Friday, December 30, 2005


Lanterns

Kittens and Kigali

I've always had vivid dreams. Lately, things are becoming more so.

This week's REM

I’m ordering Mexican hot chocolate from a peasant woman. She pours milk into a jar she has on a shelf and something inside the jar starts moving. I asked her what it is. She informs me that this is the way authentic Mexican hot chocolate is made, with a kitten in a jar. You simply add chocolate and milk and let the kitten get a mixing.

Being the cat lady I protested and demanded the kitten be let out of the jar. The woman told me to “relax, it's only in there 8 hours a day.”

I'm in Kigali at a UN conference then something goes very wrong and I'm running through the jungle and across coffee plantations to escape the Hutus who are trying to get me and some Tutsi guy I met at the conference.

The only green seen

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Friday, December 16, 2005

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Arnold, This Glower is For You

The Terminator who Terminated Tookie

Warning to Rightish Minded Readers who are Pro State Sponsored Death: I am a liberal who opposes the death penalty.

Tookie was took--I can't believe Schwarzenegger let it happen. Wait..... I take that back....This is America......I'm not surprised at all.

I'm ready to move to Europe.

Alex, dust off that EU Passport because European Green Party, here I come.

December 13, 2005
Europeans Outraged at Schwarzenegger
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 10:54 a.m. ET


VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- California's execution of Stanley Tookie Williams on Tuesday outraged many in Europe who regard the practice as barbaric, and politicians in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's native Austria called for his name to be removed from a sports stadium in his hometown.
At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI's top official for justice matters denounced the death penalty for going against redemption and human dignity.

''We know the death penalty doesn't resolve anything,'' Cardinal Renato Martino told AP Television News. ''Even a criminal is worthy of respect because he is a human being. The death penalty is a negation of human dignity.''
Capital punishment is illegal throughout the European Union, and many Europeans consider state-sponsored executions to be barbaric. Those feelings were amplified in the case of Williams, due to the apparent remorse they believe the Crips gang co-founder showed by writing children's books about the dangers of gangs and violence.
Leaders of Austria's pacifist Green Party went as far as to call for Schwarzenegger to be stripped of his Austrian citizenship -- a demand that was quickly rejected by Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel despite his government's opposition to the death penalty.
''Whoever, out of political calculation, allows the death of a person rehabilitated in such an exemplary manner has rejected the basic values of Austrian society,'' said Peter Pilz, a Greens leader.
In Schwarzenegger's hometown of Graz, local Greens said they would file a petition to remove his name from the southern city's sports stadium. A Christian political group went even further, suggesting it be renamed the ''Stanley Tookie Williams Stadium.''
''Mr. Williams had converted, and unlike Mr. Schwarzenegger, opposed every form of violence,'' said Richard Schadauer, the chairman of the Association of Christianity and Social Democracy.
Williams was executed early Tuesday at California's San Quentin State Prison after Schwarzenegger denied Williams' request for clemency. Schwarzenegger suggested that Williams' supposed change of heart was not genuine because he had not shown any real remorse for the killings committed by the Crips.
Criticism came quickly from many quarters, including the Socialist Party in France, where the death penalty was abolished in 1981.
''I am proud to be a Frenchman,'' party spokesman Julien Dray told RTL radio. ''I am proud to live in France, in a country where we don't execute somebody 21 years later.''
''Schwarzenegger has a lot of muscles, but apparently not much heart,'' Dray said.
In Italy, the country's chapter of Amnesty International called the execution ''a cold-blooded murder.''
''His execution is a slap in the face to the principle of rehabilitation of inmates, an inhumane and inclement act toward a person who, with his exemplary behavior and his activity in favor of street kids, had become an important figure and a symbol of hope for many youths,'' the group said.
In Germany, Volker Beck, a leading member of the opposition Greens party, expressed disappointment. ''Schwarzenegger's decision is a cowardly decision,'' Beck told the Netzeitung online newspaper.
From London, Clive Stafford-Smith, a human rights attorney specializing in death penalty cases, called the execution ''very sad.''
''He was twice as old as when they sentenced him to die, and he certainly wasn't the same person that he was when he was sentenced,'' Stafford-Smith said.
Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni said the city would keep Williams in its memory the next time it celebrates a victory against the death penalty somewhere in the world.
Rome's Colosseum, once the arena for deadly gladiator combat and executions, has become a symbol of Italy's anti-death penalty stance. Since 1999, the monument has been bathed in golden light every time a death sentence is commuted somewhere in the world or a country abolishes capital punishment.
''I hope there will be such an occasion soon,'' Veltroni said in a statement. ''When it happens, we will do it with a special thought for Tookie.''

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Tuesday, December 06, 2005


Ya, it's oldish, but I don't have anything new so this is what ya get.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Wednesday, November 30, 2005


Because sometimes, you just need a nap

Sunday, November 27, 2005


Some Food I Shot Recently

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Happy National Day of Mourning?


Thanksgiving, aka National Day of Mourning from Wikipedia:

Since 1921 (the 300th year after the first Thanksgiving) the Commonwealth of Massachusetts stage a reenactment of Thanksgiving each year. They gather at a church on the site of the Pilgrims' original meeting house, in 17th century costume. After prayers and a sermon, they march to Plymouth Rock. This annual event had even become something of a tourist attraction.

The National Day of Mourning began on the 350th anniversary celebration of the Pilgrims' arrival on Wampanoag American Indian's land. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was planning to celebrate friendly relations between their forefathers and the Wampanoag. Wamsutta was invited to make a speech at the celebration. However, when the anniversary planners reviewed his speech beforehand, they decided it was not appropriate for their celebration. The reason given was, "...the theme of the anniversary celebration is brotherhood and anything inflammatory would have been out of place." (Source: UAINE) Wamsutta used as a basis for his speech one of the Pilgrim's books - a Pilgrim's account of their first year on Indian land. The book tells of the opening of his ancestor's graves, taking their wheat and bean supplies, and of the selling of his ancestors as slaves for 220 shillings each. Upon being handed a revised speech, written by a public relations person, Wamsutta decided he would not be attending the celebration. Instead, to protest the continued silencing of the American Indian people, he and his supporters went to neigbouring Coles Hill, near the statue of the Massasoit (leader of the Wampanoag when the Pilgrims landed). Overlooking the Plymouth Harbour and the Mayflower replica, he gave his speech. This was the first National Day of Mourning.
The National Day of Mourning protest in Plymouth continues to this day, now led by his son, and the group James helped found in 1970, UAINE.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Monday, November 21, 2005


Some kind of autumn fruit

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Monday, November 14, 2005

Technicolor, Nature's Way



This is a photo ode to fall; it's almost gone. These leaves, shot a week ago, are now on the ground.

Technicolor, II



Here's a house we walk past everyday on our way to and from the Green Street station.

George Sighting

Ha! Guess who I ran into Friday night. Jason Alexander. Yes, THE Jason Alexander, aka George Costanza from Seinfeld.

I’m not one for star staring but the character George is near and dear to my heart and so I was star struck.

Later, I was thinking about other actors that would have the same impact. The list is sort of quirky and a bit strange, but hey, that’s why it's my list. ;)

From Curb your Enthusiasm:
Larry David
Wanda Sykes
Susie Essman

Seinfeld
Michael Richards aka Kramer

Six Feet Under
Rainn Wilson, aka Arthur, Seattelite by birth.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Exposure Exposure


Today, after a week of stalling and carrying around the sealed and stamped envelope, I sent in my World in Focus photography contest entry form and print.

Of course my aim is to win, but given the stiff competition, it's pretty unlikely. That said, I'm not and will not get bummed out about it because at least my exposure will get some exposure.

The one thing that has kept me awake is wondering what they’ll do with my print once the contest is over. It's been made clear that they will not send prints back and for that, I somehow feel guilty of abandonment. I worry about what they will do with my dear print--will they throw it out, burn it, shred it, maybe use it as a coaster?

Since getting my new printer, I’ve been a print-o-maniac. And all these prints take on a totally different meaning, to me at least. Freeing them from the monitor has given them life and I’m more attached to them than ever.

Monday, November 07, 2005

The Winners



Here's a contact sheet of the shots that were winners in my first ever stock submission--go figure.
Side note: Thankfully I shoot in raw religiously because jpegs are only good for contact sheets :)

Friday, November 04, 2005

Holy Super Psyched-ness Batman!

I just got word from Age Fotostock that they want to buy 10 of my shots and give me a contract. This means I’ll be shooting like a mad woman; they ask that you submit 250-500 images a year, and those are the 250-500 'accepted' photos. They’re based in NY, Barcelona, and Madrid, and distribute in over 60 countries, so it’s safe to say my photos will be seeing the world.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Wednesday, November 02, 2005


Arches Revealed

Photo School Dropout



I dropped out of photography school and doing so will hopefully bring me out of my photography hole. Reasoning and details below:

  1. The photography I’ve produced while in school is technically 'on' but, to me, lacks vision and direction.
  2. My best work was created prior to school; I hate my current stuff, maybe 'exotic' locales have something to do with it but...........
  3. I need to be in an environment that is inspired by great work, not just 'work'
  4. The school, well....they just can’t get it together; their Ts are topless and their I’s ball-less. That's about all I can say in this public forum without creating bad karma for myself.

So.... here I am, a photo school drop out.

And with that, on to greener pastures I go. Of course these pastures are unmowed, but pastures have a lot more to reveal and are certainly more interesting than just about any lawn.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Nice People of Jodhpur


You know it's time to go out traveling again when you keep returning to the photos of a trip you took 4 years ago. Or the trip 2 years ago to Ghana, scene in the below photo.

Thursday, October 27, 2005


Peki Godesses (Thanks for the suggestion How)

Wednesday, October 26, 2005


Camera Toss

Boy Geeks

Today's first place winner on the list of 'Things That Infuriate Me Most':

The boy-geeks holding up the MIT Pro-Life table in the student center.

How very pompous and how very right-wing male, meddling-in-my-business of them. I wonder how they would stand if the issue of Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice were to actually become their business. Girl-geek gets knocked-up--Do they leave their education behind and get a job to care for the new family?

I was tempted to pose this question but channeled the wisdom of my favorite and best life editor, Mr. Mallet.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Invoking The Great White One

Good luck, in the form of The Great Albino Squirrel of Jamaica Pond, presented itself yesterday.
As we drove past the pond I said to my dear husband, “I wonder if the albino squirrel is still alive”--it had been a year since we'd seen him/her last. Not more than 2 seconds later, The Great White One appeared beside the road. My excitement nearly cost Alex his eardrum.

I feel pretty dang lucky to have invoked the spirit of The Great White One. I imagine people who pray to god wish he/she would show up like that.

Check him/her here

Sunday, October 09, 2005

The Beginning of the End

Yes, there's a bit of bad attitude in the above title, but as least I'm taking advantage of the end of fairer weather and getting creative. This weekend has been unusually productive in the 'try-new-postproduction-stuff-with-my-photography' realm.

'Flora, In A New Light' is the title I've given my random creations. If I had to describe my intention I'd say "Tis a shoutout to autumn and a tribute to expiring fruits and flowers everywhere."

In case it came to mind: 1. Yes, I'm being melodramatic 2. Yes, the cucumber is a fruit.

Below are samples.

Cukes

Bas Reliefified Apple

To the core

Quadtone Calla

Saturday, October 08, 2005

My Paper Trail



My business card. Made it myself. Your thoughts?

Friday, October 07, 2005

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Monday, October 03, 2005


View from Elmina Slave Castle, Cape Coast, Ghana

Sunday, October 02, 2005

Wednesday, September 28, 2005


City of Brotherly Love Skyscape

Monday, September 26, 2005

Friday, September 23, 2005


The Red Baron & Baroness (aka Ma & Pa)

Monday, September 19, 2005

Framed



This is a photographic-shout-out to my photographer phriend Stef Davenport for bringing out my inner Pocahontas, by-way of orange gel over strobe.

Saturday, September 17, 2005

RIP Chippy


We found an abandoned baby squirrel.
I tried to raise it like my own, but sadly, he didn't make it.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

In-Flight Hilarity


Besides reaching my final destination, the best part of flying is the inflight reading provided in the seat pocket. I'm a fan of the old standard, Sky Mall , which is quite possibly the best comedy magazine ever. Check out the bizarre (the evac-u-8 smoke hood) and ridiculous inventions.

Our most recent trip, to Philly, to visit Victor, we abondoned the Sky Mall for Air Tran's magazine, Go.

Go was seemingly standard airline reading, complete with way-too-easy crossword, lists of boring restaurants, and the usual "Thanks for flying with us" letter from the airline's CEO. That was until we came to page 61 where the best worst photo in the history of advertising photography was displayed. The accompanying story was titled “Taken For A Ride: Top 10 Theme Parks”--an appropriate title given the scary whale ride granny was subjected to. We almost fell out of seats, numerous times.