Ready for the Ring

A hobbyist fighter at Ford's Gym in Madison, Wisconsin runs drills on the heavy bag. he's training for the upcoming White Collar Boxing event at the Red Mouse. It's a charity event aimed at raising funds for the Bob Lynch Boxing Foundation in support of training Golden Gloves & Olympic contenders. There will be 9 fights in all. Everyone a match up between people who've chosen to train hard to learn the technical skills of a boxer. As amateurs they're turning up at the gym after leaving work. It's a time most folks are ready to eat a pizza and relax.They work hard too. I was very impressed watching them train. I'm really looking forward to covering this event this upcoming Saturday!

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Lamia [Left to herself]

Left to herself, the serpent now beganLamia
To change; her elfin blood in madness ran,
Her mouth foam’d, and the grass, therewith besprent,
Wither’d at dew so sweet and virulent;
Her eyes in torture fix’d, and anguish drear,
Hot, glaz’d, and wide, with lid-lashes all sear,
Flash’d phosphor and sharp sparks, without one cooling tear.
The colours all inflam’d throughout her train,
She writh’d about, convuls’d with scarlet pain:
A deep volcanian yellow took the place
Of all her milder-mooned body’s grace;
And, as the lava ravishes the mead,
Spoilt all her silver mail, and golden brede;
Made gloom of all her frecklings, streaks and bars,
Eclips’d her crescents, and lick’d up her stars:
So that, in moments few, she was undrest
Of all her sapphires, greens, and amethyst,
And rubious-argent: of all these bereft,
Nothing but pain and ugliness were left.

John Keats, 1795 - 1821

#keats #johnkeats #lamia #vampire #vampiress #vampires #vamp #seductress #vampyre #Nosferatu #Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #Pennsic46 #sca #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #vlads #vladspleasurepavilion

A Passion for Punching

This is athletic trainer and former pro boxer Andrea Nelson working with a fighter at Ford's Gym in Madison, Wisconsin. She's been training amateur fighters who'll be in the upcoming White Collar Boxing event at the Red Mouse. It's a charity event aimed at raising funds for the Bob Lynch Boxing Foundation in support of training Golden Gloves & Olympic contenders. There will be 9 fights in all. Everyone a match up between people who've chosen to train hard to learn the technical skills of a boxer. As amateurs they're turning up at the gym after leaving work. It's a time most folks are ready to eat a pizza and relax.They work hard too. I was very impressed watching them train last night. A I photographed Andrea at work I could see a person totally in her element. The passion for what she's doing as well as the solid technical advice is very apparent. She's doing what she loves and isn't taking it for granted. Her students' skill progression and zeal for this sport are evidence to this fact.

#boblynchboxingfoundation #boxing #boxer #boxingheads #boxingfans #boxingday #boxingnews #boxinghype #boxinglife #boxinggym #boxingtraining #boxingislife #boxingworkout #boxingjunky #boxingfanatik #boxingtalk #boxingmatch #boxingfit #boxinglove #boxingteam #boxingworld #boxingmemes #boxingnight #boxingcoach #fighter #redditphotography #redditig #stayfocused #stayhumble #stayhungry

Connecting to the Land

Here's another photo from my session covering the equestrian trails in Donald County Park. This particular assignment came at a very critical time. On the day before I took this photo I had been at the gym when I I got the call to do the shoot. It was a beautifully sunny week. I really loved the vivid colors of fall that all around our town. I felt like I needed to be doing some sort of promotional shot for the for the local Chamber of Commerce. Not ten minutes later they called me to set up this local travel shot. And then the shoot turned out to be an amazing experience. I got to know a couple of interesting people who were very welcoming to me as well a finally "discover" just how amazing the trails in this park actually are. It has also brought home to me that I really never go into the park directly beside my house. A place I'd once spent so many hours. Hmmmm...

#donaldcountypark #donaldpark #danecountyparks #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #nature #horse #horses #equestrian #horsesofinstagram #equine #horseriding #horsestagram #horselove

Boxing Night!

I'm really getting excited to be photographing the upcoming boxing event at the Red Mouse. There are going to be 9 boughts in all. This is a very lively amateur sporting event that's a lot of fun to watch. These folks have worked and trained hard for this and the energy in the ring is electric. I really enjoyed photographing this last year, which is where this photo was taken. This "White Collar Boxing" event is hosted at the Red Mouse, just west of Madison. It's organized by the Bob Lynch Boxing Foundation, a local nonprofit group aimed at raising funds for training Olympians and Golden Glove prospects. If you come and see me there be sure to say, "hello!"

#boblynch #boblynchboxingfoundation #boxing #boxer #boxingheads #boxingfans #boxingday #boxingnews #boxinghype #boxinglife #boxinggym #boxingtraining #boxingislife #boxingworkout #boxingjunky #boxingfanatik #boxingtalk #boxingmatch #boxingfit #boxinglove #boxingteam #boxingworld #boxingmemes #boxingnight #boxingcoach #fighter #fight #stayfocused #stayhumble #stayhungry

Donald Park Horse Trails

One of the striking things about the equestrian trails in Donald Park is that they are really wide. You can ride side by side. The people who maintain this park have done a truly amazing job.

#donaldcountypark #donaldpark #danecountyparks #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #nature #horse #horses #equestrian #horsesofinstagram #equine #horseriding #horsestagram #horselove

Horse Trails

Today had an interesting photo session. I was hired to take photos of the local horse trails. I met up with an awesome pair of siblings and their horses. We did a 3 mile walk along the equestrian trails in nearby Donal County Park. I can't think of a more easy going photo shoot. Even though lugged along all my camera gear in my cargo stroller I never broke any of it out. Instead I just took photos on the fly as things caught my eye. There are days I love my job. I just wish they were more frequent.

#donaldcountypark #donaldpark #danecountyparks #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #nature #horse #horses #equestrian #horsesofinstagram #equine #horseriding #horsestagram #horselove

Passion makes the old medicine new

Passion lops off the bough of weariness.
Passion is the elixir that renews:
how can there be weariness
when passion is present?
Oh, don't sigh heavily from fatigue:
seek passion, seek passion, seek passion!
~Rumi

#milkyway #astrophotography #milkywaychasers #stars #natgeospace #nightsky #milkywaygalaxy #nightscaper #nightphotography #ig_astrophotography #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #thedriftless #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #wisco #wisconsinphotographer #explorewisconsin #midwestmoment #conquer_wi #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover

On the Right Path

As we made our way back from our elopement eleven years ago we took a very meandering route. I can't recall the name of every location we stopped to explore. What I do know is that when we found that old Indian trail marker it couldn't have been more prophetic. It's been an amazing journey with you since we've met. I don't even want to think what life would be like without you by my side as we blaze out way through life.

#naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature #thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors #fall #autumn #leaves #october #elope

I Now Pronounce You

The Mayor of Mansfield met us at a small gazebo just outside of town. I'd set up a tripod with a timed interval release on my camera. The only witnesses where two bald eagles that were circling overhead. As he pronounced us man & wife they began to cry out on the October air. As we then traveled up and down the valleys to stop to take our wedding photos they would appear.

Happy anniversary wife!

The Day We Found Our Wedding Rings

I died in 2006 and a Valkyrie flew down to take me to Fólkvangr. I stand ready.

A Scenic Setting for an Elopement

Eleven years ago today we woke on a beautiful October morning in Tioga County. We'd eloped to this very scenic region. The fall colors were all vibrant, the air clear and crisp. As we passed down gravel roads we'd stop to pick wildflowers for her bouquet. I don't think we could have had a better wedding weekend!

#coltonpointstatepark #pinecreekgorge #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature #thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors #fall #autumn #leaves #october #elope

Biking Into the Sunset

Has it been that long since I followed you down this sunset trail? The cold October wind lifted your hair as it caught the waning rays of the sun. I passed close to you while you dressed for the day today, eleven years later. You smell of ferns & hemlock to me. It's a scent only I can smell in your hair. It's the very smell of that wind from that day. I love you.

Brotherhood

One of the most striking things about the SCA to me is their sense of "Brotherhood." These men and women from all walks of life, with a myriad of different "real world" experiences, are all drawn together by a sense of mutual respect and admiration. Being "Knighted" in this organization is a culmination of many years of social interaction. A building of trust and respect by ones peers. It's sometimes a certification of one's leaving behind self destructive behavior. The Gold Chain of a Knight in the SCA is not just a decoration. It's the acknowledgment of Brotherhood into a league of peers whose respect you've earned.

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #Pennsic46 #sca #pennsiciscoming #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #societyofcreativeanachronism #knight #knights #knighting #medievaltimes

Bhāvanā

I've been sitting on this photos since I took it over two months ago. I thought I'd keep it until I had something to really "say" about my life up to this point. Well, two months later and I just turned 50 years old and I still don't have anything to really "say." I've been an artist all my life but will never be known as one. After years of experimenting and working in a variety of mediums I eventually choose photography as my means of expressing myself. Unfortunately this coincides with a time when being a photographer is greatly devalued. This has resulted in my never having become rich or famous (which was never a goal to begin with). It has also caused moments of self doubt and feelings of worthlessness at times. Being an artist still has power over my identity. It's changed over the past ten years from being what medium I working in to how I live my life on a daily basis. It's no longer so much about the method of how I create something but about experiencing life as it unfolds and trying to really appreciate what is happening around me. Life seems to keep placing me in the exact right places at the exact right times. I don't take any of it for granted. I'm a very fortunate man indeed, even though I am not wealthy or popular. My barometer is my family, especially my daughter. I'm also constantly amazed at how my timing seems to just "work out." Take this photo for instance. I've come to this dock at night for many years just to think. I ended up here randomly after a night in self reflection, listening to the drums of the Tuchux as I sat nearby their encampment. I happened to have my camera and tripod and decided to take a self portrait. By the time I took this shot, holding still as I meditated, the moon had risen above me. I left feeling resolved to continue trying to be the best father & husband I could be. It's how I stand against the darkness in the world.

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