Still missing the Naturals

Shot several assignments today but most of them were advances so they may get posted later. But let's be honest, I doubt I'll remember though.

As for live art, I, along with every other local media outlet, visited the new home of David Gearhart, the new UA chancellor.

And then I found some wild art right down the road from my humble abode. It's a park along 48th street in Springdale that I've obviously seen many times, but I had yet to stop there to find some art.

Credit

Have to give mad props to my friend Ben Bipes (the graphics artist extraodinaire) for creating a new-and-improved banner for the blog.

Where are the Naturals?

Wild art day for my "Monday."

I went first to the Bentonville Library where I was able to catch up with story time right before its end.

And secondly, I went to Outback Steakhouse in Rogers where the local MDA chapter was conducting telethon in which local volunteers were "thrown in jail" and had to call people to raise "bail" in donations for the cause. I really liked the light on the first photo but my photo editor convinced me that the second one told more of the story. And when I say convinced, I mean I conceded.

Layout change

No photos in this post but I just wanted to acknowledge the layout change for my blog. I decided to change the banner/title to a photo. And in case you're curious, the photo is of Chris Martin from a Coldplay show that I shot a few years ago.

I may change the photo again later, but right now I like the look.

I propose we change shorts

Started off the day shooting some wild art. I went to Shiloh Museum in Springdale where I read that there was a Civil War demonstration of some sort going on. Found a decent shot of the a historian teaching kids how to load a muzzle-loader cannon. Start 'em young on the warfare is what I always say.

And then later it was off to...anyone, anyone? If you said the Naturals game, you win! Got a couple reasonable frames and got out of there by the seventh inning.

And last, but certainly not least in this post... Guys, if you decide to propose to a girl (ESPECIALLY if you do it in front of thousands watching), please be sure to wear your GOOD shorts.

Birthday work

Today was a good day.

I started off shooting some Fayetteville firefighters collecting money in boots along Joyce Blvd for the MDA. These guys were fun to hang out with. Even if I did have concerns about standing in the middle of a busy street. At least these guys have emergency training, so if I were to get hit, I'd be in good hands.

Then I spent WAAAAAAY too long outside a Wal-Mart with Shupe waiting on donations for the "Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive" - a program provided by the United Way to take donated school supplies for needy families. And this art was so bad that I'm not even posting it on here.

Finally I was back with my Nats. First game of the series with the Springfield Cardinals. The game got started a little late and seemed to run a little long (even for baseball standards). Didn't really get any good shots from the game but after moving photos the night was given a great ending. Sarah from the Morning News treated me to a birthday beer and we set back and watched the rest of the game from a fan's perspective - complete with post-game fireworks. And now that I know you read this blog as well ... thanks, Sarah for setting all that up for my birthday! ;)

Oh and one more photo just for Zac. Today was actually Strike's birthday as well (at least they're going with it) so Strike finally got to win the race around the bases - against several cows from Chik-Fil-A.

Naturals beat

Started off the day with a profiles portrait.

Afterward, it was wild art time and I went to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks - somewhere I haven't shot since my first week here.

And then it was to the Naturals game. I think I've been given the Naturals beat now.

2 Easy Days In a Row

Well, today was a one-assignment day. My only assignment was to go to Rogers to get some shots of IRL driver/team owner Sarah Fisher during an autograph appearance. However, the only problem with autograph appearances (other than cliche art), is having nobody show. Literally, more autographs were given to the employees at the Firestone center where she was stationed than actual fans. And perhaps this didn't help her bubbly personality -- or should I say lack there of.

So after the fun and festivities of hanging with "miss I wish I wasn't here," I went wild art hunting. First stop was a success as I found this lady paddling in Beaver Lake. And then I found this mother/daughter playing on a playground in Bentonville.

Rather easy day

Although I shot several things today, it was a rather easy day.

I began at the Shiloh Museum in Sprindale. They're remodeling soon. In preparation of the closure, they're moving many archives into the basement for storage. So I hung out with a couple employees there as they stacked boxes and boxes of historical pieces onto shelves (in some rather dark light).

And then I had to go to the Springdale Country Club as the Chamber held a luncheon to discuss future development plans - particularly around the Arvest Ballpark.

Then it was onto campus as I needed something that showed LadyBacks (or Lady Razorbacks). The athletic department is combining both men's and women's sports and there will no longer be a "Lady Razorback." Everyone will be Razorbacks.

And finally I had to shoot a portrait of this lady in her art studio in Fayetteville.

Naturals game with something to shoot?

Today, I first shot a new business assignment (a self storage facility). And then I had to go to the Naturals game (my first day game with the Nats).

On my way to the Nats game, I ran across these kids playing on a water slide at a church day care, so I stopped to make a couple frames there.

And then came the epic long game between the Nats and the Travelers. We finished off with a little over four hours with 13 innings. But I actually can't complain about this too much. I've claimed over and over that nothing ever happens at the Nats games that I cover. There's never any reaction shots, RARELY any action shots worth a crap. Well, today I was granted both. And I got my second-ever broken-bat shot. :)

Benton County warrior

I spent all of today in Benton county for various assignments.

I began the day at the Rogers Adult Wellness Center as center employees and volunteers were planting a garden at the center.

Immediately following, I headed over to Bentonville for the grand opening of the Museum of Native American Artifacts. They had some dancers from the Osage tribe, so I got some shots of that.

And while I was in the middle of shooting the dancers, I got a call from my boss to head over to the Benton County courthouse as a pair of defendants in a capital murder trial had decided to give a plea. Upon arriving there, though, they changed their minds again so jury selection continued.

And finally I went to JC Penney at the Pinnacle Promenade in Rogers to get some shots for the business section.

Couple portraits and flutists

Today was actually a rather easy day coming back from the weekend.

I began down on the UA campus to meet with Wallace Spearmon. He held a brief press conference to talk about his recent qualification to compete in the 200-meter dash at the Olympics in Beijing next month. I wish I would've been able to take a portrait of a track athlete at, maybe, a track, but Mother Nature had other plans. So I did what I could in the indoor football practice facility.

Later, it was wild art time. So I hooked up with a band camp at the Walton Arts Center.

And finally I had to do a portrait of a history professor at UA.

LPGA - Day Last

Well, today was the final round of the NW Arkansas P&G Beauty Championship in Rogers. My main goal today was to follow the leaders.

Although I was exhausted from it all, I really had a good time.

Here's several photos I moved from today's final round.