Angie and Mike's Blog

Harley's sad because Angie didn't come home from work today. She's in KC until Thursday and poor Harley just doesn't understand. Apparently she does this when I leave for an extended period of time but I've never gotten to witness it until tonight.

Labels: Angie, Harley, KUSM-W, work

Angie accompanied me to the medical school today for the opening reception of my exhibit "Keepers: A Collection of Newspaper Photographs." It's up through Feb. 27. It contains 20 of my most favorite images from my newspaper days. I was asked by the medical school's art director last summer to consider doing a show. It was a bit stressful trying to get it put together at the same time I became a new dad but the warm welcome I received today made it all worth my while. Let me know if you're interested in seeing it before it comes down.

Labels: KUSM-W, Mike, work

My co-worker James made this caricature of me today and titled it "Mike's Typical Weekend." For the past couple of weeks thats certainly been the case although I'm not really sure about the overalls!

Labels: KUSM-W, Mike, work

Harley's been the talk of the medical school this week after her picture was published on the flat screen monitors throughout the campus. There's a safety training seminar being held Saturday and the school asked for staff, students and faculty to submit photos of them with their pets. Probably a couple of dozen people responded. Jennifer, the gal in charge of changing the screens, did ask if it was alright to refer to Harley as Angie's "dog baby." What else is she? :)

Labels: Angie, Harley, KUSM-W, work

The governor came to the medical school yesterday to sign of a bill authorizing the expansion of KU's pharmacy school to Wichita. Following the ceremony, she mingled with some pharmacy students from Lawrence who came down for the event. Monday was also the first day for new students and new residents start Thursday. With so much going on, I almost felt like I was back in the newspaper business. I'm glad I'm not, though. The Eagle announced layoffs last week that snatched two in the photo department (the night desk editor and a shooter) and my good friend Chad lost his job in Daytona Beach on Monday. Hang in there, Chad ... there's life after newspapers!

Labels: KUSM-W, work

Yesterday I posted a shot of me inside the studio. I've got more of those but I'll wait so that I can share this picture of Angie today at her desk in the HR office. To her credit, she'd just returned from an activity and hadn't yet taken down the sign pointing visitors to another office in her department. But, she looked perfectly happy to sit there and "work" while directing those visitors elsewhere. Fortunately, our HR director has a great since of humor, unlike other HR directors we've worked for in the past, and really enjoyed this shot.

Labels: Angie, KUSM-W

Needless to say, I had some spare time at work today so I continued "shooting myself" after receiving a JayStar on Tuesday. Most of my photographer friends will probably be able to figure this out. I'm guessing most of my colleagues at work won't.

Labels: KUSM-W, Mike

About once a week I have to shoot these things at work called JayStars. They are "on the spot" recognition of a job well done. Think of it as an employee-of-the-month type award without the regularity. They don't usually make a picture but I go anyway, because, well, I'm expected to. So I go. It's less of a hassle that way. Just the other day I was thinking that I should get a JayStar for shooting all the JayStars.

Today, I got my wish! The staff in University Relations nominated me for a JayStar because of the work I've been doing. It's apparent that the medical school hasn't had a real photographer for some time, if ever, so the fact that I like to crawl out of my studio every now and then and actually shoot our students learning medicine is something of a novelty.

Between the people in UR and the people from HR and the people from my department, there were about 15 people gathered outside my studio today. There was just one person missing – me. There was no one there to shoot me receiving my JayStar.


So I made a self-portrait today. If it looks like I'm happy to have received a JayStar, it's because I am. I've never worked at a place that encourages and nourishes a positive environment. It's something that I'm still getting used to.

Labels: KUSM-W, Mike, work

A co-worker walked into my studio this afternoon and said, "I've been meaning to ask you all day. Did you lose a bet or something?" Hey, it's an honest question especially when such a proud and devoted K-Stater shows up to work (I do work at KU, mind you) wearing a Jayhawk shirt.

No, I didn't lose a bet. There was this basketball game last night and KU came from behind to win in OT and apparently it's a very big deal. I don't know about all that. K-State still has Michael Beasley. For a few more days, at least. But I digress. No, in a show of school spirit, I donned a KU shirt at work today. If I only wear it following national basketball championships, I won't have to wear it for another 20 years!

Ooh, ouch!

Labels: KUSM-W, Mike

Angie models a new outfit before leaving for her first day of work at KUSM-W. Today she started in the HR department at medical school. Yes, we see each other ALL the time now. And we're Jayhawks. Ick.

Labels: Angie, KUSM-W, work