The Sun Sets On 2012 ...

The sun goes down off Mallory Square in Key West, Florida on Wednesday, August, 22, 2012.

This year has been an awesome one for me personally and I have a ton to be thankful for. To sum up, I got married, had a sweet honeymoon, rediscovered running -- though I need to re-focus on that in 2013 -- and got my first 4-column photo on The Wall Street Journal's Greater New York Metro front. However, it's been a considerably tough year for much of the New York Metropolitan area, Connecticut and New Jersey. Here's hoping 2013 brings good fortune to everyone as the area continues to recover. Happy New Year everyone!

Red Balloons

Two red balloons add a splash of color to the bare trees in Parsippany, New Jersey on Wednesday, December 26, 2012.

I went out this afternoon to try and get some shots of the weather but ended up going with these two balloons stuck in the branches of some trees outside our apartment.

Merry Christmas!

An Instagram of Sixth Avenue decked out in Christmas lights in New York City on Tuesday, December 25, 2012.

I went out to call my Aunt Kathy and wish her a Merry Christmas tonight and take some instagrams of the decorations. I was going to post what I took up there but decided to go with this one which I took from the 6th floor of the WSJ office.



Christmas Cheer

Allysa and Jace enjoy Christmas Eve in south Jersey on Monday, December 24, 2012.

We headed back down to south Jersey last night to celebrate Christmas Eve with the family. Definitely a fun night. Merry Christmas everyone!

Cam

I spent a lot of time taking pictures of my buddy Cam this weekend. Here's a few of the ones I liked.

Birthday Girls

Above my niece Cameron makes a wish before blowing out her candles in South Jersey on Friday, October 14, 2012. Below, my niece Tessa gets ready to open up her presents.

We took a trip down to South Jersey last weekend to celebrate a couple of birthdays and celebrate the holidays with family. It fun photographing the little ones on their big day.

Long-Term Deal

New York Mets third baseman David Wright stands for the National Anthem in a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field in Queens, New York on April 7, 2012.

The Mets made sure its best player isn't going to skip town when free agency hits next year. Wright scored a $138 million contract extension keeping him in Queens for the next eight years.  So why am I blogging about this? Basically just an excuse to get a baseball picture up. Already looking forward to the 2013 season!

Birds Of A Feather...

A flock of birds takes off from trees in Parsippany, New Jersey on Thursday, November 29, 2012.

Every night since early fall between 4 and 5 p.m. hundreds of birds bounce from tree to tree around our apartment complex and chirp loudly amongst each other. My wife and I alway joke around about what they're talking about.

Taking Over Times Square

People celebrate the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence in Times Square in New York City on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.

I stumbled into this huge celebration while walking to the office today. I wish I would have had a longer lens with me. The guy on the statue would have looked a lot cooler.

It's Christmas Time In The City...

Decorations across from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, November 25, 2012.

Bullet

My sister-in-law's bullet chills out in South Jersey on Friday, November 23, 2012.

Bullet knows what the Thanksgiving weekend is all about.

Jace

My nephew Jace shows off his tiger riding skills in south Jersey on Friday, November 23, 2012.

Taren and I spent Thanksgiving and Black Friday in South Jersey. It was an awesome couple of days hanging with family, eating great food, watching football and chasing Jace around the house! 

Thankful

Taren and I in Nashville, Tennessee back in March of 2011.

There's been a lot to be thankful for in 2012 -- For me, without a doubt it's being married to such a beautiful, smart, funny, awesome wife. 2012 h as been a busy year. It's nice to have a day to sit back and reflect on how blessed we are to have each other and such awesome family and friends in our life. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Coffee Lines

People hang out at the Starbucks on 47th Street and Sixth Avenue in New York City as The News Corp. building is reflected in the background on Tuesday, November 20, 2012.

I snapped this real quick on my way into work on Tuesday. Since I am a coffee addict -- Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Tim Horton's -- it really doesn't matter, I figured why not put this up. Not much else to it.

Only In New York

A woman poses for a quick picture while trying to score some cash for her stash in Times Square in New York City on Sunday, November 18, 2012.

I snapped this one really quick on my way into the office today. She was the third person I saw from the walk to the office from Port Authority with a Money for Weed sign so I figured I'd get a quick shot to put something on the blog since I haven't updated since last week. No, I did not donate to her cause.

All Lined Up

Members of the United States Army participate in the Veteran's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City on Sunday, November 11, 2012.

I was hoping to get this up yesterday but just didn't have time. I covered the first hour of the Veteran's Day Parade for the Journal yesterday morning. I was only there for about 45 minutes before having to get back to the office to start my art director shift so I didn't get a whole lot and ended up getting beat out by the wires. That said, it was still an honor to photograph many of the United States military's finest as they put it all on the line for us day in and day out. Thanks for everything you guys do!

Champs!

The Severna Park cross country team gives head coach Josh Alcombright the gator aid shower after winning the state championship at Hereford High School in Parkton, Maryland on Saturday, November 10, 2012.

Severna Park has been pretty much rolling over the competition all year long. Today was no exception as the team raced to a state title. Congratulations guys! You Rock! 

Athena Moves In

A truck makes the turn onto New Road as snow and wind from Winter Storm Athena arrive in Parsippany, New Jersey on Wednesday, November 8, 2012.

We got our first snow of the year today from Winter Storm Athena. Forecasters are calling for 3 to 6 inches by the time the nor'easter is finished with us. There are still over 400,000 people without power from Super Storm Sandy so the last thing this area needs right now is another storm. Temperatures are expected to rise some after the storm moves through though.

Policing The Pumps

A Parsippany police officer directs traffic to the pumps at WaWa in Parsippany, New Jersey as residents wait in line for gas for generators on Friday, November 12, 2012.

The lines for gas continued again today as few are open and over a million people in New Jersey remain without power. Residents braved cooler temperatures today and waited for as long as two to three hours to get gas.

Bearing It

A mama black bear and her cubs make their way toward Route 280 in Parsippany, New Jersey on Thursday, November 1, 2012.

While covering the gas blitz I also noticed a bunch of people snapping eye phone photos of something across the Interstate. It turned out to be a mama black bear and her cubs. I was cursing myself for only bringing my 10-22 lens. I decided to haul A#$ back home and grab my 70-200 and 1.4 extender. When I got there a police officer was cool enough to let me into a restricted area to get some shots. I wish I had a 400 mm! Oh well. It was still a pretty cool experience. First time I've ever seen bears outside the zoo!

Gas Rush

Residents make their way toward WaWa on Edwards Road in Parsippany, New Jersey for gas on Thursday, November 1, 2012. 

The line of cars also extended down New Road in Parsippany for about a half mile. 

Along with filling up gas tanks in their cars a ton of people were filling up portable gas tanks to fuel their generators as the power remains out in a good deal of the state.

I took a walk down to WaWa this afternoon to try and get some pictures of the blitz for gasoline. There are not many gas stations open right now because of power issues so the ones that are are gridlocked with people trying to fill up. One person in the line of cars said he'd been waiting for four hours. Madness.

After The storm

Super Storm Sandy knocked down a few trees on the Dow Jones campus in South Brunswick, New Jersey. Here's one of them on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. 

Sandy also took down some trees around our apartments in Parsippany, New Jersey. 

What's left of a large tree in front of a home on Edwards Road in Parsippany, New Jersey on Thursday, November 1, 2012.

Fortunately for us, Sandy did not cause our area to flood. We were a lot luckier than most people on the East Coast that's for sure. I spent a few crazy days at the WSJ's South Brunswick, New Jersey office riding out the storm and helping put out the paper while Taren stayed with our friends Dory and Jeff in Mattawan, NJ. My heart goes out to all the families throughout the region who lost their homes.

Water's Gonna Rise

Trees reflect in the Rockaway River in Parsippany, New Jersey on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

I decided to go out and just take a quick picture of the river. As Hurricane Sandy makes its way up here in a couple of days the water levels are sure to come up. I just hope not too much. Last year Hurricane Irene hit this area pretty hard but the water levels were much higher prior to the Hurricane than they are today. The next few days will tell I guess.

Fall Colors

The sun sets over northwest New Jersey on Saturday, October 20, 2012.

A few miles from home I noticed a Scenic Overpass sign on Route 80. The sun was starting to set and the leaves are pretty much at peak right now so I figured it would be a great chance to get some fall landscape shots. I was glad that I stopped.

Mr. Jackson!

Jackson sleeps in his crib in Greece, New York on Saturday, October 20, 2012.

One of my best friends Bob became a father for the first time a little over a month ago. I was really excited to meet his son Jackson this weekend. I stopped over on the way out of town to introduce myself to the little guy. Bob, you have a great baby which makes sense given you're his dad!

Street Solo

My nephew Luke shows me his Saxophone skills out in front of his house in Hamlin, New York on Saturday, October 20, 2012.

My nephew has taken up the sax this year. I thought it would be a cool chance to try and get a unique shot of him and an excuse to re-learn how to use my off camera flash. I definitely want to re-do this shot the next time I go home. We were short on time because I had to head home early Saturday morning so I only got a few frames. Thanks Luke!

Surfacing

My niece Maddie competes against East Irondequoit Middle School during a meet at Brockport High School in Brockport, New York on Friday, October 19, 2012.

I was excited to finally make it home to see Maddie swim. This is her first season and she is doing great! It was awesome watching her compete and a little weird being back at BHS. I don't think I've been back there since 1993 -- the year I graduated! Where does the time go? Great job Maddie!

Campus Wildlife

Deer hang out on the SUNY Brockport Campus in Brockport, New York on Thursday, October 18.

After finishing up my run at the track I spotted a group of deer eating along New Campus Drive at the State University of Brockport. Fortunately I had my camera with me in the car so I pulled over real quick and snapped a few frames. I wish I could have gotten a little closer to them but as I crept on them they got spooked and took off.

Back in Brockport

I had my college track at the State University of Brockport all to myself on Thursday, October 18, 2012.

I went home this weekend to visit my family. My niece had a swim meet and I wanted to get some pictures of her competing. More on that later. I got back to Hamlin late Thursday afternoon and after chilling with the folks for an hour or so I drove the eight miles up to my college to put a workout in on the track. It was pretty surreal being out there. I haven't ran a workout there since 1998. Just being there had me pretty pumped up and I put a solid 200 meter interval workout in. I put in some serious work on this track back in the day. Though now, I'm just a shadow of my running self it's nice to be back in the game.