Decided to check the stats for my smugmug site and found I had nearly 19,000 hits last month. Not too shabby. I think a lot of that was from my moto gallery. It had 13,000 hits by itself! Wow. Now, just need to keep converting these views into sales. I'm trying to get my business card out everywhere I go and it's going alright. Gave out a lot at the Death Ride event and so far, I've sold about$46 in the gallery. Of course, the site itself cost $149 so it's going to be a while till I break even. Hopefully this investment pays off. I'll try to push it hard when I get back to school.

Speaking of which, Nate, an editor over at the Macomb Eagle was asking if I was interested in a position over there. I think it was sports editor. Sounds pretty cool so I'll have to check it out when I'm back at school. Need to figure out my other two jobs (photo editor at the Courier and student photographer with Athletics) hmm... Thining about freelancing with athletics. Heard the photo store made about $1000 one month. Only thing is finding the audience. Might try to do some more advertising. I really should look into a business class as well. Lots to do.

Well I only have 1 more month of this internship. Looking forward to getting back home, getting some Deep Dish first. That Lou Malnati's is damn good. Doubt I spelled that right.

Well I'm at work right now. Could have gone home hours ago but I'm trying to maintain my website and trying to get pictures up as quick as possible. I can see why pro's have assistants. That'd be a HUGE help right now.

Probably another 10 mintues before these musical pictures finish uploading. Speaking of which, had a hard time shooting it. Granted, its just a play rehearsal but the lights were killing me. Half the time, it was bright red and I couldn't white balance for it. Wish I had my flash but the batteries were dead. I've got rechargeables in now so I'll be ready next time.


Today, just had one assignment this morning in Leavenworth, Kan. It was about an hour and 20 minutes away. I left out early hoping to grab some breakfast somewhere but it was just country roads for the last half of the trip. Shooting went alright. Since I didn't stop to eat, I arrived about a half an hour early so I got some shots out of the way and then just talked to Eathan, who the story was on. Got some nice facts on Horse hooves like how their diet affects the hooves. They're like fingernails on people so it's not painful to the horse. Weird thing was what the dogs did. Apparently, dogs love the shavings and clippings left over. Dog treats or something. Nice dogs though. Made me a little nevrous at first but played around with them and they were okay.

Sure hope some spot news happens. Been pretty slow news days these past few. There was a roll over last night but I guess the driver had left and it was pretty dark. I was going to head over to it but couldn't get the address until after a while. Kevin, the police beat reporter heard over the scanner it was downgraded.


Well, I'm tired, want dinner. Just need to wait for these pics to finish.

Last day tomorrow. Probably heading back Friday or Saturday. Probably Saturday.

Death Ride

_DAM0463, originally uploaded by blazinhispazian.

Yesterday was HOT. Played some Tennis on Jason's XBox360 and then tried to go to bed. The apartment next door was having a party and had a bunch of people outside so I couldn't fall asleep until around 4am. Wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to wake up at 4:30am to head out by 5. Madison, Kan. is about 2 hours away so had to head out early. Plus, I couldn't go my usual 60 mph to save gas.

When I arrived, the sun was still pretty low and the light was great. Only problem, I was only taking metering shots of my hand but the background of the shots were looking pretty good.

I had no idea where to go at first but saw a pickup truck with bikes in the back so I just followed it down and found the community center everyone was meeting at.

After talking to someone there, I found there was no lead back to be with but that's probably good becasue it would have limited me a lot.

Going to the event, The Death Ride, I was assuming there'd be a bunch of crazy jumps and steep hills but it was mostly country roads. I guess the Death part of it comes from the 80 or so miles of biking with a 5000 ft. vertical climb. Total, I think there were about 150 bikers.

I followed a yellow truck to the first station. Thought about waiting around but heard there were some good areas to shoot so I headed out there. Country roads make me nervous. Being unpaved and all, can't go too fast.

I got to one spot but it was unmaintained road so my car couldn't go on it or I wasn't going to risk it anyways. If I was first out there, might have worked but the lead riders had already gone by.

The race itself was from 730am till the lead riders started comming in after 1. People were still out there past 3 when I left.

I drove around for a while out there and got lost and drove back to the first stop. Country roads are a pretty easy grid to follow for the most part Just road A, B,C, and so on and 100, 200, 300, etc. There's some little roads in between and dead ends.

Saw a few people get flats and I got some pics of that. Only saw one person fall. It was more of a topple over though. I was at this last rough spot for an hour or two thinking they'd be through by noon but it wasn't until an hour later when the leaders rode through. On a side note, I hate this keyboard.

Anywhoo, the bikers were very friendly and easy to work with and I'm happy I went. I'm working cap shift today (1pm to 9:30pm)

GED and a courthouse

_MG_9902, originally uploaded by blazinhispazian.

Today began around 11am. Had the day off yesterday so I finally got some decent sleep in. I'm still staying up way to late playing Need For Speed, I forgot which one, Most Wanted I think.

Anyways, had my first assignment at 1pm over at the Let's Help center. They offer GED classes and just wanted some shots from in the class. I wasn't sure how people in the classes would respond to a newspaper photographer but most seemed alright. Some didn't want their picture taken so that was fine with me. I think it's nice to see people getting their degree. Without an education, it's pretty hard to get by in America. Speaking of which, just 1 year of college to go, then....? I have no idea. Hopefully the market or my photos improve.

Headed over to the DOC because apparently, a sheriff turned himself in after shooting a man or two while off duty. Not sure what the deal was but I'll try to read about it in the paper tommorrow. I think Steve might be writing it right now. The guy managed to make it out without me seeing so no pic. There's way too many exits to cover for a facility I don't know.

Well, it is getting late and I think my shift here in the office is just about done. Probably head out to a party one of the writers is throwing tonight.

Still need to talk about that pool assignment but maybe later. I'm hungry.

Almost over

1, originally uploaded by blazinhispazian.

This internship has been rough. Probably what I should expect being upaid but Wednesday was by far the worst. Well, hopefully it doesn't get any worse. Just a long day all around I guess. Thing is, days like that just make me happier to be getting out of here.

Well, it's late.

The Grab

_MG_5038, originally uploaded by blazinhispazian.

Been a while since I bogged. Probably should have picked a better time than 3:30am. Anyways, shot another Royals game today but remembered the 400 this time. It definitely helped but I didn't really have as many creative options as I did last time. Either way, it was great experience.

The day before, went to the game just as a Sox fan. Always feels wierd being in an opposing teams stadium.

Sox lost today. Eh, 2 out of 3. I'm trying not to be a big fan. From what I learned at the IPPA conference, got to be objective. Hopefully got some portfolio stuff. I'll check with Jason or Tony in the office.

I got tomorrow off, only a few weeks left of this unpaid internship, then back home to Skokie.

Adios