Mike Sekulich

As a youth growing up in Chicago's far north suburbs, daydreams relating to my future occupation usually revolved around becoming an architect or a music radio disc jockey. As such, I was especially captivated by the unique form of Marina Towers’ circular twin structures, which was also the home of 1970’s AM music radio mega-station Super-CFL. These two uniquely-linked aspirations are why I still get a little RPM-boost whenever I stroll by the buildings.

This picture was taken at a party at the British Consulate-General's residence in Chicago celebrating the anniversary of The Beatles first visit to America. Myself being a Beatles fan since grade school (they're still my #1 favorite band), it was quite an exciting/humbling experience to perform their music in front of various British dignitaries, professionals and fellow life-long Beatlefan friends. The evening's overall vibe and atmosphere is evident in this shot.

When my high-school daughter joined her first club-level volleyball team, it was a great opportunity but a challenging eight months with multiple weekday practices and monthly tournaments. I took this picture of her and her closest teammate/friend as they were walking away from their final volleyball event of the season at Navy Pier. I thought it was a perfect metaphor of their season as teammates ending, but their journey together as friends continuing.

Visiting my hometown one warm September Saturday, I stopped by the ball field where my dad regularly played 16" softball in the 1960's/1970's. A barrage of hazy kid-memories came flooding back. Drinking Glen Rock pop and watching "Chicago ball" like it was the World Series. Searching under the bleachers for dropped coins. Most especially, running out to the field to stand next to my dad for the team picture after they'd won the championship game.

We have somewhat of a mini-legacy regarding pitchers in our family. In the 1930's/1940's, two of our grandfathers pitched in the industrial hardball leagues, and my dad pitched 16" softball in the 1960's/1970's. My daughter took this picture of my son at his first Varsity start on the mound. I added the half-tone effects to give it that old sepia-photo look, as if he'd somehow traveled back in time and pitched alongside his elder relatives. Field of dreams, indeed.

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