StevenBrisson
What we do flows from who we are.
~Paul Vitale
Though most of you have seen me before, this is my annual time to step back in front of the camera and share a self-portrait and a bit more info about myself. And like I did last year, I chose 20 Random Things About Me that I should probably have just kept to myself. Oh well, it's out there now. :)
Note: I don't tag people, but if you feel like sharing your own 20 Random Things, please feel free. :)
1. How did you meet your spouse/significant other?
I met my beautiful wife in 1998 when she was hired as an intern at the design agency I owned (it wasn't creepy in a Bill Clinton way like you're thinking). Though we were very attracted to each other and would flirt throughout the day via instant messenger, we didn't date until after her internship.
2. Do you have kids?
We do not, but I have an amazing assortment of nieces & nephews whom I adore, and who keep me from wanting my own. Kidding! Honestly, this is our year to get busy in the baby-making department. :)
3. Have you ever broken any bones?
Yes, many. Mostly in my hands and arms, plus I had a severe ACL tear that ended what might have been a promising athletic career. I've also broken my nose twice: once in a hockey fight (lucky shot) and once diving into the shallow end of the pool in a collegiate drunken stupor.
4. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?
Though I'm pretty happy with myself overall, I'd have to say my freckles. I hoped I would outgrow them, but that didn't happen. However, I discovered that Snookie-type spray tanning makes them blend.
5. Favorite sports to watch?
Mostly hockey & baseball. But I don't watch it in the DON'T-TALK-THE-GAME-IS-ON! crazy fan kind of way. It's just sports, people--and you don't own the team. Stop painting your face and put a shirt on.
6. Do you still have your tonsils?
I do...and my appendix, adenoids and all other parts. I'm not big on the idea of giving away body parts, even if some quack doctor thinks they're superfluous. The way I see it, I came in with them...I'm leaving with them*. *Not really true: I'm a registered organ donor (and you should be, too).
7. Would you bungee jump? Sky-dive?
Yes to both. I'm pretty fearless/reckless in that waybut neither is at the top of my "things-to-do" list. In fact, they're very close to the bottom.
8. What book are you reading now?
"Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen. It is absolutely brilliant. Possibly the best book I've read in my lifetime (and I'm an avid reader). Yes, it's that good. And yes I liked it before Oprah did.
9. What did you watch on TV last night?
It was Laura's favorite night of TV watching: I sat thru two hours of "The Bachelor"...and I actually feel dumber today.
10. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
If texting, it'd be my wife, who is just in the other room (so incredibly lazy, I know). If by voice, it would be the design director from the agency I'm currently working with on a 'not-sexy-but-bill-paying' photoshoot.
11. Hair color?
Still brown, but with a few more gray hairs showing up lately (luckily, I'm still able to pluck them). I'm fortunate though, because my brother and both sisters were prematurely gray very early.
12. Last movie you watched?
We did two flicks over this past weekend: "True Grit" (flawless, incredibly engaging) and "The Social Network" (smart, compelling). I highly recommend both.
13. What are you listening to right now?
Pandora, an automated music recommendation service. You simply put in an artist or song title you like, and it builds a library of related music you then listen to for free. Download it...you'll love it.
14. Do you wear contacts?
No, nor do I wear glassesI've always had really good eyesight. When I was younger, the optometrist told me I "should be flying planes or racing cars" because I could see so far in the distance. But I can tell this might be the last year. Still, not bad given that I'm just a few years away from getting a senior discount at Denny's.
15. What is your favorite food?
If you've been to my stream before, then you know I ♥ food in all its forms: comfort, fast, frozen, gourmet, pet. I'm not picky.
16. Do you prefer scary movies or happy endings?
I am a boy, which means we don't determine a movie's value by the ending, but by the total body count or number of weapons used (preferably lots of Kung Fu and/or swords).
17. Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter?
Though I enjoy aspects of all four seasons, Fall is my absolute fav...especially growing up in New England. And while I love the warmth of the West Coast, I could never do summer in Southern Cali...because unless I'm soaking up the sun & alcohol in Cabo, I hate extreme heat.
18. What is the farthest you have been from home?
From the USA, I believe Kraków, Poland would be the furthest I've ever been geographically. But we're tentatively planning a trip to Russia later this year, so that will be the winner.
19. Do you have a special talent?
I guess I'm kinda decent at this photography thing, but what I truly pride myself on is being able to put anyone at ease within a minute or two, including total strangers. It comes from a genuine sense of caring about them, their story and their happiness.
20. What are the three most embarrassing moments of your childhood?
* I came back from having the flu one day too soon in 4th grade and projectile-vomited all over my math textbook in front of the class.
* I got my butt kickedbadlyby a really tall (and angry) girl in 6th grade for tattling on her to a teacher.
* Also in 6th gradeclearly not a good year for meI wore my sister's crochet knit sweater to school because it matched the outfit previously worn by a girl I had a crush on. Damn you, Kerry Becker.
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 85mm f/1.2L II
Aperture: f/2.0
Focal Length: 85mm
ISO Speed: 100
Lighting: AlienBees B800 left thru medium softbox; lots of natural light on short side
Exposure: 1/1000 sec
RAW File Processing: Lightroom 3
Joby Gorillapod w/ Manfrotto 496RC2 Ballhead
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
What we do flows from who we are.
~Paul Vitale
Though most of you have seen me before, this is my annual time to step back in front of the camera and share a self-portrait and a bit more info about myself. And like I did last year, I chose 20 Random Things About Me that I should probably have just kept to myself. Oh well, it's out there now. :)
Note: I don't tag people, but if you feel like sharing your own 20 Random Things, please feel free. :)
1. How did you meet your spouse/significant other?
I met my beautiful wife in 1998 when she was hired as an intern at the design agency I owned (it wasn't creepy in a Bill Clinton way like you're thinking). Though we were very attracted to each other and would flirt throughout the day via instant messenger, we didn't date until after her internship.
2. Do you have kids?
We do not, but I have an amazing assortment of nieces & nephews whom I adore, and who keep me from wanting my own. Kidding! Honestly, this is our year to get busy in the baby-making department. :)
3. Have you ever broken any bones?
Yes, many. Mostly in my hands and arms, plus I had a severe ACL tear that ended what might have been a promising athletic career. I've also broken my nose twice: once in a hockey fight (lucky shot) and once diving into the shallow end of the pool in a collegiate drunken stupor.
4. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?
Though I'm pretty happy with myself overall, I'd have to say my freckles. I hoped I would outgrow them, but that didn't happen. However, I discovered that Snookie-type spray tanning makes them blend.
5. Favorite sports to watch?
Mostly hockey & baseball. But I don't watch it in the DON'T-TALK-THE-GAME-IS-ON! crazy fan kind of way. It's just sports, people--and you don't own the team. Stop painting your face and put a shirt on.
6. Do you still have your tonsils?
I do...and my appendix, adenoids and all other parts. I'm not big on the idea of giving away body parts, even if some quack doctor thinks they're superfluous. The way I see it, I came in with them...I'm leaving with them*. *Not really true: I'm a registered organ donor (and you should be, too).
7. Would you bungee jump? Sky-dive?
Yes to both. I'm pretty fearless/reckless in that waybut neither is at the top of my "things-to-do" list. In fact, they're very close to the bottom.
8. What book are you reading now?
"Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen. It is absolutely brilliant. Possibly the best book I've read in my lifetime (and I'm an avid reader). Yes, it's that good. And yes I liked it before Oprah did.
9. What did you watch on TV last night?
It was Laura's favorite night of TV watching: I sat thru two hours of "The Bachelor"...and I actually feel dumber today.
10. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
If texting, it'd be my wife, who is just in the other room (so incredibly lazy, I know). If by voice, it would be the design director from the agency I'm currently working with on a 'not-sexy-but-bill-paying' photoshoot.
11. Hair color?
Still brown, but with a few more gray hairs showing up lately (luckily, I'm still able to pluck them). I'm fortunate though, because my brother and both sisters were prematurely gray very early.
12. Last movie you watched?
We did two flicks over this past weekend: "True Grit" (flawless, incredibly engaging) and "The Social Network" (smart, compelling). I highly recommend both.
13. What are you listening to right now?
Pandora, an automated music recommendation service. You simply put in an artist or song title you like, and it builds a library of related music you then listen to for free. Download it...you'll love it.
14. Do you wear contacts?
No, nor do I wear glassesI've always had really good eyesight. When I was younger, the optometrist told me I "should be flying planes or racing cars" because I could see so far in the distance. But I can tell this might be the last year. Still, not bad given that I'm just a few years away from getting a senior discount at Denny's.
15. What is your favorite food?
If you've been to my stream before, then you know I ♥ food in all its forms: comfort, fast, frozen, gourmet, pet. I'm not picky.
16. Do you prefer scary movies or happy endings?
I am a boy, which means we don't determine a movie's value by the ending, but by the total body count or number of weapons used (preferably lots of Kung Fu and/or swords).
17. Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter?
Though I enjoy aspects of all four seasons, Fall is my absolute fav...especially growing up in New England. And while I love the warmth of the West Coast, I could never do summer in Southern Cali...because unless I'm soaking up the sun & alcohol in Cabo, I hate extreme heat.
18. What is the farthest you have been from home?
From the USA, I believe Kraków, Poland would be the furthest I've ever been geographically. But we're tentatively planning a trip to Russia later this year, so that will be the winner.
19. Do you have a special talent?
I guess I'm kinda decent at this photography thing, but what I truly pride myself on is being able to put anyone at ease within a minute or two, including total strangers. It comes from a genuine sense of caring about them, their story and their happiness.
20. What are the three most embarrassing moments of your childhood?
* I came back from having the flu one day too soon in 4th grade and projectile-vomited all over my math textbook in front of the class.
* I got my butt kickedbadlyby a really tall (and angry) girl in 6th grade for tattling on her to a teacher.
* Also in 6th gradeclearly not a good year for meI wore my sister's crochet knit sweater to school because it matched the outfit previously worn by a girl I had a crush on. Damn you, Kerry Becker.
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 85mm f/1.2L II
Aperture: f/2.0
Focal Length: 85mm
ISO Speed: 100
Lighting: AlienBees B800 left thru medium softbox; lots of natural light on short side
Exposure: 1/1000 sec
RAW File Processing: Lightroom 3
Joby Gorillapod w/ Manfrotto 496RC2 Ballhead
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.