me n' betty.

I walk into an Oak Lawn steakhouse last week, where I met up with Michael Sneed, one of my all-time favorite reporters, who was sitting down with Betty Loren-Maltese at a high wooden booth.

Yep. That Betty.

Betty looks at me, smiles, and says, "You look familiar. Have I met you before?

"Were you in prison?"

We both start laughing... not nervous giggles, but big genuine laughter and I am immediately at ease.

I tell her I didn't meet her in prison, but I did chase her down at the courthouse a few times.

For the next hour and a half, I sit as Mike asks questions, Betty answers, and I listen. And laugh. A lot.

Along with being a convicted felon and a former Federal prisoner, she is a real person. Her stories are sincere, highly entertaining and give a real look into what life's been like for the past eight years.

You can read Mike's stories here.

She does a much better job than I ever could at providing insight into this complex public figure.

I don't live in Cicero, and never have. All I knew of Betty is what I have read.

But I now know she has pretty much experienced a hell that she may or may not have deserved. She's a devoted mom, and has a wonderful sense of humor.

She's real, like it or not.

She looks good, and like many other women I know, she's trying to put her life back together to resemble "normal."

The interview was fascinating. During it, I tried to capture her personality in the few minutes of shooting I was able to have. I think it worked.

I am aligned.

That is according to Dr. Kickass.

He told me that a few weeks ago.

I believe him.

After a several long, and sometimes painful and frightening weeks where I just wasn't totally sure I would ever feel right again, I feel really great.

I am energized. I am confident. I am healthy. And it feels that way inside and out.

The weather has had everything to do with it. It is easy to face a day when you are greeted by the 6AM chorus resting in trees that are on the verge of turning pink, white and red for the spring.

One by one, my doctors have said, "See you later, alligator." Or at least, "I don't need to see you for a year."

I had a lot of time to practice gratitude when I was home watching Oprah and The View and contemplating my next moves in life.

Once I was ready to head back to reality, I was truly ready.

I've had quite an amazing six weeks post-sick time.

An aardvark CT. Two massively huge front pages. A walk with Jesus. An invitation for cocktails from Betty Loren Maltese. The fans at the Sox opener.

Life doesn't get any better.

And in the center of it all, the Easter season. A time of renewal and hope and an assurance that life indeed is not meant to be handled alone.

I could say it's a coincidence that so many pieces are falling back into place for me.

But I know differently.

His plan is infinitely more exquisite and exciting than I could ever imagine.

And I am good to go.

sacrificing.

I was thinking about Lenten sacrifices I talked about last night with friends.

I was reminded about something from way back in my CCD days, where I was told that the sacrifices are meant to assist in remembering Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. Not to punish, or to make us crabby, or to break us down, but to actually have an acute awareness of what Jesus did for each one of us!

I admire the intent to honor that during the Lenten season, especially as we approach Easter. I think that we can also achieve that same connection by working on exactly what PT talked about for the past month... our personal "junk," addictions, and character flaws that do not honor God.

Maybe make a commitment to NOT beating yourself up for the next few weeks. To talk nicely to yourself. To concentrate on not being nasty to someone in your life you don't like, but absolutely have to get along with!

To get the exercise your body needs.

To nourish your spirit by reading the Bible each day.

I read Hebrews 13 this morning, and before even opening the book, I prayed for some strength in my spirit and soul because I have been weak physically and emotionally this week.

To put it mildly, I got an earful!!!

I thought it might help my "Grace" friends, and anyone who is struggling with junk, like me.

And I would just like to share it with those I love.

spinning.

It freaks me out, but happens so often, it's impossible to ignore.

Dr. Kickass and Pastor Tim were reading from the same manual this week.

Dealing with my junk. Thinking I can handle everything on my own.

KA called it "sitting and spinning."
PT called it the "spin cycle."

Either way, the cycle of spinning on something that is not healthy for you, or not right in the eyes of God detracts from the life that was truly meant for you.

I spin a lot. About all sorts of things, none of which make me particularly proud or content. I argued this week that slowing down the spin was progress. The good doctor begged to differ.

PT said that when you regularly and systematically engage in anything that goes against God and runs your life... any addiction at all... it sucks your time, your energy and your spirit dry.

So this week, as I find myself with extra time to slow down, relax and contemplate, I am taking their words to heart, and turning to the one place that can and will respond.

Help.

this is the year.

I feel a huge wave of change ahead.

I am not even sure of what all will happen. But I am certain it's going to be big.

The year is off to a great start. I've reconnected with old friends and met some new ones. There's the occasional running, which clears my head and strengthens my body. I finally can breathe outward about many challenges that consumed way too much time and energy in my life. I have new challenges that all fall in the W column, regardless of the outcome.

I haven't felt this positive in a very long time.

And the weirdest thing about all this is I am actually seeing opportunities as they arrive. They are numerous and crystal clear.

I'm not looking at them, fuzzy and out of focus, in a rear-view mirror. I'm not spending time second-guessing and worrying about which path to take.

I am doing.

Really, really wonderful things happen when you are able to open you eyes, your ears, your mind and your heart. When you ask God to make the path clear so that you know where you are headed.

I don't expect that this year will be free of roadblocks both small and large.

But I finally feel free to know that it will be all good. In good time.

the love project.

1 Corinthians 13

"1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails."

Visit www.1C13.org for a project that takes 14 weeks to complete.

The project's creator, a friend of PT's daughter, is a new believer who is absorbing the Bible for the first time. He decided to put faith into action by concentrating on one aspect of love from Corinthians 1:13 each week for 14 weeks. Parkview is encouraging us to do the same: making God the center of your world and experience His immense love for each of us.

I think this is a wonderful project. It takes a concept and breaks it down into pieces that are relative and do-able. It's a tangible way to experience the intangible.

It's patience week this week. If you are anything like me, opportunities to practice patience are abound.

But most importantly, I have to have patience with God. Part of living a full life is surrendering the control you think you have over your life (you really have none) and passing it on to the guy who has the roadmap. His travel plans may be different than mine.

I want to accept that.

Patience.

a decade to remember.

The past 10 years have been significant to me in many, many ways. Particularly in the area of photography.

I started at the Sun-Times on December 27, 2009. Just in time for the millenium. I have been blessed with many wonderful experiences, none of which I would trade, and all which have defined me personally and professionally.

So, my "photos of the decade" encompass some of my best work as a photojournalist. Ever.

It's been a great ride:



Workers dig in the remains of the Milestone Tap, where several people were killed in Utica, IL where a tornado hit in 2004. This photo ran simultaneously in the front page of the Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune after Shamus Toomey and I (but mostly Shamus) weasled our way into being the press pool for the governor's visit to the site. And to this day, is the biggest coup of my career!




Tiger Woods reacts as he just misses a birdie putt on two Sunday during the final round of the PGA Championship at Medinah in 2004. And before his wife brought him to his knees in 2009. Poor Tiger.



George Ryan leaves Dirksen after being convicted on 22 counts Monday in 2006. That's Jose More's camera on the right. He missed this shot... sorry Jose!




With workers shoveling behind him, a man talks to his wife, victim of an overturned gravel truck Tuesday to a helicopter at the intersection of 159-Pulaski in Markham in 2005. No life-threatening injuries were sustained. Fire personnel rescued the woman and her baby. One of the best spot news photos I ever drove into. Ever.



Marines arrive at the Marine Sgt. Jeanette Winter's home in Gary to talk with the family in January 2002. This was the first fatality in our area from a war that continues to rage on, eight years later. Yes, eight years.



First place men's finisher Robert Cheruiyot slips as he crosses the finish line in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in 2006 with a time of 02:07:35. He sustained fairly serious injuries in the fall. It's probably the best sports photo I ever was lucky enough to shoot.



White Sox Paul Konerko is congratulated by teammates Carl Everett, Tadahito Iguchi and Jermaine Dye after seventh inning grand slam in the 2005 World Series Game 2 at Comiskey. I thank Tom Cruze for offering me his seat at third base while he went to send some pics. I will never forget this night as long as I live. Go Sox!



Adam Flaherty, 5, looks for reassurance from his mom Karen Tuesday afternoon before entering Ogden School for his first day of kindergarten in 2000. Cute.



The best there ever was. The best there ever will be.



From left, Illinois Luther Head, Dee Brown, Jack Ingram, Deron Williams and James Augustine talk in the first half vs. UW-Milwaukee in 2005, on the road to the NCAA Championship. Illinois beat UW-Milwaukee 77-63, but lost to stinkin' North Carolina in St. Louis in the Championship. I am 0-2 for NCAA Championship series with my dear alma mater. I still hope that three times will be the charm.



Mourners, including daughter Megan Conlon, at left clutching her dad's fire helmet, watch for the funeral procession for Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen to arrive at St. John Fisher Church in Chicago in 2000. Perhaps my favorite image of all time, since it still makes me tear up when I look at it. I hope these girls, who are now nine years older, are living good lives.



A couple enjoys an old-fashioned drive-in movie date in a '57 DeSoto at the Cascade Drive-In in West Chicago in 2001.



Mary Weaver, assistant stylist, center reacts with the rest of the crowd at at Laura's Hair Salon, 9858 S, Vincennes, as President Obama arrives at his swearing-in in 2009. Sweet.



WWII Veteran Arco Ciancanelli of Glenwood talks about his war days, in light of benefits he has yet to receive from his service. He received the Distinguished Service Cross to recognize his service. He was a character I will never forget. He received all his benefits after this story ran, and he died about six months later.



Mallory Gross, a pre-kindergartner at Brennemann School in Chicago tries to see around Lincoln Park Zoo gorilla Makari as she snacks of popcorn, honey and peanut butter with Rollie, a gorilla, who was re-introduced to her habitat in 2005 at Lincoln Park Zoo, after being treated in isolation for an illness the past few weeks.

Always good to end on a high note.

May you be blessed with happiness, prosperity and good health in the year ahead.

And may your photos all be worth 1000 words.