Dudes making left turns ...

... also known as "NASCAR," is quite possibly the most boring sport I've ever had to shoot. Well, besides the Flanderson County Intercollegiate Staring Contest. But that's a different story. But I'm always open to the idea that something previously boring may becoming interesting if I can reach the correct mindset through enough exposure to the correct environment.

But this was not the case in Talladega. Regre-- actually, not regrettably. I don't think I'm missing out on much.

And, since it was so boring, we'll just skip to the highlights of the race (READ: the wrecks). But first, a feature:
NASCAR fans in the infield hold up a US flag during the national anthem at the Talladega Superspeedway.

So I said, "Hey, I've never had to shoot a NASCAR event before. Any pointers?" And they said, "Well, they normally make left turns. So if they take a right turn, take a picture." Thus, the above.

Even the fans agree: you watch cars go round and round for hours, and the best parts are when things go wrong.

I might find this stuff interesting someday, from the right perspective.

Say, behind a steering wheel. Or ... well, that's about the only way.

Geekdom

On a deviation from my normal kinds of posts, I present clear, solid evidence of how geeky I've gotten in my voluntary exile to Alabama (mostly kidding here): I've taken to map-making in my spare time. Cartography -- just when you thought he couldn't be a bigger geek!

Some issues with the map, but, hey, it's my first ...

And first times are ... uhm ... never mind ...

Waiting, waiting

I find myself immensely uncomfortable with media/press rooms. I don't know why. I walk into a media room, and there's one or two dozen or more folks inside at their laptops and cameras, looking over things and occasionally sharing with one another something. And I just feel the perspiration on my lower back and brow and just sort of find some place to seat myself and set up and what not -- never really know what to do, where to go, what to say, et cetera.

Today's no different -- still sucks. I'm at the University of Alabama, hanging around until the open practice starts at 2:30 P.M. and then it's over to Fan Day, and then back in here to edit and transmit, which'll be fine. Better than right now, at least: trying to find something to occupy my time other than mindlessly surfing the web. Already set up PhotoMechanic, I know how to run the galleries and FTP ... I even wrote directions to my aunt and uncle's place, since the Girl will be joining me there for the Mongo Tribal Gathering next weekend.

I think I should rewrite them, though -- something a little sillier, perhaps. ... hell, I've got an hour, and it shouldn't take too long.

Sigh -- I'm fine with the doctor's office, but I'm uncomfortable in media rooms? I'm a little weird ...

Back to Final Cut

I shot the state trooper recruits doing their driver training at Talladega this afternoon, stills and video. The stills, okay, whatever, got some things that'll probably fly. But it was a situation more open to video. Seeing as this was the second video I've shot for the paper, [here's the first] I should have done a better job with it, but I had a couple issues ...

• didn't use a tripod (it's a Flip camera but that shouldn't make a difference, should it?)
• not enough b-roll (no excuses for that)
• I don't like the audio capabilities
• and I used Final Cut Pro to edit, rather than FCP's simpleton cousin Windows Movie Maker. Which, after spending so much time away from it, is like driving a stick-shift after spending a year in an automatic -- it takes some getting used to.

Thusly are the reasons I'm still at the office at 7:bleeding:30. Waiting for the thing to export and all. Anyway.

Yawn

Edited my boss's tape from the children's play this morning, as well as shot the pet of the week (I just knew it would be kittens, too), shot the final bit of a tennis camp-thingy, and got chastised for not taking more photos of the special needs kids I'll be shooting tomorrow at the bowling alley. By the lady who runs the place. I can be righteously indignant at her annoyance quietly ... and, if I were mean-spirited, which I am not, I could put unattractive pictures of her in the gallery. But I'm not mean, I'm a nice guy who will indeed finish last but with a clear conscience.

I was considering getting a start on editing the "Day in the Life" that my boss shot of the DNR Conservation Officer, but just looking over the tape makes me queasy. Not just because the shots are everywhere and tilted and jumpy and such, but because there's so bloody much (an hour and six minutes, to be exact). There's not really a good opener, not much of a closer -- bunch of nice stuff for the middle, though, and the threat of a montage of smiling kids is growing quietly in the back of my mind -- and there's not really much in the way of b-roll. Copy and paste, click and drop, rinse and repeat. Such is video editing.

Kittens:

Pet(s) of the week; also posted just in case my professor's reading this because he adores cute animal photos.

More kids

More little kids playing tennis. And tomorrow I'll probably shoot challenged kids doing arts and crafts and swimming. And puppies, tomorrow morning for the pet of the week bit. Puppies, kids ... I just need old people and sunsets and I'm golden.

Sigh.

Good ::yawn:: morning ...

Stayed up a little later than I should have last night, and then my alarm clock failed to go off this morning, so I'm a little tired and was a little late this morning. Good thing about smaller papers is that things are a lot more relaxed, so I can wear (unripped) jeans and a tee with an over shirt and get away with it. Usually, I try to wear something without logos, but I figured I'd endorse my dearly-beloved Capoeira Athens/UGA this morning ... but I digress ...

... from nothing. Gah, I want assignments, I want stories to shoot, I want the hustle-and-bustle. I imagine next week will be a little better -- the Boss Lady's leaving on vacation to Michigan, I believe, and I'll be the only shooter here.

Having breakfast with Karmin, darling girl, who has been sleeping all morning, in a little while. I'm blowing out of here for about two hours because I don't have anything to shoot/do until 12 (more goddamned ribbon-cutting; I bet it'll be the same people with the same stupid cardboard scissors). Slow times at the Calhoun Times.

Ha, the life editor just got a shock -- an anniversary announcement for a gay couple. Their first ever. I get the idea that she and some others on the staff are of the "Adam and Eve, never Adam and Steve" mindset.

So bored -- at least I get to catch up on my news feeds. 17 girls in New England made a get-pregnant pact so they could raise their kids together; Eco-Friendly Nightclubs are on the rise overseas; and always make sure your tattoo artist can spell.

By the way, I'm kinda adorable. Or so she says.

Ciao, y'all.