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The Ravens won the Super Bowl and there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to go to the victory parade. To see the team and see how proud the city was — it was crazy. Here are some photos and videos:

I finally got around to making some of my older photos galleries iPad friendly. It’s a bit of a manual process, so I decided to start with some of my classics first. These galleries are also a look back at memorable photos from my old camera — a Nikon D70 that I got in 2004 and only recently retired. Here are a few of them:

Air Show 2007. My first air show, and I got some pretty good photos from this day.

Hong Kong Derby 2008. This was another fun one. My first trip to a racetrack was in HK.

ASCE Soccer 2005. Definitely a classic.

Brought my camera to the park… click to embiggen:

So last year I replaced my trusty Nokia N82, which had been one of the better cell phone cameras on the market when I bought it in early 2008 (it was initially released in late 2007). In fact, it took a while for me to get used to the inferior camera in my current cell phone — without a dedicated camera power switch, xenon flash, or a two-stage shutter button for focusing. Anyways, I never got around to memorializing such a great phone, so here’s a look back a few of the memorable photos from my N82:

Late-night bowling. Decent low-light performance and easy enough for someone to just pick up the phone and take a quick photo. And look at that form:

From the press booth during a UNC football game:

Cat. Incredible detail for a 2007 cell phone:

Summer of 2009. I sent this photo to my friend from my phone when I was practically bedridden, and it was funny that he knew exactly what was going on:

Donuts in SF at 3 in the morning. The battery life of the phone was pretty bad by a year and half after I first got it, but it was still a great travel phone because I didn’t need to carry around an additional camera:

A scene in Hong Kong. Yup, international quad-band:

HK dim sum:

Wayne shoveling snow after Snowmageddon:

Cat and my little cousin, Kelly:

Went to Pittsburgh this weekend to catch a Penguins hockey game with Matt. Had some good seats and saw a lot of action, including a brawl at the end of the game.

Going to an early round day at Indian Wells turned out to be a great idea. Most of the top tennis players are still alive in the tournament, and there is much more going on at the tennis grounds: good matchups on smaller courts, where fans are close to the action; top ranked players on their own practice sessions, where you are even closer to the action; lots of times where the players are close enough to you to ask for autographs (should’ve gotten a giant tennis ball to collect autographs, if I was into that kind of stuff); and a lot of action on both sides of men’s and women’s brackets. Above, top ranked Novak Djokivic entertaining fans during his practice session while Federer was a no-show, and a view in one of the smaller stadiums.

My flight over here arrived more than 30 minutes early, even with a late departure. Getting a rental car was super easy, using Budget’s
Fastbreak program. Five minutes away from my aunts house, got held up in a sobriety check point by the California police. Had to get some In-n-Out before the night was over. Next day spent the night at Riverside; now driving down to sunny Indian Wells!

It was a little over one year ago that I saw Joe Paterno win his 400th game at Penn State. Things have a changed quite a bit since then. Let’s take a look back:

November 6th, 2010 – JoePa’s 400th

A week after taking the PE, I travel to State College with Jim, Jeff, and Matt to witness Joe Paterno’s 400th win.

December 29th, 2010 – Ralph Freidgen’s Last Game

The Terps win one last one for Freidgen, blowing out East Carolina in the Military Bowl.

January 21st, 2011 – Wizards in DC

At the bar with Scott and Sol before the game: “Hey, isn’t that the Wizards game on the TV, right now?” Turns out the game time was moved up an hour. We get to Verizon Center just in time to see the Suns hit a whole bunch of three-pointers.

January 22nd, 2011 – Terps in College Park

Back-to-back basketball games? Why not. Scott scores us some awesome seats at the Comcast Center.

March 19th, 2011 – BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California

For my winter pilgrimage to the West Coast, I take Brandon and Tiffany to Indian Wells for some tennis action. Chair umpire to hecklers during Nadal/Del Potro match: “Silencio, por favor!”

April 4th, 2011 – O’s Opening Day

A bunch of us in the office come down with Orioles Fever, at least for one day. They play “Pumped Up Kicks” on the PA — hipsters move on to the next indie band.

April 15th, 2011 – PNC Diamond Club at Nats Park

With Scott, we enjoy catered food, in-seat service, and unlimited draft beer. And close enough to get a foul ball.

June 11, 2011 – Miller Park

With Eric, tailgating in the parking lot (case of Miller Lite and a pizza): “Interesting, they have fireworks during batting practice….” Turns out the game started at 7pm ET and we stroll in during the bottom of the 6th inning. Damn time zones.

June 12, 2011 – U.S. Cellular Field

Day Two of baseball weekend, Eric and I hit up the South Side of Chicago in a day-game reprieve from all the alcohol.

June 13, 2011 – Wrigley Field

Monday night in Wrigleyville, Chris comes straight to the game from his law firm internship and shows up in the outfield bleachers with suit and tie and a round of frozen mai tais.

July 8th, 2011 – Nationals Park

Waiting out a rain delay with Dennis and Miguel, we play around in the kids area with batting cage and simulated pitching game. Naturally, I toss a beanball at simulated-Derek Jeter.

July 20th, 2011 – Free Ice
It was so hot at the Orioles game that I forgot to take a photo of the view from our seats.

July 25th, 2011 – Bryce Harper Comes to Town

With Pat and Scott, we get our money’s worth with two doubles and a nice outfield assist from the future Nats star.

July 27, 2011 – Day After Praying Mantis

With Scott, Sol and Matt, we miss a heckling event of a lifetime when we sit in the left field seats behind Logan Morrison without a giant praying mantis costume.

August 6th, 2011 – Donald Young at Legg Mason

With Dexter and my Dad, we catch Donald Young playing some uninspired tennis. Somehow, a month later, he plays into the fourth round at the US Open.

August 17th, 2011 – Dollar Hot Dog Pt. II

Dennis and I can’t resist the lure of dollar hot dogs. I really think that is the best deal in major league baseball.

August 25th, 2011 – Bobblehead Night in San Francisco

Suzanne and I are clutching onto our hard fought Tim Lincecum bobbleheads. Lady sitting next to us had Jon Miller on a portable radio — nostalgia wins over the chatty play-by-play man. Giants win with agressive baserunning in extra innings.

September 18th, 2011 – Redskins at FedEx

I swear Mike is getting food and candy for his nephew nearly the entire game. We leave the game before the Redskins come from behind against the Arizona Cardinals.

September 24th, 2011 – Nationals Final Weekend

Dollar tickets to get the fam to see a baseball game. What a great way to spend the day.

October 30, 2011 – Ravens Comeback

Sweating it out in the fall sun, the Ravens nearly lose to the Arizona Cardinals. This time, unlike the Redskins game, I stay to see the Cardinals lose in the final seconds.

Good times at the West Coast, as always.
I saw a kickball game, walked in fog nearly all day sunday, and saw land’s end (the pacific ocean).
Then the next day, I rode the muni myself (didn’t have to fight anyone), rode a bike around golden gate park, happened upon a monument dedicated to Baltimorean Francis Scott Key, and hiked up the hill at Corona Heights, which is now apparently my top spot in SF, since I’ve been there twice in two trips.

It’s really a different feeling at the ballpark when you have a winning team and a loyal fan base. We lined up along The Embarcadero for an hour to get our Tim Lincecum bobbleheads. From that photo taken from the stadium, the line went almost to the Bay Bridge.
They had the championship trophy on display, pretty neat.
View of the coke bottle and glove from above.
View from our seats, boats hanging out in the bay and fog rolling in. The Giants pulled off the win in extra innings, good stuff.