Brighter Days

Merry

Little Talks ... y más

Neat

... good conversation with a good friend (and good whiskey) always goes down smooth.

"There's an old voice in my head/ that's holding me back./ Well tell her that i miss our little talks."

To be continued ...

Never Forget

Summer Moods

F California

"Stuff your eyes with wonder ... live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It is more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories."

~Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

And one more from a brilliant author ...

"We must move into the universe. Mankind must save itself. We must escape the danger of war and politics. We must become astronauts and go out into the universe and discover the God in ourselves."

Somewhere across those outer planes of there, Ray Bradbury is having a beer with Sun Ra ...

Walk With Me

De la mano [September 2011]

... just wanted to acknowledge all the Fathers, Pops, and Papis and Daddies, and, of course, the Dad-like figures in our lives. Felíz dia del padre! Happy Father's Day! 

[Still scrolling through the archives. This pic of my brother and his son is in honor of those men helping to raise their sons and daughters with an open heart and mind to the infinite possibilities available to them, and us all, when we treat one another with respect, acceptance and compassion.]

The Cats On The Bus

Here Kitty!

Crow Haiku #12

somewhere there i'll find
you vigilant as always
absorbing black rays
before flight from branches where
sun meets beak meets creation

Swag White

... we've seen this cat--and his swag--before. I think his choice of an all white outfit, as well as choice of scarf, struts a defiant "Aint no gloom in my June."

Aiming

... it's been one of those slow weeks for mobile photography. so a photo of a shopping cart seems like a reach for me. but i do like this pic, the colors mostly.

Bassist, composer, and band leader Charles Mingus didn't think of his groups as just a band but as workshops. So, too, this is not a blog but a workshop. Dig?

I haven't always had much to say about the photo(s) i post everyday--sometimes a found quote expresses and expands the mood best, sometimes the text lays out--but, i do want to workshop more writing here. In addition to the bursts of haiku, and short poems i tag as "freestyle", i may begin assigning myself a monthly project or topic to write on and explore in more depth. As always, I welcome your suggestions for subject matter and comments. Thank you for jamming with me!

With This Ring

Annular Eclipse on Canvas

... at 5:24 PM yesterday i was at the top level of the public parking structure on Orange St and California Ave. I had driven up there with a pair of binoculars, cardboard, plastic tape, utility knife and cutting matt, an 8x10 canvas, and mini easel (I was inspired by this set-up). The annular, or ring, eclipse was occurring. Alone. Together.

The lot security guard was making his rounds and wanted to know what i was up to. We spoke of the eclipse at length and he told of how he was in Mexico City on 11 July 1991 for a total eclipse of the sun. He and his son experienced the eclipse at Teotihuacan. His recollections of the spectacle of that day, and the pictures i took pointing my BlackBerry to the sky, were indeed messages i was supposed to receive.

Check out my peculiar pix of the eclipse here!

And, for your sonic pleasure, a little solar jazz.

Strumming Away

... right after i snapped this photo, guitar-playing Sam sparked a conversation with me about photography, head shots, this blog and inspiration, in general. Nice guy. Still don't know what he was playing, but i'm in a Jim Croce mood tonight and looking at this photo, i imagine he could be strumming this. I love Jim Croce--bet you can't hear just one of his songs.

Focusing on Super

The "Supermoon" of 5 May 2012

Drove to the top level of Target's parking lot at the Glendale Galleria to get a shot of this month's full moon. After a couple frustrating attempts (my BlackBerry's camera focus was more sluggish than usual), i switched the white focus option from "automatic" to "night" mode and managed to get this shot of the moon's glow above the streetlights. I thought it had a cinematic feel to it.

For photos and more on the Supermoon--and all things cosmic--check out EarthSky here.

The Road #1

just one more , baby

promise our someday won't stray

i'm going your way

You Are Here

i keep looking up

the promise of renewal

blossoms as clouds part

Winds of Change

East

South

West

North

spun 'round sun's rhythm

facing new light and wisdom

rebirth of spirit 

Compost

sustain and nourish

every block cultivating

seeds of resistance

Chips & Salsa

... it was a good day for this today. But Don Cuco's doors shut eight months ago.

Thursday nights after work. Margaritas on the rocks. With salt. Lakers games. Our table by the fountain. Dipping the first chip in salsa and raising it in a toast. Chicken fajitas. Más chips y salsa por favor. And frijol dip, too. Our friendly chismoso waiter. Those incompetent bartenders. Otra margarita? Make it a Negra Modelo. Laughing in the cold along Brand to walk the 'buzzito' away. Snapping pictures of it all with our phones ... It's the first day of Spring and  "I just remember what we used to do" ... Salúd, bebe.

Jewel City Swag

... saw this cat on the corner and knew i had to take his picture.  I also knew i had to e-mail it to my oldest and closest homie, as well as co-jazz/fashion conspirator, Carlos, at Yale. His reply not only cracked me up but enlightened me to a wonderful blog. I share them both with you here:

"Here's a man that believes in the sartorial gesture. Yo, you should check out The Sartorialist blog. It's all about the street photo. Yeah I'm feeing his whole swagger. [Even the pipe], a fine detail indeed."

I'm diggin' the fashion street photo ... i just may begin a new series!