Semi-Professional Soccer - Tacoma Tides vs BYU

After returning from my hike and devouring a Guacamole Bacon Burger from Red Robin I hurried to the Tacoma Tides vs BYU soccer game at Curtis High School where I graduated in 2007. I was a few minutes late but hadn't missed too much action. Some of my best friends play for BYU, Derek Taylor (15) and Jon Junca (16). By the way, you guys rock! Way to show the world (especially those Fijians) what's up!!! Coach Watkins was of course looking for a win, but instead the Cougars settled for tie, 1-1. The Tacoma Tides are Coached by Curtis High English teacher, Mr. Larson. A former Curtis grad, Rory Agu (10), also plays forward for the Tides.

Pinnacle Peak

I just returned from a quick over-night snow hike with my friends Alex Hacker, Dan Hacker, and Alex Powell. We left with our ice axes, cramp-ons, warm clothes and even some gerbil food in Powell's food stash. Friday was cloudy and cold. We set up camp (some people even began digging a snow cave...the snow was too frozen) and then climbed to the top of Pinnacle Peak.

I thought our tent was going to blow away during the night with the amount of wind waking me often. Saturday was beautiful. After breakfast we practiced rope work for our July summit of Mt. Rainier.

With shirts off and packs on we headed back to the car so we could get our steak fries at Red Robin!

Behind the Scenes @ Polo State Championship

Here's me...It's WAY too hot inside, you can see me sweat! If I didn't play water polo I would have thought I was working harder than the players in the water. Dan Hacker took these pictures of me shooting the Championship game. Yeah I'm juggling 2 lenses. And yes they're heavy!

My Weapons of Choice:
Canon EOS 20D
Canon EOS 400D
Canon EF 200mm f/1.8 L USM
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX


Yeah I'm pretty sure that's the edge of the pool!

Glamorous Gabi

I woke up early Saturday morning for a down-town photo shoot with Gabi. I was able to find some really fun locations a few days before and with the great weather this last weekend I had amazing light to play with! This was my first portrait shoot with the 200mm 1.8L. The results are VERY pleasing. Even though the lens is quite heavy the 2 hours passsed quickly and I wasn't tired from carrying it. I think that is sign that I should buy it! Anyways check out a few of the pictures. Gabi is a great model.

I told Gabi she should climb up this wall so I could get some sweet photographs...she did and they look awesome!

Back2Back - Curtis Girls H20 Polo State Champs

My high school's girls water polo team is amazing. Almost as good as the guys team when I played! This last weekend the girls competed in the State Championship game for at least the third time in a row. The usual compitition against the Wilson Rams was not the case this year. Instead Curtis faced a new contender, Gig Harbor; who tried to play against our Vikings....well I guess "tried" is a nice way of saying they were demolished! The Curtis girls won the 2008 Washington State Girls Water Polo Championship game 21-1. Yes they kick butt! Last year the girls defeated the Wilson Rams who finished 6th this year. Also of note: both the Curtis Boys and Girls teams are current Back2Back State Polo Champions. Congratulations to Coach Mike Wallen (Girls) and Dennis Piccolotto (Boys).

Here is a preview of the 350 pictures that will be available on DVD (in case) with unique covers for $15 at the Banquet later this month. Bring cash or check - payable to Michael Rowley. The DVD will include all high-res digital-negative photos.