Because sometimes, you just need a nap

Some Food I Shot Recently

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.

huh?

Some kind of autumn fruit

Church, Bus, Window

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

pigeon playground

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.