It's worth a thousand words.

I saw decapitation the other day.

I saw a twelve year old girl enslaved to child labor.

I saw three women burned alive because they were locked in a flaming sewing room.

I saw a man waist high in water trying to save a baby from drowning after a tsunami. 

I saw a man, HIV positive, holding his very sickly baby boy.

I saw a malnourished African child's bones protruding through her calloused skin. 

I saw hundreds people being herded like cattle as they tried to get food due to the country's depression. 

The other day I saw pictures that captured my mind and revealed to me more about the world than I would have known otherwise. There is only so much words can do to depict a story. A picture on the other hand, gets a person as close as they can without actually being there. You do not have to imagine the expression on a man's face; you can see it. There aren't secrets in a picture. Pictures teach. Pictures reveal. Pictures make you discover. 

Maybe this is the reason I love photography so much. I want my photographs to make a difference. I want them to evoke emotion in people. I have a long way to go but I'm working on it. I'm excited for the many more adventures that are to come with me and Snappy (my D60). 

[Maybe I should buy that book that seemed to effect me so much. It was a collection of LIFE magazine pictures throughout the century. Truly amazing. I think it will be one of the best way to spend ten bucks.]

My friends, please don't give up on me. 

A blog is on it's way.

Life is hectic and Boris (my computer) died containing the beginnings of a wonderfully thought provoking blog. 

Soon, very soon.

Until then,  I bid you all a farewell. 

Wisdom, or something like it.

I'm sitting in Starbucks right now. Starbucks always seems to give me a sense of familiarity and calamity. No matter where you are (especially around the parts where I live) you can almost always find a Starbucks (or many!) in at least a one-mile radius from where you are. You walk in, in the winter season, and a sense of warmth envelops your body and soul. Your mind is filled with the quintessential Christmas music. It's almost impossible not to smile; it's all somewhat surreal. The two quirky men behind the counter take my order. I normally go for a chai, but I have been so sweetly manipulated by the holiday cheer, I toss my "usual" out the window and go for a gingerbread latte. After all, I'm no Grinch. I want to play my part in the festivities that so American-ly go with this day. "What's your name?" they as me. I reply "Dana" and my mom gives me an inquisitive look. "Are you sure that's your name?" they question me with a small smirk on their face. Because I cannot lie, I reply saying I never give my real name. It's just much too difficult. They insist, so I proceed to give them my real name. "Toleene" Good guess, boys. This launched us into an in depth conversation on parents with normal names giving "unique" names to kids and vice versa. The man handing me my drink tells me all about his German ancestry and his interesting last name of "Loudermilk." Case and point my friends on why I say Dana or Anne. At the same time if I always go for the easier way and run through life I wouldn't converse with as many people; I wouldn't learn and talk to as many people from as many walks of life. Maybe from now on I'll give Talene a shot.

 

Moving on a little while into my caffeinated experience, I made a friend. Well, somewhat at least. I talked to what I think was a homeless man. As I tried to find a spot in the shop where I could access wireless, I found myself besides a bearded man with less teeth than normal. "How goes your Christmas?" he so joyfully asked me. I replied "really well" though that was somewhat of a lie, because the only thing I have done today was wake up and drive a couple hours to get to Big Bear. I cordially asked him how his was and he said "Well, I woke up with raindrops on my head, but I am breathing and above ground so I would say today is a really good day" I wish I could explain to you the rest of our conversation, but to be completely honest, I couldn't understand half of what he was saying. It really didn't matter though. Here was a man who tore down social boundaries and bursted my self absorbed "don't-look-at-anyone-but-your-computer" mentality, all without knowing what he was doing. He seemed just happy to be alive, drinking some warm beverage, and enjoying the shelter from the rain that Starbucks was so conveniently providing. We can all learn from you sir. Thank you for being who you are, and I wish you a warm and blessed Merry Christmas.

 

The most extraordinary of experiences can happen in the most ordinary of situations. Don't rush through life so you don't experience them. Smile at a stranger. Do something to bless someone (which I most definitely guarantee with bless you mightily). And most importantly, genuinely love your neighbor. 

Instead of a Show:

Your eyes are closed when you're praying
You sing right along with the band
You shine up your shoes for services
There's blood on your hands
You turned your back on the homeless
And the ones that don't fit in your plan
Quit playing religion games
There's blood on your hands

Another thing...

I also learned when looking at a wedding gift registry, when you have the option of bride/groom/partner, partner does not--- I repeat DOES NOT mean the two people partnered up and it's gifts for both of them.

I swear, sometimes I think in the most oblivious of ways.

Randominium

Things I have learned or thought about this weekend/week:

 

I think it's interesting how so many strive to differentiate themselves by using the exact same tactics as everyone else.

 

Technology is insane to think I'm writing this on a screen that moves when I tell it to, on a plane flying thousands upon thousands of feet in the air. Really, try explaining a plane or laptop to someone who lived in the 1800s. It's impossible. "I'm sitting in a large piece of metal that somehow stays up in the air by large fans" And they would reply, "HERETIC" and I would promptly be flogged.

 

I currently want to read and play the piano. I also want to make Christmas cards for everyone. Give me your addresses and you will get one J

 

I'm so often inspired to change the world, but after a few fleeting moments of heroic thoughts I don't act upon them. Dear Jesus, show me the opportunities that will have my life bring you glory. As simple as buying a homeless person food and showing that I genuinely care, to flying to Africa once again… I know I can't save the world, but I can do my part. Whatever that means. If you're interested, go here: http://www.conversantlife.com/social-justice/gifts-that-give-back#continue4

 

Be the change.

 

This was sporadic, but this is what I have to say. Thank you for stopping by. Also remember to breathe easy; we are supposed to enjoy this time of year, not stress through it. 

Please don't confuse this for something that was supposed to be written as a poem or a song.

I like listening to music

I want to put on a skirt and

Twirl, twirl, twirl.

I want to let down my wavy hair,

And kick off my shoes.

I want their to be sunshine

In a grassy field

Where I could

Sway, sway, sway

Or I could even deal with the rain

Let my hair go crazy and let it

Shake, shake, shake.

Or I could hop on a boat

And drift off to sea

Stand on the deck of the boat

And roll with the tides of the waves

To and fro, to and fro

Feel the beating of my heart

And use it for my metronome.

It might not be steady,

but it's all I have

Such is my heart, 

Such is life.