Photo Journal

	Hockey or just a passion for sports? It isn’t Ken Dryden that was of interest; it is the photo of him wearing an old goalie mask before hockey helmets were so widely used. The photo is interesting to me because of the significant changes in helmets used by hockey players. There is still controversy over the use of visors in the NHL; many NHL players still refuse to use visors and still choose helmets that offer minimal protection. This particular photo and article were featured in a Canadian magazine called Maclean’s. Although it is a small photo within an article, you could see by the background that it was taken in an ice rink. The red jersey and detail on the goalie mask drew attention to the photo and article. Maclean’s is Canada’s version of Time Magazine and articles on hockey are as big as baseball in the United States. The article itself is of little importance to me since it addresses the evolution of hockey, his book and money in the NHL but Dryden’s postscript on the game is very touching and reminds me of my son Jonathan’s attitude toward sports. He is a very determined young adult and strides to better himself for himself. Jon is favored often by his coaches due to his work ethic and sheer determination. I read the Postscript because it is centered on the page; the title and colors caught my attention.
Love for chocolate? Well, not really. While I love desserts, chocolate is not my first choice and I prefer to make desserts more than eat them. What was of interest was the presentation of the advertisement. The presentation caught my eye initially because of the dripping, wet chocolate glaze that looked fresh. It was shiny and had ripples. The fresh raspberries made the dessert look refreshing. It wasn’t until I took a second look that I noticed the advertisement was for B&B liqueur and the dessert was actually presented on top of a brandy sniffer. The recipe overlapping the glass in small type on top of the white background added to the delicacy of the dessert.
	Adult recognition: How important is it? I think Girl Scouting is a wonderful experience for young girls. Both my daughters are Girl Scouts and honestly when Stephanie started scouting 7 years ago, I enrolled her for something to do. It took years for me to start following the program and notice how important it is for young girls. It builds self-esteem and provides opportunities for girls that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. At present I am a leader for my daughter Lexi and co-leader for Stephanie. I’ve been actively involved in Girl Scouting now for 4 years. As the girls develop from year to year, they do look up to those ahead of them. Setting an example for these young girls is essential. I think the new recognition awards are important not only for the volunteers but more so for the girls to see we all stride to be recognized. What caught my eye was the chart, neatly laid out in a grid. The contrast of colors and font drew my eye to the actual recognition awards. Each award was clearly stated along with the criteria and type of recognition being received. I think the graphics for each type of recognition was also clearly represented.
Can the United States do it again? Mia Hamm is an icon for young female athletes. She has inspired many girls to play soccer. Female sports are on the rise and a great contributor to self-esteem. Being part of a team encourages inclusion and a sense of belonging. The advertisement for the Herald News on coverage for the women’s world cup portrays Mia Hamm focused and with determination. What especially caught my attention was the effect of white-on-white. The silhouette gives depth to the photo and causes the details of the uniform to stand out, especially her jersey number. Girls associate the number 9 with Mia Hamm and her name need not be mentioned. The softness of the white uniform clings like lycra making the action more realistic.