Running the Sidelines

HS Baseball poll

2011-04-28T23:11:00.002-05:00

TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION 2011 POLLS
5A:
FT. BEND CLEMENTS – 28-2 (16-0)
MISSION SHARYLAND – 27-1 (13-0)
A&M CONSOLIDATED – 24-4 (12-1)
AUSTIN WESTLAKE – 29-4 (8-1)
CORPUS CHRISTI CARROLL – 23-5 (9-0)
HOUSTON LAMAR – 27-3 (14-1)
NEW BRAUNFELS – 27-4 (8-1)
SOUTHLAKE CARROLL - 24-6 (12-1)
SPRING BRANCH MEMORIAL – 23-6 (12-1)
DALLAS JESUIT - 22-5 (11-0)
Other teams receiving votes: Stony Point, Lamar, El Paso Franklin, Plano, Langham Creek, The Woodlands, Colleyville Heritage

4A:
BRENHAM – 26-4 (13-0)
CALALLEN – 27-3 (12-0)
WACO MIDWAY - 28-3 (10-0)
FRISCO WAKELAND - 29-4 (13-1)
MESQUITE POTEET - 23-5 (15-0)
SMITHSON VALLEY - 27-6 (11-0)
NEW CANEY - 22-2 (12-0)
HIGHLAND PARK - 27-4 (11-2)
LAMAR CONSOLIDATED – 20-6 (10-1)
WICHITA FALLS RIDER - 25-5 (10-1)
Other teams receiving votes: Boerne Champion, Carrollton Creekview, Rockwall Heath, Baytown Goose Creek Memorial

3A:
LUCAS LOVEJOY – 23-5 (10-0)
ROBINSON – 22-4 (10-0)
ROBSTOWN – 21-4 (10-0)
CANTON - 22-2 (10-0)
HUFFMAN - 22- 4 (10-0)
SINTON - 20-7 (9-0)
KENNEDALE - 22-4 (10-0)
ARGYLE - 22-6 (9-1)
LUBBOCK COOPER - 24-5 (7-2)
CARTHAGE - 21-7 (9-0)

2A:
BROCK- 24-2 (12-0)
CENTRAL HEIGHTS – 25-2 (10-0)
CROCKETT – 23-4 (11-0)
FRANKLIN - 22-3 (13-0)
CAMERON - 23-5 (14-0)
MARION - 24-5 (10-0)
BANGS - 21-2 (14-0)
HUGHES SPRINGS - 20-2 (9-2)
TROY - 26-2 (12-2)
NEW WAVERLY - 20-4 (9-2)

1A:
BLUE RIDGE - 19-5 (9-1)
HAMLIN - 21-6 (11-1)
CAYUGA – 20-2 (13-1)
EVADALE – 15-1 (9-0)
NEW DEAL – 19-4 (11-0)
JOHNSON CITY - 22-3 (12-0)
SHELBYVILLE – 17-5 (12-1)
FAYETTVILLE - 19-3 (10-0)
CARLISLE – 17-4 (12-1)
ARCHER CITY - 19-4 (12-1)
These are the top ten (10) teams for the state of Texas as of April 28, 2011.

A Benediction

2011-01-28T14:03:00.000-06:00

I had my last political science course for my major last semester and the old professor likes to close the class on a note with high hopes for the futures of his students.
A Benediction:
1. My name is (your name).
2. I know who I am.
3. I like who I am.
4. I am intelligent (professor said that he can certify that because we read Plato & Aristotle in the course).
5. I am attractive (no argument from me!).
6. I have a good character.
7. People who really know me, like me.
8. I know that God loves me.
9. My parents love me.
10. Professor loves me.
11. All of this above, because I am Loveable.
12. My long run future looks bright.
13. Some day, I will do something to make the professor proud.

Dec. 2, 2010, Houston, Texas.

Finding a photo's photographer

2011-01-03T12:50:00.000-06:00

(Editor's note: This was a response to a post about copyright by the Texas Press Association on Facebook.)
For example, if your staff photographer didn't take a photograph, then your newspaper needs to find the copyright owner and buy a license from that photographer to use the photo. Otherwise, the newspaper could be making that photographer -- and his/...her lawyer -- a lot of money.
As a pro photographer and freelance news photographer, I suggest editors, etc., to do some research. I'd start with http://www.ppa.com/copyright-advocacy/ - to get a better understanding - and http://www.tineye.com/ - to help find the original photographer.
Additionally, if you have any CS3/CS4/CS5 Adobe product, then you also have Bridge. Open the image in Bridge ... many photographers (not all) will add their copyright information and contact information into the photo's metadata.
For us photographers, I highly suggest watching these videos: http://www.kelbytraining.com/instructors/reznicki-and-greenberg.html

A note to college students looking for a way to sham out of work

2010-12-07T10:15:00.000-06:00

As a senior who is graduating in May and a two-tour combat veteran, I must say that anyone who is begging for a grade to be dropped needs to examine why they are in a university instead of building a career flipping burgers.
My upper-level instructors laugh when a student asks to not be docked points when late with an assignment.
The only real excuses are emergencies such as your car breaking down or a major family medical issue. This does not include sleeping late (you can operate on 4 hours of sleep every day), or not showing up for class because you don't want to be there.
In the real world, if you're late -- you're late. If your work isn't up to par, you may get fired.
If you're looking for an easy way out now, what are you setting yourself up for the in future?
What about a doctor performing surgery on you? Oh, they messed up on one of your organs ... would you give them a pass? Or sue them?
If you're worried about your grade, then you should have invested the time and expense to counter every obstacle you could possibly encounter. That could go as far as moving onto campus next semester, buying a quality laptop, reading the book, attend class - and participate in discussions, party less, and study harder than you ever have before. You can also research other students' reactions to professors online before registering for your classes.
Additionally, take a good, long look at every syllabus you're given. If you have any problem with how the class will be run, then please go and drop on the first day. It also has the benefit of opening up seats for other students who couldn't get into that class for whatever reason. You will still have time to find another class to fill your schedule if you're quick enough.
Take everything -- not just the class work -- as a lesson for life.
Good luck with your grades and I hope that you won't be one of those seniors whom I have seen break down in tears because they got their first-ever 85 in a 3000-series course.

Remembering Pearl Harbor, 2006

2010-12-07T07:24:00.000-06:00

After my first combat tour in Iraq, my block leave started today (Dec. 7th) in 2006.
I started driving home from Fort Hood and every flag I could see was at the top of its flag pole. The only flag owners that I forgive are the car dealerships -- only because their super-huge flags can't come down for either safety or design (engineering design of the flag pole) reasons.
I finally got to my home county's county courthouse and stormed in, told the county judge that she needed to get at least the courthouse's flag fixed, even though the regular workday was ending.She had the "oh shit, how could we forget" look and sent one of the janitor types to do it. (It's locked so folks in Bellville don't do weird stuff.)
Then, I got to home to Sealy.
I went off my route home and out of my way thinking that city hall would have it right ...
I ended up fixing it myself. To hell with the lazy punks that wouldn't go outside the office and into the parking lot to fix it. One of the town's homeless-types was walking by and commented that he's glad that someone had the guts to fix it and gave me a thumbs up.
The end of the business day was approaching as I got closer to my hometown. The city had closed before I could get there. Alas, my hometown's flag pole is secured behind a chain link fence, so I couldn't fix that one.
The two American Legion halls in Sealy & Wallis have theirs locked down too. I couldn't fix 'em. You'd need a blowtorch (or the key) to adjust their flags.
I was appalled that everyone along Highways 190 and 36 had not brought their flags down to half mast.
Let's not let that happen again. One Pearl Harbor Day that is forgotten is too many already.

Public Schools & the Public Domain

2010-11-20T00:29:00.000-06:00

I keep hearing that school districts THINK that they own the copyright to every photo and video ever taken of any event (especially HS football). This is untrue. Do these same staffers and administrators even know how to register a copyright? UGH!!!
Read Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the Constitution for starters.
By the way, if you are a football coach and you think that you or your school "own" photos and videos that are not created by school staff members, then please start suing your local newspaper(s) and television station(s) and see how far that gets you. LOL.
You'll be lucky to even get credit for your highlight video - you'll more likely get a lawsuit from the big music companies. You can avoid that problem by working with photographers and videographers - not by trying to keep them out. Quality video professionals know how to properly license music, and by staying out their profit-driven ways, they will handle all of it during the business cycle.
Ultimately, you're going to drive all the good photographers and video crews away. Then you'll be left with horrible still images and videos, when so many specialists would be happy to send a percentage of their profits to the booster club if you just ask for it and get the photographer in contact with your booster club president.
On top of that, any and all public institutions can't own a copyright. Because they receive nothing but public funds (taxes!), therefore ALL of their photos and videos are automatically PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Here's the cool part about public domain ... anyone can use it however they want to - even if it's FOR PROFIT!
About 90 percent of the time, I'm at a game on assignment for a newspaper. But I only work with newspapers that receive temporary licenses for my work. I was about to do the entire 2010 season with a certain news group - until they pushed a contract with a "work for hire" clause. Those three words ended everything and I required them to delete all records of my photographs from their website. (Disclaimer: If you're paying enough, then I will strongly consider signing such a contract.)
However, because the newspapers pay so little, the only way for the game coverage to be worth my time is to sell photos to parents and other media outlets - namely regional magazines.
However, those magazines will not find photos if they are not optimized for web search engines (i.e. Google, Yahoo, Bing).
Every photo that I put online has certain SEO (Search Engine Optimization) applied to it.
For example, Brookshire Royal had a huge benefit in a solid action photo of their key running back Brandon Williams as the 3A "Cover Boy" in the 2010 edition of Texas Football magazine. That magazine editor found and contacted me because I had photos that were online and ready to be sold.
Many of my YouTube videos have received thousands of views because I create quality videos and apply SEO to them. Those same schools get the benefit of having their name seen by more people.
Additionally, those videos can greatly help any student-athlete get seen by college recruiters. While a single video will not secure a full ride scholarship, it may be the catalyst to get the process started - or maybe seal the deal.
For the record, I've never had any problems with the folks at Royal HS. In fact, they've been great to me and that's a key reason why I've gone the extra mile for them.
I have gone so far to help their yearbook students learn more about photography in order to produce a better yearbook. Doing this cost me a tank of gas because I live so far away and it worked out to about a full day of my time. How much do you make working an 8-hour shift? At minimum wage, that's $60. So I gave at least $120 "in kind" for a couple of classes in a school that has only politely opened its doors to me.
Katy ISD has been great to me also. Their staff at Rhodes Stadium runs so many games that they know what the real deal is. They also have multiple photographers with over $10,000 of camera gear on them. One guy earlier this season had an $8,000 lens with a $4,000 camera on it; and that was just one of the camera rigs he had on him.
So by not fussing with higher quality photographers and videographers, these schools get what they really want: Free coverage of their athletes and students! They also benefit by having better and more experienced media professionals on the sidelines.
I learned a lot of my trade while working next to the local news photographers, Houston TV crews, and even Associated Press photographers, while in high school.
What a coincidence!
Now, what happens when you take all those folks out of the equation?
You're left with plastic lenses in camera phones and that just doesn't cut it.
Oh, a note to misinformed school staffers, please don't forget about trying to sue them too. LOL. Those parents only paid $10 per person at the gate to watch their son or daughter work for free so you can have a paid job.
At least, let them have the opportunity to get a high quality image or DVD or their kids doing something they love. And that's what we're all after right? Helping the kids learn about teamwork and building memories?
Right?
Well, that's my opinion and the way that Holub Photography does business: It's ultimately about those kids on the field, and doing what's right for them.

Slim, the future Sooner

2010-10-13T08:15:00.001-05:00

Photos from Holub Photography's latest photo shoot of Brookshire Royal's star running back -- and future University of Oklahoma Sooner football player -- Brandon "Slim" Williams.

Katy VB moves up to No. 12, Wallis Brazos picked as No. 13 (2A)

2010-10-05T22:21:00.000-05:00

Texas Girls Coaches Association - State Volleyball Poll
October 4, 2010

Class 2A
1. Poth
2. Denver City
3. White Oak
4. Jewett Leon
5. Cameron Yoe
6. Bushland
7. Whitney
8. Centerville
9. Woodville
10. New Diana
11. Grape Creek
12. Sunnyvale
13. Wallis Brazos
...
25t. Altair Rice
25t. Lago Vista

Class 5A
1. Corpus Christi King
2. Austin Westlake
3. Cypress Woods
4. Klein Oak
5. San Antonio Reagan
6. Grapevine
7. Lewisville Hebron
8. Amarillo Tascosa
9. Southlake Carroll
10. Flower Mound Marcus
11. McKinney Boyd
12. Katy

Katy volleyball still No. 13 in Texas

2010-09-28T22:33:00.000-05:00

Texas Girls Coaches Association
State Volleyball Poll
September 27, 2010

Class 5A
1. Corpus Christi King
2. Austin Westlake
3. Cypress Woods
4. Klein Oak
5. San Antonio Reagan
6. Flower Mound Marcus
7. Grapevine
8. Lewisville Hebron
9. Amarillo Tascosa
10. Southlake Carroll
11. Round Rock
12. McKinney Boyd
13. Katy
14. A&M Consolidated
15. Amarillo
16. San Antonio Churchill
17. Cy Fair
18. The Woodlands
19. Midland
20t. Keller Central
20t. Georgetown

Class 1A
1. Bronte
2. Milano
3. Cumby
4. Avery
5. Savoy
6. Overton
7. Shiner
8. Wink
9. Normangee
10. Louise
11. Windthorst
12. Cayuga
13. Flatonia
14. Miles
15. West Hardin
16. Thrall
17. Round Top Carmine
18. Malakoff Cross Roads
19. Yorktown
20t. Colmesneil
20t. James Bowie
20t. Dodd City

Class 2A
1. Poth
2. White Oak
3. Jewett Leon
4. Cameron Yoe
5. Bushland
6. Denver City
7. Whitney
8. Centerville
9. Schulenburg
10. New Diana
11. Grape Creek
12. Sunnyvale
13. Woodville
14. Quitman
15. Peaster
16. Holliday
17. Pottsboro
18. Freer
19. Wallis Brazos
20t. Rogers
20t. Tatum
20t. Altair Rice

Class 3A
1. Lucas Lovejoy
2. Wimberley
3. Abilene Wylie
4. Texarkana Liberty Eylau
5. Monahans
6. Gatesville
7. Commerce
8. LaGrange
9. Paris
10. Argyle
11. Prosper
12. Zapata
13. Longview Springhill
14. Celina
15. Sinton
16. Caldwell
17. Devine
18. Decatur
19. Wills Point
20t. Mexia
20t. Brownwood
20t. Graham

Class 4A
1. Richardson Pearce
2. Lake Travis
3. Magnolia
4. The Colony
5. Canyon Randall
6. Friendswood
7. Pearland Dawson
8. Houston Stratford
9. Montgomery
10. Dumas
11. Dallas Highland Park
12. Alamo Heights
13. El Paso Riverside
14. Aledo
15. Plainview
16. Brenham
17. Waco Midway
18. Longview Pine Tree
19. Cedar Park
20t. Red Oak
20t. Santa Fe

Katy volleyball is No. 13 in Texas

2010-09-20T17:01:00.000-05:00

Texas Girls Coaches Association
State Volleyball Poll
September 20, 2010

Class 5A
1. Corpus Christi King
2. Lewisville Hebron
3. Austin Westlake
4. Cypress Woods
5. Klein Oak
6. San Antonio Reagan
7. Flower Mound Marcus
8. Grapevine
9. Amarillo
10. McKinney Boyd
11. San Antonio Lady Bird Johnson
12. Southlake Carroll
13. Katy
14. A&M Consolidated
15. Round Rock
16. Cy Fair
17. Georgetown
18. Amarillo Tascosa
19. The Woodlands
20t. Midland
20t. Keller Central

Class 1A
1. Bronte
2. Milano
3. Cumby
4. Avery
5. Savoy
6. Wink
7. Overton
8. Shiner
9. Normangee
10. Louise
11. Windthorst
12. Cayuga
13. Flatonia
14. Miles
15. Colmesneil
16. Medina
17. Round Top Carmine
18. Yorktown
19. Malakoff Cross Roads
20t. James Bowie
20t. Dodd City

Class 2A
1. Poth
2. White Oak
3. Jewett Leon
4. Cameron Yoe
5. Bushland
6. Denver City
7. Whitney
8. Quitman
9. Centerville
10. Grape Creek
11. Sunnyvale
12. Woodville
13. Peaster
14. Holliday
15. Pottsboro
16. Freer
17. New Diana
18. Rogers
19. Tatum
20t. Hallettsville
20t. Pattonville Prairiland

Class 3A
1. Lucas Lovejoy
2. Wimberley
3. Abilene Wylie
4. Texarkana Liberty Eylau
5. Monahans
6. LaGrange
7. Gatesville
8. Celina
9. Paris
10. Argyle
11. Prosper
12. Longview Springhill
13. Commerce
14. Zapata
15. Sinton
16. Caldwell
17. Devine
18. Decatur
19. LaVernia
20t. Mexia
20t. Brownwood

Class 4A
1. Richardson Pearce
2. Lake Travis
3. Magnolia
4. The Colony
5. Friendswood
6. Pearland Dawson
7. Dumas
8. Houston Stratford
9. Canyon Randall
10. Montgomery
11. Dallas Highland Park
12. Alamo Heights
13. El Paso Riverside
14. Aledo
15. Hereford
16. Brenham
17. Waco Midway
18. Longview Pine Tree
19. Cedar Park
20t. Red Oak
20t. Santa Fe

Other People's Business

2010-05-16T12:12:00.000-05:00

Last night I spoke with a friend about how another photographer has taken seven months to deliver only a disc with JPG files worthy of 2-inch by 3-inch prints. What about that album the couple ordered? If separate prints were not part of deal, what about letting them purchase prints a-la-carte online? What about that starting price of $4,800? (Holy sh*t, that's a bunch of money for no customer service or products!) More importantly, what about the over $6,000 that they paid you for everything you promised them?
I'm personally and professionally embarrassed by the actions this guy has done. He's been so unprofessional that it puts all us photographers in a bad light, and that's not cool.
Sadly, I was planning on still being in Iraq when they got married (15 month tour eventually got cut down to 12 months!) and the couple had to contract with this guy far enough ahead of their wedding, so there was no way that I could have stepped in to help them avoid the issue.
In the end, the couple had an awesome wedding and every other piece of that event seems to have went well. But the one person who had the job of ensuring their memories of that event has failed to follow through with his end of the deal, and that's just not cool.
I can understand that it takes time to do things the right way. It takes at least a couple of weeks to a month to turn around any professional photography product (it varies on what all is ordered). But more than half a year? I find that unacceptable.
Regardless, I'm not directly involved with the issue, so I'm not naming names. But if that's the quality of service for $5,000, then I need to raise my prices.
- Creighton

A small tidbit from an educational viewpoint

2010-05-02T23:23:00.000-05:00

"This is from a friend of mine for a class discussion.
(Thanks, Krista!)
"In the article, “U.S Offers a Hand to Those on Evictions Edge” discusses the new group of people that are finding themselves on the brink of homelessness. In the past years we thought of homeless people being the ones that have issues with substance abuse, mental illness and domestic violence. We have now come to realize this is not the only group of people that face eviction today. Due to the current economy we are seeing Middle class to upper class Americans who have lived their lives in comfort and wealth, now facing unemployment and possible homelessness. Such being the case of Mr. Moore and Ms. Martin as discussed in the article. Mr. Moore who was once a mortgage broker, who had made over 75,000 a year driving a Lexus and living a lavish life, is now in a cramped studio apartment with his children facing possible eviction. Another example is Ms. Martin whose painting business once pulled in over 100,000 a year, which paid her 2,500 a month rent and allowed her to purchase a trailer on Clear Lake to enjoy with her three boys. Due to the economy her business now pulls in 38,000 a year and her saving has been depleted. Ms. Martin now faces a situation where she has 100 dollars in her checking account and no food in the refrigerator.

Due to Obama’s new Homeless prevention and rapid re-housing program, which is a 787 billion economic stimulus package focuses on situation such as Mr. Moore and Ms. Martin. This program was created to prevent homelessness. Statistics show that once a family becomes homeless it takes years to recover and a possibility of never recovering. That is why it is important to make sure families such as these never end up on the street. These particular families, if given the time, will find successful employment as soon as the economy allows. The problem that certain states are facing is that so many applications are being submitted for financial assistance, that it takes time to assess which applicants can best benefit from this program. Unfortunately many applicants are running out of time. This to some makes it seem like the states are just holding the fund and not allocating it in a timely manner.
Many people have issues will the “Mr. Moore’s “and “Ms. Martin’s” of the world. Ms. Martin stated that she had her father to go to for help with the house payment but she did not want to have her father hold it over her head for some time. Many who are currently homeless would argue that they took much more extreme measures to assure there was a roof over their family’s heads other than just facing personal pride issues. The government should be the last resort someone should use. By giving money to Ms. Martin who could have surely received it from someone else, deprives people that have no other avenue of receiving money.
All though these are very valid argument for some, it still stands to reason that preventing homelessness is more effective than trying to treat homelessness once it occurs. This is a very tough call for the social service agencies to make on the question of who gets assistance and who will not, but it is still best for it to be left up to them. Or is it??"

Then I added:

"I think the next question is “what else needs to be done?”

My thoughts on top of trying to maintain those families on the edge of eviction, include memories of how our American society has become very comfortable with extravagant living. I spent the last five years of my life living in barracks that gave me less space than most college dorm rooms give their dwellers. In Iraq, we called our “barracks” cans or pods.

This is because you get a small wall locker and a twin size bed. Most Americans that I’ve met cannot imagine having to fit all of their belongings into the equivalent of a dresser and under their bed—much less work a full time job in that same lifestyle.

Maybe, in addition to supporting those in need, we need to find an equitable way to show people to live a better life with a whole lot less."

Check out the updated website

2010-04-17T11:21:00.001-05:00

Please check out my updated website.
www.holubphotography.com

Why is Royal "Brookshire Royal"?

2010-02-17T11:38:00.001-06:00

Since the news and sports new industrys' terminology follows the UIL's naming conventions, it will always be known as "Brookshire Royal."
The same goes for Wallis Brazos and even Omaha Paul Pewitt ISDs.
Look, for example, at the Katy schools: Katy, Katy Taylor, Katy Mayde Creek, Katy Cinco Ranch.
The State of Texas - through the UIL - calls the schools by the city they originally got their official mail through. In Royal's case, that was Brookshire. Regardless of the fact that Royal High School is actually in Pattison nowadays.
Don't worry, folks in Pattison are not alone. Everyone in Orchard is upset over Brazos being called Wallis Brazos too.

Alex turns on XBox 360 for first time

2009-11-06T10:26:00.001-06:00

So, I let Alex stand at the coffee table this morning (Friday, Nov. 6, 2009) before Crystal took him to daycare. He leans and reaches deep to grab the wireless XBox controller. He presses the center X button and turned on the 360.
He's a natural!

Marching on

2009-10-02T15:18:00.003-05:00

In case anyone is interested -- which I know you are -- Holub Photography has moved onto better business deals with other media outlets. I've been working hand-in-hand with these newspapers since the beginning of the football season a little while back.
We're reaching the sixth overall week of Texas high school football and I feel like I've finally got most of my old sports groove back.
It takes a little while to get your sports photography timing down pat and re-learning how to properly analyze the myriad of sports has taken time as well.
I'm very appreciative of my media customers for helping me build the capital necessary for gearing back up with modern digital photo technology. The last time I covered sports, Fuji released its groundbreaking ISO 1600 color film that did better than Kodak's time tested B&W 3200. For all y'all folks who came into photography when digital photography was breaking the $5,000 price barrier (as in cheaper), Kodak's B&W 3200 film was the gold standard for night time sports photography.
I now routinely shoot at ISO 1600 and I'm looking forward to my next camera, which will probably shoot as deep as ISO 12,800 -- which is jaw dropping to any of us "old timers."
Also, here are links to my two biggest media consumers:
www.timestribune.com
and
www.fulsheartimes.com
Thanks for reading!
Creighton

Sealy beats Houston Second Baptist, 57-17

2009-08-29T12:05:00.003-05:00

The Sealy Tigers whipped the Houston Second Baptist Eagles in the season opener, 57-17.
Check out The Sealy News for the latest news update and the Sealy Tiger Sports Network for the radio broadcast.
View the latest Sealy Tiger videos here.
And don't forget to get your metallic print photos at Holub Photography!

Tigers tear through Spartans, Ready for Sterling

2009-08-18T08:06:00.001-05:00

Check out this story in The Sealy News this week.

Sealy vs. Sealy

2009-08-08T07:23:00.002-05:00

Above: Sealy High School JV players sharpen their skills on each other at Tiger Stadium.

Check out www.holubphotography.com to see the newest Sealy Tiger video!
The story about the scrimmage should online at www.sealynews.com soon and in this week's paper.

Two-a-days set to begin!

2009-08-02T16:52:00.004-05:00

The fall sports season is about to kickoff!
I'm truly excited about this. I have only been able to make one game in the past five years. I've been all over the world - heck, two out of the past three years I've been in Iraq - during football season.
I'm set up to cover the Sealy Tigers for every football game this year. I'm going to try and cover down on as many volleyball games as I can, but my college schedule and budget won't allow for me to make every volleyball game.
Regardless, get ready for another bunch of exciting runs for the playoffs and foggy-eyed dreams of winning state titles!

Sealy highlight video finally online and complete!

2009-07-25T16:23:00.003-05:00

The 1997 Sealy Tiger football highlight video is finally complete - online!
I just got my hands on the 1995 season and will do the same for that one.

Check out the new website!

2009-07-23T15:33:00.004-05:00

Although this page is going to see some major overhauling, this link will get you started into the wonderful world of Holub Photography.

Member of 1st Cavalry Division Association

2009-07-23T13:12:00.003-05:00

I'm a proud member of many veteran associations.
The most recent group I joined features a lifetime membership in the 1st Cav Association.

Ice Scream!

2009-07-18T09:16:00.002-05:00

Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream has introduced a new flavor:
In honor of the 44th President of the United States, Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream has introduced a new flavor: "Barocky Road. "
Barocky Road is a blend of half vanilla, half chocolate, and surrounded by Nuts and Flakes. The Vanilla portion of the mix is not openly advertised and usually denied as an ingredient. The Nuts and Flakes are all very bitter and hard to swallow. The cost is $100.00 per scoop. When purchased it will be presented to you in a large beautiful cone, but then the ice cream is taken away and given to the person who can't afford it in line behind you.
Thus you are left with an empty wallet, no change, holding an empty cone, with no hope of getting any ice cream.
The socialistic dream come true. Are you feeling stimulated?

The baby speaks!

2009-07-11T12:41:00.001-05:00

Alex just said "Momma." While playing, he looked at Crystal and said it! (It was 12:10 p.m. today)

Getting the Iraq off my teeth

2009-06-30T09:40:00.000-05:00

I got the best dental cleaning of my life yesterday!
This is a photo of the flouride rinse they did at the end.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Dadda

2009-06-26T12:31:00.001-05:00

For the longest I have forced myself to believe that Alex has just been saying "dadadadaaddaa," and not "Da-da."
Well, he converted me to being a believer today (June 26, 2009) at 12:23 p.m.
He woke up and after changing his diaper, we were playing on the living room floor with our dog, Kipper.
Alex turned to me (I was laying on the floor), reached out and put his hand on my shoulder and said "Dada."

Video games and Real life

2009-06-23T20:49:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking about what part video games will play in my future.
I have not picked up a controller since I got home a couple of weeks ago. Not that I don't want to play, it's the opposite of that: I do want to play. If for no other reason, but to release some stress.
However, I don't have 50 hours to invest into a game like I did in my youth.
Ironically, video games now have all the cool bells and whistles that I dreamed of them having when I was a kid.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Video education

2009-06-23T12:20:00.000-05:00

Now that I have Final Cut Express, I've been studying video editing.
Compared to "regular" still photography, video is a combination of alchemy, witchcraft and Photoshop.
There seems to be many similarities to still photography, but there are many make-or-break differences that require close attention to detail.
I'm looking forward to posting more videos to my YouTube channel.
I'll have to post a link to it later, but in the meantime, you can go to YouTube and do a search for my name.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Clearing

2009-06-18T12:46:00.001-05:00

I'm almost done "reintegrating" to Fort Hood. However, I'm also
outprocessing the army at the same time.
I'm in for a wild ride over the next two weeks!
I hope everything falls into place starting this afternoon.

--
Very respectfully,
Creighton Holub
www.creightonholub.blogspot.com
http://Holub-Photography.dotphoto.com
www.linkedin.com/in/creightonholub
www.flickr.com/photos/holub-photography

"Liberty is never free, and demands vigilance."
- John Tate
www.campaignforliberty.com

"The Republic of Texas would rank ninth in the world in gross national
product, third in GNP per capita, and fifth in cotton."
- Texas Monthly

Alex having fun

2009-06-12T12:23:00.001-05:00

My little family had some fun on the ground this morning. Little Alex is working on crawling now. He rolls over like a champ and can stand with a little bit of help.

Aaron: Locked & Loaded

2009-06-12T12:19:00.001-05:00

My folks recently purchased a rifle for my youngest brother.
I can't wait to see it and hold it in my hands.

Blog #100: Home in America

2009-06-07T09:57:00.006-05:00

This is my 100th blog, and I'm writing it in the comfort of my home.
At this moment, my wife is getting some well deserved rest while my son is eating some brunch.
The 'photo shoot of my life' went very well. I got to meet a head of state for the first time ever. The Romanian president flew to Tallil for his country's end of mission ceremony with the 26th Infantry Battalion at Camp Dracula.
I got to shake hands with him, twice.
Afterward, I went directly to my brigade's transfer of authority ceremony. I shot some great photos of that and then we went to the airfield. Our first Chinook helicopter had a mechanical problem while going from its parking lot to the loading area we were at.
We ended up waiting about an hour, but they were able to launch another helicopter for us to ride outta there. We ended up bussing to the helicopter's parking lot and we took off directly from there to Ali Al Salem. Where we jumped in with the next flight home.
I ended up coming home with about 200 soldiers from my old brigade. It was really nice getting to chill out with people I served with for a couple of years.
My wife, mother, step-father and sister were able to make it to the homecoming ceremony at 12:30 a.m. at 1st Cav's parade field.
Since coming home, I've played with my son extensively and have started learning about my now 8-months old son.
I have been piecing together the stuff I will need to outprocess Fort Hood and the Army. It all starts this Monday.
So far, I've gathered my beret, Cav Hat, my newest knife, a Mantis Knives karambit.
I'm hoping to get around seeing my family and friends of the next few weekends. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be out of the Army by July 4th.

Biggest photo shoot of my life ... So far

2009-06-03T11:47:00.003-05:00

Well, tomorrow will present the biggest photo shoot of my professional career - so far.
I can't talk about too many more details yet.

Creighton on YouTube

2009-06-01T08:25:00.003-05:00

Now that I have access to a constant, although still slow, internet connection I actually posted a short video on my YouTube channel.
Here's the link: www.youtube.com/user/creightonholub
I'll be sure to add more videos as appropriate.

Creighton receives certificate of achievement

2009-06-01T05:08:00.003-05:00

The commander of the 27th Brigade Support Battalion issued certificates of achievement to all the personnel working in my shop on May 23.
Also, for those of you who are keeping tabs on me coming home. I'm officially on "main body 18," you can track my homecoming ceremony time, location and get directions to Cooper Field at www.cavcountry.net.

Free onOne Software Photoshop plug-in

2009-05-30T13:38:00.008-05:00

I became a fan of Genuine Fractals years ago. Back then, the combination of the Nikon D1X and Genuine Fractals whipped the best film product ever made, Fuji Velvia. I think the article was done by Popular Photography magazine.
Well, over the course of time, the software was bought and sold by a couple of companies until it ended up with onOne Software.
During my travels across the world (to Iraq twice! and I was one of the first guys to head in after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans), I've needed to enlarge photos to a larger degree than Photoshop can really handle by itself.
Genuine Fractals is the absolute best way to do it. I personally have the low-end Photoshop Elements plug-in version, right now.
onOne Software recently made a slightly pared down version of another plug-in technology, Photo Tools 2 Lite. Here's the sweet part of the deal: It's FREE.
Here is the link.
I just started using it and gosh it has cut down the time I would normally need to process a photo.
onOne, thank you for the freebie. I'm sure that you'll continue getting my business, and I know of another Photoshop user who has already gotten the software -- because of a similar email I sent out yesterday.
I highly suggest this piece of technology to anyone using Photoshop (I think it works with Photoshop Elements too, but check onOne's website to be sure).

Hometown sports fans uniting!

2009-05-30T04:45:00.004-05:00

I'm very excited right now.
First of all, my second and last combat tour is almost complete. Just a few more days and I'm outta here!
Also, the three fan sites I've created on Facebook collectively have more than 100 folks.
Here's the count (in order of highest number):
Brazos fans: 76
Sealy fans: 33
Royal fans: 6 (this group is the newest and I'm sure word just hasn't gotten around there yet)
Each group is open to anyone who wishes to join and has so far brought old teammates together, even if its to remember a special game or rivalry.
I've had the luck to cover each school's student-athletes extensively in the past. I've built personal relationships with many of them and I'm happy to bring wonderful memories back into their lives.
My intent is to post more and more of my archive online for people to enjoy and buy prints of their memories. Right now, my archive mainly consists of Brazos sports photographs. That's because I left most of my archive back home in America. I'm anxiously awaiting my return home (I miss my wife, son and dog) and will get more of the other schools up as soon as I can.
I am also going to post new content as I create it. If anyone has any personal requests, please email me at creighton.holub@gmail.com or drop a line on one of the Facebook pages.

What is 7,360 miles worth to you?

2009-05-27T15:10:00.001-05:00

Only 7,360 miles from Texas.

Weapon turn-in at Tallil

2009-05-27T13:28:00.002-05:00

Weapon turn-in at Tallil

Need smokes? We take blood!

2009-05-27T13:09:00.007-05:00

Eagle Cash (card), cash, or credit maybe some blood!! :)

New Royal Falcon fan page on Facebook

2009-05-27T13:00:00.004-05:00

Luckily, the Brookshire Times Tribune went online a few years back and I was able to keep tabs on the southern half of Waller County.
But, to help round up news and information, I decided to make a new Facebook group so everyone else can keep up with what's going on as best as possible.

New Sealy fan page on Facebook

2009-05-25T15:01:00.005-05:00

During the course of my two combat tours, I have tried to keep up with what's going on back home.
Part of that effort was keeping track of the hometown teams.
Luckily, the Sealy News went online a few years back and I was able to keep tabs on the economic center of Austin County.
I'm extremely excited to listen to the premiere radio show in the world: Tiger Talk on the Sealy Tiger Sports Network.
But, to help round up news and information, I decided to make a new Facebook group so everyone else can keep up with what's going on as best as possible.

New Brazos fan page on Facebook

2009-05-25T14:39:00.004-05:00

During the course of my two combat tours, I have tried to keep up with what's going on back home.
Part of that effort was keeping track of the hometown teams.
Thankfully, the owners of the Wallis News-Review have made a wonderful online presence that enables me to have a better idea about what is going on back home.
But, to help round up news and information, I decided to make a new Facebook group so everyone else can keep up with what's going on as best as possible.

Highlanders sending Creighton home

2009-05-25T05:06:00.003-05:00

The new Highlander Brigade and my unit are almost done trading places. We're so close to being done, that we already have a lot of our people back home in Fort Hood.

Fixing up my archive

2009-05-21T14:36:00.002-05:00

I have an enormous archive of my photographic work going back to 1996.

Here is a screenshot of one of the processes I'm using to make sure my old photos (and my new ones too!) look their best.

In addition to my Flickr photostream (click on the slideshow at the top right of this page), I also have another website dedicated to selling many of those photographs (http://Holub-Photography.dotphoto.com).

If you know of a photo that's either online -- or not online -- just send an email to me (creighton.holub@gmail.com) and I'll see what I can do for you!

I've already had several folks contact me during my second combat tour and I've found the photos they want, enhanced them through the myriad of photo editing software I have at my disposal, and put them into their hands in about a week. I'm hoping to get that process down to a couple of days once I get back to the good ol' U.S. of A.

Sandstorm Twister

2009-05-21T14:25:00.002-05:00

I had a quick delivery mission today after lunch and I got whacked with one of these while driving the shop’s Polaris Ranger around Tallil.
This “twister sandstorm” kicked up just as I was rolling out from the base’s “tent city.” I pulled these frames from a standard definition video shot with my Canon Elph point-and-shoot.

Old bed, new bed

2009-05-19T01:46:00.000-05:00

These are photos of the bed I slept on for about a year and the cot that I'll be sleeping on for the rest of this deployment.

Iraqis take responsibility for Ziggurat

2009-05-18T12:50:00.000-05:00

By Sgt. 1st Class Damian Steptore, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Approximately 500 attendees
were on hand to see security of the well-preserved Ziggurat of Ur
ceremoniously transferred back to the Iraqi security forces here May 13.
Since 2003, security of the 5,000-year-old Ziggurat has mainly
been under the control of Coalition forces. However, that changed
during a ceremony as one of Iraq's most famous archeological sites was
officially returned to Iraqi authorities.
"What you see here today has been set up by the Iraqi people,"
said Dr. Anna Prouse, the Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team leader.
"We will still be here to help out and I hope the Ziggurat will be open
to the children and the general public."
Prouse's PRT and the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry
Division "Long Knife" brigade assisted the Iraqi security forces and Mr.
Hamdani, the Head of Antiquities in Nasiryah, to plan the event, which
included various government officials and military leaders throughout
central and southern Iraq.
"Every citizen needs to have access to this Ziggurat because
education is not just in the class rooms," Prouse added. "Education can
also happen here."
The transfer marks one of the final acts of partnership between
the Iraqi security forces and the Long Knife Brigade as the unit is set
to return to Ft. Hood, Texas in early June.
"I am extremely proud to personally witness this special event in honor
of a site that is one of the oldest structures in the history of the
world," said Col. Philip Battaglia, the 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div.
commander. "We will always look back on our time here as a very special
moment in the history of this great nation."
The site is now officially controlled by the Dhi Qar Iraqi
police and managed by the Ministry Of Tourism.

Cutlines:
Iraqi citizens gather in front of the historical Ziggurat of Ur during a
turnover ceremony at Contingency Operating Base Adder in southern Iraq
May 13. The site is now officially controlled and guarded by the Dhi Qar
police and managed by the Ministry Of Tourism. (U.S. Army photo by Spc.
Creighton Holub)

Dr. Anna Prouse speaks in front of the historical Ziggurat of Ur during
a turnover ceremony at Contingency Operating Base Adder in southern Iraq
May 13. The site is now officially controlled and guarded by the Dhi Qar
police, and managed by the Ministry Of Tourism. (U.S. Army photo by Spc.
Creighton Holub)

Col. Phillip Battaglia, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division
commander, and various military and civilian leaders observe the
historical Ziggurat of Ur turnover ceremony at Contingency Operating
Base Adder in southern Iraq April 13. The site is now officially
controlled and guarded by the Dhi Qar police, and managed by the
Ministry Of Tourism. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Creighton Holub)

Highlanders

2009-05-17T15:32:00.001-05:00

I'm very happy to announce that the majority of my shop's replacements have arrived and are getting settled in.

They seem like a very competent and well-oiled team. My team has enjoyed an extra person and the new Highlander Public Affairs Office has the "standard" set of troops for this type of unit.

I only hope that the inroads we've made over the past year will make their lives easier and be a foundation they can build upon.

Pretty soon, there will be only one PR team here. Once us Long Knives sheath our colors, the Highlanders will be the only ones here.

For iGoogle users

2009-05-15T15:41:00.002-05:00

My first couple of iGoogle themes are available for use at this link.
Thanks and I'll keep you posted as I get this FREE feature (thanks Google!) finessed on down to a science of art.
And if you're not already using iGoogle, it's FREE! Go to www.google.com and you'll see the link at the top right of your screen.

Cleaned up

2009-05-15T13:55:00.004-05:00

Well, I just spent about an hour or so cleaning, to include mopping, which I don't do often.
I'm scheduled to move into Tallil's tents very soon. But that's not a big deal for me. I've spent the equivalent of at least 4 months living in tents this tour. Every day that I've spent in my barracks has been a blessing.
I believe that most Americans really have no idea how good they have it in the United States.
Heck, the living room back home is bigger than the room I've shared with another soldier. I've been living out of duffel bags since I got to this unit and I'm looking forward to actually having a place to call home.
I've already started having stuff like my Mantis Knives CinQ-3 Karambit sent home. I can't wait to use it as my daily carry knife.
Now I just need to figure out a good place to hang my Cav Hat and combat spurs.

So long FOB Hunter

2009-05-14T07:25:00.002-05:00

Hopefully, today was the last time I will see FOB Hunter -- Ever.

I truly feel for the guys who had to spend the majority of their deployment there. It reached 104 degrees when I was there just a couple of hours ago. And it had not even peaked at that point either.

I am very proud to say that I was one of the first troops, probably among the first 70 troops there this tour. I've seen it literally without any kind of fence and now it's all baricaded up and is a great place to run missions out of now.

So, for y'all guys out there still, I will eat a slice of pizza for you today. And a saw more than a hundred duffel bags out there on the concret runway, so I know it's time to hand the baton off to the new guys!

Ziggurat is back in Iraqi hands

2009-05-13T13:15:00.002-05:00

Today I got to witness a historic event as America turned over the Ziggurat of Ur, the House of Abraham and the ruins of Ur back to the Iraqis.
I will have more to come later on.
I should be home in a little less than a month and I appreciate all the support everyone has given my family and I during this year-long tour.

The Hat. The Spurs.

2009-05-12T09:55:00.002-05:00

I'm looking forward to donning my Cav Hat back home.

I get a little bit jealous when I see the other troops wearing theirs to ceremonies and other events.

One of my favorite things about it is that the Cav Hat shows your membership into a small group: The Cavalry.

Although I haven't ridden a horse to combat, I have rode the U.S. Army's Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters and have the rare experience of flying with Blackwater's Huey crews. Not to mention Humvees and most of the MRAP-type vehicles.

I've walked the streets of an Iraqi city with our Army's highest-ranking general and with a three-star general from Britain. I've floated down rivers with America's envoy to this country and outran airplanes Indiana Jones-style.

I'm we're still kicking over here. The adventure is not done yet. There is more to be done as my unit will shortly fall under the command of the Red Bull Division (yes, seriously) and I help ensure our successors are prepared for the journey ahead -- unlike my unit's predecessors.

All these events culminate in the Cav Hat and are marked true with the golden combat spurs I will receive upon returning home to Texas.

Packed Up

2009-05-12T09:46:00.001-05:00

I have pretty much cleared out my barracks room here on Tallil. I couldn't even fill up two duffel bags. I actually put stuff in there that I kinda didn't want to, just for padding for other stuff. These bags were for the shipping container.

It looks like I will have the following when I come home: one duffel (clothes, etc.) with me, another bag for my body armor, and my laptop's back pack as my carry-on.

Chai time!

2009-05-11T10:21:00.001-05:00

I've been introduced to many interesting pieces of ancient culture that survive to this very day.

My favorite is chai.

Basically, it's piping hot sweet tea served in shot glasses. It's loaded with sugar and you drink it very slowly.

The Iraqis offer it to all visitors and it's an insult to the head of the household if you don't at least drink some of it.

I surprised at how good it tastes. I have also drank it with American, British and Iraqi generals.

Life in the Middle East

2009-05-11T04:37:00.001-05:00

Here are some photos of what it's like over here in Kuwait and Iraq.

I'd like to point out the Arabic writing on the McDonald's apple pie box.

Photos I wish that I made

2009-05-11T04:16:00.001-05:00

These are couple of photos that I wish I had made.

One is of my former company commander just as he walked into his office after completing a mission.

The other is of some soldiers from a subordinate squadron navigating through the marshes in their area of operations.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T16:29:00.002-05:00

Today (well, it's the day after in Iraq, but still the right day in the U.S. as I post this) is the day that we set aside to recognize the women we wouldn't be here without.
Thanks Mom!
Thanks to my wonderful wife, who is the mother to our wonderful son!
I love y'all and I can't wait to be home for next year's Mother's Day.

ICC and Online Photographs

2009-05-09T10:39:00.001-05:00

Even though I've been in the photography business since 1997 in some way, shape, or form, I am always learning more stuff every day.

I recently had to figure out how to get all the colors looking right in a gift poster to the Romanian unit stationed at my base. However, the only plotter available is constantly in use for map making. Trying to achieve the color management necessary for an international gift has been a trying process.

I think we may have stumbled across the answer. Since my workflow usually ends up on the web or in black-and-white newsprint, absolutely controlled colors has not been too much of an issue before.

But the addition of a $5,000 printer created an unforeseen issue with amount of green ink being applied to the final product.

The answer lies in the addition of that printer's ICC profile to my color managment workflow.

I've also noticed a lack of vibrant colors in the photos that I post to this blog and other locations on the internet. Using the same methodology, I think that I may have come up with the solution to that color management problem too.

Camouflaged excellence

2009-05-09T10:26:00.001-05:00

My youngest brother continues to show his skill in electronics, mechanics and engineering.

One of his latest feats has been the disassembly and reassembly and painting of his XBox 360 controller.

Mark your calendars and clear your schedules

2009-05-08T04:06:00.001-05:00

Through the extensive process of backwards thinking and appropriate planning, it now looks like my last day in the Army will be Thursday, July 2. That Saturday is the Fourth of July.

Need I say more?

Sealy Tiger Sports Network

2009-05-07T16:32:00.006-05:00

Get your Sealy sports fix at www.SealySports.com
I wish more folks took the effort to get their home teams out there and on the web.
Also, my congrats to Justin Brantly, a former Tiger and Texas A&M football player. He is the Houston Texans' newest punter!

DINFOS heroes reunited

2009-05-07T03:43:00.001-05:00

The Army is truly a small place.

I was in line getting breakfast at Tallil's Heroes DFAC this morning when I ran into an old buddy from the Defense Information School. We went there in late 2004.

As with everyone else I went to school with, I haven't worked directly with anyone. But I've run across a bunch of them elsewhere.

Midnight chow

2009-05-07T03:26:00.001-05:00

The DFAC (chow hall) employees clean up the tables at the beginning of midnight chow.

These guys put together four meals for about 12,000 folks every day, seven days a week.

I had a rib eye steak last night. If only we'd have more "American" meals though.

PSD answers the Call of Duty

2009-05-07T03:20:00.002-05:00

These guys keep their combat skills sharp through simulated combat (Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 for starters) on top of their many trips to the shooting ranges and training on foreign weapons with the Iraqis and Romanians stationed here.

The torch is lit

2009-05-07T02:41:00.001-05:00

Hopefully, my previous post is formatted correctly as I put it up via email.

However, the question I pose to you, is when was the last time you saw so much awesomeness?

Be there or be square.

Long Knives light the torch

2009-05-07T02:39:00.001-05:00

090504-A-4737K- 041

The buses are led in by 4th Infantry Division's half track as hundreds of families, friend and fellow Soldiers wait for them to arrive home from Iraq May 4, in front of the 4th Inf. Div. Headquarters. A small contingent of Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division's "torch party" also arrived to a heroes' welcome. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

090504-A-4737K- 054

Families, friends and fellow Soldiers celebrate the return of about 200 Soldiers of 4th Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade and a small contingent of Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division's "torch party," as they arrived to a heroes' welcome May 4, at Cameron Field at 4th Infantry Division Headquarters on Fort Hood, Texas. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

090504-A-4737K- 088

A small contingent of Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division's "torch party" arrived to a heroes' welcome May 4, at Cameron Field at 4th Infantry Division Headquarters on Fort Hood, Texas. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

090504-A-4737K- 097

Although cloudy, not a drop fell down on the parade of the hundreds of families and friends who were waiting for Soldiers arriving to a heroes' welcome May 4, at Cameron Field at 4th Infantry Division Headquarters on Fort Hood, Texas. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

090504-A-4737K- 132

Master Sgt. Timothy Shapiro, 2^nd Battalion, 12^th Cavalry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Cavalry Division, of Farmville, Va., can't contain his happiness as he is greeted by this wife and 2-year-old daughter Lia Dante, as he and a small contingient of Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division's "torch party" arrived to a heroes' welcome May 4, at Cameron Field at 4th Infantry Division Headquarters on Fort Hood, Texas. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

090504-A-4737K- 182

Capt. Ronald Holmes, a physian's assistant assigned to 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, of Blackwell, Okla., walks alongside his 10-year-old daughter, Baylee, who carried his equipment for him off 4th Infantry Division's parade field as he and a small contingient of Soldiers from the 4th BCT's "torch party" arrived to a heroes' welcome May 4, at Cameron Field on Fort Hood, Texas. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

4th BCT, 1st Cav. torch party returns from Iraq

by Sgt. 1^st Class Kap Kim

1^st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas – For Sgt. Carlos Perez, of 5^th Battalion, 82^nd Field Artillery, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Cavalry Division, his time in Iraq is over, as he and almost 30 others from his brigade came back to hundreds of cheering family members, fellow Soldiers and other guests May 4, at Cameron Field.

The 4^th BCT Soldiers came back as their unit's "torch party" and flew back with a much larger group of Soldiers from 4^th Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade, as they shared their welcome home ceremony in front of the division headquarters.

The torch party is sent back earlier than the rest of the unit to help set up operations for their unit when it starts to deploy in its entirety.

As his unit's armor, Perez, of Ponce, Puerto Rico, will make sure the rest of his unit will come back to normal operations, as he will start to set up almost immediately.

Though for now, he said he is just happy to be home finally.

When he stepped off the bus and across the field, he said it was just really "awesome" to be able to see his family again, and this time, for good.

"I didn't expect my daughter to be so big," he said of his 2-year-old daughter Karla.

His wife Monica said she made sure she fixed up a good, huge home-cooked meal for him. "It's probably Puerto Rican food … and a lot of it," Perez said. "I'm sure she plans on making me a little bit fatter now."

Ten-year-old Baylee Holmes ran up to her father, Capt. Ronald Holmes, the physician's assistant for 1^st Squadron, 9^th Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT, across a sea of 4^th Inf. Div. Soldiers to welcome him home.

"It just doesn't feel real right now … hasn't really sank in yet," Baylee said about having her father back home.

"Maybe it's because he just got back," she explained.

Holmes, who was overcome with emotion from seeing his wife, Karmen, daughter and son, Blake, 14, said he was at a complete loss of words. All the PA from Blackwell, Okla., could muster was a simple, "glad to be home."

4^th BCT's flights are scheduled to go on for the next several weeks, bringing the rest of the brigade's Soldier back to Fort Hood, and Soldiers like Perez will make their transition back a little easier by having a system in place upon their return.

-30-

One step closer

2009-05-06T10:03:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm one step closer to being "Mr." Holub again.

I now have an ACAP (Army speak for "leaving the Army") counselor at Fort Hood.

Right now the hardest part is getting through to the home base over the phone system. I can't physically walk in and they're understandably busy with the folks who are already there and outprocessing.

Hair dryer heat

2009-05-05T03:44:00.001-05:00

Turn on your hair dryers folks!

The heat is back in Iraq.

I went outside the air conditioned office to run a quick errand about 11:15 this morning and I felt the heat before I even got to the door. However, the wind blew hot air once I got outside.

For example, take a hair dryer and for today's example, put it on medium heat at low speed. Now hold it out with your arm fully extended and aim it so the hot air hits you in the face.

In about a month or so, we'll move to your highest temperature setting and the fastest speed. And we'll finish up by having a friend throw a bunch of dust into the air to simulate the sand in the wind.

LK flights to bring troops home

2009-05-05T03:32:00.001-05:00

FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, will start to fly in from Iraq starting this week until they are complete.

They will come home to a heroes' reception on 1st Cav. Div.'s Cooper Field, in front of the division headquarters starting May 7.

Baghdad safer than New Orleans

2009-05-04T10:49:00.003-05:00

This came out in a recent military report on stories in the media: An independent statistics group reported 48 violent deaths per 100,000 persons in Baghdad last year. By comparison, during the same period in New Orleans, there were 62 violent deaths per 100,000 persons. Other violent cities, including Moscow and Washington D.C., recorded approximately 9 and 32 murders per 100,000 residents, respectively.

Here's the link: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1894566,00.html

Photo #10,000

2009-05-04T09:51:00.003-05:00

This is the 10,000th photo I shot with my Army-issue Nikon D200.

I shot it May 3, 2009 at COB Adder, Iraq.

I had no idea that I was reaching that far into the numbers, but I found out when the memory card had two folders. One finished with frame #9,999 and the second folder had this photo as #0001 (there was no #0000), so this one was number 10,000.

I've actually shot more than that many. I use three different cameras, but this Nikon has been my "daily" camera this tour.

RAW is the way to go!

2009-05-04T06:08:00.002-05:00

Here is a perfect example of why I shoot in my camera's RAW format.

I accidentally botched the exposure of a bunch of a recent awards ceremony photos. But I knew that I'm covered because when using the SLR cameras (both Canon and Nikon) I set the camera to use its RAW format. That's CR2 for Canon and NEF for Nikon.

Here's the same photo, but after I applied some basic enhancements. I fixed the exposure and brightness very quickly and easily.

So you can see the photos online, I made jpgs of the two different versions of the same picture, but the really dark version is the original unedited jpg version, except for the conversion from NEF to jpg.

The "good" one was saved because I was able to change the exposure in the computer. You can't do this anywhere as well with jpgs.

The exposure latitude of jpg files is close to slide film (2-3 stops, which is very unforgiving), but today's RAW files have exposure latitude similar to color negative film (about 5 stops). And the top-of-the-line cameras are approaching the exposure latitude of black & white film (about 7 stops, or more if you used the right kind of film and processed it right), but with full color range.

If you're using Windows (XP or Vista) you can't see what these files look like without using a program such as Adobe's Bridge. However, Mac users you will be able to work these files easier and faster since they can see them and work with them in a more "native" process.

Thanks to Google!

2009-05-03T04:49:00.002-05:00

I'm spent some time working in high security places (like my base here in Iraq), so I understand that organizations have automatic procedures for testing things in it's area.
One of Google's automated checking systems blocked my blog because it met some of its criteria for a "spam" blog. However, Google made it easy to fix with a simple email and about 2 or 3 button presses to get fixed.
My thanks to Google for making an easy-to-access product and for quickly resolving the issue.

1st rollover

2009-05-02T11:42:00.002-05:00

Alex just rolled over from his back to his belly at 11:40 a.m. May 2, 2009.

He was on the couch and Crystal was playing with him while making sure was safe.

He rolled over again at 11:41 a.m. and then once more into his Mommy's arms.

Girl Scout cookies make it to Iraq safely

2009-05-02T01:56:00.001-05:00

I recently received a big box of Girl Scout cookies from some nice, charitable people from back home.

However, they didn't put any email addresses for me to reply to.

I shared the cookies with the other troops in my section. One of the troopers jumped up and down when I asked her if she wanted the thin mints cookies as she had not seen them when she took a gander into the package.

There was a flyer in box though. The following groups and individuals are the folks receiving thanks from myself and many other soldiers deployed in Iraq.

Girl Scout Troop 7007

Knights of Columbus, Wallis, TX

Sons of the Legion, East Bernard, TX

Catholic Daughters, East Bernard, TX

Knigts of Columbus, East Bernard, TX

Katie, Courtney, Malynn, Danielle, Rebecca, Allison, Jasmin, Madison, Elizabeth, and Jordan.

PSD awarded

2009-05-01T08:01:00.001-05:00

The PSD earned many accolades this tour. Here's a group shot of all of them.

www.creightonholub.blogspot.com/

LK pics

2009-05-01T02:57:00.001-05:00

Iraqis, Long Knives unleash 'Lion's Roar' - Living - Fort Hood ...

2009-05-01T02:18:00.001-05:00

Sent to you by Creighton via Google Reader:

Iraqis, Long Knives unleash 'Lion's Roar' - Living - Fort Hood ...

via Google Alerts - "Creighton Holub" by on 4/30/09

Apr 30, 2009 ... The exercise showcased the cooperative capabilities of U.S. and Iraqi forces. Spc. Creighton Holub, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., PAO ...

Things you can do from here:

Subscribe to Google Alerts - "Creighton Holub" using Google Reader
Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

More websites

2009-04-30T12:52:00.000-05:00

http://www.radiopopper.com/
http://cinema5d.com/index.php
www.townhall.com
http://www.blackrapid.com/innovations.php
http://www.taskforcemountain.com/the-mountain-view

How Texas compares to the rest of the world

2009-04-30T04:19:00.000-05:00

According to Texas Monthly magazine, the Republic of Texas would rank ninth in the world in gross national product, third in GNP per capita, and fifth in cotton.

New DNG believer

2009-04-30T03:33:00.001-05:00

I'm about to start bringing all my NEF and CR2 camera raw files over into the DNG format.

NEF is Nikon's proprietary raw format, ditto for CR2 and Canon.

DNG is a free format from Adobe, just how PDF files are free to use.

My biggest pain with my photography workflow was keeping the metadata intact. You can use DNG to edit your metadata in a program such as Bridge, then move one file instead of the original photo and a sidecar file to other programs such as Apple's Aperture or Adobe's Light Room. Then, you bring it into "big daddy" Photoshop to make your final edits.

Republic of Texas recognized by USMA

2009-04-29T14:11:00.001-05:00

From an official trip section AAR e-mailed to West Point staff this morning: "Nine international cadets who are completing a full four year West Point experience before returning to their home countries to serve in their respective militaries attended the trip representing the countries of Sri Lanka, Korea, Barbados, Colombia, Romania, Lithuania, and from the Republic of Texas."

Taji 2006

2009-04-28T19:14:00.000-05:00

Photos from my combat tour with the 4th Infantry Division at Taji, Iraq in 2006.

Ziggurat of Ur

2009-04-28T19:11:00.001-05:00

Photos of the Ziggurat of Ur.

Ziggurat, House of Abraham, the ruins of Ur and other historical sites currently on the base will be handed back to the Iraqis very soon.

Birthday letter

2009-04-28T18:58:00.001-05:00

Lt. Col. Tim Norton writes a happy birthday letter for all his troops on their birthday. I'm happy to say that this is my second one from him.

New DNG fan

2009-04-28T16:01:00.001-05:00

I've been learning more and more about post production photography and I just finished watching Terry White's podcast about DNG, or Digital Negative format, and I'm now a fan of the raw digital camera format.

I was skeptical of it at first, but the biggest selling point for me was that new metadata becomes part of the raw file instead of a sidecar file. That's a huge headache-preventer for me!

Poster 3

2009-04-28T15:33:00.001-05:00

This was the last poster I made from scratch for this tour.

I wanted to use a photo of the Ziggurat of Ur in one of these posters and the opportunity presented itself at the perfect time.

One of the other military journalists was flying in a helicopter and her mission was detoured. They swung around the Ziggurat and she had a moment of brilliance and shot what would become the background photo for this poster.

I fell in love with the font Rage Italics when I had to design the unit's first news magazine. It looks close enough to cursive to show some elagance, but it's also rough enough to represent the military.

Poster 2

2009-04-28T15:24:00.000-05:00

Ah, this one was second poster I made.

I had a completely different subject matter to use for this one: Combat.

My brigade had just pushed out to a place no American military folks had seen since the 2003.

The clear blue skies and plain sand made the masking process a lot easier and faster.

Poster 1

2009-04-28T15:20:00.001-05:00

This was a fun poster to make.

I had no idea that I would be making posters or photo illustrations this tour. So, I had originally focused my personal training on normal photojournalism. Luckily, I had started learning about portraiture and wedding photography for my upcoming post-Army career.

I was thinking about how I could do this more effieciently and at a higher quality the whole time I was creating this poster. I put some effort into finding tutorials and more knowledge about enhancing my photography.

It's one thing to make a nice picture, but it's another thing to have a beautiful photograph.

King Watheq Abid

2009-04-27T03:44:00.001-05:00

2009-04-26T10:34:00.000-05:00

I am a: Glock Model 22 in 40 cal

What kind of handgun are YOU?

Sealybration?

2009-04-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

Lone Star Motorsports Park
SATURDAY EVENT: July 4th:
Saturday July 4th, Gates open at 6 pm, Track open from 7 pm - 11 pm
They called it 'Sealybration' a long time ago. I wonder if it still is.

C4L

2009-04-26T07:51:00.001-05:00

C4L

2009-04-26T07:40:00.001-05:00

Retail excitement

2009-04-25T16:35:00.000-05:00

I recently ordered my first Mantis Knives knife, a karambit from an online retailer, Knife Center.
It's the MK-3 CinQ.
I found out about Mantis Knives too late in this deployment to get one shipped to me to actually use in Iraq. But I have been spreading the word both here and back home. So far, I've heard only positive reactions.
I also think this brand of knife will make for some nice, inexpensive -- but high quality -- gifts.
Check out www.mantisknives.com to see this model and many others.

Lone Star and Greg Vaccariello

2009-04-25T15:02:00.001-05:00

Photos from comedian Greg Vaccariello and country band Lone Star's visit to Forward Operating Base Hunter, about 30 miles from Iran, on Jan. 24.
Thanks for visiting us out there and at Tallil. I know lots of soldiers were very excited about your performances.
I also like to recognize folks for their outstanding work. Check 'em out at:
http://www.gregvac.com/
http://www.myspace.com/GREGVACCARIELLO
http://www.lonestarnow.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nashville-TN/Stars-for-Stripes/61530643588

Easter photos at the house of Abraham

2009-04-24T04:10:00.001-05:00

It was a beautiful morning for an Easter service at the home of Abraham.