K-Stater (back) in the White House!

Lately, former K-State photographer Pete Souza has been making headlines.

A week and a half ago, Souza was named as the official White House Photographer for President Elect Barack Obama.

This morning, Pete was interviewed on NPR about his new post. (There's also a story about it in today's Wichita Eagle

When Obama was elected President, the fleeting thought of Pete returning to the White House certainly crossed my mind. Pete lived and worked in the Washington bureau of the Chicago Tribune for several years ... which was when he photographed Obama's first year as a senator. Of course, the gallery link goes beyond that.

In the gallery, scroll down to the 6th photo of Barak w/ Malia at the Library of Congress. It just melts my heart ....

These images are compiled in a book, "The Rise of Barack Obama" and it can be purchased at Amazon.

Pete also was a White House photographer for President Regan, which is why several of us Tri-X photogs suspected he might end up back in the White House. When the former president died, Souza was asked by the family to return and document his funeral activities for the family. What a true honor.

I remember at a gathering of photographers who worked at newspapers in the Harris Newspaper Group. There were some awesome, awesome photographers there, and among them was Souza (he'd worked at Chanute early in his career). At that time, he showed his documentary work from Regan's funeral. I was weeping ... WEEPING when we were done looking at the photos. They're so beautiful ... timeless ... classic ... poignant.

Back to the K-State connection.


Often, alumni photographers would come back and work with us on projects, mentor us, critique our photos ... Pete certainly had the reputation of being hard as nails and giving "no holds barred" critiques of portfolios. Crying was common (I was told). But every comment he gave us only served to better our work, and to help thicken our skin. :-)

Next week, I'll be in D.C. for the March for Life. It's just a few short days after Obama's inaguration. I'd love to think I could just "stop in" and say "hi" to Pete, but I suspect things will be a *little* crazy. But I'm just such a nosy nellie, I'd love to see Pete's domain.

On a complete side note, I didn't realize Obama is a leftie. I know, I know. I'm such a dork. It's just one of those things I notice. Especially since my dad is left handed. :-)

Other awesome lefties: Bishop Paul Coakley, Babe Ruth, Julia Roberts, Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Oprah Winfrey. Yeah, there are DOZENS out there, but this is my short list (and "the Babe" is on there for Erik, so he doesn't feel emasculated by having this random chick list on our blog). ;-)

Chicago — for Mike

When Mike learned I'd be in Chicago shortly after Obama was elected President (thus making him president-elect), he said "bring me back something Obama!" ... but with limited suitcase space, this picture will have to do, Shep. Sorry. :-(

It was interesting to just prowl the streets of Chicago. I don't know the "mood' of it normally, but I did see a LOT of Obama pins on lapels ... of people old, young, black, white ... it didn't matter. Seems people are proud.


And THIS was truly a treat! I stayed with Erik's buddy (and best man), Matt, who is a producer at one of the TV stations in Chicago. I watched a few shows from the control room (which is a loud, crazy place, even if only 3 people are in there!).

VOTE!!!!!!!!

I don't care if you are a

or a


Today's message is short and sweet: Tomorrow ....


Yeah, yeah, yeah, people are circulating endless emails about the evils of candidates ... whatever. I'm getting sick of them and am counting the hours until this cursed election is over.

But I want to point out this .... there are races that are probably JUST as important as the national races, yet few people pay attention to them. What are they? Local governments. City and County commissions. I covered these bodies for 3+ years as a reporter ... and it's TRAGIC how few people are actually involved in local politics .... the stuff that DIRECTLY and affects your life EVERY DAY.

Ok, for example: The City of Salina will spend almost $70 MILLION in 2009. Yup, the city has a $70 million budget. How many people came to a city commission meeting to talk with commissioners about it? Less than 5.

Cities and counties do everything from keeping the trash picked up and the sewers running to paving and reapiring the roads you drive to work on.

I won't ramble anymore, but just do yourself a favor and vote for local elections ... then when you have an issue, call or e-mail your commissioner. I guarantee they'll be more responsive than some schmuck in Washington or Topkea will be.

And in case you want to know how to gather info on local candidates, a lot of newspapers publish a voters guide ... the two I saw were in the Oct. 19 ballpark ... so if you need more info on candidates, go to your local paper's Web site or drop by the office to help select those that will be spending millions of dollars in YOUR community.

NPR break!

Soooooo, I was on the road earlier this week and have to say I got the BIGGEST laugh out of this story about the guys who did voice overs for the political ads. I'm not interested in discussing politics on the blog here .... just suiffice to say I'll be glad when this election is OVER. From the national to the local, races are just down and dirty. I'm ready for all the mud-slinging to be DONE.

As I was prowling through NPR's Web site, I had a flashback to an earlier blog post about the Little House on the Prairie lawsuit. Yeah, it made it to NPR!!!!!!!! Seriously, un-friendly Family Productions ... it's outrageous. Click HERE to check it out.

Flip flopper

It's official. I'm a flip flopper. Some have been accused of this in a negative way. But it would be impossible for me to NOT flop. Here's why: I believe it's important that as a reporter I am unaffiliated with any political party. SO I register as unaffiliated.

When did I flip? I became a Republican in Independence so I could vote in a local primary I felt VERY strongly about.

When did I flop? Right now, baby! I've just registered as a Democrat here in Hays to be able to sign a petition and vote in a primary for the Democrats I feel VERY strongly about. (Seriously, the most interesting political races in Hays/Ellis County are Democratic ... the Republicans around here are sedate).

SO ... what does this mean in the big picture? I was actually concerned my right-wing daddy-O would flip out when I told him. Instead (and to my GREAT surprise), he was all excited. Seems to think I'll help draw out the Hilary/Obama thing longer and give Republicans a better chance at the White House. Um ..... not my intention, but as long as he hasn't disinherited me, I'll take it. ;-)

What does the future hold? I'll wait until primaries are over, then re-register as unaffiliated. That simple.