Images around the diamond

I went through and chose some of the best photos from the tournament. The multi-talented fiance took a lot of the action shots, while I snapped the landscape photos. The skies and play provided more than a few great pictures.

Whirlwind return to journalism concludes with 14s title win

The Tri-Valley 14s made sure my brief return to sports journalism went the distance. The All-Star team from the Bay Area ended up winning the Babe Ruth Pacific Southwest Regional title on Saturday and will represent the region at the World Series in Virginia later this month.

Last week reminded me why I decided to be a journalist in the ninth grade. It's not seeing your byline published in a newspaper or on a Web site. It's not for awards or recognition. It's meeting new people and telling their stories. It's having conversations and crafting a written account to inform, highlight and hold accountable.

A few years ago, I probably would have scoffed at the idea of covering Little League. There was an older gentleman who would call the Tri-City Herald looking to publish bowling league scores. Faye, the caller, was usually wasted, but my boss, the sports editor, always took the time to talk with him. I used to think my boss was just patronizing him, but I understand now. 

It doesn't matter if it's the local bowling league or the PBA World Championship; a Babe Ruth regional tourney title game or Game 7 of the World Series. Whether it be sports, news, entertainment, people want their stories told.

Moving, the deterioration of the print industry and the desire to have weekends off have made me decide to pursue other dreams, but journalism will always have a piece of my heart.

And who knows? Maybe sports journalism and I will find each other again. I didn't anticipate the opportunity to cover the Babe Ruth regional tournament. And you can be sure that someone somewhere has a story waiting to be told ... No matter how insignificant it may seem at first.

Day 4 story:

Tri-Valley 14s win regional tournament

Sports reporting return, Day 3: 13s out, 14s in and finding inspiration for a story lead

Friday was hot, sweltering and blazing, with a little extra sizzle thrown in for good measure. And since it's monsoon season, there was a chance of late storms, which prompted the tournament director to bump up the Babe Ruth Pacific Southwest Regional game times from 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

I was made aware of this change at about 12:45 p.m., and it takes an hour to get to Surprise from Phoenix in traffic. Needless to say, I wasn't going to make it on time. I arrived as the 13s' and 14s' games were wrapping up.

Trying not to panic, I checked the scores of both and decided to cover the 14s since they were tied and the 13s trailed by a lot and would most likely play another game later in the day. 

The 14s didn't disappoint. They ended up winning by one in extra innings. I did my interviews with the 14s and got ready for the 13s' second game. They lost again and were eliminated from the tournament.

Afterward, a parent in the 13s crowd asked if it's harder covering a game if the team loses, which got me thinking. I came to conclusion that I don't think it is. A team could win and there still not be a lot to write about. A team could lose, but maybe something happened in the defeat that lends itself to a good story. Sometimes the story is more than just the final score.

In this instance, being tardy to the games actually worked in my favor. I wasn't bogged down in details. I could focus on the end of the 14's game, where the story was, and fill in the earlier play-by-play details as needed.

I try to identify a central theme, an outstanding player or play in the game. Or maybe it's a quote from a coach. Or words from the spectators, which is what happened in the 14s' extra-inning win.

Someone yelled, "We need a hero" when it was the 14s' turn to hit in the bottom of the eighth inning, with them trailing by one. Two batters later, the 14s players hit an RBI-single to score the winning run. I could've led with the play-by-play action, but it's more interesting to include little details a reader wouldn't see if they weren't at the game. And maybe they were even at the game and didn't pick up on it.

Anything can be inspiration for the angle of a story.

Day 3 stories:

Tri-Valley 14s rally to defeat Hawaii 

Tri-Valley 13s’ tournament run comes to end

Five for Friday

 I can't believe it's already the weekend. Time flies when you're covering Little League, apparently.

1. Write on: The baseball teams I'm writing about both have a good chance to advance to the title games Saturday. So I may be doing double duty, championship style, which is scary and exciting.

2. Reservation for one: My mom arrives in Phoenix on Tuesday, and I can't convey the level of my excitement. It's been four months since we last saw each other, but it feels longer. I'm stoked to show her the townhouse and all the area has to offer.

We're planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, which I've dreamed about since I did my 4th grade state report on Arizona. It will be nice to just spend time together in person, too, something a lot of people take for granted.

3. Birthday boy: Bruce's Day of Birth is next Saturday, so I have to finish shopping for and creating his surprises. Happy early 29th, my love.

4. Thrifty recap: We did some bargain hunting last weekend and found a few cool local second-hand and vintage stores in our neighborhood. Post with pics coming soon.

5. Dressing room: Time permitting, I will experiment with the blog design again. I like how it currently looks, but there's always room for improvement.

 

 

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Return to journalism: Day 2

My thoughts and observations from the second day of the Babe Ruth Pacific Southwestern Regional Tournament. 

• Little League baseball has the equivalent of those toddler beauty queen stage parents. I saw their craziness first-hand in the opponent's dugout. Note to psychos who shouldn't have been allowed to breed: It's only a game.
• There's always a story to tell ... No matter how big or small you think it is. 
• Journalists touch people's lives as evidenced by the countless "thank yous" I've received from the Tri-Valley community for covering the tournament.
• Journalism is best experienced without office politics and douchebags.
• Sometimes the best interviews happen in the parking lot after the game when you least expect it.
• Covering this tournament has reminded me why I love journalism the past few days. 

Day 2 stories:

Tri-Valley 13s defeat Central California at regional

Tri-Valley 14s roll past Westchester

Back in the journalistic saddle

Yesterday was fun, nerve-wracking, fulfilling and tiring all wrapped into one Babe Ruth regional tournament. My return to sports reporting started at 4:45 p.m. and ended at 2:30 a.m. ... Standard journalist working hours, which I love. And I get to do it all over again today.

Despite having some difficulty covering two games happening simultaneously, it was great talking with people, which is something missed after leaving the Tri-City Herald, where I was the high school softball, girls basketball, tennis and swimming beat writer. 

I focused on design and copy editing at the Fresno Bee, which is what I wanted. But I always longed for the feeling you get after having a great conversation with someone and being able to tell their story. And for the week, I get to have that joy again.

Day 1 stories:

Hooper leads Tri-Valley 13s to regional-opening win

Tri-Valley 14s edge Taylorsville

Variety is the spice of life ... and this blog

You know the old saying. Well, I've taken it to heart in regard to my little corner of the Internet. I changed the look of the blog again, going from a two-column to a three-column layout, adding social media icons and a spot for some of my favorite photographs. 

I figure the design and information available here should grow with my HTML skills, and I'm pretty stoked with what I've come up with so far, being self-taught and all. Of course, any suggestions, feedback, comments, concerns, questions are always appreciated.

Do you like the new goodies? Has the three-column style enhanced or hampered the blog navigation? I'm toying with the idea of making two skinny columns on either side of the post section, but for now, this is the design.

A sample of my favorite snaps in the Polaroids section:

In rotation: Week of the leak

It's usually a given albums will sneak out before their street-release date. But imagine my surprise [followed by immense joy] when the stars in the music universe aligned this week and three of the records I was most stoked for that were set to come out in the next two months dropped early. 

But it wasn't love at first listen on the new Arcade Fire, Ra Ra Riot and Interpol offerings. But that has since changed. I'm sure it has something to do with listening to each record like 10 times a piece. But that's how I get a feel for music. If I don't dig it past listen number 10, it's probably not going to happen.

I don't expect or even want a band to replicate the sounds of previous albums because how boring would that be for the group and the listeners. But keeping some consistency while building off past success should be the goal. And I didn't hear that in any of the albums the first few times through. 

Then something clicked. Maybe it was finally recognizing and appreciating the new direction each band has gone. Maybe I'm just sensitized to all the new sounds and they really do suck. For now, they're all in heavy rotation.

Arcade Fire - "The Suburbs" | Release date: Tuesday

Win Butler and company seem to have a fascination with geography. And the Montreal super group's latest record is no exception, with suburban expansion, sprawl and nostalgia being among the major themes.

And for the art and music lover, the album will be released in eight different covers.

Ra Ra Riot - "The Orchard" | Release date: Aug. 24

The anticipation for the sophomore album by the orchestra-savvy Syracuse indie pop group has been building in large part to all the goodies they have been sharing on their Web site. Get a free download for "Boy" and check out preview videos for "Keep It Quiet" and "Too Dramatic." The images are from the recording process in a Stillwater, N.Y., orchard ... hence the album name.

And that album art ... amazing. Just one more reason why I love them.

Ra Ra Riot on tumblr

Interpol - "Interpol" | Release date: Sept. 7

New York's favorite brooding bunch is back with their fourth album and it's good, considering the group went from a foursome to a trio after "Interpol" was finished. Perhaps the album cover is a nod to said breakup? Nothing will come close to "Turn On The Bright Lights," but this is a solid effort.

Five for Friday

It's full-blown monsoon season in Phoenix, but that won't stand in the way of my weekend goals, which include staying dry.

[Source]

1. Eff you, rut: I began last week's list detailing my ever-growing frustration with the stalled project that was decorating the office-slash-guest bedroom. Well, I'm happy to report I kicked the design block's ass. 

The look of the space has progressed in a direction I'm totally happy with this week. The addition of curtains, a restyling of the bookcase and a few wall decorations getting a home makes me a happy wannabe interior design maven. Stay tuned for the full reveal.

2. Retirement temporarily suspended: I'll be dusting off my reporter's notebook next week. My college homie and fellow Daily Evergreen alumnus Kyle Bonagura asked me to cover two Bay Area baseball teams at a tournament in Surprise for his Web site, Patch.com.

I'll admit I'm a little nervous considering I haven't written a gamer since leaving the Tri-City Herald in 2006. My time at the Fresno Bee was all about copy editing and page design. But I'm embracing this challenge. I should've known sports journalism wasn't going to let me get away that easy.

3. Second-hand search: A trip to the thrift shop across the street is in order. I have a little nook in the office/guest bedroom begging for a small chair or table.

4. Lack-luster: If the mission to find something at the thrift store fails, I have an IKEA Lack side table from 2002 that needs to be repurposed. I'm thinking something like this.

[Source]

5. Gone too soon: Tomorrow is not promised and that was never more evident Wednesday when I learned a friend I'd known since junior high had passed away. Les was an extraordinary person, touching so many with his musical talent, infectious smile and comforting embrace. 

 

One of Les' songs.

Cherish one another, be grateful for each breath and appreciate the beauty in the little things. Rest in peace, Les.

 

Phoenix's gift of live music keeps giving

After the amazing Silversun Pickups show and Tuesday's announcement of Best Coast's tour stop about 10 minutes from my house, it's only fitting to preview what's ahead in the realm of live entertainment. And there's much to discuss. Phoenix actually has a legit music scene, something my previous place of residence was desperately lacking.  

Don't get me wrong. The Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears and Nickelbacks of the world came to Fresno, which is great if you're into manufactured music without substance. And those types of acts also play the Phoenix area, but there is an indie scene to balance out the garbage. Fresno had non-mainstream tours visit, but they were few and far between.

For quality up-and-coming artists, music lovers had to make 44-mile trip down Highway 99 to Visalia, where Aaron Gomes and his Sound N Vision team have cultivated an indie live show hotbed.

Fresno's little sister obviously has better taste in tunes, bringing the likes of Modest Mouse, Rogue Wave, Helio Sequence, The Thermals, Akron/Family, Great Northern, Menomena, Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, Dirty Projectors, Pinback, Jay Reatard, Maria Taylor, Land Of Talk, Times New Viking, The Tallest Man on Earth, Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Whispertown 2000, Vivian Girls, Local Natives, Los Campesinos!, Vampire Weekend, Surfer Blood, Titus Andronicus, Ra Ra Riot and Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino's old band Pocahaunted to town.

So what's a girl looking for those same types of shows in Phoenix to do? Let's just say Stateside Presents fills the void in my indie music heart.  

Check out their Web site for the entire offering of live shows, including stops by The National, !!!, Sea Wolf, The Tallest Man On Earth, Menomena, Ratatat, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Spoon, School Of Seven Bells, Matt & Kim, Azure Ray, Built To Spill and of Montreal.

It's like Christmas each day ... Waiting to unwrap the next sonic gift from Stateside. And this is the concert goodness waiting under my tree:

Titus Andronicus / Magic Kids / Candy Claws

Friday, Sept. 3 | 9:30 p.m. showtime | The Trunk Space | $12 adv.

The Walkmen / Japandroids / Dan Mangan

Friday, Sept. 17 | 8 p.m. showtime | Clubhouse Music Venue | $14 adv. / $15 day of

Surfer Blood / The Drums / The Young Friends
Monday, Sept. 27 | 8 p.m. showtime | Clubhouse Music Venue | $14 adv. / $15 day of

Land Of Talk / Suuns

Tuesday, Oct. 12 | 8 p.m. showtime | Rhythm Room | $10 adv. / $12 day of

Ra Ra Riot / Villagers 

Friday, Oct. 22 | 8 p.m. showtime | Clubhouse Music Venue | $14 adv.

And my most-anticipated show in the second-half of the year ... Even though I was a little disappointed by "Crazy For You," I'm still looking forward to seeing what Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno can do live.

Best Coast / Sonny & The Sunsets

Tuesday, Nov. 9 | 8 p.m. showtime | Rhythm Room | $13 adv. / $15 day of

Link love

Many thanks to Joi over at Nuestra Vida Dulce for featuring my Poladroid post. I started following her blog because of the fun series she does called "What's Good In Your Hood." She uses super sleuthing skills and great taste to find furniture with potential in need of a little TLC on Craigslist in a respective city. She scoured Phoenix the other day and discovered these fabulous chairs and dresser.

[Source]

Wazzu ... And Bruce ... Wednesday

I snapped this cute moment between my two loves last week. I am so incredibly blessed to have the fiance and feline in my life.

Poster of success?

If that's true, the Cougs will be the 28th best football team in the country this upcoming season. If not, well, they still have the 28th best schedule poster in the land according to Bleacher Report. Criteria for making the list included clarity, schedule (Is it clear and easy to follow? ... Not strength of), photo quality, uniqueness, eye appeal and coolness factor.

You can request WSU schedule posters and cards here. It looks like they're out of football ones, though. I still haven't found a place to get past posters. Maybe it's worth a call to the marketing and promotions department?! I have a collection of sports schedule posters from my time in Pullman sitting in the closet waiting to be framed when we have a house with a game room.

And on a geeky note, I couldn't be more pleased to see three of my favorite things, college football, visual design and my school, combined.

Oregon State was the only other Pac-10 school on the list, coming in at No. 25.

Vanderbilt was No. 1, but I didn't think it was anything special.

Honorable mentions:

No. 3: Bowling Green

No. 4: Iowa State

 

No. 5: Minnesota 

No. 7: LSU

No. 26: Louisville

 No. 35: Baylor

No. 43: Wake Forest 

 No. 48: Navy

[All posters courtesy of schools' sports information departments]

Shake it like a Poladroid picture: A new spin on a blast from the past

It seems that all things vintage aren't so vintage anymore. Items from another era are ever the rage, whether it be in furniture [thrift and antique store finds], fashion [jumpers], transportation [cruiser bikes] or technology [record players]. What is old is new again. Much of this attitude stems from the emphasis on being "green." Recycling and reusing doesn't stop at pop cans and newspapers. 

And summer provides the perfect backdrop to reminisce. It's no coincidence nostalgia is rampant in the middle months. Lazy days at the lake. Riding bikes in the twilight. Basking in the sun's rays at the beach. Time seems to slow down, prompting people to recall days when checking a Facebook page, updating a Twitter status or ordering that [whatever people drink at Starbucks these days] didn't exist.

The recent recession also has people watching what they spend, making second-hand items even more appealing. Who could really afford that Restoration Hardware coffee table or Williams-Sonoma waffle maker, anyway?

So now you have a bunch of carefree and nostalgic consumers with a conscience on the hunt for a bargain.

But many today are so plugged in, it's hard for them to imagine life without the luxury of modern technology. They want what is old and new.

Enter the Poladroid. An updated twist on a blast from the past. The best of both worlds. The software is free, fun and simple to use. A "Polaroid Camera" icon appears on your desktop and you drag and drop whatever digital photo you want to age in the camera. When the Poladroid spits the picture out, complete with the signature sound, place your cursor on the photo, grab the image and shake it over your screen to "develop" it. You can save the picture in the various stages of developing, depending on how "vintage" you want it. You can also join the Poladroid Flickr group and submit your prints.

Even further evidence of the vintage craze: The real Polaroid Camera was revived this year for an entire new generation. And more proof of the old-new mixture: Lady Gaga signed a deal to be a "creative director" for the company. Marketing an instantaneous product to a bunch of tweens, teens and young adults with short attention spans and immediate gratification mindsets using one of the most recognizable figures in recent pop culture is like trying to convince the "Jersey Shore" cast to drink alcohol and whore for the camera.

And what better way to capture and chronicle these "new vintage" and possibly alcohol-induced moments of the summer then on the epitome of old-and-new-school technology. 

Not to be outdone, Apple offers three vintage-style photo-maker apps for the iPhone ranging from $0.99 to $1.99. ShakeItPhoto was a go-to pre-Poladroid. The Hipstamatic offers the most opportunities for creativity. You can swap film, lens and flashes for a number of combinations sure to please even the most vintage picture snob. Finally, there's the Photo Booth Classic, which turns your phone into an old-school photo booth complete with four chances to make those crazy and cute pictures without the cramped space and long wait between shots.

If you still have time after testing out all the above-mentioned applications, check out this rad Polaroid project. Maybe you could start one of your own?!

[Click to enlarge image of Poladroid demonstration.] 

Instant vintage photo circa 2009:

 [Polaroid picture, left. My original photo, right: Boat Trip, August 2009, Orcas Island, Washington]