Booches

John McClaskey, 87, retired shoe salesman. Columbia, MO. "So, Nic, your from Indiana. You know why that state is so screwed up? First you got South Bend up north, North Salem down south and French Lick isn't at all what you think it is."

daydream nation

boring assignments call for camera gimmicks

The plank

I am not sure what kind of pirate will let you walk the plank with your gun still in hand, but if these army ROTC cadets come across them, they will be prepared.

Honduras Fulbright

This is a portrait of Fulbright scholar Denice Adkins, an MU professor who just received a grant to begin setting up a library science program in Honduras. I stumbled upon the space by chance and thought it looked like an abandoned library. It had the ambiance I was looking for, but I don't think I captured it successfully. I was trying to add a little depth to the photograph by layering. First some books, then her and then empty bookshelves. Symbolically I think it makes sense, but visually I don't think it works. I wish I would have taken a couple of snaps without the right bookshelf lit, making the image symmetrically lit, with the books keeping it a little off balance.

Helter Skelton

U.S. Congressman Ike Skelton visited the University of Missouri today to dedicate a garden in the memory of his wife Susan. While he was here, he also gave a lecture on why war is good. Nothing like killing two birds with one stone, eh.

child neglect

I started working on an illo today for a story on child neglect. It still has a little ways to go, but I think I am on the right track. Now I just need to find the the little boy from the shining and I will be set.

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

Last night I went to the district for the Boone County Bank's 150th anniversary celebration. They were calling it a Roots Blues and BBQ festival, I'm a little skeptical about the Roots and Blues, but I can vouch for the BBQ. Here are a couple of portraits I made of Abdul Beal and his brother, Mohammed Kamara, who are members of the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars. I call Mohammed, Abdul's brother, because after talking with them for only a couple of minutes, they were calling me brother. Both of these men fled their hometown of Sierra Loene to Freetown during the their countries civil war in the early 90's. Anyway, they both had amazing stories to tell, and I will not forget them soon. If you want to read more about them, go here. Not to sound like a hippy, but I think a lot of people can learn from the Rastafarian way of life.

As for the festival, I think the idea was tainted from the beginning. Having a roots and blues festival curated by a bank, is in bad taste and I chastise them for their effort.

"Carlos Barlos"

Bent tail in tow, Carlos laughed at the odds and lived life well. I am sure death trembled before taking him. If not for his Indian cry, then because he was special. Raised on the streets of Columbia, Mo. He caused no sorrow.

I promise, I will never see a face like his, in years of cats to come.

Godspeed Carlos.

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WHAT COMES AROUND, GOES AROUND.

A wounded bird under leafy branches
Adjusting feathers
Lifting a heavy head to reveal a bloody neck

The cats are circling
Infection setting in
Hard rain

The next morning
Feathers
____________________________

Little pink lips
White legs akimbo
You were almost dead when you started
Practicing your grand exit

I buried the bird you killed
Instead of you
I imagine someone threw you in the trash

When I whistled for you in the morning
Butterflies instead
I guess I knew
I always knew

Earl Park Fall Fest!

What better way to begin this blog, than with images from the place where I began. Earl Park Indiana is a true slice of Americana. I spent equal time this weekend making pictures and enjoying my hometown.