of touristy and non-touristy things to do and hoping to do if not all then most of them. I have done a bit of both the couple of times I was there before with friends. We'll see where the road takes us. :)


It has been a great overall several months of planning with the Phoenix Pride Parade Committee and then most recently planning the mini trip. An exciting couple of weeks coming up.

So to warp this post up just a quick reminder of the Parade and Festival dates and times.

Phoenix Pride Parade  on April 6, 2013 with step off at 10am from 3rd Street & Thomas

Phoenix Pride Festival on April 6 & 7, 2013 both days from Noon - 9PM at Indian Steele School Park

Phoenix Pride Parade - De-Staging Lead

 Amazing that it's already March! Time certainly does fly. So just a quick update on the past few months about me joining the Phoenix Pride Parade Committee as De-Staging Lead.


Although I have been participating with the Phoenix Pride as a Volunteer for the past several years, this year, (really the end of 2012) I was given the opportunity to take over the De-Staging Lead/Manager position from the previous De-Staging Lead who took over the Route Manager position. Thanks Robin!

So since December I've attended the monthly Parade Meetings to help with the planning. My biggest pieces of this as you would guess from the "De-Staging" name is recruiting and organizing volunteers for the end of the parade. On the day of the parade this will be crucial, as my team will need to make sure we direct and organize the flow of traffic from the Parade Route into the De-Staging area, making the parade move smoothly at the end.

I'm lucky in the fact that I get to coordinate this also with my employer's Diversity and Volunteer Councils which I am also a member of each. With the Diversity Council I help promote diversity at my workplace with events and informational that tie into my employers commitment to diversity. With the Volunteer Council I help plan and coordinate at least two events in the year, participate in as many other volunteer events as possible, in addition to being the person in charge of our internal social interactions within my employers internal social platforms that vary from wiki, pages, socialcast, etc. Because of this, I have so far a good amount of volunteers.

Now all of the managers and directors also have the task of reaching out to businesses and ask for donations for the Swag Bags.The parade will have 4 announcers and 5 judges that each receive a Swag Bag with items from various businesses.

That's has been my biggest challenge so far, therefore if you know of a business or you are a business and would like to donate items or certificates/gift cards please let me know. Phoenix Pride is a 501(c)(3) organization therefore if needed a donation form/letter can be provided for tax purposes.


Here's more info on the Phoenix Pride Parade and Festival:

The Pride Parade kicks off at 10 am on April 6, 2013 immediately followed by the two-day Festival that is from Noon to 9pm.

If you would like to volunteer with the Parade and/or Festival click here.

Learn more about Phoenix Pride:  http://phoenixpride.org/

KAET 8 PBS Pledge Drive - March 11, 2012

This past Sunday, March 11, 2012 volunteered to help with phone pledges for the local PBS station Eight KAET.

A small group of us helped on Sunday, March 11, 2012 with phone pledges.
As telephone operators we took calls from viewers wishing to pledge their financial support to Eight Arizona PBS.

We also got a short tour of the facility and the scoop on what it takes for KAET Arizona PBS to put on a show. This particular time, there was a live show being taped for the latter part of the shift we volunteered for.

We got to briefly meet Robert Van Camp, the producer of Great Scenic Railways: Celebrating North America's Steam Railways, and Big Shoe Stu Evans from KMLE Country as they taped alongside us phone pledge volunteers. The taping was for the various gifts that viewers can choose from when they submit their pledge of support.
Another thing I should mention is food. Yogurtini provided lunch for the afternoon shift that we volunteered for, which of course meant frozen yogurt for dessert. Yum!


Here's a photo.

Jake, Elkirbster, Christine, Sarah