Chuck Ragan - "Congratulations Joe"

Dale and Diane Eslinger of Minooka place a wreath at the grave site veteran during the Wreaths Across America event at The Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elewood on Saturday, December 13th, 2008.

I found myself at this event last Saturday. It was one of those events that just has so much feeling and emotion attached to it. These two nice people were the first people that I encountered at this assignment. There were really helpful, and I felt like I got a lot of great shots from them; but I continued shooting anyways.

Eventually, a large group of Army ROTC members appeared, and I got some distant shots of them honoring those fallen, then I decided to confront one of them, to get closer images. I just randomly picked this one solider whom still had a wreath in his hand. I asked him if he would be fine with me photographing him putting his wreath on the site, and he happily agreed.

I followed him to the site, and we made some small talk on the way to our destination (this cemetery is large). He mentioned attending college at Lewis and talked about the whether, etc. Once we got there, he did his thing, and I documented it. After a few minutes he finished up and started to walk back to the rest of the group. I made sure to his name, and the name of the other solider he was with.

I noticed his last name was the same as the name on the gravestone. Then only half way realizing the scenario, I ask him if he was related to the person whose grave he was at. Of course he was, and he mentioned it was his father. I felt so bad. I apologized for the loss, then thanked him for allowing me to photograph such a personal moment.

Thats when it really hit me. There are so many gravesites at this place, and every single one of them has a family in the same position. These people were willing to put their lives on the line to help our country. For many, The US asked them to help them out, and they gladly did it, because they love this country. It is sad that people have to die, but they are true heros. I idolize musicians, actors, and athletes, but these are the true idols. I love this country, and I am very thankful that so many people before and after me will standup and defend my country.

My good pal Eric is two weeks into his basic training for the Navy. After all of the schooling, he is going to be something like a submarine technician. I wish him well, and I hope that he will stay safe.

"We all have a cause worth waging war
Or worth making peace to keep
We all have a love whatever it is
Or whoever is thee to seek
And there comes a day if we’re lucky enough
And the cards fall our way
I’ll pray to sit with the birds,
And take the boots off"

Most people are photojournalists, most people are not journalists.

(From L-R) Corey, Myself, special guest Kyle, Denis, and Nick discuss important issues before recording the soon to be legendary Total Domination podcast, episode nine.

In news completely unrelated to the above image, a good friend of mine whom I graduated with started freelancing at the same time at a different newspaper close by where my paper is at. We have stayed it touch throughout this time, and she has always kept me up to date with what is going on in her life.

Not too long ago she called me with the news that she is moving up to staff, of a magazine published by the same people who published the newspaper she freelanced for. "That is amazing, congrats!", was my response.

Well, it turns out that is a good idea to stay in touch with friends, as she is going to have me start freelancing there, as she she is going to recommend me. The best part about it is that there is a possibility of getting moved to up to staff, much like she did; since they are looking to expand papers and such.

That thought has me excited. I can't wait till I have a full time job in this industry. I am looking forward to moving into a new apartment and to start my 'life'. My only concern about the whole situation is the fact that at this other paper I have to write the stories that go with my photographs. To most people, this is not a big concern, but look at who is writing this. Or, look at the writing quality of this blog. Not the greatest, eh?

I am going to be honest with you fellow readers, I am not the best writer out there. Thus, I am a bit nervous about have to type out articles. From my first days of school, I always struggled with English. In fact, I just struggled with school in general. I was always behind in most subjects in school. I was usually lost in science, a week behind in math, and could never remember dates in history class. But the class that I struggled with the most was English.

I could never spell words correctly. Spelling tests were the worst thing ever for me as a child. I could be wrong here, but I am pretty sure I never passed a spelling test while in grade school or jr. high. Luckily,most of my teachers were human, and thus had hearts. They realized that I was honestly trying my hardest, but I just struggled with it. Thus they always gave me ways to make up credit, by doing extra assignments or whatever, thus I would alwasys end up with a o.k. grade. Going back to grade school, I also apparently could not read at the same level as the rest of my grade, as I recall being in a 'special' reading class. I would have to leave my normal class every day (I think...) and go to a special room where we we would work on our reading skills. If anything, that might be an area that I have imporved at, as I love to read books now.

Enough of this rant, I am just trying saying I am nervous to start writing articles for mass consumption. I am kind of excited at the thought of doing so, but at the same time I just invision myself not knowing what to write. My friends were always amazed to hear that I never took the 2 years of 'required' foriegn laguage classes. What they never realized was you could either take 2 years of French or Spanish, or you could take art classes. Obviously I took the art classes. To sum this post up, many different people would ask me why I didn't take a foreign language class. I would always reply: "I have enough trouble with this language".

And that is the honest truth.

Blue Light Special

A Dancer spins in the bright blue lights during a dress rehearsal for Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet presentation of the Nutcracker at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet on Sunday November 23, 2008.

Its December already. Where does the time go? This was the first of what I imagine will be more and more Christmas themed events. I need to get my holiday shopping done early, as I hate dealing with insane crowds rushing to get Guitar Hero for their children at K-Mart or whatever.

On the plus side I got Buddy Guy tickets at his venue during his residency in January. It should be nice seeing him in such a intimate setting, especially because my former school, Columbia College plans on tearing down the place to build a student lounge or something. I don't really know the details, but from what I understand Columbia has always owned the building, and has given a date of when he needs to move out or something.

It seems rude to kick him out after being there for so long, but I'm sure he could now find a better location for it. The South Loop isn't the place where people go to eat, enjoy music, or drink. If he would just head north a mile or two, I imagine the business would increase rapidly. Just my two cents.

Speaking of Chicago, I feel like I am the only person within a hundred miles who thinks get the Olympics here would be a bad idea. Don't get me wrong, It would be a great thing to be apart of, but I just dont know if Chicago could handle it. The public transportation concerns me the most. Currently, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is experiencing money woes. The have been hurting for money, and have thus been threatening to raise the prices and even cut certain routes.

From personal experience, the entire system would have to be rehualed to adjust for the amount of people that would be using it. During the end of the baseball season, The Cubs and Sox had a home game in the same day, and it really delayed things. After a Cubs victory one day, I remember waiting forever for the Redline to come. I just keep picturing that x100, and it makes me cringe.

To pay for this, it is obvoious that the residents / tax payers are going to have to pay up. Not to mention the obvious rise in cost of everything in Chicago around the event. Post event, it is going to be a toss up as to whether Chicago will benifit from it. I am not doing any research on this, mainly because I need to get to bed, but I know certain cities end up losing money from hosting the Olymipcs (Atlanta possibly?).

But yeah, I'm out of my element here, obviously.