I am Scared.

I was brought to tears last weekend. (and really every time I think about this)

I was visiting my home and my Grandparents. My namesake grandfather was diagnosed with metastasized melanoma in February, and has 3 tumors.

He refused anti-cancer medication. At the time, he felt fine, he had a good quality of life, he enjoys eating, and medication would surely change that. He's 89, and for most people, I guess that's what most people would expect. He's had a very full life, has lived his life on his own accord, has 10 grandchildren.

What just tears me apart is that he and my grandmother (age 94) are otherwise very healthy, independant, and very in love with each other. They just became Great-Grandparents.

They are my heroes above all others.

I've felt for some time that I identify with my grandfather more than anyone in my entire family. I grew up a stone's throw away from his house, and he is just as much of a father to me as my own father is. I recall spending many nights with him getting help on my schoolwork when I was a child, and in doing so passed on to me a love for science and mathematics.

He also has held his core values dear. He was recruited to IBM in Chicago as a young engineer --he was truely one of the original whiz kids there-- but when they wanted him to learn how to play golf and dress up, he sold his tuxedo and returned to the farm. He never looked back after choosing freedom over fortune.

I've had deaths in my family, but this is different. Never has anyone been this close to me. Last week was the second time I saw tears come from my fathers eyes.

I am scared.

Rest in Peace, George

Today, one of my heroes, George Carlin, died.

George, thank you so much for opening my mind, helping me understand the world, and making me laugh. You've shaped who I am, and I am infinitely grateful.

You will be dearly missed, and never forgotten.

My Favorite Photographers.

Many, many of your have expressed to me your appreciation for my photography. Your compliments are appreciated just as much, and I will pay you one further. I give you MY favorite photographers.

I will not guarantee that all links are safe for work.

Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir-- Rebekka is the biggest name on Flickr, hands down. She's responsible for inspiring an enormous new wave of digital photographers. Don't miss her legendary Icelandic horse set.

Trey Ratcliff -- A.K.A Stuck in Customs, Trey is an HDR pioneer and his work is inspiring legions of HDR fanatics. He also publishes online tutorials to get anyone in on the action that wants it..

Soffia Gisladóttir -- Soffia is another top photographer who publishes her methods into tutorials online. These have really opened my eyes into the power of photoshop.

G.Hjöll -- Incredible portraits, all with a very unique style & look.

Julia Fullerton-Batten -- Incredible portraits, some of famous people. Very much fine art, her photos are everywhere.

Andrea Giacobbe -- Surreality in portraits & fashion. Wild.

Helga Kvam -- top notch Icelandic landscape photographer.

Laura Travels -- A great photographer who travels a fair amount. Fantastic landscape photography.

Zena Holloway -- Underwater photography in a completely different direction.

Hamad Darwish -- Another world class photographer. Some of his photos are included with Windows Vista.

Jeff Sullivan -- A huge cache of incredible landscapes. Great talent.

Of course, there's plenty more that I could mention, but simply don't have time. You can find many of them in my Flickr contacts.