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The last nearly four years have seemed like eons for me. Every day that I can bear to pay attention, I am horrified by what atrocities Trump is responsible for. I have gone to so many protests in so many places for so many causes/reasons, both well attended and scarcely attended in good weather and in the middle of a freezing cold winter. There are times I have really questioned what good it even does but a little voice in my head has still told me it was the right thing to do.
But, then the Coronavirus hit and I wondered seriously if protesting was the right thing to do…after reading the statistics in my own city about people of color being killed by the Coronavirus at a much higher rate than white people, I had to ask myself, is it actually a case of white privilege if I protest? This seems like such a strange thing to ask when you are protesting your outrage about a man being killed only because he happened to be Black and existing in America but still I had to ask. Because, if I am part of the problem of spreading this virus and my presence results in more deaths of more people of color, isn’t that defeating the purpose? In addition, how about all of the healthcare workers who have been burdened for so long? Why should I make a choice for them that could affect the survival and treatment of myself and others? It just seemed too risky for this die hard protestor.
I have never dealt with this kind of moral dilemma before. My sense of right and wrong is usually pretty strong and doesn’t leave room for tons of contemplation and deliberation. I can’t really remember the last time I had to seriously ponder “What is the right thing to do in this situation?” asking myself again and again. I usually just know these things intuitively and then try to make my best ethical choice. I’m not saying that I don’t see layers of grey between black and white so much as just I have an idea of how to act in terms of what is right with my soul. I’m also not saying that I don’t learn new things and from the perspective of others and change based on being open to learning. But, the idea of what is fundamentally the ethical choice to make about whether or not to attend a protest for a cause I believe in has never been this difficult before.
And, there is the other side of things that I don’t really like to talk about-the more human side of things. I am unfortunately all too human in my fears about contacting Coronavirus/Covid19. To be honest, I’m the type of person that gets nervous taking a walk in my own neighborhood and gets frustrated when I see the joggers and dog walkers on my street roaming without a mask or groups of a few friends partying on a rooftop in close proximity. It seems pretty hypocritical to me that I’d also be finding myself amidst thousands of people in super close proximity sometimes under overpasses neck to neck, masks or no.
So, what I am saying is that I am actually probably a little paranoid. For a large part of my life, I didn’t realize I was any different from others in my fears until I went to college and learned about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and realized that my irrational fear of death that took hold of me if I didn’t do certain things when I was little-tap my fingers every time I saw a green car, squeeze my toes every time I passed a squirrel-that sort of thing-wasn’t what most kids go through. And, it was crippling. Most of the time, I would cry hysterically thinking I was going to die and great harm would really come to my family and I if I told anyone and voiced these fears out loud. I know, I know…it sounds crazy and doesn’t make tons of sense. And, even though I know that and have gotten better dealing with this side of my self as an adult, it still hasn’t gone away completely. There’s a real instinctual fear that makes me think the worst will happen to me.
The news, of course, doesn’t help…and consider that non essential businesses were shuttered and school was cancelled for the rest of the year, I am even more terrified about the damage this virus can do. Then, there’s also the choir study…where they found that one man in close proximity singing with a choir infected pretty much the whole choir and killed a few too. Of course, this is outdoors, but I still can’t help thinking about all of the times I opened my mouth to chant pro Black Life Matters sentiments even if I was wearing a mask.
And, in many ways, I feel like I am not even worthy enough to say the name of George Floyd or Breonna Taylor who should have turned 27 on Friday, the day that I joined these protests. Because, as someone who is white, I could never know the true horror of this. She was a hero, an EMT worker, and it wasn’t just her own life and her family that was robbed but all of our lives and the sadness is overpowering. So, I ended up saying her name a few thousand times and feeling like I was losing my mind because I couldn’t rewind time and change reality.
I don’t know the answer to all of this and I still don’t know if I contracted the virus or not. But, in any case, I hope that these protests meant something and continue to mean something. Maybe it actually means more to those in power that people would risk their lives to fight for Black Lives and, if those mayors and governors really care about the citizens of their city, they have to act on these social justice issues-hold police accountable, take police out of schools and bring in social workers, counselors, librarians, art and music creative outlets instead. Let’s have a dance class or a drama class instead of kids being subjected to cruel excessive force and mock prison cells from early ages. Surely anything that helps kids is better than something doing active harm. Let’s put more money into mental health facilities instead of incarcerations. Let’s make sure when someone is released from prison that they have a job to go to. Let’s make sure our citizens have healthcare and that there are valid low income housing measures. All of these things will reduce crime and improve the quality of life. That is the direction we need to think in instead of increasing a police force. We need to think about the disparities between communities and races and ensure these people are protected and treated with respect-the same respect and treatment white people have been taking for granted in my country for centuries.
Above: a new mural for George Floyd, murdered by a group of police officers in a complicit system where the police are protected from their evil racist acts.
This mural was recently completed in the past couple of days and is found in Humboldt Park, Chicago on Division Avenue just east of California Ave. Cristian J. Roldán and Esther Kovacs
***All photos are copyrighted***
Dark Matter, 2019, artwork by Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum.
On display (till Corona Closure) at Museum Voorlinden, Wassenaar, Holland.
Matter of light -
Stanford California,
June 2016,
Leica M3,
Summaron 35mm f/3.5
Fujicolor Film 200
Developed C-41 at 106F
100/365
Take me somewhere that matters. Part of the Flickr Collaboration group for 'Who I am'
I had already took a photo with the same title Here , so it took me a while to come up with something fresh for the group.
I feel that seeking life experiences with friends and opening your eyes to the rest of the world will help make clear who I really am.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Holiday
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, originally and still colloquially known as Orange Shirt Day, is a Canadian day of memorial to recognize the atrocities and multi-generational effects of the Canadian Indian residential school system. It occurs every year on September 30. Wikipedia
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Event Length: 1 Day
Also called: Orange Shirt Day; T&R Day
Frequency: Annual
Related to: National Indigenous Peoples Day
Significance: National day to recognize the effect of the Canadian Indian residential school system
Started by: Phyllis Webstad
Every Child Matters is a slogan and message used to honour the innocent lives lost. It symbolizes that every child is important, including the ones who lose their lives and the adults who are still healing from their difficult time at residential schools.
The other side of her sign says: "My Life Matters"
**All photos are copyrighted. Please don't use without permission**
The Denver's Shape 'Victor' at January 2018 eBento Event.
petercarterlook.wordpress.com/2018/01/12/nothing-really-m...
Mike's new tattoo
Original title: If you'r a bird, im a bird
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But I knew you were meant for me so dont stop your love. I wanna to say something with you but i need have time. It wll comes soon ;p
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Những vấn đề, những rắc rối bắt đầu vây bũa quanh mình -.-
Phải làm sao đâyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
hilarious and awkward moment this morning: already 80 degrees at 7 a.m. and sticking to the alleys for shade while walking the dogs - I hear someone say "good morning" - not sure where the voice was coming from or if it was intended for me. Then I see a sleeper sofa under a carport - a man under some sheets - it was like he set up his bedroom outside - complete with nightstand. He tried to guess the breeds of our 3 dogs and acted like this was a perfectly normal social interaction. Just when you've think you've seen it all....
Every Child Matters Locomotive
On September 30, 2021, Orange Shirt Day and Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, CP proudly placed into service the “Every Child Matters” orange locomotive to commemorate the victims and honour the survivors of residential schools in Canada. The locomotive will raise awareness as it operates across CP’s network for all of us who see it to continue on the path of learning about Indigenous Peoples and their rich history and culture.
The special orange locomotive was proposed by 13-year-old Jacob Hoffer, an Indigenous youth, who in the summer 2021 wrote to CP asking it to consider painting one of CP’s locomotives orange. In September, Jacob and his mom, Darcy, were invited to CP headquarters in Calgary to participate in the unveiling of the locomotive he helped make a reality.
CP received guidance from the Orange Shirt Society (OSS) to develop the special livery for this locomotive, which proudly displays the OSS logo on the side of the locomotive’s nose. OSS is a non-profit organization that supports Indian Residential School Reconciliation and creates awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools.
CP is proud to support the efforts of the OSS to create meaningful discussion about the effects of residential schools and the legacy they have left behind.
CP’s orange locomotive was commissioned onto the network on Orange Shirt Day and the first official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
The very nature and purpose of Orange Shirt Day, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, are to create an opportunity for Canadians to learn about and reflect on a dark chapter in the country's history and to commemorate the victims and honour the survivors, their families and their communities, as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Indigenous leaders.
The orange locomotive will serve as a constant reminder of the work ahead, but also draw on the inspiration that connected Jacob, CP and the Orange Shirt Society - “Every Child Matters”.
Canadian Pacific Railway
CP Train 148
CP 8757, DPU CP 8467
Watertown, WI.
April 21, 2022
CP's new 'Every Child Matter' locomotive leads train 101 over the Ottertail river as the conductor gives an enthusiastic wave.
With rain quickly approaching, CP 8757 guides train 101 through the rock cut on the approach to Leanchoil.
NS train D70 is en route from NS's Voltz Yard to BNSF's Argentine Yard as it approaches 25th St. at Santa Fe JCT on the KCT North-South Corridor. On this day, the train was led by an Ex-ATSF B40-8 now wearing the Heritage I paint scheme and an Ex-BN SD60M still in Cascade Green. Over to the left, a southbound BNSF manifest can be seen approaching North Chicago JCT.
The searchlight signal in the picture still stands today along with several others and all are safe at least for now.
What you likely won't ever see here again is a former Santa Fe 4-axle Dash 8 leading a transfer or anything else for that matter. The BNSF B40-8 No. 580 was a part of the Kansas City Transfer Pool for several years and was seen frequently roaming around town. In the summer of 2017, it was bad ordered and sent to Topeka where it was then stored. Currently, this engine is still residing at Topeka, but it is now LUFS (Laid Up For Sale).
NS train D70 also no longer delievers automotive traffic across town from NS's Voltz Yard near Birmingham, MO to BNSF's Argentine Yard in Kansas City, KS. After NS began implementing Precision Scheduled Railroading, this operating ceased and anything at Voltz bound for the BNSF is picked up by NS train 112. When this job did run, it almost always ran with BNSF power, whether it be from transfers to NS's Avondale Yard or just any road power that needed to be returned. 2/8/15.
It has been awhile since I have posted to Photochallenge and I must say that my photography has suffered as a result. My intention is to be more active with the group this year! My very first photograph I posted to photochallenge 4 years ago was for a Macro challenge in which I photographed these very same watch gears. Since I was new to this type of photography and did not have a proper Macro lens I took the shot using the "poor mans macro" technique (my first time trying the technique). For me, photochallenge was not solely about the photograph, it was about the research and the information I learned as a result of the challenge. So for my comeback photo I thought it would be significant to "redo" that first photo with all the knowledge and experience I gained since first joining photochallenge and being able to now use a proper Macro lens, since it was the weekly challenges of this group that helped me identify my photographic style and also influence the type of gear I have invested in over the years. I would like to thank Jeanie and Eric for continuing the challenges and everyone else who is kind enough to donate their time to the group! (If interested in viewing the "original" photo, it can be found at the bottom of my feed).
3N9A7248
One of 12 Mercedes McLaren SLR that were spotted in Munich this year! There also were some Brabus SLRs, 722Ss, Roadsters and even two Stirling Mosses!!
But this one is a pure standard SLR.
It even drove behind an SLS AMG, guys! Now that's what spottin' in Munich feels like!!
Hope you like this shot. I invested some hours in the editing and I would say, this could be my best work until now. I don't really think my shots are pretty pretty, but in my eyes I get better each month :D
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE COMMENTS, FAVES AND VIEWS!!
Strobist: AB1600 with gridded 60 X30 softbox camera left. Reflector camera right. Triggered by Cybersync.
how much in advance you get yourself to the spot from which you are going to photograph fireworks, there will always be a Jan Koller who will arrive exactly one minute before the start of the show and will stand right in front of you.
Apart from death, taxes and Neil Robertson winning at least one snooker tournament per season, that is the only certainty we have got left in life.
"My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird—
equal seekers of sweetness.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young, and still half-perfect? Let me
keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work,
which is mostly standing still and learning to be
astonished." ~ Mary Oliver
I can't tell you how much I LOVE this quote. Anyone who knows me would see me in that second verse ... lol, I'm no fashion plate ... just get me to the wildlife and outdoors!
Have a great day ... these baby elk charmed me so much as we saw many of them. These particular ones were in Yellowstone.
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