Last night I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the ASU football game as a member of the media. Accompanied by my photojournalism professor, RD, and two other students, I got my media badge and walked out onto the field with an empty memory card and a rush of excitement coursing through me. We got to go up into the media press box where food and drinks were free. Then we went back down to the field level and under the stands where photographers had their equipment stored and their laptops ready to download and send pictures to their respected employers. The four of us traded lenses throughout the night so I was able to experience the unique difficulties of each lens; the visibility disadvantage of the 200, the inability to make adjustments with the stationary telephoto lens, and so forth. Shooting a sports event is very difficult and a bit frustrating at times. I'd be sure I had a good shot and then realize that someone had stepped in front of the shot and in the corner of the picture would be a white, blurry sleeve. Or the camera would auto focus on the wrong thing. Sometimes I couldn't move the camera to the action in time and you'd just see a pair of legs dangling off the side of the screen, or I'd miss the action all together. But that's sports photography and it's rough when you're a noobie. However, I did manage to snap a really terrific shot that my teacher kept bragging about to all his buddies at the game all night long. The quarter back had lost his helmet in the process of being sacked, and I snapped it just in time to see his helmet flying in the air. My teacher actually sent it out so we'll see if it ends up getting published somewhere. : ) There's a few more open slots in future games so I'm hoping to take advantage of a few more. Fun, fun stuff!! Kroy's birthday celebration is tonight. He turned sixteen last Thursday. Kris and I were just putting together a coded message for him to find his present. His whole family chipped in to get him driving lessons at Bob Bondurant's School of Driving. They did it for Kris when he turned 16 and Kroy's been looking forward to ever since. It should be really good for him and will really make him a stronger driver. The situation is a bit fuzzy right now, but it seems that there's been a misunderstanding and the truth is big relief for many of us. I'm still very confused by it, don't quite see where all the pieces match up, but I'm relieved none the less. Still, they'll make their decision and we'll support it whatever the turnout. What's so strange about this is how calm everyone is. No one is raising a voice or being irrational. It's like a quiet storm blowing through; enough to get the cars dirty but not strong enough to blow a tree down or be noticed by anyone outside the storm's radius. Carrie