Something I hope to do in my life ....
Damn, this is the first one that is making me think. I don't plan that far ahead and at the moment I am torn about what direction I want to take. Hell I could make a list but I really should pick one thing. Moving to Paris is the easy answer to this one but it's too easy, possible at some point, and I have written about it before. Something I hope should be something in the back of my head, something I have thought seriously about but yet something I never have really planned.
I might have mentioned this to some friends but not many. I have worked in a museum and in galleries and have enjoyed every minute of it. I don't want to own my own gallery; I guess I don’t want to deal with the business aspects of it. But I would love to be the head curator of an art museum, a major museum. Be in charge of the collection, plan shows, and travel the globe looking for works to add to the collection.
I did look into it at one time and found one problem. To be the curator of any large museum usually requires a graduate degree in museum studies. At the time I didn't even know museum studies existed as a degree program, only a handful of schools offer it, and Penn State isn't one of them. Harvard and NYU seem to have the best programs. Can you say lottery?
So maybe this just falls into the dream category and not the hope. Well I never said this was going to be easy. Hopefully there is no test at the end of day thirty.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Observations from the Window 11.19
Just a little post here to congratulate my sis one last time. Proud doesn’t begin to explain what I feel when I look back at the last month and her teams amazing run through the playoffs. But for lack of a better word I have to say I am so damn proud. Tenth seed in just their district they finished just two wins away from the state championship.
They lost 2-0, the first time they were shutout since September and only their second loss in 18 games. It would have been the schools first trip to the championship game in 28 years. When the tears are gone and the memory of the finality of the defeat wears off they can look back at what they did and realize one thing. They all are champions in so many ways and always will be.
And so it all came to an end Wednesday and I'm so sorry I couldn't be there but it just wasn’t meant to be. I saw as many games as I could and always drove away from them with a smile on my face. So maybe I wasn't meant to be there. I’ll just remember the games I did see and the conversation I had with her that night.
As for myself, I do know one thing too. I was never the captain and I was never a champion. Remind me to buy my sis a drink when she turns 21.
Now if I could get her to try on that Penn State jersey ....
Ryan Adams - So Alive
(I just realized this was my 200th post, who knew?)
They lost 2-0, the first time they were shutout since September and only their second loss in 18 games. It would have been the schools first trip to the championship game in 28 years. When the tears are gone and the memory of the finality of the defeat wears off they can look back at what they did and realize one thing. They all are champions in so many ways and always will be.
And so it all came to an end Wednesday and I'm so sorry I couldn't be there but it just wasn’t meant to be. I saw as many games as I could and always drove away from them with a smile on my face. So maybe I wasn't meant to be there. I’ll just remember the games I did see and the conversation I had with her that night.
As for myself, I do know one thing too. I was never the captain and I was never a champion. Remind me to buy my sis a drink when she turns 21.
Now if I could get her to try on that Penn State jersey ....
Ryan Adams - So Alive
(I just realized this was my 200th post, who knew?)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thirty Days of Truths, Day 4
Something you have to forgive someone for ....
The first really hard one to talk about. Actually it's easy to answer but it is very hard to talk about. Since I started this blog I have written about almost everything in my past but this one thing and I'm not going to get into it now. A friend of mine says it is the one demon I can't let go of and she is totally right.
It involves a long term relationship I was involved in a few years ago. More precisely it involves how it ended. Suffice to say it wasn't pretty, to be honest it was probably as ugly as a breakup can be. Lies, name calling, and other sordid nastiness coming from her. On the other hand I was well behaved. Well other than the shopping mall incident where I might have loudly shouted the f word and might have been escorted out by security.
If I had to forgive somebody for something she would probably be the one. But I have never been able bring myself to do it.
The first really hard one to talk about. Actually it's easy to answer but it is very hard to talk about. Since I started this blog I have written about almost everything in my past but this one thing and I'm not going to get into it now. A friend of mine says it is the one demon I can't let go of and she is totally right.
It involves a long term relationship I was involved in a few years ago. More precisely it involves how it ended. Suffice to say it wasn't pretty, to be honest it was probably as ugly as a breakup can be. Lies, name calling, and other sordid nastiness coming from her. On the other hand I was well behaved. Well other than the shopping mall incident where I might have loudly shouted the f word and might have been escorted out by security.
If I had to forgive somebody for something she would probably be the one. But I have never been able bring myself to do it.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Thirty Days of Truths, Day 3
Something I have to forgive myself for ....
What I did to myself now over seven years ago. More than that what I did to my family and friends in the process. I'm an addict, I'll always be and addict, and I have to live with that fact for the rest of my life. It's hard to explain to somebody that hasn't been through it but it's impossible to completely put behind you. It's a demon always lurking in the background, always waiting for a new chance. People will say I have put it behind me, that I have moved on, and I politely agree knowing full well I never totally will.
A semester's worth of tuition money, a month in rehab, and a summer of my life lost forever. Worse than that is the way I feel people look at me. No matter what they say I know it has to shade their opinion of me. It's pretty damn much to forgive and I'm not sure I ever will.
Yes I am an addict.
What I did to myself now over seven years ago. More than that what I did to my family and friends in the process. I'm an addict, I'll always be and addict, and I have to live with that fact for the rest of my life. It's hard to explain to somebody that hasn't been through it but it's impossible to completely put behind you. It's a demon always lurking in the background, always waiting for a new chance. People will say I have put it behind me, that I have moved on, and I politely agree knowing full well I never totally will.
A semester's worth of tuition money, a month in rehab, and a summer of my life lost forever. Worse than that is the way I feel people look at me. No matter what they say I know it has to shade their opinion of me. It's pretty damn much to forgive and I'm not sure I ever will.
Yes I am an addict.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thirty Days of Truths, Day 2
Something you love about yourself ....
Well slightly more difficult than day 1 but I can handle this one too. The easy and quick answer is I really like being tall. I have been taller than average since high school and it brings a certain amount of self confidence with it. But that's too easy and honestly it isn't something I love as much as enjoy.
What I truly love is how I think, how my mind works and sees the world around me. I don't believe I see the world the same as most people do, I know I don't. It's almost as if I see it emotionally because sometimes I see color where there isn't any. When I paint I see every color and shade of the painting in my mind as if it was already finished. It might take days, a case of beer, and a carton of cigarettes to get it right but I'm not happy till it's just as I saw it.
Now the flip side of this is the wrong person might think it’s just the result of way too many dead brain cells coloring my brain. But no it's a gift. or a flaw, I seem to have been born with.
Than again it could be I'm just weird.
Well slightly more difficult than day 1 but I can handle this one too. The easy and quick answer is I really like being tall. I have been taller than average since high school and it brings a certain amount of self confidence with it. But that's too easy and honestly it isn't something I love as much as enjoy.
What I truly love is how I think, how my mind works and sees the world around me. I don't believe I see the world the same as most people do, I know I don't. It's almost as if I see it emotionally because sometimes I see color where there isn't any. When I paint I see every color and shade of the painting in my mind as if it was already finished. It might take days, a case of beer, and a carton of cigarettes to get it right but I'm not happy till it's just as I saw it.
Now the flip side of this is the wrong person might think it’s just the result of way too many dead brain cells coloring my brain. But no it's a gift. or a flaw, I seem to have been born with.
Than again it could be I'm just weird.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thirty Days of Truths, Day 1
Something you hate about yourself ….
At first glance this one is so easy it almost makes me laugh and I can answer it in a few short sentences. I can become suddenly emo to an extreme. I might have a reason in my head but I don’t honestly need one. Sometimes darkness just swirls around in my head and it just happens.
See that was totally easy and made all the easier by the fact that I seem to be in one of the moods at the moment. The thing is now that I wrote it I have to sit back and think about what I wrote. And that is going to be the biggest problem doing this whole thing. I'm going to need another doctor until day 30.
Yes I can be emo, I can get into a mood so dark I make Ophelia seem like Cinderella. But I’m also an enigma, even to myself. I don’t want to say I enjoy the mood but sometimes I seem to thrive on it. I did one of my favorite paintings when I was in just such a mood. I hate the way I make people feel when I get this way but I have no control over it at all, the demons just take over. I can be moody, dark, anti-social, and totally withdraw inside myself and at the same moment want attention, need the attention. This means be nice but don't always expect much in return.
So I can be an anti-social attention whore. Just an enigma.
Why the hell did I start this?
At first glance this one is so easy it almost makes me laugh and I can answer it in a few short sentences. I can become suddenly emo to an extreme. I might have a reason in my head but I don’t honestly need one. Sometimes darkness just swirls around in my head and it just happens.
See that was totally easy and made all the easier by the fact that I seem to be in one of the moods at the moment. The thing is now that I wrote it I have to sit back and think about what I wrote. And that is going to be the biggest problem doing this whole thing. I'm going to need another doctor until day 30.
Yes I can be emo, I can get into a mood so dark I make Ophelia seem like Cinderella. But I’m also an enigma, even to myself. I don’t want to say I enjoy the mood but sometimes I seem to thrive on it. I did one of my favorite paintings when I was in just such a mood. I hate the way I make people feel when I get this way but I have no control over it at all, the demons just take over. I can be moody, dark, anti-social, and totally withdraw inside myself and at the same moment want attention, need the attention. This means be nice but don't always expect much in return.
So I can be an anti-social attention whore. Just an enigma.
Why the hell did I start this?
Thirty Days of Truths
I saw a tweet this morning that just grabbed me. I followed the link to a blog post titled “30 Days of Truths” and the idea just fascinates me. Every day you answer a question that tells a ‘truth’ about yourself. Personally I hate this time of year and it just seems like a perfect way to drag myself kicking and screaming into the holidays.
So here are the questions.
Day 01, Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02, Something you love about yourself.
Day 03, Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04, Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05, Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06, Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07, Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08, Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09, Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10, Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11, Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12, Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13, A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14, A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15, Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16, Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17, A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18, Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19, What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20, Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21, (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22, Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23, Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24, Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25, The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26, Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27, What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28, What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29, Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30, A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself
Some of them, like day 20, are going to be hard I’m sure but others, day 28 comes to mind, are going to be silly and fun. And for those of you going ‘oh %*&$’ I promise to keep you all out of it.
I know it says thirty days but you know me. With everything else I have my fingers in (no pun intended) I know I wont have time for some but I do promise to do them in order and have it finished by Christmas. I plan on starting later today so just fasten your seat belts a hold on tight, it could get interesting.
May the gods help me ....
So here are the questions.
Day 01, Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02, Something you love about yourself.
Day 03, Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04, Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05, Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06, Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07, Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08, Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09, Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10, Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11, Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12, Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13, A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14, A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15, Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16, Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17, A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18, Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19, What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20, Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21, (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22, Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23, Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24, Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25, The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26, Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27, What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28, What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29, Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30, A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself
Some of them, like day 20, are going to be hard I’m sure but others, day 28 comes to mind, are going to be silly and fun. And for those of you going ‘oh %*&$’ I promise to keep you all out of it.
I know it says thirty days but you know me. With everything else I have my fingers in (no pun intended) I know I wont have time for some but I do promise to do them in order and have it finished by Christmas. I plan on starting later today so just fasten your seat belts a hold on tight, it could get interesting.
May the gods help me ....
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Observations from the Road 11.13
A gorgeous fall day in central Pennsylvania with radiant sun light reflecting off the foliage in its last blaze of color before the end comes. And why am I back in central Pennsylvania? I was there to watch field hockey of course. The few remaining swathes of reds, oranges, and yellows cover the distant mountains as I sit in the stadium and watch as my sister's team won their semi final game in the state playoffs.
At the start it looked to be a blowout as they ran out to a 4-0 lead. But it never seems to be that easy and soon the score was 4-3 and the nail biter was on. I can't handle many more of these games because between texting and, well, nail biting my nails are a shadow of what they once were. But when it ended my sis was but two wins away from being a state champion. Tenth seed in their district to state champions would be all but unthinkable but yet so close to happening. Even now they can finish no worse than fourth in the state. I honestly don't have words to describe how good it feels or how proud I am of her.
Now the Penn State - Ohio State football game, I'm just going to stay as far away from this topic as possible. This game being the reason I'll be spending the night semi drunkish at my dad's instead of in the Village in my nice big bed. It's going to be a long drive to work in the morning.
I'm going back a little here but I never got around to writing about my visit to the 2010 New York Art Book Fair. The fair, which was held last weekend at PS1, over 200 publishers showing rare books, new books, used books, magazines, and other media of all sorts. For a couple of years I have wanted to get to the fair but never found myself in the city at the right time. I almost missed it again this time but got to it on the final day. One amazing thing about the fair was the buzz in the air which was louder than any show or gallery opening I have been at before.
I purposely went with very little cash because I knew what was going to happen and I totally don't need more books stacked around my bed. Still I left with my backpack filled to the breaking point. You go to a something like this and just have to wonder why people are always talking about print being dead as a media outlet as the three floors of this converted school building were so filled with book lovers that at times it was hard to move. One of my fav spots was the Gotebud with its “You Are Her” collection of hundreds of zines created by women, most of them affiliated with the Riot Grrrl punk movement. Goteblud, a San Francisco gallery owned by Matt Wobensmith, had a room all its own that I was told was almost as big as the gallery's store.
I stopped across the street for a cup of coffee to relax before heading to at the gallery and I have to say one thing. It was possibly the only cup of coffee I ever had that was worse than what I make.
Life goes on
Neil Young - Like A Hurricane
At the start it looked to be a blowout as they ran out to a 4-0 lead. But it never seems to be that easy and soon the score was 4-3 and the nail biter was on. I can't handle many more of these games because between texting and, well, nail biting my nails are a shadow of what they once were. But when it ended my sis was but two wins away from being a state champion. Tenth seed in their district to state champions would be all but unthinkable but yet so close to happening. Even now they can finish no worse than fourth in the state. I honestly don't have words to describe how good it feels or how proud I am of her.
Now the Penn State - Ohio State football game, I'm just going to stay as far away from this topic as possible. This game being the reason I'll be spending the night semi drunkish at my dad's instead of in the Village in my nice big bed. It's going to be a long drive to work in the morning.
I'm going back a little here but I never got around to writing about my visit to the 2010 New York Art Book Fair. The fair, which was held last weekend at PS1, over 200 publishers showing rare books, new books, used books, magazines, and other media of all sorts. For a couple of years I have wanted to get to the fair but never found myself in the city at the right time. I almost missed it again this time but got to it on the final day. One amazing thing about the fair was the buzz in the air which was louder than any show or gallery opening I have been at before.
I purposely went with very little cash because I knew what was going to happen and I totally don't need more books stacked around my bed. Still I left with my backpack filled to the breaking point. You go to a something like this and just have to wonder why people are always talking about print being dead as a media outlet as the three floors of this converted school building were so filled with book lovers that at times it was hard to move. One of my fav spots was the Gotebud with its “You Are Her” collection of hundreds of zines created by women, most of them affiliated with the Riot Grrrl punk movement. Goteblud, a San Francisco gallery owned by Matt Wobensmith, had a room all its own that I was told was almost as big as the gallery's store.
I stopped across the street for a cup of coffee to relax before heading to at the gallery and I have to say one thing. It was possibly the only cup of coffee I ever had that was worse than what I make.
Life goes on
Neil Young - Like A Hurricane
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Observations from the Window 11.11, Politics
Something rare and totally different happened over lunch today. The gallery conversation turned to politics. Not bands, not fashion, not theatre or movies, not even the newest conquests of the gallery elite. I have no idea what got into the girls today but politics it was. Mostly about a nagging feeling we all seem to have that the country is going down hill fast and all either party cares about is screwing the other party. I use the words party and screwing in a very banal way here.
Nothing very exciting came of the conversation other than the theory that the country needs a third political party. Not a party like the one that seems to spring up every four years but a true third party with a national organization and agenda. A party that is truly for the people and not just paying lip service as it goes about its own greedy business. A party right of center financially and far left of center socially, as far left as it can go. Granted it's not exactly what I would have in mind but this is all just hypothetical anyway. A party that wouldn't except donations from pacs or lobbyists but get all it’s funding from personal donations. You might laugh at that but just think of the hundreds of millions of dollars President Obama raised on the internet. He proved that it can be done but failed miserably is sustaining it once he was elected.
A party that wouldn't be afraid to call itself liberal and socialist. A party that wanted to take care of the people of this nation and not just the banks, brokerage houses, and other big monied interests. A party that cared about the environment and wanted to leave it better than it was when it took power. That would be willing to cut perverted defense spending and not cut education, science, and social security. A party that would be willing to try and do better than 'the best we can do' in every situation. A party that truly deeply cared about the people, all the people.
At this point maybe it's just an impossible dream but I think it's a dream worth having.
A little over an hour from now Jon Stewart will be the guest on 'The Rachel Maddow Show' and I can't wait. I have sent all my reminder emails and now it's time to get some coffee and veg on the couch until nine, just thought I would share this video. Too funny.
Nothing very exciting came of the conversation other than the theory that the country needs a third political party. Not a party like the one that seems to spring up every four years but a true third party with a national organization and agenda. A party that is truly for the people and not just paying lip service as it goes about its own greedy business. A party right of center financially and far left of center socially, as far left as it can go. Granted it's not exactly what I would have in mind but this is all just hypothetical anyway. A party that wouldn't except donations from pacs or lobbyists but get all it’s funding from personal donations. You might laugh at that but just think of the hundreds of millions of dollars President Obama raised on the internet. He proved that it can be done but failed miserably is sustaining it once he was elected.
A party that wouldn't be afraid to call itself liberal and socialist. A party that wanted to take care of the people of this nation and not just the banks, brokerage houses, and other big monied interests. A party that cared about the environment and wanted to leave it better than it was when it took power. That would be willing to cut perverted defense spending and not cut education, science, and social security. A party that would be willing to try and do better than 'the best we can do' in every situation. A party that truly deeply cared about the people, all the people.
At this point maybe it's just an impossible dream but I think it's a dream worth having.
A little over an hour from now Jon Stewart will be the guest on 'The Rachel Maddow Show' and I can't wait. I have sent all my reminder emails and now it's time to get some coffee and veg on the couch until nine, just thought I would share this video. Too funny.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Observations frim the Library 11.10, Randomness
A quick 'way to fucking go' to my mini-me, oops, I mean my sister whose field hockey team continued its amazing run with a first round state playoff win yesterday. This time they managed to not give my dad fits and won in regulation. Now they await word on when and where they will play on Saturday so I better warm up MapQuest while I wait to hear.
I'm writing this at the library and for some odd reason I find the library sexy. Not the librarian but the library itself. Maybe it's because I find intelligence sexy or maybe it's wondering what goes on in those private reading rooms. Or maybe I'm just crazy and find odd places sexy. Maybe I should just shut up before I say too damn much.
Recently I was asked how I can walk New York sidewalks and text at the same time. This had me a little bit paranoid as I never thought it was anything special. I mean I never walk into anybody or anything rude like that. But now I think I know what might be going on. Let me remind you that I might be above average in height for a girl. No let me rephrase that, in any kind of heel at all I'm frickin tall, pushing six feet and over. So it seems that if you have a tall dark moody lesbian walking down the sidewalk texting and not watching where she is going, well, you get the hell out of the way. Works for me.
Politically something has been bugging me for awhile now. They tell you Sarah Palin is as qualified as Barrack Obama to be President of the United States, than they tell you Barrack Obama isn’t qualified to be President, ipso facto. I think you can take it from there. Twitter, in its infinite wisdom, told me I should follow Sarah Palin USA. Either Twitter's models aren't working too well or Twitter has a sense of humor. Knowing the interwebs I'll go with the first choice.
And finally a little bit of a rant here. I smoke, I have smoked off and on since I was in high school, and I know I shouldn’t smoke but I do anyway. I try not to smoke inside even when I can because I really can't stand second hand smoke, it gives me a headache. I know that smoking is more likely to kill me than any other drug I have done in my life. But I saw today that the all powerful government is going require graphic warnings on cigarette packs now. The warnings will have to cover half the pack and will include pictures of dead bodies, cancerous lungs, and other suitably gruesome things. And they think this will make me quit smoking if I don’t want to? It didn’t work for my mom and it isn’t going to work for them because you can't scare a true addict out of their addiction.
How about you just buy me some gum instead?
Natasha Bedingfield - Strip Me
I'm writing this at the library and for some odd reason I find the library sexy. Not the librarian but the library itself. Maybe it's because I find intelligence sexy or maybe it's wondering what goes on in those private reading rooms. Or maybe I'm just crazy and find odd places sexy. Maybe I should just shut up before I say too damn much.
Recently I was asked how I can walk New York sidewalks and text at the same time. This had me a little bit paranoid as I never thought it was anything special. I mean I never walk into anybody or anything rude like that. But now I think I know what might be going on. Let me remind you that I might be above average in height for a girl. No let me rephrase that, in any kind of heel at all I'm frickin tall, pushing six feet and over. So it seems that if you have a tall dark moody lesbian walking down the sidewalk texting and not watching where she is going, well, you get the hell out of the way. Works for me.
Politically something has been bugging me for awhile now. They tell you Sarah Palin is as qualified as Barrack Obama to be President of the United States, than they tell you Barrack Obama isn’t qualified to be President, ipso facto. I think you can take it from there. Twitter, in its infinite wisdom, told me I should follow Sarah Palin USA. Either Twitter's models aren't working too well or Twitter has a sense of humor. Knowing the interwebs I'll go with the first choice.
And finally a little bit of a rant here. I smoke, I have smoked off and on since I was in high school, and I know I shouldn’t smoke but I do anyway. I try not to smoke inside even when I can because I really can't stand second hand smoke, it gives me a headache. I know that smoking is more likely to kill me than any other drug I have done in my life. But I saw today that the all powerful government is going require graphic warnings on cigarette packs now. The warnings will have to cover half the pack and will include pictures of dead bodies, cancerous lungs, and other suitably gruesome things. And they think this will make me quit smoking if I don’t want to? It didn’t work for my mom and it isn’t going to work for them because you can't scare a true addict out of their addiction.
How about you just buy me some gum instead?
Natasha Bedingfield - Strip Me
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Observations on Photography 11.9
I had a rather interesting email conversation with a friend yesterday. We are both lovers of B&W photography. After looking at my recent shots she asked me a rather obvious question but one that I had never thought about before. Basically she asked if you take content out of a photo, in this case the color, why does a rather basic snapshot suddenly become more serious, more a work of art and not just a snapshot.
I never took more than basic photography courses in school so I had to give it some thought before I answered and came up with one thought in particular. In taking the color out of the photo maybe the photographer makes the viewer subconsciously try and put it back in and in so doing makes the viewer dwell on it longer. As my friend put it so well, “with color your brain automatically looks at it and says 'yeah, I know what that is, next.'”
I work almost exclusively in mono because I think it is the most expressive form of photography. The only times I use color are when I am just taking snapshots, highlighting with mellow shades, or the color is just so brilliant it screams out to be used. Still one of the simplest ways to grab an art viewer’s eye is with color. Obviously this is something you can't do with B&W and so you are forced to use textures and the tones themselves. Your mind looks at a composition in a totally different way. Textures, tones, and patterns can be so exciting without color taking away from them as the subtle changes become profound and jump from the shot.
Contrast is something else you can use more and to better effect in B&W shots. You don't have to worry about the many different colors in a composition and how they each blend with the other or reflect the light. Contrast becomes so distinct that, with the use of dark shadows and bright lights, you are able to see or show things you normally wouldn’t be able to. Try this in a color shot and, as I told my friend, the photo just becomes an abstract. Funny thing is I love abstract painting but I never was a big fan of abstract in photography.
Something else I personally am not a fan of is the current trend towards 'partial color' photos. Partial color is the style of honing in and enhancing with bright color one particular part of an otherwise B&W photo. As I said sometimes I will use mellow shades to highlight a shot but what I was talking about when I said that was a bleeding away of color in the whole shot until it becomes barely visible.
I could go on about this all day but I didn’t set out to write a book here. I just wanted to expand on an interesting conversation between two ‘color photo snobs.’
Life goes on
Audioslave - Doesn't Remind Me
I never took more than basic photography courses in school so I had to give it some thought before I answered and came up with one thought in particular. In taking the color out of the photo maybe the photographer makes the viewer subconsciously try and put it back in and in so doing makes the viewer dwell on it longer. As my friend put it so well, “with color your brain automatically looks at it and says 'yeah, I know what that is, next.'”
I work almost exclusively in mono because I think it is the most expressive form of photography. The only times I use color are when I am just taking snapshots, highlighting with mellow shades, or the color is just so brilliant it screams out to be used. Still one of the simplest ways to grab an art viewer’s eye is with color. Obviously this is something you can't do with B&W and so you are forced to use textures and the tones themselves. Your mind looks at a composition in a totally different way. Textures, tones, and patterns can be so exciting without color taking away from them as the subtle changes become profound and jump from the shot.
Contrast is something else you can use more and to better effect in B&W shots. You don't have to worry about the many different colors in a composition and how they each blend with the other or reflect the light. Contrast becomes so distinct that, with the use of dark shadows and bright lights, you are able to see or show things you normally wouldn’t be able to. Try this in a color shot and, as I told my friend, the photo just becomes an abstract. Funny thing is I love abstract painting but I never was a big fan of abstract in photography.
Something else I personally am not a fan of is the current trend towards 'partial color' photos. Partial color is the style of honing in and enhancing with bright color one particular part of an otherwise B&W photo. As I said sometimes I will use mellow shades to highlight a shot but what I was talking about when I said that was a bleeding away of color in the whole shot until it becomes barely visible.
I could go on about this all day but I didn’t set out to write a book here. I just wanted to expand on an interesting conversation between two ‘color photo snobs.’
Life goes on
Audioslave - Doesn't Remind Me
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Observations from the Window 11.7, the Sis
I made a run down to my dad's yesterday to see my sister's big field hockey game. I never got to play in a district championship game myself but I can easily imagine how nervous she was. I should say if my dad and I were any indication I could imagine it. I was so nervous I left my camera in my apartment and had to make due with an old one I keep in Foxy.
They played the defending district and state champions to a regulation time draw at a score of 2-2. Than once again they won the game with just minutes left in the OT period. After the game we followed the team bus back to school in a caravan, horns honking all the way, the last five miles with a siren blaring fire engine and police escort.
Later we celebrated by watching as Joe Paterno got his 400th win as head coach as Penn State defeated Northwestern in the biggest come from behind win in Penn State history. At the risk of annoying my sister I just had to mention Joe Paterno here. One man, one school, and 400 wins, it's just something that will never happen again. But earlier today I got a text from my her and she was a little annoyed that JoePa's achievement had knocked her big win off the front of the local sports page.
I have said before how much I enjoyed playing field hockey and how much I admire my sister but I am going to mention it again. The girl is so much better than I ever was, and I like to think I was pretty damn good. She doesn't have my height or reach, she isn't a big goal scorer either, but she plays with a never ending tenacity that just seems to wear opposing players down. Now my mini-me is just four wins away from a state championship and I couldn't be any prouder of her. I guess it is time I stop calling her my mini-me.
My dad told me that in a last minute morning decision she opted to wear a single pearl on a gold chain instead of her usual peace sign necklace. The pearl was our mom's and our grandmother's before that. Now I'm not sure which will be around her the longest, the pearl or the gold medal.
My sister the champion, I like the sound of that.
Green Day - We Are The Champions
11/9/2010 update - My sister's team won their first state playoff game by a 2-1 score.
They played the defending district and state champions to a regulation time draw at a score of 2-2. Than once again they won the game with just minutes left in the OT period. After the game we followed the team bus back to school in a caravan, horns honking all the way, the last five miles with a siren blaring fire engine and police escort.
Later we celebrated by watching as Joe Paterno got his 400th win as head coach as Penn State defeated Northwestern in the biggest come from behind win in Penn State history. At the risk of annoying my sister I just had to mention Joe Paterno here. One man, one school, and 400 wins, it's just something that will never happen again. But earlier today I got a text from my her and she was a little annoyed that JoePa's achievement had knocked her big win off the front of the local sports page.
I have said before how much I enjoyed playing field hockey and how much I admire my sister but I am going to mention it again. The girl is so much better than I ever was, and I like to think I was pretty damn good. She doesn't have my height or reach, she isn't a big goal scorer either, but she plays with a never ending tenacity that just seems to wear opposing players down. Now my mini-me is just four wins away from a state championship and I couldn't be any prouder of her. I guess it is time I stop calling her my mini-me.
My dad told me that in a last minute morning decision she opted to wear a single pearl on a gold chain instead of her usual peace sign necklace. The pearl was our mom's and our grandmother's before that. Now I'm not sure which will be around her the longest, the pearl or the gold medal.
My sister the champion, I like the sound of that.
Green Day - We Are The Champions
11/9/2010 update - My sister's team won their first state playoff game by a 2-1 score.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Observations from the Bar 11.4, A Special Comment
So I am sitting at the bar with some friends in the back corner table that I have adopted. It reminds me of the back corner table at the bar at Penn State that I adopted. The back corner table is next to the back corner TV and I have my hands on the remote that works the back corner TV. At 8 and I turn on MSNBC to watch Keith Olbermann but I find somebody else is sitting in his chair. I just figured he took the night off to recover from the election and the end of baseball season.
But no I soon discover MSNBC suspended him because he donated an astronomical combined $7500 to three election campaigns. What pathetic bullshit is this? Did he go on the air and say I donated and so should you? I don’t think so. Did he tell his viewers who to vote for? I don’t think so. I was ready to go on a tirade here about every citizen's right to donate to whom ever they want. Than, while checking it out, I came upon these words ....
"NBC has a rule against employees contributing to political campaigns."
As much as I hate to say it you were wrong, you broke the rule. Now I of all people understand the breaking of rules, it's what I do. But nobody will care when I crash and burn because of that. On the other hand you have millions of viewers who hang on every word of your special comments as if they were gospel and watch you every night. You aren’t Sean Hannity, you don't work at Fox *News*, and right or not your viewers hold you to a higher standard.
As for NBC, one night would have been more than enough to make your point. Suspended indefinitely? One has to wonder how many of you up in the tower have donated to one campaign or another too. And what about Pat Buchanan and Joe Scarborough who also contributed?
In the end, MSNBC you just suck.
morning update - As always Rachel says it best. the Maddow Blog
11/8/10 update - Olbermann returns to the air tomorrow, Tuesday, night. The link includes his full statement in which he thanks viewers and blasts NBC. Daily Kos
But no I soon discover MSNBC suspended him because he donated an astronomical combined $7500 to three election campaigns. What pathetic bullshit is this? Did he go on the air and say I donated and so should you? I don’t think so. Did he tell his viewers who to vote for? I don’t think so. I was ready to go on a tirade here about every citizen's right to donate to whom ever they want. Than, while checking it out, I came upon these words ....
"NBC has a rule against employees contributing to political campaigns."
As much as I hate to say it you were wrong, you broke the rule. Now I of all people understand the breaking of rules, it's what I do. But nobody will care when I crash and burn because of that. On the other hand you have millions of viewers who hang on every word of your special comments as if they were gospel and watch you every night. You aren’t Sean Hannity, you don't work at Fox *News*, and right or not your viewers hold you to a higher standard.
As for NBC, one night would have been more than enough to make your point. Suspended indefinitely? One has to wonder how many of you up in the tower have donated to one campaign or another too. And what about Pat Buchanan and Joe Scarborough who also contributed?
In the end, MSNBC you just suck.
morning update - As always Rachel says it best. the Maddow Blog
11/8/10 update - Olbermann returns to the air tomorrow, Tuesday, night. The link includes his full statement in which he thanks viewers and blasts NBC. Daily Kos
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Observations from my Bed 11.3
And so it's after two in the morning and I can't turn off the TV, still glued to MSNBC. It must be Rachel in that grey blazer because it cant be Matthews, sometimes the man just doesn’t know when to shut it. Election night comes to an end and I have no idea what it means but I do know one thing. Sharron Angle hopefully enjoyed her fifteen minutes of fame and now can take her bigoted ass back into whatever desert hole she crawled out of.
Some random thoughts from a night of election watching. Andrew Coumo crushed Carl Paladino like a bug on the windshield and I would be only to happy to be the one turning on the wipers. Outgoing Governor Ed of Pennsylvania called democrats wussies. As much as I hate to admit it he spoke the truth. God dems open your mouths and kick some ass! We are right and they are wrong. Don't try and be so damn civil and just say it. Say it! Governor elect of California Jerry Brown might not be the youngest guy but he rocks.
Watched John Boehner give a little 'we won' speech. Dude had tears in his eyes, choked up, must have been because his new tanning bed had just arrived. Keith Olbermann had the best line here when he said he said he thought the Democrats should be the ones crying tonight.
Headline of the night ....
" BREAKING: Openly gay Providence mayor elected to Congress."
My favorite tweets ....
@billmaher: Its Election Day! Unless ur a billionaire, vote for the party that gave u healthcare, stopped a Depression and got out of Iraq
@erockett89: Rachels like Chris stfu and dont talk over me before I bitch slap you. bitch.
@BrianLynch: Meg Whitman discovered the position of governer does not have a "Buy it Now" option.
And a final thought. How in the name of any god could Rand Paul be elected to the United States Senate? Bigot, bully, thug. He will be heard, he will be seen, but in the end he will amount to nothing. But still he was elected and it boggles my mind. Think about that over your morning coffee.
Life goes on
update - Two morning observations. I don't think Lawrence O'Donnell sleeps, at all. Seriously the man was on until 1AM and there he is again. And Mika Brzezinski in a black turtleneck and slacks, enough said.
update 2 - One final tweet than I get on with my life ....
@tbogg: 7 in 10 seniors say no to Prop19. http://tiny.cc/tz610 Let's take away their medical marijuana cards.Arthritis pain? Man up, grandma
Pink - Raise Your Glass
Some random thoughts from a night of election watching. Andrew Coumo crushed Carl Paladino like a bug on the windshield and I would be only to happy to be the one turning on the wipers. Outgoing Governor Ed of Pennsylvania called democrats wussies. As much as I hate to admit it he spoke the truth. God dems open your mouths and kick some ass! We are right and they are wrong. Don't try and be so damn civil and just say it. Say it! Governor elect of California Jerry Brown might not be the youngest guy but he rocks.
Watched John Boehner give a little 'we won' speech. Dude had tears in his eyes, choked up, must have been because his new tanning bed had just arrived. Keith Olbermann had the best line here when he said he said he thought the Democrats should be the ones crying tonight.
Headline of the night ....
" BREAKING: Openly gay Providence mayor elected to Congress."
My favorite tweets ....
@billmaher: Its Election Day! Unless ur a billionaire, vote for the party that gave u healthcare, stopped a Depression and got out of Iraq
@erockett89: Rachels like Chris stfu and dont talk over me before I bitch slap you. bitch.
@BrianLynch: Meg Whitman discovered the position of governer does not have a "Buy it Now" option.
And a final thought. How in the name of any god could Rand Paul be elected to the United States Senate? Bigot, bully, thug. He will be heard, he will be seen, but in the end he will amount to nothing. But still he was elected and it boggles my mind. Think about that over your morning coffee.
Life goes on
update - Two morning observations. I don't think Lawrence O'Donnell sleeps, at all. Seriously the man was on until 1AM and there he is again. And Mika Brzezinski in a black turtleneck and slacks, enough said.
update 2 - One final tweet than I get on with my life ....
@tbogg: 7 in 10 seniors say no to Prop19. http://tiny.cc/tz610 Let's take away their medical marijuana cards.Arthritis pain? Man up, grandma
Pink - Raise Your Glass
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