Dinner with The Thessin's

My second assignment today was to photograph Margie Thessin in her kitchen making fried chicken. I just hung out with her as she made dinner for her and her husband, taking photos and talking about stuff. After she was finished, she invited me to have dinner with them. Normally, I would just say something like, "Thanks, but I really have to get back to file." even though I didn't, or "Im really on deadline, sorry.", but I wasn't. The truth was that I actually had plenty of time so I decided to take them up on their offer. I sat with them at their dinner table, said a prayer before eating, and had a home cooked meal with two people I had just met. We talked about ridiculous Tennessee liquor laws, the way meat is mishandled, Chicago, (her husband was from Milwaukee) the lack of good Chinese food in Nashville, Nashville history, and how their daughter actually lived in my neighborhood. Sitting down with them is something I normally wouldn't do, but Im really glad that I did. It just made me feel good about people in general.

The Gaws

I got an assignment to shoot a photo of Ronnie and Peggie Gaw on one of the bridges downtown today. The story was about how inexpensively they were able to have their wedding. Her dress came from a consignment shop, they got married on the bridge which didn't cost them anything except for a permit from the city, etc. It sounded like they just wanted to get married because they loved each other, and not because they wanted to have a wedding. After talking to them for a bit, they told me that they had been friends since they were 18, both had been married before and had since been divorced. And now they were finally married. Ronnie was good friends with Peggy's ex-husband the whole time, and they are still friends. Now, almost 25 years later, after previous marriages and a few children on both sides, they are together. I guess it was just great to hear someone tell their story of not losing their passion for something or someone, no matter what. They were great to photograph and were just so obviously in love.

Mississippi Debates

Had to wait for the stuff to run in the paper until I could put these up. Here are a few from Mississippi.

Mississippi Debates for The NYT

Well, gee Mr. McCain, thanks for deciding to, like, you know, show up for this little ol' debate.

Memphis

Currently in Memphis shooting a story, then headed to Mississippi tomorrow to cover the debates. Memphis smells like barbecue. Like, the whole place. Its pretty great.

I had nothing to do with this.

I just sat on my deck, with my camera in my hand, watching it rain, and a heart formed on the driveway. Um, thanks........?

Maddie Got Her Braces Off!!!!!!!!!!

After 35 months, my daughter got her braces off today. Luckily, there were still teeth under there.

Watching WGN...........sigh................

Culinary updatitude

I just ate two barbecue sandwiches, accompanied by french fries.

Feature Hunting

Marshall

Giant Pillow Fight for The Tennessean

Good To Be Home

Chicago

Wisconsin State Flag

RNC Day 04