a) remember those we’ve lost. you may not realize it, but hiv/aids has touched each one of you reading this message. i guarantee it. nobody is immune. take a moment today to remember those affected.
b) do everything in your power to end the chain. it’s 2009, we all know how to prevent hiv/aids. between the ”illusion” of manageability in the western world, to stigma and lack of access condoms and prevention messages in the developing world – somethings got to change. something’s got to happen.
c) work to help those that can’t help themselves. demand universal access to prevention, treatment and care.
so 20 years ago i was 19 & working overnights at this large store (think super target, without the thoughtful design) putting myself through school. i remember this as if it were yesterday – i was on break, sitting in the darkened mcdonalds that was in the middle of the store reading the newspaper that had just been delivered. i remember reading the headlines and looking at these amazing images of people rejoicing and celebrating. having been a child of the cold war, the news that the berlin wall went down was something that was just simply hard to believe, yet here it was – in all it’s glory. chunk by chunk it fell. patience and time won out against politics and war.
the wall had simply lived out it’s purpose and via a mistaken announcement by a soviet reporter, the course of history would be altered forever.
that day, along with a few others from my formative years (the space shuttle challenge disaster, president regan being shot) is so indelibly etched in my mind – it must have been truly amazing to be in germany during that time, and equally amazing that in the 20 years since, a generation has grown up with no knowledge of what it was like to be divided by hate and fear.
I know that the subject of this post isn’t the most oringinal, but on that day, we really were all berliners.
“(i) realize that some people need to believe in a higher power to function from day to day but if we believed in ourselves with as much ferocity as some religeous zealots believe in their “god” how fucking ustoppable would we be?”
i haven’t posted pics from my recent trip to nyc cause.. well, because nobody reads this blog anymore… there’s like 8 of you (8 truly brilliant souls who check this thing out everyday hoping i’ll post. you, fine people – have a lovely space in nirvana reserved). i guess there’s some truth to the whole thing about readership going up and down with how often you post.
christopher specifically requested pics, so this post is really for him . enjoy:
the above shots are of the fountain in bethesda terrace in central park. i’ve walked by this fountain a bunch, and never really paid much attention to it. however, its matt’s favorite spot in the entire city – and when you really pay attention, it’s just one of the most striking pieces of art i’ve ever seen. really dig these shots. the first one is a mosaic of 3 different shots, i put it together using photogene.
another shot from central park. this robin was rooting around looking for dinner no doubt. i love the pissed off look in his eye.
interestingly enough (at least to a geek like me; he’s one of my favorite architects), gilbert also designed the building that our good friend cb over at the mangina monologues lives in (about a block from from where i live). he also designed the us federal courthouse in new york – the next 2 photos show some detail work of the building:
this of course is the empire state building. i just love the contrast of styles between the empire and the glass and steel office building in the forfront.
details of the frank lloyd wright designed guggenheim museum. can never get enough of mr. wright’s designs.
my friend jenn took matt and i to an impromptu gay marriage rally in the city while we were there. the main difference between a gay rights rally in nyc and minneapolis/st paul. they get celebrity’s. i shot a cool video of sex & the city’s miranda (aka cynthia nixon) speaking at the rally. you can view it here)
this placard at the rally just sum’s it up so well.
isn’t he cute?
the aforementioned jenn. one of the greatest chicks in the world. love her to pieces… thanks for a great sunday in the city (and an even better meal at lil’ frankies)
i swear i didn’t photoshop this pic, but who doesn’t love a little ass power! or should that be power to the ass? up with ass? fight the ass?
with respect to by the bayou who posted a version of this first – good lil’ list, don’t you think?
Throw out a lot of crap you never really use, and don’t really need.
Take your dog for a walk early in the morning, when the world’s waking up. (note; must get dog, or perhaps i should just take matt for a walk early in the morning)
Light a candle.
Take a nap.
Don’t turn your television on for 72 hours.
Curl up on the couch and read something.
Have a strong cup of coffee (or tea or whatever it is you like).
Find a contemplative space and sit there for 30 minutes, doing nothing. (If you live in Minneapolis I recommend the Walker Art Center Scuplture Garden.)
Find a job you love and do that. Don’t settle for anything less.
it’s not surprise how i feel about kate bush. simply but, she’s the best.
a few weeks ago the bbc did a series called ‘queens of british pop’ which highlighted the best female artists in british pop music. now in america, when we do these sorts of shows, the segments are 3 minutes tops… the bbc, well, they just do it better. a full 10 minutes of kate in all her glory, it’s really a great segment
and then there is siouxise sioux (should be noted, she also makes you work for it, nothing easy about siouxsie). the other icon of british pop music that simply kills me…here’s part 1:
its starting to finally get nice out so i thought i’d take a quick walk at lunch. i shot these with my iphone….not bad considering the quality of that camera. i think i was channelling my inner jasontt or alex (two photo-bloggers i admire greatly) on these.
east bank mills construction - très patriotique
view of downtown minneapolis from the east bank of the mississippi (with hydroplant)
saint anthony falls as seen from the historic stone arch bridge
gold medal flour + guthrie theater's 'endless bridge'
east view of mississippi (including a view of the new 35w bridge) from the stone arch bridge
delfo (delphi) by giulio paolini
. enjoy:
