Conventions are exhausting. I would love to elucidate the idiotic planning of this convention as regarding access to the arena, but I’m exhausted.
Me of course. Way up in the rafters. I tried to get something different of Michelle Obama knowing I couldn’t compete with the wire.
This is what I got. Fought through a lot of people just to get into the hall.
I’m in Denver this week covering the Democratic National Convention. Fun because it’s important, not fun because it’s hard making pictures. I’ll try not to complain too much because, as Eric always says: “A bad day on the road beats a good day in the office.”
How, when and where protesters are allowed to express their constitutional rights is always an issue at conventions. Today I covered a peace rally that went nearly two miles through Denver from the captiol to the Pepsi center. These guys didn’t have a permit from the city, who issued permits through a lottery system, so they went to the state and got permission to assemble on the capitol grounds.
There was speculation there would be confrontations, arrests, etc. but nothing happened. Other than me getting sunburned because I forgot my hat in the car.
This is so sweet you’ll have to go to the dentist after watching it.
I’ll say it for you: “I can’t believe William produced this.”
After an hour of editing sound, I can’t get the damn song out of my head.
Click the picture to see the show.
Had an emergency illustration to shoot the other day. Something about stretching your buying dollars. It’s not the greatest, but on short notice. . .
I did enjoy shopping for the piggy bank and painting it pink.
Funny how motivation works. It’s harder than heck to make it to work by 9 a.m. some days. But while on vacation it’s no problem at all to hit the golf course as the sun rises. Freaky foggy morning this day. Couldn’t see 100 yards off the first tee box. Fortunately I know the course well so I found my sliced drive. The fog was completely gone after three holes.
I just finished two weeks of vacation. Did nothing but play golf, nearly everyday, and boy are my golf muscles tired.
Speaking of motivation, that’s something I’ve had little of lately. The big fall sports push is arriving soon, we’ll be down three photographers because we’re not replacing McNamara — as if he could be replaced — losing an intern and a part-timer. Oh yeah, and some people haven’t taken their vacation yet.
The Cornhusker State Games started Friday night offering infinite possibilities for flag pictures. I just can’t resist.
Former Husker super stud and current NBA player Eric Piatkowski lit the torch at the opening festivities.
Clayton Anderson, the only astronaut from Nebraska, who spent about three months on the space station earlier this year, was there also.
Skydivers are always part of the opening ceremonies at Seacrest Field.
My favorite. They played the National Anthem before starting foosball competition. Because they didn’t have enough players register, about 30, they weren’t allowed to have beer. “Drink at your own risk,” the man in charge said with a knowing laugh.
Speed skating at Pershing is a yearly event, however, we never seem to get the start time correct. It was 7:30, not 8:30, as assigned by sports. Fortunately I’m in the habit of going early to everything so I had ten minutes to make this picture. I would have liked to work it and get more exaggerated panning. Maybe next year.
The Zoo Bar is celebrating its 35th anniversary this weekend with a street festival.
James Harmon is an old school harp player known world wide, but still comes back to play at The Zoo. I don’t remember exactly the first time I heard him, but it was probably 28 years ago.
One of us is getting old.
While working on my Valparaiso, Neb., story a couple of months ago, I discovered Gordon Ohnoutka, a local farmer who has a passion for golf. Great guy.
Our usual golf writter was on vacation last week so I took it upon myself to write a golf story. Check it out. I hadn’t looked at our website until posting the stories link today so I was pleasantly surprised by the comments.
http://journalstar.com/articles/2008/07/03/sports/doc486c136c3acb1147966474.txt
Of course I played. And I had my moments. Chipped one in for birdie and made a birdie putt. Although the guys were all excited to scramble and keep score while playing, nobody bothered to figure out who actually won when we finished. They really do only play for fun.
I was the only player in my group to hit one into the corn field. Gordon says when he plants beans there, no way does anyone find their ball. He jokes about harvesting golf balls in the fall.
This is Gordon on the left. He’s farmed all his life and played for the first time in college in the early 1960’s. You’ll have to read the story if you want all the details.
Of course they wanted a group photo. I’m the one who doesn’t look like a farmer. Or maybe I do.
The Fourth of July seems like a logical time to make a flag picture. Okay, okay, not technically a flag but close enough.
Esther Grant is watching the parade from her porch in Friend.
Krista took me to Tulsa on her journey back home to Tucson last month, Tulsa being her childhood home with memories both good and wan. You can read her account here. http://kristaniles.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/in-search-of-personal-history/
What I found fascinating was the Oral Roberts campus that featured a plethora of gaudy, gold buildings — which features four-inch orange and brown shag carpet on the insides I’m sure — including these unbelievably phallic skyscrapers. Gotta love those architects for Christians. How did this monstrosityever get off the drawing board? Surely it was somebody’s idea of a joke. One nut even hangs lower than the other, so effectively mimicking a tailor’s measurement.
I belive the center is a hospital, the others not completely occupied. The all looked dilapidated and down right ugly.
No wonder Oral Roberts went bankrupt.
Covered the Nebraska State Match-Play Championship semi-finals this weekend in Nebraska City. Storms have been forming and rolling through for about a month.
I mean really. Was there any doubt?
Even after eliminating those of inappropriate size (fat guys love Hawaiian shirts), and those in the $30 range, the winner still led the field.
On assignment at the Old Market in Omaha today I discovered this vivid exhibition of splendorous attire, immediatly determining one would contribute to my already exquisite collection of gorgeous television-appropriate garments.
Upon which did I bestow the honor? Come back tomorrow to find out.
Had a terrific time visiting Krista in Tucson. Relaxing without too much of an agenda. Fixed a few things around the house for her and rubbed Gertie’s tummy a lot. I’m good a that.
Probably because I’ve lived in the plains states all my life, I find the desert fascinating. The saguaro cactus blossoms this time of year. For only 24 hours, a white flower appears, then a reddish fruit forms atop these sentries of the desert.
Some of the ancient tribes harvested the fruit. Can’t believe I didn’t think to taste one.
The park ranger advised us not to take too strenuous a hike because by 11 a.m. it was already 94 degrees. The hotness is weird because it feels like you don’t sweat, it never collects on your skin like in Nebraska. Instead it evaportes, which of course means drinking lots of fluids. We were only out for maybe two hours but I felt drained. I don’t know what the final tempreture was in the desert but it reached 104 in Tucson.
One of the reasons I’m fascinated by the desert is the adaptations the plants and animals make to survive there. But then I think, geez, there used to be tribes of people living here also. But not anymore (except us modern folks). I supose it wasn’t all that easy a life.
And no trip is complete without a self portrait. That’s me on the left.
Gertie is Krista’s latest household addition. She’s a chow and German Sheppard mix (Gertie that is). She’s broad chested, loves her tummy rubbed and poops like a lady (Gertie that is). Poor Gertie had some irritated paws so Krista gave her some loving.
Krista is stirring the simple syrup for margaritas we took to a party. She’s quite lovely wearing her favorite dress.
