ღ "For someone who hates my guts, you sure talk about me a lot! Love me or hate me, it's still an obsession...Here's a tip...Get a life and stop talking about mine...."ღ

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-Author Unknown

Photograph & Edited by Raissa Gillesania Colon

*my own version of this concept ;)

"Hey guys! let's cross the Michigan Avenue bridge!"

10,000 Pink Flamingos Flock to Downtown Chicago, for more about this visit my blog post at:

www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/3986_0_3_0_C/

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"sometimes, it's good to appreciate things even though we don't know what it is...

what's important is that we appreciate its beauty & that's enough..."

"... a blessing is the moment you are happy from whatever you're experiencing now... regardless of anything... no ifs & buts... "

At the Gale River

As a African American female former law enforcement officer now Social Services Worker I see both sides of the issue.

Definition of Defund The Police:

"Defund the police" is an American slogan that supports divesting funds from police departments and reallocating them to non-policing forms of public safety and community support, such as social services, youth services, housing, education, healthcare and other community resources.

More funding is definitely needed in social programs.

{Random Thought 7.11.2020}

Random Thoughts

by: Hunter Allen

The beard is growing back too fast!!!!!

Yellow is my most despised color.

I have lots of homework to do today. =(

I'm trying to make a video tonight to upload to Flickr.

I love hearing YOUR sexy voice on the phone at night.

This picture is kind of crap. O well. Deal with it.

Watch the music video linked below, it's cool.

I want to go to Europe now. PLEASE!

I might go to London.

How could you live without a microwave? My friend does not have one.

This photo needs more blue color in it. I feel strange.

I saw the movie Vicky Christina Barcelona tonight. I liked it. Yay! Threesomes.

I've been sleeping too much lately. Trying to escape life.

Whisper sweet nothings into my ears and buy me flowers please.

I'm eating a banana right now...

Grapes are delicious. Like God's candy. Only Green though.

I smoked for the first time ever. I didn't really like it. Not again. ever.

It's F$#%ing hot outside now. Damn desert. Hace calor!

Take me in your arms. tu es mignon.

I'm in love with two people right now.

I'm such a tease.

the end.

[Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance]

BONEYARD PIC posting pics that were never processed

I remember where I was and why I took this picture. the first year was the hardest year but i got through it. Being with family (the girls) helped immensely. I still cried myself to sleep each night but each day I smiled enjoying time with my nieces. I miss you every second of each minute. Continue to watch over us. Always on my mind, forever in my heart. #Cash {Random Thought 11.6.19}

I like how all these are facing the same direction.

10,000 Pink Flamingos Flock to Downtown Chicago, for more about this visit my blog post at:

www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/3986_0_3_0_C/

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"...patience is not mastered overnight, sometimes we need start the training by waiting for a long time..."

from „Random Thoughts“, more on my website

#Blackandwhite #Blackandwhitephotography #Blackandwhitephoto #Blackandwhiteonly #Bnw

#Bnw_life #Bnw_captures #Blackwhite #Blackwhitephoto

#Bw_crew #Photograph #Bnw_society #Photographer #Blacknwhite #Blacknwhite_perfection #Instablackandwhite #bw #Insta_bw #barceloneta #barcelona #catalunya #españa #nudism #nus #pelados #naked #beach #plaza #platja #opalamy #sunnybeach #beauty #iloveit #holidaysome #statement #positivelife #thinkdifferent #bedifferent #staypositive #randomthoughts #meaningoflife #yinyang #lovewhoyouare #headsup #djlife #onesmileadaykeepsthedoctoraway #sunset #theskyisthelimit

One of the cool things about people's reactions was that they totally understood. A giant turkey leg in front of Buckingham fountain. People walked by and gave encouraging words, "Oh man! That's gonna be a totally cool photo!" It was rather nice.

I'll often take photos of kinda different things in public. I just go about shooting even if I feel a tinge bit of oddness. But as an artist, I have the confidence to do what I wish despite what people think.

However, it is nice when people give you encouraging words, even if what you are doing seems odd.

In my head the photo was going to be more majestic. Perhaps if I was at the Taste of Chicago the day before with all the crazy clouds.

Read about the turkey leg mission on my blog at: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5425_0_3_0_C/

A swirl of clouds gather around the Tribune Tower.

I like how no other buildings are visible in this shot. It looks like it could have been taken in the 1920s, but oh I guess the flag would look different then. ;-)

Higher resolution print available at: www.deviantart.com/print/1713448/

This photo is featured as a button on Facebook's Pieces of Flair application. Check it out at: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/4702_0_3_0_C/

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. {Inspirational Thought for Today, 7.8.20}

Are people using the diagonal crosswalks in Chicago? Find out at www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5811_0_3_0_C/

Mentally draining day at work - trying to help a client that is headstrong on doing things his way even though his way is not getting him the results he desire. I had to walk away and take a break. When I looked up as I was walking around the building to clear my head I saw this beautiful view. After my walk I went back into my office and my client was still sitting in the chair. I sat down and when we looked at each other he said, "let's try it your way". Moments like these is what reaffirms my faith in God and tells me he is STILL in the blessing business. {Random Thought 2.16.17}

I often wonder why after they have purchased a car seat, the owner will leave the tag on it when it clearly it can be removed by the consumer. Perhaps they don't realize the "purchaser" of said item IS the "consumer" {Random Thought 11.8.18}

Who can paint flowers white? Why it's... For those up late, super sneak-preview into the exclusive interview with the great White-out Monster: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5930_0_3_0_...

This photo had some initial buzz on flickr when I first posted it. The top rating it got was as high as #159 for August 29, 2012. Pretty impressive that an image created for a blog post would be the 159th most popular image on flickr.

On my digital publishing blog I wrote about how I geek out with my iPad using it more to take notes on pdfs than other exciting things like playing video games or learning recipes in the kitchen. I truly like writing marginalia on my ipad. It saves so much paper and makes filing my articles so easy! Read more about geeking out with iPads at my blog post, Are you an egghead iPad user like me?

Flickr rates this photo as my 7th most interesting photo of 2012. Get my insight into the ten most interesting photos of 2012.

I made a blog post about how claw games suck you in at: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/3727_0_3_0_C/

I made a blog post about how claw games suck you in at: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/3727_0_3_0_C/

178,482 items / 1,396,469 views

Sometimes I wonder what pulls beggars to me , why are they dawn to the karmic consciousness of my camera lens..he came to my workplace I gave him something he asked for some more , I told him to go to the mosque for more substantial or adequate help.. he gave me mocking smile and simply because though Allah is benevolent kind merciful his custodians most of them are worse than this beggar..they are beggars a notch higher than him , beneath the mosque beggars are the madrsa beggars who come with mini trucks and blaring loudspeakers wake the entire locality with their sales spiel.

And begging is an integral part of Moslem society embedded in the soul of its religiosity ...I cannot escape beggars as much as some who cant escape me and I remember when I first joined Flickr and posted Muslim beggar all Mosems from the Far East were gunning for my poetic pedantic pedestrian ass.

The Arabs of the Middle East have no issue with beggars they always thought the rest of the Asian Moslem world is where the beggars live..today the Arab world is changing evolving trying to come out free from shackles of hate and slavery.

I think in India the Moslem is much happier and much closer to the reality of peace hope and humanity than anywhere else.. because culturally the Moslem in India is more Indian bound to humility and hospitality and the brotherhood of Man.

I find and this is my personal view arrogance in the Moslem enters the soul through Tablik where he thinks only he is Gods chosen one and the rest are second class citizens ..

Being good or bad as a Moslem is more to do with your parentage and your surroundings my parents made me cosmopolitan, I became a better Moslem simply because I was made to respect all religiosity by my parents , we were Maharashtrians our caretaker as kids was a Marathi lady we called Aiee .or Mother.And she was like our mother keeping us alive with stories of Shivaji Maharaj and Marathi Asmita.

So my thoughts now at the age of 58 reflect her teachings her upbringing , and that is visible in the pictures I shoot of all faith including the Hijras.

And I don't blame Facebook friends even Shias from my community who knock me of from their Friends list the day I post too many hijra links as my wall posts..

And I have a Naga Sadu Guru , I have a Hijra Guru I have a Sufi Guru I have a Christian Guru..and I never needed a Shia Guru because I follow Imam Ali from the time I entered my mothers womb.

And so back to beggars and this bearded Moslem beggar in particular he told me his son was a beggar too.. in bad shape and God save them both.

Beggary in mot cases is a profitable option of survival, I once politely told a Moslem beggar lady why she did not do domestic chores she looked at me as though I was insane and told me she made more money as a beggar and was happy in more ways than one.

And than this morning I shot the creative works of children bought up in a AIDS environment , some of them are HIV positive , some are here where I shot their work because their parents are HIV positive and I would have never shot them anyway , as the stigma attached to AIDS ..they were so excited seeing me in my fancy dress rings etc, they kept touching me as though I was some apparition or ghost, and they saw me shooting their works on the wall, not one of them said Uncle take my picture..a foreboding thought even as a poet.

They were Moslems Hindus Christians among these kids but they were human , they seemed happy because they were flocked with their own.. this is one photo shoot I will never forget in my life..and when actors get their pictures taken with the cancer kids I think it is the greatest insult to Humanity ...

So as a blogger a mere picture of a Moslem beggar can take you from one layer to the next , from one thread of thought to another...yes I shoot beggars because as poet I am a beggar too their karmic existence connecting with my own..

And I dont sell my pictures forget hijra pictures or beggar pictures.

This is a photo used to accompany a blog post entitled, "Hanging files just simply crush manilla files" on my blog at: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/4000_0_3_0_C/

I made a blog post about how claw games suck you in at: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/3727_0_3_0_C/

Happy {Heavenly} Birthday Dad. photo taken 2018

As I look at this photo of us, These thoughts come to mind,

Daddy, you left me some very beautiful memories to remind me of how much you loved me and loved our family. I am reminding myself today especially to let that love and those memories be my guide today, tomorrow and always because you are no longer here. Although I cannot see you or physically touch you, I feel your presence and know that you are always by my side. {Random Thought 1.17.25)

Read about all the stories inside this photo at www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5909_0_3_0_...

What did I write to Walgreens about this ICEE/H1N1 dispenser? Read my blog post to find out: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5239_0_3_0_C/

"... there's always a purpose and reason why we work, need an income, we need to be happy, spread our love & joy, or whatever your goal is... that's motivation in our own special way... "

how cool it would have been to know the friends you have NOW back when you were a kid?

today i spent the day w/ 2 of my very good friends, going through lots of old stuff....toys, dolls, albums....

and i can't stop thinking how awesome it would have been if i could have known them when we were all kids. i mean--jeez! my barbies would have been so much more fun w/ "Gloria" in the mix....however, rhonda, i would not have appreciated your brother biting off my barbie's feet.

thanks for a great day C and R. love you 2. xo

Discover the story behind this revelation at www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5872_0_3_0_...

Looking out at the Chicago skyline. You can see the Hancock and Trump Tower. I also like how he has a nice sparkle reflection on his left leg.

How did wireguy fall off the swing? Find out at www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5441_0_3_0_C/

Why do you visit museums? Leave your answer below or visit www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5823_0_3_0_C/

How the Chicago Fire Festival was like being at an Olympics opening ceremony

www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5944_0_3_0_...

Here is the WORLD'S LARGEST working cell phone brought to you by Cricket Wireless and Samsung. Yes. It actually works. It's a promo in Chicago and people could go up and call or text their friends.

I have a funny story about prank calling this phone read it at: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/4923_0_3_0_C/

Now that we finally got all the paper off, here's what the final board looks like! Note you can see that the wax has a pattern on it from all the rubbing. For this particular image I rubbed in circles. On other prints I've done horizontal or vertical lines. Those look nice too.

The final print has a nice wax glean to it.

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Read the full 10-step encaustic photo tutorial at www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5472_0_3_0_C/

This is an image that was used in a blog post called, "Draw on your computer monitor" found at: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/4097_0_3_0_C/

Discover how various elements all came together nicely for this photo: www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5855_0_3_0_C/

"... there will be a time that the things that created your goals today will be left behind, and new things will replace it..."

via Instagram ift.tt/29NLlaa

The local post office on a rainy Christmas afternoon.

BTW, after the surrounding condos were built residents demanded that the Post Office be closed because they did not like the middle of the night mail deliveries. The Post Office carefully considered this and said no.

Random Thought: Fall is leaving and winter is soon upon us. Transitions. So many transitions going on in my life right now, Embarking on a new professional career and loving the learning and the challenges. A view from the second floor of my work life.

I have to remember to post pictures that I take with my cell phone.

equates Velocity!

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Read the beginning of this story at my blog post, "The patient paper airplane Part 1."

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The patient paper airplane: Part 2

While sitting on the station bench I took the two printed sheets out and folded them into my favorite bat design. It's kinda challenging to fold a paper airplane on the uneven surface of the bench. After finishing making the planes it was time to photograph them. The dark colors of planes contrasted nicely against the white paint of the bench, so I snapped a few shots of them sitting on the bench.

Then it came time to throw the planes off the platform. Last week's tulip planes dropped like a rock. Today's planes did some nice loops and circles. One flew underneath the platform unseen to my eyes. The second plane landed on the sidewalk as people walked by. Nobody looked or picked up the plane.

The next train was arriving, and I hadn't snapped any photos of the planes on the ground. My camera was having a hard time auto-focusing. So instead of rushing the shot, I just let that train go. That's the second train I let go. I got my shots and enjoyed standing there watching if anyone would pick up the planes.

Overall it was nice to ignore the rush of getting on a train and sit and enjoy making paper airplanes.

Read about the meaning behind this series at:

www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5434_0_3_0_C/

View more swings on the Spudart Facebook Page:

www.facebook.com/home.php#!/media/set/?set=a.101503314895...

Tonight at midnight EST your journey begins in which you will be even closer to joining our parents, our brother(s), your son and other family members as well as, loved ones that have gone before you. May your transition be peaceful and swift. I appreciate you reminding us that MD is with you and that you are ready and not afraid. I am not ready for you to leave me, but I do understand. I love you dearly my dear brother. Until we see each again, it's bye for now. {Random Thought 8.20.23)

My brother holding his great niece BLT, both napping as we look at them lovingly.

I did a quick illustration for a blog post about memories, thinking, and learning. www.spudart.org/blogs/randomthoughts_comments/5847_0_3_0_C/