Boo

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Halloween is so popular in this country anymore (all shaped by insidious corporate marketing, do doubt). People pretend to be everything from hobgoblins to hookers, parade about in public or at parties and, in the current version of the practice, drink rather a lot. It wasn't like this when I was a kid. We just slapped on whatever your mom bought at Woolworth's and went out in bands of little beggars. It was simply about the candy.

I go shoot the big Halloween street party in our Central West End neighborhood every year. The crush of bodies can become intolerable, unless you get a rise out of close physical contact with the Super Mario Brothers. Obviously we are in a substantial minority, but Mrs. C and I just don't get it. I'd have about as much fun spending a Saturday night dressed as a pirate than as a trial lawyer. The last time I went to a costume party about 25 years ago, I got a Los Angeles Angels baseball jersey and made a paperboard miter that said "We Accept Visa And MasterCard" on it and went as the pope.

Delirium

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The crowd went wild. The town went wild. People had a very good time. I'm happy that the night brought joy to this sometimes hidebound city.

Below, star catcher Yadier Molina jumps into the arms of relief pitcher Jason Motte after the final out; a storm of confetti is blasted from the roof; and a one-word summary of everyone's thoughts.

Many of the world's people follow some sports team, their emotions rising and falling with their heroes' fortunes. It seems strange to me that people identify so deeply and find such personal euphoria in the outcome of a game. You know, this too shall pass. Sic transit gloria mundi, Wheel Of Fortune, Second Law of Thermodynamics and all that. The Cardinals, though, are the class of the National League (international readers: the other one is the American League). Only the New York Yankees, the best team that money can buy, have won more. No one else in the National League comes close. We've been in the World Series three times in the last eight years, winning twice. Since there are 30 Major league teams, that's an exceptional achievement.

As my daughter and I left the stadium, one of the ushers cheerfully reminded the fans that opening day of the next season is just 24 weeks away.

CHAMPIONS!

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O - M - G. The St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series last night, defeating the mighty Texas Rangers 6 - 2 in the final game of the best of seven series. The team was given up for dead in mid-August. What a thrill for our city. But it's sooo late. More on Saturday morning, Redbird time.

Life On The Mississippi

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That's the name of a memoir published in 1883 by Mark Twain. It describes his career as a young man working his way from deckhand to boat captain on the ever-shifting waters of the Mississippi. It also includes his observations during a pleasure trip on the river from St. Louis to New Orleans after he became a famous writer.

Twain might be shocked by what he would find today. There are still many miles of woods and farmland flanking the river but there is also much industry and urban growth. What would the man born as Samuel Clemens think about helipads and huge copper smelters?

By the way, Nathalie, you're right. While work has been a giant time sucker, this week's real distraction is the World Series. The Cardinals came from behind time after time last night to take Game 6 in extra innings. The decisive seventh game takes place tonight. My camera and I will be there.

Thursday Arch Series

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Just the basics. I think that one of the best things you can do with an Arch photo is to find a cloudless day make a pinpoint exposure on the bright metal skin,and then let the sky go black.

I've been really bad about commenting on my friends' blogs lately. There are a number of hoary English legal maxims they teach American law students, one of which is that the law is a jealous mistress. So many hard deadlines, so many specific responsibilities. So, it's just been exploring new dimensions in overwork lately. Oh, and the World Series distractions. The Rangers are up on the Cardinals three games to two in the bast-of-seven series. Last night's game in STL was postponed due to rain and will be played tonight. The Cardinals have to win the two remaining games at home to win the championship. Lots of distractions.

That's Not Nepalese

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Three skilled belly dancers were part of the Concert For Kathmandu Kids. Uh, this is Middle Eastern, not South Asian, isn't it? Although the last time we were in Kathmandu two years ago, our group had a farewell dinner at a restaurant that featured belly dancers (and a finale with an appearance by Yeti).

Today is the deadline for submissions for STL's big year-end photography show, SEEN 2011. I won first place last year with this one. You can see my entries for this year here. Any favorites?

The Kids From Kathmandu

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My time has been totally sucked up by new dimensions in overwork and watching the World Series. So, here are some shots of shots of kids in the Mitrata Nepal home in Kathmandu, Top, the organization's brochure. Middle, a photo of a reverent boy. Bottom, a Nepalese dancer in front of a slide show of the children. The photo is of Januka, the young woman my wife and I sponsor.

No game tonight so I should be able to visit friends' blogs. The Cardinals just lost Game 5 in Texas 4-3. Game 6 is Wednesday night in St. Louis and I hope to be there.