Well That Flopped!

Obviously the 52 weeks project was a flop. I sank into a deep depression and just quit caring about keeping up the work. I have been focused on my new passion, digital arts and fractals.

This blog itself is not "dead", however. At least, not yet.

I am relocating cross country to Denver in 10 days, and am sure there will be renewed passion for photography at that time, so stay tuned for whatever comes next.

52 Weeks of My Life in Photos, Week 4

As usual, better late than never. The last week of January 2013 was...pretty much a typical week for me. I stayed inside mostly because, well, it is way too cold for my blood.
I love snow, but I HATE the cold.
Every day is a confirmation that somehow I need to save up and not be in Chicago next winter!
Not that I hate Chicago, but...I get sick every time I am outdoors for more than a few minutes just to go to the store.
Makes for pretty scenery, though.
Why can't we have snow AND it be above 55F
Stupid weather!

52 Weeks of My Life in Photos Week 3

Well it was inevitable, being such a terrible blog scheduler, that I would not post week three til the middle of week four, but...better late than never I suppose.

I am not gonna be real chatty abt them this week. Without further ado, week three of 2013 in pics

Starbucks Irving Park 

Art at Starbucks

Clock on Irving Park Road

Winter Sky

That Damn Chair 

Neighborly

2013: 52 Weeks in My Life in Photos: Week Two

It's here! Week two of the 52 Weeks in My Life in Photos project. YAY!

This week was a little more varied and exciting than last, mainly because the weather was much warmer. Unseasonably warm. I left my room several times, went on walks, spent an afternoon at a coffee shop, and even went all the way downtown to The Loop area. Holy mackerel!

Here comes the tour:
Let's start with an instagram from my general neighborhood area in Irving Park, which is on the northwest side of Chicago. I liked the way the block looked rundown and almost abandoned  even though this is along the main street.

Houses on Irving Park Road

Our next stop is two scenes from Independence Park, a short walking distance from where I live.
I liked the way the tree limbs stood out against the sky when viewed in high contrast monochrome...

While experimenting with a selective color shot of the sour cherries on this tree, a bird (I think it is a cowbird?) flew into the scene and stayed long enough to get a good clear shot. Thanks, bird.

Last but not least, two scenes shot from the Chicago CTA 'L' Blue Line train...the first an instagram while headed into the city...

On the Rails

For this week's parting shot, a capture from the rear car of the same train line, a few hours later, heading back into the suburbs. I was hesitant to use this image at first because of the grime on the train window...but it has enough merit to used in an atmospheric manner, I think.

So there you have it! Week two of 2013 in my life in photos.
Which scene is your favorite?

2013: 52 Weeks of My Life in Photos, Week One

The first week of 2013 was not a bad week. Nothing special to "write home about", as they say, but not bad, as weeks in my life go.
I was stuck in my room most of the week, feeling under the weather in one form or another. I almost posted you pictures of the inside of my shower/bath tub since I didn't get out until the last day of week one!
But you have been spared (for now!)

So, here we go...

Leaf on Frozen Fish Pond in Back Yard, Instagram version

As usual, I ventured no further than the grocery store less than two blocks from my room. Thankfully there are  interesting sights everywhere when you keep your eye tuned for them.

Bare Tree Limbs on My Street

Monday Sky...January 7, 2013 ..Instagram Version

And last but not least, a record of my life and the season in shadows (or something like that)

Long Shadow of Me, January 7, 2013 around 11:30am

There you have it. My life in photos for the week of January 1-7, 2013.
It's supposed to be a little bit warmer during the week ahead, so I am hoping to actually get out and about on at least one day, so next week there will be different scenes to enjoy!

2013: 52 Weeks of My Life in Photos, Intro

Happy New Year 2013! 

Are you ready for an entirely new theme for this blog? I am!
I finally settled on my theme/direction in photography for the coming year.
As I have no travel plans outside my immediate area (dreams, yes-plans, no), I decided to expand on my recent instagram account theme, which has been well received on that site.

So, welcome to 52 Weeks of My Life in Photos.

What can you expect? A wide range of images which chronicle my current life journey, mainly. I am still learning my camera's functions and trying new techniques, and trying to think of new ways to capture my experience in a creative, artistic manner which will appeal to more than just myself.

Each week I will feature a minimum of 3 images which sum up my life. I am not limiting to any style or subject...there will be instagram shots, color, black and white, and digital effects. Hopefully I can capture the mood or emotion beyond the simple recording of events.

Your feedback will help motivate me. What works for you? What doesn't? What do you want to see more of?

Since this is the intro post and a full week of photo ops has not yet passed, I will leave you with a single image that expresses  my life today...

From now on, my intent is to update weekly on Sundays, using images from the preceding week!.

I love for you to share my work, but, as always, please respect my copyright on these images. They may not be downloaded or used in any way without my express written consent.  I encourage you to link to this blog or my facebook photo page! 

Udaipur City Palace

Let me apologize for the gap since my last post. I am running a multitude of projects at multiple sites, and at times one takes a back seat to the others.

In addition, I've been doing a lot of deep inner work regarding processing the past three years of my life, as the past week was the third anniversary of my arrival in the Indian town (McLeodGanj, Upper Dharamsala) which became my second home!
I am now fundraising for my return to India, a trip which will be part pilgrimage and part research for my next book.

But without further ado, let's continue the photo retrospective.

We left off with an overview of Udaipur, a fabled destination in the state of Rajasthan.
Today we are going to visit the city's amazing City Palace.

From the roof of my hotel, the exterior of City Palace seemed like a fairy tale.

Udaipur City Palace Exterior 

The palace grounds are splendid, filled with fountains and gardens.
As usual, I declined a tour guide (unwilling to pay the extra fee on my limited budget) and wandered deeper into the site, where I spotted these guards on their magnificent horses.

Mounted Palace Guards

The interior features ornate carvings, hand painted murals, gilded statues both sacred and secular, graceful lantern fixtures and mirrored ceilings and walls.

As part of the experience, a boat tour is offered, which takes visitors on a cruise around Lake Pichola, including a stop at another famous site, Jag Mandir, which I will feature in my next entry.
From the boat, the magnificent lines of the massive palace can best be appreciated.

Udaipur Overview

I arrived in Udaipur, the City of Lakes, in mid November 2009 after a 17 hour over-night train journey from Mumbai and checked into a budget backpacker's guesthouse in the Old City.

My first impressions were of the contrast between the splendor of the amazing historic architectural landmarks and the poor sanitation of the modern streets. Again, I was overwhelmed by the culture of haggling at shops and my own feelings of embarrassment as I made cultural behavioral bloopers.

Sadhu on Bench near Lake Pichola

From my Sacred Sojourns blog, written 3 days into my Udaipur stay:

"Udaipur…what can I say about the almost magical beauty yet jolting realities of this place?

Imagine, if you can, being in a medieval world, where royalty holds sway in palaces (both real and metaphorical) and common folk struggle to survive in narrow streets teaming with animals and refuse, where open sewage gutters flow in front of luxury restaurants.

Imagine the sounds of dogs, donkeys, cows and locals echoing off plaster walls competing with motorbike engines and auto horns. Imagine muezzin’s prayer calls resounding from mosques throughout the day and Hindu chanting emanating from lakefront temples, competing with modern Bollywood music blaring from rooftop boom boxes and the sounds of construction.

Streets meander past fabulously painted and ornately carved doors and windows and intricate building facades. Shop fronts overflow with richly colored saris and pashminas, traditional antique silver and semi-precious stone jewelry, hand-tooled leather journals, and statues of various Hindu gods in all sizes, old and new. Fruit and vegetable sellers ply their goods between cyber cafes and mobile phone shops.

From the rooftops, especially at dawn and sunset/dusk, the city seems to float above Lake Pichola, as if emerging from or sinking into a dream. Five hundred year old palace ramparts rise on one side, ghats lined with shops and temples on the other, and in the shimmering lake, the mirage-like Jag Mandir and gleaming white Lake Palace complete the scene.

The incongruities of India continue to astound me, sometimes with laughter, sometimes with fears and tears. You never know what will happen next, here."

Cows Grazing in front of Vegetarian Cooking Class Sign

Schoolgirls Walking Behind Construction Pack Animals

Motorbike Parked Beside Traditional Rajasthani Wall Mural

Udaipur, I feel,  was where I finally began to embrace being in India.

In my next entry, I'll reflect on my visit to Udaipur's famous City Palace.

Heads up! If you love these images from Udaipur, my FREE iTunes app Rajasthan: Wet and Dry is sure to delight you. Get it for your iPhone or iPad FREE now!

Leaving Mumbai

I left Mumbai on November 11, 2009 on the overnight train to Udaipur. The house boy, who spoke no English, took me via taxi to the station, as my host was working, and made sure I got safely on the coach.

For some reason, the ride across Mumbai made a greater visual impression on me than many other aspects of my stay there. Tropical Cyclone Phyan, for which the warning was posted about an hour before my departure from Bombay, caused localized flooding and traffic jams. It was the coolest weather since my arrival in India.

Haji Ali Mosque

Children in Flooded Street

Traffic Jam

Street Scene

Next stop...Udaipur Overview

Awas Beach Trip

One of my adventures during my stay in Mumbai was a day trip to my friend's family beach house in Awas. We took an early morning ferry from the Gateway of India heading south across a spit of the Arabian Sea. The boat was crowded with day trippers including families, foreign tourists, and a mens' soccer team. There was a lot of picnicking, card playing, and some even had musical instruments for everyone to sing along. 

En route, the variety of tiny wooden fishing boats bobbing on the water next to huge cargo ships was mind boggling. 

Eventually we arrived at the Mandwa Jetty pier and procured a very old auto rikshaw to take us to Awas village. 

The family home sits in a huge tropical garden overflowing with vines and a variety of both wild and cultivated plants tended by an elderly caretaker and his wife who live on the property.

We walked through the village to the wide beach, which my friend told me is one of the cleanest in the entire region due to the current moving rubbish away from shore. Many beaches around Mumbai are not safe for swimming due to severe pollution.

Cargo Ships on Arabian Sea

Small Fishing Boat on Arabian Sea

Schoolgirls in Awas Village

Vines on the Beach House

Sandy Expanse at Awas Beach

Family Dog with Bindi on Forehead

 Although it was very hot and humid the day of our visit (as most of the year is), I have fond memories of the day.

Mumbai...A Look Back

The Living Room of My Safe Have in Mumbai, my Friend's Family Apartment

I have decided to take a step back and review, in words and images, my days in India, from my arrival in October 2009 to my (thus far) last departure in October 2011. With a tentative return scheduled for early 2013, this seems like a good time to review my journey thus far, and to share a bit of what India means to me. My intent is to present a set of images from each place I visited, along with a few words on why they were so meaningful to me.

I arrived in Mumbai in late October 2009, totally unprepared for the "organized chaos" of India. For those more interested in words, and my state of mind at the time, I blogged the trip at Sacred Sojourns, starting with the post  "Thus Far on My Journey".

Curious Local Youth at Chai Walla (Tea Vendor)...People stare at strangers quite openly in India.

Taj Hotel and Gateway of India

Boats on Arabian Sea

Kalba Devi Bazaar District was over-crowded, a maze of noise and  activity, and an assault on all the senses

Colorful Salwar and Fabric Shops...India is a riot of color!

Where Does the Time Go?

Here it is late August already. I am still thinking, or re-thinking, the direction I want to take with this blog.
One thing I know: I want to share my photography.

What I do not know:
Should I do a single image post each week from all of my past travels?
Should I stick to a theme of only India & Tibetan/Buddhism related images, where my interest and passion lies?
Or should I stay with my present location (Chicago) and current work (cityscape and street)?
(Your input in comments is most definitely welcome!)

Meanwhile, I give you...a Buddha from Tamil Nadu...

This stone Buddha carving is located in the Alsdorf Gallery of Asian Art at the Art Institute of Chicago, where I work.

July Update

Since my last post, my life has been more than a little unsettled.
I moved into a new studio/apartment and unpacked all of my possessions and supplies for the first time since 2004.
I also started a new job at the Art Institute of Chicago museum gift shop, which occupies the majority of my time.
My days off have been dedicated to cleaning and stocking my new home, and resting up from work.

I feel like things are finally beginning to settle into place, but I have a long way to go on prioritizing all my creative pursuits to make the best use of what little free time I now have available.

Thanks for being patient with my lack of new image posts.
Let me leave you with a couple of contrasting shots from the Alsdorf Gallery of Asian Art at the Art Institute to tide you over til next time.

Carved Stone Deity from Himalayan Region

Japanese Floral Arrangement