Indo-Pak National Basketball Tournament
- August 27, 2008 - posted by chicago wedding photographer nate mathai

categories: Personal
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interested in booking? Head over to the the contact page or shoot me an email to info@natemathai.com

I remember going to my God-parents place, and folding and stapling the programs together.  I remember going to the tournaments watching the bigger guys play some highly competitive games, and shooting around during time outs and halftimes.  I remember doing a toned down play-by-play for a couple games and keeping stats.  Oh, and I remember getting free t-shirts for a couple years too!

In 1989 my cousin Matt Alex started the Indo-Pak Basketball Tournament in Chicago, as a response to the need for a quality, competitive and respectable basketball tournament catering to the Indian and Pakistani demographic.  Over the years, it had grown much larger than some might have expected, with people traveling from all over the US and Canada to play in the Chicago Invitational, as well as satellite tournaments being held in other cities.

This past July, celebrated its 20th year hosting the tournament, and I was able to capture a bit of the action throughout the weekend.

Along with celebrations, it was a bittersweet moment at the end when Matt announced that, after 20 years, he was stepping back from the overall logistical responsibilities of running these tournaments and handing over the reigns to a new set of leaders.  There were many heartfelt words of thanks and tears shed during these final ceremonies.

Much respect to the Maryland 5 Pillars who (true to form) took home the title yet again.

It was my joy to take part in the 20th anniversary of this tournament, and I look forward to another 20 years of quality basketball in the future!

[08.08.25] Monday Night Recap
- August 25, 2008 - posted by chicago wedding photographer nate mathai

categories: Personal
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interested in booking? Head over to the the contact page or shoot me an email to info@natemathai.com

• [Photo Challenge] August is coming to a close, so be sure to start sending your images in this week!
• [Cubbies] 5 games up in the NL Central with 31 games to play.  It’s exciting times around here!
• [Fantasy] With the NFL Season right around the corner, that means that start of updates from my fantasy football happenings.  I’m in a league with a few friends, with the winner getting an NFL jersey of their choice!  Wish me luck (I missed the draft and even though I pre-ranked my players, it didn’t work out that great).  If you guys have suggestions of which jersey to get when I win, let me know!
• [ABDC] SoReal Cru had never been up for elimination at all this season, yet SuperCrew wins the whole thing.  Do you think it was simply the novelty of b-boy that got it for them, or were they truly better dancers?
• [Phuc and Sherry] On Saturday, I had a chance to second shoot with Kenny Nakai again for the wedding of Phuc and Sherry.  It was tons of fun and very cultural with two tea ceremonies!  Here’s the teaser for now…



• [Sudha and Stinson] I had the honor of doing a family shoot with Sudha, Stinson and their two beautiful daughters on Sunday out at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.  I’ll get the full story up later, but for now enjoy the teasers:




• [Equinox] For those who have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I’ve had a great membership at Equinox in the Loop.  The only problem with the membership is that I really haven’t gone…I think I’ve been there about 4-5 times this year!  But now it’s time for a change!  They’ve upgraded their membership cards and I just got mine in the mail, which has renewed my energy already (I feel very prestigious with it).  So keep me accountable in at least improving my regularity with working out through this next year (…my current rate is a little under once a month, I think).  Any suggestions on how to stay motivated/disciplined in this area?  I think I’ll start this Thursday or Friday.



• [The Tipping Point] OK, I’ve fallen very far behind in my reading goal of 12 books in 2008.  But I finished The Tipping Point a little bit ago for book #4, and am almost done with The E-Myth Revisited.  The Tipping Point is a really interesting read that makes me look a lot deeper in the details of outcomes and effects rather than accepting the obvious or norm.

Free to Succeed?
- August 19, 2008 - posted by chicago wedding photographer nate mathai

categories: Personal
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interested in booking? Head over to the the contact page or shoot me an email to info@natemathai.com

DJ and Jasmine* came to Chicago today for the Free to Succeed Tour…and I didn’t go.  I’m semi-kicking myself for not registering and going, because I feel like I just missed a great opportunity.  So for anyone who did go, any glimpses?  I’m assuming DJ spoke, Jasmine spoke…Bob Davis?  Did Kenny do any talking?  Any surprise visitors?  I seriously should have just gone…

On my way home from my day job, I did grab this pic of the Tour bus on my iPhone (I was going to get closer but every lot of the hotel was gated!):

Alright…enough of that.  I’m over it… :)

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