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.