post

Photo Op #6: The U.S. Open

September 14, 2013 by 7 Comments

“This taught me a lesson, but I’m not quite sure what it is.”–John McEnroe

“I smile a lot, I win a lot, and I’m really sexy.”–Serena Williams

My golf AND tennis games feel like this sometimes.

My golf AND tennis games feel like this sometimes.

Check off another bucket list item.  I finally spent a day at the U.S. Open tennis championship, on Tuesday, September 3.  It taught me a couple of things, and unlike John McEnroe, it think I know what they are.

The first is, what in the world was I waiting for?  I should have done this years ago, considering I live only about 65 miles (or 100km) from the Billie Jean King Tennis Center.  The second?  If’ I’m going to take pictures, maybe I should bring something more advanced than my iPhone 4.  Yes, I actually am considering the upgrade to the 5S based on the reviews I’ve read of the camera.  In spite of my previous post, I’m betting I can’t  get any more distracted than I already am.  Take a look at the following images and then take the poll to provide me with your opinion of what I should do for a camera if I go next year.  Oh, as far as the question of Serena being sexy, we’ll keep those opinions to ourselves.

.

.

The view from my seat from the loge in Ashe Stadium. The iPhone 4 picture only makes it look like nose bleed territory.

The view from my seat from the loge in Ashe Stadium. The iPhone 4 picture only makes it look like nose bleed territory.

.

.

.

THE DRAW

THE DRAW

.

.

The top seeded women's doubles team of Errani and Vinci going about their business.

The top seeded women’s doubles team of Errani and Vinci going about their business.

OK.   So now, tell me what I should do for capturing images if I go to open next year.

Filed Under: Ridiculous AND Sublime Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
post

Photo Op #5: Scotland!?

July 4, 2013 by 15 Comments

“Scotland is the Canada of England!”–Rainn Wilson

“There are two seasons in Scotland,  June and winter.”–Billy Connolly

So what else would I fete on the 4th of July?  Scotland, of course!  Three years ago this month we fulfilled one of the premiere items on my bucket list, by visiting Scotland for the Open Championship at the Old Course at St. Andrews.  That would be winter based on the second quote above.  Here are just a few of the memorable photographic moments.

Do you have a clue? We sure didn't and had to ask at least three locals before one could explain it. What do you think it means? (UK natives please hush up)

What do you think this is?  We had to ask three locals before we finally got an answer.

Loch

A Scottish Loch. A typical “soft” day.

I bet it's cold under those kilts.

I bet it was cold under those kilts.

A dramatic view from one of two farms we stayed at in St. Andrews.

A dramatic view from one of two farms we stayed at in St. Andrews.

The Old Course's famed Swilcan Bridge. Eat your heart out, Tom Watson

The Old Course’s famed Swilcan Bridge. Eat your heart out, Tom Watson

This July we are headed to Alaska.  I’ll be curious to see how the seasonal temperature and long daylight hours compare.  At least it should be drier.  I would call Alaska the Canada of the U.S., but I think that name is already taken.   Cheers, and happy 4th.

All photographs in this post ©2010, Mark Sackler

Signature   @MarkSackler on twitter

Filed Under: Sublime, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
post

Photo Op #4: Take Me Out to the Ball Game

May 19, 2013 by 16 Comments

“You don’t realize how easy this game is until you get up in that broadcasting booth.” — Mickey Mantle

A view from above.

A view from above.

Date:   May 4, 2013

Place:  Television Broadcast Booth, Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas.

Occasion:  A visit with longtime Houston Astros TV play-by-play announcer, Bill Brown, on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of Houston Astro Bob Watson scoring Major League Baseball’s 1 millionth run, May 4, 1975.

Explanation:  If you need one, you haven’t been following this blog.   Bill Brown’s memoir, My Baseball Journey, has a chapter on the one millionth run and mentions my roll in its promotion.   Of course, the Astros were playing in the Astrodome in that era, and the millionth run wasn’t even scored there.  They were on the road at the old Candlestick  Park in San Fransisco.   But this is about as close as I will ever come.   Special thanks to Tim Gregg for his role as co-author of the book, and for arranging my visit with Bill.  

Me with Bill Brown. I'm the funny looking one in the red shirt.

Me with Bill Brown just before game time. I’m the funny looking one in the red shirt.

Enough of this self-serving fluff.  Now on to different self-serving fluff.

Filed Under: Baseball, Ridiculous AND Sublime Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
post

Cosmic Quote #21

April 22, 2013 by 1 Comment

“What do I do in the winter when there is no baseball?  I look out the window and wait for spring.”–Rogers Hornsby

I have previously posted this picture.    This is how I feel when spring has finally sprung. (That’s not me in the picture, I have no idea who it is.  My camera timing was just perfect, and more than a bit lucky.)

Pura Vida. A beach near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.January, 2008. Copyright Mark Sackler, 2008.

Pura Vida.  Copyright Mark Sackler, 2008.

Filed Under: Baseball, Quotes, Sublime Tagged With: , , , , , ,
post

Photo Op #1: Past the Peak

October 20, 2012 by 11 Comments

“One is forever throwing away substance for shadows.”–Jennie Churchill

She rode from the leaves

For the shadows were deeper,

Light…dark…

…and matter…

Words and images ©2012 Mark Sackler

 

Filed Under: Sublime Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
%d bloggers like this: