A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

suny delhi

Laughter is the best medicine — for pretty much anything

Ralphie Mae performs at SUNY Delhi.

I’m jealous of people who live where there are comedy clubs readily available.

I fully believe if I lived anywhere near a comedy club and the ticket prices were affordable, I’d go often. I’d especially like to go on open-mic nights to be able to see different things and people.

I can’t really explain what Ralphie May is talking about here as I’ll keep it clean on the blog. But let me say it was absolutely hilarious!

Comedy has long been a part of my life. From watching many big-name comedians at a local college (George Carlin, Howie Mandel, Michel Winslow, Carrot Top, Jay Mohr, and Sam Kinison, to name a few), to seeing smaller shows all over the place, I’ve long loved stand up comedy.

I’ve had the chance to see many different comedy places. From a cool little spot in Montreal, where we met and struck a friendship up with comedian Steve Caouette, to little dives with people hoping to make a few bucks in the world of comedy. Whether 15-minute quickies or an hour and half of pure hilarity, I’ve loved pretty much every comedy show I attended.

With that in mind, it’s pretty safe to say, whenever I get a chance to go, I like to do so.

On Sunday, I added a comedian toward the top of my list.

Chad, Ralphie May’s opener, got the crowd revved up and ready.

Ralphie May, well-known through his Comedy Central specials and for his appearance on Last Comic Standing, came to SUNY Delhi. He’s been to Delhi before, but I had never had the chance to see him. He was supposed to have a show a year or so ago, but had to cancel because of health reasons.

Allow me to say it was well worth the wait to see him perform.

First, his opening act, Chad of the Smash Brothers, was hilarious. He got some solid digs in on a few people in the front row, told some extremely funny stories and had the crowd warmed up amazingly for May.

Here’s one thing though — this definitely wasn’t a “family friendly” show. In other words, profanity and things along those lines were open game.

That made it really good.

Ralphie May and Marty following the show at SUNY Delhi.

His topics included pretty much anything, including some politics, racial lines, himself, and of course, some adult topics. He also utilized one of the students Chad had picked on a bit and got some good digs in as well.

It’s also safe to note that I was in stitches most of the night. I love a good laugh. It makes you forget anything else going on in the world. It can help make you forget anything bad going on and it gives you a way to kind of ignore anything else and just have a good time.

This was also the final big comedy show at the college under the watch of Marty Greenfield, SUNY Delhi’s Student Activities Director, who is retiring at the end of the semester. He’s been at the college for more than 25 years and has brought some amazing shows — comedy, music, sports (Globetrotters etc.), wrestling and so many more things.

Ralphie May was an excellent closing big comedy show. It’s safe to say the students and community members who attended the show went home happy, which is one of the main things a student activities director could ask for.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Foto Friday: Seeing all aspects in sports photography

Though photography as a whole is a passion of mine, I really enjoy sports photography.

I have several favorite topics when shooting photos, but there’s something special about stopping action in a shot. Capturing a ball in midair or an athlete doing something really wild makes it even better. Though I love video, I’ll take a great action shot over the video any day.

Recently, I’ve shot a few softball and lacrosse games of a local college.

This isn’t a how-to post when it comes to action photography. I have to keep learning just as much as anybody else. I know I can continue to get better and that’s why I try and shoot sports photos whenever I have a chance.

The thing is trying to think a little differently. Not just the pitching or swinging photos in softball or baseball, but something different.

Baseball and softball can be tough to shoot at times. There’s the issue of timing when the ball is going to be in play somewhere, or being thrown, or being hit. There are times when you focus on somebody and nothing happens. But there’s so much more going on. It’s a true game of reaction when it comes to photos.

With all that in mind, below are some of my favorites I’ve taken of the local college and their spring sports I saw, as well as some thoughts on my process of getting them.

I actually haven’t processed all my photos from the games, so I’m going with ones I have done and have already uploaded to Flickr.

1. Quick to react

Even if you focus on a certain player or spot during a game, you still have to be quick to react. Sometimes you can fire off several shots and still not get the ball or good action. Shots like this one really work out well because it goes beyond the norm. This is one of my favorite shots because of her focus, as well as the bouncing ball — where you even see the shadow.

Stay focused.

2. Other things make good images

The photo of a sporting event doesn’t have to always be on the action. Look around. Are there celebrations? People being upset? With those two, you can capture emotion. This shot is something I liked. I knew this umpire, so I was going to get a few shots of him. This one, in between innings, really worked out for me as he flipped the ball up and down.

In between innings.

3. Close in on the action

No matter what anybody says, I’m a firm believer that one’s whole body doesn’t have to be in the image. Take, for example, this one. What more would it add if their legs and feet were in the shot? The action would be more of a wider shot. In this one, you can see the action, the expressions and the ball (in the netting of the one stick).

Battling

4. Shoot from the front or, at worst, side

Nobody wants to see an image behind the action. It’s one of the biggest issues I find with disc golf images. Try and keep it so you capture the action and, hopefully, the faces of those involved. In this one, the Delhi (gold) player is coming in on the action, but the shooter from the other team is coming almost right at me. This shot would have been worthless if taken from behind. Instead, it’s one of my favorites from the season because of the action and where the ball is.

Shooting

5. Anticipate

Sports photography is all about knowing what could happen and where. If you think something might happen, focus on that spot. Especially in baseball and softball. You can only take so many images of pitching and hitting, so look around. Is there a chance somebody could steal? Focus on that base. Is a certain player hitting one way? Stay looking at that spot. It’s all anticipation. This shot was one where I had a feeling there would be a steal coming. As it was, I snapped a whole series of shots, but this one really shows the thought of anticipation with the dirt flying up on the slide.

 

Safe

Sports is a great theme when it comes to photography. And the best part of it is it really challenges your skills and your ability. One thing I would recommend, no matter what, is to familiarize yourself with the sport you might shoot. You don’t have to be an expert, but knowing a bit about the sport will help you react, anticipate and find the good spots when it comes to shooting. Most of all, have fun with it. I have a ton of interests when it comes to photography, but sports images are still the ones that make me get excited more than most because there’s a better chance to really get that “one” shot.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Hacksaw HOOOOOO!

Hacksaw says HOOOOOOOO!

There are things that bring you back to your childhood.

Whether it’s passing a house or a lot where you used to play ball. Or seeing an old friend. Or one of a million other things.

Or events.

I’ve always been a pro wrestling fan. As a kid, I loved the larger-than-life characters. As an adult, I like the storylines — it’s more like a soap opera for adults. But sometimes, you get to go back to what you loved.

Wrestling came to town this past Friday. Among the names on the card was “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. The WWE Hall of Famer and the 57-year-old who hails from Glens Falls was going to wrestle.

Awesome.

And he still has the 2X4!

See, though he’s not in the “big leagues” anymore, he’s a draw. People love him. Kids love him. He still marches around with his trusty 2X4, yells “HOOOOOO” to the crowd and leads them in “USA USA” chants.

He’s still Hacksaw.

Despite a smaller crowd numbering in the hundreds, they got excited when Hacksaw was out. And that’s good. It’s what wrestling is all about. It’s a show and they entertain.

Before the card, the older wrestlers sign autographs and take photos. It’s how they make a lot of their money. Hacksaw was out there with Carlito, Tommy Dreamer, Eugene, and a little later, Shane Douglas.

I took a moment to chat with Hacksaw and let him know I always got a kick out of it when I covered the state high school wrestling championships and see his photo in the past champs. He was a New York state champion in 1972 or 1973. We laughed a little about it when I mentioned his glasses that he wore in that photo.

He greeted fans with grace and smiled all along.

This is what wrestling was like to me as a kid. Seeing these guys was amazing. If I got to talk to them or slap hands? It was awesome. I got to see that look in many kids eyes Friday night when Hacksaw came to the ring.

He still has it.

He never was much of a technical wrestler, but he always put on a good show. He still does, albeit a shorter show. He smiles. Shakes hands. Leads the crowd in chants. In the end, he gets into his three-point stance, clotheslines his opponent and wins.

Take a peek at the finish from his match in Delhi:

It never gets old with Hacksaw.

Following the card, he left wearing glasses and a sports coat. He looked more like a college teacher at that point than a professional wrestler. He shook hands with people and made sure those he talked to had a good time at the show. He then carted off his suitcase and out the door he went, heading off to the next event he worked.

Life isn’t easy for a professional wrestler, especially not in the independent circuit.

Does Hacksaw need this work? Who knows. Some do, some don’t. But he still seems like he enjoys it.

And he still finds a way to bring out the kid in all of us.

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! USA!! USA!! USA!! USA!!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!

Returning to the dance

For the first time in the 21-year history of the NJCAA Division III men’s basketball championship, it wasn’t held in my hometown and at my alma mater.

And, of course, my college qualified this year for the first time since 2003.

So I decided to head down to the tournament today, which is being held at Sullivan County CC, about an hour ride. It was tough to see the tournament at a different school, but kind of cool to just slip in, watch a game and leave.

Playing some ball at nationals

Delhi brought a good crowd, too, which was nice to see. I still would have loved to have seen the tournament still be in town and had Delhi been the 8 p.m. game. The place would have been rocking.

Ahhh well.

Needless to say, the Broncos went cold for the final 10-12 minutes. They watched a 41-40 lead evaporate and fell, 66-49.They have two more games in the consolation bracket, but no chance of a national title. Still, it was a solid season.

Get a TO, baby!

Sorry about the quality of the photos — it was via my cell phone.

I left soon after the game ending, hoping to beat any flooding our area might get. I did so successfully, which is nice.

Speaking of basketball…

I’ll be losing a day of my unemployment this week as I am freelancing for a paper Saturday at a state quarterfinal. It’s the only other daily that is somewhat sold in our area, so thankfully I know a little about the teams that I will be covering. It will be good to be out writing something, too. I’ve been writing cover letters, resumes and things like that (besides the blog), so it will be nice to see a game and write again.

Though newspapers aren’t my focus for the remainder of my career, I’ll always look to freelance when I can. I still love the byline!

More later!