mad man

I love pretty much everything about Brian Anderson's retro 50s/60s house. I'm a little obsessed thrifting+antiquing, so my own decor is a hodgepodge of, well, anything from the past century that amuses me or catches my eye. He's much more focused -- and the results are pretty incredible.

There's a flea market in What Cheer next weekend. Hmmm.. dangerous.

kickoff

I was in Arizona this weekend for my first Iowa football game of the season. It was a little stressful having a road game be my first game, but I didn't forget anything important (like a monopod or credential). A post of my off-work AZ photos will come later. For now, here's the game.. see more here.




Below, three photos from one Arizona fumble. My focus slipped as Arizona receiver William Wright (right) fumbled the ball after a tackle by Iowa defensive back Shaun Prater in the fourth quarter -- the faces of the coaches and players told the story.
I have a frame of Prater's hand grasping the ball (in the slideshow), but the faces here are great.

I knew there would be reaction one way or the other from the Iowa bench once the play was reviewed (and I had already seen my photo with the ball in Prater's hand), so I just had to wait for...


Of course, Iowa lost, so jube photos aren't relevant. Cliff Jette really captured the mood of the fans in this photo, though.

Palms

Oh, hey, I'm in Arizona! Kickoff of the Iowa game is in an hour. Just something I saw on the long, hot walk to the stadium. I'll have more to share later (actual game photos and a bunch of iPhone desert adventures).

Suite life

I covered fans in the suites and on the streets during this weekend's Iowa/ Iowa State game. It was pretty nice up in the boxes, but, I have to admit, I'd rather be on the field.

Fair favorites

Whoops, the Iowa state fair has come and gone. Here are a few of my favorites from the day before and opening.. (yes, that is a swine traffic jam).

Hunt

For a story on the upcoming deer season, I headed to Mt Trashmore* yesterday in search of deer on public/non-hunted land. Nothing like an early-morning hike to start a day right. The air was surprisingly fresh up there.

*non-Cedar Rapidians: Trashmore is formally known as the Linn Co Solid Waste Agency Site #1, a landfill near Czech Village that was reopened after the flood.

flutterby

Iowa manufacturing

I photographed two different factories last week for a story on the loss of manufacturing jobs in Iowa -- one empty, one active. It seems I've been on the empty buildings beat lately (more on that soon). No complaints here, though -- you know I love this stuff. Just give me 10 minutes inside, leave most the lights off, and set me loose with the sees-in-the-dark 5D MkII..

Stand up

"It's better than sitting on the floor," says Kobe.

Back to the game

Football season officially started last weekend! It's pretty clear that Washington's Alex Carr will be the star of the season. Boy can RUN.


...but was hit with cramps after a couple of his touchdown runs.

One more high school game this weekend and I'll have shaken off the early season rust, just in time for the start of Iowa football. I love fall!

Warehouse on Third

The Warehouse on Third has good karma. How perfect for me, then, that one of the tenants is a yoga studio.

MMA

Last weekend's MMA fight was better than the first one I shot, last year.. better light, and I knew what to expect. I only had time for three fights before deadline, which was unfortunate, since all three fights ended in the first or second round.

One last splash

It seems I've been on the pool beat this summer. Not that I'm complaining. One last day at the pool before kids went back to school and the pool closed for the season, and cuteness abounds.

Doggie paddle

Every year, after the pool is closed to humans, dogs take over Bever Pool. Since I can't have a dog (yet), I get in all the puppy playtime I can on assignments like this! Wilson, a big Golden puppy, was my favorite.

Up with the sun

ragbrai

After spending a day following RAGBRAI from Quasqueton to Manchester, I'm more familiar with the gravel side roads of Delaware county than I ever expected to be. (Cars aren't allowed on the ride route.)

The day started out a little rainy but by the time I got to Manchester it was bright and sunny and I found myself wishing I was along for the ride, too.





I've been carrying my Nikon F100 lately, loaded with expired slide film. You might see those photos in a month or so when I finish the roll. It's a nice change of pace.

Detour

On the way back from working on a story in Grand Rapids, Mich. last week (details to come), the reporter and I stopped at the first exit we thought might have a Michigan Lake beach. Success! Sandy toes made the rest of the seven-hour drive a little uncomfortable, but it was worth it.