Thanks!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Think Snow!
It's nearly the middle of December and I have yet to even slip on my ski boots. We are finally starting to get some snow here in southwest Idaho but we could use A LOT more. So take this moment to do your best snow dance and help bring thoughts of powder shots to the inland northwest!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Friday, December 11, 2009
A Cold November, and December...
After yet another lengthy break away from the ole' web log I have once again returned to inundate you with stories from this small town journalist (Please, hold your applause till the end).
Over the past two months I have ebbed and flowed through the proverbial ups and downs most anyone encounters on this roller coaster called life. I have seen things that have made me smile and experienced a hand full of heart-ache along the way. Let's see... Where to start?
As I recall I last left you hanging on a happy note about how my job has been something spectacular as of late. While that largely remains the case, over the past couple of months I have taken a couple of careening detours from the yellow brick road of journalistic joyfulness.
I won't delve into the details of these aforementioned detours because I'm not here to complain. Truthfully, I don't have much to complain about. I've fought with my equipment, struggled with my horrendous hours, stressed out about my mounting credit card debt but none of this is new.
Bottom line: I can still find things to enjoy about my job and I guess that is enough for me.
So here it is. The quick and dirty run-down...
There have been a number of truly great assignments lately but I can't talk about it all - I'm not that patient and I'm sure you aren't either. Instead here are a few of my favorite photos from the past two months...
As some of you may know, I have had the opportunity to cover the Boise State Broncos all season but unfortunately I won't be making the trip down to Glendale, Ariz., for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. I am not terribly dejected about being denied the opportunity to shoot the game but I am however incredibly disappointed that I will miss the chance to see my Iowa State Cyclones line up against my second favorite school - the Minnesota Golden Gophers - in the Insight.com Bowl, which is a few days prior to the Fiesta.
Had I been selected to go down to represent my newspaper I would have no doubt had the chance to cheer on my Cyclones as they participate in their first bowl game since 2005. Big Bummer indeed but I suppose my co-worker and roommate Dave Southorn (who is from Minnesota and whose father attended Iowa State) will be down to cheer 'em on for me.
Before I go I just wanted to share one more thing that weighed heavy on my heart over the past months...
On Sunday, Nov. 15th my grandfather Charles Edward Litchfield passed away at the age of 76. I traveled back for services later that week and although I had the opportunity to reconnect with family whom I hadn't seen in years, it was with a heavy heart that I did so. As I now know him, my grandpa Charlie (or Tuna as he was affectionately referred to by many) was an extraordinary man.
For much of my trip to Iowa I tried to spend time just listening to those who knew him better than I share their stories. Quickly I came to realize that he had a bigger heart than I ever knew and cared greatly for his family, his friends and of course, his Cubs. After only a short time I was overwhelmed with feelings of regret for having never taken time to know better the man for whom I was named after. Although I have regrets I am tremendously thankful for the times we did share. I will always have a special place in my heart for bottled pop, Cubs baseball on WGN and the serpentine sounds of an old ford pickup as it picks up speed.
He was a great guy and I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the fact that he raised my father to be a great man himself. I can now see some of my grandfather's greatest traits in my father and I am more thankful than ever to be my father's son.
After he passed away my dad and I acquired the bike which was considered one of Charlie's most prized possessions...
A 1951 Schwinn Phantom.
The bike was always something I quietly admired and now knowing that it meant so much to him makes it priceless to me.
I'm also happy to report that it has now been outfitted with a new set of replica Schwinn Typhoon whitewall tires and a new fully functional horn assembly. The bike rides like a dream and as I get older I know that its importance will never fade, even if its paint job does.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Over the past two months I have ebbed and flowed through the proverbial ups and downs most anyone encounters on this roller coaster called life. I have seen things that have made me smile and experienced a hand full of heart-ache along the way. Let's see... Where to start?
As I recall I last left you hanging on a happy note about how my job has been something spectacular as of late. While that largely remains the case, over the past couple of months I have taken a couple of careening detours from the yellow brick road of journalistic joyfulness.
I won't delve into the details of these aforementioned detours because I'm not here to complain. Truthfully, I don't have much to complain about. I've fought with my equipment, struggled with my horrendous hours, stressed out about my mounting credit card debt but none of this is new.
Bottom line: I can still find things to enjoy about my job and I guess that is enough for me.
So here it is. The quick and dirty run-down...
There have been a number of truly great assignments lately but I can't talk about it all - I'm not that patient and I'm sure you aren't either. Instead here are a few of my favorite photos from the past two months...
As some of you may know, I have had the opportunity to cover the Boise State Broncos all season but unfortunately I won't be making the trip down to Glendale, Ariz., for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. I am not terribly dejected about being denied the opportunity to shoot the game but I am however incredibly disappointed that I will miss the chance to see my Iowa State Cyclones line up against my second favorite school - the Minnesota Golden Gophers - in the Insight.com Bowl, which is a few days prior to the Fiesta.
Had I been selected to go down to represent my newspaper I would have no doubt had the chance to cheer on my Cyclones as they participate in their first bowl game since 2005. Big Bummer indeed but I suppose my co-worker and roommate Dave Southorn (who is from Minnesota and whose father attended Iowa State) will be down to cheer 'em on for me.
Before I go I just wanted to share one more thing that weighed heavy on my heart over the past months...
On Sunday, Nov. 15th my grandfather Charles Edward Litchfield passed away at the age of 76. I traveled back for services later that week and although I had the opportunity to reconnect with family whom I hadn't seen in years, it was with a heavy heart that I did so. As I now know him, my grandpa Charlie (or Tuna as he was affectionately referred to by many) was an extraordinary man.
For much of my trip to Iowa I tried to spend time just listening to those who knew him better than I share their stories. Quickly I came to realize that he had a bigger heart than I ever knew and cared greatly for his family, his friends and of course, his Cubs. After only a short time I was overwhelmed with feelings of regret for having never taken time to know better the man for whom I was named after. Although I have regrets I am tremendously thankful for the times we did share. I will always have a special place in my heart for bottled pop, Cubs baseball on WGN and the serpentine sounds of an old ford pickup as it picks up speed.
He was a great guy and I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the fact that he raised my father to be a great man himself. I can now see some of my grandfather's greatest traits in my father and I am more thankful than ever to be my father's son.
After he passed away my dad and I acquired the bike which was considered one of Charlie's most prized possessions...
A 1951 Schwinn Phantom.
The bike was always something I quietly admired and now knowing that it meant so much to him makes it priceless to me.
I'm also happy to report that it has now been outfitted with a new set of replica Schwinn Typhoon whitewall tires and a new fully functional horn assembly. The bike rides like a dream and as I get older I know that its importance will never fade, even if its paint job does.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
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