Light play

I love dramatic lighting... it gives depth...

Here is a photo of a flower with the afternoon sun filtered in through a sky light.... no image enhancement, just straight off the memory card.

Hands Across the Hudson

An upcoming event for all ages... join in or come and cheer the participants on in this race!

Don't want or cannot be in the race, no problem, you can join in and participate by showing your support in the Hands Across the Hudson as the racers cross the Bridge of Hope at Rockwell Falls! That's right, you can be part of the events by joining hands and showing your support to the racers in the triathlon!

NBC Today Show in Lake George, NY!

Yesterday was a perfect day, (even though early morning forecasts predicted thunderstorms) .... which was great since Meredith Vieira and Ann Curry were here on location in a live broadcast for NBC's Today show! My mind still lingers on the actuality of them being here in upstate NY, the beautiful Lake George area and live from the Sagamore! It was great seeing everyone's reaction to having this event. The electricity of excitement in the air from everyone was so strong. Meredith and Ann are so personable... caring and genuine. The team with them behind the scenes are great too. It was fascinating watching live broadcast since I've decided to start toward a degree in radio/tv broadcasting. I must say that the things we learn on campus is really an intro to what really happens and is invaluable to the future of all broadcasting students. So being able to watch everyone work with each other, live... was really remarkable! Thank you NBC!

The night before we got an email mentioning how the Stony Creek Band would be there playing live... and I really wanted to see those guys enjoying themselves by sharing their music.




It was an amazing day! Thanks NBC! Thanks Meredith! Thanks Ann!


Peace, health and happiness...

Appreciation of Art

I for one have a type of appreciation for art, all art, and wish this mans work was located near here so I could be a "local" who could just walk by and see it... there would be no complaining from me.

http://www.121webdesign.com/customers/ashersculptures/index.html

Here is a link to an article about the stir that is going on...
the article about Itzik Asher's sculptures that are located in Delray Beach, Florida.

Concert in the Park

You know what's good... working hard and being able to have something to do as a way to relax, a way to just wind down and participate in a rejuvenation of sorts.... to connect or reconnect with community...
What better way to do that but by showing up to a free concert in a park. Some parks are not being used even though cities and towns have invested much money in them. It's so refreshing to know that cities, towns and communities are thriving and alive with good people!

So a big thank you to bands who offer their talent to communities and a big thank you to all who support the arts and artists! An easy way to support local artists is to have spare change in your pocket to buy their music...


Get out, unplug from the tv, unplug from the video games, put down the text messaging, unplug the ear plugs and get some good fresh air and be around COMMUNITY!

Pow Wow

I happened to notice that there was a pow wow going on... the day I noticed it was the last day it was occuring... egads.
While at the pow wow I met this remarkably nice lady who told me about other pow wow's that were going to occur in the New England area. I asked if she would mind me sharing that information and if I could take a photo of her to add to my blog, she agreed. So much thanks to you Susan for being so kind, in giving me more information on how to locate other pow wow's!

She said that a listing of pow wows can be found in a directory made by the family of Princess Winona.
http://luchs32.tripod.com/powwow.html

Thanks again for your kindness, Susan.

Peace, health and happiness...

The Artist

Here is a friend, Tom O'Brien, who allowed me to capture his portrait while he was teaching a class.

He teaches how to draw a portrait in charcoal...
He also teaches portraiture in pastel painting... charcoal is the first step... classes start again in the fall.
Classes are located at the Saratoga Arts.


Tom is also a sculptor and has been commissioned on many occasions on a commercial and private basis.

ALS - touched my family too

Today I read a story about a family in NY who have been touched by ALS...
I cannot really express in words what I feel and can only say... yeah, it's deep. I lost a great aunt to ALS. She was my maternal grandfather's sister. She lived in Louisiana...

My thoughts are with all who have been touched by ALS and similar neuromuscular disorders.

Peace...

Here is the link to the story that touched so deep today...
http://www.timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?StoryID=816653&LinkFrom=RSS

Continuous lighting

I've decided to work more with continuous lighting. I'll blog more about that later...
here is a photo for the day... digitally altered, no doubt, because flowers just don't have a natural aura that the human eye can see. I wanted to alter the image to show what it feels like when I see flowers after a rain with water droplets still on them...

Black & White photos - yes! I'm a fan!

Can anyone say black and white photography... !!!

I am a fan of photos that are done in black and white... now day's traditional b&w photo processing is becoming a part of history and barely practiced since the new digital age has arrived.

Thankfully I've taken courses and learned how to process my own black and white film and how to make my own prints in a liquid darkroom... using enlargers, film grain magnifiers, speed easles, contrast filters, the whole nine! Where photoshop really started - the photo darkroom.

I love it... it is an art form (I think) to know how to process a print by dodging, burning, finding the right f/stop and exposure time... it's a science... it's brilliant... it's amazing to me!!! I also enjoy helping others learn how to process their own film, and how to make prints... I'm grateful for my teachers and the school that has allowed me to have gained this amazing skill, which is a part of my passion.... capturing and sharing photos.

I don't have my own darkroom... but at times I will simply turn a digital photo into b&w... or sepia via dutone...
Here is one of my digital b&white photos




Here is a link to some photos shared by Associated Press that are in Black and White format... I don't know if they are digital though...

I LOVE THEM!!!! AP, thanks for sharing them!!!

(copy and paste link below. Click'able link above)

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews;_ylt=AoqCE4xtBzYiXUwuHccq2VWs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTE0dDhybXA1BHBvcwM1BHNlYwN5bl92aWRlb3MEc2xrA3dhc2hpbmd0b25waA--?ch=4226713&cl=13982099&lang=en


Peace, health and happiness to all!

Passe Partout

You know what I miss... hearing French speaking news casts and music.. as a child I would watch Passe Partout with Jim Olivier and Maria Placier

.... then on radio I would listen to KSLO in Opelousas... later I found KBON in Eunice online.... memory lane.

Nest building

Look at this little one... he/she gathered stuffing from the arm of a lawn-chair... of course the cats made it easy for the stuffing to be plucked by them scratching it all up...

Updating prescriptions

Yeah, not too much of a change but the muscles in my eyes are doing what sometimes happens around the age of 40.... not responding quick enough... so I needed something to help in looking in a viewfinder then quickly back up at subject matter...


bifocals are the result...

Upstate Bikers

I met this nice couple and asked them if I could take their photo... after taking their photo I headed to the car, looked back before getting ready to take off and noticed they had a camera out ready to take a photo with their point and shoot... my traveling partner suggested that I go back and get their contact info... (I forget to do that sometimes... eeeesh)... so I jumped back out and gestured with my hands and then asked if they wanted me to assist in helping them take a photo... the man said sure...

I asked if I could blog and add them to it and again they agreed... it's nice meeting people... it was a great spot with an amazing natural backdrop for a portrait... so why not!!!!

Here is Bob and Marie... people up a little further north enjoying Americade events.

Thanks much!

* please note that all photos I put online will be low resolution and does not hold a high print format quality... so if you print and they are pixelated... they are web versions.

Larac Arts Festival this weekend

LARAC ARTS FESTIVAL
Sat. & Sun. JUNE 13 & 14, 10 am to 5 pm each day
Glens Falls City Park ~~ Free
Food/Music on the Bandstand/Children's Activities


Summer is here and we're supposed to have good weather to get out and make memories!!!

Maybe I'll see you around this weekend.

Peace, health and happiness!

Festival foods

I happened to notice some guys in a truck getting ready to set up their vending booth at Americade in Lake George.... I stopped and talked with them a little bit and asked if I could photo their setting up process and Mr. Brown said sure. So I quickly found a parking spot and walked on over to try to find them. Thankfully I didn't have to go very far since they happened to set up near the entry point that I walked into.

After talking with these guys a little bit I discovered that Mr. Brown and his wife (wife not in photos, she was training for a new job elsewhere) travel to various festival like activities in and around upstate NY and sell "Cajun" foods. He also gives teaching classes for some dishes... neither of them are Cajuns but the food taste good and they are some really nice folks! Mr. Brown comes from a family of Portuguese descent and like he said... "much of the foods are similar with Cajun foods".

So if you happen to be in the area and see his Cajun Catering booth... try some!

I had to go to work and didn't have much time so he fixed me a breakfast sandwich with egg, sasuage and sweet sesame roll and cheese... mmmm mmmm mmmmm. Boy I tell ya, it was good!

He has a site set up with a schedule of where you can find them at upcoming events along with information about private classes to learn how to cook Cajun and Portuguese foods!

Here is a link to his site Chef Kevin Brown

Spring 2009

Spring is here, I've completed another semester and will continue in the Fall working on a second associates degree. When all is done I'll have two degrees, an AAS in Communication and Media Arts and an AAS in Radio and Television Broadcasting.

I do work at a seasonal job and that job is finished for the spring and we won't have work again until September... so I'm looking for a flexible full time for now that could be a flexible part time job later, because I'll be a full time student again in the fall.

What's great is living in an area near multiple colleges who are accustomed to hiring part time college students.... the unfortunate thing now is the slow economy and high rate of unemployment that has hit 9.4% this past May and seems to be at a steady pace of lack of jobs which means companies are closing, lay offs, etc.

Good thing are the field(s) I love working in.... photography, video and voice.

I've taken photos of people in passing and asked their permission to blog and post their photos, they agreed so that's what I'll start doing... blogging about the nice people I've met ... life is good, it's amazing and I'm fully engaged in enjoying all it has to offer!
BTW, here is a still setting that I took in the art department at school... a setting that students draw or paint.... I love the colors and the way the light plays through it all.

Enjoy!

Peace to you all...

Busy busy

Midterms are arriving quickly and I have research to do for 3 classes that require essays. I have some great teachers as usual and am so excited with having the chance of higher education.



Wish me luck!



* Since the last time I wrote in this blog I had the opportunity to hear Dennis Hayes (one of the earth day men), a Buddhist Monk- Bhante Y. Wimala and Sheldon Solomon.


* Now, one thing I wish to do but cannot due to very limited finances ... go to a retreat with Dr. Marlene Winell. There will be one here on the East Coast.


I love hearing, seeing and learning.

Meeting People

I've met a few people since having the chance at life beyond the closed society... here is one such person
....



Charlie Samuels - a professional photographer. He is an incredible person with a wealth of knowledge. A natural born educator who speaks with ease while sharing with an audience.


-----


One thing I learned... being a poor college student doesn't afford for a printed portfolio... yet I'm putting one together, slowly as the finances come along.

Extreme legalism - long term effects

Some things I've noticed due to personal experience about living through and after effects of extreme legalism in "religiosity" in certain sects is that their lust to control grows:

1) People are persuaded through suggestive notions, speeches, common dialogue, preaching, "nurturing", "pushing ya toward the Lord" to think and adopt behaviors and thoughts that they never assumed possible and during the process may discuss how they are happy no one can convince them otherwise and it was all from the "Spirit". But when one doesn't adopt those thought contaigons they are sometimes and more than often quite frequently seen as "rebellious", "unteachable", "unreachable", "was never meant to 'serve the Lord'", "keep up with the footmen", or "keep their hand to the plow" so let them go by refusal of nurturing through many forms of communicative processes; visual body language being the predominant sorce of "meme" enforcement.

2) A manipulator who feels the need to be domineering through bluffing, emotional blackmail, pushing, shoving, cursing, hitting, date rape drug use, threat of removal of support, threat of removal-destruction- "rip from under you" of personal belongings, pets can become an object of abuse or means to manipulate the controlled individual(s), damage to housing structures or vehicles, threat of ruining reputations through the "good ole boy system", "buddy system", "band of brothers" (no offense to the movie referring to military), invading privacy when there is no need to do so, etc. The manipulator uses control like a drug similar to how a junkie gets their fix ... its a rush to them and addiction. Anger, rage, unforgiveness, impulse control problems, harrassing, etc., is like a rush to them since the body/mind gets caught in that cycle of building up for that natural chemical release... add substances to it and it is like adding gasoline to the fire.
So when outside realms of sociatal, cultural or familial based behaviors are reduced or restricted due to working in isolation (the bush, north slope, other work camps, etc.) it can compound the build up of someone living in denail to wanting outside help from local community resources, medical professionals or online support groups in anon manner. Sometimes behaviors and society blending are restricted or encouraged through scripture manipulation even further when a group of extremists find each other and agree upon what their surroundings should be like. Sometimes those people end up in corruption, destruction of company property, theft, threats of legal action if they don't get their way or attempting to organize their own personal "unions". (not saying all unions are bad, some are necessary)

i.e. someone who "hates how union workers take their time louzing around and still get paid big bucks" who suddenly wants to organize their own union or get a big union involved to force a large company to give in to their demands or "accidents will happen" in an attempt to prove how the company doesn't care for their workers and when an accident does happen and the controllers find out they "can't get blood from a turnip" they get angry and take it out on their family, friends, strangers, spouse or road rage... be cautious of that/or those individuals.

3) Recovery possiblity: (something learened through experience of watching others who worked for major oil companies)The art of awakening and learning self control if someone refuses mental help through counseling... if someone doesn't learn being accountable to self, the laws of the land, rules of the company, following proper safety guidelines as prescribed and described by qualified safety teachers, society, etc. through basic ethics and morals if one doesn't prescribe to Godly morals and ethics... respect of life in itself one can recover so that people can live in peaceable means as a society or coexistant human element or attempt to do so.

4) If all fails... remove the conflict of interest and hazard to the company through forcement of court ordered rehabilitation or serve a sentence! once someone learns they can manipulate people in their home they often feed their lust for controlling others and their surroundings and might end up finding buddies, other co-manipulators who taught them the ropes or whom are willing to participate so that their deeds do not be discovered or anyone willing to lie for them or lie in exchange of or special free gifts that are company "safety awards" used as tokens of being paid off or to appear so "innocent" when it's time to serve a life sentence or face other penalities.

5) When someone finds that their partner, spouse or mate has become a "liablity" to be witness of their acts and conversations on multiple levels they often try to find a way or ways to harrass them or threaten to take their life and everything else from them.




M. Cheri B., former "Slope Widow"... North Slope that is.


____________________
"The secret of patience... to do something else in the meantime." --Anon


"There is nothing so bitter that a patient mind cannot find some solace for it." --Marcus Annaeus Seneca


""They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they see nothing but sea." -- Francis Bacon