JosephBurke.com

I’m Married, Give God the Glory!

// October 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

What a glorious day it was, and many thanks on behalf of Alexandra and myself for those that were on hand during our wedding ceremony. Each of you there hold a special place in our heart, and to all those who couldn’t be there, you are even more important to me. Blessings to you… A new chapter in both our lives has just started, and Alexandra and I will join hands and in the adventure that awaits.

My mother and father, Tony & Sondra Burke

My new extended mother and father (in-laws) Danny and Mary Thomas

Meet our Wedding Party

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

// August 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

This marked Alex and I’s first trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. It was a great first experience and we got to do most everything in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter side of the park. The Butterbeer was unique and delicious, think root beer, but with butterscotch and shortbread flavoring. Good stuff. The main attraction “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and is one of the most amazing thrill rides I’ve ever had the privilege of riding. There’s honestly no way to explain it, but trust me, you’ll ride and it be just as memorized as I was. Not only was the entire park area amazing to look at, but the attention every single detail detail blows me away. No area within Wizarding World of Harry Potter is left without something distinct from the films. I can’t wait for my next trip back!

Standing in front of Hogwarts Express

Inside Honeydukes Candy Store

Enjoying some ice cold Butterbeer, available only at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Hogwarts Castle, such a spectacular view

Hogsmeade, the pinnacle of shops, dining and fun

Standing outside of Poseidon’s Fury in the Lost Continent of Islands of Adventure

For more pictures, click here to visit my official Flickr page.

An Epic Moment in Miami Florida

// July 7th, 2010 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

Tomorrow is the beginning of a new journey in mine and Alex’s life. Tomorrow marks our first official travel assignment as Blue Man Group Insiders, documenting their new shows, entertainment venues and touring productions nation wide. Tomorrow we leave Orlando, FL at 8pm Eastern, and should hopefully arrive in Miami by 11:30-Midnight. If you’re one of the few lucky press associates to be on board this exclusive inaugural cruise, you can catch me and my lovely fiancé roaming around the Blue Man Group side of the ship, filming guests, talking to audience members and asking your thoughts on the new production.

Look for full videos and photos up on the official Blue Man Group Insiders Facebook next week. If you haven’t clicked the like button on the page, please do so and stay up to date with me Alex as we begin our many travels together between now and Summer 2011 for Blue Man Group. It’s going to be an amazing ride, and we’re inviting you to hop along with us for the fun and excitement.

Here are some fun facts about the newest Norwegian cruise ship EPIC.
* Gross Tonnage: 153,000
* Length: 1,068 feet / Beam: 133 feet
* Passengers (double occupancy): 4,228 guests / 1,690 crew
* Maiden Voyage: June 21, 2010
* 7-NT East & West Caribbean Cruises from Miami, FL – Sails July 2010 through April 2011
* 7-NT Mediterranean Cruises from Barcelona – Sails May through October 2011
* 20 Dining Options
* 20 Bars & Lounges
* The Aqua Park / Main Pool
* 1 Kid’s Pool / 6 Hot Tubs
* Exclusive Villas Complex
* Spa Suites & Spa Staterooms
* Studios & The Living Room
* Family Accommodations
* All Oceanview staterooms have Balconies
* 2 Bowling Alleys
* Climbing & Rappelling Walls
* Epic Casino
* 4 Adult-Only Clubs
* Mandara Spa & Beauty Salon
* Pulse Fitness Center
* Entertainment featuring Blue Man Group & the Second City Comedy Club

Follow my Tweets and check-ins @rotcav
All content and media for the Norwegian EPIC and future travels will be posted on our official Facebook: Blue Man Group Insiders.
To track the live coverage of this event on Twitter: #NCLepic or #EpicMiami.

Look for us, who knows, you could be picked to be an exciting part of the show!

Water Fun at Typhoon Lagoon, May 6th, 2010

// May 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

Me and Alexandra out on a fun filled day at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park. We had a blast as you can tell from the video, and love going back during the hottest parts of Spring and Summer. Nothing like being in the water on a hot Orlando Summer’s day. Some of things you’ll see in this video are the jet propelled speed water slides called Crush “N” Gusher, then the massive title wave pool at the lagoon, then the speed slides Storm Slides, the shark reef in which you can snorkel over the water. If you’ve never been to a Disney themed Water Park, and next time you plan your vacation to Orlando, be sure to come when it’s hot to enjoy the water parks. You won’t regret it!

Cape Coral Fun in the Sun

// April 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

It’s always a treat getting to go back to Cape Coral, and the reason for me and that being so is that is the place where Alexandra and I fell in love, and our relationship blossomed in her home town. Getting to go back on occasion gives me a humble chance to relive some fond memories that both Alex and I share about the beginnings of our relationship. And let’s not forget her wonderful family! Mary and Danny Thomas are stellar people, and I can’t wait to call them my in-laws in October, as a matter of fact they already are, I love them both dearly. And then there’s Alex’s grandparents Don and Kathie Monnich, two of the finest Christian folk anyone could ever ask for. So being surrounded by so many great people, good times, good food and laughs is always bountiful each visit to Cape Coral. This trip in particular had an added bonus with Danny’s daughter Stacy in town from South Carolina staying with us as well. Alex and Stacy practically grew up with each other during part of their lives, and Stacy is Alex’s maid of honor in our wedding this October. Cape Coral is a great little coast town on the Gulf side of Florida, and is a place I could picture myself living at one day. Who knows? It certainly has a special place in my heart, and brought me one of the best gifts of life a man could ever pray for, love.

Get Into the Groove on Earth Day 2010

// April 22nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

A funny thing about living life as an adult and comprehending all the things around us in an entirely different way. It’s like the older you get, the more and more one’s eyes open to reveal just a tiny portion of the overall big plan of life. Sometimes, I find myself very busy and caught with things around me whether it would be work, my hobbies or just being with my lovely companion Alexandra. Trust me, I love being busy, it keeps me motivated, active and distracts my attention away from other things around me that are less important for me to dwell on. But, there are those times when the planets align, the universe is at your beckoning call, and everything just seems to fall right into place. For the past week, this has been true for me in a few areas of my own life. The things that I am most concerned and worried about have seem to just magically take on new life and vigor. For example, Alexandra and I have been doing a lot of wedding planning lately, and in doing so comes a lot of headache, woes, what if’s and hows. We’ve been overly concerned about finances, family, wedding planning, our minister yadda yadda and the list goes on. But, this past week, we got a little wink from God I feel, and everything is smoothing out, instead of a curvy bumpy road, it’s now a fresh smooth paved road ahead. We got financially blessed, our minister issues resolved, we have game plans on dealing with family and we have made huge leaps on table decor along with small items of the wedding like favors, flowers etc… It just all seems to make more sense now, but a month ago, Alexandra and I had concerns about a lot of these things.

It’s funny how life swings you around sometimes. Sometimes your in the groove or pipeline of self awareness and, then other times we’re clouded by things in our way. I have no real answer or explanation on how these events unravel, but it wasn’t just wedding plans that seemed to align in my favor. Other important aspects of my life have shifted in the groove section the past week as well. Things like my music composition, my relationship with Blue Man Group, my web design company and finally finances to some level. Trust me, I’d love to stay in the groove the rest of my life, but I know it’s practically impossible to have everything go your way all of the time. It’s now how God’s elaborate design works. We have to endure, overcome and endure again to understand the meaning of life. And then, when we’re old farts in a nursing home at the age 80, we get the clear understanding one day of how and why.

Happy Earth Day everyone, and Blessings!
Joe

A Weekend Getaway at Clearwater Beach

// April 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

Check out our recent visit to Clearwater Beach, FL as Alexandra and I enjoy the ocean, sun and beach atmosphere. Pictures coming soon! It was an amazing weekend, and we both needed this time away from Orlando to clear our heads and refocus. Alexandra needed it more than I, dealing with stress and pressure from her own life. Amazing how God’s craftsmanship creates places of beauty for us to enjoy. I love the beach!