Upper Deck

Me, shooting from the left field upper deck during the Houston Astros spring training game against the the Philadelphia Phillies sometime in March.

Yeah, I know, it's been a long time

Yes, I haven't updated in a long time, but, in spite of that, here it goes, a few photos from the past months.

Love you boys.

Dad

Me covering the Houston Astros during spring training!

A Historic Day

Washington, Jan. 20, 2009--Historic, united, proud, and cold. That pretty much sums up how I felt covering the Inauguration of President Barack Obama last week at the nation's Capitol.

I was assigned to cover the parade route from a stand by the National Archives along Pennsylvania Ave. This meant getting up at 5a.m. to get in line for a security sweep to enter the route and standing almost four hours in the cold to even get to my spot.

While standing line with thousands of people, it was clear from the start that it was a magical day. Everyone was friendly and happy, even if my camera gear poked them as we slowly moved down the street. The people I meet in line weren't strangers, they were new friends. An example of this is the photo above of me with Katina Robinson of Washington, along with her mother Shirley. It was people like that who made the cold and the time time pass quickly.

After getting to my spot on the route and setting up, I wandered the route looking for a place to photograph people listening to the president being sworn in as they couldn't see the actual ceremony from the location.

It was a very emotional scene as people along the route cried and hugged each other after President Obama was officially sworn in.

After over an hour delay, the parade finally started and slowly crept away from the Capitol.
Just as the president's motorcade got in front me, it stopped and out popped the president and the first lady.

So I had a good thirty seconds to photograph them as they waved and walked part of the route as the crowd around me went nuts. Then once he was out of site, I started editing and transmitting my photos.

I finished up just as the glowing afternoon sunlight faded behind the historic buildings. The crowds had thinned out and the parade was wrapping up.

I then packed up my equipment and headed back to the office. As I got on the subway for the quick ride under the parade route and to the office, I got a sense of something I've never felt while on a train. Everyone seemed jovial, and to me "united."

While it was a long day, it was history, and I was proud to be a part of it and I'm glad you got to watch it at school.

Love,
Dad

Waiting for the President elect

Baltimore, Jan. 17, 2009--That's me freezing my butt off waiting for President-elect Barack Obama in front of the War Memorial Plaza.

Monica Lopossay of the Baltimore Sun took this one of me.

It's cold as can be, but still fun to be a part of it.

I love you boys.
Dad

"Riding that Train"

ABOARD AMTRAK 181 NORTHEAST REGIONAL, Dec. 16--A 5:00 a.m. wake up call, three cups of coffee, and four states aboard a train in under four hours is how I spent my morning.

I was on assignment photographing the route President-elect Barack Obama will take on his way to the Inauguration in Washington a few days before taking office.

I started off in Baltimore, then Philly, Wilmington, back to Baltimore, then on to D.C. where I ended up sending my photos from our office there, hanging out and catching up some old friends I hadn't see in a while.

As you can tell from the self portrait in the bathroom, the coffee ran thru me somewhere in Maryland!

Looking forward to Christmas boys, see you in six days!

Love,
Dad

Yup, it's cold here

Baltimore, Dec. 7--It feels like it happened overnight. One day it's a mild nice day, and the next thing you know, it feels like winter.

That's what happened Sunday covering the Baltimore Ravens home game against the Washington Redskins. It was flat out cold. Bone chilling cold.

As you can tell from the photo Nick Wass shot of me before the game, I was dressed like I was going turkey hunting. Anything to stay warm, which I managed to do for the most part. Although my fingers started to feel the effects towards the end of the game despite my gloves and hand warmers. But once I got back to the workroom after the game and had a cup of coffee, I started to thaw out.

While I didn't mind being in the cold and shooting the game, I sure wish I would have been able to make it to Kentucky for your birthday Luke. We'll make up for lost time over the holidays. See you boys then and Happy Birthday Lukie pants!!!!


Love,
Dad

Among "Giants"

East Rutherford, N.J. Nov. 16--Yes, I was a mere photographer among Giants Sunday as I got my first chance to photograph the New York Giants at the Meadowlands, against my hometown Baltimore Ravens.

And while the cold wind was whipping across the field, it didn't bother me one bit as I watched the defending Super Bowl Champions beat the Ravens 30-10, proving that yes Alex, your Giants, once again, are pretty darn good.

While taking in the whole atmosphere of the game was awesome, the best part of it was walking inside the stadium, past the waiting players, then stepping out onto the field right before they did. Quite an awesome experience boys.

I had a great time shooting the game, and was able to catch up with friends and fellow photographers during and after the game. I have to say a special thank you to my co-workers, Kathy Willens, and Bill Kostroun, who were nice enough to show me around and make sure I didn't get lost.

I miss you boys.

Alex, Brady, looking forward your visit next week, we are going to have a great time. Tyler, Lukie, you boys are next. I can't wait.

As always,
Love,
Dad