At this moment...
11.27.08
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tomorrow is National Day of Listening. The goal of National Day of Listening is to set aside some time to record a conversation with someone who is important to you. My grandma means the world to me, and I'm so incredibly thankful to have had her in my life all these years. Since we celebrated Thanksgiving at her house, my mom and I sat down with my grandma to record some stories. Here's a brief piece of our conversation about Christmas Eve.
My grandma doesn't like me taking her photo. Everytime I try to take one she covers her face with her hand and pretends I'm some sort of paparazzo...
11.24.08
11.23.08
Last night I had an opportunity to take photos at the Rock for Reading benefit concert featuring Allison Moorer, Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine) and Steve Earle at The Vic Theater, Chicago. Rock for Reading is an amazing organization that leverages the power of Rock to inspire literacy – motivating and empowering people to enrich their lives through reading.
While I've shot small club shows in the past (never with proper credentials) I've never had a chance to shoot a show at a larger venue and from the pit.
After getting my photo pass and having a couple of beers I walked to the front of the stage. I was a bit nervous and I kind of wondered if I even belonged up there. Standing by the stage was Paul Natkin, a rather famous concert photographer who has toured as tour photographer with The Rolling Stones, Madonna, The Police and a whole bunch of really huge artists. First thing he said to me was, "That's a long lens." I had my 70-200 mounted to my 5D. I kind of felt stupid (thankfully two other photographers had long lenses as well), but we talked for a bit. A few other photographers came up, we made introductions and then the show started...
Allison Moorer
Actually, this was shot from the balcony. Quite frankly, I think she stole the show. She only played about 20 minutes, but it was a really gorgeous 20 minute set and she did an amazing version of Patti Smith's Dancing Barefoot.
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
Way back in 1993, or maybe 1994, I saw Rage Against the Machine (Tom's former/current more famous band) at The Metro. It was right before they broke huge. I honestly thought there was going to be a riot when the show ended. I haven't followed Rage Against the Machine since then, but Tom Morello and his band put on a pretty good show. I'm sure if I was 13 or 14 years old I would dig their sound.
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
Steve Earle
I was really hoping to hear Goodbye, which is one of my favorite songs ever, but I suppose it is too sad to play these days. Oh well, Steve put on a pretty great show.
Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Allison Moorer
Steve Earle
Allison Moorer & Steve Earle
Allison Moorer & Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Larger versions, as well as a few more photos are here.
All-in-all it was a good night, albeit a bit of a late night. I learned a lot, especially that you really need to anticpate what the musician is going to do before they do it. Everything moves fast and lighting conditions are really difficult so you have to be quick. I also learned that my better hit rate was with my 24mm, which is probably my favorite focal length. The 24mm really puts the artist in the environment and sets the scene. While I'm happy that I shot with the 70-200, I think my 24mm shots are stronger.
I forgot that there isn't an 11:30 train home, so I had to wait for the 12:30 AM train, which didn't put me back in AH until 1:15 AM. So I'm tired and I still need to get out at some point today to run 11 miles.
11.20.08
Because so many people care about the shoes I run in when I go running...
A few weeks ago I bought a new pair of Karhu M1 running shoes. Unlike my red pair (2007 model) that I've been running in for the past few months, the new pair (2008 model) never felt right. They made a change to the 2008 that I just don't love. They are fine and all, but something just isn't right. I then decided to pick up a pair of the Karhu M3 running shoes. These offer slightly more stability than the M1s. They felt pretty great during the first run, but when I went out for a second run they felt too stiff, like there was too much stability. So I found myself back in my red M1s from 2007. The other day I was on the Karhu website and saw that they had the 2007 version of the M1 still in stock, and thankfully in my size. When I called to place my order I was told that they only had one pair left. I managed to get the last pair.
My road weary M1s with about 400 miles on them.
My brand new M1s.
I also ordered some old school Karhu running shoes circa 1976.
11.15.08
Knocked on Wood, recording day two...
Entire gallery here.
11.13.08
Some random things...
What would one call the study of how things fall in vending machines?
Someone needs to invent an oyster cracker that doesn't get soggy within seconds of placing it into soup.
Sometimes when I walk down the hallways at work I close my eyes and try not to walk into any walls or cabinets. I often wonder what I must look like to the person watching me on the security camera.
Yesterday I ran seven miles in 56 minutes (eight minute miles). That's a record for me and it gives me hope that maybe I'll be able to set a PR during the Surf City Marathon in February.
11.09.08
Yesterday we, as in Zerostars, started tracking Knocked on Wood.
This morning I went for a 14 mile run. There were some light flurries and a strong wind out of the northwest that I had to battle. Even with the wind and the cold I managed to run it in 02:07:14, so slightly over 09:00 per mile, which is perfect since I'm thinking my marathon pace needs to be at around 08:33 per mile. Still, the run kicked my ass (but in a good way) and I'm sure I'll accomplish nothing else today. For someone who took a slight break from any training over the summer I'm quite impressed that I haven't struggled since starting training at the beginning of October.
Tomorrow The Holiday Costume will have a full band rehearsal. I'm sure it'll be strange. It's been seven years since we broke up the band and seven years since I've spoken with the singer. Things didn't end on a very good note. Yet I'm looking forward to it and even though we weren't offered lots and lots of money to play a reunion show it'll be fun to revisit the old songs and memories.
11.08.08
Woke early for a seven mile pace run. Ran the first mile a bit too fast, so I slowed the second mile down and dialed in the right pace. Over the past several weeks I've been reevaluating what my pace should be. In the past I think I've been over conservative and have underestimated myself. Lately I've been feeling pretty comfortable at around 08:30 per mile. Today I ran seven miles in 00:59:12, which isn't too bad considering there was a pretty strong wind out of the west.
11.06.08
Rilke's Requiem For a Friend
I have my dead, and I have let them go,
and was amazed to see them so contented,
so soon at home in being dead, so cheerful,
so unlike their reputation. Only you
return; brush past me, loiter, try to knock,
against something, so that the sound reveals
your presence. Oh, don't take from me what I
am slowly learning. I'm sure you have gone astray
if you are moved to homesickness for everything
in this dimension. We transform these Things;
they aren't real, they are only the reflections
upon the polished surface of our being.
11.05.08
It's a good feeling knowing that America didn't screw up the 2008 election. Thankfully we only have a few more months of idiot Bush. Let us hope that he doesn't manage to do any more harm during those months.
One step closer to a full-fledged reunion of The Holiday Costume...
While a bit rusty, I think we (JM, MB and me) were a bit surprised that things didn't sound too bad. It was a blast to play songs we haven't played since 2001.
JM listening to the election results...
11.04.08
I cast my vote slightly after 7 AM. My polling place wasn't crowded and there wasn't even a line. After leaving the little voting booth I went and picked up my "I Voted" sticker and placed it on my shirt. It was a really great feeling to know that I did my part as a US citizen.
We have one chance to not screw up the next four years, so get out there and vote (and vote for Barack!).
11.02.08
I wish there was a way to bottle the euphoria and joy I feel when I catch a runner's high so that when I'm feeling kind of blue I could take a sip and feel better. At around mile six (of a nine mile run) I caught a really amazing high. I was listening to Battles (totally late to the game on them, and while they're borderline prog/math rock, they're spectacular and worth checking out) and I just started to feel really great. I ended up picking up the pace for the last three and a half miles and ended really strong.
This is seriously flawed, but I'll post it anyways...
11.01.08
