Politics Smolitics

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Pretty funny video from the fine folks over at JibJab. On a more serious note, we hope you all are going out there and gettin' your VOTE-ON. It's pretty important that you do so... and quite the privilege! Here are some bipartisan resources to help with the overwhelming process: CNN has a great website full of insightful info: CNN ELECTIONS, and if you're an Orgonian, check this site out: OREGON LIVE It has a great process to help walk you through the issues - on a local and national level. It's very important that you understand what's happening LOCALLY, wherever you live. So we'd encourage you to be equipped and choose the right people for the right job.

emote360

Courtney and I are co-founders of a non-profit organization called emote360, and it is time to start giving it our undivided attention. "What in the world is emote360?" you ask. Well, lets fill you in!

Emote360 is a global non-profit media group based out of the Pacific Northwest, USA. Emote offers custom multimedia solutions for non-profit organizations who are in need of video and audio production, graphic design, photography, web design and media management consulting. Emote works exclusively with registered Non Profit organizations who are in process of obtaining their 501(c)3 status. We at emote believe our services don’t just stand upon a great price; we’re offering media that raises the bar in its quality and meaning.

SUMMED UP without all the technical jargon: "We exist to help non-profits generate more income, to ultimately further the work that they do on the ground." It all boils down to finding nonprofit organizations more moo-la. We just happen to utilize multimedia to get them there. We create multimedia materials that will enable nonprofits to spread awareness for their cause and in return raise donor support. It's pretty simple... but for most nonprofits, understanding and utilizing media is a daunting task that few handle well... so we're here to help.

Emote360 has been almost 2 years in the making, and we're stoked to be meeting needs on a global level. Emote artists have already been to countless countries around the world, and we're returning to India in January for another project. We're also very interested in telling the story of media professionals who are giving back, and to challenge other talented media folks to use their gifts to give back in a meaningful way. Over the past 3 months we've been blessed to assemble a dynamite board of directors (industry leaders in photography, graphic design, law, community development, global relief work... etc) and we've also created a core-team of media professionals who are already whipping out emote projects. Exciting times ahead! We'll keep you all posted through the emote BLOG. Can't wait to see what God does with emote360, we're just along for the ride!

Website: http://www.emote360.com/
Blog: http://blog.emote360.com/

Client Website: Tetherow

Before the weekend arrives in all of its glory, I wanted to quickly share a bit about a project I'm on as a designer. The images above and below are just brief screen captures of the art direction I've created for a dynamic flash website for Tetherow (the folks at Tetherow are THE best). Basically, it's a full screen, interactive, media heavy, top of the line website to SHOW who Tetherow is, without having to use too many words... verbiage is out, imagery is in - it's the new black :). We've been on-location over the past few months gathering photo & video content with helicopters, cranes, audio & video teams, cameramen... to get the media we need to display all throughout the website. Anyways, it's going to be the pinnacle of our work all wrapped up into one gorgeous (and extremely simple to use) website. It's ganna take some time to complete, but so far everything is coming together quite nicely thanks to the always wonderful Melissa over at Tetherow. I'll keep you all posted on the progress, I'm stoked to be involved in this project.

Click above image to view larger

Joelle Photos

Back by popular demand are more photos of Joey (aka Joelle Zoe... NOT "J.Z."for all you nick-namers out there :) You'd be surprised at how hard it has been to FINALLY get these photos... she's not that cooperative right now... at least as far as photography goes. Everything else with Joey is really pretty awesome. Court is recovering superbly! In all, we're one happy family. We really appreciate all the folks who have been dropping off meals... you guys have no idea how much we appreciate you! Thanks to the wonderful Mary Taft for setting all that up! We feel loved. Hope you all enjoy the images. We still think she's the most beautiful baby ever... and still the smallest baby ever.

[LIFE] Before Parenthood

We just received a book we created called "Life Before Parenthood"... it's been 2 years in the making. We sent it to print the day after Joelle was born. The book documents our life before we started on the journey of having children (from meeting in Maui, moving to Oregon and finding out that we were prego - the whole journey is documented in there). Hopefully we will never forget the stories and adventures we had as the "Gary & Courtney Show". It's definitely not about us anymore, and that's okay... it's the "Joelle Show" and she'll be the main star for a while :) We just wanted a way to preserve our story (accompanied with killer pictures of course). I think this is how we will do all our photo albums from here on out... in a professional book bound, hard cover, full bleed, 200+/- pg album... something that will last a life time.

FALL = FAV

Just wanted to share an image of Court and Joelle kickin' it outside our casa from a few days ago. We've been trying to get outside and enjoy the fall weather before the wrath of winter is upon us. It's stankin' beautiful out here! All the colors, the smells.... mmmmm. I (Gary) have been able to get outside and do some waterfowl hunting in the past few weeks. It's been a great season so far! I wish I could say the same for our fall soccer league :( If our indoor soccer team had a marketing slogan, it would be "Yah, you'll probably beat us, but we'll make you fight for it." Anyways, now that Fall is officially here, I need to grow a burly beard and start sporting the smelly flannels... then I'll be a true Oregonian.

Emote360 in ProPhoto Mag

Emote360 and Kevin Kubota have been featured in this months issue of Professional Photographer Magazine. Go ahead and pick up a copy at... places where you'll find magazines :) ... Barnes and Noble or your local 711 - I dunno. The article is near the end, pg 146, in the "Good Works" section, titled "Building A Future" - highlighting an emote360 trip to Rwanda with Ben Edwards & Kevin Kubota (named one of the top 10 photographers in the world - ALSO an emote360 board member - which is waaaay cooler :). It's a pretty sweet spotlight for emote360 as things are just getting underway for our organization. By this time next month, we'll be opening our doors for service. Exciting times! I'll post more info on this blog in a few weeks to help you understand who emote360 is (a nonprofit media company) and what it will accomplish (help other npos with their media needs), and our role in co-launching this organization. Stay tuned.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Here's a little highlight reel from some of our latest and greatest photography shoots (portrait, wedding, fams, maternity...etc). Go ahead and press that there PLAY button - we dare you! Really what I'm trying to do is test Vimeo and their video capabilities for use on this blog - so far I'm impressed. To see another video we embedded through Vimeo, check out our Boating Trip from a few months back. Anyways, we're anticipating a great year for our humble photo biz. We already have LOADS of o-nine photo shoots on the ole calendar (mainly in SoCal & Oregon... but we'll probably make it over to the islands as well (we heart traveling for photo shoots). Enjoy the show.

Visit our Photography Website - the answer is "YES", we would be honored to shoot (slash) photograph you. Send us an email and we'll make it happen.

OUR BLOG: Cleaner, Newer, Fresher

Hey all, with some down time on our hands, we cracked some serious html code and made some improvements on our blog. Here's just a few of the added features: 1) Increased the width of the blog to showcase more content, 2) Made the pictures HUGE for your viewing pleasure (you can still click on any image to view it even larger, but it's okay to be lazy every once in a while - we understand), 3) Added a sweet flash widget for Twitter (it's addicting, but man it's fun to know what friends and family are up to on a regular basis - JOIN IT), 4) We cleaned up the orange sidebar on the right for easy navigation to our website links and our older blog posts, 5) Took away that annoying Blogger Navbar, 6) We have less blog entries per page for faster loading - so to see older content on other pages, simply scroll down to the end of this page and click "Older Posts" 7) And we added a Welcome Message to introduce people to the blog and why it's important to us. In all, I like the changes and think it makes it more functional and efficient... which fits my personality to a "T" - I come across as a low key guy, but really I'm as high strung as the "Highest Octave G String" on a 12 string guitar :)

OUR BIRTH - as it happens

Well folks, it is indeed happening... we're having a baby TODAY! Good thing we've been studying our "Pregnancy & Baby Instructional Books" - (click above image) - man, we could have really screwed things up if we didn't read that book ;)

Okay lets fill you in! We'll use THIS Blog Post to keep you updated (so feel free to forward our link to friends & fam). Check back every couple of hours for more updates (they will appear below this paragraph). Keep us in your prayers.

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Sunday - 10:30am

We checked in at 9am for another fluid level test. They're checking fluid levels and... survey says: it's too low for Joelle to remain safe inside the womb, she'll be better off outside. Every visit has been progressively less fluid. Everything else (Joelle's vitals & Mom's vitals) are normal, we just don't have as much fluid as we'd like. Two healthy girls though! So that's a blessing! And Joelle is 37 weeks along, so she should fine-n-dandy. I guess we'll find out when they pull her out.

Sunday - 11:15am

It IS just about time. We're prepping for the surgery. Once they pull Joelle out, it'll be "Daddy Time" for the first half hour or so while they stitch Court back up. Then we'll all reunite back in our room... at least that's the plan.

Sunday - 1:00pm

Surgery wen't AWESOME. Joelle is beautiful... she looks like a Keating! Her and Court are bonding and eating... so weird... we're suddenly PARENTS! She's 6lbs 6oz and quite a crier.

Sunday - 4:15pm
Bath + Food for all + Nap + New room with a view + Fruit smoothies + Soft baby things + Amazing nurses = one happy family.

Sunday - 6:00pm
Had some time to bust out the "big camera" and snap some photos while everyone was resting in the afternoon light (these photos are already my all-time favorite images I've EVER taken). Now it's time for friends and family to start visiting! Time to show off our drop-dead gorgeous daughter!

Sunday - 8:30pm
We've had lots of awesome friends visit, baby and mom are doing fantastic and Grandpa and Grandma Keating (Dennis & Marsha) just flew in on a last minute flight from Socal to visit their first grand baby. Gary's mom, Laloni (she's already a professional grandma) is also here and we're all just enjoying Joelle... she's so tiny and cute! And she looks like Court's baby pic.

Sunday - 10:00pm
A massive "THANK YOU" to all of you out there - for your love and support. It is VERY much appreciated! We feel so blessed to have such outstanding friends and family. Good night everyone, we'll catch you all in the A.M.

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Monday - 11:30am

It was a looooong night. Baby and Mom are a-okay, the grandparents brought us some killer burritos and coffee (God bless you people)... so now we're just hanging out in ye ole room. We'll probably be in the hospital until Wed (maybe Tuesday if we obey the rules). Courtney is off of all the I.V.'s and tubes...etc. She's walking around and feeling REAL good - thanks to our friend Percocet. So far, nothing crazy to report... everyone is doing awesome.

Here's Joelle with "Marmee" (Gary's Mom's Grandma Name)

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Tuesday - 7:30am

Happy Anniversary Court! You amaze me and I couldn't be more in love with you than in this moment right now! Two years with the most smokin' hot lady in the universe... and I'm looking forward to the rest of my life with my two piping-hot bambinos!

Well, our second night here at the hospital was a lot better than our first. Joelle fed like a champ, we all got some sleep and Court just ordered the LARGEST breakfast known to man (dear room service: I could kiss you right now, you're the best). It looks pretty cold and miserable outside our window, so we're content to just remain inside and relax. Although, I (Gary) am about as cooped up as a caged Orangutan... I need to get out of this room for once :) Maybe I'll go make a "second breakfast" run for Court... she's an eating machine.

Tuesday - 9:00am
All the Docs just got done visiting us, they said Mom & Baby are rock stars. They also said we'll be released tomorrow morning - hurray! ... but also scary at the same time! They're just ganna let us walk out of here and be on our own... I don't know how I feel about that right now :)

Tuesday - 6:00pm
All is well with Team Christenson. Yup, still just chillin' in the ole hospital room. We're thankful for one more night under the superb care of St. Charles Hospital, but at the same time, we'll be stoked to be at home and under the care of Grandpa & Grandma Keating :) Oh, Courts milk came in surprisingly early and from what I can gather, it's pretty crazy! Joelle is beyond stoked to have a super full belly though.

Tuesday - 8:15pm
First things first, we love love love Joelle, there is nothing more beautiful or more precious in this world :) We just got done with a massive lasagna dinner and some beers provided by the lovely Marsha & Dennis, and we just received THE BEST floral arrangement piece from Mary Taft - she's so awesome! All the nurses and docs have commented on them. We got caught up on some SNL debate coverage and now it's bed time! Honestly, we're pretty wiped (especially Court), so keep her in your prayers these next couple weeks. For a healthy recovery and for lots-o-rest. We're expecting life to be kinda difficult for a bit, so please forgive us for not responding to emails and calls on a regular basis. We REALLY REALLY love you all and appreciate your encouragement and support in this journey. We couldn't do it without you. Hopefully we'll be reporting from home tomorrow. Sleep Tight.

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Wednesday - 9:00am

We're up, had a killer breakfast, Joelle is a pro at feeding and we're all really well rested! Joelle is seriously doing fabulous - she's even started gaining weight. Both our docs visited and gave us the go-ahead to take our kiddo home... Holla! We're way ahead of schedule and the nurses and docs are very impressed with both girls. Praise the Lord!

Wednesday - 2:00pm
We're home and loving every second of it. It's amazing how little you really need in life to survive. All we had in that little hospital room was a bathroom, 1.5 beds (mine was really more of a couch), an extra sink, our Cameras and my Mac Book Pro (a must have for life in general:). Now we come home to our awesome house full of all our CRAP that we just keep accumulating - don't get me wrong, we're lovin' the crap right now. It's all just extra fluff and really not that necessary to life, it's just comfort... but man it's great in this moment... we're blessed, or should I say spoiled ;) Welp, our house really does feel like a home now with the kiddo in it. Life is good my friends, and we feel a whole new purpose in life.

Baby Showerz & House Decor

Here's a few pics of the b.shower that our outstanding friends - the Fitches and Parlas - threw us here in Bend! It was a complete blast. We heart you guy soooo much! And THANK YOU ALL for the crazy amazing gifts... we're so blessed!

Well, it's been several weeks since we moved from our old "house in the stix" to our new "killer little pad" - it's actually a normal house (just a few years old) with all of life's modern amenities. We are pretty much settled in and love love love the new place. It's funny how much you appreciate the small things in life after being without for so long... like central air :). Here are some pics of our decorating skillz (or lack thereof), and some pics of the baby room (Court's mother, Marsha, flew up from SoCal for the baby shower and spent several days helping Courtney get all the baby stuff ready - mad props to you grandma!).

Court found this stick in our neighbors yard, she stole it fair and square and put it to good use. The image on the right is our new BAR area (sweet antique table we snatched at goodwill), it only has one bottle of Scotch there (for celebrating Joelles birth) but believe you me, there'll be plenty more where that came from once Court can start having some drinks again.
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Court and her mom did TONS of creative decorating for the baby's room. They reupholstered all sorts of furniture, painted and got the baby room ready for Joelle. Also, we have a sweet random "mini-loft" in our new place that has become our "shelf-o-random things & books". It sits above and around our living room - it's awesome.
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Here' some of the gals work. We're going with some autumn colors and a bird theme. LOVE the lamp... created by Court.

Baby Time UPDATE

No baby today... phew :) The fluids look about the same, maybe even a bit less than yesterday, but everything else looks great! So we're ganna come back in on Sunday, check everything again and take it from there. If the levels have dropped on Sunday, we'll get Joelle out there, if the amniotic fluid levels remains the same (which are still pretty low: 5.8 of 25) we'll schedule a c-section for either Wed or Thursday! We were hoping to flip this baby and have a completely natural birth (we've even taken over 2 months of "natural birthing classes" to prep for a normal labor - stupid responsibility), but with the fluid levels being where they are, neither are a realistic option for us. Which is fine, we'll just be stoked to meet her. We'll send out a mass email and update this blog every few hours once we start the process of bringing Joelle into this world, so check back often. In the mean time, we'll just take it easy and relax at home (I'll try and get a few more work projects done before we take a bunch of time off). We'll keep you updated.

It's ALMOST Baby Time

Well folks, the time for babies has arrived. We're expected to have Joelle in our arms within the next week (via c-section)... maybe even tomorrow! Courtney is just 2 days shy of 37 weeks, so Joelle is pretty much "full term"... so we're sittin' good. We went in for a scheduled "version" today (where they try and turn the baby - b/c she's been breech), and we found out that Court's amniotic fluid level is really low. So they kept us in the hospital for most of the day monitoring [MY] two girls. Everything is fine, baby Joelle is stoked inside the belly! She's perfectly healthy and already a solid 6lbs 3oz, and Courtney is feeling fabulous! The doctor let us leave for the night and we'll check back in tomorrow morning to see where the fluid levels are at. If they are lower than todays levels, they'll pull Joelle out tomorrow (CRAZY! We can't fathom being parents tomorrow), but if the fluid levels increase, we'll wait until next week and go with the scheduled c-section. At this point, we're pretty dialed into a c-section... which we've come to grips with... either way, we're ganna have a baby soon and that gets us excited (and nervous). Keep checking back to THIS BLOG for updates!!! We'll keep you posted on every tasty little detail.