Author: Michael

Let's add The New England Patriots, and specifically their coach Bill Belichick, to the rapidly expanding list of cheaters/criminals in major sports. By the end of the week we should know the punishment they will receive for videotaping the New York Jets' defensive coaching staff sending in their signals during last week's game. Checking the scorecard we show.... NFL Quarterback Michael Vick plea bargains to felony charges related to dog-fighting.…

The inspiration for this entry came after a gallon of blood, likely meant for a major organ, rushed to my head while I was bent over picking up uncooked macaroni off the kitchen floor. Bad form for sure, but I was not interested in style points after the contents of the Easy-Mac package rained across the linoleum. Thankfully the cheese, still in powder form, was safely in its vault. I say vault because it likely was as…

I think it was Beavis that said, "Movies are cool". So for the helluvit I made a my own top 100 list in no particular order.... (and no I do not have too much time on my hands)... 1. Hotel Rwanda 2. Yesterday 3. Sometimes in April 4. Geldof in Africa 5. Last King of Scotland 6. Blood Diamond 7. The Constant Gardener 8.…

It's Labor Day and I'm reluctantly putting away the matching white belt and shoes until Easter. After a long drought we finally have another 3 day weekend. The last one was Memorial Day, way back in May. (Remember, the Fourth of July was on a Wednesday this year!)  But in my opinion the labor theme is getting kind of old anyway. If you know anything about Arizona, then you gotta love the irony of a "Right to…

To prepare for my trip to Africa I corresponded with experienced travelers from couchsurfing for advice. While I surfed the web for information, I stumbled on pixelatedimage. This is the blog/gallery of humanitarian-photojournalist David duChemin. I sent him a “cold-call” email and he provided me with invaluable information. As an experienced traveler and incredible photographer he’s an inspiration for a wannabe like me. I hope I can…

If you had a chance to check out "The Images" page of this site, thank you.  I've had the greatest pleasure this year accessing not only legendary performers and a country's birthday celebration, but also the deeply profound experience of visiting Cape Coast Castle. To stand in the slave dungeons, to walk through the "door of no return", were experiences that defy description. How…

People asked me why I was going to Africa. When they found out I wasn't going "on safari", the change in facial expression indicated they either did not share my enthusiasm, or they really had a genuine interest in the "where, how and why". A year ago (August '06) I did alot of staring at world maps. I was going somewhere special. I just didn't know where. I had all the necessary ingredients to…