Every Coed's Dream Job

For most people, and, I'm convinced, every female with an undeclared major, at some point in time they decide that they are going to be a photographer. For guys it's to impress the girls by being different and for girls it's to think of themselves as creative. Regardless of the reasons, I too, at several points in my life, thought that photography was the thing for me.

For a time, the only thing separating me from a career as an astrophotgrapher, marrying my passion for astronomy with an interest in photography, was the lack of funds to purchase a CCD imager - something that, at the time, was a little hard to come by (like plutonium in 1955).

Prior to that I, like many other kids, loved to take pictures. I thought my pictures through and tried to compose meaningful images. When I was about 14 or so I came up with an idea for a series of pictures that to this day I still think, if done correctly, would make any art lover proud.

The idea is simple, really, and undoubtedly has been done before. I would go around and take pictures of old barns, particularly ones in disrepair or that had been damaged by storms or fires. I see these images in my head, high in contrast, gently rolling hills of harvested fields in the background, a rusty fence in the foreground to add some depth. I've composed so many of these images in my head and driven past so many great opportunities but I've never just gone out and TAKEN a series of pictures, I've never just DONE IT.

I've had my share of lame excuses. When I was 14 I was totally convinced that one of the first things I would do with my drivers license was to take my 35 mm Canon camera out to take the pics, but somehow, an interest in the fairer sex ended up taking precedence.

Once again I am going to go for it. I might not end up with the greatest images but at some point this weekend I am gonna go out, enjoy a nice drive around Washtenaw and Monroe Counties, visualize some images and take a roll or two of pictures.

Sounds like a nice way to welcome in the season.

August Fever

For me, this weekend was the real turning point. Football season is close enough to smell. When you are as big a college football fan as I am, it really is tangible, you feel it, smell it, I've never tasted it before, maybe that means I have room to grow as a fan. The blazing summer days are winding down. On occasion the cool mornings have a crispness to them, reminiscent of fall.

I hate Winter, I hate to think about it coming and hate almost everything that reminds me it is on its way. Despite that, nothing beats a cool crisp Saturday morning. As long as I have college football to look forward to on Saturday, winter won't get to me.

This past weekend I attended Michigan Fan Day, a Michigan-palooza event where fans get to meet the players and coaches. I've never been particularly composed around famous or even relatively famous people. But good god, I shook like I had been standing outside in February in my underwear for a half hour when I was face to face with Coach Rodriguez.

I'm inviting some people over to watch the first game against Utah in two weeks. Until then I'm going to spend plenty of time on Mgoblog.com and soaking up all I can about the upcoming football season, but most importantly Michigan football!

A lot of people are talking about lowered expectations for this season in terms of wins and losses, a bit of a let down. I'm not so convinced however. What I can say is that the Michigan-Michigan State game this year promises to have a heck of a build up to it! I see Michigan doing well this year, of course, nothing could change that.

Tonight on the Big Ten Network they are showing Michigan's practice which gets my blood flowing even more.

More to come on Michigan football:)