MikeZook.com

picasa.google

Since I can't afford an iMac I have been looking for a program that can allow me to edit my photographs and apply different effects to them. Picasa from Google is about the closest program to iPhoto that I have found. It's free. It's easy to use. And when you download the program it automatically scans your computer, finds, sorts, organizes and labels all your photos. You can print, share, edit, organize and create in this program.

The editing is easy and it gives you a lot more than most window based programs. Then there are a few cool features to use once you get the program installed. Once you have edited, cleaned up, effected your photos you can automatically upload a complete album, from that program, onto your new Picasa Web Album. From there you can do what I have done to the right of this post and embed your albums in a slide show on your blog by copying the HTML code for slide show. Pretty simple.

Here is the best part. When anyone clicks on the slide show, after you have it on your blog, it takes them to your Public Gallery (you can make photos private as well - not viewable by the general public) where they can view all your pictures in full screen. From here anyone can view, download or print pictures through Shutterfly or Photoworks.

Now granted this is no equal substitute for iPhoto, but it is a poor man's version at best. It will have to do for now. Look for more photo albums as I try to expand my photography skills a bit.

Merry Christmas from the Zook's

Cafe Du Monde

The Original Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand was established in 1862 in New Orleans in the French Market. It has been around so long it makes Starbucks look like a start up! It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It closes only on Christmas Day and on the day an occasional Hurricane passes too close to New Orleans. I have been there twice, including 1:30 am last night, this morning.

Shot from the street....

A little bit of heaven....

A little more of heaven....

Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans

These are some photos I took of the Lower 9th Ward here in New Orleans (ariel shot of neighborhood). This is where the barge slammed into the levee several times during Hurricane Katrina, weakening it with every blow until it finally broke through and flooded, NO, demolished an entire community. Only the homes built of brick still stand with a shell of a structure. Everything else was completely wiped out. That was 2 years, 3 months ago and people are STILL living in FEMA trailers!!!

This was a sobering experience to go through this neighborhood. Some people are starting to build new homes on their lots. Their is a great sense of strength and hope yet frustration in the people of NOLA. I spoke to the lady who has the sign in her yard, you'll see it in the photo album. She is still pissed at the government because they have not released funds to help the victims like her rebuild her home. Read her sign and hear her story. Imagine this is your story. I did. CLICK HERE FOR ALBUM

A few favorite Pics from Vacation

Devin showing off his new Tat - looking studly....

Makenna looking as cute and sweet as ever....

Devin getting up on a wakeboard on his first try....

Gandolf the Grey (Parker) and Frodo (Makenna) ready for the journey to Middle Earth....

Safeco Field - Home of the Seattle Mariners. Currently 4 games behind the Angels in the American League West. I get to see them play August 11th against the White Sox...

Random Pics from this last week

Makenna & Devin hanging out on top of a military tank with friends Kia & Mason from Portland, OR.

Makenna's first motorcycle ride!

Brenda and I hanging out with our dear friends Jeff & Messina at a great Asian restaurant and lounge called Republic.  They live in Portland, OR. and came to visit us here in Chicago last week. Yes, I was in the sun that day!!

Devin catches his first Bass at the Lakes of Bliss Woods!

Makenna graduates from Kindergarten!  (Take note of Devin's shirt...I love that shirt!)

The Centurion

In a world where political affairs allow a handful of powerful people to create truth for a price, one man struggles with the worth of his soul while another man struggles with the reality of what he knows.  The Centurion is the story of these two men.

More Than A Gift

Our Church, Ginger Creek, Put on a Christmas performance this year that told the story of a family's journey toward reconciliation with each other.  Of  course the deeper message that was clearly told was our innate longing to be reconciled to God our Father.

There are some amazing and talented people that God has blessed this fellowship of believers with....and the cool thing is that they are all using their gifts to glorify the King!!

Click here for more pictures from "More Than A Gift"