Pirates / PNC Park
Peter and I arrived in Pittsburgh today so he could take a look at the Pitt program into which he was accepted. The Buccos were in town and lost a really tough one to St. Louis in extra innings. It was a great evening for an early Spring baseball game and we had a blast.
Is this a classic fist bump, or what? As often happens, one of the participants doesn’t look too comfortable. The guy on the left is kinda unsure that this is a good idea. The guy on the right is totally going for it. At least it wasn’t the proverbial “missed high five”.
Baseball in May
It was a lovely day for a ball game. The Nats had a 4:05 start and looked good until the 6th. They ended up losing 3-1 to the Padres. The weather was perfect and Peter and I were in our usual section 401, row M seats.
I think the Nats were running the special “Pigeons in the Park” promotion.
Nats v Bucs
A perfect late September evening for baseball. Nats won in the bottom of the 9th on a walk-off single by Alejandro De Aza. Thanks to Peter’s work friend Kristina for the tickets. It was funny when we saw where we were sitting as we were in virtually the same seats for a pre-season game in 2015. Here is a link to a post I did then. This is a better photograph. Thanks Kristina, and to all the folks at DHS who have been so kind, generous, and wonderful to Peter.
Baseball / A Different Huntington
Something is going on out on the mound. The Angels lost to Kansas City yesterday, but it was a nice day for baseball.
It seems my two current favorite places in Southern California have Huntington in their names. This is the pier at Huntington Beach. It was just past noon today when I took this, and the morning haze had not yet burned off. A lovely, cool day to walk on the beach.
D.C.
It is always a treat to be in D.C. The weather was perfect for baseball yesterday. Peter and I copped a couple of $5.00 seats (section 401, row M, seats 1 and 2). As far away from home plate as you can get, but for us, the best view in the house.
I have posted a Sulgrave Manor photo before, but I am always drawn to this particular entry. I really like this part of Connecticut Avenue. It was a lovely evening for a walk. So much is in bloom and the temperature is perfect.
Wishing all you Massachusetts residents a relaxing Patriots’ Day tomorrow. And to everyone, a happy and productive week.
Washington Nationals v Miami Marlins
I usually attempt to put up posts in a timely manner, but Peter and I got home very late after the game on Thursday and I was up and on the road back home by 7.00 AM on Friday. Yesterday I drove to Gillette Stadium to shoot the UMASS football game which was pretty much a 12 hour day.
I generally dislike sports mascots, but the presidents at Nationals Park are so cool. And Teddy is the coolest. Good thing he has his pince nez on so he can see the selfie that this guy took.
It was Hispanic Heritage Day, and it was nice that some of my favorite players were mentioned in the pregame ceremonies, including Roberto Clemente
Peter and I scored $5.00 tickets (the best deal in baseball) and sat in our favorite section (402).
It was pretty sparse up there.
It was a perfect night for baseball; about 70 degrees with a lovely breeze.
Apologies to my vegan/vegetarian friends, but another great thing about section 402 is that there is a Ben’s Chili Bowl at the bottom of the stairs. If you like sausages, the “half smokes” are the bomb.
This is my favorite baseball situation. Bases loaded, 2 outs, 3 balls and two strikes on the batter. The runners are going on the pitch (if you look closely, you can see the ball on the way to the batter.) In this case, Ian Desmond ripped a single into right field and two runs scored. The Nats lost 6 – 4 and are barely hanging in for a playoff spot. Maybe next year.
Nationals v Yankees Exhibition Game
The Nationals held their last exhibition game of the Spring today at Nats Park. Peter and I got a couple of $15.00 seats (row X, section 234) and had a great time. It was quite cool and very windy, but hey…baseball! Nationals fans got the chance to boo A-Rod and see him strike out three times, which seemed to make them happy. The Yankees were down early, came back in the 8th, and ended up winning 4-3. The crowd was listed at over 36,000, which for a pre-season game was great. Red Sox open on Monday in Philadelphia and the first game at Fenway is against the Nationals on the 13th (if all the snow has melted).
DC in August
Cris and I took the train from New Haven to DC on Monday. She has a couple of days of consulting and I get to hang out with Peter.
This tiny restaurant is near to the Van Ness metro station and has been closed since Peter moved to the neighborhood. I really like the retro feel of the facade, and with the building permit in the window you know it will change soon.
I have always enjoyed shooting in underground stations. I like the movement of the trains during long exposures.
I will often stop after exiting the giant escalator at Dupont Circle to look down on cars that are passing below.
Peter was working the Nationals game last night so Cris and I showed up at around 6:00 to get tickets. The Nats are struggling this year and with playoff hopes low, they are selling seats for $5.00! $5.00; unbelievable. We got a couple of great seats in section 402 and saw a really good game with a win over the Marlins. My current favorite pitcher, Ross Ohlendorf, was on the mound and his old school wind-up is unique. You can get a look at it here. / Every time Wilson Ramos came up to bat, some guy behind me started chanting Hu go Cha vez, Hu go Cha vez. (There is a Venezuelan connection; only in DC can you hear something like this at a ball game.)
It was beautiful night, and between innings it was nice to look around at some of the architectural features of the park. Cris noticed these lights just above us and pointed them out to me.
We are off to the Lincoln Memorial in a bit to see if we can see the President speak in honor of the 50th anniversary of the MLK “I have a dream” speech. Could be interesting.
Washington Nationals
Cristine and I are visiting Peter in DC for the weekend. Pete is working as a “fan ambassador” for the Nationals. His job is to welcome people into the park and help them with any questions that they might have. So if you go to a game, chances are good that he will be around the center field entrance just inside the main gate. Look him up! He is a great guy and would love to chat. / The Nats are having a rough season this year and last night was emblematic of how things are going for them. A difficult loss in 10 innings. Everyone was moving very slowly on a hot summer’s night and the game lasted over 4 hours. It was a sell out and the only tickets Cris and I could get were standing room. But at $15.00 a real deal. Peter got us comp tickets for Monday’s game vs the Pirates and we are looking forward to having actual seats.
Something New
This post is a way to jump-start my brain. I have been so preoccupied with Peter that it has been difficult to concentrate on anything else. It feels great to be focusing on photographs again. None of these pictures seem so interesting on their own, but together reflect what’s been going on for the past month.
Above is Tom Schack’s birthday cake from the now infamous “Schackstock” at Snowzies in Sunderland. Bands started playing at 1 pm and things shut down at closing time. His Mom, Dad, and Sister were there as well as lots of his friends.
He is just about the nicest guy in the world, and was really enjoying himself.
This flower starts showing up partway down the drive in early August.
When I was shooting the Tilghman project in August I made sure to visit Miss Pigsley. She lives down the street from Jennifer, has an air conditioner in her shed and will never be bacon. I took this for Peter because we are both huge P.G. Wodehouse fans and any stories with Lord Emsworth feature his obsession with “The Empress”. This pig is magnificent and is very happy to have visitors. She used to drink massive amounts of Kool-Aid until the vet put her on a diet.
On the Sunday morning before Peter Carroll and I left the island, we went to the church to document a service. This gentleman was in the pew in front of me.
I have always liked cattails.
When Cris, Pete, and I went to see the Sox in August, the Olympics were going on and this guy was checking out the US Women’s Soccer action. Technology!
I had a hard time getting the white balance right in this shot. I walk past this box on my way to shoot the suitcases. It always reminds me of this Little Feat song.
Going back to Meadville means more than hot dogs and ice cream but two stops are essential; Eddie’s and Hank’s Frozen Custard.
I have been going to Hank’s since it opened in 1952.
Peter loves it too.
There is only one reason to post this photo. It might be the only time you can see Red Sox pitcher Clayton Mortensen at bat in an American League Park. At this point the Sox were up something like 12-1 and I still can’t figure out why Bobby Valentine had him at the plate. Kind of cool though.
When we were at Pymatuning watching the ducks walk on the fishes backs we met the woman I posted about earlier. She was wearing this shirt which got us talking. I’d like to visit sometime.
It is very rare to be in on an historical moment, but I can say I was there when one of my neighborhood friends coined the term “Rat Lake” for the body of water that appeared after the flood control dam was built.
I usually help Thom Kendall out with the photos on media day for the UMASS football team. The new coach is a really great guy. This picture pretty much tells you most of what you need to know about Charley Molnar.
The Pearl out on the deck.
Cris and I went to Amherst Coffee today. I often take a shot of my cappuccino for some reason.
Never one to hide my emotions, I have been mentioning to just about anyone I talk to about my feelings of having Peter off in DC. So many of you have told me that he will be fine, and I want to thank you all for your support. One of the best bits of encouragement came from Leamuse in France as a comment on my earlier post. “Bon courage et bon chance.” Thank you so much; it really helps.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
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