Baby in a Bottle

Striped Kid

Kids come in all shapes and sizes and colors... and some even come in stripes.

Red Light

Somedays I can entertain myself for hours by chasing a single beam of sunlight around my house and trying to capture it. Late afternoons are my favorite time, when it sneaks through my bedroom window, and down the hallway... red light bouncing off of red walls warms my soul.

Drid

Midnight came around and the breeze spoke to me and told me it was finally cool enough to go for a walk. I grabbed the leash and the best dog in the world, put my sneakers on and set off. An hour in, and about 6 blocks from home, this little dog started following us. He had a brown head and an all white body except for a few little spots of brown and black. He bad back leg, that caused him to walk with a limp. He had a really sweet disposition that Emma took to immediately.

"Stay," I'd say, as I walked him back to the house he started at. If it wasn't so late, and the house wasn't totally dark, I might have knocked. Despite my best efforts in shaking the little guy, he followed us all the way home. No tags, no sign of a microchip, no nothing... indicating who he belonged to.

Not knowing what to do, I put him in the backyard, with some food and water and towels made into a little bed, and decided to figure it out in the morning. By then, he was long gone. Must have gotten out through the crawl space underneath the house. All I could do then was hope and pray that he'd found his way back home safely.

Two days later, I went to the commune for the first time. As I was shooting, this dog came and laid down across my feet. Monica, mother of some of the most beautiful kids ever, and matriarch of the household, commented how unusual this is because Drid (short for Madrid) doesn't like just anyone. I look down, saw some familiar markings, and thought that this dog looks awfully similar to the one that followed me home.

I ask Monica if she'd mind going across the room and calling the dog. When Drid got up, I noticed his gimpy walk immediately. "Strange question," I said. And I asked Monica if this dog always wore a red collar. No, we just gave him a bath this morning, and put it on him afterwards, she said. Then I asked if, by some strange chance, this dog had been missing on Monday. Her eyes lit up. "Yeah, how'd you know? He went missing on Sunday and this woman saw our Lost Dog signs up and called this morning. We just got him back today, and he was filthy, that's why we gave him a bath."

I told her, I know this is going to sound strange, but two days ago, this dog was two miles away and spent the night in my backyard. How's that for a strange coincidence? Or maybe it was a sign that I was meant to work on this story, meet this family that I now had a unique bond with, and know that Drid made it home safe and sound.

"I'd Like To Live on a Commune"

Now that I'm off the O-train and wrapping up the story on Dani this week, I can get back to a story that's been on the back burner for some time now. Writer Alex Zayas found this neat religious commune in Tampa -- and asked me if I'd like to explore it with her. It's more of an intentional community, of like-minded individuals living together. Part of their philosophy is to live the Bible, and aside from all of the mission trips they make during the summer, part of their belief system lies in living in urban neighborhoods. How could I say "no" to that?

Access is great, but I need to spend more time there. A lot more time. It's so rich with possibilities that I haven't capitalized on because I just haven't had the time yet, to devote to properly telling this story... to figuring out what this story is all about... and hopefully that will all change soon.

Anyways, meet Simeon. He's the youngest member of the house. And a total goofball. I liked him instantly.

Obama Slideshow

When my editor asked me if I'd like to go on the road with Obama for 3 days... he followed it up with... and we'd like nothing more than you to use your vision to make some -- and i can't remember what adjective he used here -- interesting/weird/different photos... you know... the ones I normally make that don't run. With that pitch, it took me about 5 seconds to say yes.

So, this is the last of Obamarama for now... here's the slideshow we put together from everything. Talk about team work: our political editor Adam Smith did a great job narrating and summarizing the 3-day tour, web super star Catriona Stuart was able to make sense of my disjointed audio and shape it into something that flows cohesively and photojournalist extraordinaire Kathleen Flynn (who's one heck of an editor) helped me whittle down way too many pictures and make the order come together. In retrospect, I had the easy part... all I had to do was make some photos along the way.

Pulling up the Caboose

More dispatches from the road... Today Obama stopped in Miami to speak at a huge luncheon with the Cuban American National Foundation. I focused most of my energy on working the crowd and gathering audio. And in turn, I don't really like anything I shot of the crowd, haven't listened to the audio yet, and in the edit, seemed to be drawn to more than enough photos of the man himself. Funny how that works.

One more event and I'm done. Right now we're heading north to Sunrise, for a rally this evening. It should be great... like the Tampa one... full of energy and electricity... Sadly, the train stops here for me... the rest of the press corps flies to Puerto Rico tonight. I'm getting off in Fort Lauderdale, spending the night at the Ritchie house, and am flying home in the morning.

I'm tired. Exhausted actually. And I've been fighting a nasty strain of the flu since I started this journey. My fever broke during the second event Wednesday -- my body was so warm that it left me completely soaking wet and steam was literally rising out from underneath my collar. Yesterday I felt OK. Thought I'd kicked this silly bug's ass. Then today, when my alarm went off, I could barely lift my head from my pillow.

I'm not complaining though. Riding in the official motorcade is one of the coolest things I've gotten the privilege of doing in a while. Cops are driving with m-16s in their laps and between them and secret service, cars are being run off the road to make way for us. Pretty freaking rad -- and this is definitely the way to travel through Miami during rush hour. And being about a foot away from Obama while photographing him is a highlight as well. That's one part I love about this job -- access. Whenever I have a bad day at the office, I remind myself of times like these, when I have the opportunity to go where most don't and see what most can't.

I now have a favorite secret service guy, who I bonded with when after photographing him working, he asked me if I could send him photos because he's trying to put together a scrap book for his kids to see where he's been. Speaking of secret service... They have such a serious, gruff exterior and a cold, steely stare while working an event. It's their job to. They have super high stress assignments and always have to be on. But after hours, to see them in normal clothes, with huge smiles on their faces, joking around -- you're reminded that they're human, and actually really cool guys at that. And after getting to know them, they've made my life so much easier while working, that this is a special thank you to them.

This trip has been great in so many ways that it's been worth fighting through a dripping nose, hacking cough and fever.

Here's a few snaps from today's first function:

Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn

At least I have a room with a view...



And a hallway with a mirror...

Rough Edges

I tried staying on the periphery today -- details... the crowd... the lights... secret service agents... all caught my eye.

Riding the O-Train

I'm on the O-Train and having a blast. It's the first time I've ever been a part of the traveling press, and it's great. A lot of work logistically and travel wise, but such a wonderful thing to experience. All of his press people and secret service are amazingly nice and accommodating.

Yesterday, I joined the traveling corps in Tampa, on Senator Obama's first Florida stop in almost a year. The St. Pete Times Forum was packed, and the energy in there was incredible. Kind of like standing on the sidelines at a Gators game, the electricity is just buzzing -- I say that because your skin is literally buzzing. You feed off of that excitement and passion the crowd has. You live for it. And if you're lucky, at least once in your life you'll experience it.

From Tampa we went to Kissimmee. And right now, I'm sitting in Boca Raton, waiting for a town hall meeting at a local synagogue to begin. Tomorrow, onto Fort Lauderdale and Miami. And I'll actually be sad to get off the O-Train this weekend. I admire those who do it non-stop, because it's a lot of work, but the fact that you're witnessing history and documenting it in the process makes it totally worth it.

I've also been enjoying the challenge of seeing the same thing every day, and trying to see it differently. There's also the challenge of making good pictures... pictures for myself... regardless of what the paper does with them.

Testing 1, 2, 3, 4

Indulge me. Just testing a new camera out on an old favorite.

Postcard Project

I just finished writing the last postcard, for now... And what fun this is. It was a challenge to write 39 postcards, and keep the content fresh, different and hopefully interesting. It was even more of a challenge to start a conversation with someone I've never met before. And rewarding to catch up with people I know.

I have to say, the postcards were a lot of fun to make. Several were hand picked for specific people based on the message on the front. Several were just random and fun. But all were incredibly therapeutic to make. Many hours were spent sitting at my dinging room table, poring through magazines, cutting out words and pictures and pasting things together. I felt creative. I had fun creating. So, thank you to all those who signed up. I appreciate it. And hope you do, too.

Here's a breakdown of postcards, by the numbers:

39 postcards have been mailed out so far
20 are people I've met in person
20 are male
16 are people I've never met
16 are female
12 are members of APhotoAday
11 are people whose blogs I read
6 are people who live in Florida
4 are people who used to live in Florida
3 did not sign up, but are people whom I write regularly
2 are people I work with
2 work at the paper in Columbia, MO
2 are people who live in Canada
2 are kids
1 is someone who lives in Singapore

yellow lights

here's something i shot while waiting for the turn signal at a red light today.

those yellow dots are the yellow lights for the traffic going forward. that big one in the lower left, was due to a pretty spectacular sunset today.

this image was inspired by a photo column idea that erik lunsford once had on making photos while waiting at red lights.

Bus Stop

...just a little street photography while I was waiting at a bus stop near downtown tampa. i was digging the nice light -- at noon, of all times -- and the harsh shadows it created. noon is the new golden hour.

Andris

This is just one of the faces of Hillsborough County's homeless. Andris was great, we sat in the shade and talked about books for a while. Smart guy. I got the feeling that homelessness was more of a choice for him than a matter of circumstance.

And P.S. I love my 85 1.8 -- tack freakin' sharp...



Andris Auzins, 53, answers a multitude of questions ranging from his medical, dental, vision and mental health needs, past and current drug and alcohol use, and where he slept last night during the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County's in-depth street survey. Originally from Michigan, he relocated to Florida 24 years ago in search of warmer weather. "A lot of times they ask you questions like, 'do you have night sweats?' well yeah, I'm sleeping outside when it's 90 degrees who doesn't sweat then," Auzins jokes. He spends most of his days down near Aids Memorial Park, laying in the shade, voraciously reading books that transport him out of his reality and to the far away lands of Antarctica and on adventures like discovering the lost City of Atlantis.

Batter Up

I know you've doubted me, so here's proof that I do actually... sometimes... kind-of shoot sports. I photographed one of the best high school baseball games I've ever seen. It was between two tiny schools. Our local boys from Cambridge Christian took on Brandenton Christian in a doubleheader regional game, with the winner advancing to the first round of state playoffs. There were plays at the plate, many a play at third, two pickles in between first and second base, and a lot of questionable calls by blue. And the best part was that the first game started at 4 p.m. so there was actually nice light, too.



During a hard collision at the plate with Cambridge Christian's Andrew Widell (32), Bradenton Christian catcher JT Thomas (51) hung onto the ball and got the out. Cambridge Christian won the first game of their double header 3-2.



Cambridge Christian School Taylor Cabral (white jersey, #3) beats the throw that was bobbled and then rolled away from the hands of Bradenton Christian third baseman Wade Hudson (2).



Cambridge Christian starting pitcher Michael Miller (5) got the win over Bradenton Christian.

Mothers Are Forever

On February 8, 2008 Tina Martino's grandmother passed away, and just nine days later her mom died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Every day she goes to visit them at the cemetery in Lutz where they are both buried, in order to talk to them about what's going on in her life, as well as to remind them both how much she loves and misses them. While standing in front of her mother's grave, Martino begins to get choked up as she tells her mom about how she is sorry that she hasn't gotten the tombstone put up yet, but that it will be ready soon. The last time Martino hugged her mom was on Valentine's Day and this will be the first Mother's Day that she won't be spending with her.

We opted for a different kind of Mother's Day story, and I think it worked. The premise being that Mother's Day is the same whether your mom's alive or dead. You still bring her flowers and gifts, you still talk to her about what matters... Read Lane's story... it's incredibly moving.

I Heart Snail Mail

One of my New Year's resolutions was to write more. Write more for myself. Write more to others.

Remember those days when it was so cool to see your name handwritten on something in the mailbox? Remember how special you felt when you realized someone took the time to craft a letter just for you? Where did those days go?

Now, when we're adults and we're deep into the day of junk mail and bills... what better time for a personal little reminder to smile. The luddite in me is bringing it back... Starting a movement. Gone are the days of impersonal e-mails -- short and terse. Gone is the time of mass communication that reaches many but says nothing.

So... I'd love to send you dear reader a postcard. And it's simple. All I need is your address. Throw it into the comments, and something will soon be on its way to you. And simply tell me in the comment field if you'd rather me not publish your address. I can see them just fine either way, but I don't have to make it public knowledge if you don't want me to.

Bonus points for anyone who writes back.... :)

my river

... and my new happy place on my nightly walk, as seen from my iPhone.
(expect more mobile uploads as I mobilize!!)

Paddling to Work

Gorrie Elementary School teacher Annie Melius wants her fifth-graders to get serious about conservation. So she spurred them to think of ways to save energy with plans for Earth Day. "I'm going to paddle to work and back in my kayak," she wrote on the whiteboard in her classroom. Students planned to not turn on TVs, only use bicycles for transportation, take cold showers (not showering was not an option, she told them.) When the kids saw the red kayak on the bicycle rack this morning they said "You really did it!" Melius paddled about 4 miles from her home to work, which took about an hour and a half.

Pesticide Poisoning

Abraham Candelario, 23, cradles his son Carlos Herrera-Candelario, 3, during a court hearing where a confidential settlement was approved by Judge Charlene Honeywell. Carlos was born without limbs after his mom, Francisca Herrera, 22, worked in the company's tomato fields that were sprayed with pesticides during her pregnancy.



Abraham was born with no arms or legs after he was poisoned in utero by harmful pesticides sprayed on the fields where his mother was picking tomatoes.