MMM BURGERS

Burger Bliss?

Last summer our family rented out our TINY little old truck shop to two guys with a big dream. Steve Jones and Chris Boehm wanted to make a burger joint.... at first we thought they would only last the summer, then we saw the renovations, the idea, and the customers. I think part of the charm is our tiny truck shop that they have transformed into a cute, bubbly building vibrant with color. Their signature orange 55 gumball takes centre place on the front door.

For those of you that haven't tried a burger from Burger 55, you must go now. I am a seriously picky eater, so this concept is right up my alley. When you enter the front door there are numerous clip boards on the wall with menu sheets. Grab a pencil and start creating! From beef, turkey, salmon, and mushroom you then go on to pick from a plethera of cheese such as funky feta and rockin roquefort. Next is the big condiment decision, it doesn't stop at ketchup, mustard, and mayo. How about caramel apple barbeque sauce,wasabi cream, peanut butter, or their orange ginger glaze? Lettuce and tomato are joined by roasted garlic, beet strings, roasted corn, and pico de gallo. And why not take it over the edge with a fried egg, a split sausage, or grilled peaches? And you just can't have a burger without fries....we had their sweet potato fries which were fabulous, although I did mentioned to them that they need a chipotle mayo to go with it. We tried their spicy sauce but it was too spicy for me, and not smoky enough like chipotle. They also have sweet whisky onion rings (which I am sure are good, but I will never be trying them - onions, ick!) and custom poutine with your choice of cheese...how cool is that?

The only thing I could think of while eating my burger was what combinations I was going to try next time. I'm thinking turkey burger, jalapeno havarti, mayo, sauteed mushrooms, and a pickle.

On a quick lunch break? Fax your order in and pick it up! With a great location downtown I think these guys are going to do fabulous. I can't wait to see the line up's out the door in the summer...and maybe a Burger 55 franchise somewhere in the future.

All from a crazy idea, a tiny old tire truck shop, and a ton of hard work. Congrats Steve and Chris on a successful venture!

Visit them at http://www.burger55.com or their FB fan page at www.facebook.com/burger55

Wow, what a week it has been! Saturday morning bright and early I jumped on the plane and headed to Vancouver. I got to spend a whole 24 hours with someone that I consider my "sister", my "soul mate" (but not in that sense!) I just think her and I have such an amazing connection and such similar views on the world, along with similar health struggles, that we were destined to be friends. I have known her since the day she was born.... 2 and a half years after I was. Our mothers had met while mine was pregnant with me, and hers was pregnant with her brother. Over the years they have lived all over the province, even made a quick trip out of province, but our families friendship hasn't wavered. I feel like part of their family...even the extended family. I never feel out of place at giant parties with all the aunts and uncles cause I've known them since I was little. Let's just say it's an awesome feeling to have "family" that isn't family.

So Saturday we spent lazing around her cozy loft in Gastown mixed with some Olympic intake. We visited the place where Canada House is, got to see some hilarious performers, and after dinner took a walk past the Olympic Flame. And what's a day in Gastown without shopping for some Olympics swag? I found a great PINK bag (of course it's pink!) and a figure skate keychain to put on my skate bag.

Sunday morning I packed up and headed to Richmond for the PPABC Image Quest Convention (Professional Photographers Association of BC). What a day.... it started with Dale Sanders, a Canadian photographer who brought along slides of his recent work with IMAX in filming a movie in the Arctic...WOW, what a job! A whole month camped out on the ice and snow taking pictures of polar bears. We had a nice long break that day in the middle so I checked into my hotel, had a nice hot bath, and a nap. It was heaven..... after having only 10 hours sleep over 2 days I really needed it. Returned after dinner for a 4 hour presentation by Dane Sanders (yes, almost the same name as Dale Sanders, no relation!)

His presentation has completely renewed my joy for photography, the very essence of why I think photography is so important. It reminded me that life is short, very short in some cases, and photographs are sometimes the only thing we have left. Dane lost his father at age 3 and only has one tiny picture of him and his dad together. My sister and I talked about this quite a bit when she was ill. We were both uncomfortable having our pictures taken (I still am) but she realized that very soon that's all her children would have. Nostalgia comes from the Greek for "pain from an old wound". Some days it's painful to look at photos of those we have lost, and other days it's necessary to get strength to continue on. We can look at those photos and remember events and memories that can stir up so many different emotions.

Monday was a whole day of Power Marketing 101. Not quite as touching as the first day, but very informative and completely awesome for someone like me just starting out. I won't bore you with marketing ideas, plus then you'll know my secrets of how I get you to buy from me. LOL Oh yes, and Monday had a nice break in the middle of the day so once again I indulged and had a nap. I was beginning to feel pretty lonely, not knowing anyone else at the conference. I had talked to one girl on Facebook before the conference but we didn't meet up until later on Monday. I went out for dinner with a group of 6 young photographers like myself, and had a great time.

Tuesday was the big day everyone was waiting for. Blue Olive Photography spoke in the morning about social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and how it can help your business. Great information from a really funny couple. We had only an hour and a half lunch break this time so we just ran downstairs to the food court for a quick lunch and then headed back upstairs to wait in line to get front row seats for the next presenter. JASMINE STAR! Amazingly talented (and self taught in the last few years only) and so raw and real and sweet. She willingly shared everything that she had done in her business to get her to the point she's at now, charging $10,000 for a wedding! But like all of us she started at $1,000. She had been going to law school, wasn't sure if that's what she wanted to do, and took a leave from school. During this time she got engaged, and married. On her wedding day she kept thinking about what an awesome job the photographer had and how she'd love to do it. So with a camera she got for Christmas and a TON of drive she made it happen. One thing about this girl, if she wants something she WILL get it.

So my brain is swirling with so much information about marketing, social media, image branding, pricing, packaging, outsourcing, emotional reasons for photography, and so much more. I'm still trying to make sense of it all and discover how things I learned can be incorporated into my business. There are so many things I still want to research, but most importantly I need to get my butt outside and start taking more pictures.....you don't get to be a better photographer by reading, you get to be a better photographer by doing!


I have a great love for photography and now need to get going. Thankfully I have some photographer friends, and continue to meet more, that been very generous in sharing tips with me....thank you Ladies!

And of course my dad, an amazing vault of knowledge on all subjects, and an equally amazing photographer. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase the same camera as he uses so when I am having trouble just a quick phone call can save me. Thank you so much Dad for your support, it truly means everything <3 Especially picking my tired butt up from the airport at 11pm.

Here's some photos from my weekend: