Cirque Dreams Illumination

I have always heard about the "Cirque" performances and how amazing they are. Well, tonight, Cirque Dreams Illumination, came and performed on campus at the McCain Auditorium. I was only allowed about 30 minutes to photograph the show, but what I saw was very cool. Below are a few frames from the performance.

Jim Richardson's "Around the World" show

Last night, on my way back to Wichita for fall break, I stopped in Lindsborg to go to National Geographic photojournalist, Jim Richardson's, new show "Around the World and Back" at his Small World Gallery in the small, "Little Sweden," town. The show consisted of photos he took on, if I remember correctly, a 22-day, 10 country excursion around the world. He was accompanied by anyone who wanted to tag along. All you had to do was pay the $60,000-$65,000 to go. They got a private jet, and stayed in one place no longer than two days. As he described to the crowd last night, "It was not a vacation." It was well worth the few extra miles to drive and see (I have only been there once before).

Jim Richardson telling the stories behind the photographs.

One of my instructors at Kansas State and photojournalist, Andy Nelson. Thanks for introducing me to Jim, Mr. Nelson!

Small World Gallery was definitely the life of Lindsborg last night.

A New Season

As summer turns to fall (but feeling like winter, already!), that means the sports season is also changing. On Friday night, K-State played their first regular season basketball game against the James Madison Dukes (Va.) at Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats are starting off the season as the No. 3-ranked team in the nation, and have a Preseason All-American in Jacob Pullen. The K-State defense and 3-point shooting was too much for the Dukes to handle. The Wildcats won the game, 75-61.

Tipping-off to a new season.

 

Eligible Wildacts

K-State beat the Texas Longhorns, 39-14, last night in Manhattan. It was the sixth win of the season for the Wildcats, making them bowl eligible. Three games remain for the Wildcats this regular season, and all three are on the road (@ Missouri, @ Colorado and @ North Texas). Another win or two would be nice, because just because you're eligible for a bowl, does not mean you will get one.

There was a lot of celebrating by Wildcat fans Saturday night as they beat up on the Texas Longhorns.

Breakfast Club

Every Friday morning this month, October, my apartment complex has supplied breakfast for all of its residents. They have had different themes and different food such as pumpkin-spice french toast, make-your-own pancakes and a variety of coffee. The final "Breakfast Club" meal was a late-night breakfast, featuring breakfast bowls or breakfast burritos. I may only be speaking for myself, (although, I highly doubt it) but nothing is better to a college student than free food. I suppose cash money may trump all, but you get my point. I am thrilled November is right around the corner, but the Breakfast Club will surely be missed.

Breakfast burritos from the late-night Breakfast Club gathering.

World's Largest Ice Cream Social

One of the things I am trying to incorporate into my journalistic repertoire, is video and multimedia. I thought I should post a video I recently did on Cold Stone Creamery's 9th Annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social. On 09/30/10 Cold Stone gave away free 3 oz. sample size cups of caramel apple ice cream at all of their locations as a part of a Make-A-Wish Foundation event. This is still one of my first videos, and I obviously have more work to do, but it is fun to get the ball rolling... or should i say, camera rolling;) The quality is not so good on here, but you'll get the idea.

Janis Ian at McCain Auditorium

Tonight I had the privilege of photographing singer/songwriter Janis Ian. The 59-year-old Grammy Award winner took the McCain Auditorium stage at 7:30 p.m. I must admit, before the McCain Performance Series schedule came out I had never heard of Janis Ian. But after seeing her tonight, I am a fan. Unfortunately, a very small crowd showed up to the auditorium to see the show. The first two rows were entirely empty! And if that were not enough, Ian took the stage only to find out that her microphone was not working. The first song that she performed was completely without a microphone at the front of the stage. The relatively minuscule audience gave her a warm welcome and did the best they could at making it seem like a respectable gathering. It was an interesting experience.

This was the front row, center stage.

KSU vs. Nebraska Football

Nebraska came to Manhattan last night for the last time as a part of the Big 12. Both the Huskers and Wildcats were undefeated going into the nationally televised game. The game stayed "close" for the first half, but Nebraska came out after halftime and gave K-State a goodbye with emphasis. The attendance was over 51,000 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and a lot of Nebraska red was in the stands. It was Bill Snyder's, K-State head coach, 71st birthday. Final score: 48-13, Nebraska.

12:30 p.m.                                                                                      5:30 p.m.

Before the game, three military personnel parachuted into Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

I'm sure he would have taken a win instead of an ESPN interview for his 71st birthday.

KSU vs. UCF Football

It is starting to seem as though my blog is turning into a sports photo blog. That is not my intention and I will try harder to post other photographs I take. With that being said, K-State played the University of Central Florida yesterday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. What a WILD day! There was an overcast for most of the morning and leading up to kickoff. Roughly two and a half minutes into the first quarter, the game was suspended due to lightning. Fans were directed to leave their seats and take shelter. Dark clouds hovered over the stadium and were moving and spinning so fast, it was as though we were watching a video that had been put on fast forward. Soon after the initial suspension, a heavy rain commenced. After a 90-minute delay, the game finally continued. And in true Kansas fashion, the sun was shining and sweat was beading off of peoples' faces by the end of the game. It ended up being an exciting game with the Wildcats scoring late to move to 4-0 on the season.

Some fans waited to watch the storm come in from the upper deck.

It was Military Day and Family Day. Machine guns and canons were fired as the Wildcats took the field.

"FARMAGEDDON"

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to drive to Kansas City and cover the Kansas State vs. Iowa St. football game at Arrowhead Stadium. This is the second year in a row the two teams have played at Arrowhead Stadium.  The game is nicknamed "Farmageddon" because of the high popularity of agriculture at both universities. This is the last year this game will be played at Arrowhead Stadium. I could not allow myself to pass up the opportunity to cover this game (I am the biggest Chiefs fan you will ever meet). It was extremely hot on the field and the stadium was probably only half filled with fans, if that. Nonetheless, it was a fun day of shooting and a day I will always remember. Kansas State won the game, 27-20.

Band Day and Fireworks

Yesterday, K-State hosted Missouri State for the second football game of the season. It was a pretty easy 48-24 Wildcat victory. It was also "Band Day." Several schools from around the state of Kansas had members of their bands perform alongside the K-State band during halftime. After the game, there was a fireworks show. Below are two photographs, one of halftime and one of the fireworks show.