At Last

Since my nephew, Brie and I headed for a photo walk last year roaming the streets of downtown LA, I've wanted to go back and shoot at Union Station. There was always one excuse or another.

On Friday, I told myself that no matter what, I was going to go on Saturday. Friday had been a good day. Only a very minor touch of nausea in the morning and I had more energy than I had hoped for. I felt ready to make the commitment.

On Saturday, I awoke, still feeling good. I had a brunch date with my bestie and her daughter, but that would in no way prevent me from making good on my promise to myself. When I got back from lunch, I passed out on my recliner, suddenly exhausted from staying up too late the night before and getting up early in the morning. I told myself this was in no way going to stop me from making good on my promise to myself. I would sleep until 3pm, okay, maybe 4pm and then head out.

I almost reneged on my promise, but I sensed it was now or never. Time to move. Time to stop making excuses. I dragged my sorry little body off my recliner, grabbed my keys and kissed Brie goodbye. I almost decided to turn around. I fought with myself the whole way there.

The moment I arrived, I was struck by the light. The glorious light.

It was just as I hoped it would be. I wandered the station taking pictures, at times boldly standing in the center of the walkways lining up my shots, at other times, trying to inconspicuously take pictures of an interesting character.

After a while, I decided to take advantage of the energy I felt and head across the street to Olvera Street for some more photos. I would have stayed longer, but I felt my leg start aching and decided that I should leave before I got too tired. I'm glad I listened to myself. The rest of the night, my leg ached, but it was well worth it.

As I reviewed my photos and critiqued the results, overall I was satisfied. I went, I shot and while I didn't conquer, I did learn. Next time, I want to move slower. I always move too quickly. I need to worry less about what others think and take my time. Wait for the right shot. Be still. Be patient.

It makes me excited to go back and try again.

Venice at Night

Most fanatics with a camera have dreams about exploring Venice at night. It's the reason why I packed my tripod in my suitcase. Happily I used it in Florence and Tuscany, but that was just a warm up for Venice.

By the time we finished our gondola ride, the sun was beginning to fall. The girls were ready to go back to our hotel, enjoy the cool air conditioning and free wifi. As I packed up my camera, adhering it tightly to my tripod, my excitement grew. Liz talked about possibly going with me.

I paused, I felt bad about it, but I just wanted to make things clear. It was okay if she came, but I wasn't going to stop for window shopping or sightseeing. I wanted to explore. With my camera. And be selfish about it. It was to be the only night we would be in Venice. I wanted to roam the streets and stop when I felt like stopping, move when I felt like moving. I know that sounds selfish, because it is.

If we were going to be there for two or three nights, I would hope that I would have been willing to share. Instead I headed out by myself for an adventure of a lifetime.

I had no idea where I was going. That was the beauty of it all. I wandered over cobblestones, through alleyways, across foot bridges, stopping when I felt like it, moving on when I felt like it. The sky slowly got darker, but I never felt afraid. Sometimes the streets were empty, sometimes I would come across another person or two, but I never felt afraid.

At last I turned to go back to our little courtyard, when I somehow stumbled across what appeared to be the docking place for many of the gondolas that glided across the canals. I stopped to take some pictures, soaking in the moment. There was the lapping of the water against the edge of the canal, the low laughter of a few of the gondoliers no doubt sharing some tale of the day and the gentle breeze that wafted through the air.

Continuing on in the general direction of our hotel, I did what I read every tourist should do in Venice...get lost. If it weren't for the fact that it was late by this time and I didn't want the girls and Liz to get worried, I probably would have roamed the streets even more forgetting that I was lost. Added to this, was the fact that I was getting tired. I finally resorted to asking several shopkeepers for help.

Even with the fact that most of the shopkeepers spoke English, it was still hard to follow directions. There is a lot of waving of the hands and the alley ways are so crooked it's hard to know if the block is ended and that's where you turn right or left or if you should continue for a few more steps before making the turn.

Staying calm helped a lot as did having landmarks to refer to. After thirty minutes of confusion, I finally came upon a familiar place and was able to make my way back to the hotel from there. By the time I lay my head upon the pillow, I was ready to call it a night, excited about what the next day may bring.

Taking the Shot

Been finally getting around to downloading (or is it uploading? I always get so confused) my photos from my DSLR and editing them. It's rather like finding hidden treasures.

This one was taken on January 2 in Old Pasadena as I waited for Vic and Sharonda who were checking out the floats from the Rose Parade. As I walked up and down Colorado Blvd, I came upon a little hamburger joint. The insecure, unsure me would have paused and moment and walked on by.

But I had made a decision already that this year would be different so the resolute, determined me stood at the door, lifted my camera and took the picture, without caring so much what others thought.

I'm glad I did. It's a reminder to me that I need to do this more often. It's the 16th of January and I'm still embracing the New Year.

Wind in my Sail

For the second day in a row, I felt energetic enough to go out with my camera in hand and enjoy the fresh air. With my camera, I am excited again.

I forgot how inspired I feel as I look for the things that are both obvious and that others miss.

I felt bold as I took pictures of the outside looking in, not worried what the ones sitting at the tables might think.

I welcomed the sun as my partner in crime. It did not disappoint.

I watched people enjoying life as I enjoyed it too.

And I found that I didn't even have to stray that far from home to experience beauty in unexpected places.

Tomorrow I begin chemo again, but that didn't stop me from enjoying today.

Through His Eyes

I was reflecting on our time this Friday in Los Angeles when we came upon a little art studio at which Justin wanted to stop. It was on the corner of hope and despair. The three of us stopped short in our tracks as my nephew told us that we didn't want to go any further down the block. One moment we were passing restaurants with outdoor cafes and the next moment we were looking at what appeared to me, the end of line. It was frighteningly mesmerizing to me.

It wasn't that I was afraid because I wasn't but that was only because I was on the "right" side of the street. I could look at the edge what appeared to be a scene from an end of time movie and stay in my cocoon of comfort. I could remain ignorant in what goes on in that world.

As I look upon the picture I took, I can see the bleakness that greeted me, the trash strewn upon the street, the cart of a vagrant, the stores shuttered up tight. And yet, I wonder, what is it that God sees? Is this street so different than mine? Perhaps I feel the freedom to walk out unimpeded, but I imagine that underneath it all our lives are just as messy as the lives here. Maybe not so hopeless, but maybe so. I wonder, what is it that God sees? Can I ever see it through his eyes? Can I peel off my fears, my prejudices, my preconceptions and see what God sees? Can I stop being condescending, holier than thou and see what God sees?

Exploring with a Camera|Downtown LA

I love being in the city. Doesn't matter which city, they are all intriguing. I love how things change from block to block. I love that there are so many different people there for all different reasons. I love the grittiness of the streets and the character of the buildings. I love the hustle and bustle that surrounds you. And, yesterday I loved exploring LA with my nephew, Justin and my daughter, armed with cameras and a sense of adventure.

I don't know that I would want to live in the city forever, but I do believe I wouldn't mind living in the city for a year or so. What an adventure it would be.

Within the first block we walked, we ran into homeless. They are a part of each city I've ever seen. But this was the first time I've ever taken a picture of a homeless person before. We walked in a giant circle, past the LAPD building which I had no idea was so beautiful, past the LA Times building which looked to be showing its age, past an art gallery with an incredible display which unfortunately was already closed, and up to the edge of what looked to be the end of all time. 

It was incredible to me that we crossed one side of astreet, filled with cool restaurants and sidewalk cafes and looked down the block to see what appeared to be a scene from an apocalypse. We walked down to the edge of "civilization" and stood there, my camera up to my eye as it reached out to the place I didn't dare walk any closer to. It felt like there was a line drawn and short block we were on was a neutral zone.

Then there was the parking lot we crossed that was against a building with a giant mural filled with graffiti. As I took a picture of the wall, I noticed a tagger had written, "you gonna pay!" I wondered, was that a figurative or literal statement? If literal, what was the cost going to be? In the block we were on, I would not want to know. In the daylight it didn't frighten, but at night would I feel different? Most likely, yes.

Exploring Apple Hill with a Camera

I never got to post about the day Eliz and I went to Apple Hill to drive around the country. We started the day off in Placerville, walking around the town. It was a gorgeous spring day. We could not have asked for better weather.

Apple Hill is a farming community a few miles from Placerville. In the summer months, the area is bustling with tourists as most of the farm owners open their doors up for city folks to come get a taste of the country. Since it was the off season, the roads were empty which allowed us to drive around unimpeded.

It also meant that most of the farms were closed, but we didn't let that stop us. The area was so pretty. It was wonderful having most of the farms and roads to ourselves. Even though it was a little on the cool side, we put the top of the bug down which made the experience even better. Instead of just our eyes taking in the view, we could hear birds singing and the sound of leaves rustling and we could smell the land and even the not yet budding fruit. I just wish I would have gotten a picture of the car stopped in the middle of the road.

One of my best memories of the day was passing a group of people walking on the side of the road. It was seriously like a movie. They called out and waved to us and we smiled and waved back. That was just the most fun I've ever had in the bug.