3.31.08 killing time and amusing myself

I shot this picture while waiting for my subject (a librarian) to return from checking out her do. This is a book for children that she recommends called "The Invention of Hugo Cabret."

3.30.08 now I get it

One thing you'll hear a lot in Cajun music is someone hollering, "aaiee" in the background. The word in French literally means OUCH. After my first raucous gig, I get it. 

3.29.08 bringing in the fun at the Fun Barn

We rocked so hard that my hands are blistered and my limbs are sore, but it was so worth it. The audience begged for two encores and we booked a future gig at the Fun Barn. Aaaieee!

UPDATE: I just uploaded a video from the gig. 

3.28.08 a Cajun chapeau

We had our last band practice tonight and our first gig is approximately 20 hours away.

Brian showed off his new Cajun cowboy hat and boots he bought for the show. Carter also made a big purchase for the gig. He bought a wireless mic for his fiddle and he's now free to jump and play. I can't wait.

3.27.08 Gulp!

I have my eyebrows waxed about once every four months. I should probably do it more often, but I don't for a couple of reasons: it's painful and I'm lazy. I am glad when I do it because I get to see my friend Tonia and my brows look so much better.

This is Tonia moments before the kill. I sorta feel like I'm visiting the dentist. She covers my mouth so the other customers in the salon don't hear me scream.

3.26.08 spotted on my brick patio

Argh! How is this happening? The snow just melted. Dandy.

3.25.08 Saltimbanco

Artists promoting Cirque du Soleil's  show "Saltimbanco" were all over town to hype the show that will be in Wichita for a few days. I met up with three stilt-walkers and a mime during their visit to a performing arts elementary school. Here they are just before making their grand entrance.

Buckner is one of my favorite schools in the district. I love to run through the halls singing the theme to "Fame" (under my breath, of course). 

The performers were great. The kids dug the stilt-walkers, but I was surprised at just how much they adored the mime. Of course, she didn't know what to say about the adoration.

Here are some more pics.

3.24.08 fresh from the farm

The farm family I photographed last week sent me home with a few fresh eggs. They are large and in charge. They taste good, too.

One bad thing about fresh eggs is that they need to be washed first. I found a small feather and some other stuff stuck to the shell.

3.23.08 Pop-in at the Chadwicks

I did a pop-in at the Chadwicks this afternoon and I'm so glad that I did. Even drool is cute when it's coming off this adorable blue-eyed baby.

3.22.08 those two crazy kids from Arkansas

Amanda and Kurtis were in town this weekend, so we shot a few engagement photos. They're getting married in Wichita in August.

3.21.08 kitchen porn

My kitchen fantasy came to fruition today when CRG finished making a shelving unit inside one of my cabinets. No more having to rifle around to find what I'm looking for. I am elated.

That man really is useful. Ma Green is so very proud and I think she'll probably want him to do the same for her.

3.20.08 sweet Bentley

I checked on Bentley today 'cause his folks are outta town and he's a little lonely. He could've had more company if my eyes weren't so damn good. I spotted Denise's keys (including one to the vacant home) sitting on top of Nick's car in the driveway. DOH!

3.19.08 flying lessons

A farm girl teaches her chicken how to fly. The foul landed on her feet just fine.

3.18.07 as fun as it looks

Robin zips through the Arb on Micah White's electric scooter. I took a spin on it and it was totally rad.

3.17.08 Erin go bragh

Erin sports a lovely St. Pattie's sticker at Mulligan's, ye old neighborhood Irish pub.

OK, it's not an authentic Irish joint, but a lot of people were drinking in green garments. Very festive, indeed.

3.16.08 Mmm...Mickey Mouse pancakes

Haute cuisine for a future food critic.

3.15.08 my competition in twenty years

A budding photojournalist hard at work. I started taking pictures around her age using a Kodak disc camera. I'm getting old.

Here's a short video from this morning.

03.14.08 three little birds

Spent some time swinging on the porch with Lexi and Denise. We each plucked a colorful bird from the sky and quickly set them free. (They were fictitious yellow, red and green feathered friends that were thought of by an imaginative 3-year-old girl. No actual birds were captured in the making of this photograph.)

3.13.08 deer in the headlight look

I spent the entire day working on a multitude of multimedia projects. So, it's only fitting that I took today's photo using the built-in computer camera. 

To avoid becoming another Kansan to make the news of the weird, I got up several times. Oh, that's bad.

3.12.08 mmm...pie

Can you tell that this young man is excited about his grandma's lemon pie?

See the resemblance?

3.11.08 found at Dillons/formerly Homeland/formerly Food 4 Less

I wonder if these labels were grown on an organic sticker farm.

3.10.08 something's not quite right

The newsroom was repainted several weeks ago and the map in our department was taken off the wall. I was thrilled to see it hanging back up again today. And then I went to use it. Hmm.

3.09.08 a photo of a painting of a camera

Carter and I had dinner last night with friends Skeet and Mardon. She's a fantastic cook, he is a fantastic painter, and we went home with full bellies AND a beautiful painting. Skeet actually gave his painting to both of us, but I made it clear that it was going to my house. Thanks, Skeet.

3.08.08 king of the crosswords

CRG finished today's crossword puzzle in seven minutes, which was twenty minutes faster than the recommended solution time.

The center image is the very moment I looked at the clock and told him the exciting news. I'm so proud.

3.07.08 the Mudbug boogie

Our Mudbug practice is just winding down and we kicked some serious Cajun a-double-s. That's Greg flying through the air with the accordion. Aaiee!

3.06.08 On the road. Again.

I just got back from Topeka where I shot a high school basketball tournament. While driving home through the Flint Hills at sunset, I fired off a few frames of the sun setting behind a smoky field.

I shot this from my car using my very portable (and easy to use while driving) Canon G9. I've been shooting a lot lately from my car. Maybe one day Honda will hire me to document the country from my trusty automobile.

3.05.08 Salvation Army

I love the way they sort clothes by color at the Salvation Army. My friend Kendra does the same thing in her closet. If I had as many clothes as her, I would do the same.

By the way, clothes are half-off on Wednesdays. I was looking for an outfit for the first Mudbugs gig, but I couldn't find anything that screamed Cajun. As the Cajuns say, aaiee!

3.04.08 feel the burn

I spotted these high school basketball players stretching against the wall during a weight-training class. I actually do the same stretch at the Y, although I'm not nearly as flexible as the girl in the middle.

3.03.08 it's time to whoop it up

This fortune magically appeared at work a few weeks ago. I'd like to thank the mystery person who taped it to my desk.

2.02.08 spring concert

I took this an hour ago at a high school concert. I might be shooting some weather-related photos tonight if this crazy spring weather doesn't stop.

3.01.08 Girls ROCK!

Lexi (left) celebrated her third birthday today and I figured it was about time she received her first drum kit. Next year she'll get her first tattoo.

Seated at the drums is her 5-year-old friend Maddy. I predict these two will start a pop punk band in 2022. They're already sporting rock star outfits.