In Memoriam

"Each person must live their life as a model for others." -Rosa Parks

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Tappers Unite!

Allison & Kevin
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

Allison and Kevin are part of a "secret society" to which few can lay claim. Here they display the symbol of solidarity over a few pints of Yuengling Ale. What can I say? Miss you guys -- Thanks for the great hangs this past week.

Brian & Yvonne

Brian & Yvonne
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

These guys are also great friends of mine. I don't think you could meet nicer people than they are -- and if you did, I'd probably call you a liar. Check out Brian's blog. Yvonne has one too, but she doesn't update it very often.

"The Engineer"

Eymard
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

Eymard Cabling is a great guy and a great friend. Make sure you remember his name and his face -- I suspect you'll be seeing much more of him in the future...

Backstage

Backstage
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

Omi, Kelly, and Laurie prepare to put on a great show in 'Miss Saigon.' Aren't they beauitful?

Show Business

Laurie
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

Yesterday was, perhaps, the last time I will have seen the current tour of 'Miss Saigon.' Having toured with this production for 3 years, that realization saddens me a little. But that is the nature of the business; we all move on to other gigs and meet the next batch of people who will touch our lives, and it's always bittersweet. Thanks for the memories, guys! I miss you. . .

Carbondale

Carbondale
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

Now that I'm on hiatus from the touring life, I have more time to explore locally. There is plenty of countryside to explore, and much of it is practically in my backyard.

Carbondale was settled in the early 19th century, and boasted the world's first million-dollar corporation. Like most other cities in Northeastern PA, it's primary industry was anthracite coal.

The town has a certain lonesome quality that this photograph seems to echo.

Iron Butterfly

Iron Butterfly
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

Northeastern Pennsylvania has long been known as coal country. As a result, it was also reknown for its railroads, dominated by steam engines pulling thousands of pound of coal through the mountains of the region. I made this photograph at the Steamtown National Historic Site (Scranton, PA) while observing one of the multiple steam engines which are on display there. Comments are welcomed.

Binghamton, NY (#2)

Dangler #2
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

Here's a closer look . . .

Binghamton, NY

Dangler #1
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

This caught my attention yesterday. . . it is one of the public art displays in Binghamton, and is located across the street from the Forum Theater (where the 'Miss Saigon' tour is playing).

Laurie & Gang

Laurie & Gang
Originally uploaded by walterhertman.

Last night I visited with my friends from "Miss Saigon" and had a great time hanging out with them. The current tour is on its last leg, so if it comes to a town near you, be sure to check it out. This is a photo of my dear friend, Laurie Cadevida (front), who stars as Kim; to her right is Kelly Wilson (ellen), and behind them is Jeremy Michael (Chris u/s)

Change Your Mind -- Change Your Life

"We become what we think about,” said the great motivator Earl Nightingale. His groundbreaking lecture, "The Strangest Secret" influenced our world for generations after it was published in 1959.

Earl reminded us that we have at our constant disposal the most powerful Supercomputer ever known to mankind. And it is tucked conveniently in the space between our ears.

How many of us consistently direct our thoughts for a specific outcome? Few indeed.

In fact, most of us never use our minds to their full potential. It's not like they came with owner's manuals . . .

. . . but we can change all that!

Let’s examine a simple method for attaining our goals in less time ... with less effort ... and with more joy than we thought possible.

1. Daily Reading
Read your goals aloud, first thing upon arising, throughout the day, and just before retiring at night. Keep an index of your Top 10 Goals in your wallet or purse for easy reference. This daily habit is essential. The method . . . extremely powerful. Even if it’s all you ever do. Isn't investing 20 minutes a day to build your “dream life” about the easiest thing you can do with your spare time?

2. Build a "Dreambook"
Find attractive pictures of items on your list, and keep them in a loose-leaf binder. Be as specific as possible. If your list has a Silver, 2005 BMW Z3 on it, get the brochure and cut out a picture for your book. If your goal is abstract (happier family life, more time to spend with kids, etc.), try to find pictures which convey the concept. Refer to your book DAILY.

3. Use Positive Affirmations
Affirmations are short phrases which are repeated frequently, like a mantra. They affect your subconscious mind in the same way as hypnosis. Use them to reinforce a positive self-image. An example: "Every day,in every way, I'm getting better and better." Get creative and make up your own. Make them specific and repeat them often throughout the day.

4. Service to Others
The truism, "What goes around, comes around" is so-called because it is true. Focus on serving others in all you do, and succees in achieving your goals will be certain. Sound inconsistent? Try it. When we help others get what they want, our own wants flock toward us like a gaggle of geese.

Our thoughts are the captains at the helm of a great ship -- our actions. Our goals, the map and compass. The ship can hardly go but where the captain steers, can it?

Make the commitment to follow this program for the next 30 days. Allow it to work for you. You may find that, by then, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it.

Goals -- Pt. 2

Congratulations! You have just completed an act which most people will never do in their lifetimes. It wasn't difficult, was it? In fact, you probably found it to be fun, educational, and inspiring. I hope you got a little "outrageous" when trying to think of some goals, because they are mostly UNDER-stated!

That's right, folks --- most of what you wrote is located well within your 'comfort zone.' Take these goals and double them, and they would still be within your grasp. If doubling seems like too big of a stretch right now, try augmenting them by 1/4. You can work upwards over time.

We now have this 'wish list' which we've also expanded. To turn these into real goals, it might help knowing their characteristic traits. Goals must be:

1) Believeable

2) Specific

3) Be in 'positive terms'

4) Have a definite time-frame

Modify each item in your list to conform, otherwise you'll have only a list of daydreams. It is not enough to say "I would like to earn more money," try, "I will earn $100,000 within one year from today." Got it?

Prioritize

This is where the rubber hits the road. Begin to prioritize your goals, from most important to least. When you complete this, re-write the entire list in the proper order.

Behold your destiny!

You will begin find that others, perhaps with complementary goals, are attracted into your life in order to help you fulfill your dreams -- It may even seem that there is a 'conspiracy' afoot to help you. You will become more and more aware of the significance of this as you progress in your journey.

Next post will detail how to use your mind to make your goals impossible to evade you! The method is so simple, some of you won't believe it...