Battle of the Brigades, Army/Navy Boxing 2008 December 7, 2008
Posted by midswatch in Navy, Photography, Sports.Tags: Army Navy Boxing, Beat Army, Beijing Olympics, Coach McNally, Jiu Jitsu, Olympic Boxing, Sports Photography
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Friday, December 5th, 2008
With BEAT ARMY tensions high, Navy hosted Army in an exciting boxing match. The night before the acclaimed Army/Navy football game, all midshipmen looked for ways to beat Army any way possible. Rooting for Navy in this historic rivalry served for the great purpose. Spectators filled MacDonough Hall, 3rd deck, to watch as #1 Army fought #2 Navy.
I arrived early to find that so had everyone else. I wiggled my way to the front, scoring a front row spot. I didn’t have a press pass, so I couldn’t get up on the canvass. Thus, my shots have the ropes in the way of most of them, but I think it adds a sense of place to the photos.
I took 899 photographs in 1 hour. Boxing serves as a great venue for active shots because there is never a dull moment. The difficult part about shooting boxing is for the same reason; put the camera down once, and you could miss the hit of the night. I actually turned around only one time (one time!) and guess what happened? Navy knocked down the opponent for a TKO.
Boxing matches consist of multiple fights spaced over the course of the night. It progresses from the lowest weight class to the highest weight class. Generally, you will notice more agility and quickness in the lighter weights and more power and big hits in the heavier weights.
I stayed for only the first hour, so I did not get to see the biggest guys fight, but the lower weights were still extremely fun to watch. I wouldn’t want to be in the ring with any of them.
They hit hard. They take hard hits. I don’t.
I’ve had a fun time sifting through my 899 photographs, deleting those out of focus, blurry, or too dark (the lighting was very difficult to work with–yellow flood lights.) Whether or not it makes them look better, I like to mess around with the shots that would be great if they didn’t have some big flaw. The above photograph had too much noise after I removed the shadow on the Army boxer’s face. I still wanted to show the pose as well as the blood dripping from his nostrils. I posterized the photograph and removed all color except for his blood and glove.
A Navy Jiu Jitsu Team member looks on as Navy and Army pummel each other. Jiu Jitsu, a fighting style that involves joint locks, throws, and submission moves, is known for it’s smooth style. All midshipmen learn fighting techniques that involve boxing and Jiu Jitsu throughout their time at the Naval Academy.
I do not know who this man is. He sat at the table next to one of the judges. I just really liked his hat.
Coach McNally (left) and Coach Searing (right) look on as they await the decision. Coach McNally officiated boxing at the Beijing Olympics this past year. It was amazing because I had the Olympics on the TV, and I recalled that he was supposed to be there. Wadd’ya know, he was reffing the next fight I saw! The man who taught me how to jab and hook was on international television. See an article about him by clicking here.
Both teams showed tremendous sportsmanship. They fought hard, but gave congratulations to the winners. As well, the winners were gracious to their losing opponents.
GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!
Oregon State Covered Bridge Path December 4, 2008
Posted by midswatch in Home, Photography.Tags: Covered Bridge Path, Oregon State, Panorama, Photography, Research Farm
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On my last day back home for Thanksgiving, I went for a walk with Catherine behind the Oregon State research farm. It’s a great path — incredibly scenic and very relaxing to walk on. I edited these photos into panoramic and black and white photographs. Click on each image for a closer look.
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Army Week at the Naval Academy December 3, 2008
Posted by midswatch in Special Events, Writing.Tags: Army Navy Football, Army Navy Week, Beat Army, Captain Klunder, CBS Sports, Plebe, Pranks, Spice Girls, Spirit Mission
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A Spirited Rebellion from Daily Obedience
It’s 12:36 am, and I can’t sleep. Why? The hall clamors with high pitched giggles and squeals. Plebes being plebes. Loud feet trample by my door as I hear them move in packs of ten to twelve, pulling pranks on the upperclass that have wronged them this semester. I lock my door, just to be safe. It’s Army week.
Navy Football plays Army this Saturday. If you’ve never heard of it, Army week involves 5 days of pranks, spirit missions, and general BEAT ARMY antics to prepare for one of the most anticipated events of the year. The plebes have memorized the date of the game since they arrived Plebe Summer, reporting it every time they are asked how many days until we “BEAT ARMY!”
It’s a time of plebe freedom. Plebe duties, such as chopping, sounding off, rates, and abstinence of media all fall to the bilges. Plebes merely tape “BEAT ARMY, SIR!” to their shoes, and they can walk in the P-way. If asked the menu for noon meal, they don’t have to answer — they just yell, “BEAT ARMY, SIR!” It’s a spirited rebellion from daily obedience. Probably the most cherished privilege of Army week is the ability to watch movies, listen to music, and not have to hide the headphones whenever upperclass walk by (ya, I’m not blind — I’ve seen you try to hide those earbuds, PLEBES!)
It’s also a time of Brigade Spirit, but mostly it’s a time for the plebes to let loose their inner chimpanzee. What some call Spirit Missions, others call pranks. Sometimes they are clever, but mostly they’re just gross. The fun Spirit Missions that everyone enjoy involve clever forethought and clean execution, true missions. These missions can range from putting a company officer’s desk, chair, and computer in the wardroom to playing a Spice Girls song on the loud speakers during noon meal formation.
Here’s an example of a good mission. These mids put up this banner in front of the Commandant’s house during the middle of the night. I’m sure Captain Klunder will appreciate this one. The banner reads, “The Forecast for Army Navy is 100% Chance of Lightning and Klunder!”
Other activities have no resemblance to anything clever or thoughtful. They’re purely destructive. At around 12:30 am, (they think they’re rebellious for staying up past midnight,) twenty plebes from another company run through our halls and yell like apes, spraying ketchup, syrup, and shaving cream all over our deck and walls. Powered only by adrenalin, (they don’t have the courage otherwise,) the intruders run too fast to even notice what they’re doing. Too bad for them, they don’t see we’re waiting. The same dumb prank two nights in a row deserves a spot in the hall of shame. Our plebes ambush the raiders, decisively owning them physically. We force our captives to clean the mess they have created. Thirty seconds of hooping and hollering for an hour of cleaning in the middle of the night. Satisfied?
Some “pranks” are so terrible I cannot mention them here — stunts worthy of separation from the academy. Was it really worth it? What do you tell your grandmother when she asks why you aren’t at USNA anymore?
But let’s not get too harsh on the plebes just yet. They deserve a break from the monotony. Forced since July to have fewer liberties than a middle schooler in the former USSR, we can expect them to go a bit nuts-o at this exciting opportunity. I remember Army Week my plebe year. I watched youtube videos until 2 am. After that I threw some water balloons at people sneaking up the stairwell (we had such a good position, too!) I giggled. I pumped my fists in the air after scoring a hit. I yelled like a crazy kid. It was Army Week!
My perspective now, as an upperclass, varies significantly from what it was just two years ago. Back then, I wanted trouble — I searched for mischief. Now, I lock my door at 11:30 and hope to get to sleep. Then, I exclaimed in excited disbelief as my squad leader told me all of the rules I could disobey for the week. Now, I chuckle as I see my plebes’ eyes dart from side to side at meal, looking for a possible prank. As parents during Christmas watch their kids turn giddy at the sight of presents under the tree, so too do upperclass watch on as their plebes’ faces break into goofy grins and childish giggles.
Santa may not exist, but don’t tell them that. They’re having so much fun.
When you watch the Army Navy game this Saturday (noon, eastern time) on CBS, remember what the mids have gone through to get to this game. And always remember…
GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!!!
Meet Alvin December 2, 2008
Posted by midswatch in Home, Photography.Tags: Boxer, Dimple Hill, Dog, Hound, Mountain Biking
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Over Thanksgiving Leave, I had the pleasure of meeting a new member of my family, Alvin. My brother got him from the Humane Society. He’s a mix between a boxer, some type of hound, and something else.
He’s got a fun personality: very inquisitive, chipper, and playful.
Weighing about 45 lbs, Mike can pick him up and carry him around. He’s surprisingly well behaved for a pup. He only jumped up on me in the house once.
He spends most of his time following Mike or watching for people and dogs walking by. He might be small, but he’s packed full of muscle.
Mike takes Alvin for long bike rides in the hills, lasting for hours. Alvin never tires, merely panting on a quick run. Mike told me, “This dog is fast.” I believe him. I could hardly take a picture of Alvin because he was always darting back and forth between watch posts.
When I arrived to meet Alvin, Mike had already taken him that day on a 2 hour sprint up and down Dimple Hill. Perhaps that’s why he didn’t jump all over me at first. Mike says he sees a big difference in behavior between walk days and ride days. Alvin only gets the hard exercise if he’s running beside a bike.
We went outside to play with Alvin. Mike has a rope toy that’s good for fetch as well as tug-of-war. Mike played with him for a while as I asked questions and took pictures.
After Alvin wore mike out, I took a turn. I lasted about 3 minutes. Alvin jerked my arm around so many times I had to rub it gingerly when Mike and Alvin weren’t looking. One time I threw the toy up which caused Alvin to jump on me. His paws dirtied my pants. I cut my losses and stopped there. I was about to go to my girlfriend’s parent’s house for dinner. I didn’t want to show up trampled by a 45 pound dog.
We went inside, and Mike showed me some new stuff on his guitar as Alvin guarded the house. This photo didn’t focus correctly, but I still feel that it conveys a good idea of what it was like.
Alvin’s a great dog. I look forward to getting to know him more in the future.
