Looking Back, Looking Ahead

I've often heard that the saddest thing in the world is unrequited love. Unsolicited love on the other hand...

I've never been a Christmas card person. My thoughts on cards is that when somebody sends you a card, what they are really saying (with apologies to Mitch Hedberg) is: "here, throw this away for me."*

Apparently my bah humbuggery has gotten around and this year I think I hit a new low for Christmas cards received.





However, even though I don't participate in the tradition I took Christmas card photos for 4 sets of people. That made me think that maybe I should get into the act.

But I don't know how far I want to take it. I could certainly send a picture card of me that says, "Merry Christmas! Please, throw this away for me." But I began to wonder if I have it in me to write the perfunctory Christmas letter.

You know, the whitewashed version of people's lives that some people put in their cards. I didn't think I was capable of this level of lying, but then I opened the theme Christmas letter from Geri D.

It was inspiring in its creativity. Maybe inspiring enough that some of you might just get something in the mail from me in December of 2010.

Since I have already covered the Christmas card photo shoot for the Howards, I am going to spend the next few days covering the other 3 photo shoots.

The other thing I want to cover today is a new photo project I am entering into with Mike Vest of Waxen Media. (Jesse Howard has also agreed to participate, but did not submit a photo for this week.) It is the type of photo project that I hope some of you choose to also participate in.

We came up with 52 photo "subjects" and entered them into a random generator. Every week on Monday we will randomly be given a new subject to photograph.

On Mondays I will post the previous week's photos and that week's subject. Anybody that would like to participate can. You can participate as many or as few weeks as you want. The photos don't have to be taken with a fancy camera or have to be high art. Pictures with a camera phone are perfectly acceptable. The only rule is that the picture has to be taken that week.

Just email me your picture before noon each Monday.

Last week's subject was "Use of Space". Here are our pictures:



Christopher D. Bennett



Michael Vest


The subject for next week is "SOOTHING". I know this to be short notice, but snap something off and email it to me at bennett@photography139.com.

This weekly random photo subject should NOT be confused with my ongoing Personal Photo Project of the Week that is one of my goals for 2010. I should hopefully start publishing some of that work next week. After I cover the other 3 Christmas Card Photo Shoots.

Of course there is one last subject that needs to be covered. It has been exactly 1 week since my old friend college football left me until next September.

The Gridiron Bowl Prophets made many wild predictions and this time, Yours Truly came out as the Champ.

Gridiron Bowl Prophets Final Standings:

1. Christopher D. Bennett - The Insight - 23 of 34 - 429 Points
2. Corey Faust - In It To Beat Bennett - 20 of 34 - 393 Points
3. Jason Baier - Hokies - 21 of 34 - 367 Points
4. Jesse Howard - Bowl Prophet - 20 of 34 - 341 Points
5. Toby Sebring - I Love Lamp - 17 of 34 - 323 Points
6. Lowell Davis - AC000000 - 0 of 34 - 0 Points

It is only my incredible modesty that prevents me from pointing out the thorough dominance of my performance.

*Despite my bravado, I don't really throw anything away. If I'm ever on Hoarders, it will be because of the boxes and boxes of cards I have in my basement.

Happy Insight Bowl!

Today is a major holiday! Today is the day that Iowa State plays Minnesota in the Insight Bowl! I thought I would celebrate this major holiday by sharing some of my favorite pictures from the season.




























































































It is one of the greatest days of the year. Today would be a great day to wear a Cyclone hoodie! After all, they aren't just for family events!

Last 2 Home Games

I've posted a few pictures from the Iowa State's last two home games in the Snapshots Gallery.

A few of my favorites from the Oklahoma State game...



Warming Up



James Smith and Banks



This picture might be a statement on the one sided nature of this game, but while watching the water girls we determined that Oklahoma State has a disturbing hierarchy in their water girls. Certain water girls were allowed on the field while other water girls just hung out at this massive Gatorade table. But you could tell what water girls were high ranking and which ones weren't based on their eye apparel. They high ranking water girls wore sunglasses. They did this throughout the entire game. Even after the sun had went down.



National Anthem



Only the Cowboy place kicker wore these special orange shoes. Whatever showboat!



And the winner for dumbest looking mascot to enter Jack Trice Stadium is...



Robinson on the run.



OSU also had a disturbing amount of people loitering on their sidelines. Including this lady with the world's ugliest purse. (I don't really have opinions on purses other than I don't want to hold yours for you.)



Garrin on the tackle.



Tiller's brief appearance.


Logan took Jesse's ticket. I wish he would have been able to see a better game, but that is the nature of being a Cyclone fan.

Jen took Jesse's ticket to the Colorado game. She saw a much better game from the Cyclones. It was exciting because it was the first time Jen has seen the Cyclones win in person. Plus, now we are bowl eligible.



Parents on Senior Day.



Hamilton.



Robinson.



Hamilton's touchdown grab!



It takes 4 Colorado players to tackle Arnaud.



Cy!



Not on Banks' watch!



Lenz



Arnaud slipping.



There has been some debate on whether or not the ISUCFVMB dancing was cool or lame. I will leave it to your discretion.



There is no denying that ISUCFVMB seniors leaving their shoes on the field is a cool tradition though.



Post-game Celebration



Even though it got cold in the 2nd half, Jen toughed it out! Adding another line to her "Super-wife" resume. I do believe that her toughness may have inspired somebody to join us for a game next year. In fact, I know this for a fact!



Cyclone Win!


More pictures can be found in the ISU vs. Okie State/Colorado album in the Snapshots Gallery. Click on the link below:

ISU vs. Okie State/Colorado

6 wins makes Iowa State bowl eligible, but it doesn't guarantee that we will go to a bowl game. Iowa State beating Missouri would clinch a bowl game.

I have seen Iowa State projected to go to either the Insight Bowl or the Independence Bowl. I hope these projections are correct. Either way: GO STATE!!!!