After spending years as a flyer with a private team, my younger sister Ashley started cheerleading for Iowa State University.

 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 misidentified 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 nicely 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.

 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

This Halloween we did something different for a change.  Richards Dad and Mona previously hosted awesome annual Halloween parties, but suddenly decided that Halloween is blasphemy.  We were forced to find something else to do, so we hit up downtown Des Moines for our first Halloween at the bars ever, and had a good time after all. 

I’m often at war with myself over whether this site should be rated G to increase possible viewers or let loose and include potentially disturbing but interesting content.  For the sake of human interest, nothing will be held back in this series. 

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 physical 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 in 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.  In all fairness I admit I’ve read other photographers state they run into these types every few years.

Much more still to come…