Unforgettable Encounter: Confronting Chaos and Bees in Wichita

May 13, 2016, stands out vividly in my memory. On that day, I found myself in Wichita, Kansas, immersed in a peculiar assignment alongside Scott Evans. Our task led us to the outskirts of west Wichita, where a car collision involving bees had unfolded. The situation bore resemblance to the infamous baseball game delay in Arizona caused by a swarm of bees. As we made our way to the scene, my expectations were uncertain. Perhaps, I speculated, it involved just a few bees. I couldn't have been more mistaken. What greeted us was a sea of hundreds of bees, a formidable challenge for the responding police and fire units.

Reflecting on that year, I recalled attending a video conference in Oklahoma, where I was determined to capture the best footage and sound quality on-site. I had an audacious desire for authentic bee sounds, a decision I would come to regret. In a moment of folly, a bee found its mark on my eyelid, leaving a lingering sting that remains palpable even today. Suddenly, I found myself unwittingly becoming a part of the very story I sought to document. It was an experience I found discomforting, bordering on embarrassment.

However, amidst the chaos, there was a silver lining. Among those we interviewed, one individual stood out, expressing an unabashed disdain for bees. His candidness provided a touch of gold to an otherwise challenging and unexpected situation.