I went on a field trip with my oil and gas class last week to an active drilling rig. This particular rig is more than 6000 feet deep. Natural gas prices are very high and climbing right now. Whoever owns this particular well will make millions, as will the owner of the land, the production company, any overriding royalty interest owners, and, of course, the lawyers.
Pretty isn't it? Don't you worry that filthy little pool is lined with plastic.

Here's the gem of the series. Check out injury number three. I think it's my favorite but they're all pretty good. I met some of the guys who work these rigs. Let's just say it's not a job for the delicate. Apparently they start at 21 dollars an hour though.

I am so happy that Chair and Lippy stopped in Denver for a few days on their trip back west. Colfax and I both benefited from spending some time with these down-home folks. Highlights of their visit: a heated debate about the Disney film Pocahontas, playing fetch with Colfax, and of course Jaebos. I am pleased to report the I have abodpted the Jaebos habit.

Apparently there's a whole series of these coming out on mrchair soon.

Lippy made some friends at the Squire on Colfax. They're from Texas. Actually, I'm not sure they liked us. The lady in the picture asked me how old I thought she was. I thought I was being nice with 32. Apparently she was 29. Oops.

Denver sits at the base of the frontrange of the Rockies. God's country if you ask me.

I call this series of photos "Shots From the Hip." All of the photos were taken on Colfax Street in Denver and were taken with a new style of photography I've been practicing. I hold my camera in my hand at my side and take the picture from there. I'm working under the presumption that my subjects are unaware that their picture is being taken. It's difficult to aim but with some practice I'm starting to get the hang of it. I've been able to get some interesting candid shots this way.