Category Archives: Faust

Post 5,250

Can you believe that this is the 5,250th entry in the blog known as “An Artist’s Notebook”? Every 250 posts or so I like to take a moment to reflect on where this post has been and post a lot of meaningless stats.

As always on these posts, I like to start by quoting the very first “An Artist’s Notebook” entry that published on August 9, 2006. That first post that published 6,296 days.

That post that started with these words:

So here is the first journal entry. I felt like having as pretentious sounding name as possible for my journal. I have a few goals about this journal. My main goal is just to actually write in it. My second goal is to be as truthful as possible towards my true thoughts and feelings. I have another journal on another website, but it is really just a collection of sarcastic statements and cheap jabs at open faced sandwiches. This journal is meant to be about what my achievements and failures are in the world of art. What projects I am working on and what I have accomplished and what I have failed to accomplish. What I am photographing and what I am thinking about entering in photo contests. What I am thinking about. It might not always make sense. It might just be things I need to write down because they strike me as poignant or inspirational. This is in a small way an online “idea box”.

Since those words, I have posted 5,250 journal entries. This website is still something of an “idea box”. Sometimes I’m just working stuff out here. I don’t know why, sometimes I need to work stuff out in public. But this website is definitely more than just an “idea box”. It is a place where I post a few thoughts and a ton of pictures. I’ve gone through a few photo projects on these pages. From THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT to the 9 EMOTIONS PROJECT to THE SELFIE PROJECT to the POSTCARD RECREATION PROJECT to name just a few. This website has also created a community with THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. Which is one of my proudest achievements. Even if it sputtered and spit and barely survived in its first few years.

On these reflective posts, I like to publish a bunch of statistics that me and Joe Duff find interesting. So I might as well get to it.

Every post in “An Artist’s Notebook” is tagged with at least one Category. It is one of the easiest ways to navigate around the website. They are listed at the top of each post. Here are some statistics about Categories:

THE TOP 10 MOST USED CATEGORIES (RANK IN POST #5005 & INCREASE SINCE BEGINING OF 2024)

10. Carla – 632 (#10 – 39)
9. Formal Portrait – 655 (#6 – 6)
8. Teresa – 657 – (#9 – 49)
7. Road Trip – 657 (#8 – 32)
6. Macro – 662 (#7 – 26)
5. Jesse – 754 (#5 – 54)
4. Animals – 833 (#3 – 34)
3. Art – 842 – (#4 – 75)
2. Flowers – 1,010 (#2 – 40)
1. Black & White – 1,221 (#1 – 27)

No categories dropped from the Top 10. The categories with the best shot at cracking the Top 10 in the next 250 posts are Shannon, Nature, WPC-Submissions, Candid Portrait, & Still Life.

THE TOP 10 NON-HUMAN CATEGORIES
10. Candid Portrait – 504 (#9 – 16)
9. WPC-Submissions – 563 (NR – 27)
8. Nature – 568 (#8 – 26)
7. Formal Portrait – 655 (#5 – 6)
6. Road Trip – 657 (#7 – 32)
5. Macro – 662 (#9 – 26)
4. Animals – 833 (#3 – 34)
3. Art – 842 – (#4 – 75)
2. Flowers – 1,010 (#2 – 40)
1. Black & White – 1,221 (#1 – 27)

Photoshop dropped out of the Top 10.

The categories with the best shot of cracking the Top 10 in the next 250 posts are Still Life, Photoshop, Naima, History, and Self-portrait.

THE TOP 10 HUMAN CATEGORIES

10. Willy – 379 (NR – 27)
9. Vest – 388 (#10 – 29)
8. Micky – 399 (#8 – 29)
7. Logan – 428 (#7 – 37)
6. Kim – 441 (#6 – 35)
5. Mom – 473 (#5)
4. Shannon – 615 (#4 – 30)
3. Carla – 632 (#3 – 39)
2. Teresa – 657 (#2 – 49)
1. Jesse – 754 (#1 – 54)

Jay dropped out of he Top 10. The categories that have the best chance of breaking into the Top 10 in the next 250 posts are Andy, Jay, Jen, Sara, and Derrick.

If you have spent any time on the Photography 139 website, you know that on the left sidebar, the “Top 100 Categories” are listed. I thought I would give a little bit of coverage to the Bottom 10 of the Top 100. There are currently 208 categories used on the website. I could cover the Bottom 10, but no real reason. Some of those categories probably need to be purged. I do like to cover the Top 10 of the Bottom 100 though.

THE BOTTOME 10 OF THE TOP 100

10. Nathanial – 82 (+29)
9. Layla – 84 (+8)
8. Commercial – 84 (0)
7. House – 91 (+1)
6. Writing – 92 (0)
5. Becca – 92 (+2)
4. Pastor Sarah – 93 (+2)
3. Pufferbilly Days – 95 (+4)
2. Tenderloining – 96 (+25)
1. Faust – 96 (+4)

The following categories have either fallen out of the Bottom 10 of the Top 100 or climbed out of it:
Andree, Flat Earth Joe, Self-Portrait Project, and Sabas

The following categories have the best shot at dropping back into the Bottom 10 of the Top 10:
Russell, Nate, Jill, Blogging, Sabas, and Lowell.

The following categories have the best shot at climbing up into the Bottom 10 of the Top 10:
Andree, Photo Journal, Self-Portrait Project, Flat Earth Joe, and Mary.

I’m now starting to track what categories have had the greatest gain. These are the ones that have the greatest gain since the beginning of 2024.

THE TOP 10 CATEGORIES BY GAIN

10. Kim – 35
10. Andy – 35
10. Michelle – 35
8. Logan – 37
8. Elizabeth – 37
7. Carla – 39
6. Flowers – 40
5. Teresa – 49
4. Jesse – 54
2. Still Life – 72
2. Street Photography – 72
1. Art – 75

THE TOP 10 NON-HUMAN CATEGORIES BY GAIN

9. Nature -26
9. Nature – 26
7. Black & White – 27
7. WPC – Submissions – 27
6. Road Trip – 32
5. Animals – 34
4. Flowers – 40
2. Still Life – 72
2. Street Photography – 72
1. Art – 75

THE TOP 10 HUMAN CATEGORIES BY GAIN

9. Scottie. D. – 33
9. Linda – 33
9. Sabas – 33
6. Kim – 35
6. Andy – 35
6. Michelle – 35
4. Logan – 37
4. Elizabeth – 37
3. Carla – 39
2. Teresa – 49
1. Jesse – 54

If you are wondering what is your best way to improve your Photography 139 Score and crack the Top 10, it is simply to be active in THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE or go on trips with me or participate in various other photo projects or be related to me. Now these aren’t necessarily the 10 people that have influenced my photography the most, but these are the 10 people that have made the largest imprint on this website.

I can tell you the people that have influenced my photography the most, but that is a tale for another time. But I’m pretty sure you can guess who.

TOP 10 PHOTOGRAPHY 139 PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERIES (LAST 365 DAYS)

To View the Gallery, Click on its Representative Image

Naima at Dickcissel Park
10. Naima – 72,941 views

Rodan139: Des Moines River Valley
9. Drone – 73,421 views

9 Emotions Project - Anders Runestad
8. 9 Emotions Project – 98,062 views

WEEK 32 - COUNTRY - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
7. Weekly Photo Challenge Year 3 – 124,533 views

Bonaparte, Iowa
6. Town Sign Project – 127,555 views

Tenderloin Trail 2.0: The Feed Mill Restaurant
5. Tenderloining – 134,777 views

Jackson County - Saint Donatus
4. Town Sign Project Auxiliary Images – 172,671 views

WPC - WEEK 449 - TIME - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
3. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 11 – 192,976 views


2. Instagram – 212,131 views

WEEK 388 - FRAME - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
1. Weekly Photo Challenge – Year 11 – 289,984 views

Galleries that fell out of the Top 10 are:
Las Vegas 2023, Weekly Photo Challenge Year 9, Selfie Project – 2022,

Galleries that fell just outside of the Top 10 are:
Life, 365 Day Photo Project -2013, Memphis – 2023, New Orleans – 2024, Phot Journal Rejects.

But what are the most popular single images of the last 365 days? Don’t worry, I’m gonna feed you baby birds.

Top 10 Photography 139 Images

Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest - 2023
10. 2,475 views

RedzBand - 05-30-2008
9. 2,508 views

Watermelon Day - 2023
8. 2,812 views


7. 3,774 views


6. 3,875 views

Color the Wind - 2023
5. 3,999 views

Ben Baier - 2024
4. 4,020 views

Boone County Fair Barbecue Contest - 2023
3. 4,305 views

Kentucky Road Trip - 2013
2. 4,816 views


1. 20,050 views

If you are interested in checking out some of the milestone posts of the past, I got you. Click on any of the links below to check them out:

Post 1
Post 750
Post 850
Post 1,000
Post 1,101
Post 1,200
Post 1,447
Post 1,718
Post 2,500
Post 3,000
Post 3,252
Post 3,751
Post 4,000
Post 4,250
Post 4,500
Post 4,757
Post 5,005

I think that is enough. We will check back in, in another 250 posts.

Ben Baier – Class of 2024

Today is Faust’s birthday, so I have to wish him a happy birthday.


But You Broke Much More Than That
Happy birthday Faust!

Hope your day was filled with hockey and grilling out and all the Minnesotan things you can handle!

+++++++

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of taking some Senior Pictures for Ben. Thought now would be a good time to share some of my favorite images from the photo shoot:

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Ben Baier - 2024

Always a good time getting together with the Baiers!

Roundball Oracles Year 19 Final Standings

With UCONN mercilessly smashing Purdue (and every other team they played in the Tournament) on Monday night, another smashing round of the Roundball Oracles came to a close.

This year’s champion was… drumroll please… Micky! He adds himself to the list of Immortals!

ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPTIONS – LIST OF IMMORTALS

2024 – Micky Augustin
2023 – Will Baier
2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
2019 – Becky Parmelee
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

But I hand out 2 trophies for the Roundball Oracles. Micky will take home the Championship trophy for the 2nd time ever. But who gets “The Sara” for last place?

Do you have another drumroll in you? It goes to Oracles newcomer Aaron Sader!

“The Sara” Winners:

2024 – Aaron Sader
2023 – Ben Baier
2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

Here are the Final Standings:

1. Micky Augustin – 287
2. Toby Sebring – 262
3. Sara Lockner – 258
4. Michelle Haupt – 257
5. Jesse Howard – 244
6. Jason Baier – 232 points
7. Jordan Toot – 225
8. Sean Gildersleeve – 220
9. Russell Kennerly – 220
10. Linda Bennett – 220
11. Adam Gordon – 208
12. Derek Dohrman – 204
13. Andy Sharp – 202
14. Angie DeWaard – 201
15. Elainie Stensland – 198
16. Sarah Karber – 192
17. Rachel Gildersleeve – 188
18. Tim Peterson – 184
19. Robert Henning – 184
20. Derrick Gorshe – 183
21. JJ Baier – 182
22. Corey Faust – 174
23. Elizabeth Nordeen – 170
24. Lowell Davis – 169
25. Humble Narrator – 163
26. Shawn Lockner – 160
27. Ben Baier – 159
28. Carrie Baier – 146
29. Olivia Baier – 145
30. Joseph Duff – 145
31. Andree Jauhari – 140
32. Will Baier – 140
33. Jackson Faust – 139
34. Teresa Kahler – 136
35. Aaron Sader – 129

I’ll have to get the trophies ordered and delivered soon.

Basketball season is barely over and I already miss it!

Roundball Oracles Year 19

It is time once again for the greatest sporting event of year. It is that time known as March Madness. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Once again, I will be sponsoring a NCAA Tournament Pool. There is no cost to enter the pool, except for pride. And if pride is nothing to you, well done.

The winner gets a trophy. The dead last place person gets a trophy known as The Sara*. Nobody else gets a trophy. I’m not made of trophies people!

By winning, you get your name etched on the List of Immortals:

PAST ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPIONS – LIST OF IMMORTALS

2023 – Will Baier
2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
2019 – Becky Parmelee
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

But I said that there are 2 trophies. The 2nd trophy, The Sara, goes to the adult that finishes dead last, while trying. A person can not tank on purpose and win The Sara. The reason The Sara winner has to be an adult is that I don’t want to mock children, to their face. Does that mean I have no problem mocking children behind their back? Does it make me a bad person if I say yes? Probably a better rule would be that to “win” The Sara, you have to be at least a teenager. I have no problem mocking teenagers to their face. At least, back when there was a Youth Group.

Past “The Sara” Winners:

2023 – Ben Baier
2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

The Sara doesn’t have the long storied history of the championship trophy, but it will get there. I have no doubts. This will be the 9th winner since its inception after all.

These were the final standings from last year:

1. Will Baier – 204
2. Toby Sebring – 200
3. Sarah Karber – 193
4. Tim Peterson – 189
5. Cathie Morton – 188
6. Elizabeth Nordeen- 185
7. Andy Sharp – 184
8. Russell Kennerly – 184
9. Linda Bennett – 183
10. Micky Augustin – 183
11. Carrie Baier – 180
12. Dawn Krause – 178
13. Corey Faust – 177
14. Jesse Howard – 176
15. Jason Baier – 173
16. Angie DeWaard – 171
17. Michelle Haupt – 170
18. Carla Stensland – 170
19. Jackson Faust – 168
20. Frank Meiners – 157
21. Lowell Davis – 155
22. Andree Jauhari – 154
23. Christopher D. Bennett – 154
24. Robert Henning – 154
25. Nader Parsaei – 147
26. Logan Kahler – 145
27. Rachel Gildersleeve – 145
28. Joey Randazzo – 144
29. Olivia Baier – 141
30. Jordan Toot – 141
31. JJ Baier – 141
32. Brandon Kahler – 136
33. Becky Parmelee – 131
34. Derek Dohrman – 122
35. Sara Lockner – 112
36. Shawn Lockner – 111
37. Ben Baier – 111

If you are a basketball fan, or are just interested in having fun, click on the link below to join my pool:

Roundball Oracles – Year 19

The rules are as follows:
Round 1 = 1 point + seed
Round 2 = 2 points + seed
Round 3 = 4 points + seed
Round 4 = 8 points + seed
Round 5 = 16 points + seed
Rounds 6 = 32 points + seed

The Play-in Games (AKA the First Four) don’t matter. You can wait for those games to complete before filling out your bracket. The deadline to fill out your bracket, is tip-off of the first game on Thursday. Roughly 11 AM.

Under special circumstances, I will allow you to turn in a paper bracket to me. So, don’t be afraid to ask.

Yes, your child can fill out a bracket. Your dog, no.

There were 37 competitors in 2023. A 1 person gain from 2022. Hopefully there is continued growth in participation this year, but I don’t know that I have 1 more friend than I did in 2023. It is possible I have gained even more friends since 2023. I might be a pretty great person.

*You have to be 14 years or older to win “The Sara”.

The Weekly Photo Challenge Year in Review

As yesterday closed the book on Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE, now seems like a good time to review all that happened.

There were 59 different people that submitted photos. Ranging from submitting 1 picture to 124 pictures.

There were 2,311 photos submitted.

The average week was 31.1 participants.

The average week had 44.4 submissions.

The most popular week was Week 422. The theme was #INSTAGOOD. There were 41 participants.

The most popular week by submissions was Week 405. The theme was FLOWER. There were 62 submissions.

3 themes tied for least popular theme by participants. TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES; REFLECTION; and SUNRISE, SUNSET each has only 25 participants.

TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES was the least popular theme by submissions. It received only 30 submissions.

Here is my favorite submission from all 59 different people that submitted and some statistics about each participant.


WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - HEATHER COURTNEY
Heather Courtney
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - PEPPER DUNCAN
Pepper Duncan
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - COREY FAUST
Corey Faust
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE -  ADAM GORDON
Adam Gordon
1 week – 2%
3 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - HARRISON GORSHE
Harrison Gorshe
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 382 - TRAINS, PLANES, & AUTOMOBILES - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 400 - HAPPY - STEPHANIE KIM
Stephanie Kim
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WPC 433 - HUMANS - CARRIE MOELLERS
Carrie Moellers
1 week – 2%
1 submission
Current Streak: 1 week

WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP - MIKE PARMELEE
Mike Parmelee
1 week – 2%
1 submission
Current Streak: 1 week

WEEK 418 - SKY - ERNIE REDD
Ernie Redd
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 426 - FOOD - DIANE SHARP
Diane Sharp
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 425 - SIGNS - JULIE SHARP
Julie Sharp
1 week – 2%
1 submission
No current streak

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - LORI BACKOUS
Lori Backous
2 weeks – 4%
3 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - MELISSA DEGENEFFE
Melissa Degeneffe
2 weeks – 4%
3 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - DERRICK GORSHE
Derrick Gorshe
2 weeks – 4%
2 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 403 - TEXTURE - LAYLA GORSHE
Layla Gorshe
2 weeks – 4%
2 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 388 - FRAME - SARAH KARBER
Sarah Karber
2 weeks – 4%
2 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 405 - FLOWER - JOHNATHAN STENSLAND
Johnathan Stensland
2 weeks – 4%
2 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 401 - HAPPY - NADER PARSAEI
Nader Parsaei
3 weeks – 6%
3 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 421 - RELIGION - MYRIAH SHARP
Myriah Sharp
3 weeks – 6%
5 submissions
No current streaks

WEEK 394 - BLUE - PORTER DEGENEFFE
Porter Degeneffe
4 weeks – 8%
4 submissions
No current streaks

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe
6 weeks – 12%
6 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 406 - 'SCAPE -AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson
10 weeks – 19%
14 submissions
Current Streak: 1 week

WEEK 429 - HOMETOWN -ELAINIE STENSLAND
Elainie Stensland
12 weeks – 23%
15 submissions
No current streak

WPC 430 - LINES - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk
14 weeks – 27%
19 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe
19 weeks – 37%
22 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 387 - PLAY - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee
23 weeks – 44.2%
26 submissions
No current streak

WPC 430 - LINES - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri
29 weeks – 56%
53 submissions
Current streak: 29 weeks

WPC 430 - LINES - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe
32 weeks – 62%
46 submissions
Current streak: 19 weeks

WEEK 409 - A SHAPE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green
32 weeks – 62%
68 submissions
Current streak: 2 weeks

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner
33 weeks – 63%
39 submissions
Current streak: 1 week

WEEK 416 - NATURE - WILLY MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine
34 weeks – 65%
37 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen
35 weeks – 67%
50 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 410 - GUILTY PLEASURE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland
35 weeks – 67%
72 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 408 - TIME - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez
43 weeks – 83%
43 submissions
Current streak: 20 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings
43 weeks – 83%
60 submissions
No current streak

WEEK 399 - SCHOOL - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell
46 weeks – 88%
124 submissions
Current streak: 46 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown
47 weeks – 90%
77 submissions
Current streak: 31 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard
49 weeks – 94%
62 submissions
Current streaks: 31 weeks

WEEK 396 - SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest
50 weeks – 96%
50 submissions
Current streaks: 25 weeks

WEEK 402 - PARK - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler
51 weeks – 98%
55 submissions
Current streak: 1 week

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler
51 weeks – 98%
81 submissions
Current streak: 30 weeks

WEEK 416 - NATURE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson
51 weeks – 98%
56 submissions
Current streak: 34 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin
52 weeks – 100%
55 submissions
Current streak: 104 weeks

WEEK 418 - SKY - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley
52 weeks – 100%
55 submissions
Current streak: 113 weeks

WEEK 420 - ARCHITECTURE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker
52 weeks – 100%
60 submissions
Current streak: 90 weeks

WEEK 396 - SCENES FROM YOUR COUCH - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett
52 weeks – 100%
52 submissions
Current streak: 537 weeks

WEEK 408 - TIME - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett
52 weeks – 100%
91 submissions
Current streak: 75 weeks

WEEK 427 - PORTRAIT - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman
52 weeks – 100%
107 submissions
Current streak: 115 weeks

WEEK 404 - TEXTURE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard
52 weeks – 100%
59 submissions
Current streak: 80 weeks

WEEK 423 - VINTAGE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff
52 weeks – 100%
71 submissions
Current streak: 91 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler
52 weeks – 100%
111 submissions
Current streak: 102 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause
52 weeks – 100%
89 submissions
Current streak: 84 weeks

WEEK 395 - ODD CAMERA ANGLE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton
52 weeks – 100%
58 submissions
Current streak: 110 weeks

WEEK 422 - INSTAGOOD - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen
52 weeks – 100%
72 submissions
Current streak: 111 weeks

WEEK 416 - NATURE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp
52 weeks – 100%
72 submissions
Current streak: 105 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland
52 weeks – 100%
90 submissions
Current streak: 102 weeks

WEEK 406 - 'SCAPE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot
52 weeks – 100%
96 submissions
Current streak: 76 weeks

WEEK 385 - SILENCE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth
52 weeks – 100%
54 submissions
Current streak: 106 weeks

Here are a few quick stats from last year:

+ 44 different participants
+ 1811 photos submitted
+ Least popular theme for participation was ROCK with 16 participants
+ Most popular theme for participation was SELF-PORTRAIT with 31 participants
+ Least popular theme for submissions was ROCK with 20 submissions
+ Most popular theme for submission was LINES with 51 submissions
+ The average week had 24.6 participants
+ The average week had 34.8 submissions

To put in perspective compared to last year:

+ 15 more different participants.
+ 500 more submissions.
+ The most popular theme had 10 more participants.
+ The most popular theme by submissions has 11 more submissions.
+ The average participation was up almost 7 participants per week.
+ The average submissions was up nearly 10 per week.

Hopefully Year 11 has a similar amount of growth!

But You Broke Much More Than That

I took a ton of pictures on Saturday that are alternates for the BLACK & WHITE theme for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. So buckle up, this is going to be a long post. Even though most of these images can be broken into two different events.

1. Trip to Jester Park.
2. Iowa State football game.

No reason to keep dinking around. Here are the images from last Saturday:


But You Broke Much More Than That
I believe this is the 1st time I’ve seen Faust since before the pandemic. That is a damn shame!

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That
Jester Park

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

But You Broke Much More Than That

I didn’t tailgate for the game on Saturday. Derrick and I got to stadium in time to catch the end of the warmups. I took in a cheap point & shoot I bought at a computer mine auction several years ago. I haven’t fired pixels through it in over 4 years. I didn’t take many game pictures for a variety of reasons, but I took plenty of pictures of the things that surround the game.


Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023
I love that they still use the Twitter logo. F Elon Musk.

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

Iowa State vs Oklahoma State - 2023

But You Broke Much More Than That

I think it was a pretty good to great day!

Only one more pretty big sized collection of black & white images before we return to our normal broadcast schedule.

WPC – WEEK 419 – BLACK AND WHITE

It is the last collection of submissions for the month of September, so it is a good time to revisit the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE FAQ. I’ve noticed an uptick in small-sized submissions lately. It wouldn’t hurt to review the resolution FAQ if you haven’t looked at it lately.

Award winning photographers? Really?

Yes. I can think of at least 10 photographers that participate regularly that have won a photography award of some kind.

Is this a competition?
NO.

Is there a limit to the number of submissions I can have each week?

Yes. That limit is 3. If you send me more than 3, I will post the first 3 that you send. I’m not trying to harsh your photography buzz, but any more than that starts to overwhelm the other submissions and it takes me about 5 minutes to take a picture from my inbox to code it on the website. So I have to manage my workload. This limit is tentatively scheduled to go down to 2 at the beginning of 2024. Unless there is a sudden big falloff in participants.

If you are going to submit more than one picture, I strongly urge you to choose completely different subjects for each submission. If you are submitting multiple pictures of the same subject, make sure that each picture is saying something unique.

If participation rates climb, that limit of 3 is subject to lower.

Can I send you several pictures and have you pick the best one?

No! No! NO! If those words come out of your mouth or your keyboard, I consider that to be a non-submission.

Do you ever question whether somebody’s submission fits the theme?

Meh. Only if I think somebody is clearly confusing this week’s theme with last week or next week’s theme. Otherwise, if the submission makes sense in your head, that is good enough for me. However, I would urge you to not try to fit your favorite subject into the theme. This isn’t a challenge to share a picture every week of your kid or your business or your pet. It is a challenge to take pictures of different things every week. Which isn’t to say subjects can’t be repeated, but you shouldn’t become reliant on the same ones.

Why can’t I submit after 11 AM on Mondays if the post doesn’t publish until 12:01 PM?

I go to lunch at 11 AM. I leave my office. I’m not near a computer. At 11 AM I hit “Schedule” and then I go throw food down my throat. 167 hours is more than enough time to send a submission. Okay, 166 hours and 59 minutes. You got me.

Do I have to wait until Monday morning to submit?

Absolutely not! In fact I appreciate the submissions that make it to me by Sunday evening. Makes the job of putting this together on Monday morning much easier!

Are there resolution requirements for submissions?

I won’t turn down submissions that are too small. I will probably ask you for a picture of greater resolution if it is really small. The typical 4 x 6 image posted to my website has a resolution of 1280 pixels x 853 pixels. While a 400 x 300 image might look okay on your phone, it looks like trash on a computer monitor. I prefer images that are at least 1000 pixels at their widest point, but don’t ban smaller pictures at this point.

What format should my submission be?

.JPG but .PNG also works.

If I write a description of my image will you include that in your post?

No. Photography is art that should stand on its own. Only exception is the SLICE OF LIFE theme. But if you let me know where the picture was taken, I will include that.

When will you start accepting suggestions for next year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE themes?

I will take suggestions only and ONLY in the comments sections of the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE posts the last week of October and the 1st week of November.

+++++++

BLACK & WHITE! Everybody knows that it is my favorite theme, but did a bunch of people love it as much as I do to make it a popular theme? You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 18, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
2-Amy Peterson – 1 week
3-Ernie Redd – 1 week
4-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 2 weeks
5-Susanna Funk – 3 weeks (2)
6-Scott Degeneffe – 4 weeks (2)
7-Sabas Hernandez – 5 weeks
8-Willy McAlpine – 5 weeks
9-Mary Green – 7 weeks (3)
10-Mike Vest – 11 weeks
11-Sheri Fakhouri – 14 weeks
12-Monica Jennings – 15 weeks
13-Logan Kahler – 15 weeks
14-Nathanial Brown – 16 weeks
15-Jesse Howard – 16 weeks
16-Tamara Peterson – 19 weeks
17-Alexis Stensland – 24 weeks (3)
18-Mindi Terrell – 31 weeks (3)
19-Brandon Kahler – 55 weeks
20-Linda Bennett – 60 weeks (3)
21-Sarah Toot – 61 weeks (2)
22-Angie DeWaard – 65 weeks
23-Dawn Krause – 69 weeks (2)
24-Kim Barker – 75 weeks (2)
25-Joe Duff – 76 weeks (3)
26-Teresa Kahler – 87 weeks (2)
27-Carla Stensland – 87 weeks (3)
28-Micky Augustin – 89 weeks
29-Andy Sharp – 90 weeks
30-Bill Wentworth – 91 weeks
31-Cathie Morton – 95 weeks
32-Elizabeth Nordeen – 96 weeks
33-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 98 weeks
34-Kio Dettman – 100 weeks (3)

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Rural Ogden, Iowa) – 101 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Iowa) – 99 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa) – 97 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Des Moines, Iowa) – 96 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Omaha, Nebraska) – 92 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Boone, Iowa) – 91 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 90 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Ogden, Iowa) – 88 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Sioux City, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Boxholm, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 88 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Boone, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Houston, Texas) – 77 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Ames, Iowa) – 76 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Cannes, France) – 70 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Rome, Italy)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Koper, Slovenia)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Scottsdale, Arizona) – 66 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Baltimore, Maryland) 62 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Baltimore, Maryland)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Baltimore, Maryland)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 61 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 56 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 32 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 25 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 20 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Galesburg, Illinois) – 17 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - NATHANIAL BROWN
Nathanial Brown (Princeton, Illinois)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Grimes, Iowa) – 17 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Near Luther, Iowa) – 16 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (High Trestle Trail Bridge – Boone County, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Ogden, Iowa) – 16 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Ogden, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Elite Eye Care – Ankeny, Iowa) – 15 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SHERI FAKHOURI
Sheri Fakhouri (Elite Eye Care – Ankeny, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest (Madrid, Iowa) – 12 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - MARY GREEN
Mary Green (Holt, Michigan) – 8 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - WILLIAM MCALPINE
Willy McAlpine (Albuergue in Foncebadón – Spain) – 6 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez (Niagara Falls, New York) – 6 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Boone County, Iowa) – 5 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degeneffe (Carroll, Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SUSANNA FUNK
Susanna Funk (Dallas County, Iowa) – 4 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley-Gorshe (Houston, Texas) – 3 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson (Iowa) – 2 weeks

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - AMY PETERSON
Amy Peterson (Iowa)

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - COREY FAUST
Corey Faust (Jack Trice Stadium – Ames, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner (Johnston, Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 419 - BLACK & WHITE - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Boone, Iowa)

35 participants!! That is a great week! I know I’m prejudiced, but I think this is one of the best collection of submissions. Every week there are at least a couple of pictures where i think, “I wish I had taken that picture.” This week there were more than usual!

No new states added this week, but at this point that is to be expected. One new country though. Dawn submitted the first picture from Italy this calendar year!

There were submissions this week taken in the following places:

+ Arizona
+ France
+ Kansas
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Italy
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ New York
+ Slovenia
+ Spain
+ Texas

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Idaho
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Kentucky
+ Louisiana
+ Maryland
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ Montana
+ Nebraska
+ New Hampshire
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ North Carolina
+ North Dakota
+ Ohio
+ Oklahoma
+ Oregon
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Carolina
+ South Dakota
+ Tennessee
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Vermont
+ Washington
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

37 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive! Over 70% of the way there!

he Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ Alto del Perdon – Spain
+ British Virgin Islands
+ Mexico (General)
+ Isla Mujeres, Mexico
+ Riviera Maya, Mexico
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Ontario, Canada
+ Vallunareju Norte – Peru
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
+ Puenta de la Reina, Spain
+ St. John pied de port, France
+ Vienna, Austria
+ Munich, Germany
+ Rome, Italy
+ Cannes, France
+ Koper, Slovenia

The big milestone this week was Faust’s first ever submission!! I don’t know if it will lead to more submissions in the future, but I certainly hope it does.

On a personal note, watching the Iowa State-Ohio “football” game last week was an absolutely soul crushing experience. The only reason I didn’t give up on the season is because the Big 12 is hot garbage this year and I thought there was still the chance to win a few games.

Then this week… an entirely different football team showed up. I know part of that was that they were over the virus that plagued the team last week. However, you may have noticed that both Elizabeth and Faust were at the game (not together, they don’t know each other) for the first time this season. Suddenly Iowa State doesn’t suck. One of them is clearly good luck and they both better go to every game the rest of the season.

One thing I’ve learned in my long tenure as an Iowa State fan, I am not good luck. But I digress…

There weren’t any other big milestones reached this week. But we are closing in on some big ones next week. However, there was some heartache. Becky and Ernie could not build on their submissions from last week. Their streaks are over before they even began.

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 420 - ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is an ARCHITECTURE image? It is an image where the focus is on buildings or structures. It is image of the interior or exterior of buildings, bridges, structures, or cityscapes.

While considering the building and/or structure you want to photograph, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt you will create a great image:

Buildings are deeply emotive structures which form our psyche.
-David Adjaye

I look forward to seeing your interpretation!

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is it. Thems the rules!

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of ARCHITECTURE in this place that is built on an Apache infrastructure I should next Monday.

Rise Again

I need to start today by wishing Faust a happy birthday. Happy birthday Faust!


Iowa State vs. South Dakota State

I hope your birthday is filled with lots of good food. I’m not sure I even remember the last time I saw Faust in person. There is a rift between us ever since he did the unthinkable and started liking hockey. I should effort to see him this year. But I can say that about a bunch of people though.

+++++++

I’m dreaming to myself
With a tear behind my eye
For a shelter is my mind
In the quiet of the night

Ever turning all the seasons
Ever fading are the days
And if there ever was a reason
I just haven’t found a way
-Brandi Carlile

I’m not going to torture you with more poetry written by artificial intelligence today. You will get enough of me “monkeying” around with artificial intelligence in Saturday’s post. I’ll just remind you that Thursdays are for flowers and flowertography season is nearly upon us. There are plants pushing through the dirt all over my yard. The lilacs and the cherry trees are starting to bud. The long winter of our discontent is nearly over!


Garden of Love - 2022

Garden of Love - 2022

Hush - 2022

Girl in the Blue Skirt - 2022

Rise Again

Rise Again

Rise Again

These were the last flower pictures I took in 2022, but don’t fear, that doesn’t mean that next Thursday will be sans flowertography. Oh no my friends, there will be flower pictures. This. I. Do. Swear!

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

I need to start the day off by wishing Andree a happy birthday. Happy birthday Andree!


Photo Journal - Page 56 Reject

I hope your birthday is filled with joy, or at least as much joy as one can feel when they are in Houston, Texas.

+++++++

Yesterday was the end of the college basketball season, which also means it is time to crown the winner for Year 18 of the Roundball Oracles.

The winner was Will Baier. Congratulations Will! Making it back to back championships for Baier brothers! It seems like almost everybody in the Baier family has won, except Jason. Hmmmm…

His name is now on the List of Immortals.

ROUNDBALL ORACLES CHAMPIONS
2023 – Will Baier
2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
2020 – Tournament Canceled
2019 – Becky Parmelee
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

Also “congratulations” goes to “The Sara” winner… Ben Baier. It was a close one this year and came down to the tie-breaker. It was so close to going Shawn. Then he would have had a “The Sara” trophy and the actual The Sara living in his house. Maybe next year.

Ben Baier went from the penthouse to the outhouse in one year. Maybe next year he will be back in the penthouse and his brother will be in the outhouse. It will be interesting to watch.

THE SARA “WINNERS”

2023 – Ben Baier
2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2020 – Tournament Canceled
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

Here are the final Roundball Oracles Standings:

1. Will Baier – 204
2. Toby Sebring – 200
3. Sarah Karber – 193
4. Tim Peterson – 189
5. Cathie Morton – 188
6. Elizabeth Nordeen- 185
7. Andy Sharp – 184
8. Russell Kennerly – 184
9. Linda Bennett – 183
10. Micky Augustin – 183
11. Carrie Baier – 180
12. Dawn Krause – 178
13. Corey Faust – 177
14. Jesse Howard – 176
15. Jason Baier – 173
16. Angie DeWaard – 171
17. Michelle Haupt – 170
18. Carla Stensland – 170
19. Jackson Faust – 168
20. Frank Meiners – 157
21. Lowell Davis – 155
22. Andree Jauhari – 154
23. Christopher D. Bennett – 154
24. Robert Henning – 154
25. Nader Parsaei – 147
26. Logan Kahler – 145
27. Rachel Gildersleeve – 145
28. Joey Randazzo – 144
29. Olivia Baier – 141
30. Jordan Toot – 141
31. JJ Baier – 141
32. Brandon Kahler – 136
33. Becky Parmelee – 131
34. Derek Dohrman – 122
35. Sara Lockner – 112
36. Shawn Lockner – 111
37. Ben Baier – 111

Congrats to everybody that did better than me this year. And there were a lot of them. Cherish the feeling, cause it won’t happen again. Okay, it probably will.

+++++++

A few weeks back I took Rodan139 out for a couple test flights. The second of those flights was a spin above the Pilot Mound State Forest. Here are a few pictures from that flight:


Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Rodan139: Pilot Mound State Forest

Next week I will share the pictures from the final flight I took on the battery test flight day.

Fall Apart Again

Year 17 of the Roundball Oracles has come to an end. On Monday night, Kansas used a flaw in the court that injured North Carolina’s best player to help them overcome the Tar Heels in the last minute of the game. It was an otherwise great game and it is sad that it was partially decided by an injury due to a flaw in the court construction.

Ben Baier was the winner of this year’s pool. He is the youngest to ever win it. He joins this list:

PAST ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPIONS

2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
2020 – No Tournament
2019 – Becky Parmelee
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

Where there is a champion, there also has to be a last place. This year’s The Sara “winner” was Joey Randazzo.

Past “The Sara” Winners

2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2020 – No Tournament
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner

Note, Olivia Baier actually finished below Mr. Randazzo, but as she is a child, she is not eligible for The Sara.

Here are the Final Standings:

1. Ben Baier – 273 points
2. Sara Lockner – 271 points
3. Shawn Lockner – 242 points
4. Rachel Gildersleeve – 242 points
5. Linda Bennett – 232 points
6. Becky Parmelee – 231 points
7. Carla Stensland – 229 points
8. Angie DeWaard – 224 points
9. Humble Narrator – 224 points
10. Tim Peterson – 223 points
11. Jason Baier – 217 points
12. Lowell Davis – 215 points
13. Derek Dohrman – 215 points
14. Carrie Baier – 214 points
15. Sarah Karber – 210 points
16. Micky Augustin – 209 points
17. Elizabeth Nordeen – 206 points
18. Jorge Rios – 203 points
19. Brandon Kahler – 203 points
20. Will Baier – 197 points
21. Jordan Toot – 197 points
22. Corey Faust – 197 points
23. Andree Jauhari – 192 points
24. Jesse Howard – 191 points
25. Dawn Krause – 182 points
26. Derrick Gorshe – 181 points
27. Michelle Haupt – 179 points
28. Jackson Faust – 176 points
29. Jason Stensland – 168 points
30. J.J. Baier – 164 points
31. Russell Kennerly – 161 points
32. Toby Sebring – 157 points
33. Robert Henning – 151 points
34. Jill Gorshe – 147 points
35. Joey Randazzo – 143 points
36. Olivia Baier – 141 points

I’m already looking forward to next season. Iowa State will have to replace a lot from this year’s team and one of their assistant coaches, but could be a good team. You never know. This year’s team definitely wasn’t supposed to make the Sweet Sixteen!

+++++++

Seems like a good time to share some flower pictures from last year:


Soul Expansion - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Digging for God - 2021

Fall Apart Again

Fall Apart Again

Nature's Amen - 2021

Nature's Amen - 2021

I still have some flower pictures left to share from last year.