Gone But Not Forgotten

As many of you are probably aware, at least the avid readers of this blog, I have been spending the last few days on special assignment for work in Iowa City, Iowa. In case you've been living under a rock, the Iowa River flooded two weeks ago, forcing many people out of thier homes and ruining several lives.

Being out here has been eye-opening to say the least. The work out here isn't easy, and it's far from over. The resolve of the residents to help one another and get back to normalcy as fast as possible is one that should be heralded across the nation. Iowans are tough people.

In the next couple of days, I will be out here working 13 hour days, attempting to bring some of the best coverage the area has seen. I will also have my digital camera with me, hoping to catch images that will help me remember this historic event, as well as help you see what these people are going through, and the general quality of life out here right now.

I've posted a few pictures below, feel free to look at them. I'll be bringing more as the days move on.

I may be gone from home, but the Iowa Floods of 2008 are not forgotten.

Clicking on any of the images above will bring up a better view of the picture. It will also allow you to check out several of my other images I've taken.

Sometimes we all get lucky....

I hear it all the time. Usually after I come back to the station with some "great" shots or some "amazing" video. It usually goes something like this...

"You're the best!"

"The shows look so much better when you're working."

"I wish I had two of you."

"You're really kicking a$$ out here."

I appreciate the compliments, I really do. Sometimes I just think that people go overboard with them. At my last place of employment, compliments were few and far between. It also seemed the people that really deserved them didn't get any at all, but who am I to judge?

After leaving that place and starting anew here, I've become used to hearing those statements above. That leaves me with three thoughts. Either that a) I'm really good at my job, b) People tend to overreact, or c) I'm one of the luckiest people on the face of the planet.

I was watching the PBS Documentary "The War" after work tonight and a quote from one of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima stuck in my head. He was talking about how after the war was over, everyone back home regarded him as a hero. He said "I'm not a hero, and neither were the men fighting alongside me. We were just sent there to do a job, and we did what we were told."

Now looking back today, some people might disagree with him, and they are not wrong for doing so. I believe that, much like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is self-admiration. Personally I think those that fought in the war are heroes, but I wouldn't be upset if they didn't look at themselves that way. Sometimes it's hard for someone to realize the impact they have on those around them.

Do I think I'm the greatest photographer around, by all means no. I wouldn't even put myself in the top 5 at my station. Do others think that I am in the top 5, yes. Do the pictures of raging house fires that I gather have anything to do with my skill? Not in my mind.

See to get those great pictures isn't a matter of skill, knowledge, or general "greatness" in photography. It all revolves around luck. Does the guy who chases down the purse snatcher credit his great foot speed or keen eyes to helping nab the bad guy? No, it comes down to four words, "Right place, Right Time."

I've been caught in the wrong place at the wrong time several times, but no one ever seems to remember those.

Here's to hoping I'm as lucky in other aspects of life as I have been with capturing those "great" pictures. So far, so good.

Shelter From The Storm

While out cruising for a story I came across these old Silos just east of downtown. They are really out of place if you can see what else is around them. Obviously they have been vacant for some time, and the graffiti artist have taken over.

This shot reminds me of some kind of last guard tower to the east. It looks like it's the one place you could go to seek shelter from whatever might be coming in the future.


"In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation an' she give me a lethal dose.
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."
-Bob Dylan, "Shelter From The Storm"

Fly on the wall

Ever hear someone say they are just a "fly on the window of life?" I guess it's a way to say that you're just one small person, and that you can't change everything, even though you might really want to.

I've felt that way sometimes. I'm guess most of the readers of this blog have. Whether it's a personal event that makes you feel unimportant, work, financial stress, we all have these moments.

I have a different outlook on life than post people, or at least, I like to think I do. I have, at least since a certain event in my life, lived my live like I have a chip on my shoulder. I feel as though I have to prove my worthiness to those around me.

This may seem a little dramatic. I'll put it like this. I work my hardest at almost everything I do. Whether or not there is a reward directly given to me. I was brought up the son of a factory worker, grandson of a farmer, and I guess that hard work just runs in the family. I treat people with the respect that I would want from them. I laugh and joke with people the same way I would want them to laugh and joke with me.

Anyways, I guess I've gotten a bit off topic. You're probably wondering where the fly picture came from. I was testing out my new Nikon D40 digital SLR camera I recently purchased. I found this fly while outside enjoying the sun on the wall of my patio. I'm guessing he or she was doing the same. I was impressed with the detail in the picture, and the overall quality, so I figured I would share it with you.

Afterall, even if you are just a fly on the window of life, you should still take the time to admire your surroundings.

The City Of New Orleans

I know it’s been awhile since I started this whole blog thing. At first it seemed like it would be a good way to share my experiences of work, but also a way for me took look back at some of the more exciting times of the job.

I wish I could say I only hurt myself by not writing here, but apparently by some emails and comments I’ve received, I’ve let some of my biggest “fans” down. For those of you who were frequent visitors to this page I apologize.

Now let’s get on to a wrap up of some of my recent activities shall we? And let’s hope these exciting tales continue.

As stated in my previous entry, I did get the opportunity to travel down the interstate to the wonderful state of Louisiana, and more importantly, the historical city of New Orleans.



Coming in on highway 10 you can really see the damage left by hurricane Katrina. It’s actually kind of hard to miss. Buildings which have been abandoned are a frequent site, as well as the remnants of people’s lives that remain, even though the people don’t.



Downtown New Orleans is a different story. There you can find all sorts of life. From the French quarter to the Mississippi River, there is plenty to do and see. I was amazed at some of the pure beauty the city held onto. This was, after all, my first visit to New Orleans.



I was there to cover the BCS National Championship game, and although the game didn’t go the way I would have liked, the experience I most certainly wouldn’t have traded for the world. The food, the hospitality, the sights and sounds I would recommend to anyone.

No matter what kind of vacation or escape you are looking for, most likely New Orleans has something for you.



If you’re Ohio State Buckeye fan looking for a championship…..that is something New Orleans doesn’t have.

The Heart Of Dixie

Started out our trip to the "Big Easy", also known as the City Of New Orleans. We left around 10am today (see picture above) and headed down to our stop, which is in the little town of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

But first, before we get to Tuscaloosa, we must first stop by some other sites. The drive from Dayton to Nashville was pretty boring, lots of Kentucky rolling hills and bluegrass, and even some snow to help start our journey. It wasn't until I finally saw the skyline of Nashville that I truly became excited about our driving.

When you first arrive in Nashville via Highway 65 South, the city sort of pops out at you. It's not as drastic of a change as say Pittsburgh, but it's still a sight to see.

After Nashville came Athens, Decatur, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alabama seems like a pleasant place. I can start to see some of the southern hospitality coming out as we were driving through. Every gas station we stopped at, and even when we had some Alabama BBQ Ribs and Wings for dinner, the people were really nice and understanding.

We drove by the University of Alabama, but it was unfortunately too dark to take any pictures. The place were we had dinner was really nice and had several pieces of Alabama athletic history. Even learned about some people who had roots here in the city and school that I didn't know about.

Well I should be heading to bed. We have a lot to do tomorrow, as we will finally be heading to the big easy. More to come, so stay tuned.

West Side Wildfires

Ok, so they are not really wildfires. Or at least what most people would refer to as a wildfire.

I've coined another definition of the word "wildfire". I use it to describe the vast amount of unexplained fires we have overnight here in the always beautiful metropolis of Dayton.

It seems that during the hotter days you are guaranteed at least one a night, somtimes up to three. They always seem to be vacant houses, but you can never be to sure what you will find inside. Sometimes there will be a homeless man, other times there will be some stray cats, and sometimes a body. You never know.

Also what is always a mystery is what kind of fire it will be. Will it be a warehouse, a vacant house somewhere in a dirty neighborhood? Or will it be the random car that somehow parked itself next to the railroad tracks and spontaneously combusted?

On slower nights I drive by to look at these fires. It's part of the job. Sometimes it can provide something exciting to look at on a boring night. These fires are like Crackerjack boxes, you never know what you'll find inside.

After all, isn't the prize what we buy Crackerjacks for in the first place?

One Too Many Entries, One Final Result

So, I haven't been writing that much. Not to worry, just been a little busy with things around the apartment and such.

After six years I finally get some recognition, albeit a second place one. The 2007 Ohio AP Broadcast Awards luncheon was yesterday, and today I was surprised to find an award on my desk. After several entries into the contest I'd all but given up on the idea of winning an award.

Winning an award doesn't make me feel better than anyone else. I can understand the other winners and why, it's just some icing on the cake. It's nice to hear "Good Job!" every once in awhile, and that's something that is sometimes forgotten in this business. I'm happy. Still thinking about my place in the world and where I want to go next, but I'm glad I've made it this far.

As one dear friend in the business once said, "You're only as good as your last story." If the story I won an award for was my last story I ever did on this earth, I would be happy.


It's good to see other people in the business agree.