New look....

In an effort to move into the 21st Century, I've been updating a few websites to handle the higher resolutions that have become more standard. That, and I bought a new high resolution monitor that makes me [well almost] use a higher resolution setting than the old favorite 800x600. At 3000:1 resolution my photos look superb on the new flatscreen, but the websites looked....well dated as many of you know.

In addition I'm attempting to make them a bit more "cross browser" friendly for the few non conformitsts and liberals who use things like Mac's and Firefox. People like that FireAnt Guy and a few others I've run across. Hope this views a little more easily.

Memorial Day....

Memorial Day, a day of remembrance and gratitude for the gifts that those who have served, and are now gone, have given us. My Dad and I, over the years, grew to love to be together on Veterans Day. Now he is gone and I am left with his loving memory on this day, the last living veteran in my family. The greatest gifts in my life were given to me by my Dad, seen above [front right] aboard the liberty ship Rensselaer Victory in 1943 on his way to land at the beaches of Italy. One of the men pictured in this photo, his best army buddy, was killed the day they landed. I don't know which one it is because we found this picture and many more after my Dad was gone. His absence is with me every moment of the day.

Summer Plans...

I'm sure you've heard the old adage, "be careful what you wish for, it might come true". Even crazy, far fetched ideas that you know are crazy and far fetched.

Over the last year I've taken, literally, 3-4,000 sports photos, mainly for Midland High School. And I've loved it; met some nice new people and had fun being in the midst of the action. But, frankly, I got a little blase over the last several months. How many images of "guy on 2nd base, guy on 3rd base, guys in football pads" can you snap before they all start to look the same. Well about 3-4,000 I guess, because that's where I am.

One of the key elements of photography, that people forget, is that to get good and intersesting shots, you first have to be where the good and interesting shots are. So, over the last month or so I started to think of somewhere to go where there would definitely be good and interesting shots. There is a country I'll call "Shangri-La" that I've always been fascinated with, more so in recent years because it's been in the news. And my interest increased when I was in Washington in February and spoke to an old Army friend who is now a senior state department attache. He had recently returned from a years posting in Shagri-La and related that Shagri-La was one of the most interesting, historic and beautiful places he had ever been. I spoke with him again this week and he said he had met numerous photographers roaming Shangri-La taking photos for various news agencies and they all seemed to be faring well.

So, as crazy as I knew this was, I at least wanted to see if it might possible for me to get to Shangi-La too. I started with a local media outlet, whose assistance I would need, fully expecting them to ask for my release papers from the Nut House. Instead I was told that this seemed like an interesting idea and pending corporate approval, they would be interested in assisting me. Next using a contact I had met in Washington I got the name of the federal official in charge of media affairs in Shangri-La. Knowing a few leaders in his branch of the government helped, since I could use their names to establish that though possibly insane I am not crazy nor a subversive. He was very helpful and told me if I wanted to go to come on...and where do I want to be and when do I want to come!

I had thought that by this stage in my inquiries some official would have just simply said, "hell no you can't go to Shangri-La" and I would have said simply "OK at least I tried". But that's not the way it's working and it's looking like Shangri-La may be a distinct possibility. There are some key points to be resolved including travel, my hosts in Shangri-La and communications questions. But today I received the form necessary to be a "legal" photographer in Shangri-La.

It looks like such a friendly place, Shangri-La, but I wonder due to some of the questions on the form

Do you have your own body armor/kevlar *required

Do you have any disability that prohibits you from running?

In the unlikely event of emergency, death or declared missing list next of kin for notification.

What kind of vacation resort asks those questions?? :>]

Some Days...

Today, 24 May, would have been my folks 61st wedding anniversary. Some days are sadder than others, but the loss of my Dad is an everyday thought with me. Still, living through 60 years of marriage as my Dad did last year is a blessing and a tribute mainly to my Dad's patience and understanding. Last year at this time he was still healthy enough to enjoy the day.

The Spring Game....

Fall like temperatures made Thursdays MHS Spring Game all the more festive. Good game previewing the Dawgs, good company and good food! Spring Game photos.

Are you ready for some foootball!

Thursday's weather is supposed to be very cool, almost autumn like, which should make you think of football. We'll pawdner you're in luck because Thursday evening is the annual MHS spring football game! Sponsored by the Bulldog Football Booster Club you'll have a chance to see the potentially very good 2007 Dawg team in action. With two offensive linemen over 300 lbs. on the left side, watch for more than a few plays to go that way.

Come early for a bargain priced fajita dinner. Dinner will be served from 5:30 until 7:30 for only $5 bucks! The game begins at 7:00 pm on the new and beautiful turf at Memorial Stadium. While you wait, fire yourself up with my photos from last weeks scrimmage!

Happy Mother's Day.....

It's the sound that dog owners know all too well; a sound that can be heard throughout the house no matter where one is. That is the sound of a dog in the act of throwing up. All my dogs have thrown up as I'm sure yours have. Usually no big deal to clean up, but I always react the same way.

Whenever I hear that initial "heaving" going on, I run to the spot of the action and urge, no order the dog to go outside. Honestly this has never worked. It's just to damn hard to stop a dog in mid-upchuck. I suppose we humans are like that too, so I never get too mad at the dog. They're just a sick friend. It was strange, Daphne threw up a short while ago on the exact same spot where the Big Gold Dog passed away in September..the exact spot.

Having cleaned up the small mess Daphne created; I sat down to write these short notes with Daphne slumbering at my feet. Slumbering that is until she awoke with a start and began heaving again. So what did I do....I ordered her to go outside and vomit. Dang....didn't work one my time.

Oh yeah.....Happy Mothers Day. My Mother and I had a very nice late morning brunch at the Wall Street Sunday brunch spot. In all honesty, after the last half year or so, I think that my Mom and I apprectiate each other more than we ever have before. Thanks Ma!

Ma and Me....

Since my Dad's passing my Mom, I think, likes to have me accompany her on errands and appointments that she deems more important than most. I don't mind; it's good to see her willing to be out and about and taking care of business. Usually these "important" appointments involve doctors visits and talking to financial institutions. I don't mind going as it's good to be out with her and frankly I can keep an eye on what's going on. She's still sharp as a tack and able to handle most things, but she's just not used to financial transactions involving large sums of money. I think she likes to have me there as a comfort factor.

Today it was to the bank, the purpose of our visit was to simplify affairs which meant closing several saving accounts she and my Dad held jointly and open one solely in her name, turn some cash into CD's and adjust her checking account balance. While driving to the bank she had announced, "you know I think I might have a little too much in the household checking account". "OK", I said, "about how much do you have there"? Always knowing things to the exact dollar she announced the figure. It was high five figures....almost to the six figure point!

I reminded her that her monthly bills were negligable and perhaps that was too high. She agreed and while at the bank transfered some into savings. She now only has a mid five figure checking account balance. I suppose that's progress.

She also announced that she thought she might buy a new car. That would be good for her. Since I drive her many places now, I suggested a vehicle that would be comfortable and agreeable to both of us. Something like a Corvette. At least she could buy it with her household expense money. We'll see.....

Be true to your school....

For all MHS Bulldog fans, and for the rest who wish they were Bulldog fans, here are my photos from Friday's second intra-squad scrimmage. But oh how I'm dated. The accompanying theme music was a big success; it even includes the correct fight song. The booster parents loved it....but most asked who recorded that music. If you are of a certain age, there is no doubt who the track is by, is there?

Vietnam Statistics....

Perhaps you've seen these facts on Vietnam and the men and women who served...if you haven't they may be of interest:

9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975

2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam

Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation

241 men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War

The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.

58,148 were killed in Vietnam

75,000 were severely disabled

23,214 were 100% disabled

5,283 lost limbs

1,081 sustained multiple amputations

Of those killed, 61% were younger than 21

11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old

Of those killed, 17,539 were married

Average age of men killed: 23.1 years

Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old

The oldest man killed was 62 years old

As of January 15, 2004, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War

97% of Vietnam Veterans were honorably discharged

91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served

74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome

Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups

Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18 percent

87% of Americans hold Vietnam Veterans in high esteem

There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group (Source: Veterans Administration Study)

Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison - only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes

85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.

86% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasians, 12.5% were black, 1.2% was other races.

Vietnam Veterans were the best educated forces our nation had ever sent into combat. 79% had a high school education or better.