A Royal Change

Soon after my "guess the change" post, I had over 600 hits to my blog. And yet I still only have about 10 guesses. (Ok, so most of those hits were JBJ dorks, but they can still guess) Heck, my own mother hasn't guessed yet... but in her defense, she did say that she tried, I just never got the guess.

I planned to cash it in after a week or so, but then the Rita one year, then election stuff, then this Sales Tax crap that going on around here, then the Saints game... So I've been swamped with stuff and haven't had the chance to take my jar to the bank. Sorry for leaving all of you on the edge of your seat. (thanks for the reminder Seth)

I'll will tell you that I've probably added around 5-7 bucks since the contest started. So if you want to adjust your guess, now's the time.

If all goes as planned, I'll go to the bank on Monday.

And here's a promise to everybody.... If the Royals can stay in double digit losses this season, I'll shave my head. Currently, with 4 games left to play, they have 99 losses.

KC's longest win streak this season is 4 games. And that's happened twice.

No photo... but you got four last time so deal with it.

Peel me off this velcro seat and get me moving

I've been sitting in one of those cheap office chairs for the past 4 hours now.

For those of you who couldn't go or didn't see the Saints game on Monday night, I did my darndest to capture the emotion surrounding the game in my slideshow...

...Here

I had to piece all the audio together and listening to everything gave me goose bumps all over again. It was quite the event. I don't think my little project touches the amount of energy in New Orleans that night, but hopefully it'll give you some sort of an idea.

And while you're at my website, take a look at my Hurricane Rita One Year Later project. A collection of Then and Now photos.

I don't use the word cute that often, and I use the word adorable even less. But my gosh, Misty's puppies were adorable the other night when she gave them their first bath.

Unce... Tice.... Feee times I may deet

wooken pa nub in aaa da wong pwaces... wooken pa nub.
(Buckwheat Sings)

I pulled off the Trifecta this weekend.

1: Friday... H.L. Bourgeois vs Ellender Memorial

2: Saturday... Nicholls State University vs South Dakota State University

3: Monday... Saints vs Falcons.

I'm still working on the audio slideshow from the Monday night game. That's comming soon

sneek peek

Holy cow, what an event.

Monday night football at the Superdome. Amazing.

Here's a sneek peek at what I saw today. I've got a bunch more, but it's almost 3 in the morning and I'm tired.

There will be an audio slideshow soon.

But here's a quick list of who I photographed today.

1. Spike Lee
2. George Bush (the dad)
3. Green Day
4. Bono
5. The Edge
6. Michael Irvin
7. Michelle Tafoya
8. Chris Berman
9. All the big names on the Atlanta Falcons
10. All the big names on the Saints.
11. And I'm sure more that I can't think of right now.

good times.

It's the end of the season

The Fall Equinox is sometime this week. The exact date moves from year to year, but it's always around Sept. 21-23.

It's the time of year when the sun is directly above the Equator. Night and Day are the same length. Many folks celebrate this time of year. It means summer has officially come to an end. It signifies the end of Harvest Season. Back in the day, people celebrated this time of year by giving thanks to their gods. Over time, the harvest celebrations of the Fall Equinox began to coincide with modern Thanksgiving traditions.

But, as I learned today, The Fall Equinox is also the end of another season.

Who Says You Can't Go Home Again?

I'll admit, I get a little choked up watching the reaction of people when they're overjoyed, or extremely excited. For example, I can't watch enough highlights of teams celebrating after winning the big game. I even had to fight back tears the other night while watching Extreme Makeover, Home Edition.

Reactions like those are real. They're genuine, from the heart emotions coming out of somebody... and I love watching it, and better yet photographing it, or better yet causing it.

My boy JBJ (Bon Jovi for those of you not a member of www.backstagejbj.com) appeared on Oprah today to show the rest of the world what he did to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Let me be the first to say that I think what Mr. Jovi did for those families was a amazing. Those families have a place to live now. They have running water now. They have electricity now. They have their own bathroom now. They have a TV now. They have cell phones now. Can any of you imagine living without those for a year? I can't. And now they have all those necessities because Bon Jon did what he could to help out.

From what I've seen in the days/months/years after disasters like Katrina, the true humans do whatever they can to help. They might donate money, they might pray, they might swing a hammer, they might donate blood. But whatever they do, it all helps.

And while some contributions might be larger than others, it all goes towards the same goal. And in my eyes, it makes us all the same no matter the size of your contributions.

So while watching Jon Bon with these families today on TV, I didn't look at him like the superstar that he is. But rather I saw him as just another Joe doing something to help out. I photographed victims in search for family and friends, Jon Bon donated a million bones to help give families a home. Both examples reflect the person and both example came from the same place... the heart.

I never said that Bon Jovi didn't care, or that I wasn't impressed with his actions to help the hurricane victims. I just didn't like how he presented himself while off camera. Maybe he had a long day, maybe he just stepped in gum, maybe the Louisiana lovebugs pissed him off ... I don't know. I just know that his actions came across to me as trying to make everybody look inferior to him. Not cool.

Now then... here's a cool story that Jon and I both played a part in.

A mother and her two kids lost everything in Katrina. A very nice family in Thibodaux let this family live in their garage until they found a home. They lived in that garage for one year. And two weeks ago, they moved to a house Bon Jovi Blvd.

They were featured on the Oprah show today with Mr. Bon Jon. So the nice family hosted a watch party in the garage. I got to see this mothers reaction to seeing her new house, and seeing her self on national TV at the same time. Pretty darn cool... it gave me goose bumps.

So here are a couple photos of from today. This is the reaction to seeing her self on TV. (she's the woman in the middle, wearing light blue). And the other photo is of my boy JBJ.

Now if we can just get him to do something about that mane of his....

Because two out of Three aint bad

On Friday night, Manhattan High whooped up on Highland Park.

On Saturday, KSU beat Marshall. (Bring on Louisville)

But on Sunday, the Chiefs lost in OT to Denver. (BOOO Denver!)

Each weekend, I like to see if "My Teams" can pull off the Tri-fecta. I was a Jason Elam kick away from pulling it off too. The only thing better than pulling a tri-fecta, is attending a Tri-fecta. I haven't done one with "My Teams" but I have photographed a high school game on Friday, College Game on Saturday and Pro Game on Sunday. (Topeka High, Washburn, Chiefs). And this weekend I have the chance to do that again. I'll be shooting Ellender on Friday, Nicholls State on Saturday, and (cross your fingers) the Saints on Monday night. Still waiting to get our passes.

And get this... I was beating Misty in Fantasy football by 1 point going into the Chiefs/Broncos Overtime. And she had the only active player left between the two of us. Of course, stupid Jason Elam had to kick a field goal (also worth three fantasy points) to bet me by 2. Oh well. (I'll meet the Nineteen 79ers again at the end of the season)

I'm in the process of redesigning my website and blog. I have no clue when I'll have it done, but hopefully soon.

but until then, I leave you with Misty's new best friend... Djembe Sinatra McElroy.

Glory into combat for the Purple and the White!

I hope everybody has calmed down from this JBJ crizap and is ready to watch an amazing Saturday of college football. (but I've got some thoughts about all this JBJ stuff I'll throw out there in a later post)

But for now, I'm ready for a nice Saturday of college football. I'd like to list the games and give some thoughts, but I don't know squat about anything. I just like to watch the games and cheer for my teams. Plus it's late Friday afternoon and nobody will probably read this until after most (if not all) of the games have been played.

But here's what I do know about KSU vs Marshall. I'm scared to death about this game. We've split with them the last two years, each winning on the road. So who knows about Saturday. Marshall hasn't looked good so far this year, but that's what we said two years ago when they embarrassed us in our house for what they called "the biggest win in school history" (KSU was fresh off a Big 12 Championship)

And don't get me started about next weeks matchup against Lousiville. The one good thing I can say is that I hope is shuts up all the "KSU only plays cupcakes" talk. Lets take a look shall we?

1: USC... beat them home and away
2: Cal... top 25
3: Louisville... top 25
4: Iowa... top 25
5: Marshall... Bowl team the past two years
6: Texas... national champions
7: Oklahoma... stomped them when people were saying they were the "greatest college football team ever"
8: The rest of the Big 12.
9: Heisman Winners: R. Williams, E. Crouch, C. Palmer, J. White... beat them all.

yea, we play our shares of Florida Atlantics and ULM's... but nobody said jack when Nebraska played Nicholls State, or when Texas played North Texas. I guess I'm a little bitter because I think KSU's soft schedule is way behind them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but we've set up a Home/Away with Miami (or was it Michigan?) Ether way, that's a powerhouse that'll get us ready for the Big 12.

But... I'll be heading up the bayou to Thibodaux on Saturday to watch the game with some other KSU grads at a Wildcat Watch Party. Should be a good time.

Have a great weekend and be careful what you say about a particular singer with funny looking hair... you might get hounded by these folks.

Here's a nice highlight video of us beating USC in Calif. Best part is at the end when Snyder doesn't say a word to Pete Carroll after the game. Troy Polamalu took a cheap shot on Aaron Lockett on a punt return. Snyder didn't like it.

Pomp and Circumstance

Hey there everybody... seems I've got a few more readers today. That's great. Thanks for stopping by.

While I've got you here, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. 17-year-old Alicia Seeden grew up in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. Like many from that area, Hurricane Katrina destroyed her house where she and eight members of her extended family lived.

She and her family were bussed to Houma where they lived in the Bayou Black Recreational Center for over a month.

That's where I met her. I talked with her for a while and found out she was still missing some family because of the storm. She said she was "grateful for all the help from the shelter and thankful for her life and family"

I took a nice portrait of her and posted the photo and her thoughts on multiple websites. A few weeks later, we get a message from Lynn McLeod of Kalamazoo Mich. telling us (The Houma Courier) that she and her church saw Alicia's photo and read that she and her family were living in a gym. McLeod and her church raised enough money to build a house and move the family to Mich.

Hard to believe that because I took a young lady's picture, her entire family now has a home. And we just found out that Alicia has graduated from Kalamazoo High School.

And Alicia was one of about 100 New Orleans evacuees that I photographed after the storm.

Following the storm, I met and became friends with hundreds of evacuees. We laughed and cried together. My heart went out to them, it truly did. I wanted to help as much as I could.

I wish I could have given money to all the evacuees so they could start their lives over again. I wish I could donate more than I already have to help rebuild the Gulf South. But, as you journalists know, we don't exactly drive Escalades. So I did the only thing I could do... and that was use my photography skills to help as many victims as possible.

Alicia is now a High School Graduate. Everett Webster has a full-time job in the French Quarter. Floyd Webb got his taxi service back up and running. Nancy Torres got her job at Wal-Mart back. And I've got about 96 more stories similar to those.

If you'd like to see and hear what two of the "Faces" are up to now.. one year later, just visit my website and click on "Faces of Katrina.. One Year Later" And while you're there, also click on Galleries, scroll down to "Faces of Katrina" and you can meet most of my friends that I helped.

And if you'd like to read about how Alicia and her family moving to Mich, check out Houmatoday. (you might need to complete a quick and free registration.)

I play my part and you play your game

I'll admit, one of my first albums was "Slippery When Wet"

I'll admit, I've sang along to "Lay Your Hands on Me"

I'll admit, I've told my friends that "Wanted Dead or Alive" was my favorite song. (in 1986)

I'll admit, I shouted "JERSEY!!!" with Cohen when we'd hear one of his songs while on Bourbon Street.

Maybe I just don't understand what it's like to be rich and famous.

Maybe I was raised to have a different attitude towards others.

Maybe that's how you're supposed to act when you have all sorts of money.

Yep, I met Mr. Jon Bon Jovi today. And I wasn't impressed. He was down here to meet with families who now live on Bon Jovi Blvd. in a neighborhood built by Oprah and Habitat for Humanity. When Laura (Courier Reporter) asked him if he'd ever played in this area, Jon Bon responded "Do you think you actually have an arena big enough to hold someone like me?"

Probably not, but still. I just get annoyed when people have big heads like that. Sure, he's a millionaire and a good chunk of the world knows who he is, but it's still no reason to act like his S**t don't stink.

If a high school newspaper asked me to do some freelance work for them I wouldn't respond with "My talent and experience far exceeds what your wannabe newspaper can handle or deserves." I hope I wouldn't say that.

Not cool Mr. Steel horse riding cowboy... not cool

As he started to leave, he and his wife walked under the street sign that has bears his name. (just so happened that I was standing there already) Turns out, he wanted a photo of him and his wife in front of the sign. So he turned to me, handed me his camera and asked if I'd take their picture. I said "Sure." He then stared to explain to me how to use his camera. "You just push that button right there. And it's all auto focus. Be sure to get the sign in the photo."

"Don't you know who I am." I shouted... in my mind.

"Ok, thanks." I said... out loud

So I take a shot, he looks on the back of the camera. And asks if I'd take another one.

"Oh, what, the first photo from the professional photographer wasn't good enough for Mr. 'Take my hand and well make it - I swear' COME ON!" I said... in my mind again.

"Sure, no problem, how about I try vertical this time?" I said... out loud.

And then he left. I had that feeling you get after an argument where afterwards you think of all the different things you should have said or done.

I really wish I would have taken a famous Stamey self portrait with his camera.

Oh well.

I guess the best thing is that now when people ask if I've ever photographed someone famous I can add Mr. Bad Medicine is what I need to my list.

wine and cheese cubes

The annual Art After Dark event in Houma was tonight. Local downtown business display local art in their windows and/or walls. People grab their wine and walk through downtown looking at all the work.

The Terrebonne Waterlife museum had wall space open on a first come first serve basis. So I got there early on Friday and grabbed a small plot of wall near the entrance.

I put up 24 random images that had been hanging in my room. No theme, no story, not for any publication, just the stuff that keeps me happy.

So tonight, I had to cover Art After Dark for The Courier. And of course, I went right to my wall to see if anybody was looking. There was a steady flow of people from 6:30-9:00. I tried to listen in to what the people were saying, but I didn't hear much. I did hear a lady say she really liked "that one" and pointed to the one of Kelly and Nabil (my college roommates). I just thought that was funny.

But it was sure kind of fun to watch people stop and look at my work. I did stop a couple of guys and ask what they thought of the photos. (not telling them the photos were mine)

"Manhattan Kansas, man, that threw me for a loop. I saw Manhattan and thought... well... man, I can't believe it's Manhattan Kansas."

Here are some links to a few of the photos that were up for display.

This one was up there.

This one too.

Oh, and these guys too.

One of my favorits.

10 points if you know what this guy is doing.

Looks like 1800, actually 2004.

So there you go....


Don't forget to make a guess on the change if you haven't already.

I've got a little change in my pocket going jing-a-ling-a-ling

Well, it's that time again. My change jar is full. Meaning my "guess the amount" contest has started. Now, until I take the change to the bank, I'll be accepting guesses as to how much change is in the jar. (shoot me an email or just comment on this post)

I've posted a photo below, and in the photo is my Old Spice to use as a size reference.

Some history on the change jar. When I was in grade school, I teamed up with an older friend around Christmas time and went to Christmas parties in Manhattan. I dressed as a chubby elf that could juggle, and my buddy dressed as Santa. St. Nick would do his duties and I'd do a little juggling. One house we went to gave us each a tin jar filled with candy. After eating all the candy, I started to use it for change.

From 6th grade through college, I would collect my change in the jar and cash it in around Christmas and use the money to buy my gifts. (With the exception of one year when I put only quarters in there, it took two years to fill the jar then)

As you can see, the jar has also collected random stickers and magnets during the years. The most recent is a FDNY bottle opener magnet stuck on the lid.

It's been in every room I've lived in since grade school. 8 different houses and 11 moves (I moved in and out of home a few times)

My brother, Ben, counted the total amount by hand one year while he worked at a Credit Union. (even though I had planned to take it to the bank that day where they use a machine) The same brother has stolen many quarters from the jar and I'm almost positive has not replaced them. (It's cool dude, adds to the challenge of guessing..."how many quarters did Ben take out this year?")

A few clues to help you make your guess.

1. I put all values of American coins in there this year.
   
2. I haven't dumped it since moving down here in August 2004.
3. I've been known to put $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills in there. But I honestly don't remember if I have any in there this year.
   
4. I was going to give you the high and low range, but decided against it.
   

This is not The Price is Right... you can go over. But the winner is the person who is closest to the exact amount in the jar. One guess per person. And feel free to have your friends chime in too.

I haven't decided what the prize will be. Maybe Pride... Maybe an autographed photo.... Maybe Spam... Who knows.

I'll be sure to post the results. Voting will be open for around a week. So take some time to think it over.

Good luck all who enter.

I see says the carpenter as he picks up his hammer and saw

Just a few observations I made during the course of my Wednesday.

1: I'm not a copy editor, but I don't think there can be a "first annual" anything. How can it be annual if it's only happened once?



2: Be careful when popping a wheelie... Especially when the fat friend asks to ride on the back.



3: Does this mean I can throw whatever I want in there?

Helter Skelter in a summer swelter

Misty and I had an AWESOME weekend. I'll give the key highlights in top-10 style... actually just in chronological order. (It's fourth down during the above photo)


1:Tailgating in Baton Rouge with Seth before the LSU game.


2:The LSU game against ULL. (yep, I wore a KSU stocking hat to the game)


3:The awesome hotel we had in New Orleans for Saturday night after the game. And it was cheap via Travelocity. Bath robes, valet parking, feather pillows and this stuff you spray on your sheets to help you sleep.

4:Cafe' Du Monde for breakfast

5:$3.00 polarized sunglasses at the French Market

6:A cool t-shirt I had made at this one store. It had the word Qubec, but I had the dude with blue hair ring cut that out before pressing the shirt. Misty got a shirt that says "I drove my Chevy to the Levee but the Levee was gone."


7: "Hurricane on the Bayou" IMAX movie. Very good. It focuses on the area after the storm, not just New Orleans after the storm.

8: Another visit to the 9th Ward. (see photos below) It's still very bad. So when you hear someone say "New Orleans is back..." just look at these photos and make your own decision on if "New Orleans is back."

9:Sunday night in Morgan City to see Souled Out. An 11 piece cover band. Sounded good and they were fun to watch. (Seth: I don't know how the trickle down works... but 12 bucks went into Daiquiris and Co. via Misty's debit card.)

10: Sleeping in on Monday. (till noon)

Yep, this weekend ranks right up there with the best of them. I'd put it in the top 5... easy.

and now the ninth ward photos...

Good for another Wildcat... TOUCHDOWN

Man I miss yelling that. (yes, I yelled while photographing the games. I was even on national TV cheering after we took the lead against Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer and USC.)

I had a choice to make. Tomorrow I can do one of two things.

1. Be lazy, sit in living room, watch football all day.
2. Be lazy, have some beers, and watch the number 8/9 team in the country live at Tiger Stadium.
   

no brainier. I will be wearing purple, I just won't be in Manhattan. I haven't been this excited about football season in a long time. (since graduating at least)

If you're a KSU fan, watch these and get pumped up for the season. If you're not a KSU fan, watch anyway and think about the KSU fans that are watching these getting pumped up.

Just some highlights in this one...



We ready!





Taking you back a little bit... Gotta Believe!






Taking you way back... you don't forget hits like this. If you follow the yard line up into the stands about 50 rows, that's where I was sitting as a Junior in High School, with my green KSU shirt on because for some reason I didn't want to wear purple like everybody else.