My First Hockey Game

Centre Daily Times photos by Michelle Bixby

What another hectic night! I had two assignments this evening (not including this morning's). At 6:30 p.m. I had to cover a Martin Luther King Banquet and ice hockey at 7:15. I arrived at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel for the banquet expecting to go in take photos of the performers and entertainment and leave for ice hockey. Little did I know what inconveniences awaited me. I approached the elegant double doors in the President's Hall where the festivities were underway. Fully equipped with my bulky Tamrac camera bag dressed in jeans and a sweater, I was approached by an usher who gave me a ticket and asked "will you be eating the chicken or the roast beef this evening?"
Apparently there was a beautifully set table fully dressed with decadent deserts, fresh garden salad and steaming bread rolls awaiting members of the media. Unfortunately, knowing I had to leave in 20 minutes, I kindly declined the offer of gourmet food ( I was weeping on the inside, TRUST ME) and opened the double doors .
I entered the banquet hall depressed and under dressed only to find out that the entertainment and awards ceremony weren't starting until diner was over, which means my only option was to either interrupt dinner and take photos of guests stuffing their faces (unpleasant for both parties involved) or call the copy desk for direction. I opted for calling the copy desk and was told to just leave for hockey because the banquet wasn't as important.
Hockey was an ok experience. Yes it was a bit chilly, but at least I didn't get hit in the face with a puck! Optimism is my middle name.

It's Freakin Freezing!!!

Centre Daily Times photos by Michelle Bixby

Well, it's official... I CAN'T FEEL MY TOES, FINGERS, FACE, LEGS, or any other part of my body for that matter. It is 12 degrees in State College right now with a windchill in the negatives and I am definitely not sitting by a warm glowing fireplace sipping on a mug of hot chocolate; I am outside on assignment taking pictures of people crazy enough to brave today's weather just like me! That's a traditional Pennsylvania winter for ya!

Penn State vs Michigan State Men's Basketball

Centre Daily Times photos by Michelle Bixby

The past few nights at work have been extremely busy for me. It is now 12:30 a.m. and I was suppose to be finished with work and driving home to my warm fluffy bed and adorable kitten at about 11:00 p.m. Tomorrow morning I have to get up early and brave the frigid cold to shoot some weather features due by 10:30 and then return to the CDT for my regular shift at 5 p.m.

Tonight was my best night shooting basketball so far. It was a really exciting game to watch. Penn State battled against Michigan State and finally caught up to them 71 to 73 (after trailing by at least 10-15 points most of the game) with less than a minute on the clock remaining. Well, Penn State did the worst thing possible and fouled Michigan State left and right during the last minute of the game which ultimately cost them the game. Michigan State beat Penn State 78-73.

Penn State Big Ten Championship

Centre Daily Times photo by Michelle Bixby

Penn State defensive tackle Jarod Odrick kisses the Big Ten Championship trophy after the Nittany Lions defeated Michigan State 49-18 at Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

Ah yes... to be so lucky to cover the Penn State Big Ten Championship game. As a Penn State Alumna, I was stoked! I wasn't stoked, however, about the 20 degree weather with a wind chill that would leave you frostbitten and nearly hypothermic. I couldn't feel my toes or my fingers for the majority of the game despite the several hand warmers stuffed in my shoes and gloves. But oh, to be able to brag to my friends that I was on the sidelines to not only witness Penn State's big win, but to photograph it! It was worth standing in the frigid cold for 3 and a half hours... it really was.

Polar Express

Centre Daily Times photo by Michelle Bixby

I love children, so this assignment was so much fun to do. This little girl was so adorable. She didn't cry on Santa's lap, but had the same serious expression on her face the entire time. It was hilarious.

The Clay Sculptor

Centre Daily Times Photos by Michelle Bixby

Geologist and sculptor Roger Pollok, of Zion, is surrounded by hand-sculpted clay coal miners from his "coal miners series." Pollok uses a well preserved 1800s farmhouse as his studio.

I had so much fun with my subject, Roger Pollok, on this assignment. He was such a good sport allowing me to experiment with some of my ideas for a creative portrait. In the photo of him with the coal-miner sculptures, he sat on an overturned trash can because he was too tall for that particular shelf and it was too uncomfortable for him to crouch down for too long.

In high school I was actually quite talented with the clay wheel. So needless to say, I've been inspired to resurrect one of my old hobbies. Roger is definitely encouraging it. He has offered to call me when he ventures out on one of his geographic expeditions to dig up clay so I can get started. He has even offered to let me use his clay wheel and kiln. I am pretty excited.

First Night State College

Centre Daily Times Photos By Michelle Bixby

New Year's Eve 2008 was a crazy day for me. The night before, my car battery decided to die before I had to drive to a basketball assignment, then I discovered that the problem couldn't have been the battery because the new one I installed didn't solve the problem. Luckily my best friend Josh was willing to lug me around for a few days. I was told to go to downtown State College and take bunches of photos of the festivities. One hour before I was due to be in the newsroom I was told that i would need at least 7-9 publishable photos. I had planned to turn in 3-4. So I went into turbo mode and took as many interesting photos as I could find. Six photos were published in all (two on the front page and four on an interior color pictorial page. Needless to say, I was pleased with myself.

Centre Daily Times Photo by Michelle Bixby

Thomas Maynard, left, sits for breakfast with his son Brandon Maynard at restaurant at Best Way Travel Center Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008.

These guys were a lot of fun to chat with. Thomas (the father) told me the story of his son's miracle birth. After loosing two babies when they were a few weeks old, Brandon was the first healthy surviving child. Thomas, being a very proud parent said Brandon was always a good, well behaved child and is now bravely serving our country.

Accident in Centre County

Centre Daily Times by Michelle Bixby

A two vehicle head-on collision on state Route 144 in Spring Township sent three people to the hospital.

I can't describe the feeling of approaching a scene like this one. The mangled vehicles in front of me gave me an eerie feeling because I knew people had been in those now empty seats. I am always reminded that life can be taken in the blink of an eye.