Category Archives: Jay

Animals, Candid Portrait, Faust, Flowers, Football, Iowa State, Jay, Jesse

The Long Road Back (Part 1)

September 4, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

Last Thursday, the Cyclones began their long return from the abyss. Last year the Cyclones were embarrassed at The Jack in their opening game of the season. This year they took another step towards redemption by routing their opening opponent. The South Dakota State Jackrabbits were not a match for the Cyclones. True South Dakota State is just a Division 1-AA school. But I think, my memory is a little hazy on the subject, we lost to a Division 1-AA school last year at some point during the season.

Below are some pictures from before we entered the stadium.

We had a bit of an abbreviated tailgating experience this week. This Saturday, before the Cyclones get their vengeance on Kent State, we will have the full tailgating experience. I guarantee it. Jay is even making potato salad.

Animals, Black & White, Contests, Jay, Politics, Railroad, Writing

Estranged

August 31, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

A couple more pictures that were not selected.

I took this picture last year when Jay went on his first ever trip on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. I threw this particular picture into the mix to see if anybody would consider selecting this picture because of the nature of the photo contest.

Nobody took the bait. That is good, because it would have been pandering on the scale of a John McCain VP nominee.

I took this picture at Jester Park. Jay was impressed by this picture and I gave it to him as a birthday present. I think of this picture as being melancholy at first glance, but as being hopeful the longer it is gazed upon.

I named this picture based on an Emily Dickinson poem.

Hope

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Black & White, Candid Portrait, Derrick, Jay, Jen, Monica, Sara, Weddings

The Wedding of the Year (Part 2)

August 24, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

This is really a continuation of more pictures of the wedding principals taking it easy backstage before the big show.

Monica took the pictures of me, including my picture with Jay, the one where he reveals that he truly doesn’t like me all that much.

Animals, Candid Portrait, Formal Portrait, Jay, Jeff Daniel, Mom, State Fair, Street Photography, Teresa, Yin

State Fair Olla Podrida

August 18, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

A random selection of pictures from my trip to the State Fair with my Mom, Jay and Teresa.

Ran into Jeff and Yin on the shuttle to the Fair.

My new favorite hat.

My favorite State Fair Food. (I firmly believe that “food on a stick” is for tourists.)

Pioneer Hall

My favorite State Fair dessert.

You get to put on your own syrup! As much as you want!

Super Bull

2nd Largest Boar

Goat

Cow nose.

Mom in Family Center

Mom in the Family Center

This is a cake.

Also a cake.

Family Photo

Bridge

Elvis Impersonator

I didn’t take as many pictures as usual, but I did take more flower pictures than normal.

Black & White, Candid Portrait, Christianity, Flowers, Formal Portrait, History, Jay, Road Trip, Self-Portrait, Travel, Willy

St. Francis Xavier Basilica

August 11, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

After we left the Field of Dreams on Sunday, we visited the St. Francis Xavier Basilica. It is one of only 53 Basilicas in the United States.

Random Flower

Spires

The Church

Altar

Stained Glass Window

Sanctuary

Spire

Willy

Jay

Dessert in Jesup

Traditional Road Trip Photo

The height of each spire is 212 feet.

The term Basilica is a Greek derivation from “Basileus” meaning a royal or kingly building. In the day of the pagan Roman Empire, most cities had a large building of special architectural design to accommodate large audiences for orators of the day. They were called basilicas. In her earlier centuries, the Catholic church conferred this title on churches of unusual architectural and spiritual significance. Their number is small. Some hold the title by a special Papal edict as is the case of the Dyersville Basilica.

The Basilica is often referred to as the Pope’s church for his use in the event he should ever visit the area. There are Major and Minor Basilicas. The Major Basilicas of which there exist only five, are all in Rome, the best known being St. Peter’s. The Basilica of St. Mary’s in Minneapolis was the first church in the United States to be raised to the rank of a Minor Basilica in 1926.

St. Francis Xavier was the twelfth church in the country so honored. It is unique in that it is one of three in a rural area; all the others are in metropolitan areas.

There are now 53 basilicas in the United States. St. Francis Xavier Basilica is one of the finest examples of the true medieval Gothic architecture. Its graceful and pleasing lines are reminiscent of some of the outstanding Gothic cathedrals in Europe.

-Basilica Pamphlet

Baseball/Softball, Candid Portrait, Jay, Movies, Road Trip, Travel, Willy

Field of Dreams

August 10, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

Jay, Willy and I made a little trip to the Field of Dreams on Sunday. Have a look.

Lunch

Independence, Iowa

Field of Dreams House

The Field of Dreams

Jay

Coming out of the corn field.

The Field of Dreams

Rounding 2nd

Going for Three

Wily and his Camera Phone

Souvenir Shop

The line between the ghost world and the real world.

1st Base

Willy sunning himself on the bleachers.

This is actually what Jay looks like when he watches baseball.

Enjoying the game.

“I love this guy.”

The remnants of when the Field of Dreams was owned by two feuding families.

I had never been there before. I think I got much more out of the experience than Willy and Jay. I only wish I had brought a glove and a ball.

Bill, Candid Portrait, Jay, Jesse, Willy

Boone County Sea Dogs

August 9, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

We took our seaworthy crafts out for their maiden voyages on Saturday. I took several pictures, but many of them are just too hot for the world wide web. Below are a few pictures that are a little less sexy.

Jay preparing for the voyage.

I bought these shoes so that Bill would be with us in spirit. I have not switched sides.

Going under US30

Willing and his “kayak” style

>My sweet sock tan line.

The river was hardly ever deep enough to where you couldn’t walk across it.

Jesse has already expressed interest in becoming a Boone County Sea Dog. He hasn’t even seen our sweet patch.

Art, Jay

Another Tribute to Me

August 5, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

Although you might not believe me, on occasion on inspire people to greatness. My recent trip to Kentucky inspired Jay to make this tribute to my Southern Adventure.

I think Jay is crying out for his own trip down South.

FNSC, Jay, Jesse

An Announcement

July 30, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

As of yesterday, my dear friend Jay is no longer a “Corporate Sellout”.

There is an old bit of knowledge that dates back to the dawn of man. I think it might be found in Leviticus. That bit of knowledge is “Bros before hoes.” Jay has long been a big proponent of this knowledge and for the last few years has never failed to live by it.

I’ve never been big into this precept, but I do believe in putting “Bros before dough.” Meaning you put your brothers (friends) over monetary concerns. To not put your bros before cash would make somebody a sellout. If they chose to take that cash from an evil, heartless, soulless corporation, that would make them a Corporate Sellout.

Things weren’t always that way for Jay. Look at how tight he was with his bro Jesse.

However, I’m not what you would call psychic, but I have always been able to smell evil on a person. In this picture below, I might have been smelling what Jay was to become.

I’m giving Jay “the look”.

As of about 10 PM last night, Jay removed the shackles of corporate tyranny and has placed his bros back where they belong.

As Jay looks into the future!

I don’t know what choices Jay will make now. I do know (in my heart) that he has learned from his time as a Corporate Sellout the proper spot to place his bros in his priority hierarchy. I look forward to welcoming him back to Friday Night Supper Club with both arms wide open.

Alexis, Candid Portrait, Jay, Jen

Another July Birthday

July 17, 2008 Christopher D. Bennett

One last Happy Birthday!

Now I have to get caught up on birthday presents. I got Jay’s delivered yesterday. Now I just need to get Jen’s delivered.