The Photo Shoot

Due to an overwhelming request for some action pictures, I contacted a local respected businessperson who recommended I call this one photography company. On the phone, the photography service sounded nice and professional, eager to offer references if necessary. So I answered a few of their questions on the telephone, and we agreed to meet on the corner of 57th and Freya for the "shoot" on Monday. I wasn't sure what to expect, and was admittedly nervous over the weekend in anticipation of Monday. I spent a little time on Saturday reading about photography terms, such as film speed, shutter speed, F-stop (referred to as Q-Stop by the Memphis ducks), camera, aperture, etc. Finally, I came to the conclusion that these are professionals and they know what they are doing.

After a night of tossing and turning, Monday morning finally arrived. I had set out a color-coordinated outfit the evening before, and, after a bowl of fruit and 4 ibuprofens, drove to the prearranged site, arriving promptly at 7:25am. Standing on the sidewalk looking up and down 57th, little did we know what was about to transpire. Off in the distance, about parallel to Luna's, I could see a dark blue semi truck headed east towards me. As it drew closer, the metallic blue and shiny chrome of the truck was nearly blinding in the morning sunlight. The trailer was nearly a half a block long, as it came to rest near the southwest corner of Freya. The first person to exit the truck was wearing a dark brown jumpsuit, steel-toed boots, and a hard hat. He placed orange cones around the front, back, and sides of the semi in order to alert other drivers in the area. Without saying a word, he then carried across the street a folded director's chair and placed it on the street near the sidewalk. Next, he walked over to open the truck's passenger side door to allow two other men out of the truck. The first of the two walked with a brisk gait, as if in a hurry. He was wearing dark slacks, and a buttoned long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow, and was somewhat thin and wirey. He carried a clipboard, and had a pencil resting on top of his right earlobe. He reviewed some of the waivers and legal vernacular associated with the shoot. He said there is no warranty on their work and I would be responsible for any broken equipment. The next person to then get out of the truck was presumably the director. He was somewhat short in stature, and was wearing a French hat, or beret. He quickly sat in his directors chair as he reviewed the agenda with the clipboard guy. The director snapped his fingers twice, signalling the need for additional equipment from the hard had guy. Out from the back of the semi comes a four-wheeled vehicle that is about the size of a Volkswagon bus, only with a second layer placed on the top of the vehicle that contained a chair and some photography equipment. The top layer was able to rotate, so that the wheels were pointed east and west while the chair and photography equipment can be facing in any direction. The hard hat guy situated the photomobile adjacent to the sidewalk, with the chair facing north and wheels headed west. Another person exited the truck, wearing Oakley sunglasses, jeans, and a white T-shirt. He climbed into the photomobile and stepped up the stairs to take his place in the photographer's chair.

The producer said that he generally doesn't photograph clydesdales but that he was doing a favor for someone. He was now ready for me to take my place at the beginning of the sidewalk. The producer lit a cigarette that was connected to a deep brown porcelain or meerschaum cigarette holder, and said that he wanted to get this overwith quickly. My job was to simply "run" due west on the sidewalk. The clipboard guy yells "Places everyone!" and then the producer said "And......Action!". So I start "running" and I tell myself to just put one leg in front of the other. I was nervous, to say the least. Moments later, someone yells "CUT!". The photomobile guy gets out of his chair and walks back to the producer to complain that the "runner" cannot keep up with the photomobile, even on its lowest velocity setting, and could we somehow get him to run a little faster. So I said I would try to "run" a little faster. "Places everyone" was shouted, followed by "And.....Action!" Now this time it seemed to be going pretty well, and was even able to keep up with the photomobile for a short while. The producer then yelled "CUT!" and I looked back to see the clipboard guy trying to console the producer. "We need different lighting!" yells the producer. Now even amateur photographers know that clydesdale pictures can be very tricky if the lighting isn't just right - clydesdales cast a very large shadow, and if the lighting isn't correct, the shadow can become the predominant feature in the picture rather than the person or object. So jumpsuit guy runs over to the truck and hauls out four huge umbrellas. Clipboard guy says "Places everyone" and producer yells "Take three" and I begin to "run". Fortunately I am able to report that these pictures look like they will turn out, and we will be able to post them on the blog within the next week or two.

While the shoot is happening, traffic is backed up in both directions on 57th. Eastbound traffic is backed up to Perry and westbound traffic is backed up clear up and over Brown's Mountain and half way up Tower Mountain. Folks were straining their necks to see what the holdup was, and a news crew was hovering overhead in a chopper. I was able to see the semi-truck up close before the production crew left, and noted that the truck was a Kenworth, and the living quarters were designed and engineered by none other than Mark Shoaf, a WSU College of Engineering graduate. Then I knew for sure that I was dealing with a high class group.

The crew climbed into the truck and left heading east, taking a left on the Palouse Highway. I'm anxious to see the pictures and post them on the blog.

I am also happy to report, in all seriousness, that I was able to do 10 miles at the track on Saturday and five miles over 57 minutes this morning. Not too bad for 9/28/09.

Cliff Notes Version

A quick update.....
My wife and I went to Memphis last Monday, and it took pretty much the entire day to get there. We checked into the Peabody Hotel, which is a very nice hotel with many characteristics similar to the Davenport Hotel here in Spokane. Although it was late in the evening, we walked down to Beale Street and sat in a tavern and listened to some live music for a while. When we got back to the hotel, the nice lady at the desk reminded us that the duck procession is at 11am and 5pm each day. So if you have stayed at the Peabody, you already know about the duck procession, but this will be our first time of seeing the ducks.

Our group met in meeting rooms at the hotel, which was very convenient. But at about 10:30 on Tuesday morning, all of us in attendance went out to the lobby or the mezannine level to watch the ducks, and this is quite a sight. The lobby is packed full of people, and then the second level is packed about four deep as well, with people leaning over the railing to get a good look. There is a bright red carpet that has been rolled out that leads from the elevator directly to the fountain in the middle of the lobby. People line both sides of the red carpet all the way up to the fountain. Many are jockying for the best vantage point, and the noise level and conversation level and anticipation level are very high. Promptly at 11am, an elevator opens and out comes a group of ducks that walk single file over to the fountain. The crowd is somewhat hushed but the camera flashes are unbelievable. The ducks waddled with a swagger, but I'm certain they are well paid and probably set for life. They stay in the fountain until 5pm, at which time another ceremony happens as they waddle single file back to the elevator and back to their home. Now speaking of their home.....that evening we had a reception on the roof of the hotel, and that is where the duck penthouse is. Although we can't actually go into their penthouse, they have quite the view of downtown Memphis and the river and they can hear some of the music being played down on Beale Street. There's quite a bit of fowl language! It sounded to me like they use the "Q-word" frequently, especially when trying to make a point or when startled. We all heard a Q-bomb when one duck bit another duck.

The next evening, our group loaded buses and visited Graceland for the evening. We enjoyed the tour of the mansion and the grounds and gravesites. They also have two of their jets on display and all of the cars that Elvis owned.

Then we made it back to Spokane on Thursday. I have now "ran" on both Saturday and Sunday at the track, but there is some making up time ahead after being gone last week. This upcoming week is very important in terms of getting back on track with the training. This was the Cliff Notes version for this past week, and am anxious to have a good week starting tomorrow.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday

On Friday, I scooted out of the office for a short while and went up to 57th for a quick jog. After about two miles, I was drenched, and mainly from the afternoon sun. So I walked back to the car. That evening, we drove to Seattle, and then yesterday morning, I walked at a track - it was about the best we could do with all the little people soccer games going on. And then today, I "ran" at the track for four miles. So I'm feeling fairly ok about where I'm at in the training schedule. Now I'm headed out of town until Thursday, so I guess elyptical machines or treadmills will have to serve as a substitute until next weekend.

Recurring nightmare

While enjoying the "rest" day, I wanted to take the extra time to discuss a recurring nightmare that I've been having. Maybe it'll be therapeutic to put this to writing, and see if there is some underlying message here.

The setting in the dream is a meeting room in downtown Seattle, filled with people that comprise the planning committee for this year's marathon. The meeting is called to order by the Head Marathon Organizer (HMO). He starts by saying "I'd like to call this meeting to order. In our last few meetings, we discussed all of what went right with this last years race. Today's agenda will address what didn't go so well, and discuss any strategies that need to be instituted to correct the issues. Mr. Secretariat, can you please read the first incident report filed from last years race."

Secretariat reads a complaint submitted from a group of volunteers at the finish line."....and we need to consider closing the course much earlier than the current six hours. The neighbors are sick and tired of listening to six hours of the theme song from Chariots of Fire. We have lives of our own and can't be expected to sit there for that long. Most everyone, except for you-know-who, is done with the race well within four hours. Last year, we resorted to pitching pennies and playing rock/paper/scissors while we were waiting for the last group to finish."

One committee member barked "I heard that there was a food and water station over in Seward Park that was literally consumed by one of those clydesdales. Wiped 'em out. This guy shuffled away with about fifty Power Bars!"

Ned in the back row, chewing on a handful of raisins and Metamucil, bellows, "And another thing.....I've got a friend that I run with that's a seismologist over at the U, and he says there's actually seismic activity during the race that can be pinpointed along the course. He's afraid it could trigger 'the big one'."

Bill, in the middle aisle sprinting on his mobile treadmill, says "Lookit, I think there's clearly enough evidence here that we should narrow our focus, and stop accepting entry applications from......" As the room was roaring in approval of Bill's sentiments before he completed his sentence, HMO stands and slams the gavel onto the table, screaming "Order....Order I say! ....Need I remind the group that the mission statement for our race says that we strive to be a fun-filled and challenging event for all equines - thoroughbreds, geldings, and clydesdales alike."

Now Peter has been fairly quiet in most of the previous meetings. He generally can be found in the front row, right side, and is often sipping on vitamin-laced pomegranate juice stored in his Eddie Bauer fanny pack. He stands up amidst all the chaos and subgrouping and addresses the committee. "It seems the answer here is simple. What is the biggest motivator, the focal point for any clydesdale?" "Calories" the crowd shouts back. Peter says, "Correctomundo! So given that, how 'bout we put a food station BEHIND the starting line. We pack that table with Twinkies, donuts, cream puffs, ice cream, whip cream....the "clydes" will never leave that spot". Mark, who can't be readily seen because he is in a Ichiro-esque squat position, feet pointed outwards in a nearly 180 degree angle, a maneuver designed to stretch the abs, quads, and iliotibial band, screams "Brilliant idea. Give that man a Nobel Peace Prize!".

Ben yells from his seat "Let's wrap this up. I have a meeting at the top of the Space Needle and I'm taking the stairs. Do I hear a motion?" "So moved" says Herm. Then HMO, after the vote, hits the table with the gavel, and says "Meeting adjourned."

Then I usually wake up and can't sleep.

My wife and I had a wonderful dinner with Steve and Jan Prawdzik on Monday evening, along with a few other folks helping with Fr.O.G.s Helping Families - Brian's Legacy. Jan talked about Brian's life, and the impact of his medical issues on not only him, but others around him. Suffice it to say that I walked away from their home even more determined to try to make a difference right along with them. Jan and Steve have been through so much, and yet they have so much to offer and to give. There are more Brians in our community today, and there will be more in the future. And believe me, they and their families need our help. I have no doubts whatsoever that any donated penny that goes towards Brian's Legacy will be put to good use.

Five miles again this morning! It felt fine, except for the labored breathing and sore joints. I talked to Dan yesterday about some of the basic differences between thoroughbreds and clydesdales. He said that besides the obvious differences, clydesdales are able to carry much more internal fuel for the long runs. I guess I had never thought of it that way but maybe there is an advantage to the clydesdale physique after all.

It's Labor Day! I went to a different track this morning, this time with my wife. She is four foot nine inches tall and weighs about 105 pounds (i.e. about a third of a clydesdale in size). She and I are both going to seen Brian's parents later today, at their house. Our daughter was a classmate of Brian's in grade school, so we have known the Prawdziks now for nearly 20 years. Wonderful people.

I "ran" three miles on the track, and feel pretty sore from Saturday's nine miles. I feel fairly confident that I can do this race in November because I "participated" in the same race last year. I "ran" with three other gentlemen - Steve, Dave, and Dan. All three of them are pharmacists (like me), and would be considered thoroughbreds (unlike me). Each of them could have finished in 3-4 hours, but instead we all stayed together for the entire six hours. We had a great time. I don't think that any of the three broke a sweat whereas I was drenched beyond recognition. Dave and Steve are brothers, and the three of us went to pharmacy school together at WSU. Dave was a groomsman in our wedding 26+ years ago. Dan is a well respected pharmacist in the Seattle area. Each of the three are intelligent but not nerdy. You would never hear them say "If we attached a benzene ring at the six position, the compound could reversibly acetylate megakaryocytes". You'd never hear that. But they are into providing a good service in their communities. It's my hope that we can all run together again this year, and that there will be some appreciable improvement on the finish time.

The schedule indicates I should be doing seven miles this weekend - all at once! Driving to the track, I felt that I should elevate the goal somewhat, and take advantage of the cool yet very sunny morning. I picked lane #3 and stayed there most of the time. Being this slow, I find myself drifting to the outer lanes as other, more swift runners show up to utilize the track. Over the ensuing one hour and fifty minutes, I did nine miles, which felt great.

The schedule and consistent "running" seems to be going fine so far. But to really be able to go the distance and to be able to finish the race in a reasonable time will require a pretty radical change in eating habits. Just as an example, I had breakfast at a restaurant this morning with my favorite daughter and her boyfriend. I had three eggs (over easy), sausage, hash browns and toast. That was gone in about 8 seconds. I couldn't help but wonder if they had maple bars or cinnamon rolls in the back to keep me going while the other two were finishing their breakfast. So that's another challenge that needs to be met.

First off, it's now somewhat dark at 6am. I headed west on 57th at 6:15am, and it just didn't feel right. Each stride seemed off center and more labored than usual. I'm convinced that if there were any observers or passersby, this "runner" probably looked like one of the gentlemen from Czechoslovakia, the Wild and Crazy Guys. Remember how Dan Akroyd and Steve Martin walked with their legs going left and right? Anyway, I'm told that you simply have to persevere when this happens, and the "running" will become less labored.

Ultimately, the five miles went fine. I had to laugh, though, because school is now in session and the students are waiting on the side of the road for the schoolbus to pick them up. It has to be quite an eyeopening experience that early in the morning to see a clydesdale jogging by.

Next up, later this week, a longer distance. And I'm up for it!