Miss America

I've been watching this for as long as I can remember: Miss America. I remember sitting in front of the TV with my sisters watching the competition. As I got a little older, I would write down the scores from swimsuit, talent, evening gown and on-stage question to figure out the winner. I don't know if I ever picked the correct winner.

Saturday night TLC will be showing the 2010 Miss America Pageant live from Las Vegas at 8 p.m./EST. I will be watching. Last July, I was photographing the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant for work and Miss Michigan 2009 Nicole Blaszczyk helped host the pageant. Nicole performed her talent of a lyrical dance for the crowd. It was wonderful. She is a beautiful dancer. Last night, Nicole won a preliminary award for talent on the last night of competition for the 2010 Miss America Pageant. I'm hoping she will will make the top ten and have a chance for Miss America 2010.

Photo: Nicole Blaszczyk on stage at the 2009 River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant.

Oakwood Cemetery statue - Adrian, MI

Random things

I was putting dishes away yesterday and a plate fell from the dish rack. I didn't want it to break the plate so I put my left foot in its path. My foot did the job I wanted it to. It stopped the dish. In the process, the side of the plate landed on the top of my foot. It hit where my toes crease near my big toe. It instantly hurt and left a mark.

It still hurts and I was actually limping this morning. I was thinking will I be able to run today? It took a while, but the limping went away. I will be running later today. If I didn't let plantar fasciitis stop me from running, do you think I would let a plate falling on my foot stop me? The answer is no.

Besides losing weight, I'm trying to improve something else as well. Its time. I'm working on my posture. My posture is horrible. Most mornings you'll find me slouched down in my chair at work or I'll slouch sitting at my desk at home. I'm trying to be aware how awful it is. If I catch myself doing it, I will sit up straight. I noticed that when standing, I still slouch. I'm learning to keep my shoulders back.

I think this is the year I will try improve everything about me.

One step at a time

People say every new year that they want to lose weight. I've probably said that since 1998. I'm finally doing something about it in 2010.

What really motivated me to finally lose weight was a photo. It was a family photo that my brother-in-law took of me on Christmas. I couldn't believe how big I looked. It was then that I knew I wanted to do something about it.

I already had one key element of losing weight down: exercise. I run six days a week and sprinkle in some push ups and crunches. The other element that I needed was to look at what and how much I ate. I thought that since I ran so much I could eat a little bit more. Wrong. It wasn't helping me. I was just maintaining my weight.

Since the beginning of January, I have been watching what I eat. My husband and I are trying to lose weight together and now we eat smaller portions of food. We had dinner out last Friday as a reward. It was the first time all week I ate out. I ordered a steak, sweet potato fries and coleslaw for dinner. I usually finish everything on my plate but this time I didn't. I had to get a to-go box. And that made me happy.

So far on my weight loss journey, I have lost 8 pounds. Besides stepping on the scale, I can tell that I have lost weight. All of my pants are loose now. I love that feeling. I know it will take a long time to lose all of the weight that I want to. I know once I get to my goal weight, I want to stay there for a long time.

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann

Currently Reading: John F. Kennedy, President, Hugh Sidey
Up Next: Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery, Norman Mailer

Pray - Tecumseh, MI

Chipped - Adrian, MI

Miles run in 2010

I'm so excited that my running is going so well this year. One reason that my running in going well is that I'm injury free so far. Last year's plantar fasciitis held me back. Another reason I think my running is going well is I've lost some weight. I want to lose more and I hope with my weight loss that my race times will go down. But I will take one step at a time and I will keep running.

2004: 22.2
2005: 29
2006: 27
2007: 30
2008: 52
2009: 64
2010: 103.1

Faded sign - Adrian, MI

Random things

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to lose a few pounds. I have been sticking with my resolution and lost some weight. I have lost 6 pounds so far. I have really been watching what I eat and I have been running, as usual. It feels good to step on the scale and see lower numbers then I have seen in years. I know this is something I can do and I hope to continue losing more weight.

I've been wanted to do this for a couple of years. I finally sat at my computer and wrote the email earlier this week. I emailed the local director of a national organization to volunteer my services. I received a reply back from the director within the hour. She asked if I would be willing to help out at an event. I said yes and she said she would add my name to the list. I won't reveal the organization until I know more about the event and the date it will take place.

I think 2010 is starting out to be a great year.

Berlin Wall graffiti - Boston, MA

A section of the Berlin Wall at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Mausoleum door detail - Adrian, MI

Frost - Adrian, MI

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti

Currently Reading: A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann
Up Next: Library trip

Help Krista

My blogger pal Krista needs your help. She signed up for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. Once again she is raising funds to help blood cancer patients by running the Rock 'N' Roll San Diego Marathon on June 6, 2010. Krista's fundraising goal is $4000. She currently has 15% of her goal. Please help her out by making a donation to this worthy cause. Click here to read Krista's Team in Training web page.

Railcar wheels - Adrian, MI

G around the corner - Adrian, MI

Hot Chocolate Hustle

I will be running in the Hot Chocolate Hustle 5K on February 6. This is the first winter race I will have ever run. The good news is the race will be run on city streets. The bad part about the race is the streets could be snowy. Who knows what the weather will be on that Saturday morning.

There is another February winter race in town, but I will never do that one. It is a five mile trail run. I will never do that race because I'm afraid of running on snowy trails and twisting my ankles. Also, I'm a huge nerd and I'm not a fan of getting my shoes and socks wet.

See you outside on February 6.

Stairs & door - Adrian, MI

Miles run in 2010

This is the fastest I have ever gotten to 50 miles. For the last two years it took me most of January to reach it. Beyond that it took until February. I'm really proud of what I have accomplished with my running. The last couple of years, I was happy to run around 20 miles a week. Now I try to get above 30 miles a week, running six days a week. Maybe in the future, I will try to reach 40 miles a week.

2004: 10
2005: 17
2006: 15
2007: 14
2008: 31
2009: 35
2010: 57

Retro light- Adrian, MI

Machine Shop entrance - Adrian, MI

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald
American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann

Currently Reading: 'Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti
Up Next: A Woman Named Jackie: An Intimate Biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, C. David Heymann

Change of plans

My husband pointed out some decaying apartments to me over the weekend. I have driven by them plenty of times but never really gave them a second look. When I saw them over the weekend, I liked how nasty they looked. I'm the people that live around them don't think that. But I do.

My plan was to photograph them right after work this morning. I didn't go. It was snowing. It is not a hard snow, but I didn't want snowflakes in my photos. I will try again Tuesday after work when the forecast will be on my side. Mostly cloudy through mid-morning then becoming party sunny.

I'm including a photo of a dumpster near the apartment buildings I plan on photographing tomorrow. Until then.

Covered - Adrian, MI

Books read in 2010

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, C. David Heymann
Fletch, Too, Gregory Mcdonald

Currently Reading: American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy, C. David Heymann
Up Next: 'Tis Herself: An Autobiography, Maureen O'Hara and John Nicoletti

Cherub - Adrian, MI

Inspiration & motivation

I have been looking at photos on istockphoto. It is a stock photography website with royalty free images and photos. I only learned of the site late last year from a co-worker.

I really enjoy looking at other people's photos of things I like to photograph. I like to see how they photographed it and the angles they used. Looking at these photos always give me ideas for when I go out to shoot. The photos that I have been looking: graffiti, abandoned buildings, decaying structures, cemetery statues, mausoleums, railroad cars, door handles, locks and vintage signs. Many of the photos that I looked at had me saying, "I wish that was mine." I said that this morning about this photo by Duncan Walker. It is just beautiful.

I know if I keep looking at the gallery of the stock photos, they will inspire and motivate me. They will help me get out the door and start shooting more.

Railroad car graffiti - Adrian, MI

Personal photos

One of my resolutions for the last three to four years is taking more personal photos. I work as a sports photographer and shoot games three times a week. I always take plenty of photos. As much as I like certain sports there are times I would rather be shooting something I really like.

My photo loves are cemeteries, cemetery statues, decaying structures/industry, abandoned buildings and graffiti. So far I have done really well with my New Year's resolution. I grabbed my camera on January 1 and drove a couple of blocks down the street. I photographed a graffitied railroad car, graffiti on a building and a decaying structure. As I was taking a photo of a industrial garage door covered with graffiti a man in a car passed me. He slowed his car down to stare at me. I guess he never seen anyone take a photo before.

To help me keep on my resolution, I Googled cemeteries to visit. I was really happy with the three addresses that I found for Toledo, Ohio cemeteries. I have seen photos of these cemeteries online and they have exactly what I'm looking for: statues and mausoleums. I also have an address to an Monroe County cemetery. These will make interesting day trips when the weather isn't so terrible.

If the weather is nasty, I'll just have to stay close to home. There is plenty to photograph near my house: cemeteries, railroad cars, graffiti, decaying instrustries. My hope is to photograph something personal twice a month. It seems like something I'm capable of accomplishing.

Broken - Adrian, MI

Books read in 2009 - Final Count

Final Count: 56

Favorite Books of the Year: Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott by David Sheward, The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat by Bob Woodward

Least Favorite Book of the Year: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

America's Queen, Sarah Bradford
Deadhouse: Life in a Coroner's Office, John Temple
Marilyn's Last Words, Matthew Smith
Corpse: Nature, Forensics and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death, Jessica Snyder Sachs
Rage and Glory: The Volatile Life and Career of George C. Scott, David Sheward
Sinatra in Hollywood, Tom Santopietro
How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner, Jan Garavaglia, M.D.
Pieces of My Heart: A Life, Robert J. Wagner & Scott Eyman
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen McCormick
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, Michelle Morgan
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Crimes Of Style: Urban Graffiti and the Politics of Criminality, Jeff Ferrell
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York, Craig Castleman
Freight Train Graffiti, Roger Gastman, Darin Rowland & Ian Sattler
The Birth of Graffiti, Jon Naar
Subway Art, Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfant
Graffiti NYC, Hugo Martinez
A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford, Joan Crawford & Jane Kesner Ardmore
Mrs. Lincoln: A Life, Catherine Clinton
Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism, Susan Ware
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough
Who Killed Bobby? The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy, Shane O'Sullivan
Last Flight, Amelia Earhart
The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Mary S. Lovell
Eisenhower, Geoffrey Perret
Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand
Lindbergh, A. Scott Berg
The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963, Laurence Leamer
The Royals, Kitty Kelley
The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
Marilyn Revealed: The Ambitious Life of an American Icon, Ted Schwarz
The Kennedy Women, Laurence Leamer
The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat, Bob Woodward
Case Closed, Gerald Posner
All the President's Men, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (again)
The Final Days, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, J. Randy Taraborrelli
Twilight, Stephenie Meyer
New Moon, Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse, Stephenie Meyer
Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer
I Was Amelia Earhart, Jane Mendelsohn
Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
Amelia Earhart: The Final Story, Vincent V. Loomis
The Day Kennedy Was Shot, Jim Bishop
Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved, Elgen M. Long & Marie K. Long
High Society: The Life of Grace Kelly, Donald Spoto
84 Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff
East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart, Susan Butler
The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank
Fletch, Gregory McDonald
Confess, Fletch, Gregory McDonald
Fletch's Fortune, Gregory McDonald
Fletch Won, Gregory McDonald
Assassination: Robert F. Kennedy, 1925-1968, editors of United Press International and Cowles

Miles run in 2009 - Final Count

I'm so proud of the mileage that I ran this year. Even with a horrible case of plantar fasciitis, I continued to run through the pain.

The first week my foot doctor told me to cut my mileage, I didn't. When I realized my foot wasn't going to get better, I started to listen to him. I cut my mileage down to 15 miles a week for quite a while. That really got to me being stuck at such a low number. I wanted to do more. I picked up my training. In July I started running six days a week and over 30 miles a week. I know that is what really helped me increase my mileage compared to last year.

This year I plan to continue running six days and over 30 miles a week. If I do that I will definitely top 2009's mileage.

Total miles run for the year:
2004: 318.6
2005: 350.8
2006: 470
2007: 573.7
2008: 960.2
2009: 1257.9

New Year goals

1. Run over 1300 miles - I am reluctant to write down 1500 miles. It is something I want to accomplish, but I have worries about injuries. Who knows if the awful plantar fasciitis will come back? I will continue to run six days and over 30 miles a week. Let's see where that takes me.

2. Shoot photos more - This has been a resolution for three years in a row. I want to get back to shooting my favorite things on a regular basis: cemeteries, cemetery statues, decaying structures/industry and graffiti. I would like to upload all of the photos I shoot this year to a photography site for everyone to see.

3. Continue reading - I finished 2009 with 56 books read. My plan is to finish reading over 40 books again. I say 40 because some of the books I read were small and took a day to finish.

4. Lose a few pounds - I maintained my weight throughout 2009. I know I will keep my running up, I want to try to eat better.

Movies watched in 2009 - final count

Final Count: 91

Favorite Movies: 84 Charing Cross Road (1987), Amelia (2009), The Hospital (1971), The Hustler (1961), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), The Reader (2008), The Thorn Birds (1983),

Favorite Documentary: Amelia Earhart (2005)

Least Favorite Movie: Romance & Cigarettes (2005)

So bad that it was laughable: Any of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 movies. Mike's, Tom Servo's and Crow's riffs made these movies so fun to watch and laugh at.

Movie I watched for famous quote: Gone With The Wind (1939)

• 84 Charing Cross Road (1987)
• Against All Odds (1984)
• Amelia (2009)
• Amelia Earhart (2005) TV
• Anastasia (1956)
• Autumn Leaves (1956)
• Bombshell (1933)
• Bullfighter and the Lady (1951)
• Clerks (1994)
• Dinner at Eight (1933)
• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
• Easy Money (1983)
• Elmer Gantry (1960)
• Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights (1992)
• Family Plot (1976)
• Frenzy (1972)
• Frost/Nixon (2008)
• Gone With The Wind (1939)
• Gran Torino (2008)
• Hitler: The Rise of Evil (2003) TV
• Hold Your Man (1933)
• Humoresque (1946)
• JFK: Special Edition (1991)
• Lincoln (2005) TV
• Mildred Pierce (1945)
• Mogambo (1953)
• MST3K: A Touch of Satan (1998) TV
• MST3K: Boggy Creek II (1999) TV
• MST3K: Eegah (1993) TV
• MST3K: Gunslinger (1993) TV
• MST3K: Hamlet (1999) TV
• MST3K: Hercules Against the Moon Men (1992) TV
• MST3K: Hobgoblins (1997) TV
• MST3K: Horrors of Spider Island (1988) TV
• MST3K: I Accuse My Parents (1993) TV
• MST3K: Laserblast (1999) TV
• MST3K: Manos: The Hands of Fate (1993) TV
• MST3K: Mitchell (1993) TV
• MST3K: Overdrawn at the Memory Bank (1997) TV
• MST3K: Prince of Space (1997) TV
• MST3K: Red Zone Cuba (1994) TV
• MST3K: Teen-Age Strangler (1993) TV
• MST3K: The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1993) TV
• MST3K: The Crawling Hand (1989) TV
• MST3K: The Dead Talk Back (1994) TV
• MST3K: The Giant Spider Invasion (1975) TV
• MST3K: The Girl in Gold Boots (1999) TV
• MST3K: The Indestructible Man (1988) TV
• MST3K: Tormented (1988) TV
• MST3K: Werewolf (1999) TV
• MST3K; Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (1999) TV
• Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)
• Network (1976)
• New Moon (2009)
• Outrageous Fortune (1987)
• Plantinum Blonde (1931)
• Pure Country (1992)
• Red Dust (1932)
• Red-Headed Woman (1932)
• Revolutionary Road (2008)
• RFK: His Life and Legacy (2009) TV
• RFK: His Many Sides (2005)
• Romance & Cigarettes (2005)
• Run Fatboy Run (2007)
• Shaun of the Dead (2004)
• Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2005)
• Still Waiting (2009)
• Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
• Taps (1981)
• The Amityville Horror (1979)
• The Great Gatsby (1974)
• The Hindenburg (1975)
• The Hoax (2006)
• The Hospital (1971)
• The Hustler (1961)
• The Last Days of Patton (1986)
• The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
• The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
• The Philadelphia Story (1940)
• The Reader (2008)
• The Searchers (1956)
• The Thorn Birds (1983) TV miniseries
• The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947)
• The Wackness (2008)
• The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl (1993)
• There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)
• They Might Be Giants (1971)
• To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
• Uncommon Valor (1983)
• Valley of the Dolls (1967)