Almost 30 boxes full of my stuff fill my living room, waiting for Sunday. To be honest, though, if they would all disappear, the only thing I would miss would be the pictures.

I moved out here 4 1/2 years ago with just what would fit in my car. Now I have to rent a 17′ U-Haul to move everything.

It’s scary leaving this place that I’ve grown to know so well. My friends, colleagues and the community. But moving to new places is how you grow as a person. You learn things about yourself each time, because, really, all you have to rely on is yourself.

I spent the weekend shooting state wrestling. Wow am I tired, but it sure is fun to see how intense and passionate the wrestlers are. The coaches are almost as fun to watch – their reactions and emotions. Two 12 hour days and you get a lot of access to the wrestlers away from the mat. Here are a few of the brothers who won state and another teammate.

A gray, boring Friday afternoon in search of a front page photo – waiting for 7 p.m. to come so the Friday night football game can start and praying for the rain clouds to move on. I happened upon this lady after a friend tipped me off on a fun feature photo. Wish I was retired – I could make any day a lazy one taking a nap with my dog, enjoying the cool weather.

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.

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.