'About Me' photo added

You may have noticed that my face has never appeared on this blog. I'm sure most of you are thankful for that. There had been one photo of the back of my head that appeared in the About Me section of this blog. That is now gone. But in its place has risen a new photo that, for better or worse -- almost certainly worse -- unmasks me.

I send this out as a warning to all readers, so that they do not unknowingly step onto what they might otherwise consider a blog landmine. And, yes, I fully realize that by posting this photo I am setting myself up for ridicule. But I have tough, old (heavy emphasis on old) skin and am ready for any shots that come my way.

Several of you have offered suggestions -- unsolicited, I might add -- for the photo that will grace (some might say mar) the back cover of my upcoming book. Some have generously volunteered old college photos. Others have suggested particular poses, such as this one, which model-actress Nastassja Kinski made famous in the early 1980s. However, as I noted before, I do not do nudes -- and that includes nudes with snakes.

The back cover photo caused me a considerable amount of unease. Like many people, I do not like to have my photograph taken.

So it was with a great deal of anxiety that I eventually sent an email to Chad Husar, a photographer based in my hometown of Evanston, Illinois. Fortunately, Chad showed great interest in my project and a few days later he had me plodding through foot-deep sand-covered snow on the shores of Lake Michigan on a frigid late January afternoon. The Arctic-like backdrop made for a surreal photo shoot. I was amazed that we found patches of sand not dusted by snow and that is what you will see in the aforementioned photo that I posted in the About Me section. Chad, I must say, did an incredible job, especially when you consider the subject matter. I highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a photographer. The photo that I've posted for this blog is one of three shots that will be submitted to my publisher. One of those three will eventually be the back cover photo. Sorry to disappoint, but none of those features Nastassja Kinski or a snake.

Comments

[Hal from the ISU Cafeteria]

I actually like the photo. However, the shirt is a little gay (not that there is anything wrong with that).

[Dave C.]

Don't listen to Hal. It really is a good picture of you. It IS you--Neatly combed hair with a big smile.
Now I sound gay--is theres something wrong with that?
DJC

[Cashier at the Plum]

Inspired by a publicity still from the "Summer of 42?"

[Rico]

Cashier at the Plum? The Plum closed down a couple of years ago, and has been replaced by the Copa Cafe -- the hottest spot north of Chicago.

[Mary Beth]

I also like the picture. I have to agree with Dave - it IS you.

[Scoop Richardson]

I ran across this alternative take on the web: http://www.golfskinny.com/randy.htm I realize you have to keep with the modern times, but I liked this look.

[Randy Richardson]

Re: Scoop's digging up an alleged photo of me from my past, I would only suggest that Scoop is a less than credible source -- one who himself has a rather sordid history that has included peddling via the Internet thong underwear under the label of former Detroit Lions head coach Wayne Fontes. You can't get much more sleazy than that.