The Wichita Eagle hosted a holiday open house on Tuesday. After a little coercion, I agreed to take photos of visitors on Santa's lap during the event.I've photographed Wichita's Virgin of Guadalupe celebration about a half dozen times since I've lived here. With all the movement and color, I always imagined it would translate well to video.
Went to a Christmas party Saturday night. The adults provided plenty of entertainment, but I could not help but notice that the kids were having way more fun.
In the end, I couldn't resist.
Had been wanting to get myself a website going for a long time now, but was having a hard time finding the right solution.
After a conversation with Matt Miller during the Kansas State/Nebraska game a few weeks ago, he pointed me to a company that specializes in website design for photographers. It's a great looking platform and it's easy for me to design and change anytime I want.
So www.travisheying.com is now online and ready for the world. Too bad I'm a little slow getting at this.
You'll also find a link to the right.
Pulled out the iphone tonight and was greeted by an email with the subject line "happy thanks giving"
Muttaz almost only emails me on New Years. I knew something was up.
"Dear travis
Happy Thanks giving dear friend
I hope next year will be better than the this one and remains in happiness
and good health
I am in the United States now I arrived 20 days ago"
There was a phone number too, with a New Jersey area code. I dialed it, and when he answered I responded with the very same greeting that I used to make fun of him for using when he answered the phone around me in Baghdad. He knew it was me right away.
Muttaz, along with his wife and two children, has made it to America after five years of trying and the wave of relief I feel that he is safe and alive is overwhelming me right now.
I could go on forever about what this man means to me. Let me just say two things about him.
1. There hasn't been a day since I drove away from Baghdad on October 31, 2003 that I haven't thought of him.
2. I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for him looking out for me.
Muttaz was my translator and driver in Iraq (how do you like that sweet-ass ride he fixed me up with? We had a Mercedes, too!) but over the course of two and half months he became a dear friend. The day before I left to come home, he held my hand as we walked to lunch and said "I'll miss you my friend."
That's the last time I ever saw him.
Get outta the way people... I'm headed for Jersey as soon as I can.
My old college buddy William captured me in deep thought.
"Do I still remember how to shoot college football?"
Actually, I'm opening up this post as an impromptu caption contest. I'm desperate for some comments people. Go ahead and tear me to pieces. Lane... I know you'll come through for me. Matt? I double-dog dare ya, bitch.
Shot this vid last Sunday. Just now getting around to posting it.
The Eagle's Bonnie Bing hosted her annual Holiday Fashion show
Holiday Fashions from Travis Heying on Vimeo.
