Somewhere in the Middle of America

My buddy Jeff presented his big documentary project on his hometown of Red Cloud, Nebraska on Sunday. There was a beautiful exhibit of the photos and Jeff gave a presentation about his work. He had a full house on hand to listen and he did an awesome job. I was sure proud of him. Click here to see some of the work . Even better... click here for a multimedia piece that Jeff did of the work for his masters degree at Ohio University.

He looks smarter in this shot than he really is.

Jeff captivates the crowd.

My mother-in-law checks out some of Jeff's photos.

Jeff gets congrats from his new bride Meggan.

One of the highlights of the day was the appearance of George Tuck. He's the guy next to me. George was our photojournalism professor at the University of Nebraska and was a huge influence on all of our lives. Former Daily Nebraskan photographers Hickenbottom, Haller and Heying get a Binger snapped with their old master.

We looked like adults... until Lane wanted me to pull his finger.

We ended the night at Valentino's Pizza in Hastings. Good Times.

There's a 12-year-old in all of us

My in-laws got Jeff and Meggan a wedding gift. A crystal bowl.
A few beers and Jeff and I found a new use for it.

You should have seen the view from the inside.

Maybe he should lay off the Pasta

I've covered a number of Kansas football games this fall, and it's obvious that KU fans have really come to love their coach, Mark Mangino. "Mangenius" is what they're calling him now that they're 11-0.

What's strange though is the fascination they have with Mangino's, well... how should we say it.. weight issue.

It's hard to tell in this photo, black being the slimming color that it is.


Mangino signs and t-shirts are everywhere now. They almost always make reference to his weight. Here's one I saw on campus yesterday. I'm thinking Mangino himself would not approve. I wonder if you can get this in the KU bookstore?

Another Day at the Office

I've spent the last 3 days at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in central Kansas. Lots of deer, lots of ducks and and lots of time to just take deep breaths and enjoy being outside. My job sure doesn't suck.


I was enjoying the light and the vibe so much I decided it was time for a self portrait. Our outdoor writer, Mike Pearce, was driving down the road while I snapped this one from the back of my truck. Good thing he decided not to step on it. The second shot is me coming out of a bunch of cattails after photographing bald eagles.





Mike has a friend who owns a farmhouse he uses as a hunting lodge just a half mile from the refuge. We got to crash there. Sure beat sleepin' outside.


Wouldn't be right if I didn't share a couple of favorites from the trip.

This photo is actually about 12 vertical photos... Stitched together using a Photoshop tool called Photomerge. I did a few of these but I think I like this one the most.

Step aside, Butch.

I think it was Marsellus Wallace talking to Kansas State coach Ron Prince through his headset on Saturday.

"Hear me talkin' Hillbilly Boy?! I ain't through with you by a damn sight! I'm gonna git Medieval on your a$$"

He wasn't kidding either. The Cornhuskers, enduring their worst season in 50 years, put up 21 more on Kansas State.

Nebraska 73, Kansas State 31.

I say every year.... I don't care if Nebraska only wins one game, as long as it's the one against Kansas State.

Matt Miller, sporting a beard only a caveman could love, checks out English soccer scores from his laptop during halftime. Since they weren't serving tea in the press box, he just decided to stay on the field during the half. Poor Matt.