Another notch on the tree
April 2, 2008Well... just in case anybody is interested... April 3rd is my birthday.
I'll be 29 years old... woot.
Continue reading "Another notch on the tree"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 4:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Mini Spring Break
March 18, 2008Well, I'm getting away from work for a short vacation. Not much, only 3 work days and a weekend.
But maybe just maybe it'll charge up my batteries enough to feel like blogging again. We'll see. I'm getting ready to officially launch myself into a major work-related project soon, so maybe the creative juices will start flowing again.
Everybody have a safe rest of the week... and stay tuned.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Something worth mentioning...
March 11, 2008The Air Force is retiring the F-117 on Tuesday.
Not that it came as a big surprise or anything, just something that is worth talking about.
Continue reading "Something worth mentioning..."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Taking a break... officially.
March 8, 2008Well, it's been quite some time since I even opened up the blog panel here to write anything. Honestly, I think I'm going to keep it that way for a while. I'm sure I won't have much of an impact on our daily web views or whatever....
So, I'm going to take an extended break from here and try to figure out just what I want to do with my little space on this website. I'll probably just turn it into a straight photo blog and leave the personal stuff of my life out of it.
Maybe, I dunno... we'll see.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Totally Uninspired.
February 27, 2008I'll be honest, I just haven't felt like writing anything at all lately.
Ever since the publisher came over to my work area and grilled me about my participation in a forum website based on the online comment section of the TRN, I just haven't felt like contributing to the blog space on here.
So... maybe one of these days this week I'll think of something.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Free College at Stanford.....wow.
February 20, 2008I found this juicy nugget of news online today...
Stanford Univ. will eliminate tuition for families making less than $100,000.
That's some kinda deal....
Continue reading "Free College at Stanford.....wow."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Lunar Eclipse Time
February 19, 2008Yeah, I'll admit it. I'm a bit of an astronomy nerd.
I have always been interested in that kind of stuff... and in case you haven't heard, there is a Lunar Eclipse Wednesday night.
Continue reading "Lunar Eclipse Time"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
How'd he do that?
February 18, 2008I'm sure many of you may have seen the Sunday Sports front page portrait of Andrew Swinhoe and wondered that very question.
How did that happen?
Well, I'm here to tell you.
Continue reading "How'd he do that?"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Jack Bauer....NOOOOOO.
February 15, 2008Well... it's official I guess.
Monday nights officially suck now.
Fox's "24" has been canceled for this year and will resume next January.
I need a Kleenex.
Continue reading "Jack Bauer....NOOOOOO."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Never thought I'd say this...
February 13, 2008But God Bless Devean George.
In case you have no idea what I'm talking about... the long-time Laker nixed a potential trade between the Dallas Mavericks and the New Jersey Nets that he was included in.
The headliners of the trade were former Mav and current old guy Jason Kidd for young Devon Harris and Jerry Stackhouse (both injured at the moment, but major major contributors to the depth of the Mavs).
I'd hate to bore you with details, so you can read all about in on ESPN or the Star-Telegram (Fort Worth) website. But I'm happy, and I'm sure Mavs fans everywhere else are happy too.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Writers strike over.... Thank God.
Well, it looks like the Writers Guild of America said its members voted Tuesday to end their three-month strike that brought the entertainment industry to a standstill so to speak.
Actually, the entertainment industry has been cranking out all kinds of television shows... but most of them have been the dregs of society that I call "reality television."
Friends... I can't possibly explain to you how much I hate reality shows... but I'll try.
Continue reading "Writers strike over.... Thank God."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 7:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
RIP Roy Scheider
February 12, 2008In case you missed the news yesterday...
Roy Scheider, best known for playing the police chief in the Jaws movies, died Monday at the age of 75.
Jaws was one of those movies that really paved the road for the "blockbusters" genre. I will never ever forget how scared I was to even look at a lake or swimming pool after seeing that one for the first time.
Granted, I wasn't even born when the film came out so I can't tell you about the experience of seeing in the theatres with a full crowd all screaming at the same time....
But I'll bet it was freaking intense. Movies like that are meant to be seen on the big screen. Movies like that aren't meant to be chopped up into 10 minute segments with 2 minute commercial breaks.
His portrayal of the scared sheriff really helped drive the haunting past of seeing a shark as a child home.
In case you haaaaaaaaaven't seen Jaws... here is one of the funniest bits on the internet then. A 30-second remake of the movie, with animated bunnies.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Bad Blogger I know...
I literally just didn't feel inspired to write anything last week. I had no ideas for blogs, nothing in the news I felt like commenting about.
I basically just didn't care.
That's changed a bit this week already....
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Why you should see "No Country for Old Men"
February 4, 2008I'll admit, I didn't watch the Super Bowl.
Actually, I watched about the last 2 minutes of the first half and the halftime show at a restaurant in Grapevine, but the audio wasn't up so I couldn't hear Tom Petty.
That's probably a good thing... I'm pretty sure that Tom Petty died in 1995. And my girlfriend they glued a beard to his mummified face.
Instead... her and I jetted down to the metroplex for an afternoon of goofing around town and eventually went to a theater and watched "No Country for Old Men" by Joel and Ethan Coen.
Continue reading "Why you should see "No Country for Old Men""
Posted by Jason Palmer at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Sick Day
January 29, 2008I had all the good intentions of writing a blog today about getting stung on the neck by a wasp this weekend and how random that is... but I was sick
I actually called into work sick today, which is highly unusual for me. I mean, I went to work one day last year with about a 103-degree fever. Well, the fever reached a fever pitch while I was at work and I didn't go home.
But I woke up today with the absolute worst sinus headache and stopped-up-edness that I've had all cedar season. It was a really debilitating kind of not feeling good. Combine that with a persistent cough that was really really bad... and it was enough to send me to the doctor.
A few meds later.. and I'm honestly not feeling all that much better. Hopefully this medicine will actually start to work overnight and I'll feel better in the morning. Heck, I'm just hoping to feel better at some point tomorrow period...
And if not... I'm going to march back up to the office and let them know that I'd like a different prescription.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Show me the money.
January 25, 2008Insert any number of Jerry Maguire references you want... but that's really all that I'd like for the government to do at this point.
Just show me the money. Shoooooooow meeeeeee the monaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.
Of course, I'm talking about the hopeful plan to hook up 1/2 the country with tax rebate checks to help stimulate our floundering economy.
Continue reading "Show me the money."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
What the Duck?
January 24, 2008Two in one week... that's pretty good for these guys.
This one made me laugh a little bit this morning.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Breaking News... Girls Gone Wild filming in Abilene
January 23, 2008I got a pretty good chuckle out of this story from our buddies at the Abilene Reporter News this morning.
Here it is.
They're looking for hot girls in Abilene who'll show their stuff.... good luck with that.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Caught by the Pseudoephedrine Law
January 22, 2008Another odd chapter in my war against mountain cedar and my ongoing sinus problems.
I was turned down from being able to buy Sudafed today at Walgreens.
Continue reading "Caught by the Pseudoephedrine Law"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Haven't done one of these in a while
January 21, 2008Mainly because they have done a lot recently that focus more on the wedding photography side of the industry.
That is something that doesn't always apply to me. Don't get me wrong, I'll shoot weddings no problem. But journalism has always been my first priority.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Cloverfield
January 18, 2008You have no idea how bad i want to see this new movie Cloverfield.
Basically... it's a monster attacking New York movie, but it's told from the handy-cam perspective of a group of 25+ year olds trying to flee the city and rescue their friends. It kinda looks a bit "Blair Witch"esque... but I'm sure it's going to be much much better.
J.J. Abrams is the producer... and if that name doesn't ring a bell, you aren't a fan of Lost on ABC. It's the same producer, so of course, a pretty cool viral marketing campaign has been going on the internet for a while. It's all designed to hook you into the realm of the movie.
The main characters all have pages on Myspace... there are fake global corporation pages on the internet. It's a fairly new tactic being used by a few to tie in the online crowd... and it's working.
Anywho, it's showing at the Cinemark in town (which is good because I won't go to the mall theater) so hopefully I'll get a chance to watch it this weekend.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
I know why the Cowboys lost.
January 16, 2008In case you didn't see the paper... I was on the sidelines for the Cowboys-Giants game on Sunday shooting.
And I know there are a lot of conspiracy theories out there about why the 'Boys lost. Jessica Simpson, trip to Mexico, T.O. teary-eyed and dropping passes.
Whatever... I have irrefutable proof what happened.
Continue reading "I know why the Cowboys lost."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
We now return to our regular show... already in progress
January 15, 2008So, I might have done something a bit stupid yesterday.
And because of it... I literally have not been able to completely straighten my arms yet today. I can get to about 20-degrees from flat, and blinding pain hits... on both arms.
Continue reading "We now return to our regular show... already in progress"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Why I hate Winter.
January 11, 2008As I've mentioned before..... I hate winter because I hate Mountain Cedar.
I'm guessing the pollen count is up today, because my nose has literally not stopped running like a leaky faucet since I woke up this morning.
A steady supply of Kleenex tissues is just sitting on the desk next to me waiting to mop up. I've already taken all of the medicine I'm supposed to take this morning, and nothing has kicked in just yet... not even sure if it will.
Just going to be one of those days I think.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Christmas Break
December 28, 2007Very rarely do I get any kind of extended break from work.... right now is one of those times.
Officially, I'm off until next Wednesday, but I'll write a few blogs and try to finish up my Best of 2007 series.
I hope everybody got what they wanted for Christmas.... I know that I did. Including a 500 gigabyte hard drive to store all of my photos on.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Kind of a bad day
December 20, 2007I meant to blog photos yesterday, but my mind was totally preoccupied the entire day.
It just seemed like bad things happened all over the place, not to me directly but to people I am very close to and care a great deal about.
A terminally ill family member of a good friend of mine is nearing the end of his journey.
Another friend is facing an extremely difficult and troublesome time in his new marriage.
And then late last night, I get a phone call from my dad letting me know that my uncle's brother was killed in a car wreck yesterday. A kid driving too fast on a country road crossed the center line, nearly hitting his truck head on. The kid didn't make it either. Seemingly so senseless and confusing.
There is a chance that I'll have to make two memorial services before 2007 is over. Likely two in 11 days. If not before Jan 1st, shortly after for sure. Just thinking about all of this has put me in a bit of a glum mood. Everything is going fairly well for myself lately, I don't really have any complaints to speak of.
But knowing that my good friends and family are hurting deeply... and I am helpless to do anything more than praying and listening... wears on me down to my very soul.
Be thankful for Christmas... but even more thankful that you have somebody to spend it with.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Nothing worse than being sick.
December 17, 2007Sorry I haven't kept up my end of the bargain for posting blogs over the weekend.
I had the rather unpleasant surprise of making a long drive to Sweetwater for the Munday playoff game Saturday. The game was awesome... spending most of the day either in the car, or on the sidelines freezing wasn't.
Combine that with the stomach bug I now have... and it makes for an unpleasant weekend to say the least.
I'm not sure if it was the Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner or the Whataburger for lunch on Sat, but by the time I got home late Saturday night, my insides were staging a coup.
Sleep wasn't really working for me, the stomach pain was too much to handle. I'm not even sure what time it was, but I eventually did loose my lunch. Which, by the way, is my least favorite thing in the entire world.
Sunday wasn't much better, except I wasn't throwing up anymore.... just completely dehydrated and no food of any sort in my system at all. Could have been worse though, I mean, I didn't have to stomach the Cowboys game... so that was good.
Today... I'm not 100%... I don't think I'm even 75%, but I've finally started eating (gingerly) again and putting down some Gatorade.
If only I could get rid of this persistent headache now.... I'll have some more photos up in a bit.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Back to the grindstone.
December 3, 2007An inadvertent problem with going to the beach... eventually you have to come back home.
Another problem... I didn't get the "Best of 2007" blogs rolling along. That'll change this afternoon and then I'll have a better handle of things.
For now... it's lunchtime before going into work. I've decided that being on the beach with a bunch of college soccer players made me realize that it is REALLY time to start working out hardcore.
So.... it's a grilled chicken salad for Jason for lunch. MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Back at the airport....
December 1, 2007Well, we're sitting in the Pensacola Airport waiting to board a flight.
We're headed to A-town Atlanta for a lovely two hour layover before catching a flight back to DFW. The team is kinda quiet today, that's understandable.
There are 100s of teams around the country, and MSU finished 3rd in the nation. What stinks is... only one team gets to end the season on a happy note once you're in the playoffs.
We should be getting back to MSU about the same time as tipoff for the girls basketball game. I'm kinda hoping that maybe there'll be a few people there to welcome us home.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
They lost.
November 30, 2007Well, the magical season is over.
Franklin Pierce advanced on penalty kicks and will play in the national championship and MSU will board a plane and head back home.
First off... I hate penalty kicks. Second of all... I still hate penalty kicks. Thirdly... it's tough seeing guys that I like lose and know that it's still my job to shoot them in their pain.
That's the way it goes I guess.
Well, I'll probably have a few more blogs before it's all said and done, but it sure was fun this weekend.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
At the half...
Wow... what an amazing first half of soccer. The score is 0-0, but MSU rattled a shot off the crossbar and another off the right post.
Officially the shots are 4-3 MSU, but they had at least 5 good scoring chances, balls bouncing around in the six-yard box and deflections off the goal keeper.
It is a bit chilly down at field level, and the grass is getting damp from the Gulf Coast air. The lights on the field are 100% better than our home field. There are probably 100-150 screaming MSU fans including the band and cheerleaders.
Best part so far.... an airplane with a message sign flew over the stadium proclaiming...
"MSU Mustangs... The Pride of Texas"
I freaking love it.
More after the game....
Posted by Jason Palmer at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
We're at the field
The first game is in overtime.... and we're setting up in the press box for the game.
Big surprise of the day... the MSU pep band and cheerleaders made it down and will be a great boost for the team on the field.
Texas will be represented well down here. The cheerleaders have shirts that read "Don't mess with Texas." I freaking love it.
It's less than an hour before the scheduled kickoff... and I'll have an update at the half.
This is going to be fun....
Posted by Jason Palmer at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Game Day
Well.... it is 11 a.m. and the soccer team is about to go on a walk/run/stretch for about 20 minutes or so.
I will not be taking in any part of that. I'm pretty sure that the college soccer team could out walk/run/stretch me by many miles/minutes/degrees of stretch.
No thanks... I'll be happy and comfortable on the beach doing nothing until we have to get ready for the game.
Speaking of which... tune into the radio broadcast on msumustangs.com to hear Trey Reed call the game tonight at 5 p.m.
I'll have periodic updates today and during the game if I can (which I should be able to).
I'm pretty sure the guys are going to go grab lunch about 12:30 and then depart for the stadium around 3 p.m.
You'll know whenever I know.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
No Cowboys
November 29, 2007And how is this for ironic....
My girlfriend is at Buffalo Wild Wings watching the Cowboys game.... and I'm "stuck" at the oceanside condo on the beach.
I guess I'll settle for Sportscenter updates and another walk along the ocean.
Booo.... basic cable. Booooo.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sundown on the Beach
Sorry I've been off-grid for most of the day. We've haven't been in one place for a long time today and that's not so good for blogging and whatnot.
But... here's a rundown for you
Continue reading "Sundown on the Beach"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 5:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Photo Time from the Gulf Shores
November 28, 2007After goofing off for a while after dinner... including a night-time stroll on the beach to chat with my girlfriend on the phone... I have finally finished a selection of photos for your viewing pleasure.
Not only that... but the newspaper has used nearly everything I sent for the day in the print edition. And you can still go check out the gallery online as well.
Now... here we go.
Continue reading "Photo Time from the Gulf Shores"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
9 pm and heading back from Wal-Mart
Yes... that's right. In an attempt to curb the food spending that would occur... and since we're staying in condos, we made a run to Wal-Mart for groceries.
MSU Sports Information Director Trey Reed (long-time friend and roommate) and I are sharing a room, so we loaded up on some of the normal breakfast stuff like OJ, milk, bagels and breakfast sandwiches.
More to come in a bit... and the long awaited photos hopefully.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Playin in the Ocean
Well, I can confirm that the water in the Gulf of Mexico is salty and a bit colder than I expected.
After we got back from the practice... we've had a bit of free time to enjoy before the Banquet tonight. So I went down to the beach and had to get my feet in the water.
I have the photos to prove it... but getting them to all of the readers is a bit harder than I thought.
We just bought an ATT wireless card for the laptop I'm using, and it works great most of the time. The problem is... since our condo is literally right on the ocean the ATT signal isn't that great.
Like... it doesn't want to connect with any kind of speed at all. Which is bad.
The good news is... once I'm in and around the city, it works flawlessly as it's supposed to.
So rest assured... I will have photos later.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
On the ground in Orange Beach
Well... we made it.
Right now (12:00 p.m.) I am headed to practice with the soccer team. We checked into our condo right on the beach a bit ago...
But first, the plane ride.
Continue reading "On the ground in Orange Beach"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
It's 6:45 and I'm at the airport
That is... 6:45 a.m.
I am with the Midwestern State University soccer team on the way to Orange Beach Alabama for the NCAA Division II Mens Soccer Championships.
We left W.Falls around 3:15 a.m. on a bus to get down here to DFW Airport for an early flight into Pensacola (right across the Alabama/Florida border from Orange Beach.
Continue reading "It's 6:45 and I'm at the airport"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 6:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
By the way...
November 26, 2007Only a few days until I start up my "Best of 2007" blog section.
If you recall... last year, I put up some of my faves. from 2006 and talked a little bit about them throughout the month of December.
Well, I'm going to do the same again. So check back on Dec. 1 and see some of my fave. work from the year.
After all... I am just a photographer right?
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Few Degrees Colder...
November 25, 2007If only it were a few degrees further down the thermometer... we'd be in a winter wonderland. That's Texas for you though.
It was 80 middle of last week.... and it was snowing big quarter-sized flakes at home in Fort Worth on Thursday.
Honestly, I love the cold. I would rather be way cold than too hot... you can always put on more clothes in the winter.
In the summer... once you're naked in front of the A/C.... that's the best you can do.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Justin Northwest... here I come.
November 23, 2007So Andy and I will be leaving for Justin Northwest Stadium in about an hour to watch the most exciting 4A playoff game on paper this week.... and maybe the best game in the entire state.
Rider vs. Stephenville
First off... I hate it when the Yellow Jackets wear their "Win 5" jerseys during the playoffs. Hopefully they'll have dropped that tradition this year, but I doubt it.
Secondly... this battle of 10-1 teams should be everything it's being hyped as and more. Rider's only loss this year was Stephenville... and their only loss was to the 11-0 Everman Bulldogs (who play Old High tonight).
It's going to be freaking cold on the sidelines... but I'll have more layers than a Sevi's Burrito tonight.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Turkey On Fire
November 21, 2007First off, I just want everybody to know that I'm actually a pretty good cook all things considered... and secondly, no turkeys were harmed.
But yes... I caught one on fire yesterday.
Continue reading "Turkey On Fire"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 7:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tales from Amarillo
November 20, 2007So Zach Duncan and I made it to/from Amarillo without death... for the most part.
Sadly, the most scenic part of the drive was counting how many dead deer lay on the side of the road. Three was where we got to.
To make matters worse... it was a dreary looking day on the drive up, only adding to the sense of whatever you want to call it.
I call it boring.
Continue reading "Tales from Amarillo"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Amarillo By Morning...
November 16, 2007Actually... Amarillo by mid afternoon.
Zach Duncan and I are heading up to the great unknown of Amarillo. Personally, I want to go eat dinner at the Big Texan and at least get a look at the famed 72 oz. steak. Who knows, good food is the only thing that I really want before the playoff game tonight.
I'll be up there all weekend, and surely will have some sort of story to tell when I get back, until then... peeeeeace.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Wow... I'm an Idiot.
November 15, 2007Turns out... today IS Thursday.
I have had too much allergy medicine this week. And I want everybody to note that I'm not going to delete the previous entry showcasing my immense mental capacity thinking today wasn't Thursday.
It finally dawned on me once I got to work and Denise Nelson asked me if I was leaving for Amarillo tomorrow (meaning Friday)... to which I replied...
"No, I'm not leaving tomorrow, I'm leaving on Friday."
She didn't say anything then... but I do remember she had kind of a confused look on her face. Well, I just got back in the office from an assignment, and the entire time from when I left the office, to just now, I have felt like a complete fool.
Okay... so the feeling I had that yesterday was Wednesday was right... and it actually is Thursday around here.
Who's on first... I don't know... Third Base.
I need a nap.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Isn't it Thursday?
For no reason whatsoever... I have thought it was Thursday all morning long.
I'm not quite sure how/why my mental calendar has been so screwed up this week. I thought yesterday was Wednesday for a while. I must be getting old or something.
'Course, I am really looking forward to Friday. That's when I get to head up Hwy. 287 to the big beautiful city of Amarillo for a trio of playoff football games. Burkburnett, Graham AND Vernon all play their first-round games at the same football stadium this weekend. (Not at one time, that would be ridiculous).
I do love a road trip....
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Mountain Cedar
November 14, 2007In case my absolute loathing of Mountain Cedar wasn't abundantly clear enough in my last blog... let me please reiterate.
I have started every morning this week with a sinus clogging from hell. I know it eventually goes away during the day, but I'm already NOT a morning person. Once the runny nose starts... I'm usually despondent in conversation.
That being said... I found a website that made me laugh a little this morning.
Ah yes... the People Against Cedars.
Basically... the mountain cedar is the scourge of the earth. Just as bad as salt cedar for your land... except with one of the most potent allergens in the United States.
Down with the Ashe Juniper.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 4:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Copper Breaks Campout
November 13, 2007With an entire weekend off for the first time in a few months (or so it seemed), my girlfriend and I decided to take the weekend to go camping and fishing at Copper Breaks State Park between Quanah and Crowell.
Took the tent, camp stove and the like... thinking it was a great idea.
Until we both got sick.
Continue reading "Copper Breaks Campout"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
October Blog Stats
November 12, 2007Here are the stats from last month. Once again, I somehow came out on top.
Jason P - 2,103
Nicky G - 1,750
Lara Richards - 1,526
Zach Duncan - 1,243
A few others below us...
Now, with Nicky G. calling it quits on the blog, I suppose I will remain atop the food chain for a while. I hope. Lara looks like she could catch up quick.
peace...
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Guitar Hero III
November 8, 2007In her infinite wisdom... my girlfriend bought me a random gift last weekend.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
I'm not sure if she knows exactly what she's done.
Continue reading "Guitar Hero III"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The story of my sister's wedding
November 6, 2007It has been kind of a whirlwind week or two. But it's about time that I told everybody about my sister's wedding on Oct. 27th.
April (the middle of us three kids) married Greg Gardner two Saturdays ago on a gorgeous day at the A and M Gardens in Azle... no Aggie jokes.
That day was nearly perfect.... the couple of weeks leading up to it were not.
Continue reading "The story of my sister's wedding"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Happy Pumpkin Day.
October 31, 2007If i could dress up as anything today... I'd want to dress as Robert Goulet. But not the actual Robert Goulet... more likely, the Will Ferrell SNL version of Goulet. Classic comedy at it's best.
You can probably still find the clip on Youtube if you look hard enough. I won't post the link here because Saturday Night Live and NBC have been pretty hardcore at getting their show clips deleted from Youtube....the link might not work tomorrow.
Anywho.... there are a lot of folks here at work dressed up in costume, not something that works too well for the photographer though. I won't be sitting around the office all day long and I think it looks kinda unprofessional to be working out and about in costume.
Eat lots of candy folks...
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
WTD
With the holiday season approaching... I thought this was pretty funny.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
A few air show photos
Sorry it took so long... but here are a few of my fave. photos from the Sheppard AFB Air Show from Oct. 20th.
I'd have posted them sooner... but I was in Fort Worth all last week for my sister April's wedding (more on that later).
Enjoy...
Continue reading "A few air show photos"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Air ShowTastic
October 20, 2007In case you didn't go to the Air Show today at Sheppard AFB, shame on you.
Although an official count hasn't been released, I would have to guess there were more than 50,000+ out there.
It was awesome, and I'll post some photos later.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 6:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Free Falling
October 17, 2007So, looking forward to the air show this weekend out at Sheppard AFB, I've been offered a position on the C-130 that the SoCOM team is going to jump out of on Friday.
I'm going airborne above Wichita Falls. Sweet fancy moses.
Continue reading "Free Falling"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Biting off more than I can chew
October 10, 2007So...as previously mentioned in the lizard blog... Lara Richards and I hit the road for a trip west last week.
We went from here to Vernon then on to Crowell. I think we stopped at about 8-9 places, stocking up on stories from the region for a while. That's just how we roll out there.
Well, all that work and driving and we both worked up an appetite. Not that there is a great variety of places to dine in little Crowell...but there is a staple.
The Feed Lot Cafe (not to be confused with the Feed Lot in Burk).
Continue reading "Biting off more than I can chew"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
My lizard friend.
Found this little female collared lizard last week on my trip with Lara Richards to the great wild western frontier of Crowell.
She was nice enough to pose on a rock for me in the bright sunlight and strike a pose.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sept. Blog Stats
October 3, 2007This is a little confusing...but check THIS out.
Blog Stats:
Jason - 2,305
Lara Richards - 1,597
Nick G - 1,342
Rest of the field - Below 500
:-)
Posted by Jason Palmer at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Computer Nightmare
October 2, 2007This is the one thing that can happen that scares the heck out of computer users like myself.
A massive hard drive failure.
Just the mere mention of it strikes fear in the hearts of many....
Well, it happened to me last week.
Continue reading "Computer Nightmare"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Shine on Harvest Moon
September 26, 2007In case you didn't know...
Tonight is the Harvest Moon....'course, hopefully the clouds that are out there right now will break by this evening so we can see it.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sorry I've been away...
I couldn't really think of anything that I particularly wanted to write about this last week. But I've got a few in mind now.
Ready....go.
Continue reading "Sorry I've been away..."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 7:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Batten down the Hatches
September 18, 2007There's a storm on the way. Hail, 50-60 mph winds, rediculous amounts of rain.
What is this....spring?
Posted by Jason Palmer at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
New Wal-Mart slogan.
September 13, 2007After a run of 19 years... Wal-Mart is changing their tone from "Always Low Prices" to.....
"Save Money, Live Better."
I guess...
Continue reading "New Wal-Mart slogan."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
What is a Beanie Burger?
September 11, 2007I got an e-mail asking me exactly what a Beanie Burger is....
Truth is, I don't know.
I know it has nacho cheese, chili, jalapenos, fritos and onions on what was otherwise a normal burger.
Any ideas?
Posted by Jason Palmer at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
The amazing Beanie Burger Contest
If you have a chance this weekend... you should go to the Texas Oklahoma Fair and witness the bizarre and amazing beanie burger eating contest.
You might be grossed out...but that's part of the point I think.
Continue reading "The amazing Beanie Burger Contest"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
The Duck Returns
September 10, 2007It's been a while since they had anything posted that I liked.
But once again....here's my fave. cartoon in the land.
Continue reading "The Duck Returns"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 7:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Lost in the Wichitas
September 4, 2007First and foremost... I will admit this at the very beginning. I was lost.
I was lost on a mountain with my girlfriend in the Wichita Mountains and I wasn't sure which way to go.
It was a scary feeling...
Continue reading "Lost in the Wichitas"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Fireworktacular
If you missed the July 4th makeup from the city of Wichita Falls on Sunday..... you missed a good show.
Actually, I thought the city did a great job for the most part. There were a few bumps, but there always is.
Continue reading "Fireworktacular"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Football Time in Texas
August 30, 2007The circus is in town boys....Every Friday night until mid December (and some Thursdays and Saturdays), the greatest spectacle in sports will be on display in virtually every town with a high school football field.
Texas Friday night football....the greatest season on earth.
For me it starts tonight with the Kickoff Classic between Windthorst and Holliday. There is no reason the stands shouldn't be full of people from both towns, and anybody else who just wants to see some football.
I'm pretty excited....see you there.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
New pair of kicks.
August 29, 2007Ever since I was worked at a huge shoe store when I was just out of high school, I've always been a bit OCD about shoes.
Especially when it's time for me to purchase new ones and wade through the crap that the major shoe companies throws out there and tries to pass off as anything other than "cool."
All that non-withstanding, I bought a new pair of shoes the other day....
Continue reading "New pair of kicks."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Not feeling so Hotter'N Hell
August 27, 2007Sorry for the lack-o-blogs the last few days. I haven't been feeling very well.
And I'm pretty tough, but some kinda bug nearly put me out of commission, even though I didn't get to take any time off of work.
Sick Jason is not a Happy Jason
Continue reading "Not feeling so Hotter'N Hell"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 3:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
We are go for launch. Go for launch.
August 23, 2007If you're reading this blog...you have no doubt already seen the rest of the new TRN website.
If you haven't seen it yet, finish reading this first, then go look at it.
Continue reading "We are go for launch. Go for launch."
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Testing Testing...is this thing on?
August 22, 2007So...apparently, my concerns of not being able to being over our blog archives has been fixed. Yay for me.
I guess that means that people are actually listening to me around here.
Let the blogging commence.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
New TRN Website
August 17, 2007So...in case you haven't heard yet...
The TRN's completely new website is due to launch either next Tuesday or Thursday (21 or 23). We've heard both dates tossed around. Honestly, a lot of people would rather wait until Thursday so we can continue to iron out the kinks.
We had a training day on the new system yesterday, and I think that everybody is going to like it. I'm just glad that it's finally a reality and not some rumor about the site.
Lots of good news for people who like reading our website and blogs on the net.....
But there is bad news.
While we will continue to have our blog section, we won't be able to carry our archived blogs over to the new site with us. The system is totally new. They want everybody's blog to be consistent with the overall look of the new website.
Unless I copy and paste the old blogs, they'll be lost to cyberspace. That's just a bit time-consuming for me.
The good news is I'll still be able to post photos....and seeing as how I can't write, that's about all I've got I guess.
I'll probably take the time off from this blog until the new site launches, especially if I can't carry over what I'd write.
peaaaaaaace.....
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Greatest Holiday Ever...
August 15, 2007Found this article in the Denver Post this morning.....wow.
Basically...it's a baby-making contest. Have a day off from work to focus on baby-making and hope that you have the baby on June 12, the day the parliament of the Russian Federation formally declares its sovereignty in 1990.
Moscow - A Russian region of Ulyanovsk has found a novel way to fight the nation's birth-rate crisis: It has declared Sept. 12 the Day of Conception and for the third year running is giving couples time off from work to procreate.The hope is for a brood of babies exactly nine months later on Russia's national day. Couples who "give birth to a patriot" during the June 12 festivities win money, cars, refrigerators and other prizes.
Ulyanovsk, about 550 miles east of Moscow, has held similar contests since 2005. Since then, the number of competitors, and the number of babies born to them, has been on the rise.
Russia, with one-seventh of Earth's land surface, has just 141.4 million citizens, making it one of the most sparsely settled countries in the world. With a low birth rate and a high death rate, the population has been shrinking since the early 1990s.
In his state-of-the-nation address last year, President Vladimir Putin called the demographic crisis the most acute problem facing Russia and announced a broad effort to boost Russia's birth rate, including cash incentives to families that have more than one child.
Ulyanovsk Gov. Sergei Morozov has added an element of fun to the national campaign.
The 2007 grand prize went to Irina and Andrei Kartuzov, who received a UAZ-Patriot, a sport utility vehicle. Other contestants won video cameras, TVs, refrigerators and washing machines.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
The harshest comment so far...
August 10, 2007This made me smile this morning....it was a comment in regards to the blog stats.
I just couldn't help but post it for everybody to see and punch a few holes into it.
The problem, though, is you're not a writer. You're a photog, looking for a platform for notoriety. People read Gholson because he's got interesting things to say. You don't. Nick is trained as a writer. You're not. Do you see Nick posting pics on his blog and saying, "Oooh, look at the pretty picture I took?" No, you don't.Stick with what you know - click, click - taking pictures. Save the writing for the people that are paid to do it..... April
A few things....first of all, yeah, actually I am a trained writer. That's a huge part of the journalism program at Midwestern State. I graduated in Dec. 2004 with classes including News Writing I and II, Feature Writing, Mass Comm Law, not to mention all of the television broadcast classes I took as my minor.
Not only did I anchor MSU's weekly student-run news show, but also shot stories (video) and wrote scripts for the other anchors to read as well.
Then there was all the time I put in at the Wichitan, MSU's Student newspaper, where my first award-winning piece was for writing. Imagine that. I went on to write dozens of articles ranging from sports features, game stories, a weekly column and was the primary beat writer for the administration beat, where I covered the beginning of the financial crisis at MSU (and across the state) and the deregulation of tuition and the Board of Regents.
I could pull up the list of awards I received for things other than being a photographer, but that's just being a bit over-dramatic.
As for looking for a platform for notoriety.....I'm not even sure how to respond to that. I don't go out of my way to write derisive things in an effort to stir up people as Nick does on occasion. I haven't attempted to incur the wrath of the First Baptists as he did the other day.
I think the main thing is, people read Nick G. because he's been around here for 423 years. He is very entrenched in the community, especially with his ridiculously detailed knowledge of historical football lore. Nick is a lightning rod, people either love him dearly or hate his freaking guts.
Clearly....April must love him.
Now, if you'll excuse me, i have to go...click click...take pictures.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
July Blog Stats
August 7, 2007Still behind Nick.....grr.
Nick - 399
Jason - 318
Some other folks....less than 100
Must...keeep....writing.....
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Two drownings in two weeks....
August 6, 2007Seriously folks, how many kids sinking to the bottom of pools does it take before parents will take some freaking responsibility for their kids.
Nothing in the world frustrates me as much as kids running all kinds of chaotic loose without proper supervision.
As bad as it is for the parents who lose their child.... it's the people like my sister that I worry about.
She is a respitory therapist at Cooks Children in Fort Worth. Daily, she deals with kids dying because of the mistakes of their parents. DAILY.
Case in point....
FORT WORTH -- Police are awaiting lab results to confirm their suspicions that a 39-year-old man was drunk early this morning during an all-terrain vehicle crash that left his 12-year-old daughter seriously injured.Emergency crews were called to the 7600 block of Parkwood Plaza about 3 a.m. after a caller reported that the vehicle had rolled over on the street and that two people were injured. When they arrived, they found 39-year-old Louie Esparza kneeling over his 12-year-old daughter, said Lt. Dean Sullivan, police spokesman.
Esparza told police that he was driving his camouflage E-Z-Go vehicle — similar to a golf cart — in the 7600 block of Parkwood Plaza Drive when he lost control and the vehicle rolled over near the intersection of Haun Drive.
During the crash the cart rolled atop of the girl, police said, resulting in a severe head injury and numerous abrasions.
The girl was taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center where she was last listed in serious condition, police said.
Believing that Esparza was intoxicated and after finding evidence of alcohol in the debris from the crash, police arrested Esparza on suspicion of intoxication assault and injury to a child. He was later released from custody pending the findings of his blood alcohol level.
The residential neighborhood is northwest of the intersection with U.S. 377 and Basswood Boulevard and west of Fort Worth’s boundary with Watauga.
Check back for details.
Deanna Boyd, 817-390-7655
What the heck is a 12-yr old doing up at 3 a.m. hanging out with her drunk father riding around in an all-terain golf cart?
I'd be willing to bet that my little sister is helping that child breathe through a machine at the moment.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Shame Shame Shame
August 3, 2007Normal weekend rate at Best Western (both locations) in Wichita Falls - $69 per night
"Special" HH100 rate.... $269 per night.
That isn't only rediculous...that is absolutely price gouging. No question. Who knows, they may have been doing this for a few years, but with the shortage of rooms in the city due to the flooding and whatnot, you'd think they would back down a bit. Guess they're just being greedy.
What really stands out to me is that none of the other hotels are raising their rates, especially not the 4-5x the Best Western locations are. Looks like I'll be boycotting a hotel chain for a while.
By Lee Anderson/Times Record News August 2, 2007Finding accommodations for the massive influx of out-of-towners for the Hotter'N Hell Hundred traditionally causes headaches for people who need hotel and motel rooms and the organizers of the event.
This year is no exception.
In addition to a shortage of rooms throughout the Wichita Falls area for the event that attracts some 12,000 riders each year, at least two motels appear to be raising their prices significantly to take advantage of the visitors, director Roby Christy believes.
Click below for the rest of the story if you missed it.
Continue reading "Shame Shame Shame"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Wow...it's August
August 1, 2007Amazing how this year has flown by all of a sudden.
I'll post some bloggings up later this afternoon.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Wichita Falls: ________
July 26, 2007In response to the Abilene blog entry....I was going to come up with a list of potential names for Wichita Falls.
Sadly, I was beat to the best line of the entire joking session. She asked to remain nameless, but here it is.
Wichita Falls: The Oklahoma of Texas.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Abilene: _______
Once upon a time, cities didn't need a cutesy marketing brand to get people to come to their towns. My how times have changed.
Apparently, Abilene is tired of their motto "Frontier Friendly" (which oddly enough, I kinda like). And they may be willing to pay a design firm from Nashville a "low six-figure" number to come up with something goofy.
Low six-figures....that would be somewhere between $100,000-$400,000. For a name. Actually, not even for a name, for something to go behind the name of the city.
One of the cities that has already used North Star (the team from Nashville) was Fort Collins, Colorado....get this one.
Fort Collins: Where renewal is a way of life.
Whaaaaaaat? 'm sorry, but that is goofy.
So....I have a list of suggestions for little Abilene. They won't even have to pay me a six-figure amount....something in the mid-high five-figures will do just fine.
Here's the story:
by Sidney Levesque/Abilene Reporter News Wednesday, July 25, 2007A Nashville, Tenn., branding firm may be developing a new logo and motto to market Abilene -- if city leaders come up with the money to pay for it.
The Abilene Branding Partnership, which includes the city and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, wants to hire North Star Destination Strategies to develop a marketing campaign to replace the present "Friendly Frontier" label. The two have negotiated a fee in the "low six figure" range, said George Nichols, partnership chairman.
He declined to name the exact figure because a contract has not yet been signed. He said the money to pay for North Star's services needs to be lined up first.
All five entities -- all supported at least in part by tax dollars -- that are part of the partnership have pledged money. Nichols hopes to have the funding resolved in the next three weeks.
"It looks very promising," he said.
North Star was one of 11 companies that received a request for qualifications from the partnership. The request said the partnership was looking for a reputable, experienced branding firm to create an original, research-based brand and implementation strategy. The requests did not include bids.
Three companies submitted written responses, one of which was North Star. The request that the partnership sent out agreed not to name the other interested companies until a contract was signed.
Two additional companies phoned to say they are booked with projects. One of those was Lippincott Mercer, the New York City branding firm that visited Abilene in December.
Nichols said of the companies that submitted responses, North Star was superior. Partnership members interviewed the company and a list of reference cities it has worked with.
One of the cities North Star has worked with is Fort Collins, Colo., which now has the tagline, "Where renewal is a way of life." The city of 127,000 paid North Star $80,000 to research and develop a marketing strategy, according to the company's Web site.
All but two of the cities interviewed gave North Star good reviews. Nichols said the two cities that didn't had unique situations.
One city changed leadership after it started the process with North Star, and the new folks weren't on board. The other city, Longview, was unhappy after it was discovered that the motto it was given, "East Texas: Pure and Simple," was similar to "pure and simple" taglines two other U.S. cities were using. One had trademarked it, according to the Longview News-Journal.
Nichols said Abilene, currently known as the "Friendly Frontier," will receive a unique trademark if it hires North Star. One of the city's requirements is that it receive a product that can be trademarked.
Otherwise, signs and other products the city develops with the brand would be placed in jeopardy.
"We're not about to go down that road," Nichols said.
He said it's important for the right kind of task force to be working with the branding firm, that the firm receive everything it needs for its research and that it has an opportunity to spend time following up on its research.
The product that North Star would deliver would be more than a logo and a tagline, Nichols said. There would also be a strategy behind it, and a plan for implementation. Implementing a new brand also costs money.
The city of Frisco plans to spend $200,000 this year implementing the marketing campaign North Star developed for it, according to the Frisco Enterprise. The campaign includes a railroad logo with the words "Progress in motion" beneath it.
Abilene officials said a branding strategy could help the city stand out and attract visitors and business. More and more cities are developing brands, Nichols said.
"This is becoming a competitive tool for cities," he said.
Anywhom...here is my list of potential mottos for Abilene.
Abilene: We don't suck.
Abilene: Life is a highway (referring to I-20)
Abilene: It's better than Wichita Falls
Abilene: The armpit of Texas
Abilene: The drunks come home by midnight
Abilene: We've got a huge wind farm
Abilene: Your choice for no less than three church colleges
Abilene: We're not San Angelo
Abilene: We're not Midland
Abilene: We're close to Fort Worth
Abilene: Your home on the range
Abilene: We're in the middle of Texas
The list goes on....
Posted by Jason Palmer at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
It's been a boring week...
July 25, 2007All of the crazy time at the newspaper has seemingly died down.
There is just nothing going on around here this week. I guess I need to finish off the flooding photos, but I don't know if anybody is even paying attnetion.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 4:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
UT/Aggie Lawsuit...over.
July 17, 2007I wrote about this back a long time ago...
Texas lawsuit over the Saw'em off logo
The lawsuit was settled...here's the story
Daily Texan/Zachary PosnerIt cost more than $200,000 in legal fees, a $25,000 settlement and the addition of nostrils and a tuft or "blaze" of hair between the eyes of their longhorn logo for Texas A&M graduate and College Station resident Fadi Kalaouze and his wife to continue selling "Saw Em Off" T-shirts parodying UT's prominent logo.
"It was worth it," Fadi Kalaouze said. "We have been selling these shirts for over 10 years, and now we know Aggies can wear this logo and no one can stop them."
UT and the owners of three Aggieland Outfitters stores in College Station settled their suit last week, which was filed against Kalaouze in December - 10 days after the Texas A&M football team upset the Longhorns 12-7 the day after Thanksgiving. The recent agreement requires that the couple stop printing and selling the old shirts within three months.
"We have already ordered the new shirts and are selling them," Kalaouze said. "No one is really buying them, though, because the [old shirts] are a collectors item."
Under the terms of the agreement, the University will not try to stop the Kalaouze couple from copyrighting their new logo, and their logo cannot use UT's orange and white color configuration.
"The color terms were essentially that they would not make it look like a UT shirt," said Allan Van Fleet, the Kalaouze's lawyer. "It's not like they would be able to sell those in College Station anyway."
Louis Pirkey, an attorney for UT, said the University simply wanted the defendants to use a logo different than theirs, and now "people will know that it is not UT's."
"The main objective of the case was not money," he said. "It was to get [the defendants] to change the mark. If the case had gone to trial it would have been extremely expensive. At this stage the money was not an issue."
Pirkey also said that the University has handled around 50 similar cases, but that only a half dozen or so have ever gone to court.
"I am glad we are not going to court," Kalaouze said. "I am just relieved that this is all over with."
And here's what the logo was changed from/to.
Media Credit: Graphic courtesy of Aggieland Outfitters
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Not flooding...
It's not like my world gets to stand still for flooding blogs or whatnot.
I shot this the other day at a new citizen naturalization ceremony....it caught my eye and kinda made me laugh a bit.
Sometimes you have to turn around and pay attention for a great photo.
Jason Palmer/Times Record News
Sons of the American Revolution members Richard Arnold (Dallas), William Walker (McKinney) and Howard Roach (Plano)(l-r) sit at the back of the United States District Court with the United States flag beside them before the start of a naturalization ceremony for 17 new citizens from seven different countries.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Shocking night
July 11, 2007If there is one thing that will get me out of my PJs and into my car with my camera gear....it's a good lightning show.
I got exactly that last night.
It was wonderful lightning...all from the same general area in the sky. Great bolts and repeat strikes...the kind of lightning that photographers crave when they are out looking at storms. Last night was the first time in a long time that it's been good lightning to go out and photograph.
Here are my 2 faves from the night.
Hopefully...you'll see the first one in the newspaper today. It was literally the first shot of the night. I set my camera settings to what I thought would be close...and obviously nailed the exposure AND...got lucky with a few bolts.
Those are the sorts of things that really make me smile, when I know that it wasn't just my technical knowledge that made a great shot....it was a lot of good luck too.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Flood Stuff....today
July 10, 2007I'll be working on putting a good selection of my flood-related photos online here today with short stories going along with them.
Thanks for the patience to wait...I know some of you are looking forward to these.
j
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Blog Traffic
July 5, 2007I probably could have passed Nick this month if I had put forth the effort....my bad
June Numbers:
Nicky G. - 396
Jason P - 328
Clayton - 117
Some other people - not as much.
Lookout Little Nicky...I'm coming.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
One before I go...
July 2, 2007I've got the next two days off to recover from all of the flooding coverage I've been out on.
I am stressed, tired, exhausted, heart-broken, worn out, stressed, water logged, stressed and stressed.
I have seen a lot of things that I honestly didn't know I'd ever see. I've heard local comparisons to the scenes from Hurricane Katrina, and on a very small scale, I'm sure it's kinda like that.
I've got a lot of photos that I'm going to share with all of you readers soon, but not right now. I'm too tired to talk about them.
Before I came back to the office for the last time tonight, I went over the Emanuel Davis overpass for one last look for a few days.
The sunset was very pretty... perfectly shining through the clouds. But the filthy floodwaters below made a great contrast of beauty and pain.
A song came to mind...by the christian group Superchick. It's called Beauty from Pain. I thought it kinda made sense.
The lights go out all around me
One last candle to keep out the night
And then the darkness surrounds me
I know I'm alive
But I feel like I've died
And all that's left is to accept that it's over
My dreams ran like sand through the fists that I made
I try to keep warm but I just grow colder
I feel like I'm slipping away
After all this has passed
I still will remain
After I've cried my last
There'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today
Someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain
My whole world is the pain inside me
The best I can do is just get through the day
When life before is only a memory
I wonder why God let me walk through this place
And though I can't understand why this happened
I know that I will when I look back someday
And see how You've brought beauty from ashes
And made me as gold purified through these flames
Here and I am at the end of me (at the end of me)
Trying to hold to what I can't see
I forgot how to hope
This night's been so long
I cling to your promise there will be a dawn.
I wanted to shoot something pretty from all of this nightmare before I put it behind me for a few days.....that's pretty much what I did.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
I've been busy...
June 29, 2007This has pretty much been my world this week.
Lots of water...
This is me in Lucy Park, if I don't look happy, it's because I'm knee deep in flowing floodwaters.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 5:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Drying Out...
June 26, 2007Good lord... I haven't been out in rain like what happened this morning in a very long time.
I've got to dry out and finish doing some other stuff, but I fully intend to put flying pictures and oil bowl stuff up soon.
peeeeeace...
Posted by Jason Palmer at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Two weeks later....State Baseball
June 22, 2007Okay...this is way late and I'm sorry about that.
So, J.Scott Russell and I headed down to always fun Austin (Round Rock more specifically). Already, the trip is more fun than the previous two trips down the Hwy. 281...simply because now I have somebody to talk to on the way down.
We goofed off, listened to loud 80's rock, he took a nap (I couldn't....since I was driving). The hours flew by a heck of a lot quicker.
Now, generally speaking, baseball isn't my fave. sport to shoot. But it's easily my fave. sport to watch. Shooting baseball isn't easy, because there aren't a whole lot of chances for really great art, and when those chances happen...you have to be lucky and in the right spot with the right lens.
Archer City's semifinal game was kinda boring if you ask me. I mean, they won and all, but there wasn't a lot of action...and when there was, I wasn't lucky enough to be in the right spot. I still got some good photos.
So, without further delay...here are some baseball stuffs.
Continue reading "Two weeks later....State Baseball"
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
What the Duck!
June 18, 2007They keep getting better and better...
Posted by Jason Palmer at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Crazy weekend...
June 12, 2007Everything from State baseball in Austin, to Weird Al on Sunday and a day in Fort Worth yesterday.
I'll get caught up on blogs here in a bit, I've got baseball photos to show off and stories to tell of course.
give me a sec.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Ahahahahahaha!!
June 5, 2007Yet another reason why I love this comic so much....freaking hilarious.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
State Baseball Bound...
Well, J.Scott and I are heading back down to A-town today to get ready for the UIL State Baseball Tourney.
Archer City seems to be the team of destiny, after losing one of the most potent bats in the entire area to injury earlier this year, they are still the #1 team in the state.
Hoping they win on Wed. and play again on Thursday (the longer away from Wichita Falls the better in my opinion....I love road trips).
peace out...
Posted by Jason Palmer at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Black Flies
June 4, 2007Everybody has been freaking out for about the last two months about the mosquitoes with all the rain we've had.
Don't get me wrong, I don't like them either. They have always left a nasty little bite on my skin. My mom says it's because I'm so sweet. That's why they like me so.
My mom had the perfect medicine for the bites too....I don't remember what it was called, but it looked to be about a 30-year old bottle.
Brown glass...hard plastic applicator....and it burned like fire.
It was the external equivalent of ipecac...that stuff would mess you up. I knew it would work every time and I would stop scratching at the bites, but the price you had to pay for relief was massive temporary blinding burning pain.
I'd buy that stuff again in a heartbeat, but I don't know where to find it. Perhaps a voodoo medicine shack. It may have had snake venom in it, I couldn't tell you.
Eventually growing up...I got to the point where I could treat myself with it...then nearly pass out in the bathroom floor.
Anyways....this year, it's not the mosquitoes that are bothering me....
It's those spawn of Satan black flies.
I made the mistake a few weeks ago of playing golf at River Creek without spray-on protection and came away with no fewer than 12 agonizing bites around my ankles and lower legs. I didn't know at the time what they were, but I knew they weren't the usual blood-suckers.
I didn't even scratch them and they were driving me crazy. These little buggers meant business.
Now, I'm usually pretty good at resisting the scratch, but there were so many and it was such a different kind of pain. So I went looking for the brown glass bottle solution.
Of course, I didn't find it, but I did pick up some general antiseptic stuff that was in a small green bottle. It looked similar so I figured what the heck, I'd give it a shot.
It's helped a lot.....those dozen or so bites went away.
Now...there's a new one, right on the top of my left foot....no doubt from my wearing sandals all weekend. Good news, I've been treating it with the snake oil...bad news, I've gotta wear tennis shoes at some point.
I'm ready for winter...so a freeze will kill off all these vermin.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 1:37 PM | Permalink
Spammer Arrested
June 1, 2007This made my day today....unfortunately, I still get spam comments on my blog.
Guys like this should be locked away.
SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- A 27-year-old man described as one of the world's most prolific spammers was arrested Wednesday, and federal authorities said computer users across the Web could notice a decrease in the amount of junk e-mail.Robert Alan Soloway is accused of using networks of compromised "zombie" computers to send out millions upon millions of spam e-mails.
"He's one of the top 10 spammers in the world," said Tim Cranton, a Microsoft Corp. lawyer who is senior director of the company's Worldwide Internet Safety Programs. "He's a huge problem for our customers. This is a very good day."
A federal grand jury last week returned a 35-count indictment against Soloway charging him with mail fraud, wire fraud, e-mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
Soloway pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon to all charges after a judge determined that -- even with four bank accounts seized by the government -- he was sufficiently well off to pay for his own lawyer.
He has been living in a ritzy apartment and drives an expensive Mercedes convertible, said prosecutor Kathryn Warma. Prosecutors are seeking to have him forfeit $773,000 they say he made from his business, Newport Internet Marketing Corp.
A public defender who represented him for Wednesday's hearing declined to comment.
Prosecutors say Soloway used computers infected with malicious code to send out millions of junk e-mails since 2003. The computers are called "zombies" because owners typically have no idea their machines have been infected.
He continued his activities even after Microsoft won a $7 million civil judgment against him in 2005 and the operator of a small Internet service provider in Oklahoma won a $10 million judgment, prosecutors said.
U.S. Attorney Jeff Sullivan said Wednesday that the case is the first in the country in which federal prosecutors have used identity theft statutes to prosecute a spammer for taking over someone else's Internet domain name. Soloway could face decades in prison, though prosecutors said they have not calculated what guideline sentencing range he might face.
The investigation began when the authorities began receiving hundreds of complaints about Soloway, who had been featured on a list of known spammers kept by The Spamhaus Project, an international anti-spam organization.
The Santa Barbara County, California, Department of Social Services said it was spending $1,000 a week to fight the spam it was receiving, and other businesses and individuals complained of having their reputations damaged when it appeared spam was originating from their computers.
"This is not just a nuisance. This is way beyond a nuisance," Warma said.
Soloway used the networks of compromised computers to send out unsolicited bulk e-mails urging people to use his Internet marketing company to advertise their products, authorities said.
People who clicked on a link in the e-mail were directed to his Web site. There, Soloway advertised his ability to send out as many as 20 million e-mail advertisements over 15 days for $495, the indictment said.
The Spamhaus Project rejoiced at his arrest.
"Soloway has been a long-term nuisance on the Internet -- both in terms of the spam he sent, and the people he duped to use his spam service," organizers wrote on Spamhaus.org.
Soloway remained in federal detention pending a hearing Monday.
Posted by Jason Palmer at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Regional Trip..
May 31, 2007I came in to the office today with all intentions to write a funny, if not entirely random blog.
But instead, I'm heading out into the region with my fave. reporter Lara Richards, which is way more fun than sitting at a desk.
Full report at 10...
Posted by Jason Palmer at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Death of a Grill
May 28, 2007It's official.... My Aussie Bushman Elite II grill is dead.
I thought there were some outside chance of repair...replacing the burner head and the propane hose...a task that would have cost me about $40-50.
I came home from work today fully expecting to be able to make that work. I was going to remove the bad parts and just fix it. That was the plan anyhow...
Sadly, that will not be possible.
The burner is held in place by four rusted on screws...two of which striped out the head with a few attempts at a turn. The rusty bu