Happy New Year

I was driving to New Year's Eve gathering hosted by a co-worker in Rutherford county. I was only a few minutes out when I saw someone waving in the road. I came across a vehicle parked oddly at an intersection. I decided to give them a wide berth - New Year's Eve...wacko drunks.

Then I saw a man lying in the road.

I put my car in the roadside and jumped out.

I keep thinking over what happened next. I got out and figured out pretty quickly what had happened. SUV. Pedestrian. It was really bad.

Usually when I get to a scene as a photojournalist things have been cleaned up a bit. Not this time. This time I was one of the first there, besides the woman who'd hit him, so for a moment there I had an active function.

Secure the scene! I've got flares. Don't need them, someone else has arrived, blocking traffic.

Vitals! He's breathing. That's good.

Injuries! Anything I know how to do would have likely as not done more harm than good in the seconds before first responders arrived. I looked back at my car, thinking of my sleeping bag to keep him warm, but by the time I can finish this sentence his daughter was there, local emergency personnel were on the scene and I was backing out of the way.

I keep reexamining my actions, evaluating my performance. I am always scared I may make the wrong decision or freeze at a decisive moment. Maybe I was in training to be an Army officer. Maybe I was a Boy Scout.

I think at one point I asked the man in the road if he needed first aid.

Stupid, obvious, but what it took to get my head in the game as I reverted back to my training, so I guess I had to fumble through it.

He later passed away.

There was never anything I could do and I'm really, really sorry.

"Subject: State of the Union"

I don't usually just repost emails, but here....

"This year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union Address fall on the same day. As Air America Radio pointed out, "It is an ironic juxtaposition: One involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication, and the other involves a groundhog.""

A couple of things I do note... looking at the photographers on the floor of the Congress, they are correctly dressed. We as professionals may be working like squirrels, but there are times when we make sure to dress appropriately.

Following the recent passing of Chief Van Hoy, at his service I may have been walking, sitting, standing and kneeling like an Episcopalian, but I was in my best three piece suit.

And the commentator spoke of hometown newspapers hurrying to press with cheapened coverage of the late-running event. Let me assure you The Star newsroom is monitoring the event. When it is over, Graham is scheduled to call around to get local opinions. Then Janet and Hugh will paginate.

After the speech, after the story, after it is prepared for you to read tomorrow -- then they will go home.

Wiretaps (redux)

I keep hearing debate on wiretapping, much of which seems to miss the point.

It's not the fact that the government is tapping disreputable phone calls. They've always done that. I want them to be able to do that.

At issue is the executive branch taking off like a renegade cowboy and ignoring their legal obligation to consult the moderating judicial branch -- grabbing power, ignoring checks and balances and dismissing the need for warrants.

And they've even got 72 hours to get the warrant after they've started spying. That's three days. That's I don't want to here any whining about the judicial system slowing our snoops down.

To draw an analogy, a couple years back some cops up north got busted assaulting a detainee with plumbing equipment.

http://www.cnn.com/US/9708/14/police.torture/

Nobody is debating the need of police to arrest, detain and question people. I want them to be able to do that. That's why I pay them. But there are specific protocols for the capturing, Mirandizing and treating of suspects that do not involve sodomy with a plunger.

I want the government to protect me. I also want them to play by the rules we've agreed on.

If they don't do both, they're doing neither.

"Bush will urge end to oil addiction..."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/31/bush.sotu/index.html

Ok. How many miles per gallon will the vehicle the President rides to tonight's state of the union address get?

We drive 8 mpg tanks and complain about gas prices?

What if fewer lone commuters drove hummers and more folks drove smaller cars that are all they need anyway? When the German Green party came to power some of them rode bicycles to work at the Reichstag.

Chinese Repeating Crossbow

http://www.atarn.org/chinese/rept_xbow.htm

http://www.arco-iris.com/George/chu-ko-nu.htm

10 shots, 15 seconds

Priceless....

Mixed Candies - $1.50
Baby Wipes - $2.18
Peanuts - $2.79
Chewing Gum - $1.88
Sunflower Seeds - $1.05
Raisins - $1.35
Crackers - $2.27

Total: $13.02

That's a care package for Nate, a buddy of mine in Iraq. I got the same stuff for Jennie, his wife, another friend of mine who is also over there right now. I sent a bunch of stuff over for Josh when he was over. And Jason, and....

I don't know how much all the care packages have cost, and journalists don't generally make a whole lot, but it's a small price to pay to do what I can to help out my buddies.

But that small price is bigger that the $300 tax relief check the government made such a big deal out of but that I never saw.

And that small price is really small compared to the $2 trillion some folks estimate this thing will cost. I was speaking with an economist a while ago who was shocked by both how much we are spending and how little folks seem to mind.

I asked him how we are going to pay for it all.

He answered, "What do you mean 'We.'"

Darn Baby Boomers.

If I got the decimal point right, we're pushing $7K a head for 300 million Americans. But that's not the real cost. The greatest cost is paid in miserable days, lost years, exhausting sweat and wasted blood by hundreds of thousands of Nates, Toms, Petes... and the folks who love them.

I support my buddies. And I support their mission. Not nessecarily the deceptions that stuck us with it, certainly not the liars who suckered us into it, but I support my buddies in the field.

I don't know how much postage will cost for this care package, but I'm happy to pay it to help out my friends.

But I'd be even happier to keep my $7,000, forget the $300 tax check I never saw anyway, save the $13.02, screw the postage and not have my buddies in harm's way.

2006 -- Regime Change (at least a midterm election's worth): Priceless

Well, it felt good getting that out. Very theraputic. Let me note, though, that this is just an example of one person's free speech. Opinions are like as..ahh..bellybuttons -- everybody's got one. Feel free to leave a (constructive, non-abusive) comment of your own.

Heck, lemme know and I'll help you set up a blog of your own so's the whole world can feel the wrath of our bellybuttons.

Tie a yellow ribbon....

I got this on a listserv....

"Read down to the very bottom, you don't want to miss this!VERY INTERESTING -

1. The garden of Eden was in Iraq.

2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.

[...]

18. Peter preached in Iraq.

19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon, which was a city in Iraq!And you have probably seen this one. Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq!

However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are ! Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated it than Iraq.And also... This is something to think about!

Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...

The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)Koran (9:11) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, wh ile some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace.(Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!

God Bless you all Amen !

I BETTER NOT HEA R OF ANYONE BREAKING THIS ONE OR SEE DELETED This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone and pray. Something good will happen to you tonight at 11:11 PM This is not a joke. Someone will either call you or will talk to you online and say that they love you. Do not break this chain. Send this to 13 people in the next 15 minutes. Go."

One problem folks.... when I open my copy of the Qur'an, Surah 9, verse 11, reads "But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity, - they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand."

Not saying we don't need to obliterate these fanatical rats, but this isn't prophecy, it's a crock....

Knowing a camera like a Marine's rifle... "but this one is mine."

I was shooting this morning in low light, getting a doctor as he worked over a piece of equipment, lit only by an X-ray display.

As I shifted the camera from one target to another I realized I was in my mind registering the shutter speed by sound, just listening to it to tell if it was the right speed.

Freaky.

"Campaign to seize US judge's home"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4639374.stm

"Activists angered by a US Supreme Court ruling that homes can be demolished for public developments are trying to seize the home of one of the judges involved.

"About 60 people rallied in the small New Hampshire town of Weare on Sunday, where Justice David Souter has a house.

"The protesters say they have enough signatures from Weare residents to put their proposal to a town vote in March.

"They want a compulsory purchase order on the 200-year-old farmhouse, and say they will build a hotel in its place."

Ohhh.... Oh, Oh, Oh! This is great!

"For lack of body armor, troops die. Why the delay?"

news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20060113/
cm_usatoday/forlackofbodyarmortroopsdie
whythedelay;_ylt=AoGjRuQpiczXXJnudPl
FaMKs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3YWFzYn
A2BHNlYwM3NDI-

I can understand the expediencies of war. I can respect that sometimes more lives are lost in delay than in action that isn't 100 percent planned.

And I can understand 'going to war with the Army you have.'

But this was no surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. It's not like we didn't know we were going to war a year beforehand. It's not like we haven't had the last few years to figure this out.

In WWII, a few years were enough time to bulk our industrial might into the arsenal of democracy. An aircraft carrier every week. 50,000 Sherman tanks. If you lined every B-24 bomber we built wingtip-to-wingtip, the line would stretch more than 400 miles.

Surely we can crank out a little body armor.

Heaven knows can generate government SNAFUs and build expensive crap we never use.

Expanding beyond just flak jackets, for the cost of a single gazillion dollar stealth B-2 we only ever fly just to say we done it, we could, I dunno...

- pay off every radar operator in the world to just say they never saw it coming
- Armor every HMMWV
- Up-armor that Hummer
- Bring up every simple, cheap, Vietnam-era, mothballed M113 armored personnel carrier that actually has the armor we need
- keep the A-10 Warthog ground support aerial tanks soldiers love. The Air Force wants to replace them with more fragile F-16s -- faster, shinier, make cooler movies....
- buy health insurance, textbooks, breakfast for... I dunno... Oregon
- pay for body armor TO SAVE MY BUDDIES' LIVES
- pay to ship over the suits that botched this and strap them to the Hummers.

Improvised armor.

Well, it felt good getting that out. Very theraputic. Let me note, though, that this is just an example of one person's free speech. Opinions are like as..ahh..bellybuttons -- everybody's got one. Feel free to leave a (constructive, non-abusive) comment of your own.

Heck, lemme know and I'll help you set up a blog of your own so's the whole world can feel the wrath of our bellybuttons.

Wiretaps?

Well, I was with some Baby Boomers here recently, and one of them was surprised at how un-incensed my generation is with some of the things our government is doing in Washington. Sorry, but my job doesn't let me be too active politically, and I'm voting as hard as I can...

But I do have a blog that nobody reads, so here goes....

I recognize the need to be tough on terror. I support the use of wiretaps. But there are specific channels for such actions, as dictated by law. The executive branch of government does not have Judge Dred free reign - they have to (had to?) bounce it off a judge, run it by the ConstitutionÂ….

It's called "checks and balances."

And what if a little paperwork takes too long? We've got a kosher, legal solution for that, too. FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, give you 72 hours, more time than we spent planning post-war Iraq, to get a warrant after you've already started snooping.

You could start spying on some homesick exchange student calling his mommy on a Friday, go home for the weekend, get drunk on Saturday, go to church on Sunday and not bother about the warrant till Monday.

Or you could just ask us to trust you:

"I just want to assure the American people that... I've got the authority to do this" quoth Bush, who checked with his friends to be sure it was OK.

Great, here's an idea: lets let the government decide when the government has too much power.
While we're at it, how about if I decide how much I pay in taxes?

I'm sorry, Administration. I've tried to trust you, I really have. But that faith is lost, wandering around somewhere right next to those WMDs and the Loch Ness Monster.

Ours isn't a relationship based on trust - rather one secured by the checks and balances that have held our society together for more than 200 years, safeguards designed by Founding
Fathers who had a little experience living with unjust governance.

I guess we need an occasional reminder.

Well, it felt good getting that out. Very theraputic. Let me note, though, that this is just an example of one person's free speech. Opinions are like as..ahh..bellybuttons -- everybody's got one. Feel free to leave a (constructive, non-abusive) comment of your own.

Heck, lemme know and I'll help you set up a blog of your own so's the whole world can feel the wrath of our bellybuttons.

CNN.com poll....

"What do you think of Sen. Clinton's comment that the Bush administration is "one of the worst" in U.S. history?

On the mark 63% 110250 votes

Over the top 37% 66055 votes

Total: 176305 votes"


Wow. That's harsh. Not "one of the not-so-great," not "one of the B-sides," not "one of 'she makes her own clothes'," -- "one of the worst."

I wouldn't read the newspapers either if they reflected those stats about me.

Well, it felt good getting that out. Very theraputic. Let me note, though, that this is just an example of one person's free speech. Opinions are like as..ahh..bellybuttons -- everybody's got one. Feel free to leave a (constructive, non-abusive) comment of your own.

Heck, lemme know and I'll help you set up a blog of your own so's the whole world can feel the wrath of our bellybuttons.

School Bullying. Columbine.

We're doing a series this week in The Star about name calling and bullying in schools. I've got the experience a small, good, smart, new kid with glasses gets coming up through the grades.

I remember one day getting pushed around some in 5th grade. I told the teacher. The substitute teacher told me to "eat your Wheaties."

Now is the classroom a place where educators teach and enforce rules of civility, where physical violence is avoided, where abuse is punished and where a student can learn in peace?

Or is it "Lord of The Flies," where, as Benjamin Franklin quothe, "Might shites on The back of reason," students are left to their own devices to remedy their grievances, victims don't have the recourse of law and fist leads to fists?

I remember in middle school seeing a friend of mine get his face bashed into a lunchroom table by a bully. My buddy, small, smart, nice, hadn't done anything wrong... he was just sitting there.

Maybe the kid came from a bad home. Maybe he had emotional problems. Maybe I don't care. If he's going to come to school and spread his ruination to others he can go in a special school, a Gulag, a cage.... he isn't getting fixed assaulting my friend from behind and he's just breaking others.

My high school gym class was a joke. "Here's a basketball, play amongst yourselves," "Walk in circles"....

I was playing hacky-sack with some of my friends one day -- more physical activity than the standing around most kids were doing, certainly more exercise than the teachers were getting sitting in the corner on their fat a... -- when a couple rubes decided to come give us some trouble....

About ten of us.

Two of them.

One of them got the hint.

Ten. One. The "Encircle. Exterminate." tactic that served Patriot forces at the Battle of Kings Mountain served it's deterrent purpose in this case. But it shouldn't have needed to. Teachers, adults, should have been in charge.

If kids were mature enough to handle themselves they wouldn't be needing the educations their in school to receive, would they?

Heavens, if adults where mature enough we wouldn't need cops. But we do. It's human nature.

Now let's say you had a couple kids who got pushed around in elementary school.

And middle school.

And in Columbine High School they couldn't walk down the hall without getting pushed into lockers. Did some teacher at some point tell them to "eat their Wheaties?"

Such random violence is inexcusable, abhorrent and disgusting on every imaginable level. But it doesn't surprise me. I studied anthropology. When you take millions of adolescent Homo sapiens and stress them drastically over the course of years, a few are going to snap.

It's human nature.

But we're not just brute animals, governed only by our base biology. We've developed beyond "The Lord of The Flies" to have systems of culture, of law, of classroom rules enforced by leaders to help things run reasonably smoothly.

We can do better. Parents can start off with better parenting. I don't know child-rearing from the adult's perspective, but from a yung'un's eye view, knowing the kid I was, parenting can't be easy, so maybe be cautious about jumping into parenthood before you're prepared. And ready or not, once you've got them, they're yours.

Back at school, that substitute of mine needs to be taken down a few notches. That middle school bully needs to be disciplined flat. That gym teacher needs to get off her a....

If we don't change things, things won't change.

"...novel jellyfish dishes from tofu to ice cream, but for some reason the recipes have failed to take off...."

Japanese jellyfish the size of sumo wrestlers?

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf
/01/19/japan.jellyfish.reut/index.html

... a rolling compromise....

I’m thinking about getting a new bicycle.
Nothing against my current bike – it’s pretty good at everything, but not really specialized at any of the standard cycling disciplines.
It’s a rolling compromise, a hybrid with a husky frame, suspension and 40mm tires that were ideal for the mixed streets, steps, grass and gravel of my college campus.
But it’s too much of a mountain bike – slow, heavy, fat tires - for long roads.
And it’s too much of a road bike – tires aren’t quite fat enough, frame and suspension aren’t quite ideal – to be a true mountain bike.
Now I’m looking to do some long rides. Really long rides. Ultimately I’d like to tour across the country.
This country, specifically. Liechtenstein was no challenge. Already done it.
I’ve taken my current bike on some long rides, did that 100-miler to all the towns in Cleveland County, some 90-odd milers fully loaded for touring… with old fashioned, inefficient flat pedals.
That hurt. Really, really hurt.
When I ask folks if I need a new bike, and I tell them these rides I did with the current one, I’ve gotten the range of "well, that was dumb" and "yeah, skinnier tires and lighter wheels would proffer lower rolling resistance" to "D…, YOU’RE A BEAST."
(I really like that last one).
So I’m going through the bike-buying process.
I'm looking for a one that is more efficient, has curved handlebars so I can have more riding positions, where I can attach a rack or even just a little seatpost setup for 20 pounds of sleeping bag, snacks, tent….
I'm willing to suffer the extra ounce for a little extra reliability. I'm not particular about getting the absolute latest model, color.... I'm all about value.
I'm willing to pay for quality, but don't need to spend the unnecessary hundreds for the that last bell or whistle, the final .0001 mph, the kangaroo-skin wrapped, titanium, Teflon, platinum handlebars....
I sent out the last three paragraphs in an email to the outfit I got my current bike from in Carrboro. They sent me back a link to bike just about like the one I’ve got.
Big help.
So I’ve started posting on BikeForums.net. I sent out my form letter to just about every bike shop in Charlotte and have started getting some good advice. I’m checking out Consumer Reports. I went by a local bike shop today and talked and listened and rode one.
I’ve compiled my information onto an Excel spreadsheet so I can objectively, easily compare the pros and cons of each model.
German? Yeah.

Scouts! At The Star! Yay!

"US Vietnam-era deserter arrested"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4618974.stm

"...could face ... a mandatory discharge from the Marines."

Well gee, I bet that stings.

And a few more from Cowpens...

"Iran plans Holocaust conference"

"Iran... said Sunday it would hold a conference to examine the scientific evidence"

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/
meast/01/15/iran.holocaust.ap/index.html

Did the Holocaust happen? There's only one correct answer. If you have any questions, ask the Mossad.

Getting pegged by a foul ball in the....

So I was at a Carolina Mudcats farm team game in eastern N.C. with my dad and a buddy named Joe. My Dad had spoken to me before about folks trying to snag fouls with their bare hands -- "don't hurt yourself," he said, "just catch it on the bounce...."

So we're sitting out around third base, my Dad on my right, my buddy on my left.... CRACK! One's coming at us. My Dad stands up, and I recall what he said about not trying to catch it, so I get up too, thinking we're getting ready to move for cover. But he's got his arms out trying to catch the fool thing....

I can't move left because Joe's there. I can't move right because my Dad's up trying to snag the foul. But as it bullets towards us it curves away from his hands right into my....

"Groin." Let's just say, "Groin."

I doubled over, the ball landed in front of me, some kid made a grab for it, my Dad was telling me to dive on it but honestly I had other concerns....

Utlimatly I was fine and the kid gave me the ball.

I'd earned it.

A few years later I was in a rec soccer league at UNC....

I was on the sidelines with a teammate, a buddy named Ray.

A ball was flying at me, and I figured I'd just head it back into bounds.

The ball dipped lower. I figured I'd just chest it.

Lower. I figured I'd just belly it.

Lower.

Yep. The ball bounced back inbounds. I just looked over at Ray with my best, most stoic John Wayne grit... YEAH, I'M THAT TOUGH.

MOMMY~~~~~ sniff, sniff......

Tips on sports photography....

Baseball, Softball
There are also good opportunities for "safties" - decent, staple photos of a pitcher pitching, a hitter hitting... that won't win a Pulitzer, but ensure that you at least won't come back to the office empty-handed if the weather turns foul, you get called out off to a fire, the camera blows up....

Shooting at each particular field is very different for baseball. Various fence heights (Burns is quite nice - protective, yet convenient. Good to rest a lens on), different dugouts you can sit on (Shelby's is primo), even whether you're shooting into the sun from your favorite perch by first base (sorry Crest, Yay! KM Softball!).

Football
And as the season develops it gets dark sooner and sooner and the ball can as easily be right in front of you as 53 1/3 yards away on the other side of the field, mocking your flash.

Soccer
When you're shooting freelance for soccer, or maybe on an assignment to get a photo of a particular player who doesn't actually have to be competing at that moment, some of the easiest photos are before the game. You can wait the entire game for that perfect shot of the goalie in midair, stretched out horizontally begging time and space for a few more inches, another half second to stop the ball....

Or you can just shoot her practicing ad nauseum before the game.

Flag at half-mast....

A lot of folks have told me they really, really like this photo of the Shelby Town Hall flag at half-mast in honor of the passing of Chief VanHoy.

Well, here's how it goes....

Flags automaticly draw forth powerful emotional responses from people -- they may start off as simple pieces of colored fabric, but stitched together the Star Spangled Banner makes you want to salute, a terrorist burning our colors makes you want to... they are touchstones of ideals, morals, unity, Republic for which they stand.

So a picture of a flag can funnel that power. Who can forget the photo of the Marines (and Navy Corpsman, I beleive) raising Old Glory on Iwo, the shot of the firefighters hanging a flag in the smoking ruins of 9/11.

While we were down in Laurel I went for a quick walk around their downtown area to grab some shots. In the center of town was a flagpole, holding high one of the most unserciveable, gloried flags I think I've ever seen.



It had flown through the hurricane. It was flying over the Gulf's recunstruction. It was ripped and shreded and tied back together by someone determined their flag yet wave.

It wound up on the back cover of a book published by The Laurel Leader-Call. Folks liked it. It was an easy shot. It took only a few seconds. As a photojournalist, you learn how to shoot staple, reliable shots for when you're short on time and long on tasks, like we were in Laurel.

Shooting the recent city hall shot I just stepped over the chains surrounding the pole, aimed my camera up and snapped off some shots. I had the camera set for shooting in a dark room and all the pictures were too washed out to use.

So I went and took some more pictures. It's a pretty simple shot... just point and click. Getting the flag in just the right position is a just a matter of taking a ton of photos and picking out the one you want. That doesn't take long with a camera that shoots 8 shots a second, and with digital it's not like you're wasting film.

In this and similar blogs, I don't think so much giving away photojournalist secrets. I'd rather think I'm sharing.

This didn't feel too good either....

Taps....

We're here in the office working on our online pieces for Chief Charlie VanHoy's service today. One of our multimedia tributes is a slide show rolling by as the melancholy notes of Taps are blown on a lone bugle.

I played trumpet for seven years in middle and high school, earned the bugling merit badge, and served my scout troop in that capacity.

In the first year or so I was learning to play we gave my father's Uncle Joe a phone call. He was a jazz musician whose trupmet skills were of no mean fame in his corner of Georgia.

I was so proud of what I was learning, I put my trumpet to the receiver and played him a piece I'd figured out. I played him Taps.

The line went silent for a moment.

"John, that was beautiful."

"But I'd really hoped I wouldn't have to hear it again," said Uncle Joe.

During WWII the U.S. Army had made use of his skills as a musician on an island called Tinian in the Pacific, an island with a runway that launched thousands of airplanes, bombs and young men at Japan. One of those airplanes was the Enola Gay.

But for all the thousands of young men who didn't come back, somebody had to play taps -- my Uncle Joe.

Sorry Chad, sorry Joy, you did a great job on that multimedia. But I think I'll give it a pass.

"Do you have any idea how much this crap weighs?"

Ahh, the chill, crisp air of football evening. The young photographer gathers the view - the band, the crowd, the teams warming up.
He smiles.
He gathers up his camera. His lens. His other camera. A bigger lens. A video camera. A backpack with a small lens. And some batteries. A really big lens. And another camera, just in case.
Gathering his breath...
He swears.
Do you have any idea how much this crap weighs?
This isn't the 70 pounds of a soldier's TA-50 pack and gear, the 70-pound load of a long distance backpacker or the 70 pounds of a horse's jockey, but it does get old after a while.
Seriously, I've come back from events sweatier than the players - make no mistake, sports photography can be an athletic endeavor.
And that's why I like basketball.
A newspaper photographer lives with a regular rotation of school sports, learning how to photograph them, the tricks of each game and each field.
Shooters can debate it, but I think football is tough. Walk to one end of the field.... They throw a Hail Mary.... RUN you and your gear to the other end... and then "Whaddyya mean there was a flag!" grumble grumble grumble....
And that pigskin might even get frisky and decide to come play with you. Just you. Coming very fast. Check out the blog for a picture: jderrickstar.blogspot.com.
But at least in football you have a general idea of how far (not very) they're going to move before politely stopping again.
Soccer has got to be one of the hardest sports to cover. I have no idea where the ball's going to be in five seconds. The players don't even have any idea. With one good kick it could be anywhere on the field. Or off the field. Or into me. Yes, that's happened too. Several times. Once in the... well, nevermind.
Using a smaller white ball that hurts more (when did you last see someone try to head a baseball?), diamond action is unpredictable and over in a split second and a cloud of dust. But if you know the rules of the game you can predict where the play will be, just like one of the players, and pre-focus your lens.
She's probably gonna run to first. Then perhaps second....
But if you've ever been nailed in the groin by a foul line drive, you find yourself getting rather jumpy at games.
There's a story. It's on the blog.
Basketballs don't hurt as much. I know. And shooting from behind the net, I don't have to run, I don't have to walk, I don't even have to stand.
It's all indoors and there's no heavy lifting.
And the players have to come to me. None of soccer's running all over the place, none of football's sideline pacing or baseball's quintuple plays on all corners of the diamond. If basketball players want to score, if they want to keep their opponent from scoring, they have to come to me. I know where they're going, they have to get within range and they like to do so several times a minute, separated by polite retreats.
It's just me, a camera and players flying everywhere, gracefully soaring before my lens like midair Greek statues.
But with more armpits.

Football nails photographer....

Yeah. I got hit by a football.

"Naked News breaking in Japan market"

news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060111/od_nm/
naked_dc;_ylt=Ain7TfMfxpxIWYaq.0C4B_Cs0NUE;_
ylu=X3oDMTA3NW1oMDRpBHNlYwM3NTc-

Don't worry. The Shelby Star may be pushing the edge of the multimdia envelope, but no....

Darn unlicensed immigrants....

"Schwarzenegger says he won't stop riding
California governor slightly injured in motorcycle accident"

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/
01/09/schwarzenegger.crash.ap/index.html

"Schwarzenegger said Monday that a weekend accident won't stop him from riding motorcycles. As an actor, he said, he had to sign contracts covering possible injuries from stunts. "I did all those things anyway," Schwarzenegger said. "I never played by the rules.""

"Police: Schwarzenegger riding illegally
California governor admits he has no motorcycle license"

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/10/schwarzeneggar.license.ap/index.html

"I never played by the rules."

?

I guess not, Herr Gubernator.....

"Cost of Iraq war could top $2 trillion: study"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060110/
ts_nm/iraq_cost_dc;_ylt=ArCCy93XXBZg
I5utrRWeEVus0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OD
dxdHBhBHNlYwM5NjQ

Wow, I'm sure glad folks voted for a fiscally conservative government, not like those irresponsible Spendocrats.

"Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz: “There’s a lot of money to pay for this that doesn’t have to be U.S. taxpayer money, and it starts with the assets of the Iraqi people…and on a rough recollection, the oil revenues of that country could bring between $50 and $100 billion over the course of the next two or three years…We’re dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon.” [Source: House Committee on Appropriations Hearing on a Supplemental War Regulation, 3/27/03]" -- http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/iraqquotes_web.htm

"Toddler's Talking Elmo Book Asks 'Who Wants To Die?'"

http://www.local6.com/news/5784303/detail.html

Wow.

Somewhere, a PR rep. takes up drinking.

Iran....

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4596098.stm

Hey, um, are these folks worrying anyone else? They seem to enjoy reverting to pre-Enlightenment concepts of government, woman's rights, science, religion and gerneral playing nice... and prehistoric ideas of music appreciation.

www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/19/iran.music.ap/index.html

Are they a good ad for the separation of church and state?

www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/12/22/
muslim.brotherhood.ap/index.html

Will the repressed, pregressive intelegensia of Persia rise up and cultivate a grand new fad in lamppost decoration?

www.webneveshteha.com/en/

"MOUT", military operations in urban terrain, zap 70% casualties on your side, when you're winning. Listen folks, in a land of suicide bombers and human wave attacks, not that I don't try to do my part for my fellow human (www.heifer.org), but if it comes down to my butt on the ground or our B-52s in the air....?

www.arlingtoncemetery.org/

Sharper diplomacy? Sanctions? Peace? Pleeeeeze?

www.un.org/
www.un.org/Docs/sc/
www.promotega.org/fld00019/graphics/newspaper.jpg

Stay tuned....

Thou shalt not....

What's the most shoplifted book at Barnes & Noble?

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The Bible, at least according to that cashier in Raleigh.

Hey, if you really, really need a free Bible, try www.biblesforamerica.org/, the Gideons... I've noticed there are one or two churches around here, I'm sure they could help....

Or if you'd like to learn more about Islam, how about www.freekoran.com?

Not sure about The Vedas. Google 'em yourself.

Today's CNN.com poll

"Do you agree with President Bush that the U.S. economy has a "full head of steam"?

Yes
26%
7405 votes

No
74%
21147 votes
Total: 28552 votes"

Though it be noted that this is not a scientific poll, represents only the views of those who chose to participate, visited the website... who are we kidding?

What's it?

Okay folks. What does this one look like? Leave a comment and I'll let you know if you're wrong or not.

"Pat Robertson suggests God smote [Israeli PM] Sharon"

"Evangelist links Israeli leader's stroke to 'dividing God's land"

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/05/robertson.sharon/index.html

Wow.

That's chucked pretty far past the pale.

To express my views, let me use Biblical imagery Robertson might understand:

"Holy Cow!"...

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...what a load of "bull." Robertson, you are such a...

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Y'know, maybe Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke isn't divine retribution for the Israeli pullout from Gaza, which apparently Robertson didn't like.

Maybe the man is 77 years old, he's lived a long hard life, he's led a nation surrounded by people/countries/regions of the world that want them exterminated, he's fought in every war of their's since Israel's refounding in 1948... love or hate him, maybe he's just an elderly guy wearing out.

None of us are getting any younger.

Speaking of which, 75-year old Robertson ragging on a 77-year old for having a stroke?

That's just asking for it....

An Alien! In Overalls!

Well, we've all heard the tales of aliens and UFOs, and now we have some proof, right here in Cleveland County. Fortunately, this time they came there was a reliable, sober witness (me), armed with a camera (I am a photographer).

But alien presence here in our area is nothing new. Everyone remembers The War Between the Martians back in 18 hundred and 56.

And I remember my Old Uncle Geezer up in Dirty Gallbladder telling me about the Conflagration of the Grays back in the spring of '27.

He'd go on, and on....

And on...
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and on...
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Then he'd take another chaw and go on...
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You'd better believe I faked this (like Jason Blair, but honest). We've all see the documentaries and the TV shows and the pictures and stuff, and I figured I'd have a go at making one myself to see just how easy it really is.

Turns out it's really, really easy.

A fishing pole, a camera, a toy alien (I think he's holding a hamburger, not sure) glued to the thin monofilament line (came off later)... edited out the string with Paintbrush on my computer, Photoshoped a little extra blur in there....

Voila!

Video of revolver, having issues....

The cylinder seems to be offset... doesn't wanna turn the correct way: www.shelbystar.com/video/january/revolver resized.wmv

Tenon pins on a Traditons Kentucky....

Well all you Muzzleloadingforum.com folks, here's those pictures of the tenon pin system on a Traditions Kentucky flinter....

the pin...

the little tenon pin lug and where it fits into the stock...

a closseup of the mortise, lug and pin...

and how it fits together, minus the barrel for ease of viewing. Enjoy!

"Prince Ludwig Lager"

Yep, I've got two gallons of Bavarian beer coming my way.... Yay! Thanks Mr. Beer!

A couple Christmasses ago my Mom (German) gave me a beer brewing kit. And yes that's a photo from their website, www.mrbeer.com (I presume they won't mind the photo's use, as I'm plugging them for all I'm worth).

Now's I've got a batch a'brewing.... Prince Ludwig Lager --

"In the honor the Prince of Bavaria, the region that turns out some of the greatest
beers in the world, we try our hand at making a great Bavarian Style beer.

Ingredients
1 can Octoberfest’s Vienna Lager
1 can Whispering Wheat Weizenbier
¼ oz Saaz Hops

Instructions for brewing:
1. Clean and sanitize the following equipment according to your Brew Keg instructions: a pot of three quart size or greater, a metal spoon or metal whisk, your keg fermenter, keg lid, spigot assembly, and a funnel or cup measure for transferring to the keg fermenter as well as your can opener. Keep all on a sanitized surface.

2. Place 4 cups of water in the pot. Bring the water to a boil, then remove from heat.

3. Add the Octoberfest’s Vienna Lager, Whispering Wheat and ¼ oz Saaz Hops. Stir with a sanitized spoon or whisk until fully dissolved. This mixture is called the wort. Note: hops will appear as green leaf particles and will not dissolve.

4. Add 4 quarts of cold tap water to your sanitized keg fermenter.

5. Add the wort from the saucepan to the brew keg using the funnel or cup measure, and top up with cold tap water to the 8.5 quart mark. Stir to make sure that the wort is all one temperature. Preferable temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees. Warning: if the temperature is too hot, there is risk of killing the yeast.

6. Sprinkle the yeast from the packet on top of the wort. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then stir the wort vigorously with the sanitized spoon or whisk.

7. Screw the lid in place and set the keg fermenter in a room with a stable temperature (68 to 76°F is best). Leave the fermenter for two weeks, or until the fermentation has ceased.

8. Bottle in PET carbonated beverage bottles or non-screw top beer bottles, using the correct amount of priming sugar as directed in your Brewing with Mr. Beer booklet. Carbonate as usual, allow to lager for at least one week before popping the first one open for best results."

http://www.mrbeer.com/prlula.html

For all you flinters out there....

Here you go....

Dad firing flintlock

Well, here's my Dad having his flintlock initiation. Wouldv'e been nice if it'd gone off.... :)

My little baby....

Well, here we go with gratuitous shots of my dog, Baskerville, getting his Christmas present from me -- a "mammoth" bone so large he nearly tipped over trying to pick it up. He then went to hide it in some leaves.