Last Friday I decided to shoot one last Georgia gymnastics meet before I move and this one was just for fun. I could really get into this shooting for fun thing. It felt so freeing to not have to stress about missing a vital shot or deadline. I just got to relax and remember why I got into this crazy business to begin with- I like taking pictures!
The Georgia Gym Dogs huddle before defeating LSU 196.575-196.050 Friday Feb. 26, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga.
A Georgia fan gets some face time with mascot Hairy Dawg.
Cassidy McComb scored a 9.850 on vault.
Georgia's Noel Couch, left, congratulates teammate Shayla Worley after her vault. Worley scored a 9.850.
LSU's Ericka Garcia scored a 9.400 on bars.
Hilary Mauro scored a 9.825 on vault.
Kat Ding scored a 9.825 on vault.
Georgia's Shayla Worley gets ready to compete on bars.
Georgia's Marcia Newby scored a 9.875 on bars.
Georgia's Grace Taylor is surrounded by teammates after competing on bars in the Georgia Gym Dogs 196.575-196.050 win over LSU Friday Feb. 26, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga. Taylor scored a 9.850.
Georgia's Courtney McCool scored a 9.875 on bars.
Georgia's Courtney McCool warms up on beam.
Georgia's Christa Tanella scored a 9.800 on beam.
Georgia's Shayla Worley scored a 9.750 on beam.
Georgia's Grace Taylor gets a hug from coach Jay Clark after competing on beam.
Georgia's Courtney McCool scored a 9.925 on beam.
Georgia's Courtney McCool scored a 9.925 on beam.
Georgia's Courtney McCool gets a hug from teammate Grace Taylor after scoring a 9.925 on beam.
Georgia's Hilary Mauro scored a 9.850 on floor.
Georgia's Hilary Mauro scored a 9.850 on floor.
Georgia freshman Christa Tanella, left, gets a pep talk from senior Courtney McCool before competing on floor.
Georgia's Christa Tanella scored a 9.600 on floor.
Georgia's Grace Taylor scored a 9.850 on floor.
Georgia's Grace Taylor scored a 9.850 on floor.
Georgia's Grace Taylor scored a 9.850 on floor.
Georgia's Courtney McCool scored a 9.950 on floor.
Georgia Gym Dogs hold up "10's" after Courtney McCool's floor routine.
Teammates Courtney McCool, and Grace Taylor, right, hug after McCool's floor routine. The Georgia Gym Dogs defeat LSU 196.575-196.050 Friday Feb. 26, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga.
Sunday I watched the Georgia Lady Dogs get outpaced, out shot, and out played in every way by underdogs South Carolina. I'm approaching my last assignment in Georgia Sunday when I'll be shooting the Lady Dogs and my Alma Mater Alabama for AP. Fitting that it should be a battle between Georgia and Alabama since it is those places I've been torn between for so long. I predict Alabama is winning based on my analogy. Today was my first day not working for the Athens Banner-Herald. Yesterday I almost forgot since it was my normal off day, but today not getting up to go to work felt...strange. It took me most of the day to get motivated to do any packing. As real as this has become it still somehow doesn't feel it. I'm ready for the next few weeks to pass and for new life to get underway. This limbo feels uncomfortable already.
South Carolina's Ashley Bruner (21), left, battles for a rebound with Georgia's Jasmine Hassell in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
Georgia's Ashley Houts, left, and South Carolina's Samone Kennedy scramble for a loose ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
Georgia's Ashley Hout takes a shot during an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
Georgia coach Andy Landers screams at a referee over a call during his team's 52-42 loss to South Carolina in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
Georgia fans dressed in colorful fullbody leotards dance in the stands during a timeout of the Georgia Lady Dogs 52-42 loss to South Carolina in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
South Carolina's Valerie Nanima (31) shoots over Georgia's Ashley Houts (1) during South Carolina's 52-42 win in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. Houts was called for a foul on the play.
South Carolina's Ashley Bruner (21) and Ieasia Walker (14) run off the court after their 52-42 win over Georgia in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
My last assignment for the ABH was a boys high school basketball game last night between in town private school rivals Athens Christian and Athens Academy. I looked around at the gym I've been in a dozen times for games or sportraits and it was surreal to think it was my last time there and the last time I'd see my Spartan buddies. That surreal feeling continued when I did everything from punching in my code to enter the news building to putting my last picture in the system. As I cleaned out my cabinet, peeled pictures I had taped around, and packed away the various toys that have found their way to my desk the dizzy feeling in my head grew stronger and stronger. Close friend and fellow photographer Tricia Spaulding came up to the paper to help me before we headed to dinner and my going away party. It was like we were in this strange slow-motion dream. My hands shook a little as I pried the keys from my keyring and placed them on my bosses desk. It was really over. I was really leaving. My work station and computer were left empty, bare of any sign of the photographer that slaved, laughed, raged, goofed off, cried, and created there. An era of my life is over and it is time to move on. I only hope I don't miss this crazy life too much.
Here is a wrap up of my recent prep bball games.
Cedar Shoals' LaDondra Johnson (12) and Madison County's Lauren Smith(23) battle for the ball in the 1st period Friday Jan. 8, 2010, in Danielsville.
Madison County's Elizabeth Whieldon (15) and Cedar Shoals' Mia Cooper battle for a rebound in the 2nd period Friday Jan. 8, 2010, in Danielsville.
Cedar Shoals' LaDondra Johnson (30) shoots for 2 over Madison County's Kayla Freeman (32) in the 3rd period Friday Jan. 8, 2010, in Danielsville.
Cedar Shoals' Whitley Smith (20) shoots for 2 past Madison County's Kayla Freeman (32) in the 3rd period Friday Jan. 8, 2010, in Danielsville.
Cedar Shoals' Ladondra Johnson, left, shoots past Winder Barrow's Delorean Etabee in the 2nd period Friday night in Winder.
Cedar Shoals' Ladondra Johnson, right, shoots over Winder Barrow's Rebekah Autry, front, and Mimi Hill in the 2nd period Friday night in Winder.
Winder Barrow's Brittany Witt breaks away from Cedar Shoals' Mya Cooper for 2-points in the 3rd period Friday night in Winder.
Cedar Shoals' Ladondra Johnson, left, Winder Barrow's Emily Myer, center, and Cedar Shoals' BreeanaTaylor battle for a rebound in the 2nd period Friday night in Winder.
Social Circle's T. Bagnes shoots for 3 over Athens Academy's Bryant Shirreffs in the 2nd quarter of the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.
Social Circle's Aaron Gaither fights for a rebound in the 1st quarter of the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Athens Academy Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.
Athens Academy's Mark Sanders, right, and Social Circle's Chris Burns scramble for a loose ball in the 1st quarter of a Region 8-A match-up Tuesday night in Athens.
Athens Academy's Kalupe Booze, left, tries to swat down Social Circle's Janson Graves shot in the 2nd quarter of the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.
Social Circle's Devon Pitts grasps a rebound over Athens Academy's Kalupe Booze in the 2nd quarter of the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens. ictory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.
Social Circle's Darius Still shoots over Athens Academy's Jordan Richardson, left, and Mason Mallory during the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.
North Oconee's Brooke Satterfield, center, and Oglethorpe County's Jessica McCommons, left, battle for a rebound in the first quarter Friday night in Bogart.
North Oconee's Jordan Binkley shoots over Oglethorpe County's Jessica McCommons in the 2nd quarter Friday night in Bogart.
Athens Academy's Davis Finney looks to pass around Athens Christian's Chaz Sheats in the second half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.
Athens Christian's Zach Lillie battles with Athens Academy's Jordan Richardson in the first half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.
Athens Christian's Payton Mapp, center, scores 2 points past Athens Academy defenders Nick Miller, left, and Kalupe Booze in the first half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.
Athens Academy's Bryant Sherriffs drives past Athens Christian's Zack Resap in the second half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.
Athens Christian's Zach Lillie shoots over Athens Academy's Mark Sanders in the first half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.
Athens Christian's Payton Mapp, center, scores 2 points past Athens Academy P.J. Bluesing in the first half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.
I am a freelance photojournalist in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Previously I was a staff photographer for the Athens Banner-Herald in Athens, Ga. and the Times-Georgian in Carrollton, Ga.
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