In loving memory.

Dear Dad,

I'm trying hard to be strong for the rest of the family including mom, but it's not easy. Living at home is a constant reminder that you are no longer with us. Your cane, seat, photos and hundreds of other mementoes will be in our minds and hearts for eternity. We will all in turn be with you and everyone else.

I know you aren't alone, for that matter, you haven't spent a day alone in your life. You were loved by many and respected by all. The calls are flooding our lines, land and cell, with tears and messages of compassion. You will be at your final resting place soon, next to Nene (grandma').

Please save me a seat at the final show and please take care of us all for now.

Your memory will live on in the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, be proud of who you were and what you accomplished. Family man, husband, father (many times over), engineer, architect, member of the Royal Air Force for her Majesties the Queen (WW2), friend, colleague, mentor, role model and the list goes on for eternity. That word "eternity", seems to be synonymous with Giraire E. Manoukian (G.E.M.).

Cheers to a GEM of a life you led and to the legacy you created.

Love you always and forever,

Your son, fan and loving admirer,

Michael Gregoire Manoukian



"Our name is all we have, without it, we cannot know WHO we are." G.E.M.
01/17/1919 - 06/09/08

Love Cuba !

Well after 4.5 hour flight from Cayo Coco, Cuba to Toronto, Canada and 5 hour wait before my flight home to lovely Montreal, I got some rest. Let me tell you, it wasn't to a second too soon.

I arrived in Cuba on Saturday night May 24th @ 8pm and was in bed (drunk) by 10pm. Now lets be honest. I could say that i spent a week photographing the life and love of Cuba, but that would be a lie. I did need a vacation from photography and more photography would not be the key.

The receipt to relaxation for me (at least this time) was as follows:

Ingredients
- 2 parts rum
- 1 part great people (suggesting original Edmonton gals)
- 1 part sun
- 1 part beach
- 2 parts music

Method
Mix the rum, music, sun and beach in your own personal blend to make a good time, once you reach the consistency you are looking, add a healthy serving of great people.

All jokes aside, i had a wonderful time and it really is thanks to "RedBull" and "Idaho" (real names have been changed for the sake of privacy), thank you girls.

I ya, i almost forgot, a great view is always useful.




I may get access to a few images of myself taken from other photoger.

Stay tuned for the possibility of more images.

Mike G. M.