I’m killing time sipping at Mocha Joe’s in the Metro Center (names which mean absolutely nothing to you) and a sadness is overpowering my double-shot cappuccino. I’ve been here once before, but never before saw the stunning, dark-haired girl working behind the counter, a girl made even more adorable by her perfect laugh punctuating the Christmas music.
See that cityscape painted on the table? “Serving Peoria since 1993.” And now closing December 31, 2007. Thanks for coming.
Bags full of camera equipment for today’s soccer game in Columbus, Ohio and I forgot the deodorant. But never fear; the hotel front desk had a tiny purple Lady Speed Stick (shower fresh!) to sell me.
“Columbus—that’s in Michigan, right?” by Kirk Wessler, Journal Star columnist and one of my traveling companions.
(update! The Lady Speed Stick performed like a champ.)
Party trick. (David Zentz)
“It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend, one’s present or future thirst, the excellence of the wine, or any other reason.” -translation from Latin proverb
You should know that the photo involved chairs and then no chairs.
Portrait of Metamora senior Brad Herman: this year’s large-school football Player of the Year (Adam G. / Journal Star)
I have to give Brad some kudos; sadly, I’m not always impressed by the charisma of high school and college athletes. But this guy was relaxed, truly interested in helping me create a nice portrait and never complained even once of the bitter 20-degree windchill. Thanks, man.
—
Travel travel travel, yet I still managed to produce a rushed multimedia piece on high school football. Far from perfect, especially trying to match the audio recordings from three different games on different equipment… It’s the product of four talented photographers, spending week after week covering the insanity and often inanity of Friday nights under the lights.
The Snap: an exploration of high school football (be patient, for pjstar.com is quite a jalopy)
The salt truck army is out in force and snow is imminent.
Maybe Peoria finally realized their incredible gaffe when this shut down the city for three days last December?
In other news, I’ve been traveling more than usual for work this past month. A weekend jaunt to Maryland for college soccer is soon to be followed by a road trip to Columbus, O-I-O this weekend. Combine that with a 45-min multimedia presentation at Bradley University earrrrly Monday morning and a nearly 2-hour presentation to the Peoria Camera Club tonight and you’ve just taken any free time, thrown it in a garbage compacter and detonated it SWAT-style.
I’ve also discovered that my car’s transmission is not well. It’s been such a good little car thus far, but all children eventually disappoint.
Perhaps I didn’t know what I was getting into. When Dave and Clare mentioned “hike,” I thought that it sounded like a great idea before sitting down and gorging ourselves on a Thanksgiving meal. It’s best to realize the difference between “hike” (over an hour and through the woods) and “walk” (mere minutes of ambling.) I do now and had an excellent time in the process.
Post-adventure, we had the traditional turkey+dressing+pumpkin pie+wine Thanksgiving that I was so desperately needing. I’m still astounded that a vegetarian would even consider cooking a twenty-pound bird for just three of us gangly carnivores.
Let it be known that our first snowfall of the season occurred on Nov. 25, a date that produced not just light flurries but thick, sopping-wet snowflakes the size of quarters. Overly concerned with documenting the initial bout of flurries, I was in the shower for most of it.
And the trees were still full and leaking Crayola colors just a month ago?
With last year’s Thanksgiving consisting of leftover pity meals from various charitable organizations (I was on assignment, working, after all), I’m already certain that T-day 2007 is off to a better start. Hot darjeeling tea with milk, granola cereal and staying indoors.
But now I put on my heavy winter coat and grab a bottle of wine, heading north to hike atop a river bluff prior to feasting with co-workers. I miss my family dearly, yet feel thankful to have something to miss.
Let Us Give Thanks. In Writing
Thanksgiving finds two towns vying for their place in U.S. history
I’ve finally uploaded an entire set of photos from last month’s family visit. Flickr: Geriks in Illinois
CHICAGO – In a Union Station restroom, just after debarking from an Amtrak train…
“You guys are all in line to take a shit, aren’t you?” said an older, disheveled gentleman. Frightened passengers nod and avoid eye contact.
“Well, christ. I might as well take a shit in my hand.” Smirks and walks out. I laugh and no one else does.
Glen Oak Park lagoon, one week ago. (A. Gerik / Journal Star)
The smell of yeast is in the air and the weather is incredibly warm for a November evening. I have a reason for the yeast (a river distillery) but no explanation for the mild temperatures. Those in the know say that Peoria will receive a dusting of snow just in time for Thanksgiving… and anyone could tell you that turkey tastes measurably better when the weather outside is frightful.