While I was photographing Wendy and Derek Saturday, Alyssa was busy capturing Bill and Kay's wedding day. In typical Alyssa fashion, she knocked it out of the park. I love all the subtle facial expressions she's so tuned into. I love the look on Bill's face (second image) when he sees his bride dressed in her gown for the first time. Priceless.

I can tell from the photos that Bill and Kay are a loving couple who love to laugh. That's great to see two people like that get together. Congratulations, you two!!!

]]>

While I was photographing Wendy and Derek Saturday, Alyssa was busy capturing Bill and Kay's wedding day. In typical Alyssa fashion, she knocked it out of the park. I love all the subtle facial expressions she's so tuned into. I love the look on Bill's face (second image) when he sees his bride dressed in her gown for the first time. Priceless.

I can tell from the photos that Bill and Kay are a loving couple who love to laugh. That's great to see two people like that get together. Congratulations, you two!!!

]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=461

Congratulations to Wendy and Derek!

I really like a lot of the photos from their wedding. It seems like a lot of times - even if I'm spending more than 10 hours with a couple - I don't get opportunities to shoot nice portraits of the couple. That wasn't a problem Saturday. It helps a lot that they chose venues that lend themselves to nice photos. I really liked the old windows in the study at Trinity United Methodist Church. Then the reception was at Babel's Barn in Wood River. I'm a big fan of that place. There are a few neat spots there - plus there is a giant open field on the west side of the property that lends itself great for sunset portraits.

I'm not sure I've ever been treated better by a wedding party. I was showered with compliments all day and night. It's nice to feel appreciated. I hope everybody enjoys the photos!

Congratulations to Adam and Tammy, who had a wonderful wedding Saturday. The ceremony was at Peace Lutheran Church in Grand Island, followed by a reception at the Howard Johnson Hotel Riverside in Grand Island. Roses For You did an amazing job decorating, making the HoJo look spectacular.

I had a lot of fun shooting their wedding. Tammy's contageous smile could really lighten up a dark reception hall.

I had to do something different.

While this blog, VIEW, has been suffering, I've been updating a couple other blogs. Hopefully you've all checked out pics of my son at "The Charmed Life of Owen Carl." There have been some fun updates by my wife, Sarah, Lynnett Kastens and myself lately. But I've also been putting a lot of effort into my wedding photography business at LaneWeddings.com where I've also been keeping a blog.

Well, something has to go. My sister, mom and Barb Soderlin would all kill me if I quit feeding Owen's site. Not to mention, it might be my favorite place in all of cyberspace. And as starved as it might be, I've been building this blog for way too long (more than 5 years!) to let it die. That leaves the wedding blog for the chopping block. Like Charmed Life, the wedding blog was powered by Google's Blogger. As simple as it might be, I'm frustrated by how generic Blogger blogs look. Seems these days everybody has a Blogger site. That's all well and fine, but Lane Weddings is not about generic, cookie-cutter templates that look the same as 100,000 other sites and publish photos way too small.

Lane Weddings is a special company that delivers it's couples a wedding photography experience they can't otherwise find. It is the furthest thing from a cookie-cutter photography studio. With that in mind, I merged the wedding blog, which is an important part to LaneWeddings.com, with this blog. There will probably be a few more changes and a bit of a facelift to follow. But this will continue to be the place where I show the best I have to offer.

So I've added several updates (some of them intertwined chronologically with VIEW entries that were already here) dating back to May or June. I also added a comments feature, so I'd love to hear from you.

---------

The next few photos (or should I say previous few photos) are some shots from the wedding of Jason and Katie that I photographed last weekend.

Cheers!

Isn't this photo cute?

There's more where this came from at The Charmed Life of Owen Carl.

Intorducing the new look for my wedding photography, aptly titled "Lane Weddings". I wanted to combine classic elements with contemporary. I thought my logo should reflect my photography, which is hopefully a combination of elegant, simple and fun. Here's a reminder as to what the old logo looked like:

I've always liked the contemporary stylings of the font (century gothic) in my former logo. But it looks drab and cold. I was using it some with the scripted "L" that you see on the new logo. That helped, but it still needed an inspired face lift.

The decision to drop my last name from my branding was not an easy one. I think "Hickenbottom"--being as long as it is--has a certain amount of recall-ability to it. If you have seen it once, you will likely recognize it when you see it again. That said, the length really makes it hard for people to remember how to spell it. Plus it requires such a LOOOOOONG horizontal space to fit it anywhere.

I also am dropping the "photography". I think any place where I use "Lane Weddings" the context will make it obvious to know that it's about photography. Actually "Lane Weddings" will have the potential to be a sub-category of an umbrella company called "Lane Photographics".

Finally, I plan on moving the web site from http://lhweddings.com to http://laneweddings.com.

With the changes, I hope to continue improve my service to my wedding clients. It's still my goal to provide the best wedding photography in Grand Island, Lincoln, Omaha and the rest of Nebraska.

Thanks everybody for a wonderful five years!

Please check out these new links:

Lane Hickenbottom Wedding Photography

The charmed life of Owen Carl

I've noticed a distinct connection between me returning to work a week ago and the frequency in which I update this journal. Something about being a full-time photographer makes me a bad photo-blogger. ]]>

Two weeks old today.

I've noticed a distinct connection between me returning to work a week ago and the frequency in which I update this journal. Something about being a full-time photographer makes me a bad photo-blogger. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=382

delicate.]]>

delicate.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=381

Owen Carl likes: riding in cars soft clothes peeing across the room his hands by his face getting fed by mommy napping with daddy grandma's lullabies pats on the back his binky back rubs to look around laying in bed with mommy and daddy clean diapers snappy outfits from aunt Lou.]]>

Owen Carl likes: riding in cars soft clothes peeing across the room his hands by his face getting fed by mommy napping with daddy grandma's lullabies pats on the back his binky back rubs to look around laying in bed with mommy and daddy clean diapers snappy outfits from aunt Lou.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=380

Owen Carl dislikes: nudity poopy diapers wet diapers direct camera flash billi blankets baths pin pricks waking up alone being cold umbilical cord care hands wrapped up having clothes changed being gassy sleeping too long ]]>

Owen Carl dislikes: nudity poopy diapers wet diapers direct camera flash billi blankets baths pin pricks waking up alone being cold umbilical cord care hands wrapped up having clothes changed being gassy sleeping too long ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=379

Grand Island Independent photo editor Barrett Stinson finds a new friend.]]>

Grand Island Independent photo editor Barrett Stinson finds a new friend.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=378

Owen's first nickname is "our little glow worm" because he's had to use what's called a billi blanket, a device that shines UV light onto his tiny body to help eleviate his juandice. Luckily after two days of using it, he no longer needs it.]]>

Owen's first nickname is "our little glow worm" because he's had to use what's called a billi blanket, a device that shines UV light onto his tiny body to help eleviate his juandice. Luckily after two days of using it, he no longer needs it.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=377

This little guy has really been the center of attention lately. Sarah and I would like to thank all the people who have sent us congratulatory phone calls, cards, messages on my guestbook, and emails.]]>

This little guy has really been the center of attention lately. Sarah and I would like to thank all the people who have sent us congratulatory phone calls, cards, messages on my guestbook, and emails.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=376

Too cute for words.]]>

Too cute for words.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=375

Grandma Stella has been staying with us for the past couple days. She's been a God-send, helping Sarah and I keep our cool when we can't figure out why Owen is freaking out. The biggest help is just giving us an opportunity to take more naps. Anybody who has ever been a new parent knows how golden sleep can be.]]>

Grandma Stella has been staying with us for the past couple days. She's been a God-send, helping Sarah and I keep our cool when we can't figure out why Owen is freaking out. The biggest help is just giving us an opportunity to take more naps. Anybody who has ever been a new parent knows how golden sleep can be.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=374

Owen is battling a little case of juandice. Poor little yellow guy.]]>

Owen is battling a little case of juandice. Poor little yellow guy.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=373

After spending about 60 hours at the hospital we are home at last. ]]>

After spending about 60 hours at the hospital we are home at last. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=372

Itsy bitsy fingers for such a big boy.]]>

Itsy bitsy fingers for such a big boy.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=371

Mom calls aunt Laura shortly after delivery to share the good news.]]>

Mom calls aunt Laura shortly after delivery to share the good news.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=370

Owen at about 5 minutes old, calmly checking out his surroundings. Right now we are still in the hospital until mom gets done recovering from delivering such a big boy. --- There are two primary groups of people who look at my photo journal: one group is friends and family. The second group is made up of fans of photography. I'm going to suspend my email updates for the next couple weeks to spare those people who can pass on seeing bunches of pictures of my new son. For people like Grandma Karen and Aunt Laura who can't see too many pictures of Owen, I hope to update often the next couple weeks. I'll start sending the email updates when this splurge of Owen pictures dies down. Oh, and Owen wants to wish Grandpa Dean a happy birthday! ]]>

Owen at about 5 minutes old, calmly checking out his surroundings. Right now we are still in the hospital until mom gets done recovering from delivering such a big boy. --- There are two primary groups of people who look at my photo journal: one group is friends and family. The second group is made up of fans of photography. I'm going to suspend my email updates for the next couple weeks to spare those people who can pass on seeing bunches of pictures of my new son. For people like Grandma Karen and Aunt Laura who can't see too many pictures of Owen, I hope to update often the next couple weeks. I'll start sending the email updates when this splurge of Owen pictures dies down. Oh, and Owen wants to wish Grandpa Dean a happy birthday! ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=369

Introducing Owen Hickenbottom, born Tuesday, January 23, 2007. Nine pounds, 4 ounces, 21 inches long. Dimples and lots of dark hair!]]>

Introducing Owen Hickenbottom, born Tuesday, January 23, 2007. Nine pounds, 4 ounces, 21 inches long. Dimples and lots of dark hair!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=368

Nothing to report. Lots of snow on the ground. ]]>

Nothing to report. Lots of snow on the ground. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=367

Sarah isn't the only one throwing around a little extra weight in the tummy region. Here is the 2006 version of the Christmas cards we sent out. The message on the reverse side read: "Here's hoping your bellies are filled with holiday goodies. Merry Christmas from Sarah, Lane and baby Hickenbottom!" ------ On a somewhat related note, Lincoln Journal Star photojournalist William Lauer responded to one of my latest blog posts by saying the following: "It always amazes me how such slender people like Sarah can expand to accommodate another person. Paradoxically, it does not amaze me how slender people like you can expand to accommodate beer." Well thanks a lot, William! Incidentally, William recently reworked his web site and is now sporting a nifty photo journal, himself. I encourage everybody to take a look at it by going to http://williamlauer.com . I especially enjoy his Jan. 4 entry of the recent ice storm.]]>

Sarah isn't the only one throwing around a little extra weight in the tummy region. Here is the 2006 version of the Christmas cards we sent out. The message on the reverse side read: "Here's hoping your bellies are filled with holiday goodies. Merry Christmas from Sarah, Lane and baby Hickenbottom!" ------ On a somewhat related note, Lincoln Journal Star photojournalist William Lauer responded to one of my latest blog posts by saying the following: "It always amazes me how such slender people like Sarah can expand to accommodate another person. Paradoxically, it does not amaze me how slender people like you can expand to accommodate beer." Well thanks a lot, William! Incidentally, William recently reworked his web site and is now sporting a nifty photo journal, himself. I encourage everybody to take a look at it by going to http://williamlauer.com . I especially enjoy his Jan. 4 entry of the recent ice storm.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=366

thirty-nine weeks. and one day.]]>

thirty-nine weeks. and one day.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=365

39 weeks]]>

39 weeks]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=364

More ice, ice, baby. Speaking of baby, Sarah is doing well. She has been feeling pretty uncomfortable and her nights have been pretty long. We are 8 days away from the official due date, so I guess this can happen any time. We are both pretty excited. Sarah is especially ready to have her body back and we are both anxious to meet the little baby. We'll keep y'all posted.]]>

More ice, ice, baby. Speaking of baby, Sarah is doing well. She has been feeling pretty uncomfortable and her nights have been pretty long. We are 8 days away from the official due date, so I guess this can happen any time. We are both pretty excited. Sarah is especially ready to have her body back and we are both anxious to meet the little baby. We'll keep y'all posted.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=363

We've actually had two damaging ice storms in the past couple weeks. Both really did a number on the trees in Grand Island and the surrounding areas. This is a photo of a woman carrying a downed tree branch to her curb from her back yard.]]>

We've actually had two damaging ice storms in the past couple weeks. Both really did a number on the trees in Grand Island and the surrounding areas. This is a photo of a woman carrying a downed tree branch to her curb from her back yard.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=362

New Years brought a huge ice storm that made the landscape absolutely beautiful. It also snapped hundreds of miles worth of power poles, devestating the electrical infrastructure in Central Nebraska. I made a lot of photographs of the storm and of cleanup efforts since. I guess I should start sharing.]]>

New Years brought a huge ice storm that made the landscape absolutely beautiful. It also snapped hundreds of miles worth of power poles, devestating the electrical infrastructure in Central Nebraska. I made a lot of photographs of the storm and of cleanup efforts since. I guess I should start sharing.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=361

Happy New Year!!!! It's 2007 and I'm as happy as a pig in mud. It's time for the 2006 edition of the year in numbers. The dominant themes in this year's list come from the buying a new home and that little bun we have in the oven. Without further ado, I give you The Year In Numbers: 185,262 – tachometer reading on my car 10,560 – unique visitors to this website (from 84 countries) 68803 – current zip code (all year long!) 2012 – street address of my first home 1769 – trips to Menards, Home Depot and Ace Hardware 354 – mortgage payments left 49 – my age when my first child graduates from high school 36.5 – weeks of 2006 that Sarah spent pregnant 31 – my age at the end of the year 30 – year loan 28 – number of steps in my new home 24 – VIEW updates (I promise to do better in 2007) 22.4 – percent of my monthly mortgage payment that goes to home-owners insurance and property taxes 18 – (of June) celebrated my first wedding anniversary with Sarah 11 – weeks into pregnancy when I first heard my baby's heartbeat. 10 – gallons of paint applied to the exterior of our house 6.04 – interest rate we secured 6 – mortgage payments made 4 – more conceptions until we can field a basketball team 3.5 – weeks until my first-born is due 3 – Lamaze classes attended 2 – the total number of forms W2 Sarah and I will have to file for our taxes (a first!) 1 – baby on it's way! 0 – regrets. ]]>

Happy New Year!!!! It's 2007 and I'm as happy as a pig in mud. It's time for the 2006 edition of the year in numbers. The dominant themes in this year's list come from the buying a new home and that little bun we have in the oven. Without further ado, I give you The Year In Numbers: 185,262 – tachometer reading on my car 10,560 – unique visitors to this website (from 84 countries) 68803 – current zip code (all year long!) 2012 – street address of my first home 1769 – trips to Menards, Home Depot and Ace Hardware 354 – mortgage payments left 49 – my age when my first child graduates from high school 36.5 – weeks of 2006 that Sarah spent pregnant 31 – my age at the end of the year 30 – year loan 28 – number of steps in my new home 24 – VIEW updates (I promise to do better in 2007) 22.4 – percent of my monthly mortgage payment that goes to home-owners insurance and property taxes 18 – (of June) celebrated my first wedding anniversary with Sarah 11 – weeks into pregnancy when I first heard my baby's heartbeat. 10 – gallons of paint applied to the exterior of our house 6.04 – interest rate we secured 6 – mortgage payments made 4 – more conceptions until we can field a basketball team 3.5 – weeks until my first-born is due 3 – Lamaze classes attended 2 – the total number of forms W2 Sarah and I will have to file for our taxes (a first!) 1 – baby on it's way! 0 – regrets. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=360

This self-portrait of me working in my hotel room in Omaha could have been a lot better if I had a tripod and more time. But I thought the windows and the time of day looked cool, so I went for it. ]]>

This self-portrait of me working in my hotel room in Omaha could have been a lot better if I had a tripod and more time. But I thought the windows and the time of day looked cool, so I went for it. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=359

This shot is for all you cowgirls out there. You know you love it.]]>

This shot is for all you cowgirls out there. You know you love it.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=358

It's not every day you get to ride in the same motorcade as the leader of the free world.]]>

It's not every day you get to ride in the same motorcade as the leader of the free world.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=357

This is post is for Matt LaHann and everybody else who has been asking to see photos of my new home. The first picture was taken while we were under contract in May. The second photo was taken this morning. Obviously, it's gotten a bit of a face-lift. We've painted the exterior and added shutters. Inside, the living room received a make-over, the soon-to-be nursery has had a lot of cosmetic work done to it including peeling away two layers of (very) old wallpaper, new paint, etc. We have done some minor remodeling to the kitchen. Sarah's dad, Frank, is helping us remodel the back two rooms into one family room. For that room, we are taking out a wall, taking out a drop ceiling and the former light fixtures. We are replacing the panel walls and ceiling with sheet rock and replacing the carpet. There are several other rooms that will get new paint. We are planning on getting a new water softener and a new garage door. After all that is complete, we would like to start landscaping. Fun fun fun.]]>

This is post is for Matt LaHann and everybody else who has been asking to see photos of my new home. The first picture was taken while we were under contract in May. The second photo was taken this morning. Obviously, it's gotten a bit of a face-lift. We've painted the exterior and added shutters. Inside, the living room received a make-over, the soon-to-be nursery has had a lot of cosmetic work done to it including peeling away two layers of (very) old wallpaper, new paint, etc. We have done some minor remodeling to the kitchen. Sarah's dad, Frank, is helping us remodel the back two rooms into one family room. For that room, we are taking out a wall, taking out a drop ceiling and the former light fixtures. We are replacing the panel walls and ceiling with sheet rock and replacing the carpet. There are several other rooms that will get new paint. We are planning on getting a new water softener and a new garage door. After all that is complete, we would like to start landscaping. Fun fun fun.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=356

I made this photo in South Dakota during a road trip Sarah and I took to Canada recently. The colors make me think of autum--my favorite season. During the past week, you can feel the onset of fall. Children have started school, the weather is getting cooler and football season is here. I love it!]]>

I made this photo in South Dakota during a road trip Sarah and I took to Canada recently. The colors make me think of autum--my favorite season. During the past week, you can feel the onset of fall. Children have started school, the weather is getting cooler and football season is here. I love it!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=355

There is a new comic strip that is cracking me up. It is geared towards photographers specifically, but I think most people would find humor in What The Duck?]]>

There is a new comic strip that is cracking me up. It is geared towards photographers specifically, but I think most people would find humor in What The Duck?]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=354

Seven-year-old Morgan Edwards of Lincoln screams while riding the Ferris wheel at the Hall County Fair midway Saturday with her uncle, Darren Johnson of Broken Bow. --------- This picture kind of describes how life has been the past year. Since I haven’t updated regularly, I’ll throw you the Cliff’s Notes version. In a couple weeks I’ll mark my one year anniversary at the Grand Island Independent. It has been a rewarding job. I work with great people who inspire to do solid journalism. I’ve had more fun going to the office this past year than I’ve had since working at the Daily Nebraskan in college (with the occasional budget meeting held at Duffy’s Tavern, can that job ever be topped?) Sarah and I also recently celebrated our first year of marriage. It’s been a fabulous ride. I couldn’t imagine spending my life with a more fantastic woman. Every day I find myself admiring her beauty, strength and humor. Finding her was the best move of my life. To keep things interesting, we bought a 70-year-old house in June. It sits on a quiet, tree-lined street. Although it was almost move-in ready, there is an endless list of projects that can be done. Hours seem to disappear while refinishing a cabinet for a new kitchen island, peeling wallpaper, mudding cracks in plaster, sanding mud, painting walls, etc., etc., etc. Who knew I was this handy? (I’m not). Then there is the newest, biggest news. Sarah is 17-weeks pregnant. I’m going to be a daddy! This really makes things interesting. While the anticipation is great, I’m also faced with a mortgage payment that all-of-a-sudden looks a lot bigger, old cars that look a lot less safe, a house geared for adults, and a lifestyle that isn’t fully matured. I’ll be fully responsible for somebody else’s up-bringing, and it will all begin sometime around January 24, 2007--just around the corner! Hold on tight, this is getting scary! But just as everything seems crazy, I look at the woman who is carrying my child and I know everything is going to be all right. A sense of peace surrounds me and a smile begins to form on my face. The thrill of the ride is well-worth the admission price. I’m going to be a daddy and there has never been a better time or better place. I’m thrilled! I look out the side of the Ferris wheel and see that my cart is still moving up, even from the current lofty position. Life is indeed good.]]>

Seven-year-old Morgan Edwards of Lincoln screams while riding the Ferris wheel at the Hall County Fair midway Saturday with her uncle, Darren Johnson of Broken Bow. --------- This picture kind of describes how life has been the past year. Since I haven’t updated regularly, I’ll throw you the Cliff’s Notes version. In a couple weeks I’ll mark my one year anniversary at the Grand Island Independent. It has been a rewarding job. I work with great people who inspire to do solid journalism. I’ve had more fun going to the office this past year than I’ve had since working at the Daily Nebraskan in college (with the occasional budget meeting held at Duffy’s Tavern, can that job ever be topped?) Sarah and I also recently celebrated our first year of marriage. It’s been a fabulous ride. I couldn’t imagine spending my life with a more fantastic woman. Every day I find myself admiring her beauty, strength and humor. Finding her was the best move of my life. To keep things interesting, we bought a 70-year-old house in June. It sits on a quiet, tree-lined street. Although it was almost move-in ready, there is an endless list of projects that can be done. Hours seem to disappear while refinishing a cabinet for a new kitchen island, peeling wallpaper, mudding cracks in plaster, sanding mud, painting walls, etc., etc., etc. Who knew I was this handy? (I’m not). Then there is the newest, biggest news. Sarah is 17-weeks pregnant. I’m going to be a daddy! This really makes things interesting. While the anticipation is great, I’m also faced with a mortgage payment that all-of-a-sudden looks a lot bigger, old cars that look a lot less safe, a house geared for adults, and a lifestyle that isn’t fully matured. I’ll be fully responsible for somebody else’s up-bringing, and it will all begin sometime around January 24, 2007--just around the corner! Hold on tight, this is getting scary! But just as everything seems crazy, I look at the woman who is carrying my child and I know everything is going to be all right. A sense of peace surrounds me and a smile begins to form on my face. The thrill of the ride is well-worth the admission price. I’m going to be a daddy and there has never been a better time or better place. I’m thrilled! I look out the side of the Ferris wheel and see that my cart is still moving up, even from the current lofty position. Life is indeed good.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=353

Before you were conceived, I wanted you Before you were born, I loved you Before you were here an hour, I would die for you This is the miracle of love. -Maureen Hawkins ]]>

Before you were conceived, I wanted you Before you were born, I loved you Before you were here an hour, I would die for you This is the miracle of love. -Maureen Hawkins ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=352

The last time I saw my grandma was a couple of weekends ago. Mom, Dad, Luke and I went down to see her because we knew her time was near. The Alzheimer’s had really set in at this point in her life. Grandma had reverted back to a time in her mind when life was simple. She reminded me of a child who needed nothing more from life than love and laughter.

When we walked in she smiled at us. She knew we were family. She gave us all a kiss. And she laughed. She shook her head side-to-side and laughed. She laughed at Dad’s “clodhoppers”, as she called them. She laughed at Mom and Dad trying to get the swing to recline. She laughed at the squirrels for being squirrels. She just laughed.

At one point in our visit, when we were in the courtyard, Mom brought Grandma over to pick a beautiful, purple lilac from its bush. It was just the start of spring and very few other flowers had started to blossom. We teased Mom about possibly getting us kicked out of the nursing home for picking the only flower they had growing. Mom laughed, but Grandma just stared at this simple little flower. The lilac seemed as precious to Grandma as love itself. She held onto that lilac for the rest of our time with her. She smiled at Mom, at us, and kept smelling that single, purple lilac.

I believe that lilac took Grandma back to simple moments in her life that were very special to her….her younger years with her husband and her family on the farm…her holiday celebrations where she could hear laughter spread throughout the house…and the irreplaceable times she spent with all who were near and dear to her heart.

After a moment, Grandma asked me to smell that purple lilac. I looked at her, smiled, lifted the lilac to my nose, and I smelled it. I smelled the simplicity of life. I needed that unforgettable moment with grandma. I needed to remember how wonderful life can be.

My grandma Holthaus was a strong, hard working lady, who gave so much of herself to others. She was a very special person whose love and laughter will be remembered by many, year after year.

Grandma, I will think of you every time I pick a purple lilac.

Sarah said she valued life too much to ever try rock climbing.]]>

Heading back towards Colorado, we stopped at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

Sarah said she valued life too much to ever try rock climbing.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=348

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico ]]>

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=347

Sarah heads into the abyss at the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico. ]]>

Sarah heads into the abyss at the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=346

I'm sometimes amazed by strands of life where it seems improbable. I wonder why this lone tree at the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks sprouted, or how it continued to grow in an area void of other plantlife. I wonder if it is still alive, dorment until a wetter, warmer season. Has this tree ever flourished with bountiful green leaves? Or has its existence always been as meager as its current situation? ]]>

I'm sometimes amazed by strands of life where it seems improbable. I wonder why this lone tree at the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks sprouted, or how it continued to grow in an area void of other plantlife. I wonder if it is still alive, dorment until a wetter, warmer season. Has this tree ever flourished with bountiful green leaves? Or has its existence always been as meager as its current situation? ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=345

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico ]]>

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=344

Today Sarah and I went for a spectacular hike at the Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks in New Mexico. ]]>

Today Sarah and I went for a spectacular hike at the Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks in New Mexico. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=343

Sarah and I are spending tonight in Sante Fe, New Mexico. So far, it's been a marvelous trip. We set no agenda, made no plans or reservations. We simply let ourselves be at the mercy of our whims. ]]>

Sarah and I are spending tonight in Sante Fe, New Mexico. So far, it's been a marvelous trip. We set no agenda, made no plans or reservations. We simply let ourselves be at the mercy of our whims. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=342

Did you know the average Canada goose poops up to 3 pounds a day? That's some serious shit.]]>

Did you know the average Canada goose poops up to 3 pounds a day? That's some serious shit.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=341

About this time every year, I find myself longing for the grass to turn green and for leaves to grow back onto the trees.]]>

About this time every year, I find myself longing for the grass to turn green and for leaves to grow back onto the trees.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=337

There is a zany event held each year in the little town of Avoca, Neb. simply named the "Quackoff." Mobs of people descend on the town on the last Saturday of January to race ducks. Revelers drink cheap beer and cheer on their favorite ducks. The ducks, most of them rented for the occasion, are given names almost as bizarre as the event itself: Roast Duck, Quack Pipe, Duck Off. You get the picture. So yeah, you rent a duck, get a little boozed up and race it across the tennis court. Here's a picture of my brother-in-law, Luke, racing his duck named Ping. Never mind that prior to Saturday, Luke was a virgin duck racer. The Luke-Ping combo ran for an awe-inspiring 6th place out of a field of about 160 ducks. Call it what you want to. But here in Nebraska, we call that impressive. I'm not making this up. Really. I'm not. ]]>

There is a zany event held each year in the little town of Avoca, Neb. simply named the "Quackoff." Mobs of people descend on the town on the last Saturday of January to race ducks. Revelers drink cheap beer and cheer on their favorite ducks. The ducks, most of them rented for the occasion, are given names almost as bizarre as the event itself: Roast Duck, Quack Pipe, Duck Off. You get the picture. So yeah, you rent a duck, get a little boozed up and race it across the tennis court. Here's a picture of my brother-in-law, Luke, racing his duck named Ping. Never mind that prior to Saturday, Luke was a virgin duck racer. The Luke-Ping combo ran for an awe-inspiring 6th place out of a field of about 160 ducks. Call it what you want to. But here in Nebraska, we call that impressive. I'm not making this up. Really. I'm not. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=336

I just added the hyper-links to the text of old blog entries. If anybody is browsing the old entries and finds any broken links, I would love to know about it. Thanks! The last step I haven't done yet in upgrading my journal to the new Photoblogging software is to allow for RSS syndication. For those of you who do not know what that means, here is a good explanation. I personally don't use a news aggregator, so I'm not real sure what I'm doing. I'd take some advice if there are any pros out there. My software automatically generates an XML file. Do I just need to provide a button with a link to that file? I assume the email address I attach to it is my own. I can designate how many entries are listed on it. Not sure what people's preferences are. Like I said, I'd take any advice from people who syndicate their blogs and/or use aggregators. ]]>

I just added the hyper-links to the text of old blog entries. If anybody is browsing the old entries and finds any broken links, I would love to know about it. Thanks! The last step I haven't done yet in upgrading my journal to the new Photoblogging software is to allow for RSS syndication. For those of you who do not know what that means, here is a good explanation. I personally don't use a news aggregator, so I'm not real sure what I'm doing. I'd take some advice if there are any pros out there. My software automatically generates an XML file. Do I just need to provide a button with a link to that file? I assume the email address I attach to it is my own. I can designate how many entries are listed on it. Not sure what people's preferences are. Like I said, I'd take any advice from people who syndicate their blogs and/or use aggregators. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=334

This is Dilly (short for Dillweed). She is the newest addition to the Hickenbottom family. ------ warning, long geeky text to follow ------ Speaking of new things, you might notice a slight facelift. The changes might seem pretty subtle from your end, but they are the result of a major change on my end. I started this blog almost four years ago, before most people—including myself—had ever heard of the term 'blog'. I just wanted a venue to publish photos of my travels after leaving the Journal Star. Shortly after I started this thing blogs and photoblogs started popping up everywhere. Now the term 'blog' is thrown at us from all directions. Blogs are the town hall meetings of yesteryear. Media outlets are using blogs to as another means of spreading the news. It's hard to escape them in contemporary life. The first photoblogs were usually very cluttered with lots of links, several small pictures, tiny little type, and very little order. Most included post after post of people's cats (um, look who's talking, huh?) and other items in their daily life. The blogs showcased life, not photography. From the beginning, I felt like my journal was ahead of the curve, providing a clean, easy-to-read format that was more pleasing to the eye. Instead of cramming lots of boring photos down people's throats, I *tried* to show compelling photos. But as time has wore on, my photoblog is falling behind in the times. Each page I've done has been hard-coded, and each update is a time-consuming process that must be done from only my personal computer. Most people use a server-based software that automates most of updating tasks that are tedious on my end. For most people to perform a redesign, they only need to change their templates one time. Until today, I needed to change mine once for every entry. We are talking hours of work that most people can do in minutes. I've held onto my old ways for a few reasons. First, I liked the control I had. Second, I was using a free web hosting service that did not use pop-up or banner advertising. The downfall of this host is that it was HTML-only. In order to use the blogging software I referred to earlier, I needed a host that would allow scripts such as PHP and a MySQL database. Well, I made the switch. It's going to cost a few more bucks each month, but I couldn't be happier. Updates should be a lot easier (maybe more frequent?). In the process, I haven't yet transferred the hyperlinks from the text within many of the old submissions. So other sites I've linked to in the past are not being linked to yet. I hope to get that done in the near future. The slightly new look is an attempt to clean up the look just even more. I'm hoping to have RSS syndication soon for folks who use newsreaders. I'm trying to learn how to do that. For those who are curious, my new host is http://vesana.com they are super-awesome, non-corporate organization. My blog is being powered by Photoblogger, which is found at http://photoblogger.halof.de/ Later! ]]>

This is Dilly (short for Dillweed). She is the newest addition to the Hickenbottom family. ------ warning, long geeky text to follow ------ Speaking of new things, you might notice a slight facelift. The changes might seem pretty subtle from your end, but they are the result of a major change on my end. I started this blog almost four years ago, before most people—including myself—had ever heard of the term 'blog'. I just wanted a venue to publish photos of my travels after leaving the Journal Star. Shortly after I started this thing blogs and photoblogs started popping up everywhere. Now the term 'blog' is thrown at us from all directions. Blogs are the town hall meetings of yesteryear. Media outlets are using blogs to as another means of spreading the news. It's hard to escape them in contemporary life. The first photoblogs were usually very cluttered with lots of links, several small pictures, tiny little type, and very little order. Most included post after post of people's cats (um, look who's talking, huh?) and other items in their daily life. The blogs showcased life, not photography. From the beginning, I felt like my journal was ahead of the curve, providing a clean, easy-to-read format that was more pleasing to the eye. Instead of cramming lots of boring photos down people's throats, I *tried* to show compelling photos. But as time has wore on, my photoblog is falling behind in the times. Each page I've done has been hard-coded, and each update is a time-consuming process that must be done from only my personal computer. Most people use a server-based software that automates most of updating tasks that are tedious on my end. For most people to perform a redesign, they only need to change their templates one time. Until today, I needed to change mine once for every entry. We are talking hours of work that most people can do in minutes. I've held onto my old ways for a few reasons. First, I liked the control I had. Second, I was using a free web hosting service that did not use pop-up or banner advertising. The downfall of this host is that it was HTML-only. In order to use the blogging software I referred to earlier, I needed a host that would allow scripts such as PHP and a MySQL database. Well, I made the switch. It's going to cost a few more bucks each month, but I couldn't be happier. Updates should be a lot easier (maybe more frequent?). In the process, I haven't yet transferred the hyperlinks from the text within many of the old submissions. So other sites I've linked to in the past are not being linked to yet. I hope to get that done in the near future. The slightly new look is an attempt to clean up the look just even more. I'm hoping to have RSS syndication soon for folks who use newsreaders. I'm trying to learn how to do that. For those who are curious, my new host is http://vesana.com they are super-awesome, non-corporate organization. My blog is being powered by Photoblogger, which is found at http://photoblogger.halof.de/ Later! ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=332

Nothing says "This is Nebraska" quite like a windmill standing in the open prairie. Sure enough, you can find windmills all over outside of the state; but only in Nebraska (and appearently Holland) are they so plentiful they have become iconic. I love making photos of the sky, but the sky alone--without some kind of prop--is just an empty, boring picture. I like to include a windmill when photographing interesting sky phenomena such as an eclipse, meteor shower, northern lights, etc. when shooting in this state. The windmill gives the photo a sense of place. It's here that a constant breeze helps pull water from the plentiful Ogalalla Aquifer, described by some people as an underground, fresh-water ocean, only a short distance under our feet. Sometimes when taking a road trip through the Sandhills, Sarah and I play a game called Mill-Kill. It's a lot like seeing a Volkswagen Beatle and yelling "Slug Bug!" as you lovingly punch the person next to you. Needless to say we were a little black-and-blue after seeing this cluster of windmills at a well-digging business near Merna, Neb. Can you say Mill Massacre? ]]>

Nothing says "This is Nebraska" quite like a windmill standing in the open prairie. Sure enough, you can find windmills all over outside of the state; but only in Nebraska (and appearently Holland) are they so plentiful they have become iconic. I love making photos of the sky, but the sky alone--without some kind of prop--is just an empty, boring picture. I like to include a windmill when photographing interesting sky phenomena such as an eclipse, meteor shower, northern lights, etc. when shooting in this state. The windmill gives the photo a sense of place. It's here that a constant breeze helps pull water from the plentiful Ogalalla Aquifer, described by some people as an underground, fresh-water ocean, only a short distance under our feet. Sometimes when taking a road trip through the Sandhills, Sarah and I play a game called Mill-Kill. It's a lot like seeing a Volkswagen Beatle and yelling "Slug Bug!" as you lovingly punch the person next to you. Needless to say we were a little black-and-blue after seeing this cluster of windmills at a well-digging business near Merna, Neb. Can you say Mill Massacre? ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=331

Just got back from the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. The Riverwalk is simply beautiful! 2005 is winding down. Here is a few end-of-the-year items: -Happy New Year! -That fireworks photo of mine is now on MSNBC's Pictures of the Year. (Though it is getting very few votes). -I turn 30 today! -Matt Miller turns 29 today. Happy birthday to him! -Sarah and I are going to our 970th wedding of the year today. Congrats to Sarah and I, Ryan and Barb, Nathan and Emily, Zach and Stacy, Brandon and Kelli, Adam and Monaca, Tony and Missy, Derek and Breanna, and finally Shannon and Lori. Here's a raised glass to all of our first new years as married couples.]]>

Just got back from the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. The Riverwalk is simply beautiful! 2005 is winding down. Here is a few end-of-the-year items: -Happy New Year! -That fireworks photo of mine is now on MSNBC's Pictures of the Year. (Though it is getting very few votes). -I turn 30 today! -Matt Miller turns 29 today. Happy birthday to him! -Sarah and I are going to our 970th wedding of the year today. Congrats to Sarah and I, Ryan and Barb, Nathan and Emily, Zach and Stacy, Brandon and Kelli, Adam and Monaca, Tony and Missy, Derek and Breanna, and finally Shannon and Lori. Here's a raised glass to all of our first new years as married couples.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=330

Wow. I almost forgot how to update. Sarah and I moved back to America's Heartland. Grand Island, Nebraska. ]]>

Wow. I almost forgot how to update. Sarah and I moved back to America's Heartland. Grand Island, Nebraska. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=329

For a long time, SportsShooter.com has been becoming one of the premier online resources for photojournalists. I've been checking it out off-and-on for several years. I finally joined today.]]>

For a long time, SportsShooter.com has been becoming one of the premier online resources for photojournalists. I've been checking it out off-and-on for several years. I finally joined today.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=328

Been pretty busy lately. For those of you who have been waiting for wedding and honeymoon photos, I thought I would give you a taste. I made this photo from our resort in Negril, Jamaica during our honeymoon. Needless to say, it was beautiful there. More to come....I promise! ]]>

Been pretty busy lately. For those of you who have been waiting for wedding and honeymoon photos, I thought I would give you a taste. I made this photo from our resort in Negril, Jamaica during our honeymoon. Needless to say, it was beautiful there. More to come....I promise! ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=327

Hope everybody had an excellent Independence Day holiday. Yes, I'm still alive. No, I haven't abandoned this blog. It's been a crazy couple of months. Sarah and I got married. It was a beautiful wedding and reception, if I do say so myself. I hope to post some photos from our wedding (and our Jamaica honeymoon) soon. But this photo is timely in that it is the overwhelming crowd pleaser on MSNBC's "The Week in Pictures" for the week of June 30-July 7, 2005. Click here to check it out. ]]>

Hope everybody had an excellent Independence Day holiday. Yes, I'm still alive. No, I haven't abandoned this blog. It's been a crazy couple of months. Sarah and I got married. It was a beautiful wedding and reception, if I do say so myself. I hope to post some photos from our wedding (and our Jamaica honeymoon) soon. But this photo is timely in that it is the overwhelming crowd pleaser on MSNBC's "The Week in Pictures" for the week of June 30-July 7, 2005. Click here to check it out. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=326

Sheridan at Night Sheridan is really a beautiful place. A two week period starting June 15th is considered the peak season for wildflowers in the Bighorn Mountains. The city is packed with tourists travelling to and through the area. Hotel rooms are a premium. On a similar note, the big wedding day is a month from tomorrow. That same weekend, thousands of people are expected to be in Sheridan for the 2005 Chick's Run, the 14th Annual Bighorn Mountain Wild and Scenic Trail Runs, and the Big Horn Challenge penning event. Hotel rooms will not be available. I encourage folks who are planning to celebrate the wedding with Sarah and I to book their rooms now. There is more information here. ]]>

Sheridan at Night Sheridan is really a beautiful place. A two week period starting June 15th is considered the peak season for wildflowers in the Bighorn Mountains. The city is packed with tourists travelling to and through the area. Hotel rooms are a premium. On a similar note, the big wedding day is a month from tomorrow. That same weekend, thousands of people are expected to be in Sheridan for the 2005 Chick's Run, the 14th Annual Bighorn Mountain Wild and Scenic Trail Runs, and the Big Horn Challenge penning event. Hotel rooms will not be available. I encourage folks who are planning to celebrate the wedding with Sarah and I to book their rooms now. There is more information here. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=325

For the third year in a row, Matt Miller of the Omaha World-Herald was named the newspaper photographer of the year by the Nebraska Press Photographers Association. To check out some of Matt's most current work, check out his frequently updated Sports Shooter site. He also has a neglected online portfolio site.]]>

For the third year in a row, Matt Miller of the Omaha World-Herald was named the newspaper photographer of the year by the Nebraska Press Photographers Association. To check out some of Matt's most current work, check out his frequently updated Sports Shooter site. He also has a neglected online portfolio site.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=324

I think every young boy or girl with a ball in their hands dreams of being one of their sports heroes. When I was this boy�s age, it was pre-game ritual to argue over who got to be Magic Johnson. Eventually, when in high school, I was shocked to find out that my boyhood hero had contracted HIV through extra-marital affairs. I was surprised for so many reasons. Magic always seemed to me to be a great guy. During interviews, he was articulate and always wore a huge smile. How many kids on the playground had the same disappointment when the Kobe Bryant case came about? It�s hard for a young person to realize his superhuman heroes are actually human and make mistakes. Then there is the steroid issue plaguing baseball. To me, this is a whole lot worse. It�s one thing to realize athletes are people and when they aren�t doing unreal acts of athleticism in the sports arena, they are like anybody else with skeletons in their closets. But here is the problem. Those unreal acts of athleticism in baseball were exactly that: unreal. False. Didn�t happen. We are learning that sheer athleticism alone did not break so many recent records. It�s becoming apparent that McGuire broke Maris� single-season home run record by cheating. After that, Bonds broke McGuire�s record by cheating. What kind of message are we sending our kids if these records are allowed to stand? �It�s wrong to cheat, but the rewards are worth it.� When Ben Johnson became the fastest man to ever run the 100m in the Seoul Olympics, his gold was taken away, and his record was not recorded after news broke that he was a steroid user. That is exactly what should happen in baseball if it becomes proven that these players used steroids when accomplishing their �amazing� feats. These guys not only broke the rules, they cheated every other clean athlete who was second place in the MVP balloting. They cheated everybody who filled their stadiums to watch them play. They cheated every child on a schoolyard somewhere pretending to be them.]]>

I think every young boy or girl with a ball in their hands dreams of being one of their sports heroes. When I was this boy�s age, it was pre-game ritual to argue over who got to be Magic Johnson. Eventually, when in high school, I was shocked to find out that my boyhood hero had contracted HIV through extra-marital affairs. I was surprised for so many reasons. Magic always seemed to me to be a great guy. During interviews, he was articulate and always wore a huge smile. How many kids on the playground had the same disappointment when the Kobe Bryant case came about? It�s hard for a young person to realize his superhuman heroes are actually human and make mistakes. Then there is the steroid issue plaguing baseball. To me, this is a whole lot worse. It�s one thing to realize athletes are people and when they aren�t doing unreal acts of athleticism in the sports arena, they are like anybody else with skeletons in their closets. But here is the problem. Those unreal acts of athleticism in baseball were exactly that: unreal. False. Didn�t happen. We are learning that sheer athleticism alone did not break so many recent records. It�s becoming apparent that McGuire broke Maris� single-season home run record by cheating. After that, Bonds broke McGuire�s record by cheating. What kind of message are we sending our kids if these records are allowed to stand? �It�s wrong to cheat, but the rewards are worth it.� When Ben Johnson became the fastest man to ever run the 100m in the Seoul Olympics, his gold was taken away, and his record was not recorded after news broke that he was a steroid user. That is exactly what should happen in baseball if it becomes proven that these players used steroids when accomplishing their �amazing� feats. These guys not only broke the rules, they cheated every other clean athlete who was second place in the MVP balloting. They cheated everybody who filled their stadiums to watch them play. They cheated every child on a schoolyard somewhere pretending to be them.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=323

So this is an incomplete list of some of the things it takes to to put on a wedding... * decide to propose * subtly learn ring and diamond preferences * educate yourself on diamonds (its a major purchase, you know!) * shop around for diamonds * buy diamond * shop for setting * buy setting, have jeweler put the two together * brainstorm creative ways to propose * have none of those ways turn out right, so propose spur-of-the moment and try your best to make it romantic * tell friends and family you are engaged * celebrate * dream about different wedding ideas * decide how many people (and who) to stand for us * ask people to stand for us * explain to best friends that you wish fiance wanted more people to stand for her so you can include them to stand for you. * select a wedding date * pick a flower girl * omit a ring bearer * visit several potential wedding and reception venues * talk to people at each one, inquiring prices, services, etc. * pick a reception venue to rent, contact organizer, get all that in order * talk to church about conducting ceremony * shop for wedding dress (actually I had nothing to do with this) * pray it doesn't rain on wedding day * meet with priest several times, discussing various issues of compatibility (including finances, family background, faith, sexuality, fidelity, forgiveness, children, etc.) * discuss guest list * decide we don't need a videographer * predict how many tables and chairs are needed * research rental options (most decent options are 150 miles away) * reserve tables and chairs (hoping it is enough) * pray for no rain on wedding day * ask local photo enthusiast to be official wedding photographer * ask close friends who are photojournalists to be unofficial wedding photographers * research table linen options * bid on table linens on ebay * lose auction * purchase plates, glasses and flatware for 100-150 people * research hotel options, including visiting every significant hotel in town, touring rooms, asking about discount pricing for group rates. * decide on two hotel options (not happy about prices for either) * nod head to fiancee's flower selection * research honeymoon options * talk to travel agent * research honeymoon options some more * talk to travel agent * research honeymoon options one last time * book with travel agent * research catering options * hire caterer * make bachelor party plans * reserve vacation time with work * research band/dj options * hire dj after calling several people * ask parents for money * pray it doesn't rain on wedding day * research invitation wording * research invitation costs * decide invitations cost too much * decide to make own invitations that include a photo * shoot more than 200 frames of fruit for invitations in various lighting and compositional situations (I'm not kidding) * research different types of paper * order $120 worth of paper and envelopes (this is a lot cheaper than buying invitations) * nod head to fiancee's cake selection * finalize guest list * organize guest list in groups of who you think will come and who will not, worrying you have enough space. * realize you don't have addresses for 40% of the people on your guest list * get addresses. * create invites * pray it doesn't rain * nod head to fiancee's vail selection * talk to reception alcohol manager * visit reception venue * lay out a table floor plan * decide on menu with caterer * pray it doesn't rain on wedding day * nod head to fiancee's table decorating plan * research venues for rehearsal dinner (actually it is going to be a barbeque) * find that in February, both park shelters you want to reserve are already reserved * compromise on rehearsal barbeque site * nod head on fiancee's cake topper selection * get malt beverage license for rehearsal barbeque (oh yeah!) * consider guest book options * consider unity candle options * forget to care * nod head to fiancee's shoe selection * make own engagement photo for newspaper announcements * type up newspaper announcements * send announcement info to parents * decide on readings for ceremony * decide on music for ceremony * decide on musicians for ceremony * ask friends and family to perform music/sing at ceremony * drink a beer * shop for wedding bands * pray it doesn't rain on wedding day * nod head to fiancee's new drinking habits * decide on tuxedo * drink a beer * create web site * pray it doesn't rain * nod at fiancee. And there is still so much more to do. ]]>

So this is an incomplete list of some of the things it takes to to put on a wedding... * decide to propose * subtly learn ring and diamond preferences * educate yourself on diamonds (its a major purchase, you know!) * shop around for diamonds * buy diamond * shop for setting * buy setting, have jeweler put the two together * brainstorm creative ways to propose * have none of those ways turn out right, so propose spur-of-the moment and try your best to make it romantic * tell friends and family you are engaged * celebrate * dream about different wedding ideas * decide how many people (and who) to stand for us * ask people to stand for us * explain to best friends that you wish fiance wanted more people to stand for her so you can include them to stand for you. * select a wedding date * pick a flower girl * omit a ring bearer * visit several potential wedding and reception venues * talk to people at each one, inquiring prices, services, etc. * pick a reception venue to rent, contact organizer, get all that in order * talk to church about conducting ceremony * shop for wedding dress (actually I had nothing to do with this) * pray it doesn't rain on wedding day * meet with priest several times, discussing various issues of compatibility (including finances, family background, faith, sexuality, fidelity, forgiveness, children, etc.) * discuss guest list * decide we don't need a videographer * predict how many tables and chairs are needed * research rental options (most decent options are 150 miles away) * reserve tables and chairs (hoping it is enough) * pray for no rain on wedding day * ask local photo enthusiast to be official wedding photographer * ask close friends who are photojournalists to be unofficial wedding photographers * research table linen options * bid on table linens on ebay * lose auction * purchase plates, glasses and flatware for 100-150 people * research hotel options, including visiting every significant hotel in town, touring rooms, asking about discount pricing for group rates. * decide on two hotel options (not happy about prices for either) * nod head to fiancee's flower selection * research honeymoon options * talk to travel agent * research honeymoon options some more * talk to travel agent * research honeymoon options one last time * book with travel agent * research catering options * hire caterer * make bachelor party plans * reserve vacation time with work * research band/dj options * hire dj after calling several people * ask parents for money * pray it doesn't rain on wedding day * research invitation wording * research invitation costs * decide invitations cost too much * decide to make own invitations that include a photo * shoot more than 200 frames of fruit for invitations in various lighting and compositional situations (I'm not kidding) * research different types of paper * order $120 worth of paper and envelopes (this is a lot cheaper than buying invitations) * nod head to fiancee's cake selection * finalize guest list * organize guest list in groups of who you think will come and who will not, worrying you have enough space. * realize you don't have addresses for 40% of the people on your guest list * get addresses. * create invites * pray it doesn't rain * nod head to fiancee's vail selection * talk to reception alcohol manager * visit reception venue * lay out a table floor plan * decide on menu with caterer * pray it doesn't rain on wedding day * nod head to fiancee's table decorating plan * research venues for rehearsal dinner (actually it is going to be a barbeque) * find that in February, both park shelters you want to reserve are already reserved * compromise on rehearsal barbeque site * nod head on fiancee's cake topper selection * get malt beverage license for rehearsal barbeque (oh yeah!) * consider guest book options * consider unity candle options * forget to care * nod head to fiancee's shoe selection * make own engagement photo for newspaper announcements * type up newspaper announcements * send announcement info to parents * decide on readings for ceremony * decide on music for ceremony * decide on musicians for ceremony * ask friends and family to perform music/sing at ceremony * drink a beer * shop for wedding bands * pray it doesn't rain on wedding day * nod head to fiancee's new drinking habits * decide on tuxedo * drink a beer * create web site * pray it doesn't rain * nod at fiancee. And there is still so much more to do. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=322

two years since the united states invaded iraq]]>

two years since the united states invaded iraq]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=321

We had a nice second helping of winter this week. Nothing but brief snow showers scattered throughout the week. They were pretty and they didn't last long. That's how I like my snowfalls to be.]]>

We had a nice second helping of winter this week. Nothing but brief snow showers scattered throughout the week. They were pretty and they didn't last long. That's how I like my snowfalls to be.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=320

When I started putting this entry of VIEW together, I realized I forgot to upload February 24's entry. So if you follow my blog, feel free to check it out. I shot this photo of a high schooler playing catch outside of the school with a classmate about a week ago. Since then I shot the last basketball game I'll shoot this season. Hallelujah! I enjoy watching and playing basketball, I just don't enjoy shooting it so much. It takes place in gyms that are too dark, so you lug around lights. I don't mind that so much, but the gyms around here are far from ideal for lighting. But the thing I like the least about basketball season is the end result: the photos. Even in Sports Illustrated, which publishes the pinnacle of sports photography, I'm just not interested in the basketball photos. So bring on the spring sports season! No more dungeon-like gyms! Give me soccer! Give me track! Hell, you can even give me cross country! I'll take it! ]]>

When I started putting this entry of VIEW together, I realized I forgot to upload February 24's entry. So if you follow my blog, feel free to check it out. I shot this photo of a high schooler playing catch outside of the school with a classmate about a week ago. Since then I shot the last basketball game I'll shoot this season. Hallelujah! I enjoy watching and playing basketball, I just don't enjoy shooting it so much. It takes place in gyms that are too dark, so you lug around lights. I don't mind that so much, but the gyms around here are far from ideal for lighting. But the thing I like the least about basketball season is the end result: the photos. Even in Sports Illustrated, which publishes the pinnacle of sports photography, I'm just not interested in the basketball photos. So bring on the spring sports season! No more dungeon-like gyms! Give me soccer! Give me track! Hell, you can even give me cross country! I'll take it! ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=319

This is just an outtake I kind of liked from an assignment I shot yesterday. It's not sharp, and it definitely doesn't go very well with the story. Since I enjoyed it, and it will never otherwise see the light-of-day, I'll share it with you here. ]]>

This is just an outtake I kind of liked from an assignment I shot yesterday. It's not sharp, and it definitely doesn't go very well with the story. Since I enjoyed it, and it will never otherwise see the light-of-day, I'll share it with you here. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=318

Happy Valentine's Day]]>

Happy Valentine's Day]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=317

photo by Sarah Pella I was asked several months ago if I would be willing to put together a solo exhibit of my photography. I was honored. I was ill-prepared. I had no idea how much work it would take to put together. Last year, my first VIEW entry of the year was a "Year in Numbers." I'm not feeling quite so reflective this year, but an 'in the numbers' might be in order. So without further ado, I give you: The Gallery Project in Numbers

98,248 8296 4000 964 868 200 150 100 87 60 52 29 28 24 18 10 6 4 3 2 1

approximate number of times I’ve changed my mind about some aspect of the show. square inches framed list price of all the framed prints, added up inches of black, wood frame approximate cost of prints, frames, mats, foam-core, glass and invitations invitations made (100 handed out so far) list price of a 16x20 list price of an 11x14 length in feet of the longest gallery wall approximate hours I spent putting everything together days since my last journal entry days the gallery will be hanging total prints 11x14 inch prints in 16x20 inch frames scenic/pictorial images nudes number of 16x20s I need to sell to break even financially 8x10 inch prints framed in 11x14 inch frames days until the opening reception days The Sheridan Press is running an ad promoting the opening reception number of solo exhibits I've had (including this one)

]]>

photo by Sarah Pella I was asked several months ago if I would be willing to put together a solo exhibit of my photography. I was honored. I was ill-prepared. I had no idea how much work it would take to put together. Last year, my first VIEW entry of the year was a "Year in Numbers." I'm not feeling quite so reflective this year, but an 'in the numbers' might be in order. So without further ado, I give you: The Gallery Project in Numbers

98,248 8296 4000 964 868 200 150 100 87 60 52 29 28 24 18 10 6 4 3 2 1

approximate number of times I’ve changed my mind about some aspect of the show. square inches framed list price of all the framed prints, added up inches of black, wood frame approximate cost of prints, frames, mats, foam-core, glass and invitations invitations made (100 handed out so far) list price of a 16x20 list price of an 11x14 length in feet of the longest gallery wall approximate hours I spent putting everything together days since my last journal entry days the gallery will be hanging total prints 11x14 inch prints in 16x20 inch frames scenic/pictorial images nudes number of 16x20s I need to sell to break even financially 8x10 inch prints framed in 11x14 inch frames days until the opening reception days The Sheridan Press is running an ad promoting the opening reception number of solo exhibits I've had (including this one)

]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=316

Wow. A month has past since my last entry. I'll blame it on being busy with the holidays. To those of you who have subscribed to update notifications, think of all the wasted time you've saved this month.]]>

Wow. A month has past since my last entry. I'll blame it on being busy with the holidays. To those of you who have subscribed to update notifications, think of all the wasted time you've saved this month.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=315

...and the Academy Award for best special effects goes to...God.]]>

...and the Academy Award for best special effects goes to...God.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=314

The mountains are already a winter wonderland. I came upon these guys, who were on a fishing trip from Wisconsin, while I was hiking around Sibley Lake. It was a beautiful day up there: fresh powder, fresh air, and a fresh battery in my trusty Coolpix. When I came off the mountain, I decided I had just enough time to hop into my waders and get into the Tongue River. I normally catch-and-release, but about an hour later I had 18 inches of brown trout simmering in butter, garlic and basil. A beautiful day, indeed. ]]>

The mountains are already a winter wonderland. I came upon these guys, who were on a fishing trip from Wisconsin, while I was hiking around Sibley Lake. It was a beautiful day up there: fresh powder, fresh air, and a fresh battery in my trusty Coolpix. When I came off the mountain, I decided I had just enough time to hop into my waders and get into the Tongue River. I normally catch-and-release, but about an hour later I had 18 inches of brown trout simmering in butter, garlic and basil. A beautiful day, indeed. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=313

Congrats, Ryan Soderlin and Barbara Nordby!]]>

Congrats, Ryan Soderlin and Barbara Nordby!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=312

There is something about moving away from Nebraska that brings the Husker fan out of me. Too bad the team is buried in mediocrity this year.]]>

There is something about moving away from Nebraska that brings the Husker fan out of me. Too bad the team is buried in mediocrity this year.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=311

"Okay, who's next in line?" ]]>

"Okay, who's next in line?" ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=310

"Friday Night Lights"]]>

"Friday Night Lights"]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=309

I had a nice visit back to Nebraska this past weekend. It is great to get a bunch of photographers together for an outting full of pictures, beer and barbeque.]]>

I had a nice visit back to Nebraska this past weekend. It is great to get a bunch of photographers together for an outting full of pictures, beer and barbeque.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=305

The Harvest Moon set this morning. Sure enough, autumn is here. These are some scenes from the Tongue River Canyon near Dayton, about 30 miles from here. This is a great place to go fly fishing.]]>

The Harvest Moon set this morning. Sure enough, autumn is here. These are some scenes from the Tongue River Canyon near Dayton, about 30 miles from here. This is a great place to go fly fishing.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=304

Cowgirls watching cowboys. So very Wyoming. ]]>

Cowgirls watching cowboys. So very Wyoming. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=303

Look whose 26! Happy birthday, Sarah Pella! ]]>

Look whose 26! Happy birthday, Sarah Pella! ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=302

NEW FEATURE! Tired of checking this site every day only to be let down? Don't let your adiction to this site ruin your life! Be proactive! Get out of the funk! Sign up now to have update notifications emailed straight to you! Click here to have the most fun you've ever had without breaking the law! ]]>

NEW FEATURE! Tired of checking this site every day only to be let down? Don't let your adiction to this site ruin your life! Be proactive! Get out of the funk! Sign up now to have update notifications emailed straight to you! Click here to have the most fun you've ever had without breaking the law! ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=301

"1000" A grim milestone is reached in Iraq ]]>

"1000" A grim milestone is reached in Iraq ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=300

I just can't get over the natural beauty around here. This is Ringbone Lake in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. ]]>

I just can't get over the natural beauty around here. This is Ringbone Lake in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=299

Sometimes it's all you can do not to look ridiculous. Even then, sometimes you fail. *photos by some stranger. ]]>

Sometimes it's all you can do not to look ridiculous. Even then, sometimes you fail. *photos by some stranger. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=290

I went out to shoot lightning shots last night. Only I came up empty handed.]]>

I went out to shoot lightning shots last night. Only I came up empty handed.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=289

If photographers ruled the world, swim meets would never occur indoors. This was an easy outdoor shot.]]>

If photographers ruled the world, swim meets would never occur indoors. This was an easy outdoor shot.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=288

Only in high school and already a marketing genius.]]>

Only in high school and already a marketing genius.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=282

The Sheridan-WYO Rodeo. Perifery to the action. They say the best thing about being a cowboy are cowgirls. After watching some of those guys get tossed off their animals like a rag doll, I can believe it. I still like the way the last rays of light seeped through the grandstand into the arena. My favorite part about the whole deal was the post-rodeo street dance that filled Main Street with dancing drunks until 4 a.m. Good times. It's a lonely world for an abandoned ice cream cone on a hot Wyoming day. I'll end with the same way the week began. With the Boot Kick-Off. ]]>

The Sheridan-WYO Rodeo. Perifery to the action. They say the best thing about being a cowboy are cowgirls. After watching some of those guys get tossed off their animals like a rag doll, I can believe it. I still like the way the last rays of light seeped through the grandstand into the arena. My favorite part about the whole deal was the post-rodeo street dance that filled Main Street with dancing drunks until 4 a.m. Good times. It's a lonely world for an abandoned ice cream cone on a hot Wyoming day. I'll end with the same way the week began. With the Boot Kick-Off. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=276

The Sheridan-WYO Rodeo. The Action. This wasn't my best frame of bull riders and the arena. I had better ones with the arena more level. I ended up using this frame because it was of the winning bull rider.]]>

The Sheridan-WYO Rodeo. The Action. This wasn't my best frame of bull riders and the arena. I had better ones with the arena more level. I ended up using this frame because it was of the winning bull rider.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=275

Sheridan at dusk]]>

Sheridan at dusk]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=274

Since announcing our engagement, there has been a few requests that I post a photo of Sarah, my fiancee.]]>

Since announcing our engagement, there has been a few requests that I post a photo of Sarah, my fiancee.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=273

Eleven year old Jordan Brandjord goes to the hoop with a two-handed monster dunk Thursday on a lowered rim during a youth basketball camp at Sheridan College. ------- Growing up, I always dreamed of being able to dunk a basketball. I remember watching Dominique Wilkins go head-to-head with Michael Jordan in the NBA’s annual Slam Dunk Competition. My imagination soared higher than those guys’ gravity-defying moves. Turns out, I’m a 6’3” white boy who can’t jump. At my peak days of athleticism, I could dunk a tennis ball, but never a basketball. -------------------- The people of Sheridan have been so nice to me. They are not used to having my style of photography in their newspaper, and they have responded to it very well. Strangers frequently approach me to introduce themselves and tell me what a great eye I have. While I can’t jump high, I’ve thought a lot about the gifts I do have. I know that I’ve been blessed—and I’m not even talking about photographic vision. Just to have the gift of eyesight, to see the sun set. And while my calves will not take me above the rim, it sure is a blessing to be able to hike high into the mountains and smell the pine-fresh air, to bend over and put my hands in the cold mountain stream. And I’ve been blessed with another gift, to love and be loved. My life with Sarah has been so very rewarding. -------------------- I haven’t written very much in my journal lately…mostly just showing pictures. But I feel it is important to take a step back every once in a while and look at all the gifts I have and to be grateful. ]]>

Eleven year old Jordan Brandjord goes to the hoop with a two-handed monster dunk Thursday on a lowered rim during a youth basketball camp at Sheridan College. ------- Growing up, I always dreamed of being able to dunk a basketball. I remember watching Dominique Wilkins go head-to-head with Michael Jordan in the NBA’s annual Slam Dunk Competition. My imagination soared higher than those guys’ gravity-defying moves. Turns out, I’m a 6’3” white boy who can’t jump. At my peak days of athleticism, I could dunk a tennis ball, but never a basketball. -------------------- The people of Sheridan have been so nice to me. They are not used to having my style of photography in their newspaper, and they have responded to it very well. Strangers frequently approach me to introduce themselves and tell me what a great eye I have. While I can’t jump high, I’ve thought a lot about the gifts I do have. I know that I’ve been blessed—and I’m not even talking about photographic vision. Just to have the gift of eyesight, to see the sun set. And while my calves will not take me above the rim, it sure is a blessing to be able to hike high into the mountains and smell the pine-fresh air, to bend over and put my hands in the cold mountain stream. And I’ve been blessed with another gift, to love and be loved. My life with Sarah has been so very rewarding. -------------------- I haven’t written very much in my journal lately…mostly just showing pictures. But I feel it is important to take a step back every once in a while and look at all the gifts I have and to be grateful. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=271

]]>

]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=270

Because his father is the managing editor, ten-year-old Schiller Murphy doesn't get to appear in The Sheridan Press unless there is a compelling reason. There is a place for him here. I would like to send a shout-out to the young lad, photographed here with is cousin, Amelia Ponce.]]>

Because his father is the managing editor, ten-year-old Schiller Murphy doesn't get to appear in The Sheridan Press unless there is a compelling reason. There is a place for him here. I would like to send a shout-out to the young lad, photographed here with is cousin, Amelia Ponce.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=269

He's just happy he's not a fish.]]>

He's just happy he's not a fish.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=268

I promise I'll lay off the fishing photos soon. But this last week I caught my very first catfish.]]>

I promise I'll lay off the fishing photos soon. But this last week I caught my very first catfish.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=267

I'm just going to keep up with the fishing theme. Afterall, I just caught my first bass!]]>

I'm just going to keep up with the fishing theme. Afterall, I just caught my first bass!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=266

The big news item of the week: I caught my first rainbow trout!]]>

The big news item of the week: I caught my first rainbow trout!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=265

Last night I photographed Wyoming Democrats State Convention starring the governor. It made me think back to my very last assignment with the Lincoln Journal Star, the governor’s inaugural ball, where I made this outtake. I’ve been happy here in Sheridan, making photos. I enjoy the daily challenge of making strong images. It is good to have photography take a large presence in my life again. I surely missed it. ]]>

Last night I photographed Wyoming Democrats State Convention starring the governor. It made me think back to my very last assignment with the Lincoln Journal Star, the governor’s inaugural ball, where I made this outtake. I’ve been happy here in Sheridan, making photos. I enjoy the daily challenge of making strong images. It is good to have photography take a large presence in my life again. I surely missed it. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=264

Oh, so refreshing! Tommy gets an early lesson on the physics of water pressure. ]]>

Oh, so refreshing! Tommy gets an early lesson on the physics of water pressure. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=260

Welcome to springtime in Wyoming]]>

Welcome to springtime in Wyoming]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=259

I was photographing a specific person practicing yoga. She was in bad light and had a cluttered background behind her. I made more than 100 bad photos of her, wishing I had more control. Then just for me, I turned my camera and made this one photo of another woman, somebody the story I was shooting for was not about. ]]>

I was photographing a specific person practicing yoga. She was in bad light and had a cluttered background behind her. I made more than 100 bad photos of her, wishing I had more control. Then just for me, I turned my camera and made this one photo of another woman, somebody the story I was shooting for was not about. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=258

I revisited an old trick this week to show a drizzly day in a land where nobody uses umbrellas.]]>

I revisited an old trick this week to show a drizzly day in a land where nobody uses umbrellas.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=257

It's good to see some of our service men and women start to return from Iraq. ]]>

It's good to see some of our service men and women start to return from Iraq. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=256

Click HERE to email me your captions. I'll post them if I get much of a response. "Quick... pull my finger!" -Travis Heying "You pee like this." -William Lauer "Yes, I am larger than Matt Miller," -Jeff Bundy "This isn't doggie style" -Jeff Bundy "Son of a B@!*h" -David McGee "I know, I know, Cough!!" -Kerry Liles "Turn your head and cough .... just who does she think she is kidding." -Patty Brennan "I've never been so humiliated !" -Patty Brennan "'Let's go to the park, Barkly.' My ASS!" -Tony Toth "Roofus gets a little help with the dreaded fire-hydrant cramp." -Tony Toth "He's lean, mean, and not too far inbetween (if you know what I mean)." -Matt Miller "Bark like a dog for me." -Matt Miller "Shake for me girl. I wanna be you back door man." -Matt Miller "Assistance for the Urination inclined. Just lift and relax. Lift and relax." -Matt Boshart ]]>

Click HERE to email me your captions. I'll post them if I get much of a response. "Quick... pull my finger!" -Travis Heying "You pee like this." -William Lauer "Yes, I am larger than Matt Miller," -Jeff Bundy "This isn't doggie style" -Jeff Bundy "Son of a B@!*h" -David McGee "I know, I know, Cough!!" -Kerry Liles "Turn your head and cough .... just who does she think she is kidding." -Patty Brennan "I've never been so humiliated !" -Patty Brennan "'Let's go to the park, Barkly.' My ASS!" -Tony Toth "Roofus gets a little help with the dreaded fire-hydrant cramp." -Tony Toth "He's lean, mean, and not too far inbetween (if you know what I mean)." -Matt Miller "Bark like a dog for me." -Matt Miller "Shake for me girl. I wanna be you back door man." -Matt Miller "Assistance for the Urination inclined. Just lift and relax. Lift and relax." -Matt Boshart ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=255

On first appearances everything looks blue down where the octopus swims and starfish play. But you won’t find the blues down here, only the imagination of little six-year-old Bhadshah Khan. With a broom in hand, he swishes piles of dust and dirt from one side to the next under the supervision of a little mermaid who dances in her bubbles. School of fish play along the water’s surface, while little Bhadshah sweeps along the ocean floor like a stingray. ]]>

On first appearances everything looks blue down where the octopus swims and starfish play. But you won’t find the blues down here, only the imagination of little six-year-old Bhadshah Khan. With a broom in hand, he swishes piles of dust and dirt from one side to the next under the supervision of a little mermaid who dances in her bubbles. School of fish play along the water’s surface, while little Bhadshah sweeps along the ocean floor like a stingray. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=254

Still no home/laptop internet access. Makes it a pain to update my web site. I'm loving the mountains! I don't golf, but if I did, this would be a great place to do it. ]]>

Still no home/laptop internet access. Makes it a pain to update my web site. I'm loving the mountains! I don't golf, but if I did, this would be a great place to do it. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=253

Been busy and don't have home internet access yet. Here's Sheridan for ya. ]]>

Been busy and don't have home internet access yet. Here's Sheridan for ya. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=252

The new home: Sheridan, Wyoming.]]>

The new home: Sheridan, Wyoming.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=249

On our way back from Wyoming last Sunday, Sarah and I decided to make a little detour. There is a place in Nebraska, for those of you who do not know, called Carhenge. It is somewhat of a peculiarity, homage to the ancient Stonehenge of England, but built with old cars partially buried in the dirt instead of stone boulders. In the field around Carhenge is adorned with other pieces of car art to create a most unusual place. ]]>

On our way back from Wyoming last Sunday, Sarah and I decided to make a little detour. There is a place in Nebraska, for those of you who do not know, called Carhenge. It is somewhat of a peculiarity, homage to the ancient Stonehenge of England, but built with old cars partially buried in the dirt instead of stone boulders. In the field around Carhenge is adorned with other pieces of car art to create a most unusual place. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=248

I’m not the type of guy who frequently takes the same path as the masses. So while so many photojournalists try to work their way up a perceived food chain by moving to papers with larger circulations, I’ve made my own way. That way is frequently full of surprises and adventures. Just yesterday it made a major turn when I accepted a job offer by The Sheridan Press, a tiny little daily paper in Sheridan Wyoming. Sheridan is at the edge of the Big Horn mountains. It is situated in a beautiful setting and offers endless possibilities for the outdoor enthusiast. I’m looking forward to get back in the game and make some photos with people in them again. ]]>

I’m not the type of guy who frequently takes the same path as the masses. So while so many photojournalists try to work their way up a perceived food chain by moving to papers with larger circulations, I’ve made my own way. That way is frequently full of surprises and adventures. Just yesterday it made a major turn when I accepted a job offer by The Sheridan Press, a tiny little daily paper in Sheridan Wyoming. Sheridan is at the edge of the Big Horn mountains. It is situated in a beautiful setting and offers endless possibilities for the outdoor enthusiast. I’m looking forward to get back in the game and make some photos with people in them again. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=247

This is Matt Boshart. He’s not a fast swimmer, but he makes a damned fine paper airplane. And that is important where I work. ]]>

This is Matt Boshart. He’s not a fast swimmer, but he makes a damned fine paper airplane. And that is important where I work. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=246

This is Adam Beckman. He is a fast swimmer.]]>

This is Adam Beckman. He is a fast swimmer.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=245

I'm a member of the working class again! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself!]]>

I'm a member of the working class again! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=244

This photo is for Melanie who doesn't get to see winter anymore.]]>

This photo is for Melanie who doesn't get to see winter anymore.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=243

It was spring of 1996, to the best of my memory. In those days Ryan Soderlin and I had just finished our first photojournalism class. At this point in our lives neither had ever earned a penny with our cameras. Everything was new: confusing and fascinating at the same time. We were dumbfounded by certain foreign photography techniques such as using a flash. I had yet to grasp any concept of composition and light. It was during that first class when Ryan and I started a weekly ceremony of listening to CCR, eating tapioca pudding and drinking Busch Light (at least Ryan did, I was only 20 and of course didn’t drink). You might think that tapioca pudding and Busch Light beer sound like a strange combination, and you would be absolutely right. But Ryan and I were a strange combination. It was during the consumption of classic rock, pudding purchased by the gallon and cheap beer that Ryan and I would try to reason out the mysteries of photography. I still have rolls of negatives and slides of Ryan holding a can of light beer in one hand and a hand-written sign documenting camera and flash settings in the other. Each frame shows subtle differences that slowly helped us unlock some of those mysteries. There are only a few differences between then and now. For one, we sometimes need a phone to close the 225 mile gap between us. And two, I’m now old enough to buy my own booze. Eight years of constant shooting and there are still several rocks left unturned. We are both infants in the business-side of things, the perfect portfolio is still elusive, and we are still picking each other’s brains about lighting techniques. These sessions may be less frequent, but they are no less appreciated. I guess what I’m trying to say is . . .Ryan, you look good with hair.]]>

It was spring of 1996, to the best of my memory. In those days Ryan Soderlin and I had just finished our first photojournalism class. At this point in our lives neither had ever earned a penny with our cameras. Everything was new: confusing and fascinating at the same time. We were dumbfounded by certain foreign photography techniques such as using a flash. I had yet to grasp any concept of composition and light. It was during that first class when Ryan and I started a weekly ceremony of listening to CCR, eating tapioca pudding and drinking Busch Light (at least Ryan did, I was only 20 and of course didn’t drink). You might think that tapioca pudding and Busch Light beer sound like a strange combination, and you would be absolutely right. But Ryan and I were a strange combination. It was during the consumption of classic rock, pudding purchased by the gallon and cheap beer that Ryan and I would try to reason out the mysteries of photography. I still have rolls of negatives and slides of Ryan holding a can of light beer in one hand and a hand-written sign documenting camera and flash settings in the other. Each frame shows subtle differences that slowly helped us unlock some of those mysteries. There are only a few differences between then and now. For one, we sometimes need a phone to close the 225 mile gap between us. And two, I’m now old enough to buy my own booze. Eight years of constant shooting and there are still several rocks left unturned. We are both infants in the business-side of things, the perfect portfolio is still elusive, and we are still picking each other’s brains about lighting techniques. These sessions may be less frequent, but they are no less appreciated. I guess what I’m trying to say is . . .Ryan, you look good with hair.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=242

With the turning of each new year there is always some time for reflection. What a ride 2003 was, and the numbers prove it. Only two weeks late, I present to you my very own YEAR IN NUMBERS

16000 4786 1353 250 205 140 83 81 57 28 24 17 10 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

approximate number of miles driven unique visits to my web page feet high is the Sears Tower Skydeck, one of the many places I visited approximate number of baby calves whose first human contact was with me eartag of the cow that tried to kill me….twice approximate number of kids who I taught photography to speed I was driving when my streak of warnings without a ticket was broken photos posted in my web journal journal entries my age at the end of it all. No, my income did not match it. states visited, 7 of them new love letters sent to me in Maine my streak of warnings, which was broken gigs of hard drive space worth of photos wiped out number of W2 tax forms I expect to get this month towns lived in grandparents who I got to know better than I ever had coasts that wet my feet soulmate found regrets

]]>

With the turning of each new year there is always some time for reflection. What a ride 2003 was, and the numbers prove it. Only two weeks late, I present to you my very own YEAR IN NUMBERS

16000 4786 1353 250 205 140 83 81 57 28 24 17 10 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

approximate number of miles driven unique visits to my web page feet high is the Sears Tower Skydeck, one of the many places I visited approximate number of baby calves whose first human contact was with me eartag of the cow that tried to kill me….twice approximate number of kids who I taught photography to speed I was driving when my streak of warnings without a ticket was broken photos posted in my web journal journal entries my age at the end of it all. No, my income did not match it. states visited, 7 of them new love letters sent to me in Maine my streak of warnings, which was broken gigs of hard drive space worth of photos wiped out number of W2 tax forms I expect to get this month towns lived in grandparents who I got to know better than I ever had coasts that wet my feet soulmate found regrets

]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=241

To the detriment of hunters and their credit cards everywhere, it appears that my days spent as a minion in the Cabela's Customer Care Center are over. *sniff* Those bastards killed Bambi. ]]>

To the detriment of hunters and their credit cards everywhere, it appears that my days spent as a minion in the Cabela's Customer Care Center are over. *sniff* Those bastards killed Bambi. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=240

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!! And to all, a good night!]]>

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!! And to all, a good night!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=239

Kudos! Congrats are in order to my friend, Jeff Haller, whose new photographic home is the Yakima Herald. ]]>

Kudos! Congrats are in order to my friend, Jeff Haller, whose new photographic home is the Yakima Herald. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=238

Bill Batson 1944-2003]]>

Bill Batson 1944-2003]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=237

Some of the majesty of this state lies within the ability to imagine pioneers traveling under a full moon on trails through the buffalo grass on their way to California or Oregon. A few homesteaders stuck around. Their offspring have truly become some of the best people in the country. ]]>

Some of the majesty of this state lies within the ability to imagine pioneers traveling under a full moon on trails through the buffalo grass on their way to California or Oregon. A few homesteaders stuck around. Their offspring have truly become some of the best people in the country. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=236

The turkey isn't fully digested yet, and the Christmas season is already in full-stride. This mother-and-son duo are riding in the back seat of their family car, gazing at the annual Grand Island Community Festival of Lights. I do love the lights.]]>

The turkey isn't fully digested yet, and the Christmas season is already in full-stride. This mother-and-son duo are riding in the back seat of their family car, gazing at the annual Grand Island Community Festival of Lights. I do love the lights.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=235

This was supposed to be an outtake, but I haven't shot any photos in about a week.]]>

This was supposed to be an outtake, but I haven't shot any photos in about a week.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=234

Nebraska is full of beauty if you are willing to look.]]>

Nebraska is full of beauty if you are willing to look.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=233

12 more reasons to be in love. ]]>

12 more reasons to be in love. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=232

My friend Travis Heying (right) just got back from a couple months of photographing in Baghdad for Knight Ridder newspapers. A group of us went down to Wichita to throw him a “glad-your-not-dead party”. The weekend was spent with this strange dichotomy of listening to him play very American guitar chords (think "Sweet Home Alabama") and telling stories of the hellish city where he just came back from. It pained me to hear about the children whose young bodies were pierced by American bullets. It all left me with this strangeness where I am glad to be in the United States, where I am safe and largely free; but it’s hard to be proud of my citizenship. ]]>

My friend Travis Heying (right) just got back from a couple months of photographing in Baghdad for Knight Ridder newspapers. A group of us went down to Wichita to throw him a “glad-your-not-dead party”. The weekend was spent with this strange dichotomy of listening to him play very American guitar chords (think "Sweet Home Alabama") and telling stories of the hellish city where he just came back from. It pained me to hear about the children whose young bodies were pierced by American bullets. It all left me with this strangeness where I am glad to be in the United States, where I am safe and largely free; but it’s hard to be proud of my citizenship. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=231

With my regards to everybody else who stumbles accros this site, this one is just for the 3 or 4 people out there who know who I'm talkin' about. ]]>

With my regards to everybody else who stumbles accros this site, this one is just for the 3 or 4 people out there who know who I'm talkin' about. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=230

I've been a customer relations associate for Cabela's lately. It makes me feel disconnected to the photo world that I used to be a part of.]]>

I've been a customer relations associate for Cabela's lately. It makes me feel disconnected to the photo world that I used to be a part of.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=229

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Just because I see the picture, just because I shoot the picture, doesn't mean I understand the picture.]]>

Just because I see the picture, just because I shoot the picture, doesn't mean I understand the picture.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=227

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven]]>

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=226

Hopefully i didn't just do as much damage to the appearance of my web site as these kids are doing to each other's faces. With the new look I wanted to place more emphasis on my web journal than on the rest of my site. Of all the projects related to photography that I've done over the years, this blog is by far-and-away the the one that I'm the most proud of. It's been a fun project for sure. I also wanted to make it easier for people who frequent this journal to view the current entry. Now there is one less step. It's been well over a year since I've updated the photo galleries on my web page. Because my computer crash is going to force me to build a new portfolio, count on seeing an update there very soon. I hope all is well and that you enjoy the changes. Cheers, Lane.]]>

Hopefully i didn't just do as much damage to the appearance of my web site as these kids are doing to each other's faces. With the new look I wanted to place more emphasis on my web journal than on the rest of my site. Of all the projects related to photography that I've done over the years, this blog is by far-and-away the the one that I'm the most proud of. It's been a fun project for sure. I also wanted to make it easier for people who frequent this journal to view the current entry. Now there is one less step. It's been well over a year since I've updated the photo galleries on my web page. Because my computer crash is going to force me to build a new portfolio, count on seeing an update there very soon. I hope all is well and that you enjoy the changes. Cheers, Lane.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=225

Broke Down. So I bit the bullet and formatted my hard drive. I'm not going to lie to you, it hurt. And it kept on hurting as I spent countless hours reinstalling software, performing Windows Updates and spending even more hours on the phone with Sony Technical support, trying to convince them to let me send in the computer for repair AFTER their suggested format left me with an unstable system that crashes every few minutes. I hate having my baby broke down.]]>

Broke Down. So I bit the bullet and formatted my hard drive. I'm not going to lie to you, it hurt. And it kept on hurting as I spent countless hours reinstalling software, performing Windows Updates and spending even more hours on the phone with Sony Technical support, trying to convince them to let me send in the computer for repair AFTER their suggested format left me with an unstable system that crashes every few minutes. I hate having my baby broke down.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=224

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I feel SICK. The other day when I turned on my computer, it wouldn't boot up. I've tried everything. I've even talked to the manufacterer. All indications point to a hard drive failure. If I send it it to get fixed, I'll lose all my data. All of it. What does that mean? It means that I would lose EVERY photo I took within the past year. All those photos on the left, yup, I would lose all of them. For every photo on my web journal, there are several that are not. Every photo I ever took of Sarah, gone. Every photo I took in camp, gone. Every photo I made of family members while living on the farm, gone. All that would be left is the little low-res version that remains on my web host's server, which I have copied back onto a different computer.

Then there is my contact list. Gone. If you haven't emailed me in the last 4 days, assume I don't have your email address. Old emails that were sacred to me. Gone.

My portfolio....gone.

There are companies that specialize in disk recovery and have an amazing success rate. Utilizing those services will cost me in excess of $500 that I don't have. Being a professional grandson and a summer camp counselor has been a great opportunity, one that has filled me with a wealth of new insite. It hasn't been very lucrative.

So I'm stuck. I have a computer that doesn't do anything. I don't dare get it fixed because I'll lose all that important information. I cant afford to regain the information.

Ugh.

I'm sick.

 

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I feel SICK. The other day when I turned on my computer, it wouldn't boot up. I've tried everything. I've even talked to the manufacterer. All indications point to a hard drive failure. If I send it it to get fixed, I'll lose all my data. All of it. What does that mean? It means that I would lose EVERY photo I took within the past year. All those photos on the left, yup, I would lose all of them. For every photo on my web journal, there are several that are not. Every photo I ever took of Sarah, gone. Every photo I took in camp, gone. Every photo I made of family members while living on the farm, gone. All that would be left is the little low-res version that remains on my web host's server, which I have copied back onto a different computer.

Then there is my contact list. Gone. If you haven't emailed me in the last 4 days, assume I don't have your email address. Old emails that were sacred to me. Gone.

My portfolio....gone.

There are companies that specialize in disk recovery and have an amazing success rate. Utilizing those services will cost me in excess of $500 that I don't have. Being a professional grandson and a summer camp counselor has been a great opportunity, one that has filled me with a wealth of new insite. It hasn't been very lucrative.

So I'm stuck. I have a computer that doesn't do anything. I don't dare get it fixed because I'll lose all that important information. I cant afford to regain the information.

Ugh.

I'm sick.

 

]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=222

I was going through some old photos of mine when I made this astonishing discovery: Life sure was different in college. ]]>

I was going through some old photos of mine when I made this astonishing discovery: Life sure was different in college. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=221

Surgeon General's Warning: Shooting pictures out the window of your car while driving 80mph in moderate traffic can be hazardous to your health. ]]>

Surgeon General's Warning: Shooting pictures out the window of your car while driving 80mph in moderate traffic can be hazardous to your health. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=216

One of these days, getting all personal on this web site is going to bite me in the butt. Without further ado, here I go laying it out on the line again...]]>

One of these days, getting all personal on this web site is going to bite me in the butt. Without further ado, here I go laying it out on the line again...]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=215

----- edit from Jan, 2006 Somehow, sometime, somewhere down the line the video that went with this entry got lost. It's a shame. It was a doozy. I entered a rather lovely photo of Ryan to take it's place. ----- I'm clearly not a videographer. That is apparent when this little video starts out.........vertically. It is kind of a large download (2,679 KB) and may take a while to appear on your screen. But for anybody who knows and loves Ryan Soderlin, the wait is well worth it. My hand and I paid Ryan a surprise visit. Watch Ryan's reaction when he gets his birthday goose. Happy 30th, buddy! (For those of you who have dial-up or otherwise slow internet access, you can hit CTRL-N (PC) or Apple-N (Mac) and open a new browser window. That way you can keep surfing while the movie continues to download. If you have dialup access, this is going to take a very long time. Seriously.) ]]>

----- edit from Jan, 2006 Somehow, sometime, somewhere down the line the video that went with this entry got lost. It's a shame. It was a doozy. I entered a rather lovely photo of Ryan to take it's place. ----- I'm clearly not a videographer. That is apparent when this little video starts out.........vertically. It is kind of a large download (2,679 KB) and may take a while to appear on your screen. But for anybody who knows and loves Ryan Soderlin, the wait is well worth it. My hand and I paid Ryan a surprise visit. Watch Ryan's reaction when he gets his birthday goose. Happy 30th, buddy! (For those of you who have dial-up or otherwise slow internet access, you can hit CTRL-N (PC) or Apple-N (Mac) and open a new browser window. That way you can keep surfing while the movie continues to download. If you have dialup access, this is going to take a very long time. Seriously.) ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=214

Moderation is the shits. I have only worked like 40 hours since camp ended in August. Zero this week. But my daze of underemployment are over. I'll work about 60 hours next week at two jobs. To cheer me up, Matt Miller forwarded me this journal his friend Ryan Pederson emailed out to his buddies during the period of time after he was laid off during summer 2002. I highly encourage anybody who wants to know what I've been up to read it....Ryan's humor is absolutely delightful. If you like his writing, check out this site.. "While You Were At Work" a journal by Ryan Pederson DAY 1 9:45am - woke up....on the couch. wow. 10:30-11:45am - played sim city 3000. my town has a population of roughly 25,000 people right now. i'm good. 11:45-12:15pm - watched the upholstery guy clean the coffee stain i created on roommate's car seat. $59 coffee spill. ouch. also, was told to apply for a job with his carpet cleaning company. now, i've cleaned carpets in the past, and it sucks holy ass. i can't even imagine the mood i'd be in every night knowing that i have a college degree, but i cleaned carpets with that guy all day long. 12:15-12:30pm - shower. still haven't gotten the smell of unemployment off. 12:30-4:00pm - this time frame is amazingly a blur...and it ended only an hour and a half ago. i imagine i played around online, played more sim city, and sat out on my deck. 4:00-4:45pm - time to get my tax money sucking ass outside. walked to walgreens. men, you know where all the women are? walgreens at 4:30pm on a monday. really. 5:00pm - well, this is the end of day 1. wow. only about a month of these left. sleep tight. ryan. DAY 2 10:30am - woke up. why is this wrong? my alarm, which was set for 6:30am, was on for a good reason-a "ride for hunger" marketing committee meeting. subconsciously, i must not have found this worthwhile....so, i turned it off in my sleep. that's okay, john said all i did was miss a bunch of hippies talking. 10:45am - called to file for unemployment. after 18 minutes of holding, someone finally helps me. sort of. his first words, after the very loud alarm i heard were: "hold on"....followed by a click. 11:10am - let's give it another shot...called to file for unemployment. hey, only 14 minutes of hold time, upon which i was told that i probably won't receive any money until july 19. what's with you freakin' tax payers? 11:35am - watched the maintenance guy fix the bathroom sink, which was filled with my roommate's dirty underwear water from the day before. she had cleaned them with woolite. mmmmmm, dirty underwear water. poor guy. is it weird that he took a jar of it home? just wondering. 12:00pm - did some necessary "personal grooming", if you know what i mean. new scissors! 12:10pm - shower. what time did all of YOU shower today? i thought so. 12:45pm - various online "this and that's" in addition to some sim city. i may very well have created the world's best city to live in. that is IF you work for an auto glass company and/or auto parts warehouse and you like to visit the statue of liberty, the art museum in chicago, and various other world landmarks that i can't recall the name of. good times in cheap town. 1:30pm - laundry. normally, i do it next door, where there is only one washer and one dryer (and several, aesthetically pleasing rat traps), but since my roommate is out of town, i have the extreme luxury of heading to the laundromat with his vehicle. so its off to my old stomping grounds, queensberry laundry. roll call at the laundromat: one laundromat operator (whom, i must say, has put on a good 25lbs since i saw him last), one very annoying laundromat assistant, one old lady (whom, overheard, was being paid $5 to do someone's laundry), and one wounded dalmatian. very, very sad, and there i was. 3:00pm - more email. damn, you guys don't do much work during the day, do you? ;) 4:00pm - sim city. is there a support group for this? 4:15pm - finally, something fairly productive: researched moving truck options. finally, i can utilize an over-used cliche: "i'm in the wrong business". yikes. 4:45pm - happy birthday wes ashe (wesley_c_ashe@keybank.com - 207.874.7283 - go ahead, wish him a happy belated.) 5:00pm - started preparing my dinner. pork topped with stir fried peppers, onions, and mushrooms. i have to say, much more productive than yesterday. one side note: i'm watching, at most, about 1/2 hour of television. not bad. DAY 3 8:30am - woke up...in a 97 degree bedroom. gross. 8:45am - 9:15am - put laundry away. look at me, look at me...i'm being productive. 9:30am - updated my resume on monster.com. at this point, i have officially done more than all of the account reps. at GR will do today...collectively. 10:15am - 11:30am - set up an apartment viewing in minneapolis, scheduled an informational interview, and sent out two resumes. there is no joke here. i'm not fucking around. 11:45am - holy SHIT its hot. seriously. should i be sweating THERE? 12:00-12:20pm - shower....with the door open to help with the heat. i think my roommate came home during this, saw i was showering with the door open, and left. hmmmmm. 12:45-1:30pm - grocery store. for the first time ever, i think i looked at every single product in the freezer isle....twice. those freezer stockers have it made. i smell employment opportunity....or maybe that's me. 1:45pm - frozen burrito lunch topped with salsa and sour cream. i've eaten this meal a hundred times, and today may have been the last. let's just say it doesn't take long for sour cream to warm up. 2:30-5:00pm - watched "i am sam"....paused several times to bitch to myself about the heat. my apartment...it smells....beefy. tomorrow, movie and drinks (and more heat). ps: if you haven't noticed by my bitching, i hate the heat. DAY 4 Day 4's rundown was cancelled due to rain. DAY 5 9:30am - woke up. slightly hurting. drinky drinky. 9:45-11:00am - online. no porn though. seriously. 11:15am - 1:45pm - cleaned the schmegma out of the apartment. i totally man-handled the place. i cleaned places that aren't even there. nobody but me is allowed in this apartment for at least a few days. 2:00pm - cleaned the schmegma off ye olde self. no porn. 2:45pm - ate reheated pork chops (see a couple of days ago - dinner) and chatted online while eating aforementioned meat. 3:15pm - went to take the garbage out, go to the mailbox, and head to the video store. walked out of the apartment, shut door, THEN realized i didn't have my keys. locked. i'm the only one home until sunday. hmmmmmm. well, i've seen several movies in my life, so i did what they do....i kicked the bleepin' thing in. no kidding. it worked...on the 4th try, but it worked. this by far was my favorite part of the day. 3:45pm - walked to mailbox (where i mailed a necessary unemployment form!) and to the video store (returned "i am sam" and "not another teen movie", rented "61*" and "the man who wasn't there"). i will watch these in my boxers by myself, thankyouverymuch. 4:20pm - wrote this. weird huh? 4:30pm-5:00pm - caught up on my magazine reading. i'm pretty sure that's what i'm going to do, anyway. thank God the weekend is here. i'm exhausted. DAY 6 hope everyone had a great weekend. 8.45am - woke up. didn't want to, but i have a responsibility to fulfill for this country. how'd that sound? 9.00 - 10:00am - online. looked for jobs, read articles on monster, and voted three times for johnny damon and andruw jones to make the all-star team. interestingly enough, i had my first cup of coffee (hot coffee) since being laid off today. it was hot. it's hot outside. bad idea. 10:15am - shower. cold. 10:45am - went to put a load of laundry in, but some hussy was using the machine. so, i beat her up and threw her lifeless body into the trees between the brookline village and longwood T stops. i think. i was blacked out. that might have been another time with other girls. 11:15am - finally got clothes in. like a nice guy, i waited for hers to be finished. plus, if its a stranger's pair of underwear, i like to clean them before i sniff 'em. 11:45am - 1:30pm - watched the movie "61*". good. 2:00pm - more job research. oh, and i got the mail. playboy came today. "women of enron". hmmmm. 2:30pm - 3:45pm - sat on deck reading. ahhhhh. 4:00pm - beer run. the store is out of corona. "eets too damn hot." says the middle eastern liquor store guy. yes. yes, it eee's too damn hot, i say to myself. 4:30pm - writing this. from now on, it will be the future. 4:35pm - 5:00pm - deck. with my heineken....and the enron ladies on my mind. DAY 7 10:00am - woke up with sweet georgia on my mind. 10:15am - 11:30am - online. everybody that matters is on vacation. did YOU work today? 11:45am - shower. naked. 12:00pm - thought i'd try something today. i put my t-shirt in the freezer for half an hour. man, did that feel good when i put it on, but it only lasted for about 15 seconds. tomorrow, i may dip it in water first. tomorrow could be the beginning of a whole new world for me. 12:45pm - made some lunch. tuna sandwhiches on white. i'm white. 1:05pm - 4:00pm - watched sox game in my underwear. Sox 2, Jays 1. loooooooooooou. 4:15pm - 4:30pm - wandered around in a daze. heat....everywhere. day over. DAY 8, 9 & 10 abridged hey, folks: got a little behind because i went up to maine for the 4th. here's a little summary of the last few work days. day 8 (wednesday): decided last minute to head to portland for the weekend. chose to take the bus instead of the train this time around, and let me tell you, i was lucky i did because i got to watch "kate & leopold" on the way up. that meg ryan is SO versatile. she can play a pouty, fiesty, fragile woman in ANY movie. day 9 (friday): nothing interesting. day 10 (yesterday): nothing interesting. exciting, eh? regular updates will continue starting today. i can tell you're all excited. JULY 10 9:30am - woke up. realized that, baby, i was born to rock. 10:30am - 12:00pm - online. searched for jobs, of course. also pondered the state of major league baseball. i'm not kidding, its getting kind of serious. bud selig (the commish) is a sweaty scrotum. in fact, from now on, i'd like to designate that moniker for bud selig and bud selig only. sweaty scrotum will forever be interchangable with bud selig and vice versa. you with me? i'm with me. would you fuck me? i'd fuck me. 12:30-2:00pm - washed clothes. how old am i getting when i get pissed because the college kids next door are trashing the place? does this automatically happen at a certain age? i can't help it. the place looks f'in horrible. i'd like to make another designation: 54 kent street in brookline village will now be know as scrotumville. i think mr. sweaty scrotum should pay a visit. 2:30pm - showered. ate lunch-reheated red beans and rice. yikes. maybe i should've showered AFTER i ate that? 3:00pm-4:00pm - more online job searching and emailing. i may start offering to be paid in canadian dollars. 4:10pm - typed this email. 4:30pm - off to play softball. i'm slightly better than a couple of the girls....and the semi-retarded guy. slightly. JULY 11 9:45am - woke up. as usual, i woke up to WBZ 1030am, which i actually called in to last night. should augusta national (golf course in georgia) be allowed to discriminate against women because it is private? i think so. private women's colleges are allowed to, right (i.e. simmons collge which is only women for undergrad)? what about private all girls catholic high schools? end of discussion. go home. thanks for playing. 9:50am - stepped down from my soap box. 10:15-11:45am - looked online for jobs and apartments in minneapolis. minneapolis is in minnesota. i'm not from minnesota, but i did live there when i was younger. i'm moving there because i want to. yes, it is very cold there in the winter. no, i won't put lotion on you there. these are the answers to some of the questions i have been asked since deciding to move. 12:00 - 12:15pm - for some reason, a small lake has formed on the bottom shelf of our fridge. the freezer is still frozen, and nothing appears to be dripping from up above. i'm not exactly sure what to do, and i've misplace my time life home improvement books. our only relief....the liquid is clear. and tasteless....so i scooped it up and put it in the brita. 12:30pm - ate some fresh strawberries. this really has no significance. 1:00pm - emailed with a former client of mine to get a professional reference. even he made fun of certain unnamed people (MANAGEMENT) at my most recent place of employment. but, hey, what do we know? he only PAID for the services, and i only PROVIDED them. 1:45pm - showered. i used soap. 2:30 - 4:00pm - online. i have listened to a ton of cds today. including "appetite for destruction". its sooooo good. you know what else is good? the kahlua and milk i'm drinking right now. and saturdays. saturdays are good. 4:15pm - starting typing this. 4:30 - 5:00pm - going to prepare dinner. pork chops. they've been marinating in the fridge for two days. trichnosis or not, i'm eating them. i live on the edge. remember, i was born to rock. JULY 19 (yes i know the date on yesterday's newsletter was wrong. \ /) theme of the day: little people. 9:30am - woke up. 9:45 - 11:45am - online. listened to sports talk radio while i was online today. who are these guys? no, seriously, i don't know their names. 11:55am - got a very disturbing email from a past boss of mine describing her welted ass. 12:00-12:30pm - used my free newspapers ;) to pack up my glassware for the big move. pretty much thought about the welted ass for this half hour. 12:45pm - oh, the horror. found out that the 2003 national conference for little people will be held right outside of boston, in danvers, next year. (http://www.angelfire.com/ri2/lpadistrict1/) you gotta be kidding me. just my luck. i move away, and now i'll miss the most scrumptious photo opportunity i'd ever have in my life. i am going to form a committee in minneapolis to try and get this conference held there. is this possible? can you imagine? makes me wanna go weeeeeeeeeeeeee. 1:00pm - if you can believe it, someone (ART. it was ART) questioned my knowledge of the simpson's. wow. bring it on, bitch. bring it on. 1:15pm - worried that my unemployed ass is heading in the opposite direction of my shrinking bank account, i frantically tried on my suit pants to make sure they fit for my interview next week. they fit. oh, wait, i forgot, i can't get fat. bring on the kahlua and milk, baby. 1:25pm - finally got the images of the welted ass out of my head. 2:00pm - here's an idea: buy a book on amazon. they're cheap and its ALWAYS quite a bit below the cover price. then, when you get it, sell it at half.com. they list the books based on the cover price. price it a bit below cover, and make a profit. that's what i did. i smell business opportunity. 2:10pm - post office to mail aforementioned book. what a deal. also, i'd like to take this time to apologize to all brookline village citizens that are unable to get a boston phoenix. i need them for packing. sorry. 3:45pm - finally....breakfast/lunch. two bowls of bart simpson cereal. and to my unbelievable, pant-shitting delight, i opened the boston phoenix to find an article on little people. wow....what are the odds? weeeeeeeeeeee. i bet little people do that a lot.....weeeeeeeeeeeeee. 4:15pm - typed this. i just typed weeeeeeeeeeeee. 4:30pm - time to call maintenance, AGAIN. the puddle in the bottom of the fridge, which i have already called about, and i have affectionately named "lake fridgidair" has come back. everything is wet. its strange. have a great weekend. ]]>

Moderation is the shits. I have only worked like 40 hours since camp ended in August. Zero this week. But my daze of underemployment are over. I'll work about 60 hours next week at two jobs. To cheer me up, Matt Miller forwarded me this journal his friend Ryan Pederson emailed out to his buddies during the period of time after he was laid off during summer 2002. I highly encourage anybody who wants to know what I've been up to read it....Ryan's humor is absolutely delightful. If you like his writing, check out this site.. "While You Were At Work" a journal by Ryan Pederson DAY 1 9:45am - woke up....on the couch. wow. 10:30-11:45am - played sim city 3000. my town has a population of roughly 25,000 people right now. i'm good. 11:45-12:15pm - watched the upholstery guy clean the coffee stain i created on roommate's car seat. $59 coffee spill. ouch. also, was told to apply for a job with his carpet cleaning company. now, i've cleaned carpets in the past, and it sucks holy ass. i can't even imagine the mood i'd be in every night knowing that i have a college degree, but i cleaned carpets with that guy all day long. 12:15-12:30pm - shower. still haven't gotten the smell of unemployment off. 12:30-4:00pm - this time frame is amazingly a blur...and it ended only an hour and a half ago. i imagine i played around online, played more sim city, and sat out on my deck. 4:00-4:45pm - time to get my tax money sucking ass outside. walked to walgreens. men, you know where all the women are? walgreens at 4:30pm on a monday. really. 5:00pm - well, this is the end of day 1. wow. only about a month of these left. sleep tight. ryan. DAY 2 10:30am - woke up. why is this wrong? my alarm, which was set for 6:30am, was on for a good reason-a "ride for hunger" marketing committee meeting. subconsciously, i must not have found this worthwhile....so, i turned it off in my sleep. that's okay, john said all i did was miss a bunch of hippies talking. 10:45am - called to file for unemployment. after 18 minutes of holding, someone finally helps me. sort of. his first words, after the very loud alarm i heard were: "hold on"....followed by a click. 11:10am - let's give it another shot...called to file for unemployment. hey, only 14 minutes of hold time, upon which i was told that i probably won't receive any money until july 19. what's with you freakin' tax payers? 11:35am - watched the maintenance guy fix the bathroom sink, which was filled with my roommate's dirty underwear water from the day before. she had cleaned them with woolite. mmmmmm, dirty underwear water. poor guy. is it weird that he took a jar of it home? just wondering. 12:00pm - did some necessary "personal grooming", if you know what i mean. new scissors! 12:10pm - shower. what time did all of YOU shower today? i thought so. 12:45pm - various online "this and that's" in addition to some sim city. i may very well have created the world's best city to live in. that is IF you work for an auto glass company and/or auto parts warehouse and you like to visit the statue of liberty, the art museum in chicago, and various other world landmarks that i can't recall the name of. good times in cheap town. 1:30pm - laundry. normally, i do it next door, where there is only one washer and one dryer (and several, aesthetically pleasing rat traps), but since my roommate is out of town, i have the extreme luxury of heading to the laundromat with his vehicle. so its off to my old stomping grounds, queensberry laundry. roll call at the laundromat: one laundromat operator (whom, i must say, has put on a good 25lbs since i saw him last), one very annoying laundromat assistant, one old lady (whom, overheard, was being paid $5 to do someone's laundry), and one wounded dalmatian. very, very sad, and there i was. 3:00pm - more email. damn, you guys don't do much work during the day, do you? ;) 4:00pm - sim city. is there a support group for this? 4:15pm - finally, something fairly productive: researched moving truck options. finally, i can utilize an over-used cliche: "i'm in the wrong business". yikes. 4:45pm - happy birthday wes ashe (wesley_c_ashe@keybank.com - 207.874.7283 - go ahead, wish him a happy belated.) 5:00pm - started preparing my dinner. pork topped with stir fried peppers, onions, and mushrooms. i have to say, much more productive than yesterday. one side note: i'm watching, at most, about 1/2 hour of television. not bad. DAY 3 8:30am - woke up...in a 97 degree bedroom. gross. 8:45am - 9:15am - put laundry away. look at me, look at me...i'm being productive. 9:30am - updated my resume on monster.com. at this point, i have officially done more than all of the account reps. at GR will do today...collectively. 10:15am - 11:30am - set up an apartment viewing in minneapolis, scheduled an informational interview, and sent out two resumes. there is no joke here. i'm not fucking around. 11:45am - holy SHIT its hot. seriously. should i be sweating THERE? 12:00-12:20pm - shower....with the door open to help with the heat. i think my roommate came home during this, saw i was showering with the door open, and left. hmmmmm. 12:45-1:30pm - grocery store. for the first time ever, i think i looked at every single product in the freezer isle....twice. those freezer stockers have it made. i smell employment opportunity....or maybe that's me. 1:45pm - frozen burrito lunch topped with salsa and sour cream. i've eaten this meal a hundred times, and today may have been the last. let's just say it doesn't take long for sour cream to warm up. 2:30-5:00pm - watched "i am sam"....paused several times to bitch to myself about the heat. my apartment...it smells....beefy. tomorrow, movie and drinks (and more heat). ps: if you haven't noticed by my bitching, i hate the heat. DAY 4 Day 4's rundown was cancelled due to rain. DAY 5 9:30am - woke up. slightly hurting. drinky drinky. 9:45-11:00am - online. no porn though. seriously. 11:15am - 1:45pm - cleaned the schmegma out of the apartment. i totally man-handled the place. i cleaned places that aren't even there. nobody but me is allowed in this apartment for at least a few days. 2:00pm - cleaned the schmegma off ye olde self. no porn. 2:45pm - ate reheated pork chops (see a couple of days ago - dinner) and chatted online while eating aforementioned meat. 3:15pm - went to take the garbage out, go to the mailbox, and head to the video store. walked out of the apartment, shut door, THEN realized i didn't have my keys. locked. i'm the only one home until sunday. hmmmmmm. well, i've seen several movies in my life, so i did what they do....i kicked the bleepin' thing in. no kidding. it worked...on the 4th try, but it worked. this by far was my favorite part of the day. 3:45pm - walked to mailbox (where i mailed a necessary unemployment form!) and to the video store (returned "i am sam" and "not another teen movie", rented "61*" and "the man who wasn't there"). i will watch these in my boxers by myself, thankyouverymuch. 4:20pm - wrote this. weird huh? 4:30pm-5:00pm - caught up on my magazine reading. i'm pretty sure that's what i'm going to do, anyway. thank God the weekend is here. i'm exhausted. DAY 6 hope everyone had a great weekend. 8.45am - woke up. didn't want to, but i have a responsibility to fulfill for this country. how'd that sound? 9.00 - 10:00am - online. looked for jobs, read articles on monster, and voted three times for johnny damon and andruw jones to make the all-star team. interestingly enough, i had my first cup of coffee (hot coffee) since being laid off today. it was hot. it's hot outside. bad idea. 10:15am - shower. cold. 10:45am - went to put a load of laundry in, but some hussy was using the machine. so, i beat her up and threw her lifeless body into the trees between the brookline village and longwood T stops. i think. i was blacked out. that might have been another time with other girls. 11:15am - finally got clothes in. like a nice guy, i waited for hers to be finished. plus, if its a stranger's pair of underwear, i like to clean them before i sniff 'em. 11:45am - 1:30pm - watched the movie "61*". good. 2:00pm - more job research. oh, and i got the mail. playboy came today. "women of enron". hmmmm. 2:30pm - 3:45pm - sat on deck reading. ahhhhh. 4:00pm - beer run. the store is out of corona. "eets too damn hot." says the middle eastern liquor store guy. yes. yes, it eee's too damn hot, i say to myself. 4:30pm - writing this. from now on, it will be the future. 4:35pm - 5:00pm - deck. with my heineken....and the enron ladies on my mind. DAY 7 10:00am - woke up with sweet georgia on my mind. 10:15am - 11:30am - online. everybody that matters is on vacation. did YOU work today? 11:45am - shower. naked. 12:00pm - thought i'd try something today. i put my t-shirt in the freezer for half an hour. man, did that feel good when i put it on, but it only lasted for about 15 seconds. tomorrow, i may dip it in water first. tomorrow could be the beginning of a whole new world for me. 12:45pm - made some lunch. tuna sandwhiches on white. i'm white. 1:05pm - 4:00pm - watched sox game in my underwear. Sox 2, Jays 1. loooooooooooou. 4:15pm - 4:30pm - wandered around in a daze. heat....everywhere. day over. DAY 8, 9 & 10 abridged hey, folks: got a little behind because i went up to maine for the 4th. here's a little summary of the last few work days. day 8 (wednesday): decided last minute to head to portland for the weekend. chose to take the bus instead of the train this time around, and let me tell you, i was lucky i did because i got to watch "kate & leopold" on the way up. that meg ryan is SO versatile. she can play a pouty, fiesty, fragile woman in ANY movie. day 9 (friday): nothing interesting. day 10 (yesterday): nothing interesting. exciting, eh? regular updates will continue starting today. i can tell you're all excited. JULY 10 9:30am - woke up. realized that, baby, i was born to rock. 10:30am - 12:00pm - online. searched for jobs, of course. also pondered the state of major league baseball. i'm not kidding, its getting kind of serious. bud selig (the commish) is a sweaty scrotum. in fact, from now on, i'd like to designate that moniker for bud selig and bud selig only. sweaty scrotum will forever be interchangable with bud selig and vice versa. you with me? i'm with me. would you fuck me? i'd fuck me. 12:30-2:00pm - washed clothes. how old am i getting when i get pissed because the college kids next door are trashing the place? does this automatically happen at a certain age? i can't help it. the place looks f'in horrible. i'd like to make another designation: 54 kent street in brookline village will now be know as scrotumville. i think mr. sweaty scrotum should pay a visit. 2:30pm - showered. ate lunch-reheated red beans and rice. yikes. maybe i should've showered AFTER i ate that? 3:00pm-4:00pm - more online job searching and emailing. i may start offering to be paid in canadian dollars. 4:10pm - typed this email. 4:30pm - off to play softball. i'm slightly better than a couple of the girls....and the semi-retarded guy. slightly. JULY 11 9:45am - woke up. as usual, i woke up to WBZ 1030am, which i actually called in to last night. should augusta national (golf course in georgia) be allowed to discriminate against women because it is private? i think so. private women's colleges are allowed to, right (i.e. simmons collge which is only women for undergrad)? what about private all girls catholic high schools? end of discussion. go home. thanks for playing. 9:50am - stepped down from my soap box. 10:15-11:45am - looked online for jobs and apartments in minneapolis. minneapolis is in minnesota. i'm not from minnesota, but i did live there when i was younger. i'm moving there because i want to. yes, it is very cold there in the winter. no, i won't put lotion on you there. these are the answers to some of the questions i have been asked since deciding to move. 12:00 - 12:15pm - for some reason, a small lake has formed on the bottom shelf of our fridge. the freezer is still frozen, and nothing appears to be dripping from up above. i'm not exactly sure what to do, and i've misplace my time life home improvement books. our only relief....the liquid is clear. and tasteless....so i scooped it up and put it in the brita. 12:30pm - ate some fresh strawberries. this really has no significance. 1:00pm - emailed with a former client of mine to get a professional reference. even he made fun of certain unnamed people (MANAGEMENT) at my most recent place of employment. but, hey, what do we know? he only PAID for the services, and i only PROVIDED them. 1:45pm - showered. i used soap. 2:30 - 4:00pm - online. i have listened to a ton of cds today. including "appetite for destruction". its sooooo good. you know what else is good? the kahlua and milk i'm drinking right now. and saturdays. saturdays are good. 4:15pm - starting typing this. 4:30 - 5:00pm - going to prepare dinner. pork chops. they've been marinating in the fridge for two days. trichnosis or not, i'm eating them. i live on the edge. remember, i was born to rock. JULY 19 (yes i know the date on yesterday's newsletter was wrong. \ /) theme of the day: little people. 9:30am - woke up. 9:45 - 11:45am - online. listened to sports talk radio while i was online today. who are these guys? no, seriously, i don't know their names. 11:55am - got a very disturbing email from a past boss of mine describing her welted ass. 12:00-12:30pm - used my free newspapers ;) to pack up my glassware for the big move. pretty much thought about the welted ass for this half hour. 12:45pm - oh, the horror. found out that the 2003 national conference for little people will be held right outside of boston, in danvers, next year. (http://www.angelfire.com/ri2/lpadistrict1/) you gotta be kidding me. just my luck. i move away, and now i'll miss the most scrumptious photo opportunity i'd ever have in my life. i am going to form a committee in minneapolis to try and get this conference held there. is this possible? can you imagine? makes me wanna go weeeeeeeeeeeeee. 1:00pm - if you can believe it, someone (ART. it was ART) questioned my knowledge of the simpson's. wow. bring it on, bitch. bring it on. 1:15pm - worried that my unemployed ass is heading in the opposite direction of my shrinking bank account, i frantically tried on my suit pants to make sure they fit for my interview next week. they fit. oh, wait, i forgot, i can't get fat. bring on the kahlua and milk, baby. 1:25pm - finally got the images of the welted ass out of my head. 2:00pm - here's an idea: buy a book on amazon. they're cheap and its ALWAYS quite a bit below the cover price. then, when you get it, sell it at half.com. they list the books based on the cover price. price it a bit below cover, and make a profit. that's what i did. i smell business opportunity. 2:10pm - post office to mail aforementioned book. what a deal. also, i'd like to take this time to apologize to all brookline village citizens that are unable to get a boston phoenix. i need them for packing. sorry. 3:45pm - finally....breakfast/lunch. two bowls of bart simpson cereal. and to my unbelievable, pant-shitting delight, i opened the boston phoenix to find an article on little people. wow....what are the odds? weeeeeeeeeeee. i bet little people do that a lot.....weeeeeeeeeeeeee. 4:15pm - typed this. i just typed weeeeeeeeeeeee. 4:30pm - time to call maintenance, AGAIN. the puddle in the bottom of the fridge, which i have already called about, and i have affectionately named "lake fridgidair" has come back. everything is wet. its strange. have a great weekend. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=211

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Do you remember that song that went, "I always feel like....somebody's watching me! Oh oh oh!"? Well that is how I feel. I would tell you more, but then they would know what I was thinking as well. ]]>

Do you remember that song that went, "I always feel like....somebody's watching me! Oh oh oh!"? Well that is how I feel. I would tell you more, but then they would know what I was thinking as well. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=207

I've shown you projects by Gerik Parmele before such as [u n b i d d e n] and photocolumn.org. But if you want to see something really nice, check out nine months. If you like my site, there are a couple other Nebraska photographers have started photo blogs that you should check out. Scott Kingsley and friends are "trying to maintain that even keel" in Grand Island with Seizures Derek Lippincott comes to us from the University of Nebraska with his Web Journal One of my former classmates, Nikki Fox maintains her journal from Corbin, Kentucky. ]]>

I've shown you projects by Gerik Parmele before such as [u n b i d d e n] and photocolumn.org. But if you want to see something really nice, check out nine months. If you like my site, there are a couple other Nebraska photographers have started photo blogs that you should check out. Scott Kingsley and friends are "trying to maintain that even keel" in Grand Island with Seizures Derek Lippincott comes to us from the University of Nebraska with his Web Journal One of my former classmates, Nikki Fox maintains her journal from Corbin, Kentucky. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=206

I've become a short-time employee of the Grand Island Independent while they are short-handed and I'm short of a job. I wasn't short of fears and anxieties when I started to make photos for publication. But in the short time that it's been since taking on my first assignment, I've regained my old passion during my short-lived hiatus from the world. I feel like an athlete and my sport is making good photos. In short, I'm back.]]>

I've become a short-time employee of the Grand Island Independent while they are short-handed and I'm short of a job. I wasn't short of fears and anxieties when I started to make photos for publication. But in the short time that it's been since taking on my first assignment, I've regained my old passion during my short-lived hiatus from the world. I feel like an athlete and my sport is making good photos. In short, I'm back.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=205

I'm missing the coasts of Maine. How wonderful it must be to grow up building sand clastles in the sun?]]>

I'm missing the coasts of Maine. How wonderful it must be to grow up building sand clastles in the sun?]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=204

People have been asking me, "Lane, where are you now?" Well I'm in Nebraska. And it's dry. ]]>

People have been asking me, "Lane, where are you now?" Well I'm in Nebraska. And it's dry. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=203

It's been two years since nine-eleven. It's been two months since I last posted a journal entry. A lot has changed since both. I guess one reason why I haven't updated my blog recently is because it has been so long, and so much is different. I feel like I should have an epic statement of reflection or a huge update as to what happened this summer in Maine. Maybe I should write about how my travels have been, where I am now, what's next.. Something big right? Well, I'm not in the mood. I've decided that the only way this web site is going to get updated ever again is if I take baby steps. So hello again. Thanks for sticking with me. I promise not to be a stranger. ---Lane ]]>

It's been two years since nine-eleven. It's been two months since I last posted a journal entry. A lot has changed since both. I guess one reason why I haven't updated my blog recently is because it has been so long, and so much is different. I feel like I should have an epic statement of reflection or a huge update as to what happened this summer in Maine. Maybe I should write about how my travels have been, where I am now, what's next.. Something big right? Well, I'm not in the mood. I've decided that the only way this web site is going to get updated ever again is if I take baby steps. So hello again. Thanks for sticking with me. I promise not to be a stranger. ---Lane ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=202

A frequent contributor to this here journal asked me six months ago, "What are you looking for?" My dear friend, Ryan Soderlin was trying to gain more insight on why I was embarking on an open-ended adventure. I replied with a Jack Karouak quote, "I don't know what I'm looking for, but I'll know when I find it." I knew I was looking for self. I knew I was looking for adventure. I knew I was looking to shatter my own status quo. What I didn't know, only days before heading to the farm, was what all that meant. I'm typing this now in Seattle Washington. It's a Sunday night, and my gate is starting to slowly starting to fill up with people rubbing their eyes, drinking coffee and hoping they can sleep well during the 10:10 pm cross-country flight to Philly. Tomorrow morning I'll fly into Logan International in Boston and drive to Belgrade Lakes, Maine where I'll be a camp councilor. A new job. A new address. A new adventure. Again temporary. My apprenticeship as a cattleman ended two weeks ago. Those two weeks since have been a blur of falling deeper and deeper in love during a whirlwind tour of some of America's key cities: Chicago, D.C., New York, Boston and Seattle. The last two weeks have taken me to the top floor of the Western Hemisphere's tallest building, to the National Mall of our country's capitol city, to a Broadway musical, and the most extravagant boat ride I've ever been on in the Puget Sound launching from the most beautiful city I've ever seen. I went to several museums, monuments and sites. I ate interesting foods drank my favorite drinks and visited my best friends. When I think back of my fondest moment of the trip, I keep going back to that patch of grass that split the Maryland woods into two. That little place where a baby fawn lay, and so did I with my new and only love on a Mexican blanket to sleep. With the end of our driving day only ninety-some miles away, we stopped for a picnic, a nap and a bit of Frisbee. Holding her body close to mine under a mild spring sky, with her fragrant hair next to my nose, I remember it like it was five minutes ago. I don't think I was looking for love. In fact, I'm certain that while I was writing my letter of resignation last November I had no intentions whatsoever to find somebody that I want to settle down with. I was resigning so I could see the world, so I could hold onto (or at least take advantage of) my youth. Turns out I met the person who just might be my soulmate. I said goodbye to her the day before last, when we took separate planes west from Boston. She ended up in Omaha; I in Seattle. I'm still not sure this is what I was looking for, but now that I've found it, it is all I want. ]]>

A frequent contributor to this here journal asked me six months ago, "What are you looking for?" My dear friend, Ryan Soderlin was trying to gain more insight on why I was embarking on an open-ended adventure. I replied with a Jack Karouak quote, "I don't know what I'm looking for, but I'll know when I find it." I knew I was looking for self. I knew I was looking for adventure. I knew I was looking to shatter my own status quo. What I didn't know, only days before heading to the farm, was what all that meant. I'm typing this now in Seattle Washington. It's a Sunday night, and my gate is starting to slowly starting to fill up with people rubbing their eyes, drinking coffee and hoping they can sleep well during the 10:10 pm cross-country flight to Philly. Tomorrow morning I'll fly into Logan International in Boston and drive to Belgrade Lakes, Maine where I'll be a camp councilor. A new job. A new address. A new adventure. Again temporary. My apprenticeship as a cattleman ended two weeks ago. Those two weeks since have been a blur of falling deeper and deeper in love during a whirlwind tour of some of America's key cities: Chicago, D.C., New York, Boston and Seattle. The last two weeks have taken me to the top floor of the Western Hemisphere's tallest building, to the National Mall of our country's capitol city, to a Broadway musical, and the most extravagant boat ride I've ever been on in the Puget Sound launching from the most beautiful city I've ever seen. I went to several museums, monuments and sites. I ate interesting foods drank my favorite drinks and visited my best friends. When I think back of my fondest moment of the trip, I keep going back to that patch of grass that split the Maryland woods into two. That little place where a baby fawn lay, and so did I with my new and only love on a Mexican blanket to sleep. With the end of our driving day only ninety-some miles away, we stopped for a picnic, a nap and a bit of Frisbee. Holding her body close to mine under a mild spring sky, with her fragrant hair next to my nose, I remember it like it was five minutes ago. I don't think I was looking for love. In fact, I'm certain that while I was writing my letter of resignation last November I had no intentions whatsoever to find somebody that I want to settle down with. I was resigning so I could see the world, so I could hold onto (or at least take advantage of) my youth. Turns out I met the person who just might be my soulmate. I said goodbye to her the day before last, when we took separate planes west from Boston. She ended up in Omaha; I in Seattle. I'm still not sure this is what I was looking for, but now that I've found it, it is all I want. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=197

I've put over 2000 miles on my car in two weeks of travel, only to fly across the country in the opposite direction. I'm in Seattle to watch my sister graduate from the University of Washington. We sat in the nose-bleed section, so I put my digital camera up to the eyepiece of a pair of binoculars and made some shots after we called on our cell phone down to her on hers. How did people ever find their family members at that place before the wide-spread use of cell phones? Life sure isn't what it used to be. Later that night we took a beautiful dinner cruise in the Puget Sound. It was lovely and I was missing Sarah. ]]>

I've put over 2000 miles on my car in two weeks of travel, only to fly across the country in the opposite direction. I'm in Seattle to watch my sister graduate from the University of Washington. We sat in the nose-bleed section, so I put my digital camera up to the eyepiece of a pair of binoculars and made some shots after we called on our cell phone down to her on hers. How did people ever find their family members at that place before the wide-spread use of cell phones? Life sure isn't what it used to be. Later that night we took a beautiful dinner cruise in the Puget Sound. It was lovely and I was missing Sarah. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=193

Ship's Ahoy! Boston, Baby! Boston! Throw the tea into the sea! An Irish bar that doesn't serve Harp's?, same Irish bar serves other beers in Harp's pint glasses, couple playing chess in a library courtyard, wild and crazy Nebraska girls from the old school, beautiful dinner view, watch out for bird shit falling from the sky. Friday the 13th brings sad fairwells.]]>

Ship's Ahoy! Boston, Baby! Boston! Throw the tea into the sea! An Irish bar that doesn't serve Harp's?, same Irish bar serves other beers in Harp's pint glasses, couple playing chess in a library courtyard, wild and crazy Nebraska girls from the old school, beautiful dinner view, watch out for bird shit falling from the sky. Friday the 13th brings sad fairwells.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=192

"Oh my God! We just drove into New York City!" Playing with ducks in Central Park, shhhhhhh….quiet in the Shakespear Garden, Times Square, comedy club, I just want a freaking parking space, Brooklyn Bridge, Trump Plaza gardens, St. Patricks, is this train going uptown?, life is INDEED a Caberet, dining in circles above the Big Apple, big art at the Met, the best display of hospitality ever. ]]>

"Oh my God! We just drove into New York City!" Playing with ducks in Central Park, shhhhhhh….quiet in the Shakespear Garden, Times Square, comedy club, I just want a freaking parking space, Brooklyn Bridge, Trump Plaza gardens, St. Patricks, is this train going uptown?, life is INDEED a Caberet, dining in circles above the Big Apple, big art at the Met, the best display of hospitality ever. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=188

Washington, D.C. Holocaust Museum, National Art Gallery, Washington Monument, good food, better Scotch, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial, teasing ducks, sorry I didn't help carry that big suitcase up four flights of stairs, Vietnam War Memorial, Reflecting Pool, hooking up with an O'Deuce, you told me that story last night. ]]>

Washington, D.C. Holocaust Museum, National Art Gallery, Washington Monument, good food, better Scotch, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial, teasing ducks, sorry I didn't help carry that big suitcase up four flights of stairs, Vietnam War Memorial, Reflecting Pool, hooking up with an O'Deuce, you told me that story last night. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=187

I'm Maine bound and I've got my baby with me. Too cute, huh?]]>

I'm Maine bound and I've got my baby with me. Too cute, huh?]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=186

CHICAGO! On top of the world!]]>

CHICAGO! On top of the world!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=183

While travelling through South Dakota, Ryan Soderlin and I stopped at this abandoned church we saw off in the distance to make some photos. ]]>

While travelling through South Dakota, Ryan Soderlin and I stopped at this abandoned church we saw off in the distance to make some photos. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=182

Travelled to Colorado Springs to watch my cousin, Jessica, graduate high school. She's the second from the left. ]]>

Travelled to Colorado Springs to watch my cousin, Jessica, graduate high school. She's the second from the left. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=178

Deer crossing the river at dusk. _____ Tears under a nylon roof. _____ Listening to frogs beneath a bridge. _____ Picking Sandhills wildflowers. _____ Mill kill sluggings. _____ Screaming cow salutations. _____ Surprises, surprises, surprises. _____ Forks in the road. _____ Hometown denial. _____ Going full-assed. _____ Just say tapioca. _____ Chasing mallards down the river. _____ Midnight Frisbee in the park. _____ Adopting mottos. _____ Boston, baby! Boston! _____ Staring at chocolate pudding. _____ Tight situations. _____ Swinging before the storm. _____ Unbelievable. _____ Planning highway adventures. _____ Whispering those three words for the first time to each other. ]]>

Deer crossing the river at dusk. _____ Tears under a nylon roof. _____ Listening to frogs beneath a bridge. _____ Picking Sandhills wildflowers. _____ Mill kill sluggings. _____ Screaming cow salutations. _____ Surprises, surprises, surprises. _____ Forks in the road. _____ Hometown denial. _____ Going full-assed. _____ Just say tapioca. _____ Chasing mallards down the river. _____ Midnight Frisbee in the park. _____ Adopting mottos. _____ Boston, baby! Boston! _____ Staring at chocolate pudding. _____ Tight situations. _____ Swinging before the storm. _____ Unbelievable. _____ Planning highway adventures. _____ Whispering those three words for the first time to each other. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=173

More photos from frishing with my cousin, Miranda the other night....]]>

More photos from frishing with my cousin, Miranda the other night....]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=172

The sun descends in harmony as the ripples disappear from the surface of the water, which is now glass-like. Now only my bobber disturbs the image of conjoined twins that is the created above and below the horizon. Birds call out for their mates and the smells of spring dance in the air and play with my senses. The air is cool, comfortable and still. Children play in the distance. Their laughter reminds me of how it is to discover the world for the first time. Gleeful and free. I am one of them now: a child, wide-eyed and full of grin. Today I took up fishing again for the first time since grade school. I cast a little more, make a handful of photos, close my eyes and take in a deep breath. Life is good. ]]>

The sun descends in harmony as the ripples disappear from the surface of the water, which is now glass-like. Now only my bobber disturbs the image of conjoined twins that is the created above and below the horizon. Birds call out for their mates and the smells of spring dance in the air and play with my senses. The air is cool, comfortable and still. Children play in the distance. Their laughter reminds me of how it is to discover the world for the first time. Gleeful and free. I am one of them now: a child, wide-eyed and full of grin. Today I took up fishing again for the first time since grade school. I cast a little more, make a handful of photos, close my eyes and take in a deep breath. Life is good. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=171

One-upped by Matt Miller once again. Kudos, buddy.]]>

One-upped by Matt Miller once again. Kudos, buddy.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=170

Grandpa is home from the hospital. All is well.]]>

Grandpa is home from the hospital. All is well.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=169

I've been going through a pretty introspective time lately. My shortage of words is by no means an indication that I have a shortage of thoughts. Spending time on the farm has been a profound existence. There is so much open space and so much time to think. And so much family. I've grown to appreciate the importance of extended family. I have reaffirmed that I want to eventually start my own family. I'm not yet ready to slow down and move in that direction. But someday I want to take my grandson or granddaughter fishing. I would love to give them their first cameras. It has been really neat getting to know my grandparents better. All three of my existing grandparents are good, decent people who are fun to be around. You know, I think I also like small town living. I like it that the bartender pours me a Canadian Club and Coke before I can ask for one. I like it that as you drive through town you wave to everybody you see. The people in small towns are real, take-it-or-leave-it kind of people. They don't have to dress to impress or pretend to be somebody who they are not. You find a lot of hard-working, down-to-earth people in a small town. No, Arnold is not the small town for me. I want to live by the ocean. I like the openness of a Nebraska pasture. I think that same feeling combined with the shrill power of the ocean cradle my need to be inspired. I do like the big city, too. I like the lights, the pace and the available activities. Sometimes the anonymity enjoyed while walking a sidewalk with thousands of others creates a comfort of independence. A big city has art and major transportation hubs. But people in the city spend too much time trying to be noticed. Fake body parts and crazy fashions are hallmark of big-city living. So I want my small town on the ocean to have fairly easy access to a city, where the air is fresh and my family can play on the beach. You should visit. ]]>

I've been going through a pretty introspective time lately. My shortage of words is by no means an indication that I have a shortage of thoughts. Spending time on the farm has been a profound existence. There is so much open space and so much time to think. And so much family. I've grown to appreciate the importance of extended family. I have reaffirmed that I want to eventually start my own family. I'm not yet ready to slow down and move in that direction. But someday I want to take my grandson or granddaughter fishing. I would love to give them their first cameras. It has been really neat getting to know my grandparents better. All three of my existing grandparents are good, decent people who are fun to be around. You know, I think I also like small town living. I like it that the bartender pours me a Canadian Club and Coke before I can ask for one. I like it that as you drive through town you wave to everybody you see. The people in small towns are real, take-it-or-leave-it kind of people. They don't have to dress to impress or pretend to be somebody who they are not. You find a lot of hard-working, down-to-earth people in a small town. No, Arnold is not the small town for me. I want to live by the ocean. I like the openness of a Nebraska pasture. I think that same feeling combined with the shrill power of the ocean cradle my need to be inspired. I do like the big city, too. I like the lights, the pace and the available activities. Sometimes the anonymity enjoyed while walking a sidewalk with thousands of others creates a comfort of independence. A big city has art and major transportation hubs. But people in the city spend too much time trying to be noticed. Fake body parts and crazy fashions are hallmark of big-city living. So I want my small town on the ocean to have fairly easy access to a city, where the air is fresh and my family can play on the beach. You should visit. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=168

My web journal turns 1 today!]]>

My web journal turns 1 today!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=167

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I go through periods of time when I don't have much to say. ]]>

I go through periods of time when I don't have much to say. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=164

Back in the saddle again. ---- I know. It has been a while since I've updated my web page. Since I traded my press pass for a pair of bib coveralls, I've been without a computer. Those days are over and this cattleman returned to the information era with the purchase of a shiney new laptop computer. I'm updating my journal with a handfull of entries dating back to January 27. Enjoy! ]]>

Back in the saddle again. ---- I know. It has been a while since I've updated my web page. Since I traded my press pass for a pair of bib coveralls, I've been without a computer. Those days are over and this cattleman returned to the information era with the purchase of a shiney new laptop computer. I'm updating my journal with a handfull of entries dating back to January 27. Enjoy! ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=163

Occationally I second-guess quitting my job so I can spend some time experiencing more of what life has to offer. But then there are days of clarity, days when I pull my great-grandma Lena Sargent from her walker to dance with me. It was the first time in years she had danced. It was the first time in my life that I had made that kind of connection with a family member three generations my elder. I danced with her on Valentine's Day. It was a Friday evening at about 5:30. In my old life, I probably would have been taking a lunch break at that time, preparing to go photograph a high school basketball game. I wouldn't know anybody from either team. I've made the right decision, I think.]]>

Occationally I second-guess quitting my job so I can spend some time experiencing more of what life has to offer. But then there are days of clarity, days when I pull my great-grandma Lena Sargent from her walker to dance with me. It was the first time in years she had danced. It was the first time in my life that I had made that kind of connection with a family member three generations my elder. I danced with her on Valentine's Day. It was a Friday evening at about 5:30. In my old life, I probably would have been taking a lunch break at that time, preparing to go photograph a high school basketball game. I wouldn't know anybody from either team. I've made the right decision, I think.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=162

I waited a day to separate this photo from the other fog photos because this one has special meaning to me. To me, this is my current life. All I know is that it is going to take some interesting twists and turns. But I sure can't see very far ahead. ]]>

I waited a day to separate this photo from the other fog photos because this one has special meaning to me. To me, this is my current life. All I know is that it is going to take some interesting twists and turns. But I sure can't see very far ahead. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=158

'Twas a foggy day here on the farm.]]>

'Twas a foggy day here on the farm.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=154

A couple more frames from Colorado ]]>

A couple more frames from Colorado ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=150

My sister, photographed here at Red Rocks near Denver, was in the Mile High City to interview with Regis University for grad school. I hopped in my car and went to see her. I travelled there with my grandpa, Alfred "Bud" Hickenbottom. Here the two of us are at the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs. I tell ya, road tripping with a grandparent is a real treat. Especially when that grandparent has as anry of a sense of humor as good ol' Bud. While in Denver, I got to spend some time with my old friend, Megan, who showed me the city's nightlife and checked out some art with me. ]]>

My sister, photographed here at Red Rocks near Denver, was in the Mile High City to interview with Regis University for grad school. I hopped in my car and went to see her. I travelled there with my grandpa, Alfred "Bud" Hickenbottom. Here the two of us are at the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs. I tell ya, road tripping with a grandparent is a real treat. Especially when that grandparent has as anry of a sense of humor as good ol' Bud. While in Denver, I got to spend some time with my old friend, Megan, who showed me the city's nightlife and checked out some art with me. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=149

]]>

]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=148

It's not easy saying "goodbye" to the people you care for.]]>

It's not easy saying "goodbye" to the people you care for.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=147

Photo by Ryan Soderlin ----- So call me crazy. My brother says I'm pissing career away. He might be right. Effective January 11, 2003, I resigned from the Lincoln Journal Star. I will no longer be a working photojournalist. I'll no longer live in a city. I'll be a farmer. A farmer? I'll be a councilor. I'll be a traveler. I'll still visually document my life. What am I going to be? I'll be a professional adventurer. I'm going to be a rambling man, a drifter on a lonesome highway. I want to see the world. I want to experience things deeply that I currently only see superficially. I want my hands to be smeared with the dust of the earth as I wipe the sweat off my brow. No longer will my office be at 926 P. Street. After now, it will be the whole world. The world is my oyster and I'm going to find myself a pearl. Specifically, I'm going to go on a series of expeditions. I have the first couple planned. To start, I am going to spend from this Tuesday through May working with my grandparents on their farm and ranch. It'll be calving season in the beautiful Sandhills of Nebraska. They have a 450-head cattle operation on about 3,000 acres of land, on which they also grow corn and alfalfa. In June I head out to the beautiful Atlantic Northeast where I will be head of photography at Camp Runoia. I'll have the pleasure of passing along my knowledge and passion of photography to kids in a beautiful, scenic area. Then it's a "Finding America Road Trip". With camera in hand, I plan to hit such locals as Boston, New York City, York, P.A., Washington, D.C., Raleigh, N.C., Savannah, GA, Palm Springs, F.L., New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Salina, K.S. (of course!), Lincoln, N.E., Arnold, NE, Denver, Albuquerque, Grand Canyon, Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Ore, and Seattle, eventually making my way to my folks' home in Hermiston Oregon. Afterwards, I plan to do what is the driving factor in all of this, I'm going to spend some time out of the country. The details of this adventure are yet in the air. I've been thinking about joining the Peace Corps for quite some time. But for now, I'll just sit back and see where life takes me.]]>

Photo by Ryan Soderlin ----- So call me crazy. My brother says I'm pissing career away. He might be right. Effective January 11, 2003, I resigned from the Lincoln Journal Star. I will no longer be a working photojournalist. I'll no longer live in a city. I'll be a farmer. A farmer? I'll be a councilor. I'll be a traveler. I'll still visually document my life. What am I going to be? I'll be a professional adventurer. I'm going to be a rambling man, a drifter on a lonesome highway. I want to see the world. I want to experience things deeply that I currently only see superficially. I want my hands to be smeared with the dust of the earth as I wipe the sweat off my brow. No longer will my office be at 926 P. Street. After now, it will be the whole world. The world is my oyster and I'm going to find myself a pearl. Specifically, I'm going to go on a series of expeditions. I have the first couple planned. To start, I am going to spend from this Tuesday through May working with my grandparents on their farm and ranch. It'll be calving season in the beautiful Sandhills of Nebraska. They have a 450-head cattle operation on about 3,000 acres of land, on which they also grow corn and alfalfa. In June I head out to the beautiful Atlantic Northeast where I will be head of photography at Camp Runoia. I'll have the pleasure of passing along my knowledge and passion of photography to kids in a beautiful, scenic area. Then it's a "Finding America Road Trip". With camera in hand, I plan to hit such locals as Boston, New York City, York, P.A., Washington, D.C., Raleigh, N.C., Savannah, GA, Palm Springs, F.L., New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Salina, K.S. (of course!), Lincoln, N.E., Arnold, NE, Denver, Albuquerque, Grand Canyon, Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Ore, and Seattle, eventually making my way to my folks' home in Hermiston Oregon. Afterwards, I plan to do what is the driving factor in all of this, I'm going to spend some time out of the country. The details of this adventure are yet in the air. I've been thinking about joining the Peace Corps for quite some time. But for now, I'll just sit back and see where life takes me.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=146

Baby's got a brand new bag. My folks gave me a sleeping bag for Christmas so I think I'll sleep outside tonight on the porch. "I'm hot!" I cried out while Ryan Soderlin took this picture.]]>

Baby's got a brand new bag. My folks gave me a sleeping bag for Christmas so I think I'll sleep outside tonight on the porch. "I'm hot!" I cried out while Ryan Soderlin took this picture.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=145

I haven't really shot anything interesting lately, but I sure did have a nice family Christmas. Maybe I'll just draw a picture.]]>

I haven't really shot anything interesting lately, but I sure did have a nice family Christmas. Maybe I'll just draw a picture.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=144

Only 15 more shopping days until Christmas, and I've been too tied up to do anything about it. Photo by Eric Gregory]]>

Only 15 more shopping days until Christmas, and I've been too tied up to do anything about it. Photo by Eric Gregory]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=143

The only reason I haven't linked to this site earlier is because I thought I already had. One of Gerik Parmele's most recent projects is the upstart of photocolumn.org. In Gerik's words, "photocolumn.org is a showcase for photojournalists producing what has come to be known as a 'photo column.'" Of course it is purely coincidental that I'm the featured photo columnist the week that I point this site out. *wink* Gerik updates the site each Tuesday with a new column. I encourage you to take a look, bookmark it, and take another look the following weeks. Speaking of places I haven't referenced too, I'm updating my links page with gobs of new sites.. Please let me know of sites I should add. The individual photographers category is really slight right now but will be added to.]]>

The only reason I haven't linked to this site earlier is because I thought I already had. One of Gerik Parmele's most recent projects is the upstart of photocolumn.org. In Gerik's words, "photocolumn.org is a showcase for photojournalists producing what has come to be known as a 'photo column.'" Of course it is purely coincidental that I'm the featured photo columnist the week that I point this site out. *wink* Gerik updates the site each Tuesday with a new column. I encourage you to take a look, bookmark it, and take another look the following weeks. Speaking of places I haven't referenced too, I'm updating my links page with gobs of new sites.. Please let me know of sites I should add. The individual photographers category is really slight right now but will be added to.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=142

sex drugs rock & roll lincoln is buzzing over bono and ashley judd. ]]>

sex drugs rock & roll lincoln is buzzing over bono and ashley judd. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=141

Wow, I was shocked when I saw this. . It is quite an honor for me. Take a look...... ]]>

Wow, I was shocked when I saw this. . It is quite an honor for me. Take a look...... ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=140

Meteors are not easy to shoot, but I got one of the bastards!]]>

Meteors are not easy to shoot, but I got one of the bastards!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=139

I'm spending an evening following Steve, a two-year veteran of living on the streets of Lincoln. Steve scours through alley dumpsters looking for goodies. Today it is a motorized racecar set that he gives to a six-year-old homeless boy named Joey, some stained glass window ornaments that he gives to the soup kitchen, and a tore up piece of Beetles memorabilia that he plans to give to a friend. He methodically moves from the backside of one business to the other, the cobblestone allies cluttered with strewn pieces of paper and broken shards of glass. He prefers to go to dumpsters of charities: they throw away the best stuff, he says. Steve likes to give. You can see the glow on his face when he hands over a gift he dumpster dove for. But as we walk into downtown, we bump into Brian, a visible fixture of the downtown Lincoln homeless scene. Bathing in his own stench, Brian asks if either of us have a dime. Steve says, "Sure, I have a dime." He gives it to Brian. Meanwhile I state that I have some change. I dig into my pocket and pull out an assortment of silver and copper. "Here you go," I say with a smile. Afterwards Steve gives me a lesson about dealing with the homeless with dignity. "When a friend of yours at the office asks for a quarter, do you empty out your pockets for him and give him everything you have?" No. "When a man asks for a dime, he wants a dime. Nothing more." ]]>

I'm spending an evening following Steve, a two-year veteran of living on the streets of Lincoln. Steve scours through alley dumpsters looking for goodies. Today it is a motorized racecar set that he gives to a six-year-old homeless boy named Joey, some stained glass window ornaments that he gives to the soup kitchen, and a tore up piece of Beetles memorabilia that he plans to give to a friend. He methodically moves from the backside of one business to the other, the cobblestone allies cluttered with strewn pieces of paper and broken shards of glass. He prefers to go to dumpsters of charities: they throw away the best stuff, he says. Steve likes to give. You can see the glow on his face when he hands over a gift he dumpster dove for. But as we walk into downtown, we bump into Brian, a visible fixture of the downtown Lincoln homeless scene. Bathing in his own stench, Brian asks if either of us have a dime. Steve says, "Sure, I have a dime." He gives it to Brian. Meanwhile I state that I have some change. I dig into my pocket and pull out an assortment of silver and copper. "Here you go," I say with a smile. Afterwards Steve gives me a lesson about dealing with the homeless with dignity. "When a friend of yours at the office asks for a quarter, do you empty out your pockets for him and give him everything you have?" No. "When a man asks for a dime, he wants a dime. Nothing more." ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=137

empty.]]>

empty.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=135

sugar. spice. & everything nice.]]>

sugar. spice. & everything nice.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=134

It's strange, I suppose. It's strange how it comes and goes: the ability to see. It's strange how some people have it and other people don't. Those who do have it have it on different levels. I have it. But not every day. Most days, I suppose, I do have it. Even on my best days I don't see as well as some other people see. How do you explain it to somebody who doesn't have it? I'm not entirely sure. Two people are walking side by side down a sidewalk in late afternoon. The first person sees a crack in the sidewalk that if unnoticed would trip the duo up. The first person sees a car traveling down the alley that could be dangerous if the two do not yield. The first person sees what a lovely yard the neighbors have, how the leaves are all raked up. The bushes are pruned back nicely. The first person sees the street signs that ensure them that they are going in the right direction. The second person sees a completely different universe. He sees the texture in the foliage that is starting to decay. He sees how the late afternoon light hitting the yellowed treetops makes the leaves so much brighter than the deep blue sky in the background. He sees a pattern of nine window frames with a crack breaking the otherwise neat arrangement. He sees silhouettes playing in the shadows. He sees the fire surrounding the backlit person walking the other direction. He sees how the electrical wires strewn across the sky form obstacles to an otherwise clean background. He catches little moments of serendipity all around him. All this occurs in about 5 seconds and all these visions are put into different perspectives that include rules of thirds, tilted horizons, depth of fields, blurred motions, negative spaces. Moments in time, any one of them could be captured on a plane of film or on a digital CCD. Surely a bloodhound can sniff its prey on any given day. Can't a wine taster dismantle the many sophisticated tastes in a vintage chardonnay? Why then is the ability to see such a fickle thing. Why does it come and go like it does? ]]>

It's strange, I suppose. It's strange how it comes and goes: the ability to see. It's strange how some people have it and other people don't. Those who do have it have it on different levels. I have it. But not every day. Most days, I suppose, I do have it. Even on my best days I don't see as well as some other people see. How do you explain it to somebody who doesn't have it? I'm not entirely sure. Two people are walking side by side down a sidewalk in late afternoon. The first person sees a crack in the sidewalk that if unnoticed would trip the duo up. The first person sees a car traveling down the alley that could be dangerous if the two do not yield. The first person sees what a lovely yard the neighbors have, how the leaves are all raked up. The bushes are pruned back nicely. The first person sees the street signs that ensure them that they are going in the right direction. The second person sees a completely different universe. He sees the texture in the foliage that is starting to decay. He sees how the late afternoon light hitting the yellowed treetops makes the leaves so much brighter than the deep blue sky in the background. He sees a pattern of nine window frames with a crack breaking the otherwise neat arrangement. He sees silhouettes playing in the shadows. He sees the fire surrounding the backlit person walking the other direction. He sees how the electrical wires strewn across the sky form obstacles to an otherwise clean background. He catches little moments of serendipity all around him. All this occurs in about 5 seconds and all these visions are put into different perspectives that include rules of thirds, tilted horizons, depth of fields, blurred motions, negative spaces. Moments in time, any one of them could be captured on a plane of film or on a digital CCD. Surely a bloodhound can sniff its prey on any given day. Can't a wine taster dismantle the many sophisticated tastes in a vintage chardonnay? Why then is the ability to see such a fickle thing. Why does it come and go like it does? ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=133

If you enjoy my photo journal, you should check this out. A guy by the name of L. Brandon Stone recently started a site that compiles other photo web logs (blogs) like mine. There are a lot of people out there making great photos and having good things to say about them. I urge you to check out photoblogs.org* I also just found a photoblogs webring. A webring alows a browser to keep moving on to the next page in the ring. You'll notice this: «?PhotoBlogs#» on the journal index page. Happy browsing. Finally--in case you hadn't noticed--a while ago I put a guestbook on my site. Some of the same people who frequently gripe when I'm slow about updating this journal haven't signed it. What are you waiting for? *(the blogs on photoblogs.org are rated based on votes. feel free to give me a vote of confidence when you visit. I'm listed as "Lane Hickenbottom Photography.")]]>

If you enjoy my photo journal, you should check this out. A guy by the name of L. Brandon Stone recently started a site that compiles other photo web logs (blogs) like mine. There are a lot of people out there making great photos and having good things to say about them. I urge you to check out photoblogs.org* I also just found a photoblogs webring. A webring alows a browser to keep moving on to the next page in the ring. You'll notice this: «?PhotoBlogs#» on the journal index page. Happy browsing. Finally--in case you hadn't noticed--a while ago I put a guestbook on my site. Some of the same people who frequently gripe when I'm slow about updating this journal haven't signed it. What are you waiting for? *(the blogs on photoblogs.org are rated based on votes. feel free to give me a vote of confidence when you visit. I'm listed as "Lane Hickenbottom Photography.")]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=132

I bumped into somebody last night who asked if I "did something" with the color of this photo that I made a couple months ago. I didn't, but somebody went to a lot of work painting the bottom of the pool that color.]]>

I bumped into somebody last night who asked if I "did something" with the color of this photo that I made a couple months ago. I didn't, but somebody went to a lot of work painting the bottom of the pool that color.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=131

Who says there is nothing to do in Nebraska?]]>

Who says there is nothing to do in Nebraska?]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=130

The thing I like most about Husker Football is the travel opportunities it has given me. I spent this weekend in Austin and College Station, Texas. Austin is a heckuva fun town to visit. Great nightlife. The crew I was with was able to listen to some great blues and eat some fine beef products. I still maintain that I would be willing to live in 49 of the 50 states. Texas isn't one of them. Been there. Done that. Twice.]]>

The thing I like most about Husker Football is the travel opportunities it has given me. I spent this weekend in Austin and College Station, Texas. Austin is a heckuva fun town to visit. Great nightlife. The crew I was with was able to listen to some great blues and eat some fine beef products. I still maintain that I would be willing to live in 49 of the 50 states. Texas isn't one of them. Been there. Done that. Twice.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=129

I haven't felt much like a photographer the past week or two. It's almost like somebody shot the ability, the inspiration or the desire to see right out of me. ]]>

I haven't felt much like a photographer the past week or two. It's almost like somebody shot the ability, the inspiration or the desire to see right out of me. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=128

Hopefully I will not continue to be so bad about journaling as I have been the past few weeks. I spent a week in Norfolk, Neb. where five people were shot and killed in an apparent bank robbery. Later, a state trooper involved in the case committed suicide. Just when everything started to become routine, it was found that a roommate of one of the suspects had been missing for more than a month....with his wallet left behind. Here are three photos I made on Friday, the day after the shooting. Afterwards is a retroflective look on some things that I hope you will read despite its length. xxxx His image still haunts me. I was a couple minutes away from photographing a bilingual prayer vigil Friday, the day after five people were shot to death in Norfolk. The sun was going down, making the light lovely, much better than it had been all day. I had spent several hours near the growing pile of memorial flowers, notes, balloons and whatever else people left in front of the U.S. Bank, where the murders took place. Rushed for time, I tried to get a nicer photo than what I had made before. But I had to do it and do it quick; the prayer service was mere minutes away. That's when I met him. I don't know his name. I never took the time to ask, but I wish I had. He seems like a Joe to me, and I feel compelled to call him by name. So for now it is Joe. Joe appeared to be mildly retarded. He seemed to me to be the kind of person that probably requires some assistance in many daily tasks. An older fellow than myself, maybe in his 40s, unshaven and short. I didn't even really notice him in the small crowd of people gathered around the flowers, even though he was standing right next to me. Then he started talking to me. "I just don't understand," he said, red eyes glazed over. "I just don't understand." There are probably a lot of things that Joe doesn't understand. I bet Joe has never been allowed to drive a car in city streets. He probably can't cook anything more complicated than a pan-full of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. And he couldn't do his banking without assistance, something that over time he had come to rely on by Evonne, one of the shooting victims. "She was the first person you see when you go into the bank," Joe told me. He would go into the U.S. Bank branch, and she would help him cash his check. "She was so kind." He repeated that. And again, shaking his head in disbelief. "She was so kind." I did my very best to keep a trained balance of humanity and professionalism. Certainly as a member of the media I know I'm being watched. Judged. It is important for me to be respectful of other people's feelings, to try to keep people's dignity in tact. Sometimes I fail. But with Joe, I didn't really have time to listen. I couldn't help him with his grief because I had to go to the church. It was assigned; half the media outlets in the country--it seemed--had somebody representing themselves at that church. I couldn't miss it to talk to Joe. Now I think about Joe. I think about the courage it will take for him to walk into that bank again, knowing that he will not be greeted by Evonne's smile, but by a complete stranger. No doubt the person will treat Joe well, and no doubt they will help him successfully cash his check, but it is just not the same. "I just don't understand," Joe said. Who does? ___________________________________________ I moved to Idaho in the ninth grade. There, 9th grade is in the junior high. Most of the students there were well established in their groups with lots of friends. Chris Spokley ran with the popular crew, the same that I aspired to hang with. Chris was a big guy. In high school he was the star linebacker for our state-championship team, responsible for probably half of the defensive team's tackles our senior season. In the 9th grade he was somebody to be feared. He liked to pick on people and he knew he could. Nobody could physically stop him and he had the support group of all the school's "cool" kids. I got picked on a bit. Not too much, just a bit. Trying so desperately to be cool with the other guys one day, I was outside during lunch when the crew was throwing a football around. Finally, the ball made it's way into my hands. I could throw it across the field to another guy and everybody could see that I could be cool with them. But Chris Spokley was standing right next to me and said, "Give me the ball." I had to stand up for myself. He couldn't take my thunder and he couldn't bully me. I'm a person, goddamn it, and it's my turn to throw the ball. I wanted him to see my side of things. So the best way I knew how I responded to him, gentle yet assertive. "Fuck off." That didn't exactly make Chris Spokley fond of me. He tossed me to the ground yelling, "What did you say to me?" I got up, my heart a racing, adrenalin pumping through my veins. "I said fuck off." I couldn't believe my own ears. I just told Chris Spokley--of all people--to fuck off a second time. I was quite proud of myself. Well my pride dropped about just as quickly as my body when this brut threw me down a second time. "Don't tell me to fuck off," he instructed me. I got up again and told him I wouldn't. "You just did," Chris Spokley yelled and threw me to ground a third time. "I won't again," I said, completely humiliated. My butt was bruised and my pride was broken, but my wits came about me and I didn't stand up again. Chris Spokley walked away. He was indeed cool. Everybody cool saw the whole ordeal. I didn't become cool that day. He picked on me only a little bit after that day; for the most part he left me alone. There were no life-scars created that day. I'm perfectly well adjusted; I bring this up only because it was my only experience trying to stand up to a bully. Chris Spokley was bigger and stronger than I. Had I kept fighting, he could have wiped me out. _________________________________________ Matt LaHann and myself had both just moved to Idaho from states more advanced in sciences that same 9th grade year. That year we spent our first hour of the school day at the high school taking 10th grade science and then went to the junior high for the rest of our educational day. Heather and Cathy were in our high school biology class. They weren't cool; they were weird. That was the same year of the Gulf War. Heather and Cathy, head honchos of the nerdy debate team, each came to school a wearing a cloth band around their right arms with the message, "No blood for oil." In my mind, we were fighting Iraq because we were international heroes. America stood strong and proud, fighting for the liberation of Kuwait--not for oil. Heather and Cathy were idiots. My freshman year of college my idea of cool changed. I became a person with a huge social conscience, somebody like Heather or Cathy. Weird. I delved into philosophy and I was very idealistic. My eyes had opened and I became critical of so many things that I had never before noticed. I thought a lot. I talked about things a lot-things like poverty and war and racism and the environment. And of course I preached to whoever would listen about how the drugs I was using at the time should become legal. More than anything, I became angry. That's how it was most the time: I was angry. Pissed off about clear-cutting of trees in the Amazon. Upset about the socioeconomic discrepancies in our country. You name it, dwelled on it. Finally after a spell of being like this all the time I realized that life is way to short to be mad. That realization made me a much simpler person. I'm not as smart as I used to be, but I'm okay with that. I smile a lot, and I make other people smile a lot. _________________________________________ And then there was September 11th, 2001. Almost 3,000 Americans died from terrorist attacks. It was a truly tragic event that left many angry Americans wondering, "why?" Why would anybody want to murder so many innocent people? Why would they want to level our tallest buildings? Can they really hate us so much because of our affluency? Can they really hate us that bad because we educate our women and believe in a different god? And so time goes on and we never really heard the motive. Nobody said, "We attacked you because we don't like your foreign policy." Paybacks are a bitch and goddamn it, and somebody is going to pay. Now we have a war on terrorism. We have toppled the Taliban government who mistreated their women and sponsored terrorism in Afghanistan. We have our eyes on the "axis of evil," especially Iraq. Iraq hates us. We know they hate us, calling us the "Great White Devil." If they were making weapons of mass destruction, they would become very dangerous. Wanting to avoid the danger, President Bush is trying to garner support to send Iraq deeper into the stone ages. We'll send them a military message that will make it plain and clear-Fuck with the best, die like the rest. ___________________________________________ So back in Norfolk there is a lot of anger and a lot of questions. Why did these three guys open fire on the people in the bank? Tears will be shed for years to come. Kids will grow up without one of their parents-criminals took their moms and dads away. They will eventually grow up; all will have serious emotional issues. Most all their hearts will be filled with hatred. Hatred towards the perpetrators who took something away that can never be replaced. ___________________________________________ I'm no genius, but I think I know some of the answers. September 11 happened because of hate. The United States cannot continue to carry out military operations around the world without expecting a certain amount of hatred towards us to be brewed. Whenever a bomb drops from a U.S. warplane, people inevitably die. When that happens, those people's sons or daughters, mothers or fathers survive. Hate becomes spawned; hatred so deep that some of them are willing to take their own lives for what they feel is justice. September 11 occurs. This deal in Iraq is ridiculous. We want to pummel them for doing the exact same things we do. We build weapons of mass destruction. Hell, we've used them. We are the Chris Spokleys of the world, bullying our version of capitalism onto the world. We are the cool ones. We think we are right, and we have the might to prove it. Our military can kick their military's ass, so we can demand that they give us the football. If they are defiant we can just push them down, over and over again until they change their tune. Just like Chris did to me. But what saddens me the very most are all the Joe's we leave wandering the earth. Joe was crushed because some punks came into a bank where they had no business being. They pointed their weapons, and they fired. Because of a crime that took 40 seconds to commit, eleven children are without one of their parents. At least eleven people will grow up with hate. In the wake of September 11, our country has taken countless of similar lives. As the body count continues to rise, so will the number of people who are a danger to our contry. ___________________________________________ What is a man to do? I can't go back to the days like my freshman year in college when I walked the streets pissed off all the time about issues that were out-of-my hands. I can, but I won't. Anger also creates the very hatred that I despise. I don't really think I can make a difference as a political activist. It's just not the person who I am. Besides, who would listen? In this world filled with chaos and hatred, some how I remained full of love and compassion. I like people. I like watching them. I like learning what makes them tick. And I like helping. I like making this world a better place one person at a time. Random acts of kindness go a long ways towards healing. A poor person with a smile lives a better life than a rich person with a frown. I'm sure of this. This is reason number three why I want to join the Peace Corps. This is why I want to get away from all that I know now for a while. So I can sit and listen. So I can watch and learn. So I can teach and help. So I can spread the love. ]]>

Hopefully I will not continue to be so bad about journaling as I have been the past few weeks. I spent a week in Norfolk, Neb. where five people were shot and killed in an apparent bank robbery. Later, a state trooper involved in the case committed suicide. Just when everything started to become routine, it was found that a roommate of one of the suspects had been missing for more than a month....with his wallet left behind. Here are three photos I made on Friday, the day after the shooting. Afterwards is a retroflective look on some things that I hope you will read despite its length. xxxx His image still haunts me. I was a couple minutes away from photographing a bilingual prayer vigil Friday, the day after five people were shot to death in Norfolk. The sun was going down, making the light lovely, much better than it had been all day. I had spent several hours near the growing pile of memorial flowers, notes, balloons and whatever else people left in front of the U.S. Bank, where the murders took place. Rushed for time, I tried to get a nicer photo than what I had made before. But I had to do it and do it quick; the prayer service was mere minutes away. That's when I met him. I don't know his name. I never took the time to ask, but I wish I had. He seems like a Joe to me, and I feel compelled to call him by name. So for now it is Joe. Joe appeared to be mildly retarded. He seemed to me to be the kind of person that probably requires some assistance in many daily tasks. An older fellow than myself, maybe in his 40s, unshaven and short. I didn't even really notice him in the small crowd of people gathered around the flowers, even though he was standing right next to me. Then he started talking to me. "I just don't understand," he said, red eyes glazed over. "I just don't understand." There are probably a lot of things that Joe doesn't understand. I bet Joe has never been allowed to drive a car in city streets. He probably can't cook anything more complicated than a pan-full of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. And he couldn't do his banking without assistance, something that over time he had come to rely on by Evonne, one of the shooting victims. "She was the first person you see when you go into the bank," Joe told me. He would go into the U.S. Bank branch, and she would help him cash his check. "She was so kind." He repeated that. And again, shaking his head in disbelief. "She was so kind." I did my very best to keep a trained balance of humanity and professionalism. Certainly as a member of the media I know I'm being watched. Judged. It is important for me to be respectful of other people's feelings, to try to keep people's dignity in tact. Sometimes I fail. But with Joe, I didn't really have time to listen. I couldn't help him with his grief because I had to go to the church. It was assigned; half the media outlets in the country--it seemed--had somebody representing themselves at that church. I couldn't miss it to talk to Joe. Now I think about Joe. I think about the courage it will take for him to walk into that bank again, knowing that he will not be greeted by Evonne's smile, but by a complete stranger. No doubt the person will treat Joe well, and no doubt they will help him successfully cash his check, but it is just not the same. "I just don't understand," Joe said. Who does? ___________________________________________ I moved to Idaho in the ninth grade. There, 9th grade is in the junior high. Most of the students there were well established in their groups with lots of friends. Chris Spokley ran with the popular crew, the same that I aspired to hang with. Chris was a big guy. In high school he was the star linebacker for our state-championship team, responsible for probably half of the defensive team's tackles our senior season. In the 9th grade he was somebody to be feared. He liked to pick on people and he knew he could. Nobody could physically stop him and he had the support group of all the school's "cool" kids. I got picked on a bit. Not too much, just a bit. Trying so desperately to be cool with the other guys one day, I was outside during lunch when the crew was throwing a football around. Finally, the ball made it's way into my hands. I could throw it across the field to another guy and everybody could see that I could be cool with them. But Chris Spokley was standing right next to me and said, "Give me the ball." I had to stand up for myself. He couldn't take my thunder and he couldn't bully me. I'm a person, goddamn it, and it's my turn to throw the ball. I wanted him to see my side of things. So the best way I knew how I responded to him, gentle yet assertive. "Fuck off." That didn't exactly make Chris Spokley fond of me. He tossed me to the ground yelling, "What did you say to me?" I got up, my heart a racing, adrenalin pumping through my veins. "I said fuck off." I couldn't believe my own ears. I just told Chris Spokley--of all people--to fuck off a second time. I was quite proud of myself. Well my pride dropped about just as quickly as my body when this brut threw me down a second time. "Don't tell me to fuck off," he instructed me. I got up again and told him I wouldn't. "You just did," Chris Spokley yelled and threw me to ground a third time. "I won't again," I said, completely humiliated. My butt was bruised and my pride was broken, but my wits came about me and I didn't stand up again. Chris Spokley walked away. He was indeed cool. Everybody cool saw the whole ordeal. I didn't become cool that day. He picked on me only a little bit after that day; for the most part he left me alone. There were no life-scars created that day. I'm perfectly well adjusted; I bring this up only because it was my only experience trying to stand up to a bully. Chris Spokley was bigger and stronger than I. Had I kept fighting, he could have wiped me out. _________________________________________ Matt LaHann and myself had both just moved to Idaho from states more advanced in sciences that same 9th grade year. That year we spent our first hour of the school day at the high school taking 10th grade science and then went to the junior high for the rest of our educational day. Heather and Cathy were in our high school biology class. They weren't cool; they were weird. That was the same year of the Gulf War. Heather and Cathy, head honchos of the nerdy debate team, each came to school a wearing a cloth band around their right arms with the message, "No blood for oil." In my mind, we were fighting Iraq because we were international heroes. America stood strong and proud, fighting for the liberation of Kuwait--not for oil. Heather and Cathy were idiots. My freshman year of college my idea of cool changed. I became a person with a huge social conscience, somebody like Heather or Cathy. Weird. I delved into philosophy and I was very idealistic. My eyes had opened and I became critical of so many things that I had never before noticed. I thought a lot. I talked about things a lot-things like poverty and war and racism and the environment. And of course I preached to whoever would listen about how the drugs I was using at the time should become legal. More than anything, I became angry. That's how it was most the time: I was angry. Pissed off about clear-cutting of trees in the Amazon. Upset about the socioeconomic discrepancies in our country. You name it, dwelled on it. Finally after a spell of being like this all the time I realized that life is way to short to be mad. That realization made me a much simpler person. I'm not as smart as I used to be, but I'm okay with that. I smile a lot, and I make other people smile a lot. _________________________________________ And then there was September 11th, 2001. Almost 3,000 Americans died from terrorist attacks. It was a truly tragic event that left many angry Americans wondering, "why?" Why would anybody want to murder so many innocent people? Why would they want to level our tallest buildings? Can they really hate us so much because of our affluency? Can they really hate us that bad because we educate our women and believe in a different god? And so time goes on and we never really heard the motive. Nobody said, "We attacked you because we don't like your foreign policy." Paybacks are a bitch and goddamn it, and somebody is going to pay. Now we have a war on terrorism. We have toppled the Taliban government who mistreated their women and sponsored terrorism in Afghanistan. We have our eyes on the "axis of evil," especially Iraq. Iraq hates us. We know they hate us, calling us the "Great White Devil." If they were making weapons of mass destruction, they would become very dangerous. Wanting to avoid the danger, President Bush is trying to garner support to send Iraq deeper into the stone ages. We'll send them a military message that will make it plain and clear-Fuck with the best, die like the rest. ___________________________________________ So back in Norfolk there is a lot of anger and a lot of questions. Why did these three guys open fire on the people in the bank? Tears will be shed for years to come. Kids will grow up without one of their parents-criminals took their moms and dads away. They will eventually grow up; all will have serious emotional issues. Most all their hearts will be filled with hatred. Hatred towards the perpetrators who took something away that can never be replaced. ___________________________________________ I'm no genius, but I think I know some of the answers. September 11 happened because of hate. The United States cannot continue to carry out military operations around the world without expecting a certain amount of hatred towards us to be brewed. Whenever a bomb drops from a U.S. warplane, people inevitably die. When that happens, those people's sons or daughters, mothers or fathers survive. Hate becomes spawned; hatred so deep that some of them are willing to take their own lives for what they feel is justice. September 11 occurs. This deal in Iraq is ridiculous. We want to pummel them for doing the exact same things we do. We build weapons of mass destruction. Hell, we've used them. We are the Chris Spokleys of the world, bullying our version of capitalism onto the world. We are the cool ones. We think we are right, and we have the might to prove it. Our military can kick their military's ass, so we can demand that they give us the football. If they are defiant we can just push them down, over and over again until they change their tune. Just like Chris did to me. But what saddens me the very most are all the Joe's we leave wandering the earth. Joe was crushed because some punks came into a bank where they had no business being. They pointed their weapons, and they fired. Because of a crime that took 40 seconds to commit, eleven children are without one of their parents. At least eleven people will grow up with hate. In the wake of September 11, our country has taken countless of similar lives. As the body count continues to rise, so will the number of people who are a danger to our contry. ___________________________________________ What is a man to do? I can't go back to the days like my freshman year in college when I walked the streets pissed off all the time about issues that were out-of-my hands. I can, but I won't. Anger also creates the very hatred that I despise. I don't really think I can make a difference as a political activist. It's just not the person who I am. Besides, who would listen? In this world filled with chaos and hatred, some how I remained full of love and compassion. I like people. I like watching them. I like learning what makes them tick. And I like helping. I like making this world a better place one person at a time. Random acts of kindness go a long ways towards healing. A poor person with a smile lives a better life than a rich person with a frown. I'm sure of this. This is reason number three why I want to join the Peace Corps. This is why I want to get away from all that I know now for a while. So I can sit and listen. So I can watch and learn. So I can teach and help. So I can spread the love. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=124

I can see why photographers in NYC liked the World Trade Center so much. I've been working for the Lincoln Journal Star for almost three years now and already I could publish a book of photos featuring the state capitol building. Yesterday's journal is a prime example. To the people in Nebraska, the capitol building is as iconic as the Empire State Building is to New York, the Sears Tower is to Chicago and the space neadle is to Seattle. I took both of these photos of "the penis of the plains" within the last week. The first one, I was driving to the office from my last assignment of the day. The photos were dismal and I knew the editors wanted something for page one. A little bummed about what I came up with, I noticed the moon was no more than a sliver. My thoughts at the time were simply, "that is pretty." But when I started to approach the capitol, an idea popped into my head. The rest is history. The second photo was taken yesterday. While on my way home, which is only about 5 blocks from the capitol, I saw a ceremony going on in which a huge flag was raised by the ladders of two fire engines. Unfortunatley, the short amount of time that it took to park and get into position was the short amount of time that it took for the last seconds of sunlight to go behind the horizon. It really is too bad, because the flag looked like fire when I first saw it. ]]>

I can see why photographers in NYC liked the World Trade Center so much. I've been working for the Lincoln Journal Star for almost three years now and already I could publish a book of photos featuring the state capitol building. Yesterday's journal is a prime example. To the people in Nebraska, the capitol building is as iconic as the Empire State Building is to New York, the Sears Tower is to Chicago and the space neadle is to Seattle. I took both of these photos of "the penis of the plains" within the last week. The first one, I was driving to the office from my last assignment of the day. The photos were dismal and I knew the editors wanted something for page one. A little bummed about what I came up with, I noticed the moon was no more than a sliver. My thoughts at the time were simply, "that is pretty." But when I started to approach the capitol, an idea popped into my head. The rest is history. The second photo was taken yesterday. While on my way home, which is only about 5 blocks from the capitol, I saw a ceremony going on in which a huge flag was raised by the ladders of two fire engines. Unfortunatley, the short amount of time that it took to park and get into position was the short amount of time that it took for the last seconds of sunlight to go behind the horizon. It really is too bad, because the flag looked like fire when I first saw it. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=121

I've come to realize over time that whenever a safety harness is required to do my job, it's usually going to be an interesting time. I shot this photo of a biplane over the Nebraska State Capitol building a few weeks ago. What a thrill! I like the feeling the photo gives that you are going to fall right out of your seat. If it weren't for the harness, I would have fallen right out of the side door of the Cessna I was riding in.]]>

I've come to realize over time that whenever a safety harness is required to do my job, it's usually going to be an interesting time. I shot this photo of a biplane over the Nebraska State Capitol building a few weeks ago. What a thrill! I like the feeling the photo gives that you are going to fall right out of your seat. If it weren't for the harness, I would have fallen right out of the side door of the Cessna I was riding in.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=120

Story by me for the Lincoln Journal Star: Floating on black water just like the Mississippi, the Nebraska moon kept shining on Steve Willey and Terry Foster as they slowly made their way down Salt Creek. The Lincoln duo launched a raft near Waverly Friday night and floated to where the creek feeds the Platte River near Ashland. Willey, a Mississippi native, had planned months ago to make a Huckleberry Finn-type voyage down Salt Creek. But it wasn't until the skies dumped several inches of rain that he could do it. On Friday afternoon he bought an inflatable raft, filled a cooler with refreshments and called up his buddy Foster. After being informed that the city of Lincoln dumps treated sewage into the creek, Willey reasoned, "Come on, it's not like it's raw sewage." What would compel such persistence? "Ever since the dawn of time, man has yearned to conquer Salt Creek," he quipped. "I did this for all humanity and prosperity. Also my friend bet me $20 that I wouldn't." Armed with a single flashlight and a tolerance for stench, Willey and Foster put in a couple miles northwest of Waverly just as the sun faded behind the western horizon. "It's just like the Niobrara," Willey said, "except the scenery isn't as nice and the water is exponentially stinkier." The trip included thick fog and countless beaver sightings. "We had no major snags," Willey said. "The water got a little turbulent near Ashland. I felt like the only way we were going to successfully get past it was to jettison something, but I couldn't get Terry over very easily." By that time, the raft ride was taking longer than expected. "I didn't think it was going to take no six hours," Foster said. "Would I do it again? Hell no." But Foster and Willey both agreed the trip was well worth their time. "Now whenever I drive over Salt Creek, I won't hear it laughing at me," Willey said. ]]>

Story by me for the Lincoln Journal Star: Floating on black water just like the Mississippi, the Nebraska moon kept shining on Steve Willey and Terry Foster as they slowly made their way down Salt Creek. The Lincoln duo launched a raft near Waverly Friday night and floated to where the creek feeds the Platte River near Ashland. Willey, a Mississippi native, had planned months ago to make a Huckleberry Finn-type voyage down Salt Creek. But it wasn't until the skies dumped several inches of rain that he could do it. On Friday afternoon he bought an inflatable raft, filled a cooler with refreshments and called up his buddy Foster. After being informed that the city of Lincoln dumps treated sewage into the creek, Willey reasoned, "Come on, it's not like it's raw sewage." What would compel such persistence? "Ever since the dawn of time, man has yearned to conquer Salt Creek," he quipped. "I did this for all humanity and prosperity. Also my friend bet me $20 that I wouldn't." Armed with a single flashlight and a tolerance for stench, Willey and Foster put in a couple miles northwest of Waverly just as the sun faded behind the western horizon. "It's just like the Niobrara," Willey said, "except the scenery isn't as nice and the water is exponentially stinkier." The trip included thick fog and countless beaver sightings. "We had no major snags," Willey said. "The water got a little turbulent near Ashland. I felt like the only way we were going to successfully get past it was to jettison something, but I couldn't get Terry over very easily." By that time, the raft ride was taking longer than expected. "I didn't think it was going to take no six hours," Foster said. "Would I do it again? Hell no." But Foster and Willey both agreed the trip was well worth their time. "Now whenever I drive over Salt Creek, I won't hear it laughing at me," Willey said. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=119

No radio. No television. No newspapers. That's how my buddy Ryan Stephens and I spent 9/11. Away from the world, camping in Indian Cave State Park, Ryan and I discussed this crazy new and unsecure world we live in. Here is a shot out to Ryan, who spent 6 months aboard the U.S.S. Roosevelt without going to port after Sept. 11. That is a big chunk of time without seeing land, my friends. Here is a shot out to all those who died on September 11 and to all those who have died as a direct or indirect result since. Here is to all the mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who have lost family members. Here is to all the sons and daughters who have lost parents either in NYC, Pennsylvania or Washington DC. Here are to the sons and daughters to all those who lost their lives in Afghanistan and other parts of this unsecure world as the United States seeks collateral damage. A shot goes out to all those who promote peace, those who are ambassadors of love, fighting battles with smiles instead of missiles. A shot goes out to the forefathers of this country, a country that was created on principles that are sound and good. They must be shedding a tear right now knowing that we are considering invading a sovereign nation. Thos forefathers know what can happen when an empire invades a determined people on its home front. God help us all.]]>

No radio. No television. No newspapers. That's how my buddy Ryan Stephens and I spent 9/11. Away from the world, camping in Indian Cave State Park, Ryan and I discussed this crazy new and unsecure world we live in. Here is a shot out to Ryan, who spent 6 months aboard the U.S.S. Roosevelt without going to port after Sept. 11. That is a big chunk of time without seeing land, my friends. Here is a shot out to all those who died on September 11 and to all those who have died as a direct or indirect result since. Here is to all the mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who have lost family members. Here is to all the sons and daughters who have lost parents either in NYC, Pennsylvania or Washington DC. Here are to the sons and daughters to all those who lost their lives in Afghanistan and other parts of this unsecure world as the United States seeks collateral damage. A shot goes out to all those who promote peace, those who are ambassadors of love, fighting battles with smiles instead of missiles. A shot goes out to the forefathers of this country, a country that was created on principles that are sound and good. They must be shedding a tear right now knowing that we are considering invading a sovereign nation. Thos forefathers know what can happen when an empire invades a determined people on its home front. God help us all.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=118

Almost like walking on a different planet, meandering through a barren landscape of rolling hills covered by blackened grass that shatters under my step. I look around and I am alone, maybe the only creature inhabiting this foreign world. The atmosphere smells of carbon and in the distance a bolt of lightning suggests that life can barely exist here. Even though I am in the middle of nowhere, I take comfort in knowing that as long as the winds stay at bay, my easily seen tracks will not be covered and I'll find my way back home. Back home to earth where the grass is green and the sky is blue. Here neither is the case. A light tan, sandy path cuts through the monotony of black, signs that bovine life-forms once grazed this area. But now there is nothing. Just me, the stench in the air and the tracks under my feet. ]]>

Almost like walking on a different planet, meandering through a barren landscape of rolling hills covered by blackened grass that shatters under my step. I look around and I am alone, maybe the only creature inhabiting this foreign world. The atmosphere smells of carbon and in the distance a bolt of lightning suggests that life can barely exist here. Even though I am in the middle of nowhere, I take comfort in knowing that as long as the winds stay at bay, my easily seen tracks will not be covered and I'll find my way back home. Back home to earth where the grass is green and the sky is blue. Here neither is the case. A light tan, sandy path cuts through the monotony of black, signs that bovine life-forms once grazed this area. But now there is nothing. Just me, the stench in the air and the tracks under my feet. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=117

Today while I was getting stood up on an assignment, I decided to look up at the sky. It was nice so I made a picture of it. Then I decided to look to look down at the ground. It wasn't as nice, but I made a picture of it anyway.]]>

Today while I was getting stood up on an assignment, I decided to look up at the sky. It was nice so I made a picture of it. Then I decided to look to look down at the ground. It wasn't as nice, but I made a picture of it anyway.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=114

Somebody paid heed to my advice to photo editors everywhere. Congrats to the newest Omaha World Herald photographer..]]>

Somebody paid heed to my advice to photo editors everywhere. Congrats to the newest Omaha World Herald photographer..]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=113

Sunday was the last day for Lincoln Journal Star's latest intern, Shannon Guthrie. Before she left to go back to school at Western Kentucky University, she decided to create an intern packet that would be filled with advice from staff members and previous interns to be passed along from intern to intern. Good idea. While waiting for a photo to happen, I started writing. Below are the words of wisdom I came up with. ___________________________ There is feature hunting and there is feature fishing. I'm doing the latter today, nestled down by a stream waiting for some disk golfers to come my way. Yesterday was Shannon Guthrie's last day as our photo intern and she wanted me to shed some words of wisdom. I assume she is after more than "buy low, sell high." But how about "write drunk, edit sober"? Some words of wisdom just have to be figured out on an individual basis, but it doesn't usually take long for an intern to find truth in the credo, "A bad day on the road is better than a good day at the office." Interns come and interns go. Frequently interns find themselves locked into a frenzy worried about how well they are doing as an intern. Are they as good as the last intern? Or the next? The best interns are those who bring lots of enthusiasm with them when they go to work. It is less important at this stage in your development that you are eager to learn from both your successes and failures-and there will be plenty of both-than it is to come back with a good photo from every shoot. The staff members that you work with are old. They are tired. They have shot the same events over and over. The enthusiasm you bring to the table is contagious. Look at the world with wide-open eyes lake those of a child. Get pumped. Get excited. Challenge yourself. Challenge your staff. It's not good enough to be able to accept criticism. EMBRACE IT!!! You will become a better photographer and a better person quicker by humbly improving on your weaknesses than by trying to improve on what you already do right. Be a good person. Read philosophy. Don't be unfair to people who march to a different drum than yourself. It takes all kinds of people to make this world interesting. While you are in Nebraska accept the differences in the culture from what you are used to. Lots of people get down on Nebraskans for being too conservative. Those same photographers often times are the ones who claim they would like to do a stint covering the changes in Afghanistan. Guess what? Afghanistan is REALLY conservative. Deal with it. Document it. As an intern you might have to deal with a crummy schedule. It's okay. You might be in this profession for 30 years or more. Wouldn't it be nice if you only had to work nights and weekends for the first few of those? The rest of your years as a photojournalist, you can let the intern do it. Don't forget, you are new to this. Like everybody else, you have to pay your dues. Do it humbly. For crying out loud, why are there not any disk golfers? It is a beautiful day. Practice patience…it truly is a virtue. Not interested in sports photography? Practice it anyway. The lessons of anticipation in sports photography translate well in all other types of photography. You love sports photography? Let me know. I'll see to it that you get your fix. You want advice? Ask. You want an edit? Ask. You have a stupid question? Ask. You want to work on a story? Find one. Like the Nike commercial says, Just Do It. Your coworkers are busy people. If you don't seek their guidance they might assume you don't want or need it. But we are rarely ever too busy if you ask for guidance. Remember, your enthusiasm and desire to learn and improve is contagious. We feed off that and will appreciate you for it. We will happily sit down and work with you. --Lane]]>

Sunday was the last day for Lincoln Journal Star's latest intern, Shannon Guthrie. Before she left to go back to school at Western Kentucky University, she decided to create an intern packet that would be filled with advice from staff members and previous interns to be passed along from intern to intern. Good idea. While waiting for a photo to happen, I started writing. Below are the words of wisdom I came up with. ___________________________ There is feature hunting and there is feature fishing. I'm doing the latter today, nestled down by a stream waiting for some disk golfers to come my way. Yesterday was Shannon Guthrie's last day as our photo intern and she wanted me to shed some words of wisdom. I assume she is after more than "buy low, sell high." But how about "write drunk, edit sober"? Some words of wisdom just have to be figured out on an individual basis, but it doesn't usually take long for an intern to find truth in the credo, "A bad day on the road is better than a good day at the office." Interns come and interns go. Frequently interns find themselves locked into a frenzy worried about how well they are doing as an intern. Are they as good as the last intern? Or the next? The best interns are those who bring lots of enthusiasm with them when they go to work. It is less important at this stage in your development that you are eager to learn from both your successes and failures-and there will be plenty of both-than it is to come back with a good photo from every shoot. The staff members that you work with are old. They are tired. They have shot the same events over and over. The enthusiasm you bring to the table is contagious. Look at the world with wide-open eyes lake those of a child. Get pumped. Get excited. Challenge yourself. Challenge your staff. It's not good enough to be able to accept criticism. EMBRACE IT!!! You will become a better photographer and a better person quicker by humbly improving on your weaknesses than by trying to improve on what you already do right. Be a good person. Read philosophy. Don't be unfair to people who march to a different drum than yourself. It takes all kinds of people to make this world interesting. While you are in Nebraska accept the differences in the culture from what you are used to. Lots of people get down on Nebraskans for being too conservative. Those same photographers often times are the ones who claim they would like to do a stint covering the changes in Afghanistan. Guess what? Afghanistan is REALLY conservative. Deal with it. Document it. As an intern you might have to deal with a crummy schedule. It's okay. You might be in this profession for 30 years or more. Wouldn't it be nice if you only had to work nights and weekends for the first few of those? The rest of your years as a photojournalist, you can let the intern do it. Don't forget, you are new to this. Like everybody else, you have to pay your dues. Do it humbly. For crying out loud, why are there not any disk golfers? It is a beautiful day. Practice patience…it truly is a virtue. Not interested in sports photography? Practice it anyway. The lessons of anticipation in sports photography translate well in all other types of photography. You love sports photography? Let me know. I'll see to it that you get your fix. You want advice? Ask. You want an edit? Ask. You have a stupid question? Ask. You want to work on a story? Find one. Like the Nike commercial says, Just Do It. Your coworkers are busy people. If you don't seek their guidance they might assume you don't want or need it. But we are rarely ever too busy if you ask for guidance. Remember, your enthusiasm and desire to learn and improve is contagious. We feed off that and will appreciate you for it. We will happily sit down and work with you. --Lane]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=110

Vacations are nice for silencing the hustle and bustle.]]>

Vacations are nice for silencing the hustle and bustle.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=109

Vacations are nice for seeing the forest through the trees.]]>

Vacations are nice for seeing the forest through the trees.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=108

Vacations are nice for wide open spaces.]]>

Vacations are nice for wide open spaces.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=107

I have a personal shooting philosophy that whenever I'm covering something that can be riden, I ride. If I'm shooting people at an amusement park, I try to get myself and my camera onto the roller coaster. If I'm shooting people at a climbing wall, I strap the camera on tight and I climb. And when I'm shooting somebody who has built an Acro Sport II biplane capable of doing all kinds of crazy stunts, you bet your ass I'm going to ride. Here's a shot out to Kurt Muhle who took me up in his experimental plane that he built while I was shooting a Journal Star story on him and his brothers and father. It was a great experience, like a roller coaster without the bumpiness or the jerking around. __________________ I'm heading out for vacation. I've been pretty swamped with things so I haven't been very good about updating this journal. My hopes are when I get back, I'll get on a better schedule about updating it. Later.]]>

I have a personal shooting philosophy that whenever I'm covering something that can be riden, I ride. If I'm shooting people at an amusement park, I try to get myself and my camera onto the roller coaster. If I'm shooting people at a climbing wall, I strap the camera on tight and I climb. And when I'm shooting somebody who has built an Acro Sport II biplane capable of doing all kinds of crazy stunts, you bet your ass I'm going to ride. Here's a shot out to Kurt Muhle who took me up in his experimental plane that he built while I was shooting a Journal Star story on him and his brothers and father. It was a great experience, like a roller coaster without the bumpiness or the jerking around. __________________ I'm heading out for vacation. I've been pretty swamped with things so I haven't been very good about updating this journal. My hopes are when I get back, I'll get on a better schedule about updating it. Later.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=106

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NUDES DAY 2 of 2 Okay, I thought I would complete this thought in a day. Instead it took a week. As I stated in last week's journal, I usually ask somebody who is a friend and who seems to have an interest in the arts. Typically, anybody who I ask, I show them my work first. This not only allows me to gauge how they feel about the subject, but it also demonstrates to them that I am not shooting Hustler Magazine-type crotch shots. If she agrees, we plan a time and a place to meet for the shoot. Most all of my shoots have been where I was living at the time. There I will have one or two portable studio lights ready to set up, music and wine. The look and feel that I'm usually trying to capture includes a serious tone to it. The music I choose usually reflects that. I try to find something kind of modern but yet relaxing and almost classical in feel. If possible, I like to create a relaxed, sophisticated environment for the shoot so it doesn't feel like a cheap frills sex shoot. Wine is nice because a drink or two will help settle nerves. Beer is a little heavy; to get the same effects, one tends to get bloated. I suggest to the model that starting a couple hours before she shows up that she should wear loose-fitting clothes without undergarments to avoid pressure lines on the skin that might take hours to completely fade. I have a pre-session model release that basically states that I can use all the images that are anonymous in nature, those in which the model's identity is hidden, in any manner I want: galleries, my web site, future books, whatever. After I've processed all the photos, if I want any image in which the model's identity is revealed, I'll then ask her if she would release images on an image-by-image basis. Then comes the shoot. Usually the process lasts a couple hours. Somewhere in the middle there is often a break when I completely change the set or location to try something different. A lot of people have asked me (sometimes jokingly, sometimes seriously) if I sleep with my models or if I use this to pick women up. Absolutely not. I approach this very seriously. During the shoot there is absolutely no touching between me and the model unless I ask permission first, such as to move a lock of hair or something. I am very cautious not to do anything or act in any way that would be inappropriate or make the model uncomfortable in any way. Afterwards, I develop the film and edit it down to just a couple frames that I like. I scan the negatives. Eventually I make it into the darkroom and print 11"x14" prints. Then I contact the model and give her copies. I'm in no hurry, but one day I would love to have a gallery showing of my work: a nice wine-and-cheese affair. But it will probably take a while before I have a body of work large enough that I'm proud of enough to show. That said, if there is anybody out there who would be interested in modeling, certainly let me know. Here are some clips from the journal that I don't publish. It's mostly technical giberish and such. Comments on models, how the shoot went, what worked, what didn't, print exposure times, other thoughts.]]>

NUDES DAY 2 of 2 Okay, I thought I would complete this thought in a day. Instead it took a week. As I stated in last week's journal, I usually ask somebody who is a friend and who seems to have an interest in the arts. Typically, anybody who I ask, I show them my work first. This not only allows me to gauge how they feel about the subject, but it also demonstrates to them that I am not shooting Hustler Magazine-type crotch shots. If she agrees, we plan a time and a place to meet for the shoot. Most all of my shoots have been where I was living at the time. There I will have one or two portable studio lights ready to set up, music and wine. The look and feel that I'm usually trying to capture includes a serious tone to it. The music I choose usually reflects that. I try to find something kind of modern but yet relaxing and almost classical in feel. If possible, I like to create a relaxed, sophisticated environment for the shoot so it doesn't feel like a cheap frills sex shoot. Wine is nice because a drink or two will help settle nerves. Beer is a little heavy; to get the same effects, one tends to get bloated. I suggest to the model that starting a couple hours before she shows up that she should wear loose-fitting clothes without undergarments to avoid pressure lines on the skin that might take hours to completely fade. I have a pre-session model release that basically states that I can use all the images that are anonymous in nature, those in which the model's identity is hidden, in any manner I want: galleries, my web site, future books, whatever. After I've processed all the photos, if I want any image in which the model's identity is revealed, I'll then ask her if she would release images on an image-by-image basis. Then comes the shoot. Usually the process lasts a couple hours. Somewhere in the middle there is often a break when I completely change the set or location to try something different. A lot of people have asked me (sometimes jokingly, sometimes seriously) if I sleep with my models or if I use this to pick women up. Absolutely not. I approach this very seriously. During the shoot there is absolutely no touching between me and the model unless I ask permission first, such as to move a lock of hair or something. I am very cautious not to do anything or act in any way that would be inappropriate or make the model uncomfortable in any way. Afterwards, I develop the film and edit it down to just a couple frames that I like. I scan the negatives. Eventually I make it into the darkroom and print 11"x14" prints. Then I contact the model and give her copies. I'm in no hurry, but one day I would love to have a gallery showing of my work: a nice wine-and-cheese affair. But it will probably take a while before I have a body of work large enough that I'm proud of enough to show. That said, if there is anybody out there who would be interested in modeling, certainly let me know. Here are some clips from the journal that I don't publish. It's mostly technical giberish and such. Comments on models, how the shoot went, what worked, what didn't, print exposure times, other thoughts.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=99

I lied yesterday about today being part two of my journal about figure photography. Maybe tomorrow. ]]>

I lied yesterday about today being part two of my journal about figure photography. Maybe tomorrow. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=98

NUDES: Day 1 of 2. I get a lot of questions from some of my friends about photographing nudes. A lot of the people I associate with are other photographers, few of which shoot nudes. So I'll spend a couple days talking about this hobby of mine. Today: some of the inner-challenges faced with shooting the human figure. Tomorrow, I'll talk more about the actual shoot. Shooting nudes is an extreme challenge for me for several reasons. While I put a lot of emphasis on showing emotion using the face (eyes in particular) with my photojournalism, I think my nude work is a trying attempt at showing emotions, contrived or real, while removing the face altogether; all the while showing a technical proficiency and creating aesthetically beautiful images. But the quest for that beauty is my next challenge. I spend a lot of time looking at photography on the web: photojournalism, figure photography or other forms of photography. I find it interesting how much nude photography is out there that I don't like. In fact, I don't like most of it. It's not so much the case that the work is being done by untalented photographers. Lots of photographers who are pretty damned good make work that I just don't care for. Usually it's just a matter of taste, or whatever. So it is very difficult for me to make photos that stand up to my high standards of what a nude photo should look like. I sometimes fail. My last shoot was a bit of a frustration. The model was rushed for time, and we never really got into a groove of making good photos. The two photos on the right are from that session. These two are my favorites from the shoot, but to be honest, I'm not a huge fan. There lies the third major challenge: models. I feel only slightly more comfortable asking somebody to pose for me than that person would be modeling for me. It is hard to find a model who feels comfortable unclothed in front of a camera, especially when I am as timid as I am about asking. Usually I ask people who seem to have a strong appreciation for the arts and who have a certain level of trust with me. All have been friends: some closer than others. ]]>

NUDES: Day 1 of 2. I get a lot of questions from some of my friends about photographing nudes. A lot of the people I associate with are other photographers, few of which shoot nudes. So I'll spend a couple days talking about this hobby of mine. Today: some of the inner-challenges faced with shooting the human figure. Tomorrow, I'll talk more about the actual shoot. Shooting nudes is an extreme challenge for me for several reasons. While I put a lot of emphasis on showing emotion using the face (eyes in particular) with my photojournalism, I think my nude work is a trying attempt at showing emotions, contrived or real, while removing the face altogether; all the while showing a technical proficiency and creating aesthetically beautiful images. But the quest for that beauty is my next challenge. I spend a lot of time looking at photography on the web: photojournalism, figure photography or other forms of photography. I find it interesting how much nude photography is out there that I don't like. In fact, I don't like most of it. It's not so much the case that the work is being done by untalented photographers. Lots of photographers who are pretty damned good make work that I just don't care for. Usually it's just a matter of taste, or whatever. So it is very difficult for me to make photos that stand up to my high standards of what a nude photo should look like. I sometimes fail. My last shoot was a bit of a frustration. The model was rushed for time, and we never really got into a groove of making good photos. The two photos on the right are from that session. These two are my favorites from the shoot, but to be honest, I'm not a huge fan. There lies the third major challenge: models. I feel only slightly more comfortable asking somebody to pose for me than that person would be modeling for me. It is hard to find a model who feels comfortable unclothed in front of a camera, especially when I am as timid as I am about asking. Usually I ask people who seem to have a strong appreciation for the arts and who have a certain level of trust with me. All have been friends: some closer than others. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=93

This shot-out is way overdue. Gerik Parmele, who's celebrating birthday number 30 this weekend, is setting the standard for photojournalism in this state. He's getting a big ol' shot-out from me for three reasons: 1. Gerik is shooting better than he ever has, and better than anybody else in the state. This last year the Grand Island Independent photographer won photographer of the year honors by the Nebraska News Photographers Association. He single handedly received more awards from that competition than the 6-man staff at the Lincoln Journal Star. Click here to see the G.I. Independent story. 2. His website is the biggity-bizzomb! Not only can you catch his award winning photos on there, but his journal, [unbidden], has been a major inspiration for many people, certainly including myself. Frequently updated, readers of [unbidden] can keep up on Gerik's keen eye for detail. Gerik is also notorious for posting links to various other websites of interest to photojournalists. 3. Gerik is just a genuine good guy. In a career that many feel is overflowing with testosterone-laden egos, Gerik remains one of the friendly, humble good guys of the business. Thanks, Gerik, for raising the bar for the rest of us. ]]>

This shot-out is way overdue. Gerik Parmele, who's celebrating birthday number 30 this weekend, is setting the standard for photojournalism in this state. He's getting a big ol' shot-out from me for three reasons: 1. Gerik is shooting better than he ever has, and better than anybody else in the state. This last year the Grand Island Independent photographer won photographer of the year honors by the Nebraska News Photographers Association. He single handedly received more awards from that competition than the 6-man staff at the Lincoln Journal Star. Click here to see the G.I. Independent story. 2. His website is the biggity-bizzomb! Not only can you catch his award winning photos on there, but his journal, [unbidden], has been a major inspiration for many people, certainly including myself. Frequently updated, readers of [unbidden] can keep up on Gerik's keen eye for detail. Gerik is also notorious for posting links to various other websites of interest to photojournalists. 3. Gerik is just a genuine good guy. In a career that many feel is overflowing with testosterone-laden egos, Gerik remains one of the friendly, humble good guys of the business. Thanks, Gerik, for raising the bar for the rest of us. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=89

I was assigned to make a photo at Holmes Lake yesterday, a small lake within the city of Lincoln. The photo I made is in many ways just a simple photo. Not much more to it than point and click. But making photos like this is really one of my very favorite things in the world. The fleeting, directional light; the colors in the sky reflecting off the water; the stillness in the air. Everything seems to sit still, still and serene. A combination feeling of peace and excitement comes over me during this quiet moment. The only thing breaking the silence is the slap of the mirror in my camera as I make the photo. The photo I made is in many ways just a simple photo. It's pretty, yes. But it won't change the world. When I'm browsing somebody else's work, this photo probably wouldn't make me pause for very long. But when I'm scrolling through my own work I will take pause on this frame. It will bring me back to that beautiful moment of tranquility on a Thursday evening. ]]>

I was assigned to make a photo at Holmes Lake yesterday, a small lake within the city of Lincoln. The photo I made is in many ways just a simple photo. Not much more to it than point and click. But making photos like this is really one of my very favorite things in the world. The fleeting, directional light; the colors in the sky reflecting off the water; the stillness in the air. Everything seems to sit still, still and serene. A combination feeling of peace and excitement comes over me during this quiet moment. The only thing breaking the silence is the slap of the mirror in my camera as I make the photo. The photo I made is in many ways just a simple photo. It's pretty, yes. But it won't change the world. When I'm browsing somebody else's work, this photo probably wouldn't make me pause for very long. But when I'm scrolling through my own work I will take pause on this frame. It will bring me back to that beautiful moment of tranquility on a Thursday evening. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=88

___________________________ I spent my evening backstage where a couple Elvis impersonators were getting ready for a show. Aren't I sexy? Sexy baby! ___________________________]]>

___________________________ I spent my evening backstage where a couple Elvis impersonators were getting ready for a show. Aren't I sexy? Sexy baby! ___________________________]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=85

The other day the Journal Star paid me to go to the Lincoln Capitols indoor football game. This guy apparently paid money to get in. _____________________________ On a completely unrelated topic, a guy approached me last night downtown and said, "I hear you are the best photographer in the city." He's wrong. But it was a pretty nice thing to hear anyway. ]]>

The other day the Journal Star paid me to go to the Lincoln Capitols indoor football game. This guy apparently paid money to get in. _____________________________ On a completely unrelated topic, a guy approached me last night downtown and said, "I hear you are the best photographer in the city." He's wrong. But it was a pretty nice thing to hear anyway. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=84

When I took my first photojournalism class, a guy by the name of Ryan Soderlin was shooting his first rolls of film right along with me. Both starting on the path to becoming reporters, we instead fell in love with photojournalism together. That semester we took some really lousy photos together. But with a common thread of loving photography and laughter, we became pretty good friends from the get-go. The following summer I got stranded when I missed my ride in Minnesota, about 7 hours away from Lincoln. I talked to Ryan on the phone, and he was ready to hop into his late 70's, 5 mile-to-the-gallon, beast of a red Ford truck and pick me up. That was before we really became good friends. Back then I was right in the midst of my "misspent youth" and decided that hitchhiking was a fun and exciting alternative. So I told Ryan to just stay posted. He ended up picking me up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, late that night. Today Ryan is not only a great photographer, as you can tell from the photos in the last journal entry, but he is really the best guy on earth. Lots of people say they would take a bullet for their friends. Ryan is the type of guy that hops into a car and drive across the country so that he could take a bullet for his friends. With a goofy giggle always behind his demeanor, Ryan sets at ease even the crankiest subjects while on assignment. He is a popular guy anywhere he goes. Ryan needs to use his fingers to count all the times he's been a groom's best man during wedding ceremonies. He is well loved by all and certainly by me. That's why I'm sending this shot out to Ryan Soderlin. Ryan and I used to drink beer and eat tapioca pudding into the wee hours of the morning, trying to figure out how the hell to use a flash. "Bounce it this way." "Bounce it that way." "Try it in ATTL." "Try it in 'M' mode." "I don't get it." We really sucked back then. But we are starting to get a little better.]]>

When I took my first photojournalism class, a guy by the name of Ryan Soderlin was shooting his first rolls of film right along with me. Both starting on the path to becoming reporters, we instead fell in love with photojournalism together. That semester we took some really lousy photos together. But with a common thread of loving photography and laughter, we became pretty good friends from the get-go. The following summer I got stranded when I missed my ride in Minnesota, about 7 hours away from Lincoln. I talked to Ryan on the phone, and he was ready to hop into his late 70's, 5 mile-to-the-gallon, beast of a red Ford truck and pick me up. That was before we really became good friends. Back then I was right in the midst of my "misspent youth" and decided that hitchhiking was a fun and exciting alternative. So I told Ryan to just stay posted. He ended up picking me up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, late that night. Today Ryan is not only a great photographer, as you can tell from the photos in the last journal entry, but he is really the best guy on earth. Lots of people say they would take a bullet for their friends. Ryan is the type of guy that hops into a car and drive across the country so that he could take a bullet for his friends. With a goofy giggle always behind his demeanor, Ryan sets at ease even the crankiest subjects while on assignment. He is a popular guy anywhere he goes. Ryan needs to use his fingers to count all the times he's been a groom's best man during wedding ceremonies. He is well loved by all and certainly by me. That's why I'm sending this shot out to Ryan Soderlin. Ryan and I used to drink beer and eat tapioca pudding into the wee hours of the morning, trying to figure out how the hell to use a flash. "Bounce it this way." "Bounce it that way." "Try it in ATTL." "Try it in 'M' mode." "I don't get it." We really sucked back then. But we are starting to get a little better.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=73

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I'm slipping on how often I update this. Last night I went chasing after the partial solar eclipse that was going to be seen during the final hours of the day. I was excited about it because it isn't often that there is an eclipse that occurs here during sunset. Sunset is the only time of day you can really photograph the sun and another object. But because of an all-day overcast and storms brewing throughout the evening, I relied on the good folks at the National Weather Service to guide me through the storms to a clear western horizon. Eventually I found myself near Bladen, Nebraska, just north of Red Cloud. To people who read this journal, this photo will look really similar to the sun setting over Eagle that I shot a couple months ago. I was looking for a windmill or maybe a rural church. But I couldn't find either so this small town worked. On the exact opposite side of the sky that I was shooting the sun setting, was the storm that I had just driven through.]]>

I'm slipping on how often I update this. Last night I went chasing after the partial solar eclipse that was going to be seen during the final hours of the day. I was excited about it because it isn't often that there is an eclipse that occurs here during sunset. Sunset is the only time of day you can really photograph the sun and another object. But because of an all-day overcast and storms brewing throughout the evening, I relied on the good folks at the National Weather Service to guide me through the storms to a clear western horizon. Eventually I found myself near Bladen, Nebraska, just north of Red Cloud. To people who read this journal, this photo will look really similar to the sun setting over Eagle that I shot a couple months ago. I was looking for a windmill or maybe a rural church. But I couldn't find either so this small town worked. On the exact opposite side of the sky that I was shooting the sun setting, was the storm that I had just driven through.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=69

I spent the day at the Cattlemen's Ball, an event that the Journal Star had to buy a $60 ticket so that I could cover it. That's bull. ]]>

I spent the day at the Cattlemen's Ball, an event that the Journal Star had to buy a $60 ticket so that I could cover it. That's bull. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=68

I'm not really sure what to say about this last entry. My camping trip with Matt included some kind of photographic journey in search for Jesus with some very interesting results. The first photo I made of a Jesus action figure. Later on a storm started to brew up so Matt and I went to this crucifix we had seen to try to capture it with lightning in the background. Driving rain right into our lenses and police officers performing background checks on us made it a pretty difficult shoot. Matt pulled away with the only decent shot.]]>

I'm not really sure what to say about this last entry. My camping trip with Matt included some kind of photographic journey in search for Jesus with some very interesting results. The first photo I made of a Jesus action figure. Later on a storm started to brew up so Matt and I went to this crucifix we had seen to try to capture it with lightning in the background. Driving rain right into our lenses and police officers performing background checks on us made it a pretty difficult shoot. Matt pulled away with the only decent shot.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=67

The break I badly needed has come. I'm spending four nights camping at Spirit Lake in northwestern Iowa with Matt Miller. We are really roughing it. Steaks and beers fill up the coolers. Last night we hopped from bar-to-bar. Today we shot some of the most miserable games of pool the two of us have ever conjured. Now after a refreshing shower, I'm pecking away on a laptop computer. Okay, so we aren't really roughing it at all. It's such a relief to replace yelling across the newsroom with skipping stones across the water. To replace driving from assignment to assignment to assignment with hiking aimlessly through wooded trails. It's such a relief to do away with alarm clocks, appointments and cell phones. And even though we aren't breaking completely away from civilizations, there are some simple pleasures that we are enjoying that we don't normally: cooking over an open fire, sleeping under the stars, peeing outside. ]]>

The break I badly needed has come. I'm spending four nights camping at Spirit Lake in northwestern Iowa with Matt Miller. We are really roughing it. Steaks and beers fill up the coolers. Last night we hopped from bar-to-bar. Today we shot some of the most miserable games of pool the two of us have ever conjured. Now after a refreshing shower, I'm pecking away on a laptop computer. Okay, so we aren't really roughing it at all. It's such a relief to replace yelling across the newsroom with skipping stones across the water. To replace driving from assignment to assignment to assignment with hiking aimlessly through wooded trails. It's such a relief to do away with alarm clocks, appointments and cell phones. And even though we aren't breaking completely away from civilizations, there are some simple pleasures that we are enjoying that we don't normally: cooking over an open fire, sleeping under the stars, peeing outside. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=62

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I got home about 11pm Monday night after a freelance gig. It was the start of my weekend and I got this wild bug up my ass that said that I had to leave town. Go! Get out! Be gone! So I grabbed a basketful of dirty clothes and hit the open road. Nothing like an empty highway to give you a sense of freedom. Western Nebraska is chalk full with such highways so that's the way I went. I ended up staying with a friend of mine near my home-town of North Platte, lodged neatly at the edge of the Sandhills of Nebraska. The sandhills are a vast area of pasture-lands with tall native grass growing atop rolling sand hills. All the eye can see out there is big sky, hills and barbed wire. Little has changed from the way it looked 200 years ago. My hiatus was cut short when I accepted an assignment for the New York Times in south-central Nebraska for today. It was pretty much on my way back and it is the New York Times, so why not? In all honesty, I really needed a break from it all. One day was not quite enough. ]]>

I got home about 11pm Monday night after a freelance gig. It was the start of my weekend and I got this wild bug up my ass that said that I had to leave town. Go! Get out! Be gone! So I grabbed a basketful of dirty clothes and hit the open road. Nothing like an empty highway to give you a sense of freedom. Western Nebraska is chalk full with such highways so that's the way I went. I ended up staying with a friend of mine near my home-town of North Platte, lodged neatly at the edge of the Sandhills of Nebraska. The sandhills are a vast area of pasture-lands with tall native grass growing atop rolling sand hills. All the eye can see out there is big sky, hills and barbed wire. Little has changed from the way it looked 200 years ago. My hiatus was cut short when I accepted an assignment for the New York Times in south-central Nebraska for today. It was pretty much on my way back and it is the New York Times, so why not? In all honesty, I really needed a break from it all. One day was not quite enough. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=55

On this Mother's Day, I'd like to send a shot out to my mom, Karen Hickenbottom My mom is the most loving, beautiful person in the world. She is thoughtful, nurturing, kind-hearted and a whole lot of fun. ___________ Mom, you are a true friend. All that I am and will be, started out with you. Thank you for all that you have done for me.]]>

On this Mother's Day, I'd like to send a shot out to my mom, Karen Hickenbottom My mom is the most loving, beautiful person in the world. She is thoughtful, nurturing, kind-hearted and a whole lot of fun. ___________ Mom, you are a true friend. All that I am and will be, started out with you. Thank you for all that you have done for me.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=53

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Some days I just don't feel like doing much of anything. This is one of those days.]]>

Some days I just don't feel like doing much of anything. This is one of those days.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=44

Don't tell the boss, but sometimes I think I work better when I'm a little sleep deprived and still have alcohol from the night before flowing through my veins. Last night I worked late, then helped the Daily Nebraskan staff celebrate their end-of-the-year party. Afterwords, my good buddy Ryan Soderlin and I closed down the bars. Then of course we had to get something to eat and stayed up for a short while longer. So a 7:00am Lincoln Marathon start time kind of sucked. But I made several photos I liked. The photo above was my favorite. Then I made Ryan's photo. ]]>

Don't tell the boss, but sometimes I think I work better when I'm a little sleep deprived and still have alcohol from the night before flowing through my veins. Last night I worked late, then helped the Daily Nebraskan staff celebrate their end-of-the-year party. Afterwords, my good buddy Ryan Soderlin and I closed down the bars. Then of course we had to get something to eat and stayed up for a short while longer. So a 7:00am Lincoln Marathon start time kind of sucked. But I made several photos I liked. The photo above was my favorite. Then I made Ryan's photo. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=41

The sun descends into the western horizon, signalling that the day's work is almost done. I shot a couple images tonight on my way back from the Eagle Raceway. It's nice to occasionally slow down and appreciate the beauty of my environment.]]>

The sun descends into the western horizon, signalling that the day's work is almost done. I shot a couple images tonight on my way back from the Eagle Raceway. It's nice to occasionally slow down and appreciate the beauty of my environment.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=37

Photo by Matt Miller Caption: Phillip Marech, a refugee from Sudan, died from cancer just days after Matt made this photo earlier this month. The cancer was caused by complications from a bullet that lodged in his liver. Phillip was shot three times in Sudan before he escaped to the United States. He was 22. Matt asked if I would include this link for anybody that wants to know more about the Lost Boys of Sudan. ------- When I went to college at UNL, there was one photographer who was always raising the bar for everybody else. That is just one of the many reasons I have to send a shot out to my buddy, Matt Miller. Shooting for the Rochester Post Bulletin in Minnesota, Matt is still kicking butt. He recently won all kinds of honors in the Minnesota News Photographers Association 2001 Pictures of the Year Contest,including Best of Show and third place Photographer of the Year. Associated Press Sweepstakes award for Division 2 of Minnesota. Matt is overwhelmingly passionate about his craft. He possesses the compassion to allow readers to connect with subjects like Phillip Marech (right), the technical ability to capture and create light like few other photojournalist and the anticipation required to make in-your-face sports action photos. Some of his older photos can be found at his web site which is poorly neglected, but rich in photographic content. Like I said earlier, Matt really rose the bar when we were photojournalism students together in college. Still today, he remains one of my most significant photographic influences, keeping me on my toes and making me strive for excellence. If there are any photo editors out there reading this, pay attention to this guy. Of all the photographers I've worked with, he is the most likely to win a Pulitzer someday.]]>

Photo by Matt Miller Caption: Phillip Marech, a refugee from Sudan, died from cancer just days after Matt made this photo earlier this month. The cancer was caused by complications from a bullet that lodged in his liver. Phillip was shot three times in Sudan before he escaped to the United States. He was 22. Matt asked if I would include this link for anybody that wants to know more about the Lost Boys of Sudan. ------- When I went to college at UNL, there was one photographer who was always raising the bar for everybody else. That is just one of the many reasons I have to send a shot out to my buddy, Matt Miller. Shooting for the Rochester Post Bulletin in Minnesota, Matt is still kicking butt. He recently won all kinds of honors in the Minnesota News Photographers Association 2001 Pictures of the Year Contest,including Best of Show and third place Photographer of the Year. Associated Press Sweepstakes award for Division 2 of Minnesota. Matt is overwhelmingly passionate about his craft. He possesses the compassion to allow readers to connect with subjects like Phillip Marech (right), the technical ability to capture and create light like few other photojournalist and the anticipation required to make in-your-face sports action photos. Some of his older photos can be found at his web site which is poorly neglected, but rich in photographic content. Like I said earlier, Matt really rose the bar when we were photojournalism students together in college. Still today, he remains one of my most significant photographic influences, keeping me on my toes and making me strive for excellence. If there are any photo editors out there reading this, pay attention to this guy. Of all the photographers I've worked with, he is the most likely to win a Pulitzer someday.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=36

"We have nothing to fear and a great deal to learn from trees, that vigorous and pacific tribe which without stint produces strengthening essences for us, soothing balms, and in whose gracious company we spend so many cool, silent and intimate hours." -- Marcel Prous, Pleasures and Regrets, 1896 Okay, I am going to stay on this tree kick for one last day. Yesterday while on assignment covering Farmhouse fraternity members helping landscape an elementary school, I decided to climb a tree to get a different angle. It's important for photojournalists to try to look at the world from different angles and SEE it through their own unique eyes. I wish I could say that yesterday I was hard at work and trying to think out-of-the-box. It really wasn't so lofty of an endeavor. Nope, I just needed to climb a tree. This seemed like as good of an excuse as any. Little did I know at the time that it was Arbor Day. In this journal, I would like to occasionally send a "shot out" to deserving people. Today, I give a shot out to J. Sterling Morton, the creator of Arbor Day. On this day, 100 years ago, the Nebraskan journalist and politician died. ________________________ Maybe I'm part hippy, or maybe I'm part monkey; but there is something just so very nice about climbing up into a tree. It's such a beautiful thing, a living organism that has the life span of hundreds of years that gives home to millions of other living organisms throughout that time. It gives us oxygen. Trees just radiate life. Being snuggled up in the high branches of a tree, looking down on the world, is simply one of the best ways to enjoy them.]]>

"We have nothing to fear and a great deal to learn from trees, that vigorous and pacific tribe which without stint produces strengthening essences for us, soothing balms, and in whose gracious company we spend so many cool, silent and intimate hours." -- Marcel Prous, Pleasures and Regrets, 1896 Okay, I am going to stay on this tree kick for one last day. Yesterday while on assignment covering Farmhouse fraternity members helping landscape an elementary school, I decided to climb a tree to get a different angle. It's important for photojournalists to try to look at the world from different angles and SEE it through their own unique eyes. I wish I could say that yesterday I was hard at work and trying to think out-of-the-box. It really wasn't so lofty of an endeavor. Nope, I just needed to climb a tree. This seemed like as good of an excuse as any. Little did I know at the time that it was Arbor Day. In this journal, I would like to occasionally send a "shot out" to deserving people. Today, I give a shot out to J. Sterling Morton, the creator of Arbor Day. On this day, 100 years ago, the Nebraskan journalist and politician died. ________________________ Maybe I'm part hippy, or maybe I'm part monkey; but there is something just so very nice about climbing up into a tree. It's such a beautiful thing, a living organism that has the life span of hundreds of years that gives home to millions of other living organisms throughout that time. It gives us oxygen. Trees just radiate life. Being snuggled up in the high branches of a tree, looking down on the world, is simply one of the best ways to enjoy them.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=32

The sky was looking pretty cool yesterday and I was taking a country drive back to the office from a town about a half hour away. I stopped and took a quick photo of this tree that seemed to really compliment the sky. Yesterday in my journal I mentioned climbing trees. Here is a poem I wrote several years ago: Aborescent Fortress Beneath the heavens, Yet above the earth, Lies a tranquil purgatory Within the sturdy branches Of a giant shade tree. Engulfed by the aborescent fortress And surrounded by living walls, I become temporarily removed From the bitter, frightening truths Of the ground's distant reality. The coolness that is radiated From off the lush green leaves Which are seen in all directions, Provides a thick barrier From the hot and humid summer day. Above, a canopy of foliage, Rustling in the mellow breeze, Protects my delicate skin From the blistering fireball A close 94 million miles away. A tiny bug emerges From the deep, dark valleys Of the rugged blistered bark Only to mysteriously hide again, Disappearing from human eye. As I suck in the oxygen-rich air, A chill rushes up my spine Leaving my hair standing On a foundation of goose-bumps, Reaching for the sky. Laying on a mattressless, wooden bed Of branches and twigs and leaves, I am provided with a comfort Not given by any Sealy-Posterpedic Or down-filled pillow. This rush is almost unreal. Such a sensation Of being a billion years away from the world Only twenty feet below ]]>

The sky was looking pretty cool yesterday and I was taking a country drive back to the office from a town about a half hour away. I stopped and took a quick photo of this tree that seemed to really compliment the sky. Yesterday in my journal I mentioned climbing trees. Here is a poem I wrote several years ago: Aborescent Fortress Beneath the heavens, Yet above the earth, Lies a tranquil purgatory Within the sturdy branches Of a giant shade tree. Engulfed by the aborescent fortress And surrounded by living walls, I become temporarily removed From the bitter, frightening truths Of the ground's distant reality. The coolness that is radiated From off the lush green leaves Which are seen in all directions, Provides a thick barrier From the hot and humid summer day. Above, a canopy of foliage, Rustling in the mellow breeze, Protects my delicate skin From the blistering fireball A close 94 million miles away. A tiny bug emerges From the deep, dark valleys Of the rugged blistered bark Only to mysteriously hide again, Disappearing from human eye. As I suck in the oxygen-rich air, A chill rushes up my spine Leaving my hair standing On a foundation of goose-bumps, Reaching for the sky. Laying on a mattressless, wooden bed Of branches and twigs and leaves, I am provided with a comfort Not given by any Sealy-Posterpedic Or down-filled pillow. This rush is almost unreal. Such a sensation Of being a billion years away from the world Only twenty feet below ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=31

I photographed eighty-year-old Reuben Worster and his son Ronald for a Journal Star story the other day. I can't get him out of my mind. Reuben lost his life savings when a bank closed about 20 years ago. The money was to help support his mentally retarded after Reuben died. The thing that echoes in my mind over and over is when I left Reuben's house, he bid me farewell by saying, "I truely hope you have a better life than mine." He meant it. I've maybe never met a more able person who was more miserable. This guy was angry beyond definition. He spends hours every day trying to recover his losses. The two crosses in the photo are in his yard and read "COMMONWEALTH VICTIM". One for him, one for Ronald. He took the one for his wife out when she passed away. "I truely hope you have a better life than mine." He was making a statement about his own life, to be sure. But I listened. It is important not to waste away doing something that leaves you ultimately empty and unhappy. I'm going to make a concerted effort to do things that bring about an inner peace. For me that means hopping into my rinky-dink sail boat. Climbing a tree. Letting the sun warm my face. Beethoven. I would hope that things turn around for Reuben, but I know they wont. My only hope for him now is that when he passes, his soul may finally rest. Peace to you, Mr. Worster. ]]>

I photographed eighty-year-old Reuben Worster and his son Ronald for a Journal Star story the other day. I can't get him out of my mind. Reuben lost his life savings when a bank closed about 20 years ago. The money was to help support his mentally retarded after Reuben died. The thing that echoes in my mind over and over is when I left Reuben's house, he bid me farewell by saying, "I truely hope you have a better life than mine." He meant it. I've maybe never met a more able person who was more miserable. This guy was angry beyond definition. He spends hours every day trying to recover his losses. The two crosses in the photo are in his yard and read "COMMONWEALTH VICTIM". One for him, one for Ronald. He took the one for his wife out when she passed away. "I truely hope you have a better life than mine." He was making a statement about his own life, to be sure. But I listened. It is important not to waste away doing something that leaves you ultimately empty and unhappy. I'm going to make a concerted effort to do things that bring about an inner peace. For me that means hopping into my rinky-dink sail boat. Climbing a tree. Letting the sun warm my face. Beethoven. I would hope that things turn around for Reuben, but I know they wont. My only hope for him now is that when he passes, his soul may finally rest. Peace to you, Mr. Worster. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=30

Not much to say today. This is one of my plants. His name is Eduardo.]]>

Not much to say today. This is one of my plants. His name is Eduardo.]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=29

This is Isaiah. Isaiah is four and was born with cerebral palsy. I've only met him once so far but let me tell you, this kid is really cool. In about a month doctors are going to operate on him, try to losen things up so that he can one day walk without the aid of a walker. I don't know too much about him yet, other than that he is extremely brave, extremely smart and extremely cute. His mother has agreed to let me follow Isaiah for the next few months and document his struggle to walk with his own two legs. I can honestly say that I haven't been as excited about a project like this for a long time. It will be good to work on something important for a change. Not that I don't value our man-on-the street interviews that I have to shoot on Fridays. Okay, the truth? I don't value them at all. But this should be a lot of fun. I just need to work at doing the story the justice it deserves. ]]>

This is Isaiah. Isaiah is four and was born with cerebral palsy. I've only met him once so far but let me tell you, this kid is really cool. In about a month doctors are going to operate on him, try to losen things up so that he can one day walk without the aid of a walker. I don't know too much about him yet, other than that he is extremely brave, extremely smart and extremely cute. His mother has agreed to let me follow Isaiah for the next few months and document his struggle to walk with his own two legs. I can honestly say that I haven't been as excited about a project like this for a long time. It will be good to work on something important for a change. Not that I don't value our man-on-the street interviews that I have to shoot on Fridays. Okay, the truth? I don't value them at all. But this should be a lot of fun. I just need to work at doing the story the justice it deserves. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=28

I love the wet season in Nebraska... A day like today is perfect for a quiet afternoon with a cup of jo and a cigarette. Nebraska doesn't get too very much rain, so for me it is a welcome change. As a photographer, I love the color saturation of everything on a drury day. Reds, yellows, blues and greens all explode with rich hues. When the sun comes out, some of that color stays. Just one day like this will help the green of spring replace the brown of winter. Life is sprinkled onto the trees, ready to bud out. Ready to become lush sanctuaries, protecting us from the harsh July heat. What a great time of year!]]>

I love the wet season in Nebraska... A day like today is perfect for a quiet afternoon with a cup of jo and a cigarette. Nebraska doesn't get too very much rain, so for me it is a welcome change. As a photographer, I love the color saturation of everything on a drury day. Reds, yellows, blues and greens all explode with rich hues. When the sun comes out, some of that color stays. Just one day like this will help the green of spring replace the brown of winter. Life is sprinkled onto the trees, ready to bud out. Ready to become lush sanctuaries, protecting us from the harsh July heat. What a great time of year!]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=27

Photos by MJ Williams ---- I'd like to send a shot out to MJ Williams, our intern for the past few months. MJ is one cool cat. She is well-travelled, knows more languages than I have plants, and she carries more spunk with her than anybody I know. So I tip my drink to you, MJ. Thanks for joining us for the past short months. ]]>

Photos by MJ Williams ---- I'd like to send a shot out to MJ Williams, our intern for the past few months. MJ is one cool cat. She is well-travelled, knows more languages than I have plants, and she carries more spunk with her than anybody I know. So I tip my drink to you, MJ. Thanks for joining us for the past short months. ]]> http://lanehickenbottom.com/view_trash/index.php?id=17

It's amazing what fun you can have with a camera. The other night, I went to O'Rourkes, a local bar, with a couple other LJS photographers, Eric Gregory and William Lauer. Before long we were photographing nearly everybody who walked by the window. It was a jolly good time, and we met some interesting people. Some of the acts people will perform are unreal. This is a short part of what I witnessed while out having a couple drinks.]]>

It's amazing what fun you can have with a camera. The other night, I went to O'Rourkes, a local bar, with a couple other LJS photographers, Eric Gregory and William Lauer. Before long we were photographing nearly everybody who walked by the window. It was a jolly good time, and we met some interesting people. Some of the acts people will perform are unreal. This is a short part of what I witnessed while out having a couple drinks.]]>