5.1.21West End PrideHad the opportunity to photograph FC Cincinnati Foundation’s West End Pride teams kick the soccer ball around inside FC Cincinnati’s new stadium this afternoon and evening. Ronny needed help photographing this event because he broke his arm weeks ago, so I said I’d fill in. It was a volunteer gig, but I don’t mind because the work was so enjoyable. Seeing the kids have a good time running up and down the field and just generally being kids about all of it made the day fun. At the end of the evening, after all the kids finished their games, they had a little “kick around” with preschoolers that absolutely melted my heart. It was honestly one of the cutest things I think I’ve seen lately.

5.2.21An Unexpected PlusWent back to the FCC stadium this morning to photograph the inside just for fun, and they unexpectedly had a helicopter drop a bunch of tiny soccer balls onto a target on the field below. It is my understanding that it was practice for some sort of promotional event later on.

5.3.21The Stand-Off of the Apricot BeastsSo intense.

5.4.21Fully VaxxedMy arm is sore and I’m probably going to feel poorly tomorrow, but it’s worth it. I will have another major layer of protection against this virus. Ready to get back to 100% normal sooner than later.

5.5.21A TreatThis right here is a soft serve peanut butter and chocolate ice cream from the Bellevue Ameristop. It was my late evening treat after successfully navigating some pretty bad second dose symptoms. As I slid feverishly into bed last night, the worst chills I’ve ever experienced snaked down my spine and rattled my teeth. Sleep came in 20 minute intervals, each with their own psychotic series of lights and sounds that undid any rest I might’ve received had I not been sick. My joints hurt, my head throbbed, and my strength was sapped until about 4 PM today. I’d turned the corner by about 7 PM and managed a walk and a trip to get tacos. As I write this at 11:15 PM, I feel perfectly fine. So glad my body’s working on the antibodies to this virus now.

5.6.21Ashley’s Mother’s Day SurpriseTwo months ago, Ashley’s mom told me she wanted to secretly come up for Mother’s Day. She lives in Florida, so Ashley doesn’t get to see her but a couple times a year. Even though they’re very close and talk multiple times a day on the phone, we managed to keep it a secret. Today, I covertly picked her up and we snuck her into the house without Ashley knowing. I set up my iPhone on the mantle and pressed record and called for Ashley to come downstairs. This is the still frame when she realized her mom was sitting on our couch. She was stunned and overjoyed with a few tears and many hugs. It’s one of the most heartwarming videos I’ve ever recorded.

5.7.21This Belongs in a MuseumThe Wendy’s in Kenwood has this kick ass sign on the side of the building.

5.8.21MaggieAshley’s boss asked her to take her dog out while she was out of the house all day, so we made a trip down to Union, KY. Maggie is a Newfoundland puppy and is extremely strong—so strong, Ashley couldn’t walk her. I had to take the reins of the slobbery, sweet beast. We walked down to their subdivision’s communal gazebo and I did my best to snap her photo.

5.9.21Stumbled UponI took a wrong turn in NKY earlier today and stumbled upon this mural by an acquaintance, Josh Stout. Since no one was behind me, I stopped in the middle of the road and snapped a quick photo. He and I were planning on doing a little artistic collaboration and this will be my submission, making this collaboration EXTREMELY meta for him.

5.10.21An Old Friend?Wrote about this here.

5.11.21Before and AfterHad the rare opportunity to photograph both a before AND after apartment renovation situation in Dayton, OH this morning. Without revealing the name of the complex, the apartments in this community are undergoing a significant update and the owners had both empty unfinished and finished apartments ready to photograph. I tried my best to capture each image from the same general perspective to best illustrate the improvements the renovation will have on the aging units. The tricky part was wrapping my brain around finding consistency in perspective as the unfinished and finished apartments were actually mirror images of one another. I inverted the unfinished photos in post to match the finished photos so the client could see them as plainly as possible side by side.

5.12.21Lil Clippy EarWe see this little clipped ear orange cat on this block often. Today he let me approach him and give him scratches on his head. As I was petting him, I lowered my phone and got this quick image.

5.13.21Ovation Phase OneTravis and I checked out PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation this evening under the UrbanCincy media credential. I wrote about it for their site, but it’s not going live until I can add the show lineup that PromoWest is releasing tomorrow. This is going to be a really great place to see a show, and I’m excited to witness how it will benefit Newport and the surrounding region once it’s alive with music.

5.14.21Self PortraitMy grandmother gave me a box of my old doodles and artwork from when I was a kid. Found this one dated June 7, 1995. Perhaps a self portrait?

5.15.21Weird FantasyWhile getting coffee this morning, I saw this camper parked nearby. The drapes were drawn and I wondered if someone was inside. In any case, I have a combination fantasy/loathing for these. In one way, I absolutely hate them because they’re these gas-guzzling, monstrously stupid vehicles that are expensive and bad for the environment. In another way, I absolutely want to travel in one because it has all the creature comforts I’d need to comfortably see the contiguous 48 without booking a place to stay. I will never buy one, but I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t take the opportunity to use one at some point in the future. Maybe if they made an electric version that had less of a carbon footprint?

5.16.21SprinklesSarah surprised everyone by bringing a tiny puppy to my parents’ get together this afternoon. Named Sprinkles (her step daughter’s name of choice), she’s a little dachshund puppy who largely slept the whole time were were with her. I took her outside and observed/loved on her in the grass for a little bit. She’s so cute I can’t stand it.

5.17.21Aw, NutsA rainy, lazy Monday. Feeling a little mentally bad today because I didn’t have anything to work on (for money). I spent some time on the porch this morning and finished a book, then did some other odds and ends things to fill time. I opened the door at one point and saw a squirrel left a dug-up peanut on the stoop. Not multiple nuts or anything. Just one single nut. Anyway, highlight of the day, I guess.

5.18.21The Hunt for Hollywood VideoChris Glass (hi, Chris) posted about this abandoned Hollywood Video on his site the other day and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. While I could’ve probably just asked him the address, I wanted to see if I could figure out where it was on my own, so I searched for it on Google and found a video. The video didn’t give the address, but I figured out where it was based on clues in the background and used Google Maps to pinpoint its location. Hollywood Video was the place we frequented most often of the two big video rental stores, and seeing those little faded searchlights protruding from angular mountains brought me back a little bit.

5.19.21ColumbusWent with Chris to Columbus today and saw lots of neighborhoods.

5.20.21Monochrome EchoHad a little time between a meeting and a job, so I popped up to Mt. Echo Park and snapped a photo of the skyline this morning. I chose to make it B&W in post because I thought it looked neat.

5.21.21Sleepy PupShe went in the sprinkler then fell asleep on the stoop.

5.22.21Cogswood DriveI went to Asheville and had to snap a photo of the skyline. There’s no park with an overlook that I could find, so I went up to Cogswood Drive and shot through the trees from the car. It was a little awkward as it’s just a winding residential street. I’m sure the people who live up there are sick of people like me.

5.23.21Black MountainApple Maps steered us in the wrong direction and landed us in Black Mountain, about 16 miles east of Asheville. Instead of rerouting, we stayed and found a dog park, a creek, a brewery, some shopping, a dog shop, and loads of charm. I take that back, Apple Maps got us where we needed to go.

5.24.21Chimney RockWe went out to Chimney Rock and climbed to the top. The view was breathtaking as was the amount of tourists (like us). I ended up taking a group photo for the people in this photo with one of their phones and I’d forgotten how much joy it brings me to do that for total strangers. It’s honestly one of my favorite things in the world.

5.25.21BOY FOR HIREJust loved this goofy ad.

5.26.21HomeWe’re home from our trip. It’s really good to be back. Traveling soothes the soul and opens my mind, and it always makes me appreciate home even more than I already did. No, this place doesn’t have year-round nice weather or an infinite number of dog-friendly restaurants and shops. No, this place doesn’t have mountains to climb and crystal clear lakes. We could do better about a lot of things, to be quite frank, and could learn a thing or 22 about how other cities have solved for X. But this place has my heart for an innumerable number of reasons that I’m not required to list here. So instead, here’s just one of them: the big, beautiful tree that shades our house from the sun half the day and looks positively divine against a Pepto Bismol sunset.

5.27.21MoonvilleWrote about my day trip to Moonville on the blog.

5.28.21She Got SwagWe bought a couch last year and it still hasn’t arrived. Because it’s going to be longer than the IKEA couch we have, we weren’t going to be able to have the floor lamp in the corner anymore, so I had an idea to get a swag light to take care of the illumination in that part of the room. It arrived and I installed it this evening. Ashley likes it.

5.29.21 JayJay’s in town for a speaking gig at his alma mater. We was gracious enough to let us have him for the evening, so we went to Jack Brown’s on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine for a burger. I miss having Jay local, but I’m glad he’s thriving in Philly.

5.30.21Allie & Travis’ WeddingI’m writing this the day after the wedding because I was too busy having a blast at it last night. Loads of friends together and laughing, drinking, and by the end of the night dancing. I do not dance, but I took many videos of it on my phone and will relive the happy chaos for years to come. While I wish I could go back and relive the night again, I am glad it’s over for one selfish reason—this octagon I built for their backdrop no longer has the ability to give me nightmares. You see, Allie asked me if I would build them an octagon to serve as their backdrop for their ceremony months before the wedding. They’d hang flowers on it and it would hold a special meaning that was personal to them. Seeing the opportunity to help friends, I agreed. However, after months of stressing over the design and fearing it could possibly collapse under its own weight, I was ready to be rid of that anxiety once I knew the scary part was over. It now is, and I’m happy to report it stood proudly and served its purpose.

5.31.21Stained Glass on Wallace AvenueI spent a long time photographing this house in Wallace Woods today. It has a magnificent stained glass window on the staircase. The whole landing glows with this handsome amber hue. The listing should go live tomorrow.