up and down town

794

2012-02-15T23:37:00.000-05:00

that are more relevant to me right now than...

793

2012-02-14T23:01:00.000-05:00

three words...

792

2012-02-13T23:09:00.000-05:00

and have not found...

791

2012-02-12T22:32:00.003-05:00

I've been looking around...

790

2012-02-10T07:03:00.004-05:00

Have a nice weekend, wherever you go. Back on Monday.

798

2012-02-08T23:20:00.001-05:00

they were important.

797

2012-02-06T22:13:00.003-05:00

as if...

796

2012-02-05T23:30:00.000-05:00

become so big...

795

2012-02-02T23:02:00.002-05:00

that all those little, frivolous wants...

(I ~~want~~ would like you to have a nice weekend. Back on Monday.)

794

2012-02-01T23:38:00.000-05:00

then I find...

793

2012-01-31T23:00:00.000-05:00

But, if I treat them like needs...

792

2012-01-30T22:15:00.001-05:00

feel like needs.

791

2012-01-29T23:41:00.002-05:00

little, frivolous wants...

790

2012-01-26T21:59:00.002-05:00

Too often...

(Have a great weekend. Back on Monday.)

789

2012-01-25T22:11:00.001-05:00

Want, though, has always been a tricky one for me.

788

2012-01-24T00:24:00.001-05:00

Right now want and need seem awfully blurred. Overlapping.

787

2012-01-22T23:13:00.002-05:00

We are supposed to know what we want.

Got in late

2012-01-20T00:12:00.014-05:00

Was supposed to suppose about "supposed to" but got back late.

I was at the opening of Magnum Contact Sheets at the ICP. The book which the exhibit is based on is singular and the topic significant. Often transitions are reflected on from a distance, but here is, precisely while Kodak files for bankruptcy, an amazing recognition of a process on the eve of its extinction.*

A musician doesn't archive every rejected note. A painter does not preserve the first stroke on canvas. A sketchbook perhaps documents concept and exercise, but is not a collection of attempts, with the masterstroke hiding among the pages. Only a contact sheet can reveal the eye, the timing, the execution of brilliance (or luck), living, inherently, among the reality of absolute mediocrity.

In addition to the wonderful reveals a contact sheet offers, it is worth holding, if briefly, the connection to a completely different way of taking pictures, and, in that, a different way of valuing time, of valuing choices, of valuing life. A limited number of shots, no instant gratification, no guarantees. Just talent, guts, and hope.

Reviewed here, and here, among others.

Peek at some contact sheets and commentaries here.

Suppose you have a great weekend and I will be back on Monday.

*Yes, bankruptcy may merely lead to restructuring of Kodak, and yes, film will, for now, continue to be available. But the contact sheet is simply not a part of the way we understand, relate to, and experience photography today. I think that is worth reflecting on - the significance of both the existence of contact sheets, and the absence.

786

2012-01-18T22:27:00.002-05:00

And what we do not.

785

2012-01-17T23:00:00.002-05:00

For starters, we are supposed to know what we need.

784

2012-01-17T00:03:00.000-05:00

Next up, I am planning to figure out "supposed to."

783

2012-01-16T01:04:00.001-05:00

This week I was supposed to get my passport photo taken.

That did not work out as planned.

Thank you

2012-01-13T22:45:00.009-05:00

Normally this blog maintains itself as a public private journal of sorts. Sometimes the readers make more sense out of my posts than I manage to myself. Seldom do I step out of my chosen mode of expression here (sssllllllooooow and a touch obtuse). A kind little award requires that I do for a moment.

I thank deeply MrsLittleJeans for giving me an award. I thank her further still for visiting my blog and reading my posts (and commenting) in the first place.

I would like to, and have been meaning to thank everyone who visits this blog. The comments have always been supportive, insightful or generous. I am extremely grateful to anyone who has followed or subscribed, to anyone who has visited sporadically or spontaneously. Thank you.

Conveniently I don't know how many followers some of these bloggers have, so I did not obsess about the less-than-200-followers rule, even though I am surely benefiting from it in order to qualify myself. I am passing the award to the following 5, as instructed:

The Storialist because, as I recently told her, her blog, its existence, and her dedication to it motivates me.
Out-of-the-bag because she explores and shares her personal, consistent and disciplined style intelligently, and without promoting anything.
Eilis Boyle because her designs are gorgeous and her vision inspires me.
ConstancePosey because her work is cool and accessible.
La Belette Rouge - because she wrote "'I can’t' is usually a lie" and I needed to see that.

Have a great weekend. Back on Monday.

782

2012-01-11T23:39:00.003-05:00

I'm either too this or too that.

781

2012-01-10T22:40:00.000-05:00

criticism from others.

780

2012-01-09T22:28:00.000-05:00

who is used to

779

2012-01-08T23:53:00.002-05:00

I am someone

778

2012-01-05T21:21:00.002-05:00

with a little effort, everything is more interesting.

(Have an interesting weekend. Back on Monday.)

777

2012-01-04T00:02:00.004-05:00

After all...

776

2012-01-03T23:59:00.003-05:00

And I have to try to be new too.

775

2012-01-02T00:05:00.005-05:00

is feeling particularly new.

774

2012-01-02T00:02:00.001-05:00

This new year...

773

2011-12-30T02:16:00.003-05:00

my feelings about things become a little simpler.

(Have a simple and safe New Year's Eve. Back on Monday.)

772

2011-12-29T02:35:00.004-05:00

At least now, as things get more complicated...

771

2011-12-27T01:39:00.002-05:00

tough.

770

2011-12-26T01:05:00.001-05:00

well...

769

2011-12-23T02:06:00.002-05:00

And if I don't know what to do with the shock, confusion, sadness,

change, responsibility and fear...

(Back on Monday.)

768

2011-12-22T02:17:00.003-05:00

I suppose that is how it is though.

767

2011-12-21T01:48:00.003-05:00

It feels wrong that nothing has changed.

Except me.

766

2011-12-20T13:53:00.003-05:00

This death has been redefining me.

Nothing is simple.

765

2011-12-19T00:55:00.006-05:00

Death redefines things.

764

2011-12-16T01:14:00.004-05:00

People want to move forward.
If I pause, it slows them down.
But looking back takes time.
Death makes you look back.

Back on Monday.

763

2011-12-15T11:33:00.000-05:00

are not being patient enough.

762

2011-12-14T01:07:00.002-05:00

And I am finding that people...

761

2011-12-12T23:24:00.001-05:00

death changes more than I could have anticipated.

760

2011-12-11T23:24:00.001-05:00

One thing I am starting to see is...

759

2011-12-08T22:18:00.002-05:00

I am trying to comprehend,
but I'm not there yet.

758

2011-12-07T22:22:00.004-05:00

I am trying

757

2011-12-06T22:37:00.001-05:00

I am trying each and every day.

756

2011-12-05T22:43:00.000-05:00

I am trying each

755

2011-12-04T23:21:00.002-05:00

I am trying

754

2011-12-01T13:35:00.002-05:00

753

2011-12-01T00:04:00.002-05:00

752

2011-11-30T10:55:00.000-05:00

751

2011-11-23T00:49:00.002-05:00

Suddenly, shockingly...my dad died this Tuesday morning.

750

2011-11-13T22:49:00.004-05:00

Just for a moment.

749

2011-11-13T22:49:00.003-05:00

I could stop time.

748

2011-11-13T22:48:00.001-05:00

Right now I feel like the only way I could ever get anywhere is if...

747

2011-11-10T21:34:00.001-05:00

Maybe it's about where we are going.

Go have a nice weekend. Back on Monday.

746

2011-11-06T21:56:00.004-05:00

or does our size depend on what or who is around us?

745

2011-11-06T21:54:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I wonder, do we choose a size to be...

744

2011-10-31T21:00:00.000-04:00

in big restaurants.

743

2011-10-30T21:00:00.000-04:00

Big people eat...

742

2011-10-27T22:58:00.002-04:00

Lots of big people live here.

Big or small, have a nice weekend!

741

2011-10-26T22:29:00.001-04:00

in a big city.

740

2011-10-25T22:00:00.000-04:00

I live in a small apartment...

739

2011-10-24T22:56:00.006-04:00

Speaking of distractions...and relief...and anxiety, I've been thinking about proportions lately.

(Don't worry, it will all likely lead us back to clothes.)

738

2011-10-19T22:53:00.002-04:00

Shopping was an easy distraction, naturally.

737

2011-10-18T23:22:00.003-04:00

I did a good job of keeping busy.

736

2011-10-16T22:45:00.003-04:00

It is interesting that sometimes anticipation makes time drag slowly, and sometimes it makes it go quickly. This weekend went quickly, partially due to anticipation.

735

2011-10-11T23:09:00.003-04:00

it should be easier to live with what we own.

734

2011-10-11T23:06:00.003-04:00

If we know ourselves before we buy...

733

2011-10-10T22:43:00.001-04:00

an exercise in self-knowledge.

732

2011-10-10T00:11:00.001-04:00

Shopping is...

731

2011-10-07T14:14:00.002-04:00

It's funny because I'm usually seeking it, not relying on it.

730

2011-10-05T23:32:00.002-04:00

I needed self-knowledge.

For today

2011-10-04T00:32:00.001-04:00

dwell here.

729

2011-10-02T23:36:00.002-04:00

What helps you best react to actions?
Patience? Empathy?
This weekend I needed something stronger.

728

2011-09-29T23:35:00.003-04:00

is, Do we always take 100% responsibility for our reactions to that behavior?

727

2011-09-27T22:05:00.002-04:00

I suppose the flipside of that question, though...

726

2011-09-26T23:37:00.004-04:00

Do people ever take 100% responsibility for their own behavior?

725

2011-09-25T21:37:00.003-04:00

It often feels, at the time, as though my actions are merely reactions.

724

2011-09-23T00:25:00.002-04:00

We always have a choice when we engage someone else. The choices that I make aren't always the right ones, but they are always telling.

Have a lovely weekend. Back here on Monday.

723

2011-09-21T23:46:00.000-04:00

I learn about myself just in how I interact with people.

722

2011-09-19T22:47:00.002-04:00

It's not about exposing myself to others though.

721

2011-09-18T23:50:00.002-04:00

usually other people help me understand myself in the first place.

720

2011-09-12T23:17:00.003-04:00

before approaching others. However...

719

2011-09-12T00:41:00.001-04:00

I'm finding that it is helpful if I sort myself out first...

718

2011-09-07T22:59:00.001-04:00

Altruism versus egoism.

717

2011-09-06T22:55:00.000-04:00

And so far, it really does.

Are you the motivation for your endeavors?

716

2011-09-04T23:52:00.001-04:00

So those are some concerns.
They're a drag to listen to.

I suppose, as long as what I do amuses me, there is value.

715

2011-09-01T22:18:00.001-04:00

judged.

Have a fearless weekend. Back on Monday.

714

2011-09-01T00:18:00.002-04:00

misunderstood, or...

713

2011-08-31T00:56:00.002-04:00

I don't know if I fear being seen, or...

712

2011-08-29T23:45:00.001-04:00

I tend to feel uncomfortable putting myself "out there."

711

2011-08-29T09:58:00.001-04:00

The third choice would be to contribute...I'm not sure if it suits me.

710

2011-08-25T23:29:00.002-04:00

(I already do that one too.)

Have a nice, safe, dry weekend, if you can. Back on Monday.

709

2011-08-25T00:35:00.001-04:00

express my thoughts.

708

2011-08-23T23:51:00.002-04:00

I can...

707

2011-08-22T23:09:00.000-04:00

which I already do.