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Stumbling Upon a Meridian

nobody@vox.com(Mahoganie) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:39:35 -0700

"But as the stars are going out,
And this stage is full of nothing,
And the friends have all but gone,
For my life, my God, I'm singing.

We'll take our hearts outside,
Leave our lives behind,
And watch the stars go out."

- Stars by Dubstar

Mahoganie's Glow

My neighbor once explained that the term "meridian" means the "highest point." Hence why he gave his eldest daughter the name. She was a high point in his life. Though I assume I will have many high points, Tuesday's high seemed to be natural, wonderful and perhaps spiritual.

Late Tuesday afternoon, I headed for upper Northwest, DC as I needed to take care of something. I'm not sure as to why I waited so late in the day to head in that direction. I was playing with rush hour traffic time. However, I wasn't in a rush. I was practically moving at my own comfortable speed the whole day. After I finished what I needed to do, I was heading back towards my quadrant of the city. As I was driving around something come over me. I can't explain the feeling but it's a feeling I get when I see and notice things...mainly change.

DC is continuously changing and sometimes I feel it's all too fast. Sometimes I feel that I may not get to experience it all; some of that fear is due to gentrification and the rest of it is just me dealing with my own change. My cousin T - the one who is currently living in NY until she finishes up her studies at FIT - is working on her transition back home. The family jokes with her on how she is more so in DC than in NY with every chance she gets. T often tells me,

"I like what is happening in DC. It's my home and I want to be a part of this."

And like T, I too am trying to "get in where I fit in." I don't want to be left behind.

With this unexplainable feeling flowing through me, I was driving down 16th Street - part of the "Gold Coast." As many times as I had driven that route before and even noticing the houses, Tuesday's drive made me notice more. The beautiful houses, the city landscaping, schools and even the churches and temples that line 16th Street. The sun was near setting and traffic was pretty backed up, but moving. I came upon a few stop lights near Meridian Hill Park. Though I am a native, there are still a few places in this city I have never set foot in, Meridian Hill was one.

IMGP0743

Growing up, I've heard so many things about this park. I know it used to be called Malcolm X Park, but I'm unsure as to when they actually renamed it. As a kid riding by, I use to envision what it was like inside. What is all green with a few splashes of color? Was it like Rock Creek Park; all rocky? Were there hidden creatures ready to pounce on you?

I would often hear about how beautiful and lush everything was inside, but no one dared to take me inside. Unfortunately, this park has seen it's fair share of hardships; drug deals, prostitutes, wandering homeless, etc. Though some of this may still go on after dark, during the day it seems to illuminate with beauty.

While idle at the stop light, I was beginning to to resonate with the idea of returning another day to catch a few photos. My spontaneity got the better of me. I quickly began to look for a parking space, but I didn't have to go far. I turned off at the foot of the park on Florida Ave. A comfortable parking space was waiting for me only a few steps from the park. I unloaded the Snickerdoodle, made sure my purse/Snicker's diaper bag was secured, checked for my phone and camera and we strolled to the park.

Luscious Green

I immediately began to snap away, despite my dying battery. I almost wanted to break down and cry at the beauty of the scenery, but I think looking at all of the steps to the park crushed any plans on tearing up. Thankfully, the bulk of the steps were wide and spacious enough where I didn't have to struggle with the Snickerdoodle's stroller.

I did wonder - What Do The Handicapped Do?

Nevertheless, I took it all in. The luscious green, the refreshing water, the ducks in the water, the sun, the mother and son having a quiet moment on a blanket, the interracial gay couple staring into each others eyes and snuggling and another couple sitting on one of the stone benches taking the scene(s) in as well.

The Snickerdoodle even enjoyed her ride, as she sat up in her stoller and held her hands out as if she were catching a good breeeze.

Cascade Down

I really didn't want to make too much of my walk through Meridian Hill, but sometimes I do think it's important to stop and notice divine beauty. Otherwise, appreciating the little things won't come easy. Walking through that park on Tuesday connected me with the beauty of nature and perhaps with God. Once I reached the highest point (the Meridian) of the park (via paved gravel on an incline not the stairs) I was in awe. I looked towards the Florida Ave side and there was this breathtaking view. Granted it was all rooftops with the Washington Monument in a distance in a bit of a summer hazy sky. However, when I looked up; the late evening sun, the clouds, the deep blue sky - I felt at peace...at ease.

Serenity

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I was starting my exit out of the park when I stolled passed "Serenity." As broke up and facially disfigured she was, her pose made my day. Her pose was firm but calm. To think she's been poised enough to maintain her calm for years. As for me, like any other human, I get a little serenity and loose it.

Still, I appreciated her and all of the others I saw perched or standing proudly in the midst of God's great greenery.

I seem to be on a natural high ever since.

More of my photos of Meridian can be viewed on my Flickr album.

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Just cleaning out my closet....

nobody@vox.com(klein. bunt. rund.) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 06:17:52 -0700

Liebe flickr- Mitarbeiter,

da ihr ja momentan wahrscheinlich alle Hände voll damit zu tun habt, die unzähligen flickr - kritischen Inhalte (restriktive der anders lautenden Aussage von Stewart und Heather) zu löschen, kommentieren oder gar NIPSA einzustufen, möchte ich euch bitten, folgende Tatsache zu überprüfen:

Ich bin eine Bürgerin der demokratischen Bundesrepublik Deutschland und habe somit das Recht auf freie Meinungsäußerung.

Im vergangenen Monat bezahlte ich meinen zweiten Pro- Account da ich felsenfest von eurem Angebot und den damit verbundenen Leistungen überzeugt und einverstanden war.

War.

Das meine kritische Haltung gegenüber dem Geschäftsgebaren von yahoo und flickr darin gipfeln würde, dass mein voll bezahlter pro- account für andere als "nicht öffentlich suchbar" eingestuft wird, halte ich für eine unzulässige Beschneidung meiner Grundrechte. Es ist egal, wo ich wohne oder woher ich stamme- dies sind die GRUNDRECHTE, die hier mit Füßen getreten werden!

Untitled-4

ich habe weder an den Hetzkampagnen in den Foren teilgenommen noch mich bisher dazu hinreißen lassen, flickr staff persönlich anzugreifen.

Im Gegenteil- ich bat sogar andere deutsche flickr - Mitglieder, in Stewarts fotostream nicht persönlich zu werden!!!

Einzig und alleine die Verbreitung eines Aufrufes zum kritischen Widerstand und Umgang mit dem Thema flickr - Zensur (und das ist es!), mehrsprachig, begleitet von einer grauen Grafik, reichte also aus, um von euch als NIPSA eingestuft zu werden.

ich bin damit alles andere als d' accord und erwarte eine umgehende Rückstellung auf ÖFFENTLICH- ansonsten werde ich tatsächlich mein Geld über einen Anwalt zurückfordern.

Ich habe in der letzten Woche genügend lahme Ausreden und Ausflüchte von flickr - staff gelesen und die darauf folgenden Diskussionen müssten euch eigentlich allen genügend bewiesen haben, dass sich der flickr pro Account - User an sich ungern verarschen oder für dumm verkaufen lässt.

Ich erwarte auf diese Anfrage eine Antwort und hoffe, ihr seit immer noch stark genug, mit diesem Tobak umzugehen... ;-)

Herzliche, wenn auch enttäuschte Grüße-

KBR

PS:

(und es ist NICHT verboten, seinen Benutzernamen zu verändern, auch mehrmals, richtig?!!!)

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conjuring

nobody@vox.com(chris) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:42:31 -0700

conjuring
Originally uploaded by cthopper93

While watching the dvd of Alex Grey's Chapel of Sacred Mirrors last week I was given the gift of glitch. I do hope, though, that a good disk cleaning will let me view the whole movie. His work is very interesting and amazing. My title is influenced by the "New Backwards" album by Coil. As big of a fan as I am of all of their material, this album may be my new favorite.

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new perspective

nobody@vox.com(chris) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:01:58 -0700

new perspective
Originally uploaded by cthopper93

A couple of weeks ago my mother asked me an interesting question. She said, "Why do you use so many different cameras, spending so much money on film and developing, instead of just getting a digital SLR?" I was able to give her several responses quickly, but my favorite reason is highlighted in this shot. It is the unpredictable nature of film processes like using expired film and cross-processing. Using film (especially toy) cameras with these and other processes can give strange, almost supernatural results. I could use Photoshop to make the colors in the trees bleed. I could even paint a skull over the head of the dancing Mayor of Mount Vernon, but to naturally capture these strange images without edits and manipulations is an indescribable rush. Don't get me wrong, I still love to manipulate photos, and plan on purchasing a dSLR in the future, but the results I get from film cameras just keep me coming back. Plus, I haven't even started experimenting with redscale yet :)

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Mother's Day Will Be Here Soon

nobody@vox.com(Photofiddle) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:19:42 -0700

I know it seems like we just celebrated thanksgiving and Christmas. Well it is that time to start thinking about mothers day gifts again. Looking for for the perfect mother's day gift is dreaded every year. This year will it be another teddy bear? pajamas? tacky jewelery? NO! This year give a personalized mother's day gift. From any favorite photo create a custom work of art.

This is an upscale gift that will last a lifetime and bring mom joy year round. The best mother's day gifts are those that last. Start will a photo that mom cherishes, a hobby of hers', the family pet, wedding photo, the grand children, her children, a treasure vacation photo any photo that mom hold dear. Upload it to www.photofiddle.com and select one of the many styles of photo to art designs. Pick from oil painting, pop art, modern art, abstract, photo collages and much more. Have your photo gift for mothers day produced on canvas or art print. Many framing and stretching options to pick from.

Need inspiration? Check out the photo art gallery

Photofiddle.com is a Oprah gift idea & NY Times gift idea

BHG Decorating Idea

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speechless

nobody@vox.com(chris) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:00:33 -0700

speechless
Originally uploaded by cthopper93

I went to Renfro Valley with Mom a few weeks ago. They were putting on a musical/play called "Spring in the Valley". I really cannot stand Country music, but to be fair this was more Bluegass than Country. Never the less, I was not really fond of the music. Don't get me wrong, the performers were very good at what they did, but it is just not the type of music I like. On the other hand, I had a bag full of cameras filled with expired Velvia film. This made the night very interesting. The very animated nature of some of the performers gave me some fantastic action shots (like Mount Vernon Mayor Clarice Kirby, pictured). I got more metaphysical shots from this event than a night at the old Glyndon Hotel (one stinking orb). While the Glyndon was beautiful, and a wonderful experience for our Anniversary, I think the new barn at Renfro Valley may be a little more haunted :-)

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Tip Toe Through the Orchids

nobody@vox.com(Mahoganie) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:01:57 -0700

Orchid Exhibit @ US Botanical Garden

After a quick run to Bethesda, MD, the Snickerdoodle and I skipped back into town and caught the current exhibit of orchids at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Originally I was going to save this for a sunny spring (like) day, but I figured we could do it today. I didn't feel like being in the house and I'm sure neither did she. She was giddy getting up this morning, eating her breakfast, taking her bath and getting dressed. Screw our internal clocks that are still pretty much jacked up from the early time change.

Needless to say it's going a little after 8:30 pm and the Snickerdoodle is in her bed - ZONK'D.

Luckly me to have found an available two hour meter near the building. I guess today was our day for an outing afterall.

For today's entry, I'm sharing some of the photos I took as the Snickerdoodle and I - more so me - oogled at the orchids. If anyone can tell that knows or doesn't know me well enough... Orchids are my absolute favorite flower. Any kind party/function I have MUST have orchids.

Yes.. I'm making it mandatory.

I still have a few more photos to load onto Flickr, but really I don't have the patience for all of that right now.

If anyone is catching this post via Google, surfing, etc and you are a resident of the DC area or planning to visit, I urge that you check out this beautifully exquisite exhibit. It is indeed an annual affair, so if you miss it this year don't fret. For more details check out the US Bostanic Garden website.

Well enough chatter....enjoy.

An Alphabet Garden of Orchids

Orchids are a BIG Business

The outside garden isn't in "season" or in bloom yet. However I'm so captivated by the Butterfly benches inside the outside garden. Again.. butterflies are one of my favorite "things." (just check out my tattoo - if you're lucky) I love what they symbolize. Looking at this bench actually reminds me of the nearby garden kept by the Smithsonian. I will have to get the fame a bit later. A few years back I did a photo journalism project for a journalism course in school. I went to this particular garden by the Smithsonian and captured a few shots of Swan Benches. When I get the energy I shall share my picture portfolio of that particular garden.

Barely There

Well... This is Mahoganie..

Signing off for the evening.

Until next entry.

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flickr flickriver badge to put on your blog

nobody@vox.com(osde8info) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:35:44 -0800

Create a dynamic flickriver badge (thats uses the Yahoo flickr API) to put on your profile, group, blog or website

or just use flickriver as a viewer for your favorite flickr profiles !

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/fsse-info

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/osde-info

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I love this photo.

nobody@vox.com(angrykeyboarder) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:22:55 -0800

one way in a blizzard

Originally uploaded to flickr by bipolarbeary

I wish I'd taken it. :)

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Personalized Valentines Gift Idea

nobody@vox.com(Photofiddle) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:39:10 -0800

The dreaded day is creeping closer and closer. Knowing it is time to find the perfect gift for our loved one, panic begins to set in. We search the internet and the mall for a gift that embodies love, romance and shows how much we care for our significant other. We can always choose the obligatory flowers, chocolates in a heart shaped box, lingerie that will be worn once or the overpriced dinner. This year leave them breathless with a valentines gift of custom created personalized artwork. It is simple, quick and easy using Photofiddle.com, the internet's leading photo to art website. Create your own personal master piece on stretched canvas like from an art gallery or a beautiful framed art print to be cherished on valentines day and years to come. Select from over 30 styles like oil painting, watercolor, pop art, collages and much more. Just Upload your favorite pictures and all of the Photofiddle design styles. See a preview of your art instantly before ordering. Design and website help is available through phone. live chat, and email.

Checkout the customer's photo art gallery.

Color pencil sketch from Hawaii

Turn wife's favorite photo into oil painting

Make a romantic pop art

Turn Honey Photo Into a Painting

Turn a vacation photo into a Leroy Nimean

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