Day 191, PZA

The sound is definitely coming from down this hallway. The shadows aren't natural, they're shifting slightly, or maybe I'm just tired. 

There's something up ahead, just past the bend, calling out to me, calling my name...

Day 190, PZA

I must have dozed off for a day or so, maybe more. I don't have a watch so I don't know what time it is. Something startled me awake, my muscles are sore from sleeping on the floor, but I'm instantly alert.

This is the other wing, in the same condition as everything else. Some empty fire extinguishers litter the rooms, and insulation is everywhere.

The sound isn't a shambler, and it's not looters, but it's not natural either. I go further, baseball bat in hand, to investigate,

Day 189, PZA

I knew I was being an optimist here, the place is trashed out and anything of value has long since been taken. The kitchen has a number of fridges, including a huge walk-in, all of which are totally empty. Not even a twinkie wrapper. Water was from a well, but the motor isn't working. A few of the doors are locked from within, but there's no human smell, just the years of decay permeating the building.

Plenty of places to barricade though, so a good night's rest might be within the cards. Camera battery is holding strong, but of course there's no power here so I can't recharge. 

Day 188, PZA

I've checked out the surrounding area as best as I can. There are a number of exits, which is good, but that also means there are a number of entrances, which isn't so good. The outbuildings are too small and only have one way in (or out) so I've discounted those. There's a basement as well, but I'm not going anywhere near that.

I'll start back here and see what might be of use. The weather has been holding, which is good, makes walking a little easier. 

I don't hear anything from inside, and there's no signs anyone's been around for a long time, which is also good. The shamblers don't stick around where there's no food, so maybe, just maybe I can't catch some sleep.

Day 187, PZA

I've been walking for a long time. Car ran out of gas, 2 weeks ago, and there's not much out this way, which is why I chose the back route. I don't really know where I'm going, I just know I had to get away from the city. They cluster there, picking off the living who made a last stand in the confines of the high rises, the warehouses, the apartment blocks.

I'm tired, thirsty, and strung out. I can't sleep for more than a few minutes at a time, even one shambler is too much, can't let my guard down. God only knows what would happen if I ran into a pack of them.

Up ahead is a boarded up nursing home, looks solid from the front, but the back is another story, windows smashed out and doors open wide. It'll have to do, I can't keep going like this. Maybe I'll get lucky and find something good inside. The battery on my Nikon D2x lasts a long time, and I want to keep the journal alive, maybe someone out there can make use of what I've photographed. 

Feels Like The First Time

So apparently there are a number of Roller Derby teams in my city. We can't keep a football or baseball team here longer than a few years, but roller derby is thriving. Ok, fair enough. I went to my first bout the other day, figuring to try my hand at action shots.

Well it was like I was shooting for the first time, as all the pics were terrible. Well, it's experience. Here is a shot that didn't suck completely. I am reminded why I prefer landscape work over action.

At Long Last

I'd heard all about these. And finally, I had a chance to see them for myself, up close and personal at a local artist gathering.

Funny, but they don't look that angry to me.

Look At Me!

My Nikon D2x is not a quiet camera. When it goes "click" you know it, and in more than one instance, the horses seemed to know it as well, as evidenced from pictures like this where they were looking at me.

As cheap as it is to visit the races, as long as you don't place any wagers, I suspect I'll be back a few more times this year. 

Fancy Getup

In the harness races, there were two speeds, trotting and pacing. In an attempt to keep the horses from running amok, they wear, what looks like to me, handcuff harnesses. Not sure why they don't want runaway horses careening their riders into the audience, but for that I have to wait for the normal races in the Spring.

Expressions

I love this shot, the horse on the left is grinning, the rider is terrified ad the guy in the middle looks to be falling off his harness.

The weather was perfect for this, sunny with blue skies and white fluffy clouds.