Bored in the fourth quarter

So, it rained yesterday. A lot. (I'll post real game photos soon-ish, but this is all you get for now.)

Aftermath

While climbing the stadium steps for a different view, I found the aftermath of the evacuated and now nearly-empty stadium..

Straw Poll / Bachmann

This recent story on NYT reminded me that I never posted my photos from the Iowa Straw Poll. While I covered every candidate I could find, I spent a good deal of time in Michele Bachmann's tent and camped outside her bus waiting for results. This was also the first real test of my shiny new Mk IV, which dangles from one shoulder while an old Mk II hangs out on the other. The photo above, I regretted not switching my long glass to the Mk IV. Even though we're always shooting for galleries, I still kept in my mind just needing ONE good shot, just in case she wins..

Most of the candidates had 20 minutes to speak inside Hilton Coliseum, which gave me a good chance to get safe shots of everyone.

Being in the "wrong place" served me pretty well. There were press risers in Bachmann's tent, but I was looking for a different angle. I walked around the tent with photo pal Andrea Melendez of the Register, asking anyone with a volunteer shirt if they had any information that could help us. Somehow we ended up behind the stage, with a completely different view of Michele and Marcus dancing, as well as the other photo above, where we were in front of the stage before the rest of the media had caught up.

We knew there would be confetti... this was definitely a matter of laying on the shutter and hoping for a clear view of her face.

The sequence below is far more than I'd usually share, but I thought the timing was interesting. I had walked past Ron Paul's tent but there was no action, so I headed to Bachmann's bus and joined the pack of journalists waiting for results. The pack kept growing, especially after her victory was announced, until it was obvious that I couldn't change position even if I wanted. We got word that the audio inside Hilton was being torn down, so Bachmann would be speaking in front of her bus. More waiting while they set up a step stool and mic. The police officer in front was photographed by all of us, as we tried to work out exposures in the strong evening light.

6:13:54 - first sighting after waiting for... 30 minutes? The pack of photographers moved together, swaying one direction then the next, as we all tried to get a clear shot.

6:14:05 - reaction as she sees young fans standing right in front of me. The hands were perfect in both frames.

6:14:58 - brief statement to press and supporters, including her standard "one term President!" line.

6:26:13, after she worked her way around the line. As it was impossible to move in the crowd, I chose to wait it out for her departure rather than try to get more photos with supporters.

File by 7, pack up and go find food for the first time since 7 a.m. Yup, I kind of love caucus season.

Bakehouse

Juan Guillen of Iowa City transfers proofed sourdough to the oven in the bakehouse at New Pioneer Co-Op in Coralville on Friday, June 24, 2011.

Potter-mania

One last time...

Defeat

Mount Vernon's Michaela Martin (11) reacts after the Mustangs lost to Solon in their substate game on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, in Solon.

Afternoons fly by...

...when I'm climbing around a jungle gym.

Caroline Montz, 7, of Robins swings as Skyla Flatt, 11 (left) and Joyce Wiley, 11, both of Marion, scale the dome climber at Thomas Park on Monday, June 27, 2011, in Marion. With temperatures reaching the low 80s Monday, hot and sunny weather is expected to continue through the week.

Pre-glow

Joan Nickol of Cedar Rapids moves the parachute top into position while preparing to inflate Tinker-Too at Balloon Glow on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at Brucemore in Cedar Rapids.

belated freedom

Some awesome pals (minus two, sigh) gathered for a little pre-Fourth festivities. There were sparklers involved, along with delicious food and drink and all-around good times. And then this happened, the end!

Bagge's berries

My editor almost moved me to a different assignment a couple Fridays ago, but he should have known I would put up a fight for the chance to spend the morning at Bagge's Strawberries in Independence. Since this was for our Accent cover, I knew I could focus less on the people picking and more on details, which suited me just fine. Shoot one, eat one, shoot one, eat one... I'm not sure I can go back to eating supermarket strawberries after that. The season ends this weekend, so hurry up and enjoy them while you can!

slow going

Almost three years to the day after the flood damaged the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, it finally began moving to its new foundation. I've checked in at the museum and Czech Village periodically over the past few months, then made my first attempt at a time-lapse video (ever) on the first day of the move. A week later the building was pivoted, and my second time-lapse was incorporated in that evening's story for KCRG. The building still needs to be lifted onto its new foundation, about 500 feet away from its original location and above the 2008 flood level. The guys at Patterson Moving have been great about getting us onto the site for photos inside the building as it moves, which is really just unreal. Below, early morning baking at Sykora back in April, when the museum was originally supposed to start moving. Pastries and structural moving in one story, what more could you ask for?

Beth Westlake of Iowa City, former Miss Czech Slovak Iowa (from left), Zoe Wolter, 17, of Cedar Rapids and Czech Prince Eijah Wolter, 14, of Cedar Rapids wait for the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library to start moving.
National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library CEO and President Gail Naughton cheers after breaking a bottle of champagne on the side of the museum before moving begins

The old floor of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library is left exposed two hours after the building began moving to its new location.
Lance Matyiko of Expert House Movers of Virginia Beach, Virginia, takes measurements while the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library is moved on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. Because of the museum's proximity to a curve in the river's edge, the building was moved at an angle.

The path of the pivot can be seen in the mud as steel plates are moved from the back to the front of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library on Saturday, June 18, 2011, in Cedar Rapids.
A worker waits to hook up a chain while pivoting National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.

Workers move a tarp to make way for the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.