Why? What Have You Heard?

Remembering Our Veterans

2009-11-11T23:59:00.000-05:00

"There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle" - Robert Alden
Raleigh, NC - May 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Thursday Challenge #48: "Youth"

2009-11-11T06:00:00.005-05:00

"Tradition Passed Down - Nuv Yug India Fest 2009"
Raleigh, NC - March 2009 (Click to embiggen)
Next Week's Challenge: "TBA"

The World in Black & White: 11.11.2009

2009-11-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Bondage Art?"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)
To see more from the WBW Community of Bloggers, visit The World in Black & White

Sepia Scenes #56: "Tate Street"

2009-11-11T05:00:00.001-05:00

"Room & Board"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Window Views #23: A Simpler Setting

2009-11-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

"The Stone Chapel"
Wake Forest, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Watery Wednesday #53: "Morning Has Broken"

2009-11-10T06:00:00.006-05:00

"Like The First Morning"
North Topsail Beach, NC - July 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Edifice Rex #3

2009-11-10T06:00:00.005-05:00

"Concordia Lutheran Church"
Bethlehem, PA - November 2005 (Click to embiggen)

Eighteen Percent Gray Tuesdays on Why? What Have You Heard?

Wordless Wednesday #141: The Gift To Be Simple

2009-11-10T06:00:00.004-05:00

"A Gift To Be Free"
Wake Forest, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Thematic Photographic 74: "Red" v.7.0 - Red Chilies... and Curtains

2009-11-10T06:00:00.003-05:00

"Before the Rush"
Raleigh, NC - May 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted by Written Inc.

I seem to have a gift for finding empty restaurants. Sometimes at least. I think it's a timing issue more than anything. Eat early, avoid the rush. Then smile at the people waiting for a table as you walk out. And think... if you'd gotten here when I did... Of course in this particular case, it wasn't especially early really. This time it was more about location and timing on a larger scale. Location in that this is India Palace, directly across Tate Street from UNC Greensboro and timing in that the spring semester had just ended meaning that all the ~~locusts~~ hungry college students with a yen for biryani had gone home for the summer. And so I settled in with a dear friend for some curry and conversation followed by a night photography expedition. A good evening all around.

The World in Black & White: 11.10.2009

2009-11-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

"One Bright Point"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)
To see more from the WBW Community of Bloggers, visit The World in Black & White

Open Letters: Dear Congressman Brad Miller (D, NC-13)

2009-11-09T16:30:00.001-05:00

I swap form letters with several of the legislators in my state, most often with Congressman Brad Miller and Senator Richard Burr. And Senator Burr will get his turn in the Open Letters column (probably several turns given his talent for pissing me off), but not today. Today I want to say thank you. All too often we ask someone to do something and they do it and we forget to say thank you. We don't mean to be rude, we just get too busy or maybe we don't notice or we think they won't notice. But when someone does something for you, maybe it's a Southern thang, but it seems like there ought to be at least an acknowledgment of it. Especially when that someone is an elected official. Because there are plenty of them that forget what they're elected to do -- represent us in Washington.

I'm sure there are some folks in my district that would say Congressman Miller doesn't represent them. But I'm not one of those folks, and I'd bet they're a minority -- a small minority based on the returns from the last election. Despite what the Congressman might think, I actually read those form letters I get from him. And since I'm writing a thank you note here, you can probably guess that way more often than not, he and I see the issue the same way. But on those rare occasions when we don't, I can tell that he's given due consideration to both sides of the question and reached an informed decision. And I actually trust that he knows things I don't about this legislation or that and that he's weighed the question carefully with -- and this is the important part -- the interests, wishes and welfare of his constituents as his primary guide in his decision process. I do not get this feeling from most politicians. And it gives me something that I think is far too rare in this day and age. It gives me a candidate I can vote for. For reasons other than he's "not the other guy".

Most recently Representative Miller voted in support of HR 3962 (Affordable Healthcare for America Act). This was something I had asked him to do (along with many of my fellow North Carolinians) and he did it. And I'm here today to say thank you to Congressman Miller, for having the fortitude to vote for the right of the working class stiff like me to opt out of "Big Insurance". I don't know if I'll actually do that, but this is a step toward me having the option.

But I'm not here to debate the merits of HR 3962 or whether or not universal health care is good, bad or indifferent. I think it's a good thing. You may disagree. That's your prerogative. I'm only writing this to let the Congressman know I appreciate his efforts on my behalf on Capitol Hill. Most recently in the vote on HR 3962, but for all the times that have come before and I neglected to say it...

Thank you Congressman Miller. And you can count on my vote next November, and beyond.

My World Tuesday #56: Imagine

2009-11-09T06:00:00.004-05:00

"My Sky"
Raleigh, NC - November 2009 (Click to embiggen)

So picture this. I'm slaving away in the yard on a Sunday afternoon, look up and see...

Sometimes words are superfluous.

Wordless Wednesday #140 (Tuesday Edition): You Want Me To WHAT?

2009-11-09T06:00:00.003-05:00

"Up and Over"
Jacksonville, NC - December 2008 (Click to embiggen)

Ruby Tuesday #64: "Properly British"

2009-11-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

"Tea and Scones"
Wake Forest, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted at Work of the Poet

Thematic Photographic 74: "Red" v.6.0 Big Red Truck

2009-11-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Standing Ready"
Raleigh, NC - May 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted by Written Inc.

There are times, I think, when we might forget about these guys when we think of the term "heroic". We keep our military in mind, and (most of us) group the police in there with them. We then jump to star athletes who score the game winner in the championship or the latest action movie star. But for my money, anybody whose job it is to run in to a place that everyone else is running out of to make sure that nobody is left behind... that's the essence of heroism. (though a case might be made for "idiocy" as well... which is a whole other topic.) Firefighters work in some of the deadliest environments on earth, and they do it to protect the public welfare. MOst of us realize this if we pause to think about it. So pause to think about it will ya? And the next time you encounter one of these brave souls out in the world, give them a word of thanks. because I wouldn't like to contemplate what it would be like without them.

The World in Black & White: 11.9.2009

2009-11-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Must've Been Some Fly!"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)
To see more from the WBW Community of Bloggers, visit The World in Black & White

Open Letters: Dear Congressman John Carter (R, TX)

2009-11-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Congressman John Carter of Texas' 31st District has me on his mailing list. I don't know why. I don't live in Texas, and to be brutally honest I can't think of a single issue that he's dropped in my in box that I agree with him on. That by itself is hardly unique. After all there are at least two legislators from North Carolina (where I do live) that can claim the same distinction. Normally I don't read Carter's blather because it only nauseates me to hear a guy lip sync to Dick Cheney and Karl Rove. But for some reason I read all of his diatribe against H.R. 3962 (Affordable Health Care for America Act). Apparently Congressman Carter called upon his constituents to call every member of congress and try to convince them to vote down the bill. Typical, and predictable. But I think it was his closing statement that caught my attention the most. And I quote:

"This debate isn't about healthcare," says Carter. "It is about seizing political power and control for the few at the expense of the many. Win or lose on this vote, Americans can now see why we have got to throw this Congress out in 2010."

Actually Congressman, this debate is about seizing political power from the few who have held the throats of the many under their boots for far too long. As for "throwing out this congress", that process began in 2006, continued in 2008 and if God is merciful, will continue in 2010. You and your power hungry "old boy network" are done. The American electorate has spoken in two consecutive elections. You have not listened. And as a consequence you will, God willing, find yourself out of a job by this time next year.

We have seen case after case of abuses of power by monolithic insurance giants. Cases of denials of coverage for some of the most preposterous of reasons. When a rape victim is denied coverage because she followed her doctor's orders and took a course of antiviral drugs as a preventive measure against possible HIV infection¹ (which, it's worth noting, she did not have), this is an egregious breach of good faith. I challenge you Congressman, I challenge you or any member of Congress to defend this unconscionable action. I challenge you and your cronies on Capitol Hill to defend an insurance company that refuses to cover the cost of treatment for injuries sustained by a victim of domestic violence by having the gall to deem it a "pre-existing condition".² Go ahead Congressman, I'm waiting.

Well?

Perhaps you'd like an easier question. I'll work on that for you.

Macro Monday #36: Hitching Post

2009-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

"That's a Good Line"
Atlantic Beach, NC - July 2008 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted at Lisa's Chaos

Thematic Photographic 74: "Red" v.5.0 - Redhead

2009-11-08T06:00:00.005-05:00

"Sorry, Marg Wasn't Available"
Raleigh, NC - September 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted by Written Inc.

I've always liked redheads. No, really. I took this as one of a set of experimental shots when my camera and I were having a disagreement about what was and wasn't in focus. I won. (Because the camera is a machine... and your pet parakeet is smarter than a machine.)

Single Lens Reflex #5: "Come On Down"

2009-11-08T06:00:00.003-05:00

"I'm Waiting"
North Topsail Beach, NC - July 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Single Lens Reflex Sundays on Why? What Have You Heard?

Monochrome Monday #58: Slow Day

2009-11-08T06:00:00.002-05:00

"White Street"
Wake Forest, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

The World in Black & White: 11.8.2009

2009-11-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Urban Art"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)
To see more from the WBW Community of Bloggers, visit The World in Black & White

Thematic Photographic 74: "Red" v.4.0 - Red Shirt Senior

2009-11-07T06:00:00.007-05:00

"Prelude, Cadence et Finale"
Greensboro, NC - April 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted by Written Inc.

How important it is that my son is wearing a red shirt here I really don't know. But because he's wearing a red shirt, I can work this shot from his recital last April into this week's theme, "Red". And really, I only regret that I don't have video -- or at least audio -- of this performance. Because this was just one more example of the "every-time-I-think-the-kid-can't-get-better-he-does" paradigm. Is this the proud papa speaking? Yes, of course it is. But he really is just.that.good. And on this night, he blew everyone away including the DMA (doctoral) candidate (he he). He's been astonishing me all his life with his talent, and now he's astonishing other not-related-to-him-people too.

Welcome To Machines #3

2009-11-07T06:00:00.006-05:00

"1951 MG TD"
Raleigh, NC - May 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Welcome To Machines Saturdays on Why? What Have You Heard?

Eighteen Percent Gray #3

2009-11-07T06:00:00.005-05:00

"Surf City Swing Bridge"
Surf City, NC - July 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Eighteen Percent Gray Saturdays on Why? What Have You Heard?