No. 27

Okay, so for those of you who know me you wouldn’t be surprised if you saw coffee pouring out of my wounds after a paper cut. I consume an insane amount of caffeine in the form of coffee and love it. What can I say? I’m a subscriber and I always wanted to follow the trail from growth to my local perk shop but since my travel budget is zero I decided to photograph what I could on this end first. Making images in one of the many Dunkin Donuts shops I visit isn’t very easy. Most of the regulars won’t let me photograph them sippin’ the Joe. I don’t blame them, I wouldn’t want my photograph taken while attempting to jumpstart my engines in the early hours or while relaxing before speeding my way home on the Kennedy. But, today I found something unique. There is a doorbell affixed to the drive thru window of a D&D that doesn’t have a wireless ordering system. The bell will suffice and just like that I rolled up rung the bell and got window service. No more than 35 seconds later I was awarded my own cup of mud fastened with a lid. It was wonderful and it became perfect after I accepted my free pumpkin spice muffin.

No. 26

Flamenco is colorful, boisterous and rhythmic. This image was made today at Elgin Community College on the second day of their weeklong International Week celebration.

No. 20

The National Press Photographers Association finally posted the Region 5 monthly clip contest winners for the month of May. To my complete surprise I placed 3rd in single feature for an image of a man receiving oxygen therapy and 2nd place in multiple feature for a photo story on Prom 2008. I nearly forgot I had made these images. I do remember that the oxygen therapy made the man look so peaceful. The patient was watching daytime television, making me jealous. As for the prom story I dressed up in a pink prom dress, so I wouldn't feel out of place, and followed the starry eyed teens prepare and enjoy their high school prom. I graduated high school 11 years ago and I cannot recall such raunchy moves on the dance floor. The '08 prom was definitely an eye opener for me. I had a chance to witness teens and their sexuality. There is a lesson learned every day while photographically documenting my beat. What is in a photograph cannot be erased.