Into the wild {dst and jsl}

just the three of us.

Danny's Music {jsL}

Finally freeballin' {jsL}

Feeling just a bit burned out from my projects... SoOo, what is the best way to amend this situation?? A list of what I love!

travel channel, cadbury chocolate, warm apple cider, panda bears, strawberry cream cheese, snow angels, friday afternoons, ghosts, fireplaces, indie pop, chicken caesar salad, conceptual anything, long breakfasts, Samantha Brown, lattes, holding hands, Greek yogurt, J-Horror, tickling other people, everything bagels, always misspelling bagels "begals", hot cocoa, flowers, being lovey-dovey, last one standing (a very masculine discovery channel show), coffee houses, kittens, Hannah, waking up to a snowfall, tangerines, the today show, tripe, ghost hunters, Grant from ghost hunters, Christmas lighting, arts and crafts, homemade gifts, family, friends, you.

I have difficulty dealing with: canned soup, the Chinese government, having sandwiches for dinner, a block of cement with tiny pebbles stuck to it...

The possible conclusion of one project... {jsL}

Probably the last two photos in the Transient series. Some projects just seem to end naturally. I think I am ready to move on. Perhaps onto something lighter...happier.

Here are some thoughts on inequality from the Dalai Lama. Thoughts that are increasingly more relevant in our society considering the possible recession in 2008.

Another problem we face today is the gap between rich and poor. In this great country of America, your forefathers established the concepts of democracy, freedom, liberty, equality, and equal opportunity for every citizen. These are provided for by your wonderful Constitution.
However, the number of billionaires in this country is increasing while the poor remain poor, in some cases getting even poorer. This is very unfortunate.
On the global level as well, we see rich nations and poor ones. This is also very unfortunate. It is not just morally wrong, but practically it is a source of unrest and trouble that will eventually find its way to our door.
...one of my elder brothers, who is no longer alive, would tell me of his experiences living in America. He lived a humble life and told me of the troubles, the fears, the killings, theft, and rape that people endured. These are, I think, the result of economic inequality in society. It is only natural that difficulties arise if we must fight day by day in order to survive while another human being, equal to us, is effortlessly living a luxurious life.
This is an unhealthy situation; as a result, even the wealthy--the billionaires and millionaires--remain in constant anxiety. I therefore think that this huge gap between rich and poor is very unfortunate.
...So, for those of you who are poor, those who come from difficult situations, I strongly urge you to work hard, with self-confidence, to make use of your opportunities. The richer people should be more caring toward the poorer ones, and the poor should make every effort, with self-confidence.

--from An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life by the Dalai Lama, edited by Nicholas Vreeland, afterword by Khyongla Rato and Richard Gere

A furry friend... {dst}

Panda on a slide {dst}

Fun in the snow is on the horizon... Post by Danny

That hometown feeling {jsL}

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Mr. Potato Heads...

Clouds {dst}

Another sight in the land of green. Post by Danny.

A brand new perspective

It is amazing how a breast cancer scare and a Bright Eyes concert on the same weekend can offer new perspectives.

A Chinese Thanksgiving awaits!

Grass in the Morning {11.20.07}

Picture taken by the Ringfort in Ballyvaughan, Ireland. Post by Danny.

Waking up... {11.17.07}

Looking delicious first thing in the morning...

a relationship...{jsL}

More photos from The Transient Problem, interpretation #2

Who is this girl? {jsL}

I kind of miss her.

After the last shoot...{jsL}

Molly, Jess, and Danny near Bishop's Quarter Beach
It's strange to see a version of myself in this foreign landscape, partly because I can see what was neglected and what is forgotten.

Je t'aime {dst}

In one of the prettiest cities... Post by Danny.

Cinema 320 {jsL}

"The sea of photographers that you are referring to does exist… but I’m constantly realizing that plenty of them arent that good… just as plenty aren’t trying that hard. The ones that are good on the other hand only prove to inspire me and make me want to become a stronger photographer. I’m doing what I know how to do and keeping my focus on my work. I’ve never compromised my artistic vision, and opportunities keep unfolding. I’m not sure where else I could live where every resource and inspiration I could ask for is right there within reach. This city never ceases to amaze me in that regard and that makes all those other fears and competitive thoughts melt away."

-A conversation with Amy Elkins, Conscientious.

So I've spent the whole day reading photo blogs and gradually feeling overwhelmed and somewhat inadequate. I realized though, as I have before that there is nothing I can "do", there is only going forward. It's hard keeping a focused perspective on your own motivations because how much of my confidence stems from external approval and how much is trust in my own vision? The more I read the less I know about this medium that I've intuitively used for years. So basically everything that can be considered my core is unraveling.

I am fascinated by Thomas Metzinger's notion that nobody ever had a self. What exist are conscious self-models that are invisible to us. The sense of self is but a process, the subjective experience of being someone but we understand it as being "us". I've only started reading Being No One: The Self-Model Theory of Subjectivity so I might be wrong. The understanding we feel we have over our "selfhood" is interesting.

Recently, I experienced a distinct disconnect between my body and me. This strangely uncomfortable sense of separation happened during a night of pain and unrest. I couldn't reconcile the fact that my body was a separate entity with motivations of its own and that I was a powerless spectator…

*As a side note, my first assignment as intern for Worcester Magazine made the cover!

Ireland on my mind {jsL}

1. pub life, Lahinge.2. It was my birthday, Lahinge.

3. Make a wish, Bishop's Quarter Beach.

4. A common sight, Ballyvaughan.

5. Through the forest to the Aillwee Caves, Ballyvaughan.

6. Who are you anyway? Co. Clare.

7. Who are you anyway? Co. Clare.

8. Who are you anyway? Co. Clare.

"Things are only caught in their own spells"
-Claude Cahun, Aveux non avenus p. 27

I seem to have lost something really important. What happened to me?

Gym Class Heros {jsL}

STIR fall 2007 covers {jsL}

Aran Island memories {jsL}

You were gnarly that day...

(PS. thanks for not biking into the beautiful Irish horizon without me...even though I was slower than the neighborhood kids and perhaps the senior citizens as well.)

Aran Island fisher {dst}

The clouds were pretty gnarley that day. Post by Danny.

Stripped {jsL}

Stripped {jsL}