Goon Squad Classic

Last night I went down to the campus of UC Davis, not to cover some kids getting pepper sprayed, but to shoot the Goon Squad Classic charity game hosted by Donte Greene and featuring an assortment of Sacramento Kings. The funny thing about charity games is it's all dunks and 3's until the end of the game when it's close and someone wants to win. This particular contest went into overtime and ended with a 167-164 score in Greene's team's favor.

Some NBAers in attendance: Donte Greene, Tyreke Evans, Jimmer Fredette, Isiah Thomas (this one, not that one), Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Demarcus Cousins, Matt Barnes and Hassan Whiteside. Add this game to a long list of exhibitions that have transpired in lieu of the lockout. At the very least, proceeds from the game went to charity. Hopefully we can get down to some real NBA action come Dec. 15th. Shout out to free t-shirts. Everyone loves a free t-shirt.

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Brett Dennen

Barefoot Wine sponsors beach rescue projects throughout the country where they entice volunteers to pick up trash during the day with a promise of a free wine party/concert later in the evening. Great idea if you ask me, especially if you're a fan of the person playing the live show. In this case, yet again, I didn't know who this person was.

Brett Dennen, a musician hailing from Northern California (hey!), brought quite the crowd to this clean up party. He's a super, laid back, guitar wielding musician who actually walked barefoot along the banks of the Anacostia River (def not recommended). After I shot the concert, I was able to get a free copy of his newest album , Lover Boy, and played it loudly in my car through the streets of Georgetown. It's a good album.

Later that night, I went to a bar with a few of my friends to watch the Heat v. Bulls playoff series. Guess who's music was blasting from the jukebox? Surprise, surprise. Shout out to Pep.

Sally Wilson of CBRE for Eco-Structure Magazine

Sally Wilson is the Global Director of Environmental Strategy/Senior Vice President at CBRE whom I photographed for Eco-Structure Magazine. Check out the article here.

Portraits of David Kahn

You guys ever heard of David Kahn? Assuming you're saying "Nope, sure haven't Mike." I'm saying, "me either." After photographing NCAA basketball tournament participant and American University arch nemesis Bucknell men's basketball, I had the good fortune to photograph a Bucknell alum.

David Kahn wrote a book on cryptography called The Codebreakers. And with him being one of the leading experts in cryptography, we met at the National Cryptologic Museum near Ft. Meade, Maryland. I didn't know this place existed and no wonder because although cool and in the cut, it is a far cry from the Smithsonian powerhouses located in the District. In this particular place, he is somewhat of a celebrity. I actually photographed him in a room called The David Kahn Library in which he donated over 2,800 books.

Shout out to Dr. Khan who is an interesting man with funny stories and extreme amounts of patience for the idiot with the camera.

Running through Napa and Sonoma

Oh no, I definitely wasn't. I still can't get with the idea of running long distances for extended periods of time and smiling while doing it! Even if it's for a good cause.

Early in my tenure as a Sacramentan, I photographed Team Challenge as they raced and raised money for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America through the wine countries of Napa and Sonoma. While the participants ran 13.1 miles from start to finish, I drove and short-cut my way through most of the course. Boy was I exhausted. There was also a running guitarist by the name of Mike McCready. Shout out to Mookie Blaylock Pearl Jam.