Urban Conservation

It's nice to see some type of conservation in DC. The National Park Service started this small wetlands area near the Washington Monument. In the past year they have added netting and water grass to complete the ecology for attractive water fowl. Birds in the area like ducks and this Blue Heron seen landing seem to like the extra micro terrain in the pond.

Pun-tastic Fish Art

When I think of the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery I think of Larry Fuente's Game Fish. The playful sculpture uses a Blue Marlin covered in game pieces that collage any-man-U.S.A's leisure activities from the cradle to the grave. I don't get to the Renwick often, and after I view the majority of their collection I remember why. But because of Game Fish a bad day at the Renwick is better than a good day at work.

Helping Friends

Today, after handling some things at the school library, I helped some friends move their belongings from one apartment to another in one of the student housing buildings in the Foggy Bottom area. I was talking about a photo assignment I might procure that involves objects from the Santeria religious stores called Botanicas. It was just a brief conversation with a fine arts student named Jabari. He is a black man with dreads, a description that might fit a number of practitioners of Santeria. Santeria it a very unique blend of the African Yoruba people's tribal beliefs and Catholicism. The two abstracting faiths came together when slaves were brought to South America and forced to practice Catholicism. When Jabari left the apartment I noticed this night light, a common purchase at your local Urban Outfitters ... a sacred purchase at your local Botanica.

The Day Starts Crappy

For all the crap I've dealt with since moving in nearly a year ago today was possibly the worst. I woke up and waded through water in my sandals to the bathroom where i found the toilet reservoir on the toilet cracked and draining all the way into the living room. It was bad but at least I could still take a shower ... until I opened the shower door and sewage was staring back at me! So my landlord called Roto-Rooter and Mike came out and pulled mostly hair out of the drain. I am staying in a hotel room tonight courtesy of my landlord. They come to replace the toilet tomorrow.

Jewish Against the Zionist State

Some Orthodox Jews protest the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee outside the Washington Convention Center today. A rabbi taking part in the protest said that the Jewish people are forbidden to have an official state according to the Torah. These people seem honest and peaceful. It's hard to side with someone and not offend someone else today, but I think they might be on to something.

There are Many Like It

I walked past the Masonic Temple tonight, or as I call it because of its ambiance "The Temple of Doom." The walls by the sidewalk were filled with cicadas. It was awesome to finally be a witness to this phenomenon. Cicadas are much more than the average insect. They come out of the ground every 17 years! I hate seeing them smashed because they are so old. I got a close-up of this one as it was falling to the ground after shedding its shell. I think its friend alongside helped hasten his fall looking for a spot for itself to shed. Some friend.

Wedding Fly-By

I shot a wedding today. The first ever. They wanted a photojournalistic style and not so much of the traditional shots. Actually, none of the traditional shots. There are a few things I'll do differently next time. I think I'll pose more shots. I wish I had taken the bride and grooms photo in some of the settings I photographed the guests in. Most of the people I took posing were already posing for other shots. It took place at the beautiful Potowmack Landing Restaurant on the waterfront. I am sure it will be memorable to all who attended. The ceremony was stopped for a brief moment during the vowels to let a jet taking off from National Airport pass by. One thing happily unexpected was that the bride and her family are Korean and they had beautiful kimono-style dresses.

Just Rode in for a Coffee

I was drinking some iced coffee in Swings Coffee Shop yesterday when through the swinging doors walked Bill Trollinger, rodeo and ranch minister. I asked if I could take his picture because I had never seen a cowboy in the coffee shop before. Trollinger is from Wyoming where he says, "There's not a shade tree anywhere ... if you want shade you gotta wear it on your head!" He said he doesn't do too much cowboying anymore. "I ride the buckin' horses every now and then." He goes to rodeos and tries to keep the young competitors away from all the bad things they might get into like drugs and alcohol. After a short talk and "a regular coffee" he took off back to his preachers' convention.

Cup of Water

After my last class of the semester I got some lunch at Hot Off the Grill with my friend Andrew. Andrew got something like chili-mac or beefaroni. I asked for the meatloaf. The lunch lady behind the counter suggested the mash potatoes and gravy. While we were eating I realized it is the quaintness, and predictability of serving typical cafeteria food that makes Hot Off the Grill so attractive. (Michelle thanks for holding this cup.)

Combating the Heat

I got a lot done today but there is still more to do in the following hours. The heat and humidity made my running around at the last minute uncomfortable. I still found time for an hour of relaxing before class, kicking the ball, squirting the guns, and drinking from cups. The good thing is when I got home the toilet stopped leaking so the floor was dry. Did I ever mention I feel like Shrek living in this basement apartment?

The Passion of an Artist

This is Luly's Fine Art studio space. She is Catholic. This is her painting of Christ. His face is cut out so people can take their very own picture, of themselves as the Christ. There are so many issues raised with this piece of art. The currently trendy commercialization of religion, the thought that anyone can be Jesus, the desensitizing effect our culture has on religion, and the effect "religious" cultures have on our culture. At the same time, the White House seems way too caught up in religious issues and has, since "9-11" brought Christianity back to the mentality of the Crusades. "God, please forgive the dirty bastards, for they know not what the do ... actually, strike them down with great wrath!" (Just try not to hit me.)

Racking Heads

This is one of the photos for my studio lighting class drying in the racks in the photo studio at the Corcoran. It is a contemporary portrait, a well done mug shot. I'm happy that I've been in the photo lab developing 4x5 negatives and printing photos in the darkroom. This drying rack has a look and style that calls to mind the Zen feeling that comes from working in the darkroom. I hadn't recalled how simple and wonderful it was to watch an image appear on paper like magic in developer. I am happy that all of my prints are now finished. Now I start on the digital prints.

Not Wearing Out the Welcome

I had a lot more time to take a lot better pictures of tennis playing at Eastern Market today. After tennis Maris (above) made some awesome hot wings. There was other good stuff too, but I can only really remember the hot wings. On my way home I stopped to get a Slurpee. Fuad, the clerk, said, "It looks like you got that hat fighting in Baghdad." "No," I said. This hat brings up a lot of unique comments. A few days ago I was in line at a liquor store. There was a drunken homeless man in front of me. I was trying to hurry and he was gathering his cans and bags at the counter. I held up my drink and reached as politely as I could around him to pay the cashier. As I was paying I could feel the man staring at me. All of a sudden I heard the low grumble, "My buddy was in 'Nam." Then he turned and left. I love this digital cammo hat, but it attracts a lot of social heat.