Since the moment it was announced I have been coveting the Canon 200-400mm f/4 lens pictured here. The idea of spending more than 10 grand on a lens has helped me resist the temptation. The imminent payment of a sizable iRobot bonus, however, is forcing me to reconsider.

Nicolai and I leave tomorrow evening for Atlanta. We have been invited and are being flown down by the Coca Cola company so that Nico can participate in their Global Marketing & Commercial Leadership Town Hall presentation. They will be presenting their Powerade FIFA World Cup 2014 Campaign to 300 of their global marketers for the first time and would like to have Nico join them on stage at the conclusion of the presentation for a brief interview. Nico is the sole subject of one of their Powerade television ads that is set to air during the World Cup and will be used to culminate the presentation.

From Atlanta we will fly to San Antonio where Nico will train with the US National Amputee Soccer team for three days. I will not be updating the blog again until Sunday when we return.

I have come to realize that my photos will die on my computer when I am no longer here to access them. I have far too many to print and frame and there are only so many square feet of empty walls in the house. Instead, I have embarked on a path of publishing them in the form of photo books. It is a very time-consuming process, as I give considerable thought to design and placement. The results, however, are very satisfying and create a permanent and universally accessible record of my work. I am currently working on a book covering my travels in Peru and spent several hours today reprocessing old image files with newer software. Shown here is one of Machu Picchu.

This evening the girls attended Havana Nights, a fundraiser for the Concord Conservatory of Music held at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln. The Cuban-themed event featured the tropical cuisine, drinks, and music of Cuba. Maya with her bright red lipstick and dark flowing hair looked like she had come straight from the island. Her mother was equally beautiful but looked like she had come straight from an island off of Sweden. On the way to the event, the fox pictured below was spotted from the car. Maya jumped out to get as close as possible for a good photograph. By contrast, I spent a very quiet day preparing another book of photographs, this time of my trip to Peru a few years ago. It was a good way to stay off my recovering sprained ankle. I did get out briefly for a lunch date with the fox on the right.