Epic Status Photoblog

Finally, late as usual, I have the last installment of the 3 part series of Halloween on Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines, Iowa.  Since I was a “photographer” I could carry some lighting equipment with me, and not get so many weird looks.  It works out great because I can achieve much better lighting than with standard on camera strobe flashes.

A facial costume of sorts, if you will.

 

She means business, let me tell ya.  Couldn’t even crack a smile out of her.

 

 

 

 

They had some girls line up on top of the pool table for me.  They probably mistakenly identified me as Arturo Fernandez again.  I didn’t ask, I just started snapping away and requesting more tinsel… more wind… oh and while you’re at it call the Zoo, some wild animals would look spectacular right over there.

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t want to ask.

 

 

As in “Seriously, this is my costume.”

 

By the end of the night, apparently I started having trouble figuring out who was in costume and who wasn’t.  While walking back to the car I snapped off this shot while we passed these two gentlemen.  I thought they were in costume as a Farmer and a Lawyer.  In my own embarrassing defense, the street wasn’t well lit… and what men dress up to go to Court Ave?  Maybe it was a wedding, a Halloween wedding.  I don’t know, but nevertheless I sincerely apologize for the mix up.

Bars, Des Moines, Downtown, Greatest Hits, Night, People

This is the second installment of a three part series from Halloween 2007 downtown, where I’m continuously mistaken for Des Moines Juice photographer Arturo Fernandez.

 

 

 

Nuked ‘em with flash.  Oops.  I can take horrible photos if I want to, I work for myself, remember.

 

 

 

This guy has been waiting for this picture for a few months, sorry man.  I have a feeling someone’s myspace icon will be changing soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Des Moines IA MMA girls

 

Bars, Des Moines, Downtown, Greatest Hits, Holidays, Night, Parties, People

This Halloween we did something different for a change.  Richards Dad and step mom previously hosted awesome annual Halloween parties, but decided that it’s too much work to continue.  We were forced to find something else to do, so we hit up downtown Des Moines.  This is the first of three posts from this night.

 

Just getting started at Johnny’s downtown

 

My beer maiden.

 

Richard had to see the butt doctor, lucky for him they had one on staff.

 

The humor that this suite invites is limitless.

 

 

I really enjoyed the idea of this taken out of the context of Halloween.  Imagine  just stumbling upon this photo somewhere.  It’s just something so strange you have to stop and think about what’s going on or where it is.  In case you haven’t picked up on it, I’m “into that stuff.”

 

 

It was one of those back and forth downtown nights.  We wandered between a few court avenue bars, trying to satisfy most everyone (or the loudest spoken) in our entourage.

 

Pee Wee spotted, hide your children.  Get that damn cellaphone out of my way.

 

Liars Club, Court Ave Downtown Des Moines on Halloween.

 

Excellent costumes and attention to detail.  They could have used a drink though.

 

 

 

 

Yes, a ballerina tu-tu tranny with penis in hand.  I’ve seen everything now.

 

 

 

I was managing to survive with getting tapped on the shoulder every other second with some desperate chick begging me to take a picture of her in costume.  But this is different.  These girls weren’t even in some poor attempt of a costume.  Nothing, zip, nada.  To pour salt on the wound, the begging “me me me, my turn, my turn” chick on the left wouldn’t stop staring at my remote flash.  I’m sure you’re brilliant in your own ways, but the lens is down here sweetie.

 

 

 

Much more still to come…

Bars, Des Moines, Downtown, Greatest Hits, Holidays, Night, People

A quick shoot of Tom and Amber’s kids before the sun gets too low.

 

 

 

 

Des Moines, Night, Outdoor, People

The much acclaimed Halo game franchise has concluded with Halo 3.  Hundreds of stores nationwide opened at midnight on the night of Monday the 24th for pre-sales.  In select larger cities the festivities included store sponsored parties, prize giveaways, and in-store game matches.  Above shows the Halo 3 release line at Game Stop in Urbandale Iowa at 8pm, 4 hours prior to the release.

 

Best Buy Halo 3 line at 8pm on Sept 24th.

 

Zoom forward to 11pm.

 

All kinds of people attended.  One guy brought his cat with, while a highly bearded guy appears to be praying.

 

 

 

Free Red Bull for everyone waiting in line.  It helped everyone stay awake long enough to get some games in before going to sleep.  Well, for those of us that went to sleep this night.

 

 

 

 

 

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This guy that works at ColorFX is a huge asshole.  Can I say that here?  Of course I can.  I don’t like to bust people out, but this is a valid exception.  Anyway, bigshot here is apparently more important than everyone else.  He employed this clever game of making small talk with someone ahead in line then walking in front of them, two or so at a time.  Very slick.  If you’re bigger than this ogre and see him in a dark alley, you know what to do.  

 

 

Hugs 25 Cents

 

Let the journey begin, or end… Halo 3 Trilogy.

Night, Outdoor, People

A good kegger doesn’t always just happen.  Sometimes the right variables are finessed to create better than usual results.  This was one of those times, and with some help from the cold weather, everyone was forced to cram into the house and be more social.  It wasn’t the biggest keg, but what really mattered was everyone had a great time.  Many more came after I couldn’t hold the camera straight anymore.  Sorry, you’ll have to come earlier to get on this bandwagon.

 

 

 

 

I gave a flash to Shuey to experiment with.  He pulled some pranks on people and luckily nothing was damaged in a fit of anger.  If you look around the room, especially at the ceiling, you can see the peach tint from light reflecting off his skin.  He literally nuked the hell out of this guy’s face.

 

 

Enough of that, I’ll hold the flashes myself.

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting in line for the bathroom.  This chick wondered what the hell we were up to.  I wasn’t about to leave my camera laying around so I continued to shoot a couple random shots.  I entertain myself quite well thank you.

 

 

 

 

To smile or not?  The never ending question.

 

 

 

I had crappy shadows all night because I didn’t hold the flash high enough.  It’s honestly not easy holding a heavy camera with one hand and your beer and a flash in the other, while trying to move around the room.

 

Chad came and posed for a money shot.  Uhh, you know what I mean.  He’s trying to push forward in his photography post-processing career.

 

Lucky for me, models tend to show up wherever I go.  On this fine day I didn’t have to deal with any models that aren’t approved.

 

Crazy Joe practiced his disco dancing, I think he’ll win the comp this year.

 

 

 

Des Moines, Night, Parties, People

We went camping somewhere other than the Saylorville area this time.  Island Park in Adel Iowa was a great alternative and just as close to Des Moines.  Not to mention it’s right beside Adel, providing easy access to necessities.

 

Bonnie and Josh’s combined children show their superhero strength.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard got the rest of us in trouble with our significant others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In case anyone wonders, my camera takes some good pictures.  Luckily there’s no human intervention needed, it does it’s job then lets me know when it’s done.  Now if I can only teach it to cook for me.  But then again, my pans cook some really tasty food anyway.

 

 

We met this assumably remotely rural lad while he walked through our camp to get to the Raccoon river.  He stood at our camp for a little while, telling us stories about his pa, ma, and other family members.  After we couldn’t stand to hear any more we had to tell him to “run along now.”  Nice kid, if not tear jerkingly boring.  They must not have any neighbors or schools in his area.  The kid sure can hold a fishing pole for a 8-hour shift, let me tell ya.

 

 

Island Park Adel, Electric Sites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The gals played the game telephone with the kids.  Amusing.

Attractions, Greatest Hits, Nature, Night, Outdoor, Parties, People

We went with the mother and Ken to the Grand Piano Bistro in the East Village area of Des Moines.  The bistro is an interesting place to go for something different.  They will play almost any request within reason that you throw at them, along with humerous games with on-stage volunteers.  Also I’d place them in the local top 10 for the best variety of beers.

 

 

 

 

 

Bars, Des Moines, Music, Night, People

Tom and I went to the Woodland Cemerery near downtown Des Moines to scope out the awesome sights reported to exist here.  Not being ones to spook easily, we went there around sundown.  Be aware of their closing time, as the automatic gate will lock you in and you’ll have to resort to more creative methods to exit the grounds.  Besides that, there’s not even enough light on the grounds to avoid tripping over the cold hands that reach out of the ground to grab your feet.

 

Many fancy mausoleums were scattered around the place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Des Moines’ “City Receiving Vault”

 

 

 

 

 

Des Moines, Night, Outdoor

We all met up at West Port in West Des Moines.  After taking a couple serious pictures, I’m known for randomly taking a few more without warning.  Catching people off-guard can be fun.

 

The girlies

 

Then we went to Jeannie’s Bottle where they had karaoke night.

 

Jake does this strange Irish Jig thing when the camera points in his direction.  Some kind of nervous tick or something?

 

As if you don’t see Irish Jigs in bars all the time.  Nothing to see here folks.

 

 

 

Jake shows off his tattoo.  He courteously censored his nipple to avoid contaminating the minds of young children who haven’t yet been exposed to such obscenely terrible body parts.

 

I terrified the bejesus out of the singer from Hulk and the He-Men.  He was frightened that I’d melt his skin with my flash again.

 

Karaoke is not just about your singing, it’s about your stage presence as well.

 

 

Lawn mower time is my favorite!

 

 

Richard met Cal Woods, the news director at KDSM Fox 17 in Des Moines.

 

Pee Wee

 

 

The lack of Ham was short lived.

Bars, Des Moines, Night, People

I arrived at the National Balloon Classic in Indianola, IA (30 mins from downtown Des Moines) just in time to see the balloons heating up in preparation to fly.

 

More hot air balloons than you can shake a stick at, literally.  Over 80 balloon pilots participated in this years event.

 

 

They have to try to catch a flag on this pole.  Balloon pilots can only steer by adjusting altitude to catch different directional air streams.  Even then it’s usually not possible to move more than a couple directions.  Learn more.

 

 

 

 

I was shocked by the massive number of people that drove to Indianola on a Wednesday night to see the balloon classics.  Although I can’t blame them, it’s something you have to see in person.

 

 

Night Glow, or “Nite Glow Extravaganza” according to National Balloon Classic lingo.  All participating pilots attempt to simultaneously release gas into their balloons, making them glow in the twilight.

 

 

Tree birdhouse hot air balloon

 

 

Towards the end of the Night Glow (Nite Glow Extravaganza) the staff opens the gates, allowing spectators to visit with the balloon pilots and get a much closer look at these huge contraptions.

 

 

 

Attractions, Greatest Hits, Night, Outdoor, People

I’ve done enough “rail fan” photos lately, but this one introduced itself to me while I was trying to drive to the MLK viaduct.

 

 

 

Going… going…

 

Gone

Des Moines, Night, Outdoor

I’m always a sucker for these downtown Des Moines skyline shots.

 

 

Buildings, Des Moines, Downtown, Greatest Hits, Night, Outdoor

Playing pool at Club 2000 on Des Moines’ South side.  It’s not really a club and it’s not really 2000.  It’s more like the Park Avenue Pub after winning the lottery.  They even have carpet here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bars, Des Moines, Night, People

Scouting a location for the Epic Status billboard ad.

 

This one will do.

Des Moines, Night, Outdoor, People, Unusual

? Came back for more shots of the bridge at Gray’s Lake.

 

 

 

The? tallest of the downtown buildings can be? seen in the background.

 

 

Attractions, Des Moines, Nature, Night, Outdoor

As many children do, I grew up with an interest in these magnificent monsters.? Being up close to them for the first time since I was a child brought me to realize the cars are much? larger than they look from afar.? There’s a rush of excitement being near them and feeling the thunderous roar of the rail car links compressing and expanding as the locomotive pushes and pulls the cars to organize them by destination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: The railroad system is another sector that’s observing post-9/11 “overcautionism.”? Don’t make a spectacle of yourself if you want to observe these beauties closer.? The area is under human video surveillance at all hours.? Also residents in this neighborhood are vigilant and? they will notice and observe you.? Resist the urge to go between the plethora of tracks for any reason, it’s not only trespassing but extremely dangerous.? Multiple locomotives work to reorganize trains and are coming and going at all times.

Des Moines, Night, Outdoor