Stunning video by Mike Matas. Music is perfect and I love how he did several captures of certain scenes so that when played back like this you’re able to focus a little more on those moments.

Banff, AB Canada

Banff, AB Canada

In a couple of days I’ll be leaving for a much needed vacation. We’re heading to Canada for the first time to visit family and are anxious to get on our way. Obviously my posts will slow to a screeching halt, but I hope to take photos while I’m away and post some when I return.

Oh and contrary to the graphic above we will not be traveling by fighter jet.

This hotel in Japan looks absolutely amazing. The color scheme, design, concept, everything. Totally not something I could stay in if we ever went to Japan, but I’m attracted to the idea and the experience. More photos and information here. (via Jonathan Moore)

On Monday, Dec 22nd I crammed into a 2 door Civic with my good friends Mike and Ryan and headed up to Dallas to attend Hype/01. I wrote about HYPE awhile back and at the time didn’t have plans to attend since I knew I would be in Houston already for Christmas. But after I wrote the post both Mike and Ryan turned on the heat and soon afterwards we had plans to drive up and check things out. The event featured several artists from the various vocations of photography, fine art and music. I had no idea what to expect since I don’t know any of the featured artists outside of some brief emails with photographer Andrew Shepherd. All I knew going into the event is that it aligned with my interests both artistically and missionally as all proceeds were donated to Sower of Seeds, an international ministry involved in providing clean drinking water in India.  From my personal experience and various reports on some of the featured artists’ blogs, the event was a huge success. In speaking with Andrew Shepherd I learned that this was the inaugural HYPE (hence the “01″) and the dream is to take HYPE to other cities around the country. I think the whole idea is fantastic and I hope those dreams become realized sooner rather than later. In the mix of the success of HYPE, the highlight of the night for me was spending 10+ hours with two friends on the road. Our initial plan was to stay the night in Dallas and get up early the next day to make the drive back down to Houston, but after an hour or so at HYPE we decided to make the roundtrip in the same night. I knew I was in good hands as both Mike and Ryan are used to late night driving…Ryan with his countless trips around the state to see some of his favorite bands and Mike driving all the way to the San Marcos outlets in the dead of night just so his lovely wife could get some shopping done on Black Friday.   Kudos Mike…in that respect you’re a greater man than I, even if I do think you’re a lunatic. I’m ready for the next late night road trip, maybe to HYPE/02 or whatever number they’re up to at that point. Selfishly, I just want to hit up that buffet at Sam’s in Fairfield again and see what new religious trinket Hargrave will buy at the local gas station to bless our trip. Although this time on the way back I think I’ll pass on the Starbucks in Ennis. That blonde-haired dude behind the counter who, with great pleasure, described how good their chocolate chip cookies are still haunts my dreams.

A “behind the scenes” video covering some of Jeremy’s involvement with the Passion World Tour. The shots will be compiled into a book called “Awakening” that is scheduled to be released in the spring. The idea of this hits so many nerves in me: traveling, photography/design, experiencing other cultures, spreading the gospel.