That's a Quote!

In the current issue of Sports Illustrated there is an article by their long time photographer Walter Iooss Jr. He talks about his background and his experiences with formal photograph sessions with athletes and photographing at games. I was just kind of skimming it, and then there was this bit, a remembering of a conversation he had with the great Yankee reliever Mariano Rivera:

Then one time I asked him [Rivera], "Who taught you that cutter?"

He said, "God."

I said, "God did?" Being an atheist, I said, "God never taught me anything."

Mariano said, "Oh, yes, he did, Walter." He was very calm. He said, "He gave you your great talent. You should be thankful."

That humbled me. The truth is, I see photos everywhere. I look at someone sitting next to me at lunch, and instantly I'm putting up a background in my mind. That's just churning all the time. If the beauty's there, I want to take a picture of it. I could be anywhere. I take hundreds of iPhone photos, and I compose those too, as much as I can. What I really am is lucky to be doing what I do.

I am glad to know there is at least one other nutjob out there who is composing photos in their head all the time, and takes pictures of stuff with their iPhone. He is lucky he gets to do it for a living.

Pug Mug

I recently visited a friend and her two pugs. They were adorable, so cute! So I have an outstanding collection of pug photos. Here are photos of her black pug--conditions made it so that these are some of the best pictures I have taken of a black animal.

So first we have cute pug face without tongue...

and pug face with tongue.

Such a tongue!

Kittens

I went to Wayside Waifs, and as usual, there were incredible cuties, waiting for adoption. For example, there was this group of kittens. Two boys, two girls, four different sizes, cute.

After I took this still, I was playing with the kittens when I realized that they were all turning their heads (mostly) together following the toy. Thus was birthed my first You Tube video. Enjoy!

Pink

Display at Dick's at Ward Parkway.

I have to confess, I like the pink gear. I managed to score a pink towel and sideline hat last year for next to nothing. I would love pink Giants and/or Jets pink tinged hats in my collection.

Siamese Sisters

Volunteers cradle two pointed kittens that were available Wednesday for adoption. Siamese and part Siamese cats and kittens go fast at Wayside but stock is constantly changing and it pays to persist!

Aren't they off the hook cute?

Storm Clouds

Setting sun shines through towering storm clouds.

First iPhone Pics

My neighbor was having tree work done. Definitely a photo opportunity! (Yes, there's a guy up in the tree.)

My neighbor had to cut down this 40 year old evergreen, alas.

Cats! Always great subjects for photos--especially sleeping cats...

Leawood police car outside Leawood City Hall looks like a recruiting brochure for the force.

I have always wanted to photograph this art near the Leawood City Hall. Note the moon up in the twilight sky, and the slightly reddish tint to the sky.

Pitfalls--yes. Holding it steady is a little harder, as this shot of my neighbor's organized wreaths in his garage shows. Other pitfalls have included poor focus and getting my fingers in the lens, which is in a very different spot than I am used to!