Thanks a Thousand And Some Change!

Thanks to everybody that came out to Pizza Ranch last night and supported the Boone First United Methodist Church Youth Group! The event was a smashing success and we broke the previous record (which we also held) for most scratch raised at a Boone Pizza Ranch Fundraiser!

My phone was almost dead, but I managed to take a few cruddy cell phone pictures of the night:


Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser - Spring 2018

Thanks once again, to anybody that has helped support the Youth Group last night or in the past. I’ll even give a thank you as a down payment, to anybody that is willing to help again in the future.!

They Like “Chris, What’s It Like to Be Famous?” Um… I’ll Let You Know if I Make It!

Here are some BLACK & WHITE photos that the world wasn’t ready for on Monday. Heck, the world wasn’t ready for them on Tuesday. Heck, I don’t know if the world is ready for them now, but I can’t hold them back any longer.


BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATIVE

All of the pictures were taken in downtown Des Moines.

There are more BLACK & WHITE images coming in the coming days. You’re welcome world!

Final Reminder: Pizza Ranch Fundraiser Tonight!

This is your last reminder. There is a fundraiser for First United Methodist Church Youth Group tonight at Pizza Ranch from 5-9. Bring a copy of this voucher:




And Pizza Ranch will give us $2. There will also be tip jars on the tables so that you can donate additional scratch!

I mean, check out these kids:


Photo Scavenger Hunt

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser

Spaghetti Fundraiser

Spaghetti Fundraiser

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Misc.



Mission Trip  - Day 0

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 1

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 1

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 1

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 2

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 2

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 3

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 3

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 3

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 3

Saint Paul Mission Trip - Day 4

I can’t think of a better use of your Wednesday night than coming out and supporting these kids!

I’m a Mean Photog, Better Feed Me Fauxtogs or Feed Me Picts, Ah, Feed Me Both of ‘Em

As you may have guessed, I have a ton of alternative BLACK & WHITE images for the WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. The world wasn’t ready for them on Monday. I’m not sure the world can handle them now, but I can’t hold them back any longer:


BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

BLACK & WHITE - ALTERNATE

Some of these pictures were taken on the north side of Boone. Some in my coop in the cube farm at the Computer Mine. Some on the way to Dickcissel Park. Some at the sculpture garden down in Des Moines. The picture of me blocking Jesse’s shot was originally taken by Bill. Shortly afterwards, a defeated and downtrodden Jesse retired from basketball.

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that I have added an additional photo from Linda Bennett to the original post on the WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE on Monday. It somehow ended up in my spam folder. You can see the additional photo by clicking on the link below:

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 133 – BLACK & WHITE

There are plenty more BLACK & WHITE alternates coming your way in the coming days.

But, don’t forget to come out to the Boone Pizza Ranch tomorrow night between 5-9 to support the Boone First United Methodist Youth Group. Just bring one of these flyers:


For everyone of these we get with a paid meal, Pizza Ranch gives us $2. American. There will also be tip jars available for you to throw some additional scratch in.

I hope you’re as excited to see me there and I am excited to see you there!

Roundball Oracles – Year 14

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that’s real
The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liars chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

It is done. College basketball is over for another season.

In 11 days Iowa State football will hold their Spring Game. After that, the only sports worth watching until college football kicks off in 5 months is the NBA Playoffs. I’m not sure what I’ll do with my spare time. Maybe I’ll clean my house. Now I’m really depressed.

Who isn’t depressed?

Paul Golden, that is who! For the second straight year, he is cutting down the nets for the Roundball Oracles. His name had been added to the List of Immortals:

The List of Immortals

2018 – Paul Golden
2017 – Paul Golden
2016 – Michelle Haupt
2015 – Derek Dohrman
2014 – Brandon Kahler
2013 – William McAlpine
2012 – Lowell Davis
2011 – Carrie Baier
2010 – Mark Wolfram
2009 – Mark Wolfram
2008 – Mark Wolfram
2007 – Tim Peterson
2006 – William McAlpine
2005 – William McAlpine

One more trophy and he will tie Willy and Mark for the most crowns ever!

I held onto Paul’s trophy from last year, when in became apparent he might win again, so I don’t have a picture of Paul with his trophy yet. But when I do, I’ll share it here.

I do however have a picture of last year’s The Sara winner:


Shannon with her
Shannon with The Sara

However, Shannon did not have the guts to come back and defend her The Sara Title. Therefore, there is a new The Sara “Winner” this year.

“Congrats” to Robert Henning for being the last place adult, that tried to win. I have went over his bracket with a fine tooth comb and even though he picked Kansas to win it all, it would seem he was trying to win in good faith. He joins the List of Mortals:

The List of Mortals

2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2015 – Sara Lockner

There were 35 entrants this year. A slight dip from past years, but that was to be expected with the lack of any local teams in the tournament. Most of us adopted Loyola as our team, since they were powered by former Cyclone Clayton Custer.

However, it was a clean, close competition. Michigan’s defeat of Loyola in the Final Four left it down to just Rachel and Paul battling it out for the trophy. Villanova’s complete shellacking of Kansas gave Paul the repeat.

But you didn’t come here to listen to any of that tommyrot. You want to see the final standings:

1 Paul Golden 248
2 Dawn Krause 243
3 Yours Truly 243
4 tim peterson 232
5 Michelle Haupt 232
6 Nate Miller 230
7 Jordan Toot 224
8 Corey Faust 223
9 Angie DeWaard 221
10 Rachel Johnson 219
11 Lowell Davis 215
12 Benjamin Baier 213
13 Derek Dohrman 205
14 Cathie Raley 204
15 Bill Wentworth 200
16 Sean G. 198
17 Linda Bennett 195
18 Jesse Howard 195
19 Olivia Baier 188
20 Toby Sebring 185
21 Russ Kennerly 184
22 Jackson Faust 182
23 Sean Clubine 173
24 Jason Baier 173
25 Micky Augustin 167
26 Brandon Kahler 166
27 Nader Parsaei 166
28 Andree Jauhari 165
29 Liz Nordeen 165
30 Carrie Baier 162
31 Laura Priest 158
32 FHMeiners 156
33 Becky Perky 152
34 Will Baier 148
35 Robert Henning 141

The good news is that next year is that the state of Iowa won’t be shutout of the NCAA Tournament. If nothing else, the first two “real” rounds will be held in Des Moines. Plus Iowa has a lot of young talent that will be back next year. Admittedly, they still have the same sub-par coach, but they should be good enough to go dancing for a short while.

Iowa State on the other hand will be one of the most interesting teams in the country. This year’s team was very young and was decimated by injuries. The only major loss from last year’s team is Donovan Jackson, which Kansas fans know, is a major loss. However, assuming Lindell Wigginton comes back (and almost everybody assumes he will), they return a future first round pick in Wigginton and fellow freshman stud Cam Lard. Plus you bring Babb and Solomon back from injuries. Bring back a big time contributor down the stretch in Zoran Talley. A much improved Terrence Lewis will fight for playing time with super impact transfer Marial Shayok and impact transfer Michael Jacobson. Then add stud freshman Talen Horton-Tucker to the mix. One guy you don’t want to sleep on is Zion Griffin. Plus they are adding Tyrese Halliburton and George Conditt. I don’t expect those 2 to contribute next year, but they will be huge in the coming years.

This will be the most talented roster since Iowa State had 5 NBA players on the roster a few years back. That team lost in the first round of the tourney. I expect much bigger things from the Cyclones next year. The future is bright in the Cyclone State!

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – WEEK 133 – BLACK & WHITE

BLACK & WHITE turned out to be a very popular theme. I am pleased. The geographical range that the submissions covered was pretty impressive this week. As far north as Minneapolis. As far west as Easton, Kansas. As far south as Arkansas. As far east as Washington D.C. and Virginia Beach. The empire is immense this week.

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates, you came to see the submissions:


WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - CATHIE RALEY
Cathie Raley

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 133 - BLACK & WHITE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 134 - ROAD TRIP
ROAD TRIP!

ROAD TRIP! What a great theme! But what is a ROAD TRIP photo?

A ROAD TRIP photo is any photo that has anything to do with going on a ROAD TRIP. From gas, to a car, to maps, to Funyuns, to the open road. A ROAD TRIP photo can be of the thing or person (for those of you social types) that you made the ROAD TRIP to see.

Personally, I already have a ROAD TRIP for Saturday to Marhsalltown (and most likely other places) planned for Saturday. If anybody wants the navigator seat, just let me know. ROAD TRIP!

As always, I look forward to seeing your interpretations of the theme.

HOUSEKEEPING

A MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 RULES DIVISION

1. The picture has to be taken the week of the theme. This isn’t a curate your pictures challenge. This is a get your butt off the couch (my personal experience) and put your camera in your hands challenge. Don’t send me a picture of you next to the Eiffel Tower, when I know you were in Iowa all week. I will point out that I have let that slide some in the past. I will not in the future. Since it is literally about the only rule.

2. Your submission needs to be emailed to bennett@photography139.com by 11 AM on the Monday of the challenge due date. It should be pointed out that this blog auto-publishes at 12:01 on Mondays. So it wouldn’t hurt to get your picture in earlier.

That is it, them’s the rules.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DIVISION

The latest person to show taste, class, and sophistication and sign on for a Photography 139 Email Subscription is Linda Clark. I honestly don’t know much about her, other than she is a relative of Andy Sharp and he says she has an interest in photography. Welcome aboard Linda! If you see her, feel free to give her a knowing glance and teach her the super-secret Photography 139 Handshake.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY 139 COMMENTARY DIVISION

Speaking of Mr. Sharp, Andy has become the latest person to get a Photography 139 Avatar by leaving an actual comment on a blog on the website.

He joined select company:

Angie DeWaard
Jason Baier
Jesse Howard
Russell Kennerly
Shannon Bardole-Foley
Mike Vest

As people with an official Photography 139 Avatar for leaving comments on the Photography 139 blog AKA AN ARTIST’S NOTEBOOK.

You want your own Photography 139 Avatar? It is simple to get one. Just leave a comment on a blog.

**************************************

That’s all I got for today, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will commune right here again next Monday. Hopefully it will be a very travelled Monday!

Happy Easter!


Happy Easter - 2018

Happy Easter! Today we celebrate the good news of an empty grave. I’ve always kind of favored Luke’s version of the Resurrection. Here it is from The Voice:

24 Early on Sunday morning, even before the sun had fully risen, these women made their way back to the tomb with the spices and ointments they had prepared. 2 When they arrived, they found the stone was rolled away from the tomb entrance, 3 and when they looked inside, the body of the Lord Jesus was nowhere to be seen. 4 They didn’t know what to think. As they stood there in confusion, two men suddenly appeared standing beside them. These men seemed to glow with light. 5 The women were so terrified that they fell to the ground facedown.

NOTES:(This phrase, “Son of Man,” is very important in Luke’s story and may have many layers of meaning. It may mean “epitome of humanity” or “prime example of what a human can be.” But it also evokes a specific passage of Scripture that is very important to Jewish people, Daniel 7:13-27. There the phrase “Son of Man” refers to a king who receives an eternal and universal kingdom, and it also represents “the saints of the Most High”—the people of God. In light of Jesus’ central message about the kingdom of God, it is likely that the phrase suggests Jesus is the long-awaited Anointed One who launches a new era in human history and who creates a community of people who represent the eternal and universal kingdom of God. In this way, “Son of” suggests “new generation of,” and “Man” suggests “humanity.” Jesus is Himself the new generation of humanity (a second Adam, a new beginning), and the community He creates shares this identity (a new creation, a new humanity in Jesus). The two messengers here use this pregnant phrase in a way that shocks everyone: The way this long-awaited Anointed One receives His kingdom is not through conventional military victory where enemies are defeated and killed. No, this King receives His kingdom by suffering, dying, and rising again Himself. Amazing news—good news!)

Two Men: Why are you seeking the living One in the place of the dead? 6 He is not here. He has risen from the dead. Don’t you remember what He told you way back in Galilee? 7 He told you that the Son of Man must be handed over to wicked men, He must be crucified, and then on the third day He must rise.

8 The women did remember Jesus’ words about this, 9 so they returned from the tomb and found the eleven and recounted for them—and others with them—everything they had experienced. 10-11 The Lord’s emissaries[a] heard their stories as fiction, a lie; they didn’t believe a word of it. (By the way, this group of women included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, along with a number of others.) 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he reached the opening, he bent down, looked inside, and saw the linen burial cloths lying there. But the body was gone. He walked away, full of wonder about what had happened.

Men. Am I right?