Spring Flowers '11 desktop wallpaper

It’s finally happening.

After such a brutal winter, Spring finally seems like it’s here. Of course, I’m ignoring the fact that it snowed last week, but that’s neither here nor there.

To commemorate the return of sun, outdoor activities, and a decrease in depression levels, I’ve created my yearly Spring Flowers desktop wallpapers and posted them over at mybestdesktops. Bring a little sunshine to your computer by downloading these today. Or if you like, download some spring flowers from 2010, spring flowers from 2009, or spring flowers from 2008.

I should remember to get outside!

Masquerader at the 43rd Annual West Indian Carnival in Brooklyn

Last weekend was the Labour Day parade in Brooklyn. One of my favorite Brooklyn events to bring a camera to. I took over 400 shots and have put some of the best online on my Flickr account and an article about the carnival at UncommonCaribbean.com. This was my first time back since 2008, so it was a ton of fun. Hundreds more photos are available in the West Indian Day Parade 2010 Flickr pool.

I should remember not to miss any more years.

The Umbrian Countryside.

Wine Tasting near Montepulciano

Strolling through Siena

A wedding in Lerum, Sweden of all places

And exploring Göteborg.

I should remember to jot more down… I’m forgetting so much.

Butcher Shop in Peru

Tablet Hotel’s Tablet Talk teamed up with Food52 for a travel food photography contest to be voted on by the world and somehow one of my photos from Peru have made it into the finals. Please head over to Tablet Talk and vote for my Butcher Shop in Peru photo. Thanks.

I should remember to… uhm… win!

As people all across the US watch the situation in the gulf (if they haven’t tuned it out already), you can’t help but agree with today’s caption from The Big Caption.

The Orchid Show: Cuba in Flower

Last week, the woman and I rode up to the Bronx to check out the New York Botanical Gardens’ The Orchid Show: Cuba in Flower. It was cold and there was still snow on the ground, but, for the most part, the ride was pleasant. After paying our $12 to park the motorcycle and $20 each to get in, we quickly found ourselves transported to (generally) warmer, lusher, more Caribbean climes. For the most part, the walk through the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory (incidentally, the nation’s largest Victorian-era glasshouse) was quite pleasant and the orchids on display delicately mesmerizing.

I should remember to make orchid hunting yet another reason to get to Cuba sooner rather than later. I’ll just keep this orchid desktop wallpaper up to remind me!

Today, I’m happy to announce the launch of a new site geared towards highlighting the often overlooked charms of the Caribbean. The Antilles are so much more than just beaches. The local people, food, drinks, music, natural wonders like volcanoes, hot springs, and more all add up to a unique experience that is best enjoyed by directly immersing yourself in the culture. Something you won’t find on any massive cruise ship.

So, for those looking for a deeper look into what the beautiful islands and people of the Caribbean have to offer, head over to the brand new Uncommon Caribbean site, become a fan of the UC Facebook page, look out for our latest videos on YouTube, or follow UncommonCarib on Twitter.

I need to remember to get down to the islands, explore new places and take as many photos as possible!

More Snow in Brooklyn, originally uploaded by Enjoy Patrick Responsibly.

I don’t think I’ll forget to go someplace warm anymore…

Oh yeah…

After Martinique, I spent the holidays freezing and damp high in the Peruvian Andes. This trek was organized through Adventure Life. For the most part, it was great. Some time in Cusco acclimatizing ourselves to the altitude, then off to the Ausangate region for 6 days climbing over 17,000 foot passes, meeting Andean people, watching baby alpacas being sheered and sometimes born, visiting the markets, sampling local cuisine like guinea pig and strawberry beer… and basically taking in the gorgeousness of the often brutal landscape. (There’s a desktop or two available over at mybestdesktops.com)

After the trekking, we took the easy train route to Machu Picchu… Truly breathtaking ruins, but I wouldn’t recommend taking the train all the way there and the town of Aguas Calientes was a bit too touristy. Finally we spent the New Year in Lima drinking Pisco Sours and exploring.

Although there were many memorable experiences along the way, it was hard to compete with a month in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Additionally, there were some hiccups with Adventure Life… I should remember to think twice before using them again.

Immediately upon retuning to New York I had a single day to relax before heading down to Savannah, Georgia for a work shoot. The fruits of that labor should be launching soon. I should remember to chat about it then.

Then it’s been heads down working.

I should remember not to work so much… and travel more.

Le M Burger Avec Bacon

While in Martinique, I kept seeing ads for the Le M burger at McDonald’s. When traveling, I try to sample local McDonald’s just as an experiment to see how different cultures and local tastes shape international products, so naturally I had to try Le M.

This is not your average Mickey D’s! Just check out the photos.

This is real food. It tastes like a real burger! It has real bread!!! And it even uses real cheese!!!!

I should remember that even McDonald’s is capable of making real food… if only for French people.