Jeff Lautenberger

Gov. Jay Nixon jokes with ABC Laboratories President and CEO Byron Hill during a tour of the facility. Nixon announced the Next-Generation Jobs Team, a federal stimulus program to match young Missourians with summer employment at high-tech firms.

Despite pitching this assignment to my photographers and making it sound really cool, no one picked it up. Fifteen minutes before the event was supposed to start, Outlook section editor Andrew Denney and I just decided to cover it ourselves. By the time we arrived at ABC Laboratories in the Discovery Ridge complex, the governor had already begun his tour of the bio-chemistry plant. Luckily, we were able to meet up with the rest of the press in the facility – after suiting up in white lab coats and goggles of course.

The amateur drag show in Memorial Union on Saturday night wasn’t nearly as technically elaborate and polished as last year’s, but was still entertaining and flashy with just the right amount of irreverence. I only took about five or six photos and didn’t play with flash like Chris did, but I liked this one and the wide crop.

The 2009 Missouri Tigers made their first public appearance Saturday in the annual Black and Gold spring game. An all-new offense faced off against the defense in a scrimmage-like event with 15,000 fans scattered around Faurot Field. Just like last year, the weather was miserable, cloudy with light rain. I really need to invest in a Think Tank Hydrophobia or something so I can stop looking like a damn fool with a garbage bag wrapped around my 400.

After a week or so of dreadfully chilly and cloudy/rainy days, the sun finally came out and bathed warmth on Columbia (at least for a day, it’s supposed to rain again tomorrow). My morning classes were canceled so I spent most of the day outside just walking around campus and taking photos.

In celebration of the Day of Silence, LGBT individuals and allies held a protest at Speakers Circle, forming a circle of solidarity around the usual street preachers, one of whom allegedly accosted an LGBT person the previous day. The Hooten Hallers played nearby.

After a pizza lunch with Chris, we walked by the Tap Day festivities on Francis Quadrangle and saw a dude with a fishing pole (and tackle) hitched onto the back of someone’s bike. Interesting.

Tomorrow I’ll be shooting the Black and Gold spring football game at Faurot Field.