Howard Zinn

" To be hopeful in bad times is not foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact, the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage and kindness... what we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst. it will destroy our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places- and there are so many- where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of the world in a different direction... And if we do act, in however small a way we don't have to wait for some utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live in defiance of all that is bad around us, is its self a marvelous victory"- Howard Zinn

Parts of a long amount of quotes listed on rethinkingschools.org from the day of his passing this January. I had pieced it to read to a group of High School students from Spain that were growing and being challenged as they built in Dakar, Senegal that week. The words, as many of this man, are well worth repeating.

http://www.zinnedproject.org/ a link for classroom use or anyone else interested The Zinn Education Project

bare foot

I want to be where
your bare foot walks,

because maybe before you step,
you'll look at the ground.
I want that blessing.

-Rumi

smelling the seven roses

"And we confirmed once again that those who do not sing cannot even imagine the joys of singing."

Today passing, lounging in the deep wine valour and soft satin cloak my mother wore when she was my age. In the depths of another Garcia Marquez novel interrupted thought for food preparation and the correct time for taking my expanded library of pills and tinctures for healing, now at seven bottles lining the ironing board in the kitchen. Lutui come and goes. He curles up to get a tummy rub or encircles my chair to be sure I am noticing and giving proper attention to the moment I'm in and more specifically him.

I was to be on the road over a week ago. Continuing my fluid landing in the states by visiting many states in a few months, many family members and many trees. My plans, if I can propose to make such things, were to be still after these coming months. Maybe some time at Kripalu, Omega or with a teacher keeping myself "outside" of myself and giving myself the space and environment to "let the weeds grow" like farmers allow for thier land every 7 years. A meditation was pulling at me, to breath deeply and get a rythem in place.

This is not something to plan for. As it seems I have my meditation. It exists without judgment or argument behind my lens. Film, not digital, is essential for letting go of knowing and being still... has been prescribed, along with the bottles, from my doctor. Resting, stillness, joy, clean eating. Seems just what I needed. The slow down that is work to listen to in my mind has been directed from the other side of the counter...And on my back porch I stare at the trees and REALLY enjoy the light.

A bike ride with my Leica slung over my chest, black and white roll inside and a smile on my face. So glad to be back with my best friend, in an environment where we live together just occasionally put aside for a tree that needs my large format instead. My daily rides are only matched by the daily walks with mom. These weeks are being enjoyed and learned from.

Some Ethiopia images

Miami Dolphin spring break 2003

Strange I try to write our story. Just for me to have. A love story yet I find the words, I have so come to play with, are lacking on this one. Maybe its not over. So here is one I wrote...maybe not love but timing and location and something else …
The diversity of love by a woman with a bad memory…

Spring break filled with saying goodbye. The woman, core backbone of our family is on Hospis in the condo. The man, who didn’t show tenderness, sitting in deep emotion and processing with my mother by his side and me over her bed. I am loving, confused and photographing our angel.

A friend has come for me…to spend a few days on the beach and at her moms. Next door to Celine Dions and then to South Beach…to be some proper Spring Break…meet up with a crew of her friends at the hotel..and find myself alone one phone call. Sorting plans to get picked up and head back to the condo and airport.

I walked and the clouds moved. Grandmother there saying goodbye, saying hello, as they splash in the pool. I wander to the beach. Feel the water as I wade in, the pressure so much and I lay back to float. The rain has started to come down softly and I close my eyes as I allow all the water to wash over me. All the warm water, my tears washed into the sea and I am flying. Heavy and light and lifted out of the water, I am in the arms of a man. As I open my eyes I watch concern turn to a smile and he asks if im alright. I nod, he is not placing me down but I am still at peace and he does some introduction, Miami pro football player. He asks if he can support me. I can’t remember more. I close my eyes again, in my state of collapse the support brings grounding in some stability. I am laying back with the rain falling and breathing. Time passes slowly. Still with the water everywhere in motion, freeing me. I lifted my head and rolled back into the water and stood facing the quite stranger that needed no explanation. A soft small kiss of rainfall shared and I turned towards the beach and walked. Towards the people, to await my ride, to join the family, to take our flight …and to her say never goodbye.

A letter to a friend. mystery drink

Up a mountain, around a corner and over a cliff we go on the way to grandmothers house, wrong story, on the way to affiliate community in a town. Arrive at the house we have been looking for of the blacksmith, here thought of as the people with magic so ostracized. Normal introductions, blah blah, purpose of me being there etc. and I give my traveling colleagues the look, they all leave and Im with the family to make fotos and generally entertain. He shows me some ring working and his wife joins. To the next room and it’s the kitchen, energy saving stove and children for the pictures. Another contraption, two bowls and something else. I take a couple pictures and she returns with a water bottle full of clear liquid. I guess this thing is what they use to make it and a shot glass is filled to the brim for me. Its 9-930 in the morning so I just taste a tiny bit, I mean drop on the tongue bit, and am warm instantly. A smile on my face and close to a cough. Haha. If I had taken that shot, oh they would have been some lively photos to follow  back to the living room. More photos then we relax they put music and the little girls are up and dancing then the 20 something boy and then me. In aww of this crazy shoulder movements I have not seen EVER. Such shoulder gyration! Shit my shoulders hurt when I left that house to call to my colleges to do their interviews while I wonder around the community to make more photos and be entertained and entertain. A push up competitions on some boulders of balance with some boys soon came to follow.

Just a normal unpredictable morning like most days of this year all over. I figured it out 17 countries in 12 months, definitely a record for me. But Eastern Asia…I have never been past central Asia (ex USSR area). My volunteer status for a year doesn’t make it bankable for me to come travel but its with a frown that I say that. Turning down travel with good company is hard for me. But Id like a rain check for adventure some time. And if finance changes suddenly in the next couple months Ill be asking where to meet up.

The rows had for three days now.  I was giving photo training to colleague while in one of the leprosy communities here. He had to make photos I stayed still, so a woman braided. Easier then dealing with hair since my scarf flew away but they are not meant for my slippery hair its just getting to be a big ol mess and a group of international volunteers arrive tonight and I have to look presentable, being Habi staff and all.

World Cup part 3 The Abduction

USA Vs. Algeria and Yos is coming to town. To be honest I will get all into it for the US game with my hometown Man crew and others and because it’s the world cup how can one not?! I will really support our country. But my hearts just not in it like I am for Ghana. I will get a bit up in for Argentina as well. So the crew showed up. Two cars deep, one being a Land Cruiser so packed. I didn’t even see everyone who rode in till after the stadium. Loftis, very different stadium then the glowing one in Cape Town. We sat with maybe 50 kids. The non-profit Chris works with is partners with FIFA to bringing local kids to the matches. Those girls had worked out dances, lots of vuvus as usual and security of removing the people who just would sit down because we were closer than their seats.
As I understand it assigned seating is something new to the area.

Highlight was my bug. Girls ran screaming than when we were wandering, I saw its beauty and people just almost stepping on it. I lay my hand down it climbing on and i began the dissent to leave the stadium. It was about the size of my palm and beautiful. After some walking I found a tree for it where we returned for Yos to boost me to take out of the stadium blocked area and all the horns. We walked the distance back to the field at the boys school and found the party at the cars. Lots of star spangled banner singing with random Americans who saw the painted faces of those with me. More Ithacans then I knew where there. I love seeing I-towners in other countries I hung with the bug and them until there was talk of an abduction to be talking place. The bug was placed in a tree and I was directed in the way back with caleb to be handed face paint and get ready to head to Joberg and see Ghana!!! And Germany. And train back to my city the next day.Traffic crazy, cars stopped in the middle of the high way, cars on fire, total chaos, two were instructed out of the car to run towards the stadium parking…to many details in general for the night. Stadium incredible! Fifth row back, just behind where all the photographers sit, perfect. Screaming to lose my voice until my second day in Ethiopia. A night of Jolly after meeting new people bouncing to various locations, dancing of course…the next day hours figuring out how to get home with my camera in bag and bottle of whiskey brought from the states so I can give it to a well deserving person in SA and a train ride that I covered the bag with my jacket, as the passengers on the train asked why I was on it and warned me against people. But you don’t need to go to the market if you ride it  everything is sold on there. I arrived safe with a new person to ring for lunch or another round of pool, a hall had been stopped in as we awaited my ride to the office some hours, home to pack and then to Ethiopia.