Dallas

Dallas's annual Veterans Day parade drew a huge crowd downtown -- out my window overlooking Main Street, it almost looked like a vintage photo of 1930's downtown brought back to life.

I remember watching the Dallas theme sequence on TV as a kid and being amazed at all the reflective skyscrapers in downtown. All those mirrored buildings were a huge help during Wednesday's shoot, helping to throw some amazing light just where I'd least expect it.

A seven-minute documentary look at U.S. memory champion Ron White, as he prepares for the World Memory Championships in summer 2009.

Here's the latest landmark unveiled in Dallas -- one of the sculptures from the "Traveling Man" series installed along Dallas's new light rail line at the Deep Ellum Station. The artists behind it, Brad Oldham and Brandon Oldenburg were on hand during a preview ride I covered for the Observer -- check it out here, along with a shot from a few seconds later -- and it was great hearing them talk about how it all came together.

A couple weeks ago, I spent my Saturday morning at a North Dallas Petco parking lot, taking in my first live dog race. These guys didn't have the speed of a greyhound, but chances are they'll be well taken care of when their racing days are done.

After a long week with lots of shooting for the Observer, I wasn't totally thrilled at the idea of getting up early on Saturday for another one. The fact that it was a high school reunion, and not even my high school, didn't get me any more enthused.

But I was dead wrong -- following the parade on its short route to the school, and talking to old Woodrow alums along the way, made for one of the most fun shoots I've had yet in Dallas. There was a great small-town feel around the Lakewood neighborhood school, and best of all, this was my neighborhood.

Four days into the new year, I'd rather not think of how obvious the following resolutions are. I'd prefer to think of them as classics, like this fine looking El Camino parked on the shores of Dallas' White Rock Lake yesterday. (Part of a New Year's idea to bring along my camera, Eli Reed/Kaplan-style, whenever I go out. No, I don't expect that one to last long at all.)