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I’ve been fascinated with the idea of photographing Native American ritual for quite a few years now. When I realized the Wind River Dancers, of the Wind River Indian Reservation near Riverton, Wyo., were going to be performing at the American Indian Heritage Day Celebration at the Cheyenne Depot Museum this past Saturday, I jumped at the opportunity.

What I found was a diverse display of traditional dances from tribes such as the Ojibwe and Arapahoe. The dances themselves had a variety of purposes from healing to paying homage to animals to retelling stories of battle and the hunt. Some were even highly functional, such as the mens’ grass dance — wherein Native American tribes would use dance to flatten grass on the prairies where they would make their camps.

I wasn’t surprised to find that, by arriving early, I found pictures that I treasure as much as the shots of the main event. Meaning, with many performances and athletic events, I find that the preparation photographs tell just as much, if not more, than the shots of the main event. Here, I’ve provided a few photos of traditional Ojibwe performer, Brad Whelan, as he prepares his headdress, feather bustle (a spread of golden eagle feathers which go on his back) and other items for his performance for the public. You’ll also notice photos which display the clothing and dance which, amongst other things, makes these cultures so unique.

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God, I love Grease!

The scene when Danny Zuko and Sandra D make the school carnival their own private Studio 54 is fantastic. Every night I pray to God and ask to wake up as Danny. To date, my prayers have gone unfulfilled and I am merely a half white guy with the rhythm of reinforced steel.

Unlike me, however, the K through 2 students at Jessup Elementary can, as Young MC said, bust a move…

For the 50th day of school, the three grade levels at J.E. danced and jived and mash potatoed as if it were 1950. The only major difference was the lack of corporal punishment, polio shots and lead paint. Must be nice to have such great teachers. Growing up, I was lucky not to get cigarette ash in my eyes in the classroom and these kids are partying like it’s 1959. Man-o-man, what a lifestyle.

As the events heated up in the gym (literally, it must’ve been 188 degrees), I longed to reenact the National Bandstand dance off when that minx ChaCha DeGregorio stole Danny from Sandra D… but alas, I did not want to scare the children. Imagine being 5-8 years old, enjoying a school function only to have it ruined by a “man” dancing (more so flailing) on the dance floor like a cat with no legs in a swimming pool.

Yeah, that’s not good for anyone. Real square.

See ya later alligator.

I have to admit that I don’t know much about video games. While shooting this assignment, I managed to be booed by those in line when I admitted that I haven’t owned one since the Nintendo Gameboy of the 1990’s with their dim, green and black screens. Still, I figured this assignment would lend itself to something interesting.

Our features editor, Kevin Wingert, was doing a review of the game. So, I found myself going to Cheyenne’s GameStop for a photo of the crowd of about 50 waiting for the game roughly four hours before it was released.

The fan who was first in line, Robbie Sexton, told me that he had been there since 7:20 that morning. Sexton added that he had been getting by on Mountain Dew without a nap for the 13-hour wait. Sexton was still first in line when I came back at midnight to see what the scene was like when the game was actually released. But, now, the line had swelled to at least 500 people, if not more.

The assignment got interesting after the lights went out for a procedure which the utility company runs.  With no power for the cash registers, only those who had prepaid for the game got to leave with it that night. The Cheyenne Police Department dispersed the rest.

Shooting the assignment was what I had hoped for: a collection of die-hard fans laughing, joking and arguing to pass the time. I had fun photographing the way in which fans showed their enthusiasm — by wearing the gas mask featured in the previous installment of the game, for example. The hint of “spot news drama” as the police arrived also added some thrills to the assigment. Overall, the experience was a journey into a pretty distinct subculture.

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Early in October, the sun was shining, leaves were a vibrant gold and pink and I walked around without a shirt almost daily.

Then the terror struck.

Two separate snow storms resulting in the city’s most prolific snowstorm in October left us in a daze. Honestly, who rakes up trees killed by snow only to see a tree be planted later that month in sunshine with little or no visible snow?

I wasn’t so mad about the ridiculously windy and snowy days. No, they were minor… relegating me to wear a shirt, however, what a joke. Mostly, the erratic patterns were mind boggling. Shirt or no shirt, mittens or no mittens, pants or no pants.

Come on, give me a hint!

Seriously, I haven’t been this confused since my father decided to become a woman… well, he really didn’t, but it’s probably about that confusing.

If you’re like me and almost lost your mind due to the inconsistency of the past month, then join me in my quest to get government funding for weather-related anguish.

Measures are already being taken to help alleviate some of the problems created in the past month.

In a joint effort with the city, an expert (namely me) has suggested building a fireplace in my house to help combat cold days. A nominal tax would ensure that I would have plenty of wood to burn in the event that my toes became too cold and my nose too runny.

Conversely, funds are also being raised to procure a swamp cooler or Central Air for extremely warm days.

Write your local politicians to keep me up to speed with the ever-changing Wyoming climate.

Click “continue reading” below for more photos.

Thanks for looking and enjoy the Wyoming Tribune Eagle photo staff’s collection of the peculiar month of October.

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The rosary brought to life is epic.

Grandpa Milton (my dad’s dad) prays the rosary every morning — so early that even God is asleep. He walks slowly throughout the house praying each bead diligently. That is about as live as I’ve seen the rosary.

Until today.

The students at St. Mary’s School hosted their fourth annual live rosary. Candles were placed in a circle — in the likeness of a rosary — and each was lit as a corresponding prayer was said. A pretty good twist on a classic affair.

For the most part, I didn’t try to get too fancy. My wet boots made it difficult to walk without squeaking. I should have prayed for better weather while I was there.

For more photos, click “continue reading” below.

Thanks for looking.

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