I went on a hike up over Ruedi Reservoir – just what I needed after working 50 hours in 4 days. So, rode with Tucker in the backseat of John’s Jeep, freezing our asses off, at 8 in the morning for an hour up to Basalt and the Frying Pan Road. But it was totally worth it. Four hours later, Alyssa, John and I were back in the Jeep, refreshed, tired and hungry. What a great Sunday.

Mountain Fair in Carbondale sure is a different event than the regular old festivals around the county. This year I shot the fire dance – where Feugo ate and breathed fire for a few minutes straight. Yuck! Can you imagine the lighter fluid taste in your mouth? But it sure was cool. I’d never seen anything like it. They also threw the fire sticks around, juggling it and flinging it between their legs. Ooohs and aaahs filled the night air.

I love shooting rodeos, mainly because that lifestyle is so foreign to me. Growing up in the ‘burbs of Chicago, there surprisingly weren’t all that many cowboys/girls around. Found this little guy working on making his rope nice and sticky for the mutton bustin’ event. He was back with all the bull riders who were stretching out and getting dressed to compete. He thought he’s one of them already – mimicking everything they did. He’s never taken home a trophy, but unfortunately tonight wasn’t his night once again.

Shot the last Summer of Jazz tonight. What great music. Rebirth Brass Band. They had everyone off their feet, dancing, despite the ominous thunderheads accumulating above us. I think I am more creative around creative people – whether it be musician, artists, writers, actors, etc. Sometimes I get upset when I have to shoot an event when all my friends can just relax, drink and have fun, but tonight I was ok with that. I enjoyed watching others having fun, dancing and singing. Plus happy people make for happy pictures.

Covered the Burning Mountain Festival for the fourth consecutive year. These small town festivals crack me up, especially the beauty pageants. It’s totally more for the parents (moms!) than the kids. Here’s a shot of the youngest girls backstage, getting ready for the crowning.
And then, trying desperately to get something different from past years – something other than a cute kid in a parade – I shot through some stained glass of some old-timers greeting each other in the middle of the park.
Only three more festivals to go … kill me now.

So the sports reporter and I had an assignment to go on a hike with a women’s hiking group. We brought along Tucker and Gunner to get them some exercise. What a blast! It was one of those assignments where I thought – I love my job. Hiking along a river, chatting with the gals and shooting pictures – and it was early in the morning so it wasn’t even hot yet! Plus the scenery was beautiful. Just happy to have one of those starts to the day that puts you in a great mood.

I had to shoot a piano recital for the weekly paper here – talk about torture, until this little guy sat near me. He was so nervous and excited because he was about to perform. He kept tightening his tie, pretending to play the piano on the chair next to me and he couldn’t sit still. Then one girl got up to play “The Phantom of the Opera.” At first I couldn’t tell if he was covering his ears or was just relaxing. Looks like he was impatiently relaxing.

Then he played his piece, got up and wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do, so he looked to his mom, made a quick bow and ran off stage.

Walking around Bryan’s new neighborhood in Denver, I came across Roy and Twila sitting on their front porch. The afternoon wind was whipping around, cooling down the muggy air a bit, as rain clouds hovered above but never released. Roy, in a dirty wife beater, sat in the corner – ivy framing him on the porch. Twila, a small, elderly lady who liked to talk, sat swinging on the porch swing, with her walker resting in front of her. I stopped and talked with them. Twila bought the house 43 years ago with the money she earned working at a rubber factory for 30 of those years. I took their picture, and left before realizing my lens was on manual focus. So – these shots aren’t perfectly in focus, but I still liked them, kind of.

After going to the Farmer’s Market, meeting Bryan’s new neighbors and dog, helping put his room together and going for a run – I am almost as tired as Tucker.
A little moving in action.

Looking through photos to add and delete from my portfolio, I came across the photo story April and I worked on about this little boy named Chaz, who has a multitude of problems. He was adopted from Cambodia to American parents who didn’t know about all his maladies. I think about him a lot. Despite all his problems, he smiles and laughs through it all. Something we probably should all do a bit more.

To read the story:
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20070513/SUNDAY/105130042&SearchID=73287144934954
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20070514/SUNDAY/105140032&SearchID=73287144967344