in my last post, i implied that perhaps not all was right with the world….yesterday afternoon at this exact time i was filled with apprehension as we drove across the mountain range that separates Oaxaca city from Puerto Escondido on the Pacific coast of Mexico…twists and turns in the steep mountain road presented at least three near death misses, probably the "normal" stats for a 6 hour drive on this particular road….
my fear however was not the winding Mexican road nor the seemingly out of control cars narrowly missing our van head on nor the fast failing brake system on our Chevy van ….but i was scared to death that Barack Obama would not win…of course i knew he was ahead in all of the polls, but i could not let myself get too excited nor project victory in my own mind…i was prepared for disappointment….i had cast my vote before leaving New York, but i was so so afraid that some who were enthusiastic about Obama would just not go to the polls….
our Oaxaca workshop crew, taking vacation to the beach, and having survived the trip; Anton Kusters, Marie Arago, Mike Courvoisier, Maya Joseph-Goteiner, and Michael Young , could not believe the text messages coming to us within an hour of our arrival in Puerto Escondido….Obama was THE MAN!!! next President of the United States…we rushed around trying to find a television and saw Obama's acceptance speech and immediately ordered a round of celebratory tequilas…
Barack Obama cannot "save the world", and if any President must face a "twisting mountain road" it is Obama….but, at least some amount of pride must be shared by most Americans and hopefully by our international friends who have been so disappointed by many American foreign policy decisions in recent years…i have not felt proud of my country's leadership for some time now , and we have a lot to do to restore at least some confidence in America, but i feel so so proud today that my countryman have chosen Barack Obama….
what does any of this have to do with our photography??? maybe nothing, maybe someting…strong leadership inspires people to go to work…to fix things….sacrifice perhaps…possibly put a "brick in the wall" ….some of you will use your work to promote "understanding" , to show wrongdoing or injustice, or to send any kind of message of hope…we cannot "save the world" any more than can Barack Obama…
but, aren't things at least a little better than they were yesterday at this same time????
Indeed, a better day… and one more step toward a better world.
morgan
Yes They Are!
A new friend (who is going to be helping me with my MM) just put this together with his friend /working partner..a little glimpse into last night’s excitement her in the city..
Yes We Can!
http://ryanroco.com/multimedia/yes-we-can/
I was a digital tech for a photographer in watts, ca yesterday. we captured voter turn out for the election yesterday that’ll be in newsweek in a day or so… We started shooting at 6 am and there were people in line ready to vote. Every single person we met was just so happy that Barack even had the chance… When we all found out the whole city glowed brighter everyone cheered and was smiling and driving around LA today I feel like everyone is just so relieved and happy. Time to go out and shoot.
Hi David,
Glad you managed to celebrate with your students – though out of the country (maybe an inconscious way to “protect” yourself, just in case? :)
It is INDEED a better day!
I was in Times square the whole night – magis, powerful, amazing, totally! I’m not american (belgian/canadian born in Africa) but I truly was proud!
Friends abroad that I managed to talk to were feeling pride and hope for the US.
Yesterday, something changed… You could feel it in the air! Today, the horizon seems clearer, brighter (and it rains on NY)…
Sounds crazy doesn’t it?
Finally, someone’s at the helm and I can definitely see myself staying in NYC a while!
David, maybe we can finally meet once you get back ?
Enjoy the sea!
It’s time to change and America showed to the world that it can be done. Probably this is somethings as strong as the Berlin wall fall in 1989. He is the man of the people not just for the “few people”.
let’s see what will change…. by the time I keep photographyng ;-)))
Hope you enjoyed the Oaxaca workshop welcome back.
Indeed. I was hopeful but still had my fingers crossed.
There were parties all over Toronto, mostly private, some public.
The public parties were called Welcome Back America.
There’s a lot of pressure on Obama, but he has done swimmingly so far under pressure. I can’t wait for January 20th.
PHHHEEEWWWW! (that’s one big sigh of relief!)
I spent the night wedged next to my (very) American wife in a packed bar in a tiny town here in Guatemala. Not only Americans though!… (although probably the majority) but Europeans, Aussies, Canadian’s all screaming with glee as the results came in!!! It means a huge amount to America, but it was amazing to see the international support for Obama too. Very moving.
Its been an interesting but often saddening experience traveling over the last year with an American and witnessing first hand some of the real prejudice towards Americans from other nationalities. This is a huge, huge step to healing these wounds.
I think it might be safe for us to come back now!!!
LANCE: forgot to mention (in all the hubub) I enjoyed seeing True Grit on the 37th frame last week! Nice one! Looking good!
Viva Obama!!
James
Wonderful night it was, yes indeed, and one day when our country shone again to the eyes and heart of the world.
Yet AFAIC, tomorrow will be even better compared to today: I’ll land in Bangkok!
Perfect re-run for this thread:
http://www.pbase.com/uc/image/105525849/original
http://www.pbase.com/uc/image/105539621/original
Ohhh, yes, so much better… I don’t think I realized the significance of this until it really happened, (out of fear I guess that it is not going to happen). Than it hit me last night, watching the Tv coverage, how big this is. There sure is hope.
Woke up my 11 year old son this morning and his first word was “Obama?!? Is it?” Yes my son, it is… Than woke up my 7year old girl and the first thing she says “Obama won, right?”… Right, baby…
New energy… I feel it here in Montreal… so much that I had to comment on this blog after a few months break… best to you all…
Last night I sobbed my way through Obama’s victory speech. They were tears of joy mixed with tears of sadness over what my black friends have suffered since their ancestors arrived on these shores so long ago. Yes, the physical abuse was horrific but even worse has been the lowered expectations handed down to them and reinforced by institutionalized racism. The saddest thing has been the internalized racism that caused so many persons of color in America to give up before they’d even tried to excel in any field except perhaps sports and entertainment. But yesterday changed all that.
So, for me, Barack Obama’s victory is more than simply the best man for the job becoming president of the United States; it is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream coming true.
I never imagined this would happen in my lifetime. After all, I remember black people and their white allies being fire hosed, attacked by police dogs, beaten, jailed, and killed for simply wanting the vote! And now a black man will hold the highest office in our land, a position that can affect the course of world events.
Black or white, I believe Barack Obama is supremely qualified to be our president, especially in these turbulent times. He has proven himself during a 21-month campaign that tested his determination, character, experience and leadership abilities. I believe he could well become one of the greatest presidents in our history.
So what does all this have to do with my work as a photographer? It gives me a fresh lease on life, renewed hope, increased energy and determination to make MY mark, as Barack Obama has made his, to dare to be ALL I can be, not to settle short.
Here is a composite I created today. Be sure to read the text…
http://www.pbase.com/windchimewalker/image/105556101
peace
Patricia
i’ve been sobbing too, on and off, for 24 hours or so.
huge celebration here in seattle.
so many precious moments,
like the black young man yelling,
“I’m going to get a job! Tomorrow!!”
like he suddenly believed he had a shot at a better future.
fucking rip-my-heart-out stuff.
i am so loving this.
Hola David,
during the last 1 year and a half I’ve been the Creative Director for Luis Fortuño (our representation in the US Congress). Yesterday, this man became the next Governor of Puerto Rico.
This young man made history yesterday winning our elections with almost 300,000 votes more than his opponent, in a country where 2.5 milions people usually votes (85% of the poppulation).
This man represents to us a big change and a lot of hope…far from the traditional “machista” approach of our traditional leaders in the caribbean and latin America, he came with a whole different style saying that “la razon convence, no grita”….
At the beginning it was hard because people always believes that being “tough” or rude means been a leader…but this was not his style and he told us that it will never be….Little by little people changed their minds…and his ideas became more powerful than his image,,,, and now we have a Governor that is willing to work hard for our country that gave us a lesson about what truly leadership is all about…
Sometimes our leaders make us live under fears instead of make us live with hope and vision of a better future….I think people around the world is tired of these traditional styles,,,,people want to have dreams again and to work hard to make them happens….
I’m really happy about Obama became the President of the US…that;s a big change..to me the “change” means a new attitude more than anything else….a winning attitude,,,not to see the glass half empty anymore but half full…
This was the attitude my father had when we had to left Cuba back in 1963 and start from 0 all over again…..
Here’s a couple of pictures from “Cierre de Campaña”
http://chacharapr.blogspot.com/
un abrazo.
Carlos Rubin
Yes it was indeed a pleasure to watch and listen to president elect, Barack Obama, giving his speech to such a wide audience. He indeed is a spirited person, looked like a winner all along, most of all I like the confidence he instills when he speaks:
“Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.”
– Obama
McCain was also very gracious in his good bye speech, free from the burden of anxiety.
…I have, for a long time been following this election here in India, even discussed it with my Indian American friend who was here in Calcutta before he cast his absentee vote at the American consulate here…yes he voted for the Democrats! :)
Thank GOD Barrack won. Looking at the way he carried himself during the election, with intelligence and determination, level headedness but also with inspiration, you can see he will be a good leader. maybe great. That will be decided later but he does start with something no one has started with in a long time: a fantastic feeling of enthusiasm and inspiration in the people who elected jim. I cant remember any leader who has had so much to start with. After 8 years of a nightmare, it feels like a new morning. I am too young to remember Reagan’s election, I lived in a communist country then and besides, I was only 4. But from what I read Reagan breathd new life into a dcountry down on its knees. It seems Obama has done the same.
And I must say that while McCain was gracius in defeat, I will never forget the gutter he sunk to to try and win this. I will never firget the way Obama was ridiculed at the Republican coonvention by Lieberman, Giulliani and Palin for his community work. I will never forget the way the McCain-Palin camoaign fanned fear and hatred, spread lies and insinuations. McCain says he is proud of his campaign. Thats all I need to know about him. So while his speech yesterday was gracious, I dont believe a single word was said with conviction.
Let my pictures say it for me…
AMERICA DECIDES…
http//:www.lisahogben.com/
Let my pictures say it for me…
AMERICA DECIDES…
http://www.lisahogben.com/
Rafal, Reagan campaigned on hope, much as Obama did, certainly not in the progressive sense but similar in tone and can-do message nonetheless. And I agree with Bill Moyers, I too sensed from McCain that he was horribly pinched during the campaign, making his bed with those that had despised him four years earlier, you could see it in his face, trying to tamp down the fear-mongering and disrespect perpetuated by some of his own people … his campaign created a monster for which he ultimately must take responsibility but I feel sorry for him too. Pity is perhaps the worst result of this election for John McCain, for someone who has had to be so strong and has served his country with honor. The challenge ahead for Obama and America is huge, many issues on many fronts, but underlying and weaving through it all is a systemic malaise, a failure of many institutions and dreams, a systemic betrayal of the majority of working class citizens by the media, corporate interests and government leading to a full systemic failure … and we know it now. There is an awakening to this, to what is wrong, and to what is important in life. It’s not the SUV. I still maintain I see this growing awareness everywhere and I still believe something is coming, something MORE. Perhaps this was the beginning, I don’t know but to fix this current mess … it will take another great generation and an inspirational leader. I do have hope. Now.
I wish I knew what to do, personally. I may yet figure it out.
… beautiful night here in the desert…
I can see the stars.. so bright…
It does feel like things are starting to look brighter than it used to be……and a sense that there is hope to the future of a better world.
The sense of hope and revival here in Austin – in the U.S. – is incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it at this scale.
Today the air was filled with pride, revival, redemption, catharsis, hope, relief, elation, disbelief… none of these are an exaggeration. This election has restored a real sense of hope that we Americans can take pride in.
Here are a few from last night at Scholz Beer Garden in Austin:
http://rosenfieldphotography.com/data/web/2008_ObamaWins/index.html
As an American living the nightmare of G.W. Bush, I can’t express enough how hugely important this election was. The election of Barack Obama is a welcome symbol of healing, hope, and progress on so many levels.
I don’t think anyone here is under the impression that digging out of the massive craters we are in will be easy. But for God’s sake, this is a giant step in the right direction.
yes, i over-use the word ‘hope’.. i’m tired. :)
LISA, fantastic work. There’s as much emotion pouring out in Australia as there is here in the States!
DAVID: Yes! The world is looking much better to my eyes too. And to echo the words of the UK prime minister (if said a little stuffily)… this is a decisive moment in history, and will forever be, for as long as history books will be written.
Here in Dar es Salaam, the people are overjoyed. The effect of just seeing Obama’s face on the TV as the incoming US president is heartening everyone here. People were shouting and screaming with joy in the morning when the news was aired. By the afternoon, they were more peaceful – but looking contented to me. At the internet cafe, the manager was wearing a bright orange shirt this morning and I said you’ve got a ‘happy shirt’ on today. He said: ‘Yes. I am happy today because of Obama’.
I must try to get hold of a friend in Zanzibar who has put so much energy into an effort to get Obama known by the people there. He stands by what is now called ‘The Obama Tree’ almost every day. I don’t know how many visiting Americans changed their vote because of him – probably just a few – but I know that a number were so impressed by his efforts and totally amazed to find that people so far from the US were campaigning for Obama, it helped clinch their decision too.
I also want to thank you for the work you have done that has contributed to bringing this milestone in history about – starting from your very first story I believe. Thanks a lot!
Now I just pray that Obama will be given the support he needs to deliver on his promises and that his efforts and love of people will help bring a little more peace around the world.
Have a great day everyone!
Peace,
Jenny
On waking this morning, my wife said, “I’m so happy!”.
“Why?”, I asked. “Because of Obama’s win.”
She has been saying all along that he is bound to disappoint due to the enormous burden placed upon him but that a black person should be elected President of the United States of America is just such a huge event.
The nature of her work means that she deals with issues of race all the time. Issues of stigma around mental health issues, particularly in the black community has made her sensitive and this US election just means so, so much on so many, many levels. Not just for Americans’ but for all of humankind.
Yesterday I noticed several passers’ by on the streets of London wearing Obama badges. It was a marvelous thing.
Now let’s get on with the tasks at hand and make this world a more tolerant and peaceful place for our species. Americans’ did good. Now let us all follow their example.
I miss being there. But ultimately, I’m very happy to be closer to family here in Europe. Mind you, Obama and the American electorate have shown us all that we are ALL family.
These are happy days indeed.
As an Irish person who grew up with “The Troubles”, the sectarian violence and utter hatred that fueled decades of murder only to see a peace process take hold with bitter enemies sitting together to pursue peace and reconciliation, I am not entirely surprised at this marvelous turn of events. No one in the Ireland that I grew up in could have imagined an end to that conflict in their lifetimes, yet it did happen.
It’s societal evolution. It’s democracy. It’s about people collectively taking responsibility. It’s about individuals taking ownership of issues and addressing them as best they can for themselves and those closest to them. It’s also about strong leadership to empower people to go about improving their lot and challenging them to make demands of those in power. It’s about getting the ball rolling. That’s what Obama has managed to do. That’s what the leaders in Northern Ireland managed to do. And the hatreds in Ireland were not just decades old, they were the stuff of centuries.
I feel good about humankind today. About human nature.
PAUL: I agree with your every word. And, very few can imagine a day when there will be world peace either. Perhaps all it requires is BELIEF that it can happen and the will on an individual level – much like what came together to bring about this milestone in history. Now THAT would be progress of benefit to ALL humanity and this planet that ‘gave birth’ to life.
I hope you and your family have settled well back in London. I missed the autumn leaves falling…
Jenny
Dear Jenny
Thank you. The settling in continues.
I’m currently busy getting as much of my back catalogue as possible into Alamy’s servers, now that the PhotoShelter Collection is no more and you reminded me about a fairly sizable collection of autumnal leaves pictures that I should prep. Again, thanks.
http://www.alamy.com should any of you be interested in some help with stock distribution. I know photographers that make good money here. I’m hoping it’ll form a backbone to my business endeavors here Euroside.
Best,
Paulyman
http://www.photohumourist.com
Hey, it’s not over with the election!
Obama is a good start, but now you’ll have to keep an eye on him for four years. I hope that all the social networks that he has laid in his path to the election day keep in use for the people to have more direct power on the government… if you can gather 100k people for a speech, so you can for a protest!
Yep, it seems a better world also as you can see it from Italy.
one from the gut:
LANGSTON HUGHES
Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.
(America never was America to me.)
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed–
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.
(It never was America to me.)
O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.
(There’s never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this “homeland of the free.”)
Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?
I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery’s scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek–
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.
I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one’s own greed!
I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
I am the worker sold to the machine.
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean–
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
Beaten yet today–O, Pioneers!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.
Yet I’m the one who dreamt our basic dream
In the Old World while still a serf of kings,
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
That even yet its mighty daring sings
In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That’s made America the land it has become.
O, I’m the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home–
For I’m the one who left dark Ireland’s shore,
And Poland’s plain, and England’s grassy lea,
And torn from Black Africa’s strand I came
To build a “homeland of the free.”
The free?
Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we’ve dreamed
And all the songs we’ve sung
And all the hopes we’ve held
And all the flags we’ve hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay–
Except the dream that’s almost dead today.
O, let America be America again–
The land that never has been yet–
And yet must be–the land where every man is free.
The land that’s mine–the poor man’s, Indian’s, Negro’s, ME–
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.
Sure, call me any ugly name you choose–
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people’s lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!
O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath–
America will be!
Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain–
All, all the stretch of these great green states–
And make America again!
and i should add simply:
above all what i value about Obama, and what, even amid the acrimony of so much nihilism and shit, so much sadness and cynicism, what i value so much about him and what i’ve always valued about, true or illusion, about growing up in the states, aint patriotism but gospel hope…
to hope that while we are alive this short breath of time we can make a difference in the lives and suffering of others…
hope has returned from the mountain top…
and it sets me alight….
bob
first I want to make an observation…
I think people (non-Obama supporters) should take notice of the reaction, both nationally and internationally, to Obama being elected. There is more celebration going on then when the Berlin Wall came down. I think people should dig deep and try to see the reason for that.
And from the non-Obama supporters who would say that “the world is celebrating because we now appear weaker or easier to take advantage of”, I would point out that is probably similar to what the communists felt when the wall came down.
Now for a rant – and a reason why I need to find another newspaper to work for or go freelance….
I shot an image last week at an Obama rally here and got a pretty nice image.
You can see it here….
http://archive.petemarovichimages.com/c/petemarovichimages
I found out today that my editor pointed to that photo on the front page the next day while talking to another editor and said that the woman in the photo was obviously not qualified to vote because she cannot separate her emotions from her decision……………………
……… I was prepared to rant but I find I am still speechless………
fuck…….I gotta go…..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28163560@N02/sets
then click Obama
Photo taken in Charlottesville, VA ice cream shop during the festival of the photograph. Image a bit out of focus (unintentional–low light) , but you get it anyway for this man’s beautiful smile. I want things to work for him and for us all–but it is going to take everyone pulling together. My husband is a McCain supporter and is not thrilled thinking this is not the answer . To see so many unite and feel so positive is such a good thing though. Somehow I’m thinking of Dickens’ Tiny Tim–“God bless us everyone!” And that means everyone.
If Obama starts wearing ridiculously baggy trousers and walking sideways I’m blaming you Harvey!
Doo do do do.. “can’t touch this…”
PATRICIA….
thank you for your comment….so so well put…i feel the same …
i will be returning to New York on around the 16th (quick trip to London after Mexico)…i want to get with you soonest to see where you stand on your book…
CARLOS RUBIN…
nice you have you back here and writing..i plan on coming to Puerto Rico soon, so i hope we will have a chance to meet….
PAUL…
i feel the same…sometimes the “right thing” does happen in the middle of chaos….human nature does seem to swing wildly from one extreme to the other….this is a good “swing” … let’s celebrate and take advantage of the “good vibes”
peace, david
AKAKY, DAVID MCG., and other non-Obama supporters,
In Washington State where I live, voting is now almost completely done with mail-in ballots and there are few traditional polling places any more. But from 2000 until 2006 I was a poll worker for our county in both primary and general elections, setting up the polling place, making sure the machines (punch cards with chads!) worked properly, checking the voter registration lists, handling provisional ballots, counting the cast ballots to match the list of voters, cleaning up afterwards, and then hand-carrying the locked ballot boxes to the court-house for the count after the polls closed. The system was set up so that there was at least one Democrat and one Republican working together at each polling place, and both had to sign off on the final tally. I often worked at the local university polling station, which could be extremely crowded and intense during a general election, especially a presidential election, with hundreds and hundreds of provisional ballots from students or others with questionable registrations, changed addresses, misspelled names, etc., and we had to supervise a support staff of inexperienced young workers. We sometimes had lawyers from one or the other party ‘observing’ us, breathing down our necks. It was clear that my politics and those of the people I shared this responsibility with were often diametrically opposed, but we had to work together efficiently and professionally, depend on each other, and trust each other. I’m glad I had this experience, and I’m proud of the work we did together as citizens, sometimes under a lot of pressure. These were very long days, beginning at 5 AM and often not ending until midnight. I’d go home and collapse, not even checking on the state-wide or national election results until the next day, when I’d, as often as not, be bitterly disappointed by the results. But I felt good about doing my very small part to make democracy work.
We’re all in this together, sometimes our hopes are realized, sometimes they are dashed, every election must have losers as well as winners. But I think if we take a longer view, then in a real sense we are all winners, because our civility and mutual respect, and belief in a greater unity beyond partisan politics, mean that however flawed and imperfect our system is in many ways, it continues to allow the voices of the people to be heard. So don’t let the triumphal crowing of the Obama crowd (which includes me) get you down too much. Tomorrow we will still have to work together, we will still need each other. And I value your participation.
please USA, stop saving us…
Pete, that’s a fabulous image. I congratulate you for capturing it. I can feel your frustration. Frankly, your editor’s comment was utterly pathetic.
Paul you might like this one, too. :)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/3006926367_6301eb2659_o.jpg
That we have elected President Barack Obama has made me proud to be an American for the first time in I don’t know how long.
For the first time in SO long, I CARE about my country. I love my President.
I also can not stop crying…every time I see the photos of him Tuesday night…see how happy the world is.
I know it’s not the end…only the beginning of SO MUCH work ahead but it feels like in that one instant the entire world shifted.
PETE… that brief story of your fabulous image is tragic.
Lance, terrific link. My kind of shot.
The whole Palin episode was just so weird. Like a badly scripted comedy. A tragic comedy at that. I tried to shake it out of my head but it just won’t go away. It annoys and distracts intensely.
*&^%$!!!….
Yes, as great as this Obama win is, and all that it means, let’s not forget that nearly half of this country voted for her to be V.P. Okay, never-mind yes forget it because it’s horrifying, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone when she pops up again in the public eye sometime down the road.
“but, aren’t things at least a little better than they were yesterday at this same time????”
In a word…no.
PETE
Your image is one of the most iconic I’ve seen of the entire campaign. The response by your editor says everything about where HE is in his professional and personal development, and absolutely NOTHING about the quality of your photo and the depth of meaning this election had/has to the woman you picture. Some of us still have a LONG way to go.
DAVID
I just keep plugging away on my self portrait/daily life project. Whenever I have new images, I post them in the following gallery to be reviewed:
http://www.pbase.com/windchimewalker/for_review13
PASSWORD patricia
Check it out when you have time. Of course, everyone’s feedback is much appreciated. You can email me at croneart@comcast.net
peace
Patricia
AKAKY: Why are you telling them that?
AKAKY IRL: Why am I telling who what?
AKAKY: Telling them no like that. Come on, they won, let them enjoy themselves.
AKAKY IRL: Hey, he asked. You dont want an answer to a question dont ask it.
AKAKY: Hey, it isnt that bad.
AKAKY IRL: Oh, dont be ridiculous, of course it is. If this presidential gig doesnt work out, the junior senator from Illinois can get a job selling vaporware for Microsoft. Or he can do what he usually does with elective office: campaign for the next job up the ladder. That might be a bit difficult now, of course; Benedict looks like he’s in good health and then there’s the question of what to do with Michelle and the kids. Still, he’s never let that bother him before, although I think he’ll have a tough campaign of it; I just dont think he’s going to get the Catholic vote this time around. I could be wrong about that, though. I’ve been wrong before.
AKAKY: You’re being bitter.
AKAKY IRL: Dude, I’m always bitter; it saves time.
Pete, it is an ironic story given that particular newspaper, which was once at the heart of the greatest political machine Virginia has ever known … and I suspect objectivity had little to do with it.
Despite what most people believe, I do think American political reporting is objective today, painfully so at times. It’s a trap (and this from someone who would not even accept a cup of coffee in the course of reporting once upon a time). Life is not devoid of emotion. This “objectivity” waters everything down to pale milk and leaves reporters with little to fall back on except to “report the news” and that ultimately equates to such inane subjects as parroting speeches and coverage of what Sarah Palin is wearing today.
So Pete, in the end take heart that the only truly meaningful thing to come out of American newspaper political coverage, the only historical record to capture the raw power of the time, is the photograph.
But you already know this because you’re not a parrot, you’re a photographer ;-) You get it, even if others do not. Keep on keeping on.
It took about 2 1/2 hours after the news outlets announced Obama as president and only as I began edited images from the evening, that I allowed myself to feel elation.
Obama is a human being. Not a superhero or other less desirable terms I’ve heard tossed around. I truly hope that for the sake of this country we will accept this but at the same time not become complacent.
As always, love reading your posts David!
Susan
SIDNEY…
ok, my friend…YOU get my vote next time around!!!
AKAKY…
hmmmm, it is hard for me to imagine that you could say “no”….however, i do totally accept points of view different from my own…as a matter of fact, i would RATHER talk to people who have a different philosophy from mine..i listen to Rush out of sheer curiosity and will watch Fox News for the same reason…
i do think that most photographers and writers who travel the world would be most happy with Obama, but i would be most happy to listen to you…perhaps this blog is not the place, but when you FINALLY come to visit me, we can share some thoughts if you wish…
in the meantime, your writing is most valued here regardless of political affiliation…
JUST ANOTHER SOUTH AMERICAN GUY…
i would agree with you….
cheers, david
TANGUY…
i will return to New York on saturday, but almost immediately off to London…back by the 16th…so, yes, let’s meet….
cheers, david
PETE….
nice picture…do not let up!!!
cheers, david
pete–
your editor will continue to say such things until or unless others
speak up in the presence of his ignorant remarks.
just a thought..
k.
Katia
I wasn’t there when it was said, but he has said other things that just leave one so dumbfounded your mind goes blank.
David
what does let up mean? (grin)
PETE,
That’s a great picture, no 2 ways about it. As for your editor, emotions will be part of voting until Vulcans get the franchise, and then I will be outside the White House with my placard demanding to know why this country is allowing aliens to vote in presidential elections.
Sidney, David and all,
I appreciate that, and concur completely. And to get right to David’s question—I do appreciate the historic significance and the swirling emotions that have resulted from this election. Though in my old age I’ve noticed I’m gradually becoming less and less emotional, having a made-up disease I refer to as “Adult Acquired Autism.” I’d make a good executioner. But are things better? I’d say the air is better, because I’m completely happy to be getting past the Bush era. There is reason to be optimistic, but my realistic side wonders why, amid all this optimism, is there another huge stock selloff occurring at this moment.
I don’t think I’ve come off too much as an unreasoning, paranoid, right-wing gun toter—as a matter of fact most social issues I don’t feel I really identify with, so they don’t become my concern or battle. I mostly pay attention to the numbers and percentages, and feel that fiscal conservatism is better for growth and opportunity, where sticking it to big business and creating dependents on the government is not. Now before anyone says “But Clinton, blah, blah….” you must be reminded that Clinton plus Congress were conservative by the numbers, while Bush plus Congress (which has become more liberal in this election) were not!
I know most here will only agree with half of this, but my thought process during this election was that we actually had two good candidates to choose from—my own personal emotional makeup could have had me waking up after election day disappointed with either direction. As it turns out, I woke up feeling just fine. A vote against Obama in Michigan was basically useless, but for now I’d prefer to cautiously contribute to the popular vote, that thinks we now have too much single-party power in Washington, especially since our country is so evenly divided between our perceptions and needs.
It’s almost impossible to not govern from the center in this country without revolt (maybe half-hearted revolt) and we’re yet to see if that’s how Obama will govern. He certainly fetched a lot of votes with pricey promises, but maybe that’s just a typical path to the presidency, while the policies end up being more pragmatic. I don’t believe either party has a monopoly on either selfishness or giving. You’ll find clear behavior on both sides. But “being your brother’s keeper” seems more a concept that functions better outside of government, rather than being mandated from within. (Note Akaky’s “sticking to the funnel” comment.)
If we end up retaining safety nets for the unfortunate without a massive expanse of government, or without creating dependancy that stifles investment and opportunity, we’ll probably be okay. So it ended being just fine that the Right questioned hints of socialism that Obama dropped along the way. It sends a message that this culture may not adapt to that very well.
Rafal, I don’t think Obama was railroaded by McCain in a way that is unusual to any campaign. Obama didn’t have to do that, because he was consistently up in the polls. Most of the time I saw McCain toning down rhetoric, that at least from a campaign stance, he could have really pursued, or would have made sense to pursue earlier. But Rafal, you are so full of hate for a single person, you’d think that such a sentiment would be reserved for an unreasoning, paranoid, right-wing gun toter like myself.
So winding down here, I think this is going to be a fascinating term. It shouldn’t be any more clear to a president what the public needs and wants, and what they will put up with. I know for sure that I’ll probably be paying attention more than I ever have—but hey, better is better—you won’t here me grumbling in a good economy because I’ve drawn any particular party lines. I think our international perception is stronger now, and I don’t think there’s any loss of our superpower status. This certainly will be a photogenic first family and administration, but I will not be suckered by style and emotion over substance, and it’s going to be a little while before the substance becomes convincing. That just means that Obama doesn’t get messiah-like reverence from me, but he doesn’t get undue judgment either.
I guess I’m starting to revel my fringe position in the group!
Hola David,
that’s great!…if you come to Puerto Rico please call (787) 630-8737.
Un abrazo.
Rubín
BOB B, here’s a couple of photos I think you’d like to see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/akaky/3008141407/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/akaky/3008141029/
Akaky:!!!1
thank you friend for sharing, indeed….
when i think of you, even though I think your magnificent modern-day-Tristan Shandy blog (which i will not hot link to anymore, for fear of upstate NY reprisals) the most ingenious bit of Sternian (i forget the damn adjective, from Laurence Sterne) love on the entire blogosphere, and the only DAH member who writes consistantly longer posts than I that makes me cringe with their brilliance, humour and beauty (and make me regret every fucking dangling modifier or run-on sentence i’ve ever mis-conjugated and lay down here), it is still what you wrote about Carla that sits so large and wise and runs, like a sharp coarse of light, through my skull….
that day, after reading, i thought:
let him sing out for there is no greater love than to speak upon that and to mark the earth with our tribute to those who, though they left each of us much too early, made us the what we are….that her luminous life is still the beating pulpy organ that makes your words alight…
the tilt in the earth, and then they’re gone, still the ache in the heart of life…
thank you for sharing akaky…
what an extraordinary face….
this ridiculously unfair and all too brief life..
hugs
b
Since we’re talking the election, I thought I’d share this article from Newsweek. Some interesting points about both campaigns that I hadn’t heard anywhere else…
http://www.newsweek.com/id/167581
best light to all,
Andrew
Hello ALL,
Just a quick one to let you know there is a new blog post up containing some of the images from the kite festival we attended at the weekend. Please drop by!!
http://www.jameschance.com/multimedia/jctextblog/mainboard.php?display=posts&topic_id=28
James
SIDNEY,
thanks for the encouraging words, but not to worry, David McG and me, we’re already plotting the downfall of the Dems.
DAVID M,
fringe? well, that’d be a change: conservative Republicans as a minority counterculture. Only in America!
yes, yes, and yes…I too was definitely apprehensive but after he was called the winner I went out for a celebratory beer, for sure. I think the first part of leadership is inspiration – to inspire others – and this he does, I believe. Thankfully other countries citizens realize that “we the people” are not our governments and so even though I felt the need to apologize while traveling the past years, everyone I met in foreign lands made me feel it wasn’t necessary. Slowly, I’m starting to feel unconfused because I surely was confused as to the decision the citizens of the US made in 00′ and then when given a second chance in 04′, horribly confused. Viva Obama. Viva America. Viva our voting system and all those that voted in record numbers, period, for or against Obama…now that’s something to be proud of.
oh, and David, I will be in Trenton, near NYC the 14-18 of Nov if your around…I sent you an email (to the blog email) about my project, images, and time on the East coast…if your around and available I’m there.
~ c
Dear Patricia,
Your opening photo drew my breath out and exclamation of, “My goodness…” Your reflection shots all stand out to me.
This is the first time I have seen the majority of these shots. What a change. Your color is superb and the light is exactly there. You lost me for a few frames at the one of you photographing a black woman holding up something, peaked again with the shot of your head leaning against your hand and your hair caught in the light. Amazing photo, that one Patricia. As are many in this series.
Aloha,
Lee
David McG,
I dont hate McCain as a person. I do hate what he stands for. He is solidly in the Bush camp, as far as policies go, and I hate those policies. McCain seems like an OK guy, and I was actually a McCain supporter way back in 2000. I think he would have been a better president than Bush by a mile, but then again that was 8 years aho and since then McCain changed. Or atleast he allowed himself to be coopted by the Republican-Rove machine, and it changed him. He was a maverick once, not anymore. So I dont have hate for McCain the guy, I do not like McCain the politician. As I said before McCain is a dangerous man. He doesnt have the stuff to be president. He is erratic, unstable, locked in his Bushian worldview. Anyone who sings about bombing other countries and starting wars is not someone Im going to like, admire or respect. “Bomb bomb Iran” is not a tune a president should sing. Nor should he talk lightly of anhilating North Korea. I was criticised for calling him a war monger, but how can we NOT call someone who seems to relish the idea of going to war to anhilate a whole nation a war monger?
This was a choice. Do we continue failed methods? Secrecy? Corruption? Cronyism? Bullying? War mongering? Or do we put an end to it? Reports are now coming out about Palin, that she was unaware of Africa being a continent and couldnt find it on a map. I think these sorts of reports will surface over the next 6 months or a year. Sure, some may be sour grapes from McCain’s people but put together with her performance in interviews it points to her as being someone so WOEFULLY unqualified to be anywhere near the presidency, her utter ignorance is simply dangerous. Funny choice for a man who puts COUNTRY FIRST. I think he put himself first and it backfired.
I dont hate John McCain as a man. But I do highly dislike him for his choices, his actions. He did NOTHING to confront his own supporters when they called Obama a terrorist or called to kill him. Infact in one clip after someone yelled out that Obama was a “terrorist” a funy little grin flashed across McCain’s face. He only started to do something when he was criticised for not doing anything. Again, it seems like cynical politics.
Its all funny because here is a man who used to hate this sort of crap. He was destroyed in 2000 by Bush/Rove exactly in this sort of manner. Back then it was a black baby and insinuations of insanity. This year it was Ayers and insinuations of terrorism/socialism.
McCain 2008 is not the McCain of 2000 that I liked.
Whats funny is that McCain could have been much more competitive. he would have probably lost in the end but he would have lost with dignity and respect had he stayed true to what he once was. Gone though was straight talk and instead we got talking points. While Obama actually talked in real sentences, McCain simply repeated the same talking points over and over again. The result was that Obama came across as someone who can think on his feet, who can articulate his thoughts and think while he speaks. All we got from McCain is a robot-like performance.
In the end, the right person won. And thats all that matters.
Rafal, thanks for clarifying.
i’ve got to say the hysteria that is surrounding the election of obama is, in my mind, quite frightening. i mean when i read stories of people shedding tears because he was elected, i mean even to the point of crying for an hour, i just think.. wow!!
it’s my opinion that politics and emotions should never mix, for if they do you can be sure the people running campaigns (Public Relations people) will exploit the hell out of it. and what do we have here.. people breaking down crying, propaganda style posters plastered everywhere, easy to remember and repeat slogans that basically equate to rhetoric. especially in the case of “change” i mean come on people have we learned nothing from history? this man is a politician plain and simple, and a slick one at that, what happens every single time someone wants to be elected? they promise the stars and then tow the line. “another helping of status quo for you.. and you.. and you..”
but no not this time right? this is different he’s promising change. he’s just like JFK!!.. except that he’s not. i find it to be a frightening situation when people decide that “this is it!!” FINALLY!! it’s as if the skies have opened and the messiah has come back.. i mean literally that’s what it looks like.. people are having religious experiences it seems.. suddenly the world is better because a man whose chosen profession is one that is, almost without question inhabited by unscrupulous liars is going to somehow turn the world around. meh.
also i found it extremely strange how everybody was worried that obama somehow would not win. i was 100% certain that he was going to win and it wasn’t going to be close. perhaps because i had no emotional investment in the election as i see politicians not as saviors but more as frauds with bags full of empty promises and even emptier rhetoric.
then i began to question why were so many people whipped into such a fervor over this man? was it because he was so great? was it because mccain was so bad? was it bush that did it? the conclusion i ended up at was that it had the most to do with bush and how obviously terribly he ran the country for 8 years (the last four with the complicity of the democratically controlled congress, mind you). but it was bush and the air of idiocy that followed him around that convinced me that this man, obama, a smooth talking charismatic politician was taken as the yin to bush’s yang. he seems a polar opposite.. how deeply? time will tell, but on the surface a polar opposite and not only that but his main message? CHANGE. ah yes good ol’ change. then you toss in the fact that mccain did zero to appear to want to win the presidency and even seemed to be moving in the opposite way.. i mean palin.. come on. a savy politician that’s been in the game for 50 years picks her as his VP.. yeah he surely wanted to win the white house. pfff. the last thing you want to do is load your enemies’ guns for them.
so that leaves us with the man on the white horse.. obama our savior. people are ready to give this man carte blanche. be careful when you give a politician carte blanche. and change? we’ll see.. remember this is a 1 term senator.. he doesn’t carry any clout he doesn’t come from a politically connected family, his say in things is going come, one can only surmise, from those that he surrounds himself with. so look out for that.. you want to see how much things are going to change and in which direction watch in the coming months as he appoints his cabinet positions.. that will tell you where this presidency is going and how much change is going to happen.
anyway to all those out there with all the hope for change in their tear filled eyes i just hope that you hold this man to a standard that meets the level of emotion that you felt when it was announced that your new president would be barack obama. if you don’t and things start going bad IT’S ON YOU.
Ps. regarding CHANGE.. i just read an article from rolling stone from ’05 on obama’s chief of staff, rahm emanuel.. which i recommend.. but in it there was a statement i found interesting.
emanuel says:
“”We get into this stupid argument every four years: centrists vs. leftists,” he says. “That is not the argument today. It is change vs. status quo. In 1992, Bill Clinton was a change agent — he won. In 1994, Newt Gingrich was a change agent — he won. In 1996, Bill Clinton was a change agent to Dole and Gingrich — he won. In 1998, Democrats represented a change from the Republican drive for impeachment — they won. In 2000, George Bush was a credible change agent. In 2002, Democrats failed to convey change — and they lost. I want to be about change and reform to the Republican status quo.””
ain’t no new thing.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/8091986/the_enforcer/
What do you mean he carries no clout? The office of the Presidency will give him the clout. So will the near landslide victory in the elctoral college, much more than Bush ever got. People like him precisely for what you say he lacks: He is fresh, unconnected. Someone who made his own life without a silver spoon. Someone who graduated from the top schools in the land, top in his class because of what he has to offer. Not because he is from an elite family or because his father and grandfather were admirals.
People are happy about this because he is so far removed from what has been in power over the last 8 years that they do sense change is going to happen. Hopefully it does. Because there needs to be change on pretty much every front.
Obama rode the wave of excitement and expectations. But theres a reason for that. He inspired people who never felt like they had a stake in the system to actually get involved. And whats wrong with that? Is he JFK? No, He is BHO. But he does offer much of what JFK offered: he inspires people to hope and get involved. Thats what a democracy is. People feel like “hey, maybe this isnt just a game decided by elites in back rooms, maybe I can make a difference”. If nothing else, this is BHO’s big accom0plishment in winning this thing.
hmmm well i do understand that people feel that he’s ‘fresh’ and an ‘outsider’ but i do feel that this is still a game that is decided by elites in a backroom. he didn’t reach this pinnacle without help from people more powerful than he and he will undoubtedly have to repay those favors in whatever way presidents repay those debts.
i just think that it’s kind of altruistic to think that presidents go into office and just do what they want. invariably there are people that have been in the system for a long time in strong positions within the cabinet or as advisors that will sway the presidents thinking.. i mean zbigniew brzezinski for instance has had his hands all over obama since the beginning of his campaign (zbig was huge in the carter administration and belongs to all the elite groups you can think of). this is a man that is of the same stature of a henry kissinger type of figure.. when i say clout i mean that kind of clout. but these are people that have views on how the world “should” be and know the levers to pull and buttons to push in people to get them done. so that’s why i say watch carefully for who he appoints to key posts in his administration.. just because the president is new blood doesn’t equate to a fresh presidency or change if everyone else is ‘old guard’ which i’d be willing to bet my left foot on them being.
Mat
I agree with about 93.7% of your tone. The way too perfect glossy blue graphics do have the feel of propaganda material (and I’m a graphic designer!) I promise (for myself) that I’m going to drop my political opinions and cynicism and let people have their moment and feel the hope—but already there’s rumblings among the Obama enamored press that they’ll be bringing up things they wouldn’t touch during the campaign. What else would you expect? Stay tuned…
DAVID,
Tuesday night was a very special and emotional night… I stayed up very late like most of you… My son and daughter (5 and 3 1/2) did fall asleep on the sofa that night as they did not want to go to bed without knowing if Obama had won…. My son did wake up the next morning and asked me, so did “Obama” win?
I said before on your last post that I was so proud of the US that day…. in a way, like when 9/11 happened, I like most of the world that day felt American, except that this time we were full of hope and joy… What a symbol of tolerance for the rest of the world to have an African-american president… how moving to watch this crowd cheering Obama without any distinction of age, race… I am sure that he has a tough task ahead of him and he risks disappointing many but it is not frequent that a man can inspire a nation and the rest of the world!!! So let’s savour this for now!!!
By the way, I was thinking a lot about you David, wondering if you had any regrets to not have been physically present into your own country during that very special moment… Although the comparison may seem weird, I remember that I was living in Belgium during the French soccer world cup…I remember watching the final and watched France win the competition with some friends and then for that one night after, there was a unique communion of all in the country, a unique celebration, no distinction of race..all were just sharing their joy…I wanted to be part of it and drove that night to get to Paris in time and celebrate…was not enough to watch it on TV, I wanted to be part of it…
How was it to watch this from far and did you feel like you should have been there? Was a photographer like you not mad to not be there to capture that event?
Just curious…Glad to have you back with us by the way!
Cheers,
Eric
right. i mean it’s basically politics 101 but it concerns me to see so many people completely (seemingly) forget that he is a politician in a country where politics more often than not are dirty business.
change was inevitable.. that’s the game. read again what rahm emanuel says. i don’t think it’s any big coincidence that one of the obama campaigns main pillars was the word ‘change’. there is a formula.
and this just feels like spinning plates…
Ps.
i brought this up in a different way in another forum on election night while people were still teary eyed and was quickly labeled a killjoy. so i figured i’d give it a couple of days and test the waters here.. see if a conversation was possible.. and IT IS!! HURRAH!!
… wtf…
MAT,
welcome..
ERIC…
Your words reminded me of
Athens Greece 2004…
Euro soccer championship..
I was in LA.. but still.. I felt the vibes!!!
Let me interfere…
I know what some of my friends
are asking :
Let me be their voice:
” If you are an atheist & an Anarchist..
then how & why do U cheer for O!???
or anyone…?”
Well, who said I don’t agree???
;-)
I think I “feel” where Mat is coming from …
What is there to cheer really…!!!
… but, but, can I really confess something??
I still feel good.:: for my Obama boy..
That’s how idealistic and stupid I am…
Or I choose…?!!! to be
ALL…
Stay , happy…
shot like that , don’t happen everyday…)
(… sorry for disappointing some of my friends..
but this time , I didn’t wanna take it to the extremes…)
I know that’s Panos JPEG is speaking!
( but, fuck Panos JPEG and fuck panos
alltogether…!)
peace & hugs
Hey all,
I just posted this entry on The37thFrame…. Very Very Cool
Kudos to Matt Mendelsohn.
http://www.the37thframe.org/?p=571
Also thanks for all the nice comments on the photo of the black woman at the Obama rally.
sorry Panos – I’m done – can’t talk about it anymore
Pete – wonderful photo, it speaks volumes.
Mat – There’s something more going on with the tears being shed than campaign slogans or propaganda, or hopes for a savior or even slight political sea changes. I think a lot of people were willing to set that all aside for one night. When I saw Jesse Jackson, uncharacteristically silent but with tears running down his face, I remembered that he was on that Memphis hotel room patio 40 years ago. And Tuesday, he was in Grant Park watching what seemed unachievable for so long. So, I would encourage you not to be too harsh on the emotion. It’s okay to acknowledge the enormity of the moment.
And now, as the fictional President Bartlett would say: “break’s over.”
Joan
Joan
Well said
Who was that guy Oprah was leaning on? And why all those lingering shots of her? I just wanted to watch the man Jackson. Nothing showed the enormity of significance more than those beautiful images of Jesse Jackson. I was entirely shaken and moved to my very core watching him. Such powerful television – watching Jesse Jackson while listening to Barack Obama. MASSIVE!
BANGKOK to DAH BLOG:
Greetings from Thailand. a place I call home, and I simply have no word to describe how happy I am to finally be here again. Started shooting straight out the taxi window taking me in town, just a couple hours ago. Little has changed, traffic crazy, noisy, smelly as ever…
http://www.pbase.com/image/105598161
(shot with my mini-compact)
I’ve thought about the Obama question a lot and am happy that the good folk of the USA have stepped up and given over and given a chance to a future of hope and promise instead of bowing to Cynicism and business as usual.
But with 2 wars on the go , the economy in meltdown I can’t help but think that the man has been handed a ” Hospital Pass ” , , gather the ball tight Barrack Hussain Obama , and run with it!
lucky those who are in NYC…
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/arts/design/07eggl.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Dear friends,
It is 10pm 7th Nov. in Korea.
I’m going to leave for Paris tommorrow early morning. I’ll stay Paris from 9th-15th.
If you have a plan to visit Paris Photo 2008, I would like to see you.
My book signing time schedule is 4pm, 15th Nov. at Japanease secteur(Toseisha).
My C.P is 82-16-9606-1102
Thank you. :)))
http://www.parisphoto.fr/book-signings.html?lg=en
http://www.parisphoto.fr/files/pdf_file_51.pdf
ALL
I’m happy that Obama wins. I think he will change the way America manages world problems, in a better way than Bush. I hope so.
I added this subject to the reader:
http://jnss.x10hosting.com/dah_reader/main.php
please wait two seconds after you’ve chosen a subject, for the buttons to appear.
love
Hi Kyunghee Lee,
Congratulations!! I regret I cannot come, I have a lot of work until December, I shall have liked coming, especially that there is Elliott Erwitt, Raymond Depardon, William Klein, Lise Safarti, Martin Parr, Susan Meiselas and you !
I love your work of workshop…
Jean, merci pour le lien !
Best regards, audrey
The Obama win was celebrated by many Americans living in Canada…me included.
It was the best thing to happen this week.
The rest of the week included a four hundred dollar repair to a two thousand dollar lens..the eleven year old car overheating just two minutes after I said I have not spent any money on it…the cat getting jumped outside and walking in limping with cuts and bruises(another vet bill)….a sinus infection with two rounds of antibiotics and three different kinds of eyedrops…which when all combined leaves me a list of things to do…vet..car mechanic…camera shop..doctor…with one day off from the day job….
So …Obama…help me….cause I think I will screw off the list of things to do and celebrate by taking the camera for a walk….
MAT, RAFAL, DAVID M. , AKAKY, BOB
good discussion….
i have no illusions about what Obama can do or in his debts to the “back room boys” who “really run the country”…but, don’t at least all of you think that the “positive hysteria” that is rippling around the world is surely based on the relief most must feel in the elimination of “W” as our American representative??? even my Republican friends are pretty serious “W” haters…”W” and his team created this situation where many Obama votes were just anti “W” votes…as were many “W” votes 8 years ago anti-Clinton personal behavior votes…
with all the positive vibes going in the direction of Obama, the business world is waiting…yes, stock market sell off…businesses will hang on to their cash until they see how the tax structure will really go..companies holding on to cash does not create jobs nor encourage investment…campaign rhetoric vs. the reality of this capitalistic country is the game…Obama will have to choose wisely his team…. keeping both the social responsibility message alive and facing the realities of how this country actually functions economically will be his formidable challenge…
i think Obama possesses the best combo of intelligence, humanity, and reality of anyone i have seen…he is no doubt an instant world icon the likes of which we have never seen…will some of the sheen wear off?? surely…but, i trust Obama more than anyone around….and, i will hold him just as responsible as well…
by the way, i was never anti-McCain as a person ….anti Palin maybe, but not anti-McCain….i followed McCain around Vietnam in the late 80’s when he was on the search for MIA’s and he totally lead the push for U.S. diplomatic relations with Vietnam after the war…quite astonishing considering he was sitting right there at the table with his former captors drinking tea…the U.S. still has a ridiculous embargo on Cuba and yet McCain patched things up with Vietnam in relatively short order..so, i do think he is a good man…but, the quest for THE JOB had him swinging in directions i do not think in his heart he would have gone….
cheers, david
David,
I believe another aspect of the election was not just change from status quo (sorely needed), but that it signaled a generational change. Maybe we’ll finally be free of the old fights of the 1970s, able to end the Vietnam War at last, willing to recognize that issues aren’t simply “this or that” but nuanced degrees of each. Maybe we can end the Reagan-fostered belief that capitalism is right (always) and government is wrong (always). Certainly we’ve seen the money people come running to government for rescue, under a Republican Administration. (I’m glad the economic crisis didn’t wait till February or the cries of “socialism!” would have resonated for years.) It may not be quite that easy, but I think both parties are undergoing a redefinition and the newest generation of participants will add their own ideas.
Fostering a message of involvement and respect for public service is one of the achievements of Obama’s campaign, and unique to him. I expect there to be a call to service in his inaugural speech — as there was in JFK’s. It is going to take much of our energies and imagination to sift through the coming years with intelligent, creative responses and maybe even solutions, within the country and in our relations abroad. I think if we had someone less inspiring, less iconic, as the visible head of government, it would be a disaster. His theme that someone else’s problems matter to each of us is the real message of hope.
I was surprised how many independents I spoke with had been leaning McCain — until Palin was named. The disrespect to the country showed by that stunt made the decision for them. It was one of McCain’s worst decisions in many years, and his first move as a potential President. Sad. I only hope he returns to his role of past years, when he stood strong against torture and approached the issue of immigration with reason.
But then, I’m an optimist at heart.
Joan
DAVID
Very sensible statement, with which I agree entirely.
To those of you who are somewhat skeptical of Obama’s ability to fulfill the huge expectations now directed at him, I think your skepticism about anything in politics is well justified!
Ultimately, even a strong, focused, intelligent, and charismatic leader (and Obama seems to my very skeptical eye and ear to be the genuine article) can only help and inspire the country go in directions it already wants to go in. And that country, this country, is still filled with millions and millions of people who, for example, have a vested interest in and emotional attachment to dinosaur lifestyles in sprawling suburbs, just to mention one of our many, many intractable long-range problems.
But as photographers attuned to decisive or defining moments, how can we fail to be swept up by the emotional and spiritual significance of an Afro-American being elected president of the U.S. and by a substantial majority? Even if you are not moved to tears yourself, seeing the tears of Jesse Jackson and countless, countless others should tell you something. (And if their emotion does not move you as well, then why in the world are you taking photographs to begin with?). Whatever frustrations, compromises, disillusionments, or maddeningly slow progress may lie ahead in an Obama administration, surely this is one of the defining and decisive moments of American history and not just another blip in a four-year or eight-year cycle of ‘inevitable’ change. This event renews the hope that our best ideals and aspirations may not be just self-deluding propaganda. Can we ourselves live up to these expectations?
Cheers,
Sidney
david,
i like you used the word “humanity” referring to Obama’s qualities.
It should be something related to human beings…apparently such a natural behavior for the “homo sapiens”….
Yet so rare to see in those who’ve run the world lately (and generally in those who have the power).
Useless to say most people here are enthusiastic as well, and also a bit jealous as we dont see any chance of getting rid of our democratically elected premier, a first class asshole and an embarrassing idiot as his comments on Obama’s election prove (obviously he’s a good friend of W.)
PAUL: I am so excited by the Autumn Leaves collection?!! If it weren’t for trees providing the oxygen we breathe…
I have a friend who wants to work on developing small-scale artificial atmosphere/water circulation systems (his background) – a great guy, but I just hope mankind will find a way to protect THE REAL THING before there’s a need to implement such inventions…
Jenny
DAVID.
“i do think he is a good man…but, the quest for THE JOB had him swinging in directions i do not think in his heart he would have gone….”
I agree totally. He sold out and it bit him. A good lesson for life as well as photography. We should all follow our hearts.
ALL.
I am now officially a political junkie. Anyone else get hooked?
Yet another example of the brilliance of Obama. He drew me in and made everyone part of his process and now I have to stick around….
For others who feel this way Obama now has a NEW WEBSITE, complete with blog…
http://www.change.gov/
They are just getting it up and running so bookmark and check back.
Cathy:
Its a known effect:
http://www.xkcd.com/500/
Neil
With the exception of a comment or two, I’ve been a lurker since David first put up his blog.
I’m in Toronto. Many of us followed the election. Even at the grocery store check-out line you’d find people talking about Obama and what it would mean for the world if he won. On election night, there were private parties, movie theatres turned off the film projector for the night and instead showed election coverage, ravers and middle-aged people gathered in a public square to listen to Obama’s acceptance speech broadcast from an iPod hooked up to a portable PA system.
We elected a new prime minister a few weeks ago. If it registered anywhere in the NY Times, it wasn’t anywhere near the front page.
Not everyone here likes or trusts Obama. But most of us do (in 2000 I was rooting for McCain).
What is exciting is that Obama gives us hope, gives us an America we can trust, where laws will be respected not perverted, where you have a thinking president not a puppet who appears to be manipulated by a VP with an agenda. A president who writes his own books, and not bad ones, who says the right things and seems to mean it, not someone who speaks like a SNL character.
Some people here dismiss Obama as a celebrity. At the last minute he cancelled a photo shoot with Platon, choosing instead to spend time with his family. Someone bent on celebrity wouldn’t do that.
His behavior throughout the campaign and since makes me look forward to January. And for once I envy you Americans your leader, and I wish we had one his equal. I’ll bet that sentiment is true the world over. When was that last true of an American president – Kennedy? As the parties here on Tuesday night were titled: Welcome Back America.
This Guardian profile of Seymour Hersh may be of interest to everyone:
http://bit.ly/33pdOJ
I’d like to think in four years, Hersh will be writing his memoirs because Obama’s ship is clean and tight.
I cried because A) this was the first time in my mere 38yrs that I felt a belief in the voting process that I have never felt before and B) America finally elected a minority for president….next stop; female president!! *lol*
“Genuine” is what I’ve heard people use to describe Obama after they met him and here in New Mexico, the Native Americans were impressed early on when Obama visited some of the pueblo’s. I could be wrong but I don’t ever recall hearing about McCain going to any of the reservations here.
I do not believe Obama is “the messiah” or that he will run the country w/ease. That’s simply absurd and I think that most of us here are intelligent and rational enough to know this.
What I hope for is that an Obama administration will bring about better relations with other countries and their citizens and thus better opportunities for us photographers to gain access.
I feel that the right man for the job won the election. I only listened to the results on the radio. I was doing a story a long way up a backroad, up a very spiritual river staying at a convent in a little settlement called Jerusalem. It consists of a Maori marae (settlement/village) and a convent. A truly spiritual place. No email, cellphone or tv.
I was up there on a story, but also on a spiritual pilgrimage to the grave site of James K Baxter, a prophet-like poet who has always inspired me. I was asking questions of myself, work direction and whether I’m on the right path etc etc…. Seeking guidance…
It’s been a real tough three months after a magazine folded on me (it provided about 50% of my income…) So was going through a dark patch, only just being able to pay mortgage, power etc… I’m not seeking sympathy, just putting things in context.
But it was like the old days, sitting around the table with a cup of tea listening to the acceptance and valediction speeches. Probably the same as my parents did during WW2!!
I thought McCains speech was one of the best and most charitable valediction speeches I’ve heard. I was very impressed. It must be hard not to become churlish in such a speech.
My only worry is that Obama will pull the troops out of Iraq and the place will implode into a bloody (bloodier) civil war… And maybe sharia law…Again, it will be the average civilian that will bear the brunt. I don’t want to seem like the “sad face at the party” but it is a worry…
I arrived home yesterday absolutely bursting with “joie de vivre” totally inspired by a Jerusalem’s spirituality. It’s a special place, and one that I will return to start a documentary project.
It’s a place where you have to tread carefully, so other than taking pics for the travel piece at the convent, didn’t take any more. There is a Maori custom when you go fishing, that you must throw back your first fish to appease the gods etc. That was similar to what I did over the last few days. Just talked, sat around, broke the ice and gained permission to start a project. “Saw” some wonderful images, but threw them back for later…
Arrived home, after asking those questions and had three articles wanted by a mag, and a photo shoot waiting for me….. Coincidence??? I don’t think so….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem,_New_Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Baxter
As an aside; the Timor photo essay and article will be out in the December edition of Australian Photography, if any fellow Antipodeans are interested…
I hope I haven’t waffled on too much.
Cheers everyone.
David: “i trust Obama more than anyone around….and, i will hold him just as responsible as well…”
this is all one can ask for. and my main concern is in people getting so emotional that they become blinded and lose the ability to see past their ‘dear leader’.
but the fact that he is “an instant world icon” is troubling to me. this is exactly the kind of thing that gets used to push things through that would not be possible otherwise. it says that he’s got some credibility when so far all he has done is make pretty speeches.
re: jesse jackson crying.. for me this doesn’t mean very much.. i’ve never really seen jackson as much more than an opportunist establishment guy anyway.. he rode the coattails of MLK jr. then, seemingly didn’t even attempt to fill the shoes, fred hampton creates the rainbow coalition and is assassinated by the chicago police, so jesse jackson hijacks the name and creates a neutered version. if fred hampton or MLK jr. were allowed to live and were standing there in the park crying that would mean a lot more to me than jesse jackson or oprah.
Jenny, I think we’ll all be fine on the tree front. Before I left New York there were trees appearing all over the place and very quickly. Bloomberg’s handy work.
Most developed world cities are greener, in terms of trees, than they’ve ever been. Some trees are so hardy they’re perfect for urban environments. Also, forests are increasing in much of Europe and in a depopulating Germany the municipal authorities in some cities are returning urban spaces to forest, believe it or not. The Germans’ are ahead of the game in Europe in adapting their economy to a declining population. Well smart. Well green and clean.
Anyway
oh no – Michigan’s governor is on Obama’s economic advisory panel – paying attention is going to kill me
my heart sings!!!
not just because barack was elected, but because WE elected him. we walked door to door to register voters, we made phone calls in our spare time, we passed out information, we talked to our neighbors, we gave money, and we stood in line sometimes hours to vote for him. we made a change. Does it change everything? no of course not. Could he still be a horrible president- yes maybe. But we’ll deal with that, when the time comes. For now I’ve got hope.
call me sappy, simple, naive, i don’t care. I’m tired of being cynical (in more than just politics)
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ”
…but this time it wasn’t just a small group. Thousands, millions of people saying f_you to people who sneer at “community organizers”. community organizing just won this election.
I celebrated our victory on Ust.. There were tons of people with cameras recording the event. I didn’t take my camera out. This time I didn’t want to record it, I wanted to part of it, shouting and jumping up and down and sharing my joy with thousands of other people.
what does that say about me as a photographer? i don’t know.
Mr. Harvey,
I understand what you’re saying, and unlike a lot of GOP people right now I don’t wish the junior senator ill, it’s just that I don’t think he can deliver any of what he promised and so the letdown is going to be much more cruel than it otherwise would be. With the GOP’s power of obstruction basically limited to the Senate filibuster, the new president will have to be the one to ride herd on a Congress full of old style Dems who think that the solution to any and every problem is to raise taxes and then spend the money, even if the Treasury doesn’t have it and even if raising taxes and increasing spending now will prolong the crisis. As for W, I think history will probably be kinder to him than the electorate is now. Remember, when Harry Truman left the White House in 1952 his poll numbers were in the dumper as well and the public had just taken their frustrations with him out on Adlai Stevenson, an analogy I’ve always thought apt in John McCain’s case, but one that nobody pointed out during the campaign. Still, his refusing to rein in a free spending Republican Congress that had caught Potomac fever and forgot why they were sent to Washington in the first place, and his throwing away three years in Iraq by listening to the wrongheaded counsel of Rumsfeld and the Pentagon are not going to look in good in any biography, no matter how well-written it might be. And I think that in his memoirs, Bush should dedicate a chapter to David Petraeus. It’s not every politician who can point to someone and say, that guy saved my ass in more ways than one.
BOB B,
thanks for the kind words. The anniversary was on the first and I went to the service and took pics, most of which arent that great; I was just trying to document the proceedings for the family, not try to make myself look good, but I thought you’d want to know what Carla actually looked like.
NEIL.
:))) Love it.
I will re-post your link for other Obama junkies:
http://www.xkcd.com/500/
AKAKY:
my friend, because of your beautiful tribute to her last year, i already “saw” her as remarkably beautiful….a point of undiminishing light…
that she was in the “flesh” as luminous as the young girl’s spirit i imagined last year, only adds to the pain…and the shock…
thanks so much for sharing with me….as i told you last year, i hope and trust you’ve shared that piece from last year with the family….
for that, they shall forever be grateful…
hugs akaky
bob
I’ve been reading the comments on this thread with interest. I guess Barack Obama has done more than bring our country back to a sense of who we are as a people, he has brought me back to this Road Trips community.
Yes, I was hurt by all the acrimonious back-and-forth that went on here a few weeks ago. I needed time to ground myself in my non-virtual life again. I was tired of riding a roller coaster of emotions over which I had no control. I guess I was just plain tired.
But I am tired no longer. What happened at 11 p.m. EST on Tuesday night took a huge weight off my shoulders, the weight of feeling terrible shame over what the president of my country had been doing in my name for eight long years.
Sure I’d fought it in every way I could. I’d been out marching on the streets with thousands of like-minded folks in different U.S. cities & Canada. I’d stood vigil with hand-lettered signs in Detroit, across the river in Windsor, Ontario, in San Francisco, CA and for weeks at a time all by myself in Washington, DC. I even spoke of American’s anti-war movement at a gathering of Muslim men, women and children in Beirut, Lebanon three years ago. I wrote countless letters-to-the editors, emails & blog entries, and co-founded a Detroit chapter of the Raging Grannies, old women whose dedication to peace & justice sends them out onto streets across the globe singing satirical political songs while dressed up in old-fashioned Granny costumes.
I was hardly apathetic.
And now a new president has been elected, a man who is much more conservative than I policy-wise, but whom I admire and respect. A man whom I believe will make our country proud again. Who already has.
The fact that he is African American means a great deal to me. It was that fact, coupled with my memories of having grown up in a racist south where too many black men, women and children were beaten, raped, jailed and killed IN MY LIFETIME for simply wanting to exercise their Constitutionally-guaranteed right to vote, that wrenched tears from me on Tuesday night and still do today.
My tears have nothing to do with idolizing the man Barack Obama, and everything to do with gratitude that I have lived to see this day.
No, he is not a “black” president; Barack Obama is the president of ALL Americans, white, black, brown, yellow, red and more mixes of color than we can imagine. And I know he will make decisions with which I will disagree, strongly & vocally if I know myself. But I also know he will be bringing his excellent mind, his compassionate heart, his organizing skills, his life experience as someone who had to work for whatever he got, his proven ability to bridge differences and listen to other points of view, his calm demeanor and self discipline, his basic goodness to every moment he lives in that historic White House on Pennsylvania Avenue.
In short, Barack Obama’s election has given me hope for the future. And hope is something that was in short supply for me (and many others) during the nightmare of these past eight years.
Besides he brought me back to you, my sisters and brothers who may not share language, cultural backgrounds, geographic locations but do share a love of photography, in many cases a PASSION for photography! And for that I am grateful.
in peace & solidarity
Patricia
I’m in VENICE right now…
Happy hour… $1.50 for a miller..
Expect a lot from me tonight…
;-)
No more words…I promise! Just one image that, to me, says it all about what happened in my country this week:
http://www.pbase.com/image/105620675
Patricia
David McG,
Just don’t pay attention to that. Pay attention to something else. We would all grieve mightily if you were killed….
Lee
My only comment in this political discussion:
Today I said, looking over my right shoulder, “I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Lee
Hi ALL
a favor..am about to make a piece I shot for Boston Magazine ‘live’ on my website, but before I do, I’d appreciate your eyes for feedback or helping me catch caption typos or whatever you want to share..might be best to do this via email though, as it isn’t Obama related :)
for now, it can be seen by going to
http://ericamcdonaldphoto.com
private galleries
login erica
password erica (both case sensitive)
Growing Up Gloucester
It’s a story related to the pregnancy of 18 high school girls in one small town..about one girl who has represented the rest, including her bestfriend who is one of the moms..
also can someone please tell me if the link to the article on the magazine’s website (on the first page, overview) is working properly?
my email is erica at ericamcdonaldphoto.com
thanks so much!
ps..be prepared, it’s digital and ‘loose’, so is going to look different from what you have seen before by me..
Erica,
Tried but no can do. Won’t let me type in login or password, curser sits and blinks but no work…
Want to see your work very much.
Lee
Thanks Lee, I appreciate that. Now with any luck, Rahm Emanuel won’t send his thugs after me!
wrong login or password, Erica? Fast, gotta jet & wanna see it ;)
I think it is fixed.. try again..sorry / thanks!
ERICA,
The link to the article worked fine for me…. I cannot resist to the “pleasure” of correcting one typo in your captions :):):):)(says the man who makes typos all the time…)…
If you go to caption 6: you have a typo on “pregnant” (missing an “e” if I recall)….
Please check caption 19 as (maybe my english here) I did not know the work “special-ed” so may or may not be a typo…
Cool to see you doing this work Erica!. This reminded me somewhat of the type of stories that Lauren Greenfield would be doing….
Cheers,
Eric
ERIC,
merci merci..the E is in place is caption 6, and special-ed is changed to special education for greater clarity..
Good eye too, as ” Erica McDonald meets Lauren Greenfield” was the direction they wanted the pictures to go in!
JAMES,
The kite festival seems to have been quite an event.
http://www.jameschance.com/multimedia/jctextblog/mainboard.php?display=posts&topic_id=28
I was not aware of this tradition and it was great for me to see again in your pictures the colors from this magical country (my favourite picture is the first one with the boy with hat and the kites at the back..after that, I liked 2, 8 and 10).
I was in Guatemala last April myself for the Easter Processions in Antigua… The religious celebrations in this country are very unique… If you are interested, you can check the essay I did back then on my site (Final edit Semana Santa and Guatemala).
http://www.ericespinosa.com/main.php
I cannot wait to also see the essays from David’s students on the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca last week… Might try to go there next year… Anyway, thanks for sharing these images from Guatemala.
Cheers,
Eric
Hey Eric!
Yeah the festival was a lot of fun! I tried to check your work, but couldn’t get through on this try, bit of a slow connection right now.
The Easter celebrations in Antigua are amazing I know. I would love to see it some time. A good friend of mine has shot a lot of work there over the last few years. Check out http://www.alexfledderjohn.com.
Alex and I are heading off to Belize for a short trip tomoorrow so a bit pressed for time, but look forward to checking out your pics when I get a better connection.
Cheers,
James
from OAXACA
hello all
last day, returning home again… it was an intense experience…
for those of you who want to know how it works: david makes you go out there to shoot. relentlessly. every day again. and every morning at 10am is a class critique of the images of the previous day. the goal is that you find a personal story and that you go out and you shoot it. most people take a couple of days to find their “story” (not in the literal sense of the word, mind you), and all along david keeps pushing you to go further, get that one more image, start all over again if it’s not good, make even more images, lose a lot of sleep…
at the end the final slideshow was compiled and shown in the manuel alvarez bravo art centre in oaxaca for a full house…
not like we didn’t know that up front and weren’t nervous as hell already :-)
so that’s the reason why i’m showing this multitude of daily images… so you (and i myself probably) can find out where this all ends up…
david will be posting the final slideshow under the movies section soon, or so i heard…
:-)
so here comes all:
OAXACA
day 5 – story 1
“dark additions”
http://oaxaca.antonkusters.com/day5-story1/
day 5 – story 2
“gramma, grampa and kiddo”
http://oaxaca.antonkusters.com/day5-story2/
day 5 – story 3
“party in the streets”
http://oaxaca.antonkusters.com/day5-story3/
day 6
“i see ghosts”
http://oaxaca.antonkusters.com/day6/
day 7
“my closing image and more partying at dusk”
http://oaxaca.antonkusters.com/day7/
day 8
final edits!!!!
story one: “i see a ghost”
http://oaxaca.antonkusters.com/day8-story1/
story two: “i was a dog”
http://oaxaca.antonkusters.com/day8-story2/
hope you all enjoy…. i’m dead tired now, but i sure did…
i HOPE everything works, internet sucks here in the hotel…
peace to all
anton
ANTON,
Thanks for sharing the progression of the work with us. I absolutely loved your essay “I see a ghost”…So many great images. For me, that essay is by far the best one… I was less fan of the “I was a dog” personally…I preferred your B&W touch, the dark images, the shadows, the repetition of these eyes in the light….
Great work Anton!
Eric
very nice work by a 15 year old photographer :
http://eleanorhardwick.com
ANTON
My goodness, friend, you REALLY did the deed. Not only did you obviously work your tail off in Oaxaca but your work sings!!! And the song is uniquely your own.
It was most helpful to see your shoots day-by-day. When I then clicked on the two final edits, it was like seeing old friends. I’m glad you had two edits, one b&w & one in color. Each has a different feel, both valid. If I were to have to pick just ONE image, it would be #1 in the “I see a ghost.” That b&w image of the dog in silhouette at the top of the hilly street is emblematic of the Oaxaca I remember. Amazing in every way!
Safe travels, dear Anton. Thank you so much for letting us join you at this workshop…
love & hugs
Patricia
With a little help from my friends (big nod to young Tom for his help with the caption writing)
Growing Up Gloucester is now live at
http://www.ericamcdonaldphoto.com
feedback welcome..and thanks again for the help!
eric, patricia
at mexico city airport now with a hour to kill… thanks for he kind words… yes “i see a ghost” is for sure the main essay…
i am slowly figuring it all out, and david’s been the main drive behind that. a lot of hard work ahead for my photography, but at least i know the way to go now… i feel lucky and privileged to be able to use my visual language in this way…
plane’s boarding, gotta run… see you soon!
peace
anton
ANTON
safe flight, thanks for sharing the process..really good work! I agree ghost is primary, but I would love to see you keep working on things from a traveling dog’s perspective..where ever you may roam..
ALL…
my schedule:
today driving back across that nightmare mountain range to Oaxaca city…same van, new brakes (the driver says)…
tomorrow i fly to New York and i can catch up a bit here, but i do fly to London on the 12th…back on the 16th..
after that , i am all yours….no more workshops until maybe next spring….
after London , i will be full on with just two things: (a) family project (b) this forum (your work)
i have been absent here, as i always am during a workshop, but my mind has been racing..and so many good ideas from many of you are flowing in…
back to you soonest….
cheers et al, david
ERICA,
your passwords are invalid, at least on this computer
AKAKY
the gallery is public now, took away the password..look just under New York…
Growing Up Gloucester
DAH
get home safely..you are in one of my favorite places, but I think that road aged me quite a bit! The drivers seem to have it under control though, mas o menos :)
david
make sure not to point things out! remember the driver looks too :)))))))
safe travels amigo, and give my love to marie, maya, michael and mike…
will mail you all “soonest” :-)
anton
Anton
i never saw you work but let me tell you that when i see it i see intimacy, confidence and amazing timing something that in mi experience its so dificult to get at least for me.
felicidades
AKAKY: New brakes? My new brakes just cost me $894.01. I think it’s that extra penny that did it; it’s almost like a last flick of contempt from the mechanic. He couldnt have rounded it off? And this after all I’ve spent in his damn garage.
AKAKY IRL: No one here gives a rat’s ass about your damn brakes. You know that, right?
AKAKY: I know, but I just felt like venting. Sorry if I disturbed you.
AKAKY IRL: It doesnt bother me one way or the other, pal.
AKAKY: You’re a very understanding person.
AKAKY IRL: Piss off.
AKAKY: That’s more like it.
Anton,
The intensity and mystery of your images–for me especially the black and white ones–make me want to be in Oaxaca. I also enjoyed the color images in story two of the family–so rich and intimate.
David,
Safe travels. I am so glad this site continues with many wonderful images and comments. It is always interesting to see what is next.
Anton and Erica,
Saw your work. Wish I had seen Erica’s work without the article but was good to see.
Anton, Ghost for sure. Wondered where the dog title came from on the second one.
Lee
LEE,
how so? what did the article do or change for you?
ERICA,
Your story feels very “REAL”. Nothing surreal or tech about it. It just tells a story. Simple as that. That why I think I like it. Nothing added and nothing detracted.
ANTON,
Great work. I knew you had it in you!
Cheers
PEOPLE, people, people, this is entirely DELICIOUS and utterly poetic, check it out;
David, although I am still wary of Obama for many reasons, I did feel relieved and motivated when he won. The elation all around me really rubbed off, too. Here is my ‘brick in the wall,’ which I was working on as Obama won. It’s a local story of immigration and struggle:
multimedia –
http://extras.parkrecord.com/video/castro%20video/index.html
written story –
http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_10897610
Erica,
Just thought the original photos you posted would have been more for us to see (bigger) without the article. Not that I thought the article was less or the photos, just wanted to see them without the article and couldn’t get signed in on your site. Nothing negative at all.
Lee
My Obama contribution…..
http://kimreierson.blogspot.com
Bangkok Nov 9th:
First night in Bangkok, I had the opportunity to meet a photographer featured in Peter’s 37th frame, for the opening that very mnight of his series on the loved ones families lost due to terrorism and violence in the Sotuh of Thailand. Masuru Goto. His works shines even better in prints than on screen, pleae take a look again, valuable work about a situation very few know about or even guess:
http://www.the37thframe.org/?p=498
Bangkok is always a hell of an happening place. Got to hook up with a few new people, thanks to Masuru’s opening, and street wise, if you have good shoes, and fully charged camera battery, never a dull moment.
I reflected again, strolling and shooting around, about the latest comments here on street P. and privacy invasion. Nothing of the sort here. people here love to enjoy themselves, and whereas you’d expect a frown or an annoyed stance, getting closer and stealthy, the most reaction you get is a hearty laugh and that great feeling so asian, that we are all participating in that game of life, and if you can’t share it, then what’s the point of getting up. A hell of a difference with this concept of privacy invasion and individual space as a fortress we are accustomed in the West.
To be continued…
Oh yes, pix:
http://www.pbase.com/image/105672887
http://www.pbase.com/image/105672889
ERICA
I’ve now looked at your photos within the context of the article, and on their own as a photo essay. Either way, your portrayal of this story is effective. No sentimentality or pulling-on-the heart strings, just plain old good documentary photography. Kudos to you!
HERVE
I love knowing you are home again in Thailand, and love seeing your photos and hearing your stories. Please keep sharing…
Patricia
TO ALL…
Tragic day today… This afternoon, I had planned to go to a boxing tournament taking place in the first gym I went to in Cincinnati, where I started my “Lords of the ring” essay…
I had not been to the gym in the past month and was looking forward to see “my” boxers again… One of the young boxers was not there… James who was only 18 had been shot to death 3 weeks before… 9 bullets!!! My heart is broken… James was a talented boxer and a relatively reserved kid… Some pictures of him made it to my final edit… He had started boxing at 8, early on, and was the son of a former boxer who made it into the pros, at least for a few fights… I tried to understand what happened the night he was shot at 4am downtown Cincinnati but no one really knows or wants to speak about it… Before the turnament started, the crowd had a moment of silence to hear the bell ring 10 times… tragic tradition to honor a boxer who has passed away… The father was here as well, strong still but tears in his eye… No words to decribe the feeling, the sadness… The coach came to see me afterwards to tell me that for James’ funeral, he had taken down one of the very large posters that I had printed for the gym (several of my prints are on the wall of the gym), the one in which James was surrounded with all his friends… The coach bought a frame for the poster and all the boxers carried the photograph during the funeral… They wanted to reach me and let me know what had happened but I had not left any phone number or anything so I just found out today, 3 weeks after…
I did put a small tribute to James on my site with some of the pictures I had of him… The poster used at the funeral is the last photograph…
http://www.ericespinosa.com/main.php
I remember sharing on this forum weeks ago an event that had touched me… James was a good boxer but maybe not the best… He had just lost a fight and was crying at the back of the gym… Hard to live up to the expectations… I came back to ensure he was OK and saw his mother come to him and shout… “Stand up my son, you are a man!!!! Well, James will never really become a man, he was just a kid… and 9 bullets, fucking 9 bullets killed him!!!!
Eric
Eric –
I am so sorry. I am sad for you, for the men and boys at the gym, for James, and for his mother. Tragic.
Kelly
that’s heartbreaking Eric..the image of James running will stay with me now..I send condolences to all and can only hope their world will somehow (Obama) improve for these kids..
on a personal level I am sorry that you were not aware of the funeral to say goodbye to James..on a professional level (which is personal for you too, I know) maybe through this tragedy you can create a path to look closer at the lives of these boys outside the ring..
Anton,
Really good work. I like ‘Dog’ – which I note is counter to what most others are liking. I like the colour mostly. photos 3,4,5,6,7,8.
‘Ghost’ probably has stronger photos, nicer comps but because I was exposed to the colour look you presented I wanted to see them in colour. Anyway 2!, 3,4,5,6, and last are good and essential.
Erica,
Liked the story probably not too keen on the mag selections — maybe too illustrative, didactic, and your other work has more depth. The irony of the cover of the guy with meat and article opening photo are um, interesting. ‘2 girls in car with baby’, ‘white tank top baby on chair’ and ‘girl in green with football boy’ are very interesting – to me at least.
David Ryder,
The MM worked very well, very good work I say.
Kim,
What a road trip. Like the work. Why the occassional bw? The BW in my humble opinion were not better or worse than the colour ones around them so I was wondering…
Anyway, look how much work is being produced, excellent production, and lots in a finished form. Actual projects actually getting done.
Doug
Ok Erica,
Finally got to view all your photos instead of just the article. Not sure what the magic combination was, maybe I was holding my mouth right this time. The only thing I had was a link to the article itself and the photos were embedded in the article.
Now it all works. Thanks for sharing.
Lee
erica–
how much time did you have to shoot this piece?
did you work with the writer at all?
which photos were included in the magazine?
did you have a say in this?
i feel perhaps that there is too much repetition in your edit.
(4 in bedroom, 4 w/phone, 4 w/car, etc.)
my favorite is the one where she’s kissing the cat with the baby on the floor in his chair. that’s a classic and could tell a strong story all on its own.
eric–
i’m so so sorry to hear your news.
k.
ALL
it’s an interesting topic (to me anyway..)- the difference between shooting a photo essay (long form, something you are invested in over time), and shooting a piece to illustrate an article / ie something you get hired and go in to cover in a day.
The interesting part/question for me is what effect being visually savvy and having familiarity with the long term project way of working has on reception of the short assignment that needs to be told in story form..
sorry..reception meaning the way the visually savvy viewer takes in the piece
Katia,
I met with the writer that day and she was with me during the shoot, which was one day..I gave the magazine a wide edit, and they chose what to run..I could have made a smaller edit than I did, but at the time I was content to give them a range of choices.
LEE/ ALL the gallery is public now..that’s the difference
ERIC.
What a shame…tragic.
Gang violence (which I assume this was) needs to become a thing of the past.
I have high HOPES that the new role model of President Barack Obama can make a difference for the future of these kids.
Eric,
The unplanned directions our work often takes never ceases to amaze me.
Yours is very sad indeed.
What is next for you?
Doug
VENICE BEACH ,
ONCE AGAIN
ONCE AGAIN
ONCE AGAIN
the NEW link, here :
http://web.me.com/innerspacecowpanos/%22VENICE_BEACH%22/ONCE_AGAIN,__VENICE_chaos….html
peace…
ERIC.. i am also heartbroken at the tragic loss of young James.. a piece of his life has touched me/us through your fine images.. i have some small understanding, some small concept with a larger sense of who he was because of your photography. i did not know James of course but his story and his spirit have entered my realm in large part because of Eric the photographer. an image that was used to commemorate James’ life amongst his closest loved ones has reached my reality and made an impression… i am again heightened here by the reach and importance of photography, and in this case especially saddened by the message.
again,
BUT HIGHER REZ
HIGHER REZ
HIGHER REZ
http://gallery.me.com/innerspacecowpanos#100425&view=mosaic&sel=0
peace
ALL – sorry i have been MIA for a little while. life has been crazy for me. i was in CA visiting my parents, then jury duty, and LOOK3 is keeping me quite busy already.
ERIC – I am sorry to hear about james – a wonderful tribute though.
Those in the DC area – DC Foto Week this weekend… should be interesting….
Eric
I don’t know what to say. Its good you’re making the pictures you’re making. Keep going.
ERIC
Ever since I read your news about James, he has been on my mind. Him, his father and mother, any sisters and brothers he might have, his friends and neighbors, fellow boxers and coaches, and you. There are no words. How can I bring words to such a tragedy? No, there are no words. Just sadness for a life cut way way too short, for a vibrant, beautiful, strong young man who was determined to beat the odds, to make it out of a neighborhood where just surviving was something.
I put myself in your place and I feel incredible pain and regret. I know you wanted to be there when he was mourned and buried. But I know you WERE there. You were carried by James’ friends when they carried a poster of the photo you took of him and his beloved boxing buddies. Before James was killed he knew he was valued and respected, not just by his family, friends and boxing community, but by this white man who had spent time with him in his home away from home, the gym, and had taken photos of him doing what he loved best, boxing. You gave his life meaning it wouldn’t have had without you. And he will live on because of your photos. I thank you for that.
with love & gratitude for what you gave to James,
Patricia
KELLY, ERICA, CATHY, DOUG, LANCE, GINA, NEIL, PATRICIA…
Thanks to all of you for your words and for having been touched by James’ tragic loss… Yesterday was very moving for me and I have kept thinking about James all day today… As usual, your words Patricia sum it all better than my own words…I was very touched by all your responses…
Eric
Eric, that is a very sad story. I’m very sorry to hear about James. It shows how you are a good photographer and a good human when affected in this way by someone who you were photographing.
Doug, thank you for watching my multimedia project and commenting, I appreciate it.
ERIC
Just want to join to other comments about James, and the fact that your work has now another meaning i think. Good luck and congratulations for all you’ve already done, this event shows how good you are.
KATIA
I love your work!!!!
love
David and All
Big hello from thailand and cambodia border. Amazing country. One of the best I’ve seen. And like always I have not enough films!!! I could make ten films per day here!
big hugs
ERIC….
i was just catching up on comments here and i am just overwhelmed with your news about young James…there is just no way to reconcile this kind of tragedy…in the ‘hood somebody says the wrong thing to the wrong person, somebody gets jealous, or who knows what…and the easy purchase of guns does not help…this kind of senseless “assassination” goes on everyday and we read about it everyday, but it becomes all too real when we start “exploring” with our work….
i trust you will do something in your book in memory of James…your book will be something the family can hang on to..i promise you it will mean a lot….James was a man i never met except in your photographs and now i cannot get his picture out of my head…please express to James’ family all of our deep heartfelt sadness and that a whole bunch of us out here only “knew” James through you and that we will remember James’ short life forever…
please e-mail me a picture of James, some details, and a quote from you ….i will post it with a short story, so the family will know that we care….it is the least we can do….
hugs, david
Pattaya, Tuesday 11th:
The whole country is preparing for one of the most celebrated festivals of the year, Loy Kratong.
Just arrived in Pattaya yesterday, I have a little condo there, and first “thai” reality check, I found out I have a 700$ water bill, due to some leak. So I have been a little worked up about it, but yes, Ok, it’s only money (meaning it’s money, too much money!!!), just the news today, and also Marcin should be here Sunday, after visiting Angkor in Cambodia.
I haven’t had the time to check all that’s been written here, will try at some point this week, just you’re family so i keep in touch with my little Asian journal.
OK, I followed DAH’s steps into the Bangkok night (see his January 2007 entry I think, I bet that was Soi Cowboy you shot yours too, David)), just a stroll really, and that’s my pix today:
http://www.pbase.com/image/105765107
ERIC,
Very sorry to hear about James. Stuff like that just make me loose hope on the world at times. For the last couple of days I’ve been reading Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano and I only have a couple of pages left. I heard about James while reading the book and it’s just the same story, but different parts of the world. It’s a book I can recommend to anyone. Good people get drawn in bad things because they’re not strong enough or have to pay simply because they are good and on the right side of the justice..
Cheers
DAVID,
Thanks for your words of sympathy for James and his family that I will share back with all at the gym. Thanks also for the offer to post a short story… I am sure it will mean a lot to the family and the friends of James… I will send you a photograph and some details when I get home tonight. Regarding the book, doing it in memory of James has become an evidence. If I ever needed to get my act together, complete the work and create something that I can pass on to his family, after what happened, doing this book is sadly taking a new meaning…
Eric
PATRICIA…
i have to finish up this month work on Mike Young’s “Blues , Booze and BBQ” book to be published by Powerhouse…by January i would like to start with the layout and presentation to publishers with your book…if we start soonest, we should be able to have a book ready for spring of 2010..this means you would have to have all of your photography done by this coming summer 2009… there should never be a “rush to publish”, but i think by then, with a little push and incentive, you can do it…what do you think???
cheers, david
DAVID
Of course my photography for “Falling Into Place” can be completed by summer 2009. I’m assuming the text would need to be ready then as well. No problem. In fact that means I’ll have photos from all four seasons which is what I’d hoped.
When you have time could you look at my most recent new photos? There are now 28 of them. The URL is
http://www.pbase.com/windchimewalker/for_review13
PASSWORD patricia
I really appreciate your continued commitment to this project, David. I’ve never lost interest in it myself. Mary Ellen Mark is also supporting this work, in fact she gave my name and email address to an organizer of the Hearst 8×10 Biennial Photography Competition and I’ve been invited to submit my work.
My life has become more and more of an adventure with each passing day!
hugs
Patricia
DAVID
welcome home. i just sent you an email so when you have a moment…
PATRICIA…
sorry, i forgot to mention that i had seen your newest images the other day…superlative work, but i do think you still need a better workout photograph…i do not know why, but for some reason all of those workout pictures you have so far just do not have the poetry of your best work from other situations..i know this is such an important part of your life, and a source of great pride and no small task either, but we just do not have it yet in a picture that comes up to the level of your best…i do not think it is about you or your “seeing”, it is just the “coldness” of the gym…all of your best work is symbolic or sublime…the gym just has a different atmosphere…almost too “clinical”…in your life, the gym keeps you going….you just have to figure out some way to make it work…or not?? sometimes an important “story point” just does not a picture make…i am not saying the gym is necessarily such a situation, but it surely is a tough one…but, do not worry….you have 6 months to figure it out!!!
abrazos, david
ALL – I’ve just finished a new Multi Media piece on the aftermath of the second world war in Darwin.
Here
http://www.theage.com.au/interactive/2008/national/battle-for-australia/index.html
MARC….
i wrote you back…
cheers, david
DAVID,
For some reasons, I cannot find anymore your e-mail to send you the photo… If you have a moment, please send it to me at eespinosa@cinci.rr.com or on the blog whichever is the easiest…
Cheers,
Eric
DAVID
gracias…right back at ya…
DAVID
Well, I may have to give up the gym as a subject but I’ll keep my eyes open and maybe a new angle will appear.
David, can you possibly give me your new choices by image # so I can add them to my edit? It helps if I can see what I have so I’ll know where to go from here.
Thanks for ALL your time & attention.
Patricia
DAVID
Sorry. Forgot to include the URL for my new work:
http://www.pbase.com/windchimewalker/for_review13
PASSWORD patricia
Hi All~~
Better late than never…
~*~*~ HALLOWEEN EROTIC BALL, Portland Oregon 2008~*~*~
***Mildly X~Rated***
http://www.hillaryatiyeh.com/portfolio.cfm?nK=6615&nS=37&nL=1
~Hillary
PATRICIA….
actually i liked ALL your new work (you are becoming quite the good editor) EXCEPT the gym photo and the picture of you taking a picture of the woman and her art work….there could be a place at the back of the book for several pictures of you working, but this one also seems a bit out of context with your main essay….
HILLARY….
i thought you told me that you and your husband lived a quiet life in the country…????….hmmmmm, i never get invited to Halloween parties like that!!!!
cheers, david
David,
I have been busy recentl and back in a shooting groove esecially on HSH which is now back as my main focus again. The seris had ballooned up to nearl 80 phoso so in the past couple of days I took a hatchet and a scalpel to it and edited down back into the 50s. I told you before that my goal is to end up with no more than a 40-50 shot edit for this year of shooting and I think thats going to be possible. I may go down below 40 with another decisive edit but I would love it if you took a look at where it stands now. I have started to integrate some of the still life shots I had in another set into HSH. The newest edit has a lot of the new photos I shot over the past couple of months.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jinju/sets/72157603911888316/
Hi Again~
~*~*~TRICK OR TREAT~*~*~
***Totally G Rated***
http://www.hillaryatiyeh.com/portfolio.cfm?nK=6616&nS=37&i=72815
~Hillary
Ed Kashi on the effect of oil on the population and environment of the Niger Delta
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/10/what.matters.niger/index.html
RAFAL…
Home Sweet Home remains strong and is one of the essays i would most value for our online magazine and for a book on its own….if i were you, i would not even be too worried about editing down much more at this point…you have it tight enough to start doing a layout and a layout changes the way you may look at the pictures..juxtaposition will become very important in this essay…
why don’t you start playing with a layout?? or , maybe you already have….if you were to do a Blurb book or something similar, we would have something to show publishers…i think the time is right….i cannot remember if you have the text or not…i think you do..if not, please do this as well…
the only thing i am wondering about is the title…i am not sure HSH is it…this is your call of course, but just think about it…something a bit more provocative or mysterious could elevate your whole essay…remember, the title does not have to “explain”….anyway, try playing with this just to see what you come up with…
again Rafal, you have flown a million miles from when i first saw your work…you have taken your work seriously, studied the context of your essay, and “lived it”…
the next part of the process to realize your book etc. will not be as much “fun” as the first part….or at least , it will be a different kind of pleasure….you will have to divorce yourself from any emotional attachment to the work in exactly the opposite way that it took to get the photographs in the first place…for one thing, you will have “moved on” with your contemporary photography…just see this process as exactly that..process…do not be tempted to “jump” to something new right when your attention should be on HSH…
my hat is off to you amigo…great work!!!
cheers, david
Eric,
So sorry to learn of James’ brutal death. I’m sure you know your photos will have great meaning to his family.
Joan
ALL:
I’ve been offline for a few weeks trying to get some things in order. The Digital Railroad closing didn’t help, but at last I finally found some time between some assignments to get back out there on the street.
If you’d like to see some recent work, I’d love your feedback on some pure street photography. I just started it, but I think I’ll keep it as another long term project.
Go to my link, then click on “SPAIN: Barcelona Corridors”.
http://www.charliemahoney.net
best,
Charlie
jean–
i’m very happy to hear that you like my work!
thank you for saying so.. :)
katia
charlie–
#11 – LOVE it!
k.
ALL
am a bit swamped for time right now editing editing editing, but i just wanted to say thank you to all those that looked at my images from david’s workshop in oaxaca and commented… i am grateful that you have taken the time to do so… it has been a tough 9 days, but it was worth it, and i learned so so much…
hope to be producing more and more and better and better images soon… and sharing them here as well…
ERIC
i posted in the other thread… but i’m burning a candle for james now…
thanks all
and peace all
anton
DAVID & ALL
I’ve now added my favorite new images to the latest edit of my “Falling Into Place” self portrait series. Although nothing is set in stone I now have 48 images in total (out of the 1000+ that I’ve taken!).
Today is the five month anniversary of my taking my first photo for this project. In some ways it feels like I’ve been working on it my entire life–which, in a manner of speaking, I have–and in other ways it feels like I just began.
But I know one thing for sure–I would never have been where I am today had it not been for David’s ongoing commitment to the project and the suggestions, support and critiques of each one of you. Thanks to ALL!
Your feedback is ALWAYS welcome…
http://www.pbase.com/windchimewalker/daily_life
love
Patricia
David,
Ive been kicking around a few ideas for new titles recently, Im still not decided at all but I have some feeling. Id be happy to field some suggstions though from others. I want to find a title which has a meaning, perhaps a double meaning. Im partial to “Rooted” since through this project I have been able to find roots for my photography, as well as the mosr obvious meaning of putting down family roots of my own after being on my own in a strange land.
David,
Its winter now and I want to shoot through winter and then maybe in spring do a Blurb book and do as you suggested. Like Patricia, I would like to shoot through all 4 seasons plus the winter will have the look and feel I want to give this, which is a more harsh look especially with some outdoors photographs. Ofcourse whenever you want to publish it in your magazine Id be ready for a photo essay. I have a bit of a layout in mind, more some juxtapositions but I think it will need time to really think it out.
RAFAL
Your latest edit is superb! I especially like your inclusion of outside shots as well as the more intimate inside ones. Your new additions are wonderful. Sorry that I can’t offer you a critique. The fact is I just love this project. Can’t wait to have it in my hands as a book.
Regarding the title, I’m not sure that “Rooted” makes it for me. To be honest, I prefer “Home Sweet Home.” But it’s your book, so that will be your decision.
Bravo to you, your wife and son!
Patricia
Patricia,
Home Sweet Home is sort of the first idea I had, a gut feeling and it also sort of shaped the way I shot the project. I do like it but Im open to changing it. Rooted is simply one idea I have come up with so far.
RAFAL….
keep thinking…Patricia is right…”Rooted” is not it…”Roots” was the great title using the same Latin root (no pun intended)…
HSH is just too too too, well you know..
so, i would imagine your best title is soon to come….it will just hit you….
cheers, david
ALL
hi … I just wanted to say that I really miss all of you. Been on the road most of the time and … I like to keep offline. Just as I like to “forget” to take my mobile whenever I leave.
I am very curious to sit down to have a look at what is happening here. Last time I left for less time – there was a major turnover here. So I wonder where we stand now.
But I am rushing. Still on the move. For real now, too, as I am moving out of this app and into another – both have to be renovated (old & new app). I will spare you the details. But days are long and without internet.
Looking forward to catch up here, listen to everyone’s new adventures and see all the new wonderful photos! Please take care and until sooooon!
DAVID
have you gotten some of my postcards yet? I think 4 so far. Hope I got your right address.
The project is getting a separate website
http://www.astrangerswish.com
My christmas present for myself. :)
Cheers and hugs,
Lassal
RAFAL,
I also told you this before but very much enjoy your work. I smiled when reading David asking you about a title…He has asked me back in Perpignan the same question for my work and it was a struggle for a while….but eventually, something comes up :):):):).
Now, I am not an english native and by all means, this may be a horrible suggestion of a title but the one I have been thinking about when seeing your work was “AWAKENING”… Reason it makes sense to me is that I can see in your photographs the awakening of love between you, your wife, your little son who is literally also awakening to the world around him…Final point, there may also be awakening for yourself and your photography… David talks about you having really discovered yourself as a photographer with this project….so anyway, just a thought!!!! Feel free to crap all over it if you or others do not like it :):):).
Cheers,
Eric
Eric,
thanks for the suggestion and the comment.
I was thinking of something like “Little Pieces of Us” since the photos are mostly small, random moments from my family life.
rafal–
when i see your lovely work on your family
i think one of these two titles might work…
gut songs
or
sanctuary
i think they need no elaboration. :)
kiss yr wife and bambino for me..
katia
ALL…
many ideas are rolling around in my head about where we go as i walk rainy Londontown….as i think you know i will return sunday evening to New York…in the meantime, my iPhone does not work in the UK, i have no internet and am without my basic communications network…my girlfriend , of course, thinks this is just great!!
back soonest…
cheers, david
DAH, it is great..have an amazing time and refuel..the next chapter is looming, and I for one am about ready for some editing help :)
A little better than they the day before, but…
I think your country needs some kind of a new F. D. Roosevelt to deal with the current economic crisis. And I’m NOT sure Mr. Obama is up to the challenge facing him.
Besides, he will start off with little money to do anything. So I wouldn’t be so opmistic about the next years.
Will Mr. Obama prove me wrong?
Cheers
Angelo
… and the question is “where do YOU really want to go?” …
RAFAL
Two titles popped into my mind yesterday: “Bits and Pieces” and “Beloved Glimpses.” Don’t know if either resonates with you but will keep sharing whatever comes. I so love that project!
Patricia
Patricia,
I was thinking something like “Little Pieces of Us” which goes with the pieces theme of your first idea