I thought I would welcome RNC delegates to the beautiful Twin Cities with a little game called: Spot the Conservative! See if you can identify the conservative in the following photographs:

If you guessed the Lexus -- you're right! Good work! Now try this one:

This one's a little tougher. It's a trick question - they're both Libertarians! Everyone hit the streets in celebration of Liberty on Sunday. Special thanks to Chris Pennington and the Liberty Parade for a fabulous celebration.

This quarter in school, I am teaching a photographic essay course that will travel to New Orleans, Louisiana. As part of our students' preparation for the trip, my co-instructor and I are asking them to blog about their thoughts and experiences. Being that it is my first trip to the Big Easy, I thought I would blog along. If you're interested, you can read about my New Orleans experience and see the occasional photograph at bucketinnola.blogspot.com. You can also link to my students' blogs from there to check out their progress.

This week on "There Must be Something in the Beignets," I reflect on the opposite end of the Mississippi:

How to achieve a Reverse Housewarming:
Step #1: Throw a housewarming party on the hottest day of the year.
Step #2: Make sure it gets good and steamy inside before the guests arrive.
Step #3: Midway through the evening invite thunderstorm.
Step #4: Allow thunderstorm to remove heat from home and surrounding area.
Step #5: Enjoy Housecooling.

Ladies and Gentlemen... It. Is. Summer. Around here, summer means it's time for beer league softball. This year, I am a proud member of the 6 and 1 Ball Busters. (Thank you to our sponsor, Buster's, for subsidizing our drinking habits.)


Every week we show up and give 85%, the rest... is grab ass.

And, of course, a shout out to our diligent fan base June and Estelle:


Stay tuned for more images coming up after the holiday break as we work our way toward the championship game. Caw.

Lunch break. Saturday. Rock-Chester, MN.

To hear the wonderful musical stylings of Musee Mecanique, check them out online here!

This week marks the end of regular season play with the advertising bowling league. Below, an updated team photo and two moody favorites from our beloved coach. Champs or no champs, thanks bHanna for another lovely season.

New season. New look. New link. What do you think?

Below is out take city - an ode to Jack:

Last year, I had the privilege of joining my good friends over at Modern Music on what turned out to be the FIRST PLACE All Star Team of Awesome Champions in the advertising bowling league. This year, we're back. And we've got a title to defend. So, bring it. In the mean time, wander on over and check out the happenings at www.modern-music.com. I reckon you'll find these folks as delightful as I do.

The great icicle harvest of 2007:

Down the street from my parents' house - a battle ensues each Christmas. The battle between The Millers and Blow Up Guy. For many years, The Millers have welcomed visitors to Evergreen Shores with their overwhelming collection of plastic Christmas yard decorations and a homemade sign that exclaims, "Merry Christmas from the Millers". Recently, however, the neighbors down the street have garnered far more attention for their Christmas display -- over 100 Christmas-themed blow up characters sprawled across every inch of the yard and the roof! Each year, after dinner, my family ventures down to scope out the latest additions to the displays at the Millers' ... and Blow Up Guy's.
Below: At Blow Up Guy's:

Below: At The Millers':

Out takes:


... and in an entirely unrelated matter... Christmas Buns:

Cornhole is a fabulous yard game in which teams toss bean bags across the lawn at strategically designed platforms. (it is simple. and addicting.) You can learn more about cornhole, including how to make your own set, at The American Cornhole Association's web site. I promise I'm not making this up.

Anyway, my roommate recently built a fancy new cornhole set and then taught me how to play. Since then, I have continually beat him and am quickly becoming the grand master cornhole champion of the house.

We have such a good time that, to what I am certain is the utter delight of our neighbors -- we don't even stop when the sun sets...

This week I enjoyed a much needed respite in Portland, Oregon. I visited good friends. Got my relaxin' on. And finally saw the Oregon Coast.

(photo above: M. Rabwin)

I would like to send a quick note of thanks to my friend Micah for allowing me to school him in Shuffleboard. I needed the win.

Additionally, no vacation is complete without a bit of work ... that is, of course, if you're hoping to write it off. I worked with my friend, Dave Casey to shoot some promotional photos for the release of his forthcoming EP. (Check out Dave's music at: http://www.myspace.com/thedrcasey.)

Congratulations to my sister who got married this weekend in Minneapolis! While I didn't shoot the wedding... I did shoot their engagement photos a while back:


And, managed to snap a couple at the rehearsal:

Dad in church.


My beautiful sis and I at the groom's dinner.

Mom + Sis at dinner.