Congrats Sox

Just finished watching game 4 of the world series. I am pleased because I'm comfortable, I'm home, and one of my teams just won it all. Though my main team is the ever unpredictable Seattle Mariners, the Red Sox has been my back-up team for a few years now. Mainly, I'm a baseball fan. I love to watch all of it, the stories that develop, the rhythm of it, the rise and fall of teams and players. The other reason I'm happy is that back in June I looked at a friend who happened to make the mistake of engaging me in a baseball discussion. During that discussion I had said, "The Red Sox have a good chance of winning it all." Throughout the entire season I believed it because I saw a team which was not only balanced but incredibly deep with talent. However, my main reason was because I saw a team having intense fun with what they were doing.

It was odd to be in a World Series city while the event was going on. Unfortunately, it was during the first games in Boston and the town had that "away game" sort of feeling to it. We were out on the street and moving toward a sports bar to take in the first Series game when the Rockies hit their home run in the first game. I've never heard a city roar before but I'll never forget how that sound rolled along the streets, echoed around the towers, and lifted into the sky.

Finally, this may be a no-brainer but hang onto any Jacoby Ellsbury or Dustin Pedroia cards you have from this season. From the way those rookies came out of the box and performed in the past two games of the Series, it might be worth something one day.

Consolidation

I’ve really gotten away from doing this kind of writing. I’m not sure why exactly. Part of the reason is a very tight schedule. The other is that I’ve been suffering from a kind of paralysis. Even though I’ve re- imagined this journal several times, none of them seemed to really fit or work, none provided that “spark” that would keep me going.

On top of that, I would have ideas and then realize I had no journal to put them in. If I had one on a spiritual line, do I stick it it here? Does it belong here? What if I turned around and then had an idea for a sports themed post? Would it fit? Would it be alright to create a hodge-podge of different posts with different subjects all running about willy-nilly? With my new job, I had travel posts on top of that. And posts about nature, photography, gaming, kids, cooking, and the list goes on.

So, I reached the only logical conclusion. I'd do them all, right here. I've wanted a central home for things for some time now and this is it.

I'm currently wrapping up a week long stint in Denver, Colorado and fly home tomorrow. This afternoon, the conference wraps at noon and there are plans to go to the mountains. I'm looking forward to this a great deal and only wish I had brought my camera. Food for thought as I look into packing and traveling for not only Atlanta but Austin, Texas as well. And what are travel posts without pictures, right?

Day In The Sun, Part Two

I think I may just have to resign myself to only getting one of these posts up here every week or so. So busy.

As promised and in honor of the NCAA College Baseball World Series this weekend, here is the other half of the shots from the "Spring Day in the Sun." These are from an IU baseball game later that day. I'm particularly fond of these shots and my growing ability to see a situation on the field and prepare for it. Also, since I am an avid baseball scorekeeper whenever I go to games, I love Keeping Score which is at the very end.

The subject of the shot was a smiling older gentleman who very elegantly set up a folding bleacher seat, sat down in the front row directly behind home plate, and began keeping score with his pen and steno pad. He must have been a long time fan as he was treated with great respect by any IU baseball staff member that walked by him. He had an "old school baseball gentleman" air to him and it was just a pleasure watching him watch the game.

Enjoy.

Late From the Faire

Near the end of April I had the opportunity to take in the local Renn. Faire being held on campus here in Blooomington. Two things conspired to keep these shots from being put up for folks to enjoy. 1) I just didn't have the time to devote to working on them! 2) I've started shooting in RAW format which entails a few more steps as I take them through digital processing. I enjoy RAW format because it allows so much more flexibility with the image in regards to white balance, color balancing, etc.

I didn't shoot many shots but the ones I have I am incredibly pleased with. I'll start off with the one that gave me goosebumps when I saw it full size on my screen. Shooting very purposefully at a high shutter speed, it allowed me to capture the liquid igniting and the result which was a blossoming fireball.

Below are a handful of other shots that I think are the cream of the crop from the sunny day at the Faire.




This particular day was a good one since after leaving the Faire, I headed over to a IU baseball game. And, yes, I took my camera along. Those shots are up next!