Tough Love

Last Friday evening was belt promotion for 3-9 y.o. and I was honored to be asked to shoot it. The instructor is an amazingly gifted teacher and gave this little guy special attention and words of encouragement to increase his chances of succeeding. In the end, despite everyone's heartbreak, he fell short of securing his belt. This time. I felt bad for the little guy but thought back on my martial arts days and remembered how much I appreciated the lessons of tough love I got to know so well. Life is indeed full of fun, happiness and good times. It's also fraught with pain, suffering and unfairness. Although I lose to the negatives periodically, I'm confident I'd lose more often if it wasn't for those lessons of tough love I learned as a child.

Up Close and Personal

I took a quick trip to our downtown area one day because I just had to get out of the house. I decided to do what I often hear you should do periodically and this is take only one lens and just do what you can with what you have. I took my 50mm and was near some these "sky rats" as a friend used to call them. I finally gave up on sneaking up on them for a close shot and soon after I started concentrating on the riverbank this one starts photo bombing me. I followed him and got what he probably wanted.

Mother Ship

On a trip to Chicago's Millennium Park one evening, I came across a rather odd art display involving colored flood lamps and white sheer fabric cloth in odd shapes. Their oddity and size reminded me of spaceships and alien invasions.

Day of the Dead

Yesterday was Mexico's Day of the Dead. Last weekend I attended a crazy shut-down-the-downtown-streets type of celebration called Nightmare on Chicago Street. I shot hundreds of this one was my favorite.

The Future

Laid off the other day. Future's a bit unclear but I'm staying positive and hopeful. “A stumble may prevent a fall.” - Thomas Fuller