Went to lunch alone today. These are a few snaps I made along they way.

Economic Stimulus Check

I just received my economic stimulus check. I'm so excited! I already know how I'm going to spend it. Gas! Uncle Sam shall giveth and Exxon Mobil taketh away. Interesting how that works.

Air Force One

President Bush came to the Valley of the Sun today for Presidential Candidate Sen. John McCain. Bush attend McCain's campaign fund raising party in Paradise Valley.
As I was walking back to the office from lunch; there it was "Air Force One" arriving in the Valley. How surreal! If you are wondering if I have a frame without the light pole? I do, but you are not going to see it. Cheers

Chris Page Dead at 29

Today was a ruff day at the East Valley Tribune. In my outlook mailbox was the all-edit e-mail to the editorial staff. Former Arts and Entertainment writer Chris Page was found dead in his apartment late Sunday. Page was 29 years old. It's was apparently a suicide.

My God, I have been through this before with a very close friend. It is something that a rational person cannot explain or justify. For suicide to be a better choice than life, a person must be in a very dark place. We all have had our ups and downs and possible bouts with depression. But there is alway tomorrow and there always hope for those who seek it. Chris was laid off from the Tribune 2 weeks ago. God speed bro!

Writer Commits Suicide

I just found out that one of our feature writers who was laid off 2 weeks ago committed suicide. This is very sad news with out a doubt. He was a young man that had a lifetime in front of him. From what I observed he seemed like a happy fellow with a great sense of humor and a bright future. Whatever his demon was, I hope he is in a better place. Peace

Just an Old Boot

Looking for Tranquilty

Retrospective and Affirmation

I have been working on my flickr.com page. The link is on this blog called flickr.com Portfolios. It is a long process to look at years of work and attempt to edit your work down to a reasonable number of images. The photographs are not intended to get me a job, they are more a retrospective and an affirmation that what I did mattered. I’m almost 100 percent certain I did the best I could. It is a work in progress so keep checking from time to time.

Moving forward I found this in the my archives and did some pre-visualization. I toned it on greenish side in an attempt to add tension and discomfort to the image. It a little weird but I think I like it.

The photo is of the late Jesse Cooper who passed away at 84 a few years ago. I would visit Jesse at an assisted living center in Mesa about once or twice a month for several years. He loved to be photographed and tell stories. This photograph was made during one of those visits.

My pictures are flat.  They seem to be desaturated.  Any thoughts?

ASU Graduation

Saturday May 9th was a day of accomplishment and personal pride. Our son Jason, graduated from Arizona State University. He did it in 3 1/2 years while working full-time at Intel , getting married and buying a home. Much of his success we owe to our daughter-in-law MaryBeth who has supported, encouraged and inspired Jason. 

Two sons, two degrees from ASU.  Both graduated with Interdisciplinary Degrees in Business and Sociology.

Building a Foundation

Trying to define what type of a blog I want to do? I know, what I don’t want to do. I don’t want it to be a bitch fest. That would be too easy in my current situation. I'm hoping this will be a positive place, sprinkled with my own sense of humor and sometimes misunderstood sarcasm. Can you us swear words in blogs? I guess, I will find out.

A copy editor once told me, that I tend to overstate. Great! I would prefer to think of it as embellishing. It is my way of keeping folks attentive and in the story. Sometimes, it's crude and offensive, but I don't won't to be someone I'm not, especially with own blog.

This blog will be a collection of my photographs, thoughts, perceptions, evaluations, ideas and opinion’s on life and photography as I have experienced it. I'm not claiming to be an absolute authority on anything. Photography and art is subjective. I might love it, you might hate it. That the way it is.

At this particular point in my life, I am a former news photographer with 15 years of daily newspaper experience in the greater Phoenix, Arizona metro area. I am currently in my 3rd year as the Director of Photography of a 100,000 plus paid and free circulation paper.

My writings will be based on my life experiences. This is my view, my little niche in this big world and it may not represent your experience. All I can do with certainty is talk about my life in photography.

Introduction

This is my first post!  An introduction in a way.

I have looked at a lot of blogs over the past few years with owe, wonder, and question. I've watched friends and associates create interesting blogs that delve into their personal lives, their jobs, and a few just getting things off their chest.  I have seen a few that were informational.  A place you can go to learn something specific about your interests.  

I guess that is what a blog is.  A place to speak up!  A place to get your words, ideas and pictures out to a larger audience.  Whether, anyone reads it or not doesn't really matter right now.  It would be nice, but for me, right now, its the process that feels right. Maybe over time, as I gain confidence, I will feel differently. 

I have asked myself many times, why not do a blog?  Could I do this?  So far, I have had an interesting life. I  have a lot to share and pearls of wisdom for those who seek it out. 

I made it a goal this year, to grow my Internet skills and to share, who I am with people who don't know me.

 Peace!