Nairobi, Kenya. Day #1. 29•Nov.•11

These from today after a 3AM (local time) arrival, and hit the road running at about 8AM. A few early favorites from the Kibera slum, the largest in Africa, where it's been reported that nearly a million people live and work.

"As long as breath remains in my body, I will seek to work somewhere in Africa. The challenges are many. The sights and sounds are too numerous, and at times simply overpowering. Add the simple day - to - day experiences I share with the people from all walks of life, and the photographic rewards remain unending..." ~cg.

En Route - Nairobi, Kenya. 27•Nov.•11

9:25PM. At the gate in Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, NY on Sunday, November 27, 2011. Awaiting my departing flight to Istanbul, Turkey and connecting through to Nairobi, Kenya. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

"I've Got Multiple Shots Fired Down Here..." Newburgh, NY 21•Nov.•11

This one was a difficult scene to work late last night. When I took the reporter's call (above) just after 10PM, I immediately replied, "I'll be there in 10 minutes..." We both live in the neighborhood and know the shooting victim from working these streets... ~cg.

Newburgh Chief of Police Michael Ferrara (left) joins other officers as they examine a gunshot round outside the Terrace Lounge on Liberty and East Parmenter Streets in Newburgh, NY on Monday night, November 21, 2011. Donovan "Snoop" James (29) was shot multiple times by an unknown assailant and was eventually flown by MedeVac helicopter to Westchester County Medical Center for emergency treatment. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"No NBA...? No Problem." Basketball coverage has begun for the 2011 / 2012 season for me. Newburgh, NY 15•Nov.•11

The game ball rolls to a stop at court side after the Mount Saint Mary College - SUNY New Paltz women's basketball game in Newburgh, NY on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. Mount Saint Mary College defeated SUNY New Paltz 62 - 47. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

For those of you already missing your "Lebron and / or Kobe fix" on the NBA schedule this Fall, I am excited again to return to covering local high school and college games. For me that means utilizing multiple cameras, the usual gaggle of lenses, Pocket-Wizard radio transmitters & receivers, strobing arenas and gyms, remote camera set-ups, clamps, cords, batteries, gaffer's tape, heavy duty extension cords, chewing gum, rubberbands, gizmos, other doo-dads, and of course lugging all that gear to a location on a luggage cart. I sometimes feel like I'm heading out of town on an assignment, when actually I may only be working a few towns away at a big game, no matter the level of competition. After shaking off the rust and getting comfortable again working on the hardwood floor, here's a few images from Tuesday night's doubleheader season opener at nearby Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. Stay tuned... ~cg.

Veteran's Day. Newburgh, NY 11•Nov.•11

"The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month..."

Newburgh firefighter Capt. John Ryan presents the nations colors during a Veteran's Day ceremony in Newburgh, NY on Friday, November 11, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"Once a Marine..." 10•Nov.•11

"Semper fi...!" Today is the United States Marine Corps' 236th. Birthday.

MCRD. Parris Island, SC. 1982.

"H" Battery, 3rd. Battalion / 11th. Marines. 1st. Marine Division. CAMP PENDLETON, CA. JUNE 1984.

"F" Battery. 2nd. Battalion / 12th. Marines. Okinawa, Japan. 1986.

At 5:15AM with newly commissioned Marine 2nd. Lt. David Padgett outside his Rye, NY home on October 4, 2011. Lt. Padgett was en route to Okinawa, Japan to join the command of a Marine Engineering Company.

*I spent two and a half years on "The Rock" (Okinawa) during my tour as a heavy artillery / fire direction controlman (in the unit photo above: second row standing, second from right.) in the mid-1980's. I've know "Lt. Padgett" (above) nearly 20 years, going back to when he was a youngster playing Pop Warner football and the like. It's been a pleasure watching him grow to be a VMI graduate, and now a fine young Marine officer (at left & right). Passing the torch, I guess you could say... "Semper fi...!"

The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. For every Marine that ever carried a rifle... ~cg.

"The One That Got Away..." Election Night. Kingston, NY 8•Nov.•11

It is not uncommon in this business that the most compelling & storytelling image of the night doesn't make the paper... ~cg.

Lawyer Jonathan Sennett, Ulster County District Attorney candidate talks on the phone in his campaign headquarters in Kingston, NY on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Sennett was defeated for a second time by incumbent Holley Carnright. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record