Goose Bumps and Tears Day

Well, it's here. The day a black man becomes POTUS. I woke up with goose bumps at the thought and the power and hope of it.

Obama said something yesterday close to he's "just" becoming President, it's not like he's MLK. Nothing makes a cynic weep like such belief.

I am not so presumptuous to give the new President advice drawn from MLK's famous speech (for I can't imagine Obama hasn't got it memorized from familiarity) but my hope is that MLK's words are taken literally, as strategy, over the next 100 days.

The new administration must ensure that revolution is upon us, that it does not swallow the "...tranquillizing drug of gradualism." And that it embraces MLK's cry that there will be a "rude awakening if it's business as usual."

The "dream" portions have the most currency in people's memories of that speech, but my favourite line has always been (and it makes a good goal for the new President) and it goes something like: "We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." I can cry just typing that line.

The remarkable thing is a speech is going to be given today on the same mall that I doubt will be as powerful as MLK's, but that will mean so much more given the Office the deliverer will hold.

Hope is a wonderful thing.

Winter Continues

Such a blah photograph -- particularly since I saw the best sunrise on Saturday morning I've ever seen in Toronto, without comparison, and I had consciously decided not to take my camera with me (I set it out the night before but still left it behind). Yah nothing makes for great photographs like being so lazy one leaves the camera at home.

Anyway, blah it is, but this shot beats yet another day passing without a new blog entry.

Dear Mr. President Elect, About that Portuguese Water Dog

I understand the Obamas have narrowed the type of puppy choice to either one of the 'doodles or a Portuguese water dog (PWD).

I ask your Mr. President Elect only if there is content insurance at the White House should you go with the PWD. Oh, as well, the scenario I see, as discussed in the dog park this morning by those who have witnessed a certain PWD growing up (see photo), is one in which the North Korean ambassador is hastily called to the White House with the instructions to bring liver treats as the First PWD has the launch codes and has decided to go obedience AWOL, well 'cause it's in the PWD DNA.

Please choose the 'doodle, Sir. The safety of the Free World rests, as will most things you do from January 20 onward, on your decision.

South Korean, north

Playing with lighting -- giant fiery orb in the sky is above and behind subject; undiffused, on camera flash, cranked down to throw in some fill light. D3 with the 50, 1.4.

1985

I can't begin to describe how the melancholy of nostalgia pours through me with this photograph. Captured at The Wee Irishman's wedding at Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba in 1985 this event also captured a reunion of sorts as it brought this group back together after several years of working for the same radio station up until about a year before this shot. It was a time of incredible friendship -- of the sort I've never repeated -- reduced now by time and distance to regular email contact or the occasional drive-by, cross-country visit.

FYI, the evening ended with the next day's light and my cleaning up spilled Bloody Marys with the tux "'cause it's a rental." Glad I didn't have to bring the penguin suit back and glad I would have been safely back in Alberta when whomever did return it did the returning :)

Happy New Year! (and Happy Birthday to Ruby)

Ruby was born one year ago today. We celebrated as we celebrate most every other day by getting "off road" in the Rosedale Valley and then a run with the dogs in a nearby park.

Happy New Year, all!