Pictures from Governor Sebelius' Inaugural Ball (picture heavy)

[Mabus]

Okay, first off, my pictures suck. But, I had a great time. These are from Monday night (1/8/07).

The evening was called "Think Big" and featured posters of notable Kansas people and tables of food and drink from Kansas. It was held at the downtown Ramada in Topeka.

There was some red wine from a Kansas winery. I had a glass of it. It wasn't that bad but I thought it was a tad sweet. We (me and Rex) wandered into one of the rooms that featured Kansas meats. Oh man, there were buffalo burgers (about the size of a White Castle burger), prime rib, pork loin, and a whole bunch of other meats. For a carnivore, it was pure heaven.

Here are the table settings:

Not that there were many tables. It was more of walk around thing.

I ran into Steve Boyda. He said Nancy (D- 2nd CD) was still in D.C. attending some classes for new Congress Critters. I saw him later giving an interview with one of the Topeka channels.


The event started at 5:30 and shortly after 7:30 they had all of us line up along both sides of the main hallway while the recently (re)elected officials walked between us. I got in line a little late (:eyes:, like that's anything new) and ended up standing behind former Governor Mike Hayden and his wife.

The "march" started off with Dennis Moore (D-3rd CD).



And then went to the statewide elected officials, including the new State Board of Education (they got a huge round of applause and cheering)




Each group of officials were preceded by military escorts (usually accompanied by their wife or girlfriend - secretly I was thinking "someday, when America grows up, there will be same sex escorts")


Anyway, the crowd went absolutely crazy when (D)Paul Morrison's name was announced. And the craziness explains this picture I got of Morrison as he walked by


Gov. Sebelius (D) also got the crowd in a frenzy. Here's the picture I got of her.


Anyway, the marchers all went into the Grand Ballroom where our re-elected Governor Sebelius welcomed all of us and thanked us for joining her in the evening. We watched her on one of the big screen televisions in the lobby because the Ballroom was packed.


She introduced Thomas Franks, who mumbled so no one could understand a frigging word he said.


Then the Gov. spoke again and turned it over to her husband, Keith. He introduced the band and the dancing began. We did make it inside the Ballroom after a while but this was the closest I got to the dance floor.


It was a little claustrophobic in the Ballroom, so we headed back out to the main floor and wandered around talking to people. Here's our favorite DU associate talking to Douglas County DA Charles Branson (D) and his wife, the stunningly beautiful, Kathy Branson. Kathy is a grade school teacher here in Lawrence.



And this was just a part of the festivities going on around the Ramada (or, just some random pictures of what was going on during the evening).






Oh yeah. I got a commemorative book and some chocolate covered sunflower hearts called "Sunny Seed Drops" from a company in Lenexa.

edited to add "D" for Democrat.

[evlbstrd]

1. You should be a photojournalist!

I especially like the ones of Morrison and Sebelius.
What did they make you drink from the shoe in the first picture?
You looked stunning by the way.

[Mabus]

2. It's definitely a new art form when I take pictures

What kind of art is anyone's guess.

Hey, at least I included my screw-ups. But seriously, the crowd went wild.

I hate pictures of myself.

[evlbstrd]

3. I seriesly liked them.

It's Modren Art (not a typo). I respect you for including them. It's like when we used to use film, and showed the pictures around straight of the yellow-orange envelope while dropping the negatives on the gravel.
You need pictures of yourself with your jesus.

[Mabus]

4. I still can't find Jesus

I think my Buddah ate him.

[evlbstrd]

5. You know how jealous those gods can be.

Disguising themselves to screw humans and stuff. Is that any way for a god to act?

[Mabus]

6. You wouldn't think so

Well, maybe I was too hasty. I might have been Buddha or but it might have also been Crusty the Clown. I know Ringo wouldn't hurt him. Although, it might have been the "Wee-wee Gnome." I never have trusted that one.

You know what? I have way too many toys for a woman my age. :blush:

[evlbstrd]

7. They're toys??!!

I'm gonna hyperventilate.

[Mabus]

8. Except for the one that offed Jesus

That one is real. Now, if I could just figure out which one it is. :scared:

[evlbstrd]

9. Could it be this one?

[Mabus]

10. Naw

I haven't seen that one around lately. Last time I saw that doll, Karen Black asked if she could look at it, so it couldn't be him. Hmm, now that I think about it, I haven't seen Karen either.

[evlbstrd]

11. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her either.

How about this one?

[Mabus]

12. No, that's your doll

I saw in the bathroom at your house along with your black rubber, zipper suit with the ball gag. Er, never mind. :yoiks:

[evlbstrd]

13. That cabinet was locked.

How'd you get into it?

[Mabus]

14. I travel with my kit

By the way, if you find a fake nail it is probably mine. I broke it trying to get those frigging locks open. I'm just glad that your kids aren't as careful.

[evlbstrd]

15. I'll save it for you.

If my kids had good shit, you have to share. I probably paid for it.

[Mabus]

16. I didn't find that

But if evljr. or evlnphw are missing some underwear, just tell them the underwear gnomes took it. The smaller dogs are using what I "found" as body stockings. They like the way the collars fit but they complain the arm holes are too big.

[evlbstrd]

17. LOL!

The boys already live in fear of the underwear gnomes. They're apparently very mean.
Maybe the dogs like tighty whities better?

[Mabus]

18. Those were the tighty whities.

If I had taken the boxers I wouldn't be able to find my dogs.

[evlbstrd]

20. You hit the wrong room.

No wonder my ass is cold!

[Mabus]

21. And it explains the unusual streaking patterns

:spray: :rofl:

[evlbstrd]

22. Those aren't at all unusual.

Plus, did you know they're like fingerprints?

[Mabus]

24. I'll take your word for it

Because I don't plan to test the theory.

[evlbstrd]

25. You don't need to.

There's already a huge database.
The poor fuckers who tend it are called Asswhipes. It's a government job.

[Mabus]

26. How do you pronounce that?

Asswhipes. Is it ass-whip-es? Do you know the pay scale?

[evlbstrd]

27. They use "aws-wee-pays."

But nobody else does.
It's actually a very well paying civil service job, with great health benefits and a solid pension.
The exam sucks ass.

[Mabus]

28. "The Wire" is on BET

Wow. Season one.

But back to the topic, I heard there's a lot of paperwork to be done - especially if you get one of the bigger jobs. I also hear the offices are pretty small, cold and metallic.

[evlbstrd]

29. Damp, too.

Actually, there's no paper involved. It's all digital.
Go watch your show. We'll all be iced in this weekend. It's the New! Improved! Winter!(TM) Made from concentrate.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. Where did I miss seeing Mabus

in those pictures?

on edit: is she that big red blob?

[Mabus]

33. There was one picture of me

but it wasn't very good. And that really says something considering the quality of "good" pictures I posted. :crazy:

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. No wonder you lost Jesus

:evilgrin:

Oh and in case you forgot what he looks like:

[Mabus]

23. I think he caught the bus this time

instead of it catching him. That little guy has got to be around here somewhere. I just like telling people "I'm looking for Jesus" whenver they call.

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. I figured you would have a hard time

figuring out what to tell people once you finally found him.

I mean, you do have a reputation to uphold.

[Mabus]

31. I'll just tell the truth

Jesus was lost but he found his way back when I showed him the way.

I can spin as good as anyone else. :evilgrin:

[BuelahWitch]

34. Is that you in the second pic?

There are alot of blonde people in these pictures. You didn't go blonde on us, did you?
There should have been one obligatory "prom night" type photo. Why didn't the Admiral take one of you and Rex so we could see the front and not just the back and side? Jesus would never be able to find you in that crowd!!!

[Mabus]

35. Nope

The picture of me is stowed safely on my computer and no one shall ever see it again.

[BuelahWitch]

36. Well, Kramer found it and emailed it to me

Here it is:




And just so you won't be TOO awfully mad, I have also included a pic of me in my Sr. Prom dress:

[Mabus]

37. Bwhahahaha

Now I need to swap out the keyboards again. I've got a spare that comes in handy for times such as these.