Kelli Rocha's Blog

Random thoughts and ramblings…

Lens Repair February 3, 2010

Filed under: Photo of the Day, Photography — Kelli @ 8:00 pm
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Last week I got a “snarky” anonymous email on my website.  The writer complained about my absence from the CCHS basketball games and that there are no photos from this season.  They referenced the fact that I don’t miss a football game and even hit most of the home wrestling matches, but complained that I haven’t taken a single picture of basketball.  I tried to respond back but the email address is invalid (of course) so I’m going to use this forum to respond.

Today’s photograph is the reason for my absence.  I noticed around Christmas time that my lens was not operating properly.  I sent it off to Nikon for repair and only got it back today. Yes, I do have other lenses, but this is the one I need for basketball.  Sometimes the referees will not allow me to shoot with a flash and this lens is designed for low light photography.  This lens is different from the lens I use for football and wrestling where most of the action stays in the same general location.  I need this lens when I’m up underneath the basket in the gym.

Another point I’d like to make is the fact that I do not receive any kind of financial compensation for the photographs that I shoot.  This is strictly a hobby for me.  I’ve kept it that way on purpose… so that it says fun.  The honest truth is that it is a lot more fun down on the mat, at the courts edge or on the sideline.  For me the reward is being so close to the action and to the teams.  That’s the best part for me.  Holding a camera is really just an excuse to be down there.  I post the pictures for others to access and enjoy…

In conclusion, I’d also like to state that I do enjoy basketball and that I’m not ignoring the teams.  Those are still my boys on that court and I’m still a fan.

 

Wrestling Team February 2, 2010

Filed under: Central Catholic, Friends, Photo of the Day, Wrestling — Kelli @ 8:00 pm
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It was my pleasure to take the CCHS Wrestling Team photo once again this year.  Once you’ve been around a wrestling team for a while you can’t help but get attached.  There is a camaraderie that is developed during those long hours of practice, traveling and waiting at tournaments that binds these boys together like no other team.  They truly are brothers.  As individual as the sport appears, the team is the backbone and support system of the individual efforts.  Each victory is celebrated and each defeat is mourned collectively by everyone… not sympathy, but empathy.  It has been a privilege to witness the accomplishments of these individuals that function as a family.

 

February 1, 2010

Filed under: Everyday, Home, Photo of the Day, Things I HATE — Kelli @ 8:00 pm

This photo is in response to the post from January 26th.  I’m happy to report that I did manage to get through the pile and complete all of the things associated with that paperwork.  It did require some help (Leroy and Sierra) but we managed to get through it. I tried very hard not to get caught up in another novel for a  few days while I sorted through the paperwork and it seemed to help.  I’m still learning time management and I’ve discovered that getting to engrossed into a good story will throw my whole plan out of whack.  Reading must be a reward, not a distraction.

 

Birthday Cards January 31, 2010

Filed under: Celebrations, Everyday, Home, Photo of the Day — Kelli @ 8:00 pm

In the past, I’ve been pretty successful at remembering the birthdays of most of my family.  I have a pretty big family when you consider nieces, nephews and now grand-nieces and grand-nephews.  I like to send cards with a $2 Baskin-Robbins certificate… but during my “procrastination stage” (See post from 1-26-10) this has been one of the projects I’ve neglected.  It’s also one of the things that has become a bit overwhelming so I asked for help today.  I still had my list, my cards and my certificates… it was just a matter of sitting down to write them out, address them and cross them off the list but I needed the moral support.  I asked Sierra to help me.  I filled out the cards and she addressed them.  I was behind 4 whole months so I wrote Happy “Belated” Birthday a bunch of times, but at least I’m caught up.  There are a couple of houses that are going to receive multiple cards on the same day, but at least I didn’t skip them all together.  Now the challenge will be to stay up with the process and not let it get so far behind.

 

Shadow January 30, 2010

Filed under: Everyday, Home, Photo of the Day — Kelli @ 8:00 pm


It’s been raining a lot around here. We’re used to fog in the month of January, but the rain has been unseasonably heavy. I’m not complaining as we really need the water storage, but it does make us appreciate the sun when it does make an appearance.  Another thing to appreciate is shadows.  You have to have some sun to see a shadow and as a photographer, we mostly try to avoid them, but I thought this pattern on the lawn was pretty cool.

 

Rally Boys II January 29, 2010

Filed under: Central Catholic, Family, Friends, Photo of the Day — Kelli @ 8:00 pm
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One of the best parts of Steel’s senior year has been his roll as a Rally Commissioner.  He has had so much fun and we’ve witnessed some hilarious moments as they’ve planned and executed the videos, dances and games.  Last weekend, they filmed the video (mostly at our house.) Today was the final production.  The boys were all decked out in tuxedos and after the video was played, they were introduced and performed a dance.  It was great.

For one of the games they called several darling girls out of the assembly for a kissing contest.  The rally boys volunteered to be blindfolded and kissed by a random girl (on the cheek) and they had to guess which girl kissed them.  After the boys were blindfolded, their mothers came out of the audience to stand behind their own son and offer the kiss.  The second picture is Steel’s reaction to who kissed him.  Another great memory.

 

Charlie’s Accident January 28, 2010

Filed under: Dogs, Photo of the Day, Therapy Dog — Kelli @ 8:00 pm
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I’ve been writing a lot about my preparations to volunteer with a hospice organization with Charlie.  I’ve completed all of the necessary steps for myself, the only thing left to do was Charlie’s physical exam and fecal test.  I took both dogs into the vet today for a nail trim and exam.  Dr. Baker will complete all of the necessary forms for me and then we’ll be good to go.  On the way home, I stopped in at the Hospice office for the Volunteer Coordinator to meet Charlie.  She had invited a visit several times before and this was a perfect opportunity since we were going right by the office. I left Daisy in the car and took Charlie in. He sniffed around and greeted everyone and was excited for the new experience.  We went into the Coordinator’s office and shut the door.  She had water in there for Charlie.  I let him off the leash to sniff around and check things out while we visited.

Not long after we were in there, Charlie did the unthinkable.  He urinated right there in the office on her carpet.  I was dumbfounded!  I screamed when I realized what he was doing.  How embarrassing!  The Coordinator immediately jumped up to begin cleaning up and trying to calm me down by saying that it was OK and that accidents happen.  I was in shock.  I began apologizing as I drug him out the door to finish what he had started.  This was not acceptable behavior.  The first requirement for a visiting therapy dog is that they are at least HOUSEBROKEN!  How could he do this?  I was so upset.  When I took Charlie outside and told him to go potty, he finished in an appropriate place.  By the time I got back inside, the Coordinator had his mess cleaned up.  I offered my apologies again and she reassured me that accidents will happen and that I’ll be prepared in case it happens on a visit.  She was very nice and tried to console me, but I really felt like he flunked his first job interview.

 

Wrestling Throw January 27, 2010

Filed under: Central Catholic, Photo of the Day, Photography, Wrestling — Kelli @ 8:00 pm
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I’ve said before that wrestling is one of my favorite sports to shoot and shots like this explain why without any words.  Catching a throw like this is a gift.  During a typical high school dual, I’ll shoot about 400 pictures… out of those I’ll only really like 10 at the most.  This one was my favorite from tonight’s dual against Hilmar.

 

To Do Pile January 26, 2010

Filed under: Everyday, Home, Photo of the Day — Kelli @ 8:00 pm

Life has been a bit overwhelming for the last 9-12 months.  One of my “coping” techniques has been avoidance and this has been especially true with bills, paperwork and simple projects.  It’s a viscous circle.  You get stressed out and procrastinate and then things build up to where they seem impossible to manage so you avoid it all together.  Not a good strategy… but there are short term benefits.  (Sticking your head in the sand.)  That’s where I’m at.  This photo shows you my personal “in box” (or rather, in boxes.)  That’s a lot of catch up… but I’m holding myself accountable and stating here that I’m going to tackle these things this week and get them done.  Just sorting through will be a task, but it’s the first step.  I have to remind myself that this pile didn’t grow overnight and probably won’t go away overnight either, but I have to get started.  Check back with me later to see how far I got.

 

Chef Boyardee January 25, 2010

Filed under: Family, Food, Home — Kelli @ 8:00 pm
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Steel loves to cook.  But even more than that… Steel likes to eat healthy.  He’s always enjoyed good food, but lately he’s been focused on eating healthier and so he’s been doing a lot of his own shopping and cooking.  He came in late from the gym today having stopped at the grocery store to pick up some ingredients for dinner.  He made this delicious Taco Soup and I just couldn’t leave for my meeting without having some first.  I was late, but it was worth it.  The soup was really good and the perfect antidote to a rainy Monday night.  He also made low-fat pumpkin muffins that were waiting for me when I got home.  Who could ask for more?