Category : Pilgrim’s Chronicles

One of the things I enjoy most about being a photographer is being out on a spectacular location or subject, and waiting for the light to break. Above a lone P38 sits on the tarmac at Reno and the light is just building in the east. It can be cold and lonely waiting for the light, but when it comes, the reward is self evident. I think that one of the most exciting things in life is anticipation. I know I’ve written about this before, but this morning I have a different take on it. I’m at the Breeder’s Cup at Churchill Downs in Louisville and you’re probably wondering why I don’t have horse racing images in this post. I’ve been been really sick. I left New York with some kind of bug and that in combination with my frantic schedule I came down hard.

What does having a serious cold have to do with anticipation? Well, because of the schedule I’ve been on this event without another NPS Rep. Francis Yeh, our repair tech got in yesterday
so that helps, but I’ve mostly been just trying to get things organized with our Churchill contact Rick
Schmidt and try to fight off this nasty bug. I’ve been pretty miserable but the anticipation of my trip next week with Sherelene to St Thomas has kept me going. I don’t get near enough time with my wife and I really am looking forward to 7 days of just resting and enjoying her company.

I hope to find some nice images to share during that week, but I can’t promise a post everyday,
next week will be, my week long, weekend, my first in 9 months. Still I will be using two new
products the P7000 and D7000 (got mine last night). I hope to be able to do some rave reviews
on it. I will post about it in tomorrow’s Tech Friday post.

So please pray that I continue to recover, and can make this a memorable trip for my bride, and get some rest…… O.K. I will be counting on God making it a memorable trip for Sherelene, and I
will count on Him answering your prayers for my recovery…..

Blessings,

the pilgrim

Everyone wants change, some want a very different kind of change than others want. Either way, the game has changed in Washington, and I would like to call on all my fellow citizens to demand that our representatives work to solve the problems we all face. No matter who you voted for, we have record high unemployment, we have spent money like a drunken sailor, we have promised everyone, everything. We have to go back to the work table and get things under control.

If everyone agrees that what is in the best interest of the American people is what we must do, then we will be fine. Will we all have to make sacrifices, yes, we’ve dug the hole too deep to avoid it, but we can save this great country for our children and grandchildren. It’s time for everyone that can help pull the wagon, to get out of it, and take part in making America what she can and should be.

It’s time to ask the question again, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy.

I pray that God will help us to once again join hands and make our country work. I know this is asking a lot, but with God, all things are possible.

Father, guide us as we try to save our nation.

the pilgrim

I’m sorry to have missed yesterday, but I was simply exhausted. Still am, but I leave this morning for the next assignment, The Breeder’s Cup. Not making excuses, just stating the facts. So on to more important subject matter. Above is a image that means a great deal to me. This is part of the Kentucky booth at the World Equestrian Games. Nope it’s not mine. This beautiful image, blown up to 10 X 18 feet is Jim Begley’s. I’ve told you the story of meeting Jim at a local camera class and how impressed I was with his work, and even more impressed with him.

My father always told me that you will be known for what you do, but if you get respect, it will be because of your character and integrity. That sums up Jim very well. He is a great shooter, no doubt, but more importantly he is that man of character that my father spoke of, to me.

I’m thankful for the great friends that God has blessed me with. Sherelene, my bride of 40 years is my best friend and another wonderful example of character, Chuck Summers is yet another very close, dear friend, and a man of real integrity. I’m going to stop before I get myself in a lot of trouble, there are many others. Bottom line for me is that God has given me people very close to me, that keep me somewhere near, the straight and narrow.

Thank you Father,

the pilgrim

This trip to New York has reveled some important revelations, O.K. maybe not revelations, but certainly great reminders of some important things I need to think about, more often.

First, friends are one of our most valuable assets. I really love and appreciate my Nikon co -workers. If I start naming people I’m going to get in real trouble, because they are all so special,
but I’ve never been one to use much wisdom, so I really enjoyed being with Scott Diussa and Mark Kettenhofen. I always love to be around Anne Cahill, Paul Van Allen, Jason Stewart, Chris Knapp, Sara Moosebruger, Kris Bosworth, and Sam Garcia. One of the greatest people to ever work at Nikon and my dear friend Sharlie Douglas, is always a joy to spend time around. Then there are the great friends that show up to just say hi and catch-up. Wonderful people like John Gompf, Frank Daniti, Mark Alberhasky, and a real treat today when one of the greatest tech reps ever came back for a visit, Stanley Menscher, (with me below). Stanley worked for Nikon Professional Services for over 40 years.

Then there was Jeff Scholl and Richard LoPinto, former VP at Nikon and anther good friend, as I say the list just goes on and on. The lesson in all this is that God truly blesses us if He gives us people to care about, care for, and be inspired by. With all of these folks, and many others, this has been true for me.

The second thing that really blesses me is working for Nikon. I’m truly proud of the company I work for and the great stuff we make. I truly believe, that while there are lots of great cameras and lenses out there today, the very best come from us. One of the displays I saw today was a reminder that a Nikon camera has been on every NASA mission from the beginning. A true testament to the quality and reliability of our equipment. We missed Bill Pekala, Mark Suban and Ron Taniwaki, all at the Cape waiting for the next shuttle launch. We introduced a number of very exciting new products at the show including the D7000 and P7000 and a number of new lenses, It just keeps getting, better and better.

Pictured above, all of the Nikon SLRs that have gone into space. From the Nikon F to the Nikon
D3s. Including F2’s, F3’s, F4’s, F5’s, D1’s, D2’s and D3’s. I have owned everyone of these cameras through the years. What a heritage, and just ow much we have learned from all that development work.

Finally, tonight is my favorite night on every assignment, the night I pack my bags in preparation of going home. It is a wonderful feeling, folding your clothes and packing your suitcase and other bags. It is the first time you will allow yourself the joy of knowing, within handful of hours you will be back in your families arms.

So I guess I’m trying to say thank you for your prayers, you opened my heart to see the value in even being in New York. God can bless us, protect us, and teach us anywhere. Thanks for the reminder.

blessings,

the pilgrim.

Yep, P7000, get use to it, this little camera will be a constant companion.