. . . at the end of the tunnel.

Behind Cycle Extreme.

The print version of this image is much sharper and much better, but here you go.

This mural was actually painted in grayscale, so this photo is an accurate rendition. My site is finally fixed! No more errors here, just lots of photos. I just got three rolls of film back, 2 from the Holga and one from the Olympus, and I’ve got plenty worth posting so expect frequent updates. Hurray!

Knuckleheads is a very cool, very retro biker bar next to an old train yard in KC. We had a helluva time finding the place, but we were well rewarded. We went to see a band called The Rumblejetts and we weren’t disappointed. If you’re ever in KC, you gotta check this place out. Here’s Steve watching the Rumblejetts on TV in one of the back lounge rooms.

Just picked up my prints for the Olympus from KC et al. I’m very pleased with the results. God I love that wee little camera! This shot is my favorite:) Lots more to come.

Another from the Jazz District in KC.

This is one of the well-preserved attractions in the Jazz District in KC. More info here.

Finally got some photos from my trip to KC - just the Holga shots so far. I’m still working on the roll in my Olympus. Most of them, including this one, are from the historic Jazz District around 18th and Vine. We were eager to check out this area for all its promises of food, jazz, and history. I was surprised to discover that this district is in incredible disrepair, and the only attractions that are actually operational comprise one very short block of the street. Even this block relied on a huge faux cardboard facade, painted elaborately to convey the aesthetic of a bygone era in which Kansas City was known as the “Paris of the Plains.” As is my habit, I wandered onto some side streets to get a closer look at the vacant buildings. I’ve come to realize that I’d much prefer to photograph shabby, rundown buildings than new shiny ones, so this neighborhood was ripe for the picking. But I’ve never seen so many beautiful old buildings, full of stories and histories, left in such a state of decay. It’s a tragedy. If I had a million dollars, I’d love to restore them.

I know this isn’t much of a photograph, but I wanted to introduce you to the mysterious Walking Dude. I see him everywhere, always walking, all over town. All the time. He never stops! He just walks! Everywhere! I started seeing him so much that I decided that I was going to try to photograph him every time I see him. I haven’t succeeded in that, but this was one of my first captures in December. It’s the only one where you can see his face. Eventually I decided that I probably shouldn’t whip out a camera every time I approach him or he’ll get creeped out. I have a good hunch that he’s homeless (he’s obviously unemployed, unless he’s getting paid to walk), and he doesn’t seem to want to attract attention. I’d love to talk to the guy, but he refuses to even make eye contact with me, let alone speak to me. Which makes me wonder . . . what if he’s thinking, “Who IS that strange girl with the camera? I see her walking EVERYWHERE!”

A church near Rio’s Tae Kwon Do school.

One from the archives. It’ll be a while before I get my film developed, and meanwhile I’m backing up my old photos from last year. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do in that department, and so if I stumble upon any more gems like this one, I’ll post ‘em.