Never catch a line drive bare-handed

So, it's been awhile since my last post. That is in part, due to what happened this past Sunday. I was assigned to shoot Michigan softball at Alumni Field here in Ann Arbor. I was shooting from the third base dugout during the last inning as the opposing team was up to bat. Because it was the opposing team, I wasn't focused on the batter but our team at first base. It was because of this that I see didn't the foul ball the batter hit coming until it was too late to move. Fortunately, I looked up from behind the camera in time to deflected the ball with my right hand. The speed of the ball ended up breaking my right ring finger! Ouch! I am certainly very lucky that I looked up from that camera, I could have been hurt a lot worse! It's a good thing softball season is coming to a close because I think it's going to be awhile before I can shoot from that dugout again!

A night at the Park - Detroit, Michigan

Dad and I hit up the baseball game at Comerica Park last night. We ended up getting some upgraded-superstar seats because lets face it, when you hang out with my dad, good things happen. He is just that sorta guy. As he says, "It pays to be a good person."

Despite me spilling my beer, accidentally dropping a peanut down some kid's shirt (sorry kid, snack for later?) and the Tiger's losing, we had a great time!

Portrait of dad, portrait of me.


The next door neighbor.

The opposite of yesterday

Wet and rainy and windy! Gotta love Michigan weather!

My kind of golf

Just a couple quick photos from hanging out on the golf course this afternoon. Gotta love the spring air and beautiful colors!

Hockeytown-Detroit, Michigan

I got the chance to go to last night's Red Wings game-three playoff game against the (fun-spoiling-jerks) San Jose Sharks. I haven't been to a hockey game since the eighth grade and I was super excited to return to the Joe.
I brought along my camera, which totally confused the security guard, no it's not a "movie camera" lady, to take a few photos.
Even though our beloved Wings lost, painfully so, I still had a great time! Thanks to super fans and friends Angie, Rob, Eric and Katie for a great night!



Eric and Katie checking out Canada and the Detroit River.

"You are so lucky!"

Politics aside, it's pretty cool when the President comes to town. I suppose that's why everyone kept telling me, "You are so lucky!" Although I shared the presidential visit with 92,000 other people, I think the "luck" came in with my proximity to the man himself. I had the last minute opportunity to get to photograph with the White House press pool in what they call the "buffer zone," an area between the stage and the graduates. The press pool follows the President to all of his events and therefore has special access. They swoop in, write their stories, take photos and swoop out to the next location.

I don't know if I was more or less lucky than anyone else at graduation, but I know I will never forget it. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience a really important day with the graduates of the University of Michigan, the residents of Ann Arbor and the tireless efforts of the kick-ass staff at AnnArbor.com.

Please check out all of Lon and my photos here.

My media credentials. Waiting on the President from the "buffer zone."


Me in the buffer zone.

Here are the still photographers stacked up on a set of risers. My co-worker Lon Horwedel is in red all the way to the left.


Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, left, gives a thumbs up as President Barack Obama and Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman smile at the beginning of spring commencement at Michigan Stadium on Saturday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

All photos © AnnArbor.com 2010

"I want to ride my bi-cy-cle!"

I really couldn't help it. From the moment I stepped out of my car and enter the Ann Arbor Bicycle Show & Swap Meet I couldn't get this song out of my head.

In reality I really would like to ride my bicycle. It was a fancy gift to myself (thank you stimulus check!) I suppose I should get it out of storage and have the tires pumped up!

Below are a few of my favorites from the many photos I took of the show for AnnArbor.com today. We should all ride bicycles a little bit more.

This is Joel Flood from Philadelphia. He and his buddy traveled to the swap meet with nearly 70 bikes placed inside and strapped to the exterior of this mini van and trailer.

A love for something old

I came across my first piece of vintage Pyrex at an antique store in Kalamazoo. Up until then I only knew the Pyrex brand from the label on the bottom of a standard glass measuring cup.

I did some research (even bought a book!) and learned that the glassware was very popular in the 40's, 50's and 60's because it was affordable, durable and came in a variety of colors and patterns. Colors and patterns? Straight to my heart!

Nowadays, Pyrex can be found at most flea markets and antique stores for very affordable prices and you can often find pieces in great condition. I certainly enjoy finding new patterns and shapes to add to my collection, but I also like the idea of furthering it's life and respecting something from the past.

Below is a photo of the red bowl I picked up for $8 this past weekend at the Ann Arbor Antiques Market. It was one of only 6 pieces I saw at the entire market! Certainly not a huge inventory.


Here is how you know something is indeed Pyrex. Just flip the piece over and look for this stamp.


A few of my favorite pieces. The small white bowl with orange poka-dots I bought at a garage sale for $.25!


My handy salt container. I really like to use my Pyrex, what good is it sitting on a shelf?

4/20: A Hippie New Year

I photographed the 4/20 Super Jam at the Blind Pig this past Tuesday for AnnArbor.com and had a blast! The night was full of tunes and groove and reminded me of some awesome nights hanging out with my Muncie homies dancing the night away! (Miss you guys!) The band was comprised of Ann Arbor favorites the Macpodz with special guests jumping on stage to play along.

Photos © AnnArbor.com 2010

Self portrait

I had some time to kill in between a couple of assignments last week and ended up hanging out in my car listening to NPR while I waited. I started messing around trying to take photos of myself, much to the amusement of those passing by, and I came away with his photo.