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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Reflections on Y2K and beyond.


When we entered the new millennium, we looked forward with optimism to a future of incredible growth staring us in the face. In some respects we were let down, however we gained more than we could have ever imagined. In other words, it's been a heck of a decade since we welcomed in 1/1/00 and airplanes didn't fall from the sky, computers were okay and our bank accounts were safe.

We witnessed a new President coming into office however we will never be 100% sure how it happened. Whether you voted for him or not, in the end it was finally decided over a chad and dimple chad. (And of course, we voted in another who changed the course.) But of course nothing could have prepared us for 9/11. Like millions of Americans it still resonates within me as one of the worst days of my life---yet in some respects it was a wonderful day. Why? Because through this horrific tragedy we learned how to come together as a nation, united and believing we are the greatest country in the world. It was one of the few times I think I will ever see every corner of America feel connected with New York City---we learned a lot on that day.

There was a lot of good that came out of the decade; we had births, but we had deaths---marriages and divorces, happy times and of course sad ones, but as we close out probably the hardest decade of my life, we are still standing.

One area I learned about, and it was not easy, is fiscal responsibility; when you have it, life is great, when you don't, you learn the cold hard facts that money does not grow on trees. I am going to assume there are millions of Americans who have learned this same lesson, I hope they wrote it down so they don't forget. I did...I wrote it in Snap. Shot.

There is one thing I learned over the last 10 years that I will always be happy about---I learned how to use a camera and take pictures. Yes a bit trite in the scheme of things, but when I look back and see what I have captured there is nothing trivial about it. I have photos of my children at all stages of their lives; from birth to birthdays to graduation to independence. I have photos of the ones we have lost and the ones who have come into our lives---photography has taught me how to look at life in so many different ways. I will always look back on this "unnamed" decade (they still have yet to come up with a name) as one where I truly found myself. That's a very cool feeling.

The photo above was taken at Navy Pier in Chicago a few weeks ago. The reflection of the Ferris Wheel on the building brought a perspective that caught my attention. I knew this was a keeper when I saw it come to life in my view finder. As I take a look back and consider all that has happened during the past 10 years, I would not trade a moment of this decade of change.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

High stepper.


I have been able to attend a lot of basketball games---some have been fun to watch, some nail biters, some snoozers. Yesterday we went to see the Harlem Globetrotters play the Washington Generals. (They have been playing one another for years...same teams, different players.) The Globetrotters beat the Generals once again---this time by 22 points. I have actually seen the Generals beat the Globetrotters but it is very rare.

When I heard the teams were going to be in town I knew I wanted to go to the game. Hearing "Sweet Georgia Brown" play in the stadium was like coming home again. I believe the last time I saw the Globetrotters play was about 25 years ago and the time before that probably when I was 11. I witnessed back then the best of the best---Meadowlark Lemon, Curly Neal, and the rest of the team were not only very funny, they were incredible ball players. When you have a standard set like that, it's tough to clear the bar. Yesterday the bar was not cleared but it was fun to watch. For the little kids it was one laugh after another. They loved the jokes; everything from throwing water into the seats (later it was paper---an old standard) to the pulling down of pants of one of the General's players. (One player had his entire jersey and pants ripped away and had to run to the locker room.)

Everything is staged of course, but there was one part that was not. One of the players from the Generals crashed into the rotating advertisements---at first I thought it was a gag, but when the teams came rushing out, I knew it was not. He was okay and everyone high-fived but everyone was worried, you could tell. The best part of the game was when the guys played basketball. They are really gifted athletes and can jam with the best. I am not sure why more are not in the NBA, I suspect they are probably a notch down and figured why not go with the Globetrotters. Less money, more fun.

The game took exactly 2 hours as it is timed to be over so they can rest up for the 7 PM show. They are in town for 2 nights and they have to fill as many seats as possible and sell as much food and basketballs as they can. The basketballs can be autographed at court side; I would have done it, but these players are not well known like the players of old.

The photo above is an example of how high these guys can jump. I am not sure but I would say he is at least 5 feet off the ground. When you compare that to my range, that would be about a 4' 10" difference in jumping ability. The Globetrotters are fun, and I am glad I went---but as much as I liked the game, I know on January 15 I will be seeing the Bulls play from 16 rows from the court. I was given tickets for the holidays and you can be sure taking pictures at this game will be no laughing matter.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

When the red lights shine.


We've all been there. Some more than others. It's when you are driving along and you suddenly know you have been caught. Whether you are exceeding the speed limit, run a red light, or some other move that breaks the law, when the lights go on, you are having a bad day.

At my age you would think I would have had my share of conversations with police officers however I have been quite lucky. I can count on one hand the number of times I have been pulled over. It happened the first time when I was in college; I was pulling out of the dress factory where I worked and sure enough the lights go on in back of me. The Officer walked up and asked me about the license plate in my window. He knew it was a new car, why did he stop me? He wanted to see what it looked like on the inside. No ticket, but sweaty hands. Then there was the time in West Bend, WI. I was doing 35 in a 20. Who has 20 MPH speed limits? They do. I talked my way out of that one when he went to check my record. No tickets in 15 years or so. A few years later on the highway heading to St. Louis for business---I am pulled over for not having the proper sticker on the plate. The officer told me to get it taken care of with a warning.

But my luck ran out a few days ago. Once again the sticker was out of date but this time I got a ticket. Not a moving violation but a ticket just the same. When the Officer asked me if I had any questions, I said, "Nope have a good holiday." He gave me a look and thinking I was a smart "ass" but I meant it. I knew we I was in the wrong.

I have had some friends who have not been as lucky as I have been. Some have been arrested for driving too fast and one I know was pulled over for going to slow. How slow you might be thinking? Slower than I thought you could travel by car. He had been drinking and was really paranoid about getting pulled over. He was very aware of the need to go the speed limit as he drove home. It was a 45 MPH road and when he was pulled over he asked what was wrong? He was told he was traveling at speed that was "considered dangerous." When asked how fast he was traveling? He was told he was doing 8 MPH. The story went around our fraternity house faster than he was traveling.

This time of year you have to be very aware of the need to not drink and drive, skid and drive in the snow, or speed...because if you do, you will be caught. The police are out in full force and rightly so. It's the time of the year when people celebrate---and where that's a good thing, it's not good for the other guy on the road.

The photo above was taken in Coeur d'Alene, ID. There was a car show in town and this police car (circa Andy Griffith Show) was parked at the hotel where we were staying. I knew Barney Fife was not going to step out of the car, but it did cross my mind. Had that happened I wouldn't be surprised to see "Thelma Lou" with him but then again, they were just sweet on each other and they probably never stayed in a hotel together.

Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Portrait Envy.


It was about 10 years ago when I saw the Mona Lisa; I was at the Louvre in Paris. I would love to tell you I was in awe when I saw this famous picture, but I can't because I was not. When you have seen the Mona Lisa so many times, and in so many different forms, you feel like you have seen it before, because you have.

The painting is obviously well protected and guarded. On the wall it indicated under no circumstances is flash photography allowed. Of course few pay attention to this request as flashes light up the room---what struck me as funny was how far back the people were when they were taking their picture and it was fairly likely a head would be in the way. Maybe that's why the security guards don't seem to care. But that's not always the case. In 1974, when the painting was on display in Tokyo, a handicapped woman sprayed red paint because she was upset with the museum's policy for handicap access. Earlier this year, a Russian woman threw a terra cotta mug at the painting, now housed in bullet proof glass because she was being denied French citizenship. In both cases the painting survived---however in 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre and was only returned after an attempt at being sold to another museum. I guess you have to ask the question..."What was he thinking???"

Going to art museums is fun---especially when you have the opportunity to see some of the classics up close. Not too close, just up close.

The photo above is a self portrait by Vincent van Gogh; what amazed me about this very famous painting is how small it actually is in size. van Gogh had an exhibit a few years back at the Chicago Museum of Art. I am sure it's me, but I was underwhelmed by the exhibit---it's not that he is a bad painter or anything like that, it's just that for the millions and millions of dollars his paintingw sell for, they just leave me shaking my head. I did enjoy the story of the removal of his ear and his friendship with Gauguin---no matter what friendship I had with a fellow photographer, I would not cut off my ear for them.

One area that does impress me about paintings from the era's of van Gogh and da Vinci, is how they have remained in tact over the hundreds of years after they were painted. In the area of photography this has yet to be proven as some of the oldest photographs are at best 175 years old---a far cry from the Mona Lisa that was painted nearly 500 years ago. I guess we'll have to see how long I keep writing Snap Shot to see if we hit the 500 year mark!

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

102 years and counting.


As we are about to enter another decade, we also enter another milestone for the Chicago Cubs. If they don't win the World Series this year, it will be 102 years since the last time they brought home the championship. It's kind of hard to fathom how long of a period of time that is, but all you have to do is look back to see it's one heck of a long time.

The Cubs last one the series in 1908---that was the year many famous Americans entered the picture; such as Bette Davis, Buddy Ebsen (Jed on the Beverly Hillbillies TV show), Mel Blanc (voice of the Bugs Bunny and many other characters) plus many others. Of course you might guess most of the people on the list are now dead---all the while the Cubs keep waiting for that big win. But what could now be the difference? The Cubs have new ownership and I actually believe the drought will be over within the next couple of years if they really invest in the right players. Anything short of that and well...110 years is not far away. When they win, and they will, it will be the biggest win in Chicago sports history...even surpassing the Chicago Bulls 6 championships in the 1990s.

Wrigley Field was built after the Cubs last World Series win; but it's not the oldest stadium in use today---that's Fenway Park in Boston. (The Red Sox have won 2 time times in the past 10 years so there is hope.) One of the best things about Wrigley Field is its location in the heart of the city, it's all part of its heritage. It really is a great stadium to watch a baseball game. Some of the traditions still remain from the early years when the stadium was built; the scoreboard is still handled by men who sit behind the board and change the numbers when a run is scored. Fortunately some of the scoreboard is automated or they would be really tired changing the balls and strikes. I do suspect the vending areas have not been changed in at least 50 years except for the cookers.

Up until the magical date of 8/8/88 all games played at Wrigley Field were played during the daylight hours. (Here's a trivia question for you...was this the actual date the first night game happened at Wrigley and if so why wasn't it played? The game was rained out.)

But there are nights when it all comes together and I happened to be there. It was in late August two years ago when the Cubs were playing the Milwaukee Brewers. It was a very tight pennant race and sure enough as you can see in the picture above, a full moon was overhead. I have taken many pictures of the moon, but there were two things that were preventing me from taking a picture. First I didn't have a tripod to hold the camera still and secondly I didn't have a good seat to take the picture. So I got up and walked around with my trusty Nikon. Then I saw it. An open seat in the first row on the second level of seats. What that meant was a sturdy bar to hold the camera and a dead on shot right over one of the buildings that sit just outside of the stadium. When the magic hits, the magic hits. That night I was fortunate to capture the photo, and also see the Cubs narrow their magic number to 1 game. But they lost in the playoffs and it was on to next year---a very common theme for the Chicago Cubs. (By the way, I am a Cardinals fan!)

Thanks for stopping by.




Saturday, December 26, 2009

The demise of the donut?


As we approach the new year, and the various resolutions that are taken on every year, you would think that donut sales would not stand a chance in January. Yes they take a bit of hit fresh into the new year, but they ramp up quickly there after.

Although I am not familiar with "Bimbo" donuts, they are at the top of the heap as far as donut sales go; how many donuts could they possibly sell you might be wondering? How about 251 million of them this year! That's almost a donut for everyone in the U.S. But Bimbo is not the only one selling these "comfort foods." In fact the top 5 donut companies sell approximately 400 million donuts a year---not including Dunkin Donuts, the top 10 sell more than 500 million donuts. Since I don't eat donuts, I have transfered my allotment to anyone who wants it.

I actually found this pretty amazing but if you think about it, as the recession has taken hold many Americans have a greater need for "comfort foods." These are the foods that you eat when you know you shouldn't be, but do so because they make you feel good. Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and other weight loss companies know about this trend and they count on it happening every year---for them it means business.

A while back, and it was not too long ago, Krispy Kreme expanded outside of North Carolina; this is where the first Krispy Kreme was consumed back in 1937. When they first came to Chicago the lines and word of mouth were unreal. This is a donut, but you would think it was a pot of gold being given away. It was a bit of a surprise as we were in the middle of the health craze and sure enough dozens of donuts are being purchased and consumed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I have to admit even though I gave up donuts a long time ago, I had one. They were pretty good but not good enough to be a part of my regular diet. I never had one after my first.

Krispy Kreme's marketing is really smart. They work with the community (through school functions and not for profit events) to make their product well know and available. But what happened was what happens to a lot of companies who expand. Like a waist line they think there is always another notch---but the belt bursts. We had a store by our house and it closed up, Krispy Kreme donuts were available at grocery stores, gas stations, and practically every retailer that sold food but no longer as the demand went away. They wanted to be another Starbucks. But something got in the way---weight gains.

That's when the Atkins diet took hold...even though it was more of a fad, they did bring Americans back into weight watching, for a while.

The photo above was taken several years ago of my daughter. Krispy Kreme gave out baking hats to kids (in addition to free donuts when you were standing in line waiting for your dozen or two hot glazed to be handed over the counter) and that's how they built their business. One thing they forgot about the American pallet is it changes. But, even though it has changed, you can tell by the hundreds of millions of donuts sold that people will eat what they want, when they want it. Last year Krispy Kreme still sold 100 million donuts.

Thanks for stopping by.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Hand off.


It's Christmas. Today I received a book that really helped put it in perspective of what a great photographer has inside of him. It's not just the ability to push a button, it's the foresight to capture a moment you are pretty sure is going to translate into an excellent picture. It doesn't happen on every click, it sometimes doesn't happen on a 1000 clicks, but when it does, you just know it. The book I received is by Walter Iooss; a long time sports photographer for Sports Illustrated and other organizations---Mr. Iooss can read a picture before it has been taken. He was able to do this when we didn't have digital cameras...meaning, he didn't know he had a good picture, with proper exposure, until he went to the lab. That seems like light years ago, but we're talking less that 12 years. The book contained photos from the late 1990's and they are flat out great.

This is not the first book I have from Walter Iooss; he has produced many on sports and the people behind the games. What I love about his photography I have attempted to capture in mine. For example, he has made it part of his vision to capture players when they may not be on the field, instead they might be sitting on the bench; he has the ability to take you closer to the thoughts going on in their heads. That makes for fantastic photos. You might be thinking, big deal. When you see his work you know it is a big deal. How do I know ? Many of his pictures are the iconic photos you will recognize as part of sports history.

Being a professional sports photographer sounds very appealing to me, but it's not an easy profession. It's one where you have to be in the right place at the right time with all of the right things coming together in an instant. That's not easy. But it can be done by the pros and the amateurs. The difference is the pros know what they are doing. I am truly in awe of Walter Iooss because he owns the mold of the great sports photographer, I would love for him to share it with me. He is that good.

The photo above will not win any awards unless you are the quarterback in the picture. These are action shots that are most frequently found in magazines, newspapers and online. What do I call them? A dime a dozen. It's when you apply the imagery and knowledge of the great sport photographers to the situation that you come up with the winners. I am trying every day to be a better photographer because when it's my turn to walk in the shoes of the masters, I want to make sure I have received the proper hand off and run it for a score.

Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Chanukah Harry V. Santa Claus


It's the time of year when people are giving to other people; it might be a gift that they made. purchased or even re-gifted, you just never know. But the season is all about giving and accepting what you are given with a smile---and of course a "Thanks I really appreciate it." Welcome to the holiday season baby, the games are about to begin. (Unless you're Jewish or celebrate otherwise, they might be over with already.)

If you ever watch Saturday Night Live, and you saw Jon Lovitz as Chanukah Harry, then you know how "practical items" such as "slacks" and "socks"are what he gives to the good little boys and girls. In the skit, Lovitz flies through the air with three donkeys pulling a cart---their names are "Moische, Herschel and Schlomo" and they help deliver gifts to children because Santa has the flu. Needless to say that since this was 20 years ago, and it still is one of the funniest skits I have ever seen on SNL, it left an impression.

Chanukah Harry is not well recognized by the children around the globe---of course we all know Santa Claus, St. Nick, or the guy with the white beard doesn't have a recognition problem. No matter how you describe him, he is one popular guy. In fact there is only one other person on this planet that's even close to Santa's popularity. This person lives in Oak Brook, IL. His name, Ronald McDonald. If you think I am kidding, Ronald is the second most recognized icon on the planet. Ahhh...the power of advertising.

Santa Claus's popularity beats the crap out of Chanukah Harry, but what's really cool about both of them is their desire to give. They know the importance of season and in their own separate ways they make sure the good little boys and girls wake up in the morning and find something waiting for them. Whether it's a special toy, new baby brother/sister, or practical item, it's all about the season and giving. So even though Jewish people and Christians have different ways of celebrating the season, they know the importance of making people feel good and special.

The photo above was taken in Chicago; the man featured in the picture was rummaging through the trash a moment before this picture was taken. He was not in a good way, that's obvious, but you could tell even though he was down on his luck, he believed in giving. How would I know? Because the photo you don't see was when he handed some of his food he had collected from a passerby to one of his friends who was rummaging with him. For me it goes to show that giving is universal and is not seasonal in any way; the next time you feel like giving it's okay if it's a practical gift or an outlandish one, all you have to do is think of Harry and Santa and what they bring to our world.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Second City.


Coming in second often times is as desired as kissing your sister. (Sorry Sis.) But in the case of Chicago, it’s a very "in"appropriate label. Chicago may be called the “second city” however once you get to know it, it’s second to none.

Last night we went to the famed “Second City” comedy club. If you have been there you know it has produced some very famous comedians over the past 50 years, and has “fed” a lot of the talent we know today to Saturday Night Live. The show we saw was new; we were told they were still getting some of the “kinks” out, however based upon the laughs generated, the kinks were long gone. The skits and jokes were timely, reflective of Chicago, and very well delivered.

After the show we drove to Michigan Avenue to show our guests the beauty of the season; the lights on the “Mag Mile” are stunning. Unlike NYC or another large city, this town does sleep and it’s easy to navigate after business hours. Everyone in the car was blown away by how the street was illuminated---and the rows of retailers that line the street were well noted by many in the car. Funny, when you live in Chicago you really don’t take notice of the retailers, most I have not been in and there is good reason. They are ridiculously priced.

If there is a drawback about Chicago it’s the weather. Last night proved to be no different as sleet and snow were a part of the early evening experience---the same thing happened the night before when we went to the zoo. What do you do? You deal with it because you know spring and summer will get here one day.

One of my favorite things to do any day or night of the week in Chicago is take photos. I hope you are not shocked! The lights reflected off the Chicago River produce swirls of colors that can only be created when light and water meet.

The photo above is a perfect example. Combine the beauty of the buildings and their multi-colored lights, with the reflections on the water, and you have a photograph worth framing. Whether or not you are from Chicago, you know one thing when you come here--- if given the chance, you would come back to this city in a second.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Multi-cultural.


On January 20,2009 a lot changed. Whether or not you voted for Barack Obama, there was little doubt the past that we knew was going to take a different course in the future. Beyond the obvious of having an African-American President, it opened up channels of opportunity for every individual who lives on American soil. Some might see this as a threat to their well being, I see it as an opportunity for American’s to carry on the melting pot that started at Ellis Island more than a 100 years ago.

I am not a Native American. My family came from Russia, the Ukraine actually, as I learned when I attended a family reunion several years ago. Kind of sad when you think about how little I knew about my origins. Because I am an American I know I have a better lifestyle than probably billions of people around the world---except for some Kings, Queens, and celebrities who live in other areas of the globe.

When President Obama was elected it opened my eyes to the possibilities for anyone to achieve their dreams. I know I am on a soapbox here, so please bear with me. Many of us have unfulfilled dreams; for me there are many, but I am working on every one of them before I am called to that “big camera store” in the sky. Yes, I would like to be on the field during a Super Bowl but there are more important things that are now just dreams of mine. There is the desire to make sure I can continue to always give to my family; not just monetarily but from every ounce of energy I have. Sure, sometimes my energy is depleted by the end of the day, but there really is something amazing when you hear the excitement in a voice when they know it is you. Whether it’s at home when you walk in the door, on the phone, or visiting where they live.

I also want to make sure I give to others as best as I can because when I was going through my challenging times this past year, they were there for me. Call it personal pay back. Which brings me back to the title of today’s blog. Many of the people who have helped me through the challenges of this past year were culturally different than I am; whether it is the color of their skin, their birth land, or their religious beliefs, they felt it within them to help. How cool is that?

Think about how far we have come! The ultimate complement came from a friend of mine at a previous job who helped put it in perspective. He said, “we were brothers from different mothers.” He was right on.

The photo above was taken at the Morton Arboretum a couple of years ago. There were a group of men all walking around in the clothing you see above---it was obvious they lived a simpler life than I did. This one man had a video camera with him and he asked if he could take a video of my daughter running around? I said, “Sure, under one condition.” He looked at me and said, “Yes?” I said, “as long as I can take yours.” The rest as they say is worth a 1000 words.

Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, December 21, 2009

The best seat in the house.


When shooting photos at sporting events, you often times will see the professional photographers on the court, field or stands. (I have never seen a photographer on the ice for example during a hockey game but you never know when that might start.) One thing you may or may not know about these “shooters” is when they are in a stadium, they are using a flash system that is located throughout that provides a burst of light to make their photos look awesome. If you take a photo at the same time, yours will look like a bad snowstorm. It's fully electronic and to use it costs about $150,000 for the entire season. Their advantage, your loss.

Because I do not work for Sports Illustrated (hey Rob, if you are reading this that’s a hint) I have not been privy to the flash system on the court or field; I have sat in the stands of course and because of the equipment I use, have been asked if I am a professional photographer. On the one hand I am flattered they ask, but for these events I am not. Since I don’t like to talk too much when I am at a game shooting pictures I usually say, “No” and continue to shoot.

There are some benefits in sitting in the stands at a basketball game and here’s why. When you sit on the court you are usually low and shooting upward at the players. It’s not like you can stand during the game and shoot. Plus there is a risk of having a player crash into you and breaking your equipment! This has ever been a concern, since I have been shooting, because I have never been that close to the action.

But there are disadvantages when sitting in the stands. Just when you have the clear path to the shot of a lifetime, the person in front of you decides to stand and scream at the ref or player. He happens to be 6 feet 11 and his head is as big as a plate--what are you going to say? Last year when I went to the Bulls game I had such a good seat that the Boston Celtics players were actually in the way of my shooting path. That’s a problem as you really can’t ask them to move. So what do you do? You move. Luckily I was able to move 3 rows higher and had some of the best seats I have ever sat in.

The photo above was taken at the Chicago Bulls/Boston Celtics game; in the stadium there are many ways to take better pictures. It might be the lighting system mentioned above or having your camera where no one is permitted to sit---attached to the backboard. I am not sure I will be able use the lighting system any time soon or put a camera in back of the basket, but I will keep shooting pictures. For me it's probably the most challenging time I shoot---I know I have about 3 hours and for me, it is 180 minutes of solid love and enjoyment.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

That's Entertainment.


Going to sporting events have always been enjoyable---and they have come a long way in the area of entertainment. Never do I recall in all of the St. Louis Blues hockey games I attended of seeing scantily clad women skating on the ice shoveling up ice and other items littering the ice. I also don't remember seeing mascots on the field, court or in the stands. Now every team has them.

One of my fondest memories of a college football game was during the Missouri v. Kansas game during my freshman year. What was memorable about it was the fight the two bands got into during the game. I never knew a flutist could punch that hard. I also have seen mascots go after one another and seeing one of the heads come off. Much to my surprise there was a human being inside the outfit. Can you believe it?

Okay, so what I have described is not that big of a deal. But now it has gone over the top. You have fans inside blow up mascot outfits in races around the court, shirts being held by parachutes floating down from the rafters, and the kiss-cam. For those of you who don't know about the kiss-cam, it finds couples in the stadium and encourages them to kiss. The best is when they don't know one another and the ultimate was when two guys kissed at a hockey game. That was not well received by the macho fan base in case you are wondering.

I don't know who came up with this concept, but at games and stadiums around the U.S. t-shirts are now shot out of high powered tubes that look like bazooka's. They use some type of propellent to get them on their way and when they are shot out they go pretty far and really fast into the stands. Except for the time when one of the shooters slipped and nailed someone in the front row with a t-shirt. It was funny to watch, but better that the person who got hit didn't get hurt too bad---more shock than anything else.

I am waiting to see someone lean over the edge trying to get a t-shirt or some item and have them fall over the railing. I don't want them to get hurt, I want to capture it through my Nikon. I know it has happened, but not at a game I have attended. The best one I saw was when I was at a Dallas Cowboy's game many years ago and a man in the stands (who was in a costume) caught on fire when he bumped into a vendor who was carrying a Sterno to keep the food warm. It was on national TV because it was a play off game so when I told people I was there a lot of people told me they saw it. I felt special having been there.

The photo above was taken at a Kansas City Royals game. I really like when you can see the after effects from the tube; it reminds me of guns when they go off and smoke comes out. I am glad I have not been hit with any of the souvenirs; I collect bobbleheads and knowing how heavy they can be, it would not be fun to be hit by one. But I assume if I did get hit, both of our heads would be bobbling!

Thanks for stopping by.


Saturday, December 19, 2009

The greenback.


The dollar has always been something I have enjoyed having in my pocket. I am not sure if I have ever had one larger than a $100.00 bill, but I do know that a dollar certainly does not have the same purchasing power as it once did.

For instance, I used to collect baseball cards when I was growing up. Seems like all my friends did. If you know anything about these cards you probably have heard or seen them on bicycles wheels as they would flap against the rim of the wheel. What's harder to believe is what some of these cards were worth before they ended up wrapped up with rubber bands or better yet, tossed in the trash. What a dollar bought you back then is what really is hard to believe. When I did have an extra dollar or two growing up, I would go up to Dierberg's grocery and buy an entire box of Topp's cards. An entire box....$1.00. I was in heaven. (I have not priced out cards in a long time, but I think a single pack of cards goes for between $1.99 and $4.00.)

So we move up 40+ years and what does it mean when you give your kids a dollar? They say, "I need a $20.00!" That's still a lot of money but when I was growing up it was out of the question---I started working when I was 16 and minimum wage was $1.65 per hour. This salary, best way of explaining it, helped me buy my first pair of ice skates and put gas in the car. Back then it was well under .40 cents a gallon and skates, the best pair made, were $150.00 a pair. My parents probably never knew what I paid until now. Funny thing is, I sucked in hockey.

The photo above is of my 2 youngest girls; they have no idea what a dollar will buy you these days and can only tell the difference because there are different pictures and numbers on them.
My other kids understand what the numbers mean, however they probably don't know much about the Presidents and other notables on the bills, except my son. One thing they do know is if they get enough of the bills they can shop till they drop. It's probably why they enjoy going shopping but don't like to carry dollars with them. Why? Because plastic ways a lot less.

Thanks stopping by.

Friday, December 18, 2009

News Flash: It’s not the ball.


If you have followed sports, you know there are a lot of superstitions in every game; everything from wearing the same t-shirt, to picking up a handful of dirt before stepping up to the plate, to bouncing the ball 6 times, twirling it in your hands and then bouncing it one more time. Professional athletes believe these rituals help their game and they do it religiously. Just watch.

I think in many respects we all have our superstitions. I know when I make a comment about the traffic moving quickly on the highway, I quickly think, “Why did I just say that?” Usually I am assuming we will come to a stop in a matter of moments because of my simple blurting out something that was happening. Funny, often times I am right and we do slow down or stop. We all live with patterns in our lives and when something does go wrong because we made an adjustment or forgot to keep the pattern, sure enough we become superstitious.

There are some superstitions I refuse to partake in however. One is “Triskaidekaphobia;” for all of you who know the meaning, perhaps you have had other people talk of their fears and learned of it that way, or perhaps you were just inquisitive and wanted to know if there is a name for the fear of the number 13. I learned of it when I worked at Smithsonian Magazine---we had an article on the topic and sure enough that month we had a Friday the 13th. What I learned was actually kind of interesting.

For example the number 13 goes back centuries ---when dinner guests were invited to a feast, the host made sure she set for an even number. Whether it was 12 or 14 she made sure all seats were filled. The number 13 was not acceptable. I also learned airlines will adjust flights based upon what they know usually happens on Friday the 13th. They overbook the flight because they know many people do not realize the date when they make their reservations and don’t show up. (You’ll have to wait until August 2010 before we have our next one---you have plenty of time to fly.)

As far as other concerns, I have never owned a black cat, have not walked under ladders, or thrown salt over my shoulder, I do know many people who live with these superstitions; I just look at them and tap my fingers 7 times, twirl my thumbs and blink. (Just kidding.)

The photo above was taken in Kansas City when the Royals played the Chicago White Sox; needless to say the pitcher holding the ball was not enjoying his time on the mound that evening. Unfortunately after having his little chat with the ball, the next batter got a hit. I guess the ball just wasn’t listening or was just superstitious about going into the catcher’s mitt.

Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Balance.


When you are growing up and take your first steps, parents will say, “He or she has really good balance.” From there it takes off in many different directions. It might be the ability to balance your checking account or perhaps being described as way off balance and/or simply keeping your life in balance; this one word takes on so many different meanings as we grow older, yet in the end it gets back to the first tiny steps we took when we were around 9 months old. Life is a balancing act.

It seems hard to believe, but Y2K was 10 years ago; since that time we have seen the world remain on balance (thankfully computers on 12/31/99 didn’t push airplanes out of the sky, erase our assets, or cause the entire world to stop) and fall out of it. All you have to do is look back over the past 24 months to realize how out of balance life has been for many people. New decades often times bring in new thinking. If you consider where we were in 1999, preparing to enter a new century and decade there was hope and fear of change---and boy was it delivered! But like life itself we were able to regain our balance and move forward. I do believe unlike other new decades, we are going to see this one close on a tough note and start the next 10 years with a much stronger vision of where we have been and what we have learned.

What do I mean?

I am not an economist by any means, but if you track back the last say 40 or 50 years, you will find one common thread every time we crossed over into a new decade---the economy goes in fairly strong and is quickly weakened. Think about it. In 1970 we were embroiled in a war and inflation took off causing the government to finally say, “you can not raise prices--any prices.” The term W.I.N. stood for “Whip Inflation Now” and they meant it. How crazy was it? I used to build model airplanes and the paint that I used (the same one that came in a small glass jar that people sniffed to get high) went from .15 cents to .18 cents. The government went right after them and they were forced to go back to .15 cents. In 1980, we entered the decade and were immediately in a terrible recession; same thing happened in 1990, 2000. But this time it’s different…at least I hope it is. We are coming out of the woods, there is a clearing, and the skies are brightening---I just hope we can stay balanced because the world needs steadier feet to stand on right now, at this time!

The photo above was taken in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. It was the middle of the day and my father in law and I were out shooting; in my world that means we were taking pictures as hunting is the other form of “shooting” referred to when in Idaho. Overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene I noticed the moon through the trees. I wanted to take a picture that made it appear the moon was balancing on top of one of the branches; not too hard to take, all you have to do is move a few steps to get a better vantage point.

In the end, isn’t that what life is all about? You take those first few steps to look at life from a different perspective, all the while making sure you keep it all in balance.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Fashionate.


When it comes to being an expert in fashion, I fall way short of knowing anything more than what I like to wear. In the summer, it’s shorts and a t-shirt; in the fall, it’s shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt, and only in winter do I break the “shorts” pattern by wearing a sweater and pants (or as I call them, “slacks”). If you have yet to figure it out, I go for comfort and have been criticized for dressing down when I should have been dressing up.

For many years I wore a suit every day to work. I mean every day. It was what everyone wore, except our clients and agency contacts---i.e. The people we were responsible for calling on in business. When I first got into the business world a number of us were taken aside and instructed by one of the sales directors on the proper socks to wear with suits. As I sat there and looked down at my black socks poking out from under the pant leg of my navy blue suit I figured out I really didn’t know anything about style. I thought I did, but the black socks and mismatched belt and shoes were a dead give-a-way. (Oh yeah, in the same meeting I learned that the color of the belt has to match the shoes.) You might be thinking, who cares? I did. I wanted to present myself in a manner that said, “I am not a dork.” I was not doing a good job.

I think my desire to have some fashion sense came from my Dad and brother; they were always well dressed, especially my brother. There is a memory of him when I was growing up---one of many—about my brother’s clothing style. There was a store he liked, and actually worked at, called “Boyd’s.” Although long gone, this retailer specialized in “nicer clothing.” I had trouble shopping there because they didn’t have my size; my size was either a “short” or “husky.” Love that term---“husky.” Why don’t they just call it “chunky” or “fat?” But my brother just loved Boyd’s—and I dreamed of being able to wear their clothes.

One fall, my brother convinced my Mom to buy him a double-breasted navy blue sport coat---what I remember about it was, it was expensive and how ridiculous he looked when he wore an ascot with it one time. No matter how much I looked up to his fashion sense, this was one look I am happy I never copied.

So that brings me full circle to where I am today. At work I no longer wear suits, nor does anyone else in the office. Honestly, I am happy this is the case because I was tired of them. Too bad for the suit manufacturers, I can only imagine how challenging their business is these days!

The photo above was taken at an antique fair in Sandwich, IL---the woman in the picture is my wife. What I like most about this picture is the black and white contrast and how no matter what my wife wears, she always looks great.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Open Wide.


When I was growing up and bit into something or used my teeth to open a package, my Mom would say, “That’s bad for your teeth.” I guess that and “you’re going to break your neck” were probably two of the comments I remember most about those formative years. Unfortunately her teeth comment stuck because it’s something I say to my kids when they use their teeth for multi-functional uses.

A few years ago over the holidays I was eating a Jordan Almond---the moment I bit into it I knew something was not right; I was correct as part of my tooth came out with the color-coated candy. I was not a happy camper. Why you might be asking? When I was 5 years old, and I know my brother and sister read Snap Shot, I had 6 cavities filled. What could be worse you might be thinking---it was my birthday. Yes, what a nice birthday present that was. (Oh, and our dentist didn’t believe in Novocain---something that still bothers me to this day.)

What I didn’t know, and only learned recently, was that my cousins went to the same dentist as our family. It shouldn’t have been a surprise as we were close, but I had no idea until a month ago. How did it come up? We were talking about things that terrified us when we were growing up and all 4 us said, “for me it was going to the dentist.”

I was in shock.

Now, a couple of things you don’t know about our dentist; although he was a nice man, he had really hairy hands and very bad breath. This was before the days of wearing anything on your hands or covering your mouth so you got it all--- and if that wasn’t bad enough, although certainly not his fault, he had only one leg and would hop around to go from one place to another in his office. If you are thinking that there is no way this could be true….it was!

When I moved to Chicago I think I went through 3 dentists before I went to one who was “on my side.” That was almost 30 years ago and I still go to his office today. Besides having an incredible view of Millennium Park he is a really good dentist! At one point I noticed on the card he brought in that it said, “nervous patient.” How embarrassing was that? In the end, the comment was scratched out, I don’t event think about going to the dentist any more---I just go and deal with it.

The photo above was taken at last year’s Ringling Bros. performance at the United Center. Besides being an incredible feat, this woman used her teeth at one point to hold on to the ring. Because it was so noisy at the stadium I was not able to tell her something very important----that’s bad for your teeth!

Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Thanks Mom Nature.


Sometimes a photo just takes your breath away. Hopefully not literally, that’s an expression. What I love about photography is when you come across a scene, or a moment , when you are just totally blown away with what’s in front of you. When the colors are actually hard to look at because they are so striking and so intense.

I usually experience this feeling at the beginning or the end of the day when the lighting tends to be much better. Here’s a secret for you. Taking pictures in the middle of the day are almost a sure fire to have them come out bad. (Now you can thank me when you pick up your photos from Walgreen’s and you have not taken them at noon.)

About 2 months ago I was in an area of Northern Chicago called the Chicago Botanical Garden. It really helped I was there during the fall. It was funny because up until this year, I had not been to the garden in probably 15 years and this year I went 4 times. It’s an amazing place to shoot photos. On that day, even though it was mid-day, the colors were incredible. To make sure I didn’t end up with bad Walgreen’s photos (I actually don’t process my photos at Walgreen’s by the way) I used a filter that takes out all of the glare--another secret for the Snap Shot reader.

What I loved about the photos from that day was how hard they were to look at. Not that they were ugly or anything, they just were so sharp and intense that at times they were hard to focus on when looking at them. My favorite photo of the day was in the Japanese garden; there were rocks in the middle of the lake and when you converted the picture to black and white it took on a completely different dimension. I call these the “fortunate shots” because if I had decided not to go to the garden that day, I would never have taken this picture. Fortunately I did.

Then there are the photos like the one above that are just dumb luck; my wife and I were having dinner in the Lake of the Ozarks and I had my camera with me. Why? Because I had taken pictures of her before dinner even though she hates when I do that. She retaliates by doing the same to me---I think photographers are pretty universal for hating to have their pictures taken. While at dinner the sun started to set. I could tell it was going to be a very pretty sunset, but nothing like what I encountered when I stepped out on the patio that was adjacent to the restaurant. The richness of the colors combined with the contrast of the boathouse made this picture one of my favorites of all time. It was not a hard picture to take---I guess it was mother natures way of saying, “Good thing you brought your camera to dinner.”

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

The jockey and his buddy.


In a recent Snap Shot I wrote about greyhounds; but the truth of the matter is as far as racing, I prefer horses. (Since I have not been to a greyhound race track, perhaps I would enjoy that just as much...but that's a guess.)

If you have been to a horse racing track, you know it has changed quite a lot over the years. When I was young, I used to go with my Mom, Dad and grandparents to a track right over the Missouri border. It was in Collinsville, IL. To say it was seedy would be an understatement. Of what I recall it was dirty and frequented by the type of people you might expect at a race track. But that's changed. Every summer, we go to Arlington Race Track outside of Chicago and it is a very positive experience. Sure there are some people who go because they love to bet and this is a way of life for them, but you will also find families there---in abundance. Arlington has done a great job of marketing to families because they know if you get the kids, you get the parents.

One of the best things about going to the track is looking at the horses and jockey's. They really work together as a team. A favorite activity is to go to the paddock and watch the horses being paraded around. The real purpose of course is for bettors to take a look at the horses before they put their money down, but for a photographer it's to get close up pictures. I like doing this, but my real love at the track is capturing the horses in full sprint. They are just amazing animals---and you realize their power (note they do use "horse power" when referring to cars) when you hear them race buy. To think they are on 4 very thin legs makes it even more impressive and a concern. Fortunately I have not seen a horse go down with a broken bone.

Back to Collinsville. My grandparents were really into horse racing. I am not 100% sure, but I would not be surprised if they had part ownership of a horse at one point in their lives. They spent time at the track and instilled that love of racing into my Mom. It was never a problem as far as gambling, it was more of the thrill. (They liked it, however that gene never made it inside me!)

The photo above was taken at Arlington race track in Arlington Heights, IL. What's interesting about this photo is---it was one of the first pictures I took with my favorite Nikon lens. (My father-in-law gave it to me and it has taken more pictures since its arrival than any other lens I own.) Also, if you look closely, the jockey is one of the few women who ride at the track; but what I like most about this picture is the teamwork between the horse and rider. Each one depends on each other and in the end isn't that what sports are all about?

Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

A special thanks to Alfred, Annie, Ansel and Mathew


It's funny to see photographers out and about with their cameras often times thinking they are taking a picture of a certain subject for the very first time. I can assure you that no matter what the subject, unless it is something new to the world or recently discovered, it has been photographed. (Yes even the exit sign or that glass of water we have all photographed.) It's always great to believe you have taken the photograph of all time, but chances are it has been taken a hundred times before. Difference is...you took it and that's what makes it special.

Photography has been around for a long time. I mean even before the digital camera hit the market in the early 1990's, photography had already been around for more than 150 years. Before the Civil War a photographer named Mathew Brady opened his own photography studio in NYC. He went on the photograph some of the battlefields during the Civil War---back then cameras were a lot different than they are today. You had to really work with available light, large cumbersome cameras, and very heavy glass plates---a lot different than a card you now slip into the camera.

When Ansel Adams and Alfred Eisenstaedt were taking pictures around the same time in the 1920, 30s and 40s, both had very different ideas of what they thought great photography was. Adams captured the beauty of the southwest and and areas around California, and Eisenstaedt was found mainly around the east coast in places such as Martha's Vineyard. (He was the photographer who took the V-Day kiss in Times Square, one of the most famous photographs of all time.)

In today's times we have Annie Leibovitz--- known for portrait photography that has been seen around the world she is probably most famous for her work in Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone Magazines. What's her talent besides taking a photo? She knows how to create stories through photography. An incredible talent.

What's really important to learn through these photographers and others is style and what was their reason for pushing the button and capturing the image. Ansel Adams for instance would wait for hours and even days to take pictures at the right moment. He didn't have all of the photo tools we have today, but he knew how to do a lot with pictures when he was in the darkroom developing them. Eisenstaedt worked for Life Magazine so I suspect he did more shooting than processing and Leibovitz is just our modern day genius; I don't know what she does behind the scenes but behind the lens she creates iconic photography.

Which gets me back to today's opening paragraph. Yes there are many photographers who have mastered this craft. They are artists, gifted, and I hope thankful to those who mastered the craft before us. Because as the above picture attempts to demonstrate, you can take pictures that might make an attempt to look like the masters of photography (this was taken in Northern California) at the end of the day they are just that----recreations that have been taken before. II am actually okay this image has been taken before, because on this day it was one of my favorites I took when I was in my zone doing what I love to do, shooting pictures.

Thanks for stopping by.


Friday, December 11, 2009

The shot.


Every so often you look and see a shot that you really need to take. The shot I am referring to here is a photograph of course. It can be the look your dog just gave you, a couple making goo-goo eyes at one another, or a child who just looks funny. Whatever the situation, there is a way to capture it.

There are also some photos that are not the sure fire must haves. It might be a tragic situation, a couple who has just had a big fight, or the loss of the most important football game. (Your favorite team of course.) Whatever the situation, pain is not something that’s easy to take a photo of, especially if you know someone is watching. But sometimes these are even more important than the memorable ones of the dog, couple or child---it’s all about capturing a memory.

One of my favorite shots I have ever taken was when my youngest daughter was born. My wife would kill me if I put it on Snap Shot, but let me describe it for you. It’s a picture of my daughter coming into this world; I love it for many reasons, but probably the most important reason of all is because I had never taken a picture like this before---nor do I plan to ever again. There is something about the first moment of life. Pretty cool huh? Since this first picture of her was taken, she has been forced to smile, look at me, smile again, turn her body toward me/away from me and do it all over again for the camera. I do enjoy taking pictures of my children--they don’t always like it, but hey, too bad, I am their Dad and photographer. (Yet when it’s my wife taking the pictures they accommodate.)

This holiday season is going to be one where we will have family to our home. Some have never been to our home, and some are back for a return visit. I can assure you the cameras will be clicking for the entire time they are in town. During previous holidays we have captured the sparkle of the season inside, outside and in various locations around Chicago---it’s a great time to go for the shot.

The photo above is of my youngest daughter; no this is not when she was born, it was when she became a human canvas. Her sister decided it was a good idea to get her to enjoy one of her favorite hobbies at one point---painting. We all have captured memories on our film and digital cameras---if you have a camera, and time this weekend, go out and take some pictures, you just might capture that shot of your lifetime.

Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The light at the end of the tunnel.


This has been a rough year for American’s and people around the globe. Besides saying “Duh” I think we need to be noting that there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s still dim and somewhat distant, but if you think back to where we were a year ago, it’s as bright as the sun. Okay, well maybe a 60-watt light bulb.

For many of the reader(s) of Snap Shot you may or may not remember the 1980s and what America was going through back then. We were embroiled in a long battle with Iran (they held U.S. hostages for more than a year), interest rates were near modern day highs, and our President at the time, Jimmy Carter, was voted out of office. Ahh…the good old days! But, we made it through these times and went on to strong economic growth, the introduction of technology that not only changed the way we live, but changed the way we interact with humans around the world.

So where are we headed with Snap Shot today you might be thinking?

As hard as it may seem to believe, things are going to improve. It won’t be the traditional way, it will happen through ways we, the citizens, probably are not even aware of at this time. But, I can’t wait. I do believe the financial system will continue to grow providing people with the opportunity to buy again; if they are not ready to buy, they will be able to “taste” what’s on the horizon by renting, leasing, or some new way of ownership. I do hope we have learned about fiscal responsibility. I know I have; I will NEVER take some of the risks I took again. I didn’t come out on the winning end--not a good thing—and for sure learned a great lesson.

So when is the light going to really brighten? When people start to believe again. Believe that things will get better---it’s called, as you probably know, “consumer confidence” and it is truly what drives our economy. When the economy is humming good things usually happen; people feel hopeful, and we talk of greater optimism. For some crazy reason, I feel optimistic---if I can do it, you can do it, and it catches on when you carry it forward. (You can stop laughing now.)

The photo above was taken in California. It’s a picture of one of my daughters at the far end of a tunnel. What I liked most about this photo, and this is just my opinion, is no matter how dark things appear to be, there really is a bright light not too far in the distance.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Howdy.


This is the time of the year when people tend to be friendlier. Maybe it’s the holiday season, the anticipation of receiving and giving gifts, or perhaps the break that’s on the horizon to spend (hopefully) with family and friends.

There are many people however who will not fall into this last category. Pretty sad when you think about it and much sadder if it happens to be you on the outside looking in. Today I saw my first advertisement about having a New Year’s resolution; don’t want to shock you but it was all about finding that person who can make your life complete. It was for a match making service. But why do you have to wait? You can start a resolution before Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest ring in 2010-- it doesn’t even have to be a new love, it can be all about making someone feel they are important enough to say “Hello”to. I promise, it’s not hard.

I have a habit of talking to people I don’t know, or plan to know, for any longer than the time we are in contact. Could be on an elevator, a train seat, or even walking down the street. I don’t think I make them too uncomfortable because they talk back to me---but then again, who knows?

One thing about photography, and I have mentioned this before in other “snapshot” blogs, is the ability to go up to a complete stranger, ask them if you can take their picture taken? Even when they say, “oh I look terrible” they still let you take it. Then, of course, they cannot wait to see their picture and usually ask if I will send it to them? Only once has someone said “No.” (I think he was hiding from his ex-wife. I am serious.)

The photo above was taken at Brookfield Zoo, one of my favorite places to take pictures. Giraffes are very curious about humans---I am not sure how nice they are one on one, but when they look down on you like this one did at me, what does it hurt, say “Howdy.” You just might make their day.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Head West.


If you have had the chance to visit San Francisco, you know it’s a beautiful city. Throughout my adult years I have spent quite a bit of time there and in Northern California. Fortunately I have not been there for any “surprise” wake up calls in the middle of the night when the room shakes, however I have been there a time or two when the bed is spinning. That’s a different story.

Some of the coolest things about going out West and to Northern California is how different it is when you travel from the east. The first time I went to California I was there for an interview; I was given instructions to go from point A to point B., interview and come back. Because my former boss was frugal, I took a flight out the night before the interview---got in at a normal hour--but took the red eye home. Why? Because it was a lot less expensive to fly that way. Of what I recall, and it has been more than 2 decades, I was a babbling idiot the next day at work. (Probably because I was sick the day I went to CA---wink, wink.)

Probably one of my favorite trips out West was when I spent time in the Monterey/Carmel area. The scenery is picture post card material. The trip to the area is just as scenic---we took Coastal Hwy. 1---with its winding roads and heights that more than take your breath away, they make you dizzy. One of my favorite things to do in Monterey is go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Yes, it’s expensive to get in, but it’s worth the cost. What’s really astonishing about the aquarium is how they have integrated it into the bay---it’s the ultimate in environmentally friendly.

The one part of the aquarium where I was able to spend time behind the scenes was above the largest aquarium I have ever seen. Yes, even larger than my brother’s 400-gallon aquarium he has in his basement. Julie Packard, of the Hewlett-Packard family, gave us a guided tour. The H-P foundation provided a lot of funding for the construction of the aquarium and money does have its benefits. Actually she was very active in the development of the project---and was a very nice person. You would never know she was worth a few billion.

When you head northward to San Francisco there’s one site you cannot miss. It’s one where you have to drive up a hill, located on the other side of San Francisco, but when you do, you will never forget it. Bad description, but it’s the best I can think of in describing the Golden Gate Bridge. The photo above is not nearly as cool as one I purchased years ago of the bridge being constructed in the early 1900s. One of the greatest things about taking a picture is capturing a moment you can hold on to forever---whether it’s the picture I took, or the one I purchased, it’s what makes photography my passion.

Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, December 7, 2009

When you are told it’s over.

Yesterday I went to a Border’s location and when I walked in the door there were 7 dogs inside the store. These were not working dogs, they were greyhounds.

As I waited for my wife to make her purchase I went up to one of the women who was handling a brown striped dog ---guess they don’t have to be grey---and asked her some questions about the breed. All I knew was they were really skinny and fast. (I had never seen one up close---by the way, they have really long noses.)

I learned a few things about the breed. First they are really friendly dogs; they had no fear as I reached over to pet onw. I also found out that there would be more than 500 available in the next few weeks, as a dog track in Wisconsin was getting ready to close. No racing, no need for racing dogs. So as you might guess she asked if I would be interested in adopting one? I explained that we have a dog and he is a handful. In fact, I thought my dog was fast until she explained these dogs could run as fast as a car when they take off from a dead stop. Okay, maybe not a Porsche or Lamborghini---but probably faster than a Yugo or Rambler in their glory year. (No plural on that one.)

She went on to explain what would be in store for their future when they are no longer needed for racing; it’s not necessarily a happy situation, but for many of the greyhounds it can be. Another owner explained that her dog was retired after 2 races because he would not win any money. Although a big dog, she said, “He’s slow.” That’s all relative as you might guess as I am sure compared to my running ability he would describe me as an invalid. There are other details but I am sure you can guess they are not worth discussing at this time. On another note, if you live in the Chicago area, and are looking for a dog, these pups are really nice and I am told great pets.

The photo above was taken at Keeneland racetrack outside of Lexington, KY. They take their horse racing pretty seriously in Kentucky; in this area of the state you’ll find a lot of breeders and some of the most famous horses to ever hit the track. I would love to have gone to the races because I really love to watch the splendor and beauty of the sport, but they were not racing that day. Unlike greyhounds, I believe horses are offered a second life when they retire---I really hope when it’s my time to call it a day I can do what I was doing that warm spring day, taking pictures.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Time Out.


I have been on both sides of a time out; I have been the receiver and the mean parent. What always amazes me are the amount of tears and pleading on behalf of the receiver (aka kids) and how the mean parent wishes they were the ones being told to take a time out. It ranks right up there with my being told it's time for me to go to bed---I would be more than happy to follow these instructions.

The ultimate time out was given out recently by White House Spokesperson, Robert Gibbs to reporter April Ryan; she kept pressing him on a number of topics surrounding the "party crashers." He finally said, "April, calm down...take a deep breath...this happens to my son when he has a time out." Needless to say this was not well received by Ms. Ryan. I guess no matter how composed you try to be, when you are getting grilled over a question, and it is not as important as national and international matters, the human aspect comes out. This banter made it all the way to Yahoo and other sites and is now on YouTube. More than 50,000 people have viewed it.

When we give our kids a time out we usually gauge the time by age. So, in my case, if I am really bad, I get to have a 51 minute time out. Yes! (But that never happens. Darn.)

I am not sure how many time outs I received when I was a kid, but I suspect a good portion of my waking hours when added up were spent in my room. Honestly I don't remember. But knowing how mischievous I was---I am sure I knew my room very well.

The photo above was taken at Brookfield Zoo. This is a baby orangutan that looks like he is spending a time out over by the rocks. At the zoo they don't have bed rooms, stairs or chairs, so a rope near the rocks is the next best thing when Mom in this case says, "It's time for a Time Out." I am really hoping I get one later so I can watch the football game.

Thanks for stopping by.