Maui Moments

A sample of my Maui images. I am available to work in Hawaii, nationally and internationally.

Upcountry Maui Wedding

A sample of my wedding photography. If you like what you see, I will be available to work nationwide through the remainder of 2009.

The Pilgrimage: A conversation with Adventure Travel Writer Brandon Wilson

BRANDON WILSON is an award-winning author of three travel adventure books, a photographer, explorer and adventure-travel writer whose stories have appeared in anthologies, international magazines and newspapers, and across the Internet. He's passionate about inspiring others with the possibility of discovery through long-distance trekking.

Press Play to Hear Podcast

Brandon shares his amazing insight on ancient pilgrimages around the world. He tells of his personal journey towards peace while walking over 2,300 miles. Listen and learn about his travels...one amazing step at a time.

The world of today is at the dawn of an amazing technological, communication and transportation transformation, but Brandon has an enlightened approach to slowing down, clearing the clutter and lightening the load both literally and figuratively.

In this Podcast and in his books, he shares ideas on how to take a step back, from the seemingly mad world, and begin anew on a path towards inner and outer peace.

His books are also available for sale by clicking on the featured Author link. Thanks for listening!

CLICK HERE to view Brandon Wilson's website.

The Pilgrim's Toolkit

Be sure to visit our online store to find all of the tools you will need to begin your own pilgrimage.  Whether it is a 1 day or 1 month long journey,  you are sure to find the essential items that will guarantee you a safe passage and pleasant journey.

Click to visit the Pilgrim's Toolkit!

Gran Torino Movie Review

The movie trailer doesn't come close to doing this film justice.  Part of the reason is that Clint Eastwood's character (Walter Kowalski) spews just about every racial epithet and stereotype known to humankind, but the trailer is made suitable for all audiences.

Walter is as bitter, cantankerous and crusty a man as you are likely to find.  His wife has passed away and his children & grandchildren are clueless.  They epitomize the self-centered American with too much flouride in their water. 

Eastwood plays the bitter old man as best he can without turning him into a complete monster. Think Archie Bunker on steroids.  There was some laughter in the audience with each hate filled and political incorrect rant,  albeit a bit uncomfortable.   

Despite Eastwood's iconic image on the screen, the supporting cast is largely unknown, so the film has an "independent" feel to it.   Be prepared for a couple of lump in the throat moments, because for all of Eastwood's bad ass attitude, you can't help but feel for the guy. 

A Korean War vet, he lived and played by the set of rules he was given, but he never got, or accepted that the rules of the game have changed from one generation to the next.   His confessed sins are so shocking in their simplicity that it's no wonder he possesses disdain for the excesses and lack of discipline demonstrated by each successive generation.

With the immigration debate raging in America today, it's interesting that the screenwriter and director (Eastwood) chose to center the story around the Hmong community.  Ironically, his immigrant neighbors demonstrate the "American" values Walt longs for while his own family turns his stomach.  This film is a flagrant study on the absurdities of our stereotypes on just about everything and everyone.   It isn't perfect or without its issues, but overall, Gran Torino aims and hits its target pretty darn well.

Lost in America Recommends with    * * * * *

Life & Death an Interview w/ Chris Boskoff

Our own mortality is something that we rarely want to ponder or face.  However, death is a fact of life.  Most of us would prefer going to sleep at some ripe old age and never wake up after a lifetime of living.  Then there are those of us who live with reckless abandonment and enjoy life on the edge.

Chris Boskoff is a young guy who was careening down the path of living without concern...then he had an accident that stopped his heart from beating, put him in a coma and caused him to suffer traumatic brain injury.  He had to learn how to walk and talk again.  He was extremely fortunate.  I feel fortunate that he would share his  his amazing story with us at Lost in America!

Click Play to Hear Chris Boskoffs Story

Economic Downturn....

The economic downturn and slowing economy hit close to home this week.  I was laid-off from my job on Saturday. Tuesday, I visited the unemployment office. I was told I would be eligible to receive $230 a week. Hardly enough to be able to live on Maui. I need to make that much per day! Needless to say, it was a major blow and I began to feel regret and doubt about the decisions and choices I have made over the past couple of years. How could I have been so foolish to follow my dream and passion of being a photographer?

An hour later despair had begun to set in. I bought a sandwich and wandered into the local bookstore and sat down in the coffee shop to eat. My head was spinning. I sat there feeling about as low as I can remember. After all I have worked for and been through, I wondered if I could face this financial and personal challenge staring at me.

Then, at my lowest moment and feeling a deep dread, over the sound system I heard…

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They’re really saying I love you.

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world

A sense of relief washed over me. In that moment, in this week, I was left with no doubt that there is a life beyond what we experience in this body on this planet.

The song was my dad’s favorite and the one he insisted be played at his funeral.

CLICK: www.KeithBreitbach.com

ANNOUNCING MY NEW WEBSITE!

I am happy to announce my new photography and podcast website:

www.KeithBreitbach.com

Nearly a year has passed since I began this blog and journey.

I had no idea what the outcome would be when I bought that
first camera back in Nebraska at the Walmart off the interstate.

But, I have found my inspiration and will continue pursuing
my passion and keep working to take it to higher levels.

Thanks for your support and encouragement.

Mahalo.

Keith

Hawaiian Garden...

The Colors of the Rainbow...

I was in the right place at the right time with my camera yesterday evening. I see a lot of rainbows around the island, but the camera isn't always so close at hand.

Postcards from Maui

The magnificent whales have returned to the Hawaiian waters for the winter. 

When taking photos, I try to see the ordinary in an unordinary way. Color, light, form, conventional function and solitude can make for an interesting photo if you take the time to look and see.

These settings abound, regardless of where in the world you find yourself.


Here on Maui we have palm trees, boogie boards and sunsets.


But the sun is always setting somewhere.

Another Beautiful Day in Paradise

Everyday on Maui is great, especially when I'm able to kickback on the shoreline and watch the sun dip below the horizon. I took these photos on a partly cloudy evening last week from a west side beach park. That fiery orange ball is the sun slowly slipping behind the island of Lanai.

You can click any of the photos on the site and a larger version will display.

Full Moon Fever

Here it is, the first full moon of 2007.



I was howling as I snapped this one.

Moon Over Maui.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and Welcome back to the Lost in America Blog.
After several months off, I am back and ready to add more photos and offer up more of my wit filled ramblings.


All things considered, 2006 was a great year filled with an equal amount of hard work and lazy days filled with laughter. This blog has reflected mostly the latter. The blog has also served as a point of inspiration to renew my passion for photography. What started out as a whim way back in July when I swung in to that Walmart to buy my first camera, has now become my renewed passion and hopefully rewarding business.


2007 will see the creation of my photography business on Maui. Stay tuned as I will be posting many photos in the coming days.

If you or anyone you know is coming to Maui to get married or vacation, please let me know and I will be happy to shoot the occasion.


My Dubuque friends Terry Stewart, Judy Schmidt and their daughter Rachel were on island over the Christmas holiday. I had the pleasure of showing them around the island and they indulged me with the opportunity to act as their own private paparazzi.


Aloha Rachel, Terry and Judy!

If I've learnt anything on this road trip across vast parts of America and to the South Pacific, it's that life is certainly more livable when we are able to unplug, unwind and tune-out.

I realized some time ago, and have once again been reminded, that an interesting life is best created by actively seeking out and recognizing authentic people and places. My life, work and travels have opened some interesting doors and I consider myself fortunate to have journeyed down countless paths that have led me to cross more than just time zones.

For me, travel is the best way to understand the meaning of authenticity. I don't believe there is anything authentic about watching television or other people following their dreams. You have to follow your own bliss and seek out your own adventure.


I must be honest, I began this blog on a whim with the hope that a few people would enjoy the chronicles of my journey. The responses and reactions to my postings and photos have been positive and supportive. I thank you for taking an interest and I sincerely hope this effort has perhaps inspired others to take a leap of faith. To go from the known to the unknown. It has been a bona fide journey that has opened me to many wonderful friends, people, places as well as providing countless reminder of all the exciting possibilities available. If you are still reading this, I encourage you to try and do the same.

Life is short.

Maybe you don't have 2 months, but surely you can find 2 weeks, 2 days or even 2 hours to break away from the routine and try something new.

I've also learnt that perhaps I am not "lost in America" - rather - America is lost on me.


I don't mean that in the sense that America is a lost cause. Although I know some certainly do feel that way. Rather, there does not appear to be a unifying thread tying the country together. Perhaps there never was and it's just one of those myths perpetuated by my memory or desire for greater meaning from everyday life. Yeah, I know the country is filled with ubiquity and obnoxious homogeneous clutter. My goal has been to see the ordinary in an un-ordinary way. I've tried to shift my paradigm if you will.


I've not watched much television over the last few months - actually most of this year...I was busy working 15 hour days during the first six months and traveling the last couple. So while flipping through the channels the other day I couldn't help but become repulsed and nauseous at what is passing for news.

It's time to yank the cable from the TV.


Yeah...yeah...yeah, there may have been a brief moment after 9/11 where people were united in their shock, fear and grief, and no, I'm not talking about Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction! Kidding aside, those were strange days and our emotional buttons were being pushed hard so we would be led to think we were all having a moment together. But emotions are things you process in your own personal way...nobody can ever feel exactly what you are feeling.


These days the stories and facts have become as twisted and turned around as a gulf coast hurricane. Nobody knows what is really happening from one day to the next or what reality is. Our collective memories are constantly being scrubbed clean.

Now the war in Iraq and our politics is the equivalent of a level 3 hurricane ripping through and tearing us apart. Really, what brings people together anymore? The media? I am convinced that it is a greater threat than Crystal Meth in that it is designed to perpetuate the dulling of our intellects and our ability to process anything of value. Overdosing on it will kill your spirit and our collective soul.


It has already been five years since 9/11 happened and I wonder what could possibly shock us out of our submission?

Even Katrina, only a year later, now seems like a bad B-movie. Honestly, after the few benefit concerts and Kanye West's brief moment of clairvoyant ramblings about George Bush hating black people, what do those of us who weren't directly impacted feel, care or even remember? Those images and resulting outrage turned out to be as temporary as a henna tattoo.


My most poignant moment happened while attending the services of my friend's mom who drowned outside of Biloxi. For me, spending time with his family and friends was the only authentic moment attached to the national disaster. Watching Anderson Cooper or the dupes at Fox News droning on about the drowning just doesn't do it for me anymore.

Yesterday's news story was nothing but countless hours of callous reporters calculating and drawing conclusions about a decade old cold blooded killing of little girl in Colorado and the titillating tales of young girls forced into polymigamist marriages inside a quasi religious cult.

It's time to pull the plug.

Okay...no more ranting!

The summer is winding down and I will be soon journeying back to Iowa for several weeks until returning to Maui for the winter. I am contemplating the continuation of the blog and its evolution. So, consider this a warning or promise...I will do my best to continue posting more photos, stories and thoughts from my wandering mind as I continue on this journey called life.

Just Another Day in Paradise...

The view from my condo in Honokowai - Maui's west side.

The evening sunset from Kaanapali Beach...just a stones throw from the condo.

Aloha from Maui!

After my Seattle painting gig was up, I decided to catch a last minute flight to the Valley Isle for a short 10 day stay.

Besides checking in on business and a little beach time...

I fit in a round of golf with Brother Brad, baby Drake and Father-in-Law Alvin.

After losing a half-dozen balls, I decided the day would be a lot more pleasant if I didn't keep score...F O U R !

Wheels up! Mystery Destination Coming Soon.

Leavin home, out on the road
Ive been down before
Ridin along in this big ol jet plane
Ive been thinkin about my home
But my love light seems so far away
And I feel like its all been done
Somebodys tryin to make me stay
You know Ive got to be movin on

Oh, oh big ol jet airliner
Dont carry me too far away
Oh, oh big ol jet airliner
Cause its here that Ive got to stay

Goodbye to all my friends at home
Goodbye to people Ive trusted
Ive got to go out and make my way
I might get rich you know I might get busted
But my heart keeps calling me backwards
As I get on the 707
Ridin high I got tears in my eyes
You know you got to go through hell
Before you get to heaven

The Fremont Market - The Center of the Universe

Seattle's neighborhoods are famous and regarded for their own unique character, but their weekend and farmer's markets certainly add to their charm and urban vibe.

Sunday morning I awoke and decided to stroll through the Fremont Market - the neighborhood in which I am currently staying and use to call home about a decade ago. The neighborhood has changed a lot over the past 10 years from bohemian artists to urban yuppies, but at least the sites, sounds, colors and funky junk of the market has stayed mostly true to form.