Author Archives: themodeljournalist

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About themodeljournalist

Sports journalist who is happy that Kevin Durant finally got his first ring.

All-Star Weekend Times Two

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Although Las Vegas never sleeps, there is a quiet lull coming into a weekend that the city has never seen before.

Las Vegas Boulevard on February 5, 2022 before the rush of crowds descend upon the city for the star-studded festivities.

While most people come to Las Vegas to celebrate bachelor and bachelorette parties or gamble, this weekend Las Vegas will be home to two All-Star events. Both the National Hockey League and the National Football League are hosting star-studded events in Sin City.

On February 5, 2022, the hallways of the Wynn Las Vegas are the most quiet they will be all weekend.

Ahead of Sunday’s NFL Pro Bowl the very popular Pro Bowl skills challenge was held in Summerlin at the Las Vegas Ballpark.  This is the first time in 15 years, the NFL star-studded event will be played in Vegas.

The NHL has never held an All-Star game in Vegas but, this weekend, the NHL All-Star game will be at T-Mobile arena.

Seen inside of the airports, restaurants and all the casinos floors are slots machines for the light-hearted gamblers looking to win on February 5, 2022.

While Las Vegas will be filled with sports fans from many different leagues, it is still Sin City and there will be plenty of opportunity to gamble not only on the games but, in the casual way we all know and love Vegas for.

Airport on the Potomac: a Photo Story

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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is one of three airports serving the greater Washington D.C. area. The airport is also called National Airport, Washington National, Reagan, or DCA.

The airport is three miles south of Washington D.C. in Arlington, Virginia, across from the Potomac River. It is easily accessible to residents in Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland by vehicle and a stop on either the blue or yellow lines on the Metro. This rapid transit system serves both the inside and the outside of the Capital Beltway.

Passengers can be dropped off by loved ones or ride shares at one of two locations with access to all four terminals. Terminal A is the oldest terminal and services flights mostly from Air Canada, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Terminal B services American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. American Airlines and jetBlue share Terminal B/C. Terminal C is used solely by American Airlines.

On March 22, 2017, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Washington National, announced the plans for “Project Journey,” a $1 billion remodel. To this day, scaffolding and alternate routes for security check-in, limit access to some of the areas inside the airport. The National Hall, which connects all the terminals within the airport, is only accessible for ticketed passengers. The public can only view the National Hall from the departure level through the glass.

People who are not flying but like to watch airplanes take off and land have another option to view this beautiful airport. Gravelly Point is a park north of Washington National and connects bike riders to the Mount Vernon Trail. There are picnic benches, a large field, and plenty of opportunities to take photos of incoming airplanes.

An American Airlines flight arrives in the late afternoon at Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on January 27, 2020 amid mostly clear skies.
Elements of Photography: Sense of Place, Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines
Drop-offs and pick-ups on January 28, 2022 are visible from the metro platform at the Ronal Reagan Washington National Airport metro stop.
Elements of Photography: Rule of Thirds, Sense of Place
Passengers departing from Washington National on January 28, 2022 are dropped off by loved ones or ride shares at Terminal C.
Elements of Photography: Linear perspective, Rule of Thirds
Passengers seen on January 28, 2022 are waiting to check-in for their flights at the departure level and take in views of the expansive National Hall and the airplanes outside.
Elements of Photography: Movement
Passengers are walking through the National Hall in between Terminal A and B/C at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 28, 2022.
Elements of Photography: Movement, Leading Lines
Passengers arriving at Washington National leave the secure are to get their bags from baggage claim on the first level of the airport on January 28, 2022.
Elements of Photography: Silhouette, Rule of Thirds, Framing
On the arrival level of Washington National Airport passengers look at multiple screens to see which baggage claim carousel their checked bags will come to on January 28, 2022.
Elements of Photography: Motion, Rule of Thirds
A family is seen with their luggage heading towards the parking garage on one of the people movers on January 28, 2022.
Elements of Photography: Motion, Graphics
Photographer at Gravelly Point captures an airplane arriving at Washington National Airport in the late afternoon on January 27, 2022. Gravelly Point is located less than a mile north of Washington National.
Elements of Photography: Shadow, Repetition, Decisive Moment, Sense of Place

On the Mount Vernon Trail, the control tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is clearly visible in the late afternoon on January 27, 2022. Elements of Photography: Rule of Thirds, Framing

Virginia Launches Coronavirus Notification App

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There’s an app for that!

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COVIDWISE is a new app intended to notify people if they’ve come in contact with confirmed coronavirus cases.

Virginia is the first state to use the new technology developed by Apple and Google. The app uses Bluetooth technology to determine when another user has been nearby, within six feet, for at least 15 minutes.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and other state officials emphasize that the app is for notification purposes and DOES NOT track or collect personal information. People who download the app voluntarily and anonymously report positive coronavirus test results.

Once you download and opt-in on the application, a token will be created for your device. The token system is how phones within the system communicate with each other. Every day your phone will download a list of tokens associated with positive coronavirus cases and notify you if you’ve been in close contact with any of the tokens listed.

If you have other questions on how the app works, The Virginia Department of Health website has a list of frequently asked questions just for you.

The G.O.A.T. Debate Had Its Last Dance

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As a deprived sports fan, “The Last Dance” documentary was a much-needed escape from the confines of quarantine life.  Never before seen footage, XXXL suits, real and fantasized rivalries, and entertaining interviews from NBA HOFers, respected reporters and political leaders.

The 10-part series chronicled not only the ’98 Bulls team but, provided insight into Michael Jordan and his teammates over the years, first-hand accounts of the most memorable MJ plays and who was really behind the Jordan shoe brand.

One element of the documentary that I really enjoyed but, was widely received with mixed emotions was the story structure. Documentaries are usually chronological but, ‘The Last Dance’ highlighted the ’98 season with little context nuggets from seasons past and personal histories.

Each episode brought on ’90s nostalgia, from the colorful tracksuits and our favorite hip-hop songs of the decade to answers to burning questions from 20+ years ago. It is hard to pick favorites but, let’s give it a go:

Favorite Episode(s): Episode 3 and Episode 8

The Pistons rivalry. The Jordan Rules. The never-before-heard stories of Rodman’s escapades. Episode three was filled with some of my favorite moments from the entire series.

And then episode eight. Space Jam. The LeBradford Smith story. The 1996 Father’s Day NBA championship game, that audio still brings tears to my eyes and sends chills down my spine.

Favorite Michael Jordan ’90s fit:

favorite MJ fit

Favorite Role Player Feature Story: Dennis Rodman. Hands down.

rodman

Favorite pair of Jordans: 6s.

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Favorite Featured Song:  The entire soundtrack is amazing but, ‘Still Not A Player’ – Big Pun ft. Joe. Forever a bop.

Favorite highlighted individual NOT named Michael Jordan: Phil Jackson.

Michael Jordan

Favorite “that didn’t age well” moment: The replay of Nathan McCall’s interview after MJ refused to publicly endorse North Carolina Senate candidate Harvey Gantt. It was reported that Jordan’s response was “Republicans buy shoes too.”

McCall said “Everybody in the world respects Muhammad Ali. You know why? Because he stood for something. He stood for something even if it meant sacrificing a payday. We respect that. Ultimately, Michael Jordan maybe forgotten. Muhammad Ali won’t be forgotten”

Can we locate Mr. McCall and see how he feels about these comments now? I’m interested.

Favorite Michael Jordan Tablet Moment: I can’t choose between the two. Just two moods that are felt equally.

Favorite Unexpected MJ Moment:

The closing quote for Episode 7. The genuine, raw emotion.

“You ask all my teammates, the one thing about Michael Jordan was he never asked me to do something that he didn’t f****ng do. When people see this, they’re gonna say well he wasn’t really a nice guy. He may have been a tyrant. Well that’s you, because you never won anything. I wanted to win but, I wanted them to win and be a part of that as well. Look, I don’t have to do this, I’m only doin’ it because it is who I am. That’s how I played the game. That was my mentality. If you don’t wanna play that way, don’t play that way. Break.”

Least favorite highlighted individual: Jerry Krause. Hands down. No explanation necessary.

Worst Story Line: MJ having anything to do with his father’s death. Just a sick, disgusting, disrespectful narrative that should have never seen the light of day.

All in all, the documentary was entertaining, engaging and full of glorious footage from one of the best decades of basketball. Michael Jordan has received some backlash from stories told and explanations given but, that’s to be expected when you are the greatest of all time, right?