JRN 423 - Final Video Proposal

"No, I'm not well," were the words of 81-year-old Mount Pleasant resident Maxine Tanner when she was being interviewed by Central Michigan Life reporter Randi Schaffer. Tanner relies on her son Andy to take her to the grocery store and doctor appointments. She goes through dialysis on Mondays and Fridays, followed by her Bridge game on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which she finds her own ride to.

“Life is very interesting, I will have to admit that. Every day was exciting. I just lived a very exciting life.” She was in the Air Force for 2 months, has been married twice, raised three kids--mostly by herself--and started her own business when she was 51, only retiring after falling ill and having a heart bypass surgery.

To me, Maxine represents something that we all try to achieve. She has found a small measure of peace in her life. She's experienced the highs and the lows, yet she can only smile and be thankful for what she has experienced.

In my project I want to show that even though her health is deteriorating and her mind and memory not as sharp as they used to be, she is still an incredibly strong person, one that we could all learn from. I want to follow Maxine, from taking a trip to the store with her son, Andy, to her Bridge games, and hopefully (after some time and clearance), to her doctor appointments.

Maxine Tanner

81-year-old Mount Pleasant resident Maxine Tanner sits on the porch of her S. Lansing St. house on Wednesday afternoon, March 17, at the advice of her horoscope. "It told me to go outside and enjoy the weather," she said. Tanner retired as the Central Michigan University Football team seamstress four years ago after 25 years. "I have lived life for 80 years," Tanner said. "We're all working to be people."



Maxine Tanner sits in her chair situated in the corner of her living room across from her television. "This is what I do most of the time now. I can't drive any more." Tanner said.



Maxine Tanner goes through documents regarding her time in the Air Force. The papers were held in a black envelope titled "Portfolio of Important Documents." Tanner briefly served in the Air Force as a radio technician for two months and 21 days, where she met her future husband. "When you were married, you had to get out," Tanner explained.



Maxine Tanner hits her forehead with her palm as she tries to remember a name of someone in her past. At the age of 51, Tanner started a sewing shop, and later would become the Central Michigan University athletics seamstress for 25 years.

Alma College Theatre presents: Book of Days

Shot for The Morning Sun. I'm a fan of having access to the catwalks.

His House - Crave

A collection of photos I shot for CM-Life during the weekend long His House bible study, "Crave." Jake wanted me to shoot details, so I shot details. Yup.

CMU Football Spring Practice

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Radcliff practices Tuesday during the CMU football team's spring football sessions at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. CMU coach Dan Enos said Radcliff has a slight edge to replace former quarterback Dan LeFevour because of the experience he picked up while playing extensively in two games last season.

I'm considering photoshopping a burning/exploding building to the right of Radcliff. Anyone have an awesome photo of one?

Hookah

So I got this assignment to shoot something Hookah related right before Spring Break, and then proceeded to totally forget about it, go figure. So when assignments got sent out over the weekend, Ashley informed me that the story was budgeted to run in the next on Wednesday, 3/24, so it had to be in on Tuesday. Come Monday night I had no ideas for it, just a possible idea. So I checked out a strobe, pocket wizards, brought Jake, and shot for a couple minutes.


Farmington Hills sophomore Chris Plotzke exhales after taking a long drag from a hookah on Monday night at the S.I.X. hookah lounge on S. Mission St. "I grew up around a lot of hookah shops. They were a great hang out spot," Plotzke says. "I enjoy the taste and the atmosphere of the bar."


Northville sophomore Dan Mackinnon takes a drag from a hookah pipe on Monday nigh at the S.I.X. hookah lounge on S. Mission St. "I've been smoking since I was 18, it's relaxing and enjoyable. It's more of a flavored steam rather than a smoke."

Baseball v. Davenport 3/16

I enjoyed the warmth of the almost Spring day with Jake May (hey, it rhymes!) and shot some baseball. Totally a good way to spend an afternoon.








At this point Jake and I were essentially basking in the sun and enjoying our time watching the game. I decided to just fire off a "volley" as the next pitch was thrown, and sure enough, the batter got hit.


Andddd the final out of the game.