The Beauty of All Things

Photo count 0100. Who would've thought I'd come this far since 2003. Two different blogs later. I guess I wanted to 'celebrate' the occasion by posting a self-portrait. Zoinks! Overall, the majority of photos on here are experimental, portraits are no exception. I like the color[s] in this particular one. Does the photograph appear warm or cold? Maybe somewhere in between? I have no idea.

This is an odd one. Not sure if I like it, but I think I got the melancholy/somber part correct. Have a great day everyone! xo, r

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Currently listening:
Arturo Stalteri - An Ending [Ascent]

I'm cheating. This photo wasn't taken as an exercise, but an old photograph that I took when I went on an artwalk some time last year. It was taken inside this one building while I was walking up/down the stairs and passed by this laundry facility. It was a lot brighter but I tweaked the colors as usual. Double-cheating I reckon. So I ask: Is the final product more important than the original image? Or vice versa?

Photography is definitely an art form, an expression of oneself. But what about the thought process and the functionality behind post-processing? It seems so foreign to me sometimes... everything's gone pixels! Or has post-processing become an integral part of photography today? I don't know. I'm just asking the questions.

As for me, I tend to just do what I think looks 'best'--at that very moment.

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Currently listening:
Harold Budd - Balthus Bemused By Color [Mix 2]

I miss it.

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Currently listening:
Nuno Malo - Star Crossing

This photo has absolutely nothing to do with today being the 4th day of July. Yesterday I was going to take a photo of our flag that hangs outside our house, but for some reason I wasn't too motivated.

I'm heading home today to see my folks and my 97yo grandmother again. My mom told me on Wednesday night that my grandmother fell [again!] and split her head open with a half inch gash. :-( My mother currently has to change her, bathe her, feed her and tend to my grandmother's every need. Around 6am that morning, my mother woke up and asked my grandmother if she wanted to use the bathroom, she said no. Half an hour later, she tried to get up by herself and that's when it happened. Poor grandma. Poor mother. I try to do whatever I can whenever I'm there. I used to head home twice a month now once every week. It's never enough is it?

I don't want this to be a 'downer' post, but it is what it is. If you're reading this, as always, thanks for dropping by! Have a good holiday!!

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Currently listening:
Arturo Stalteri - Another Green World

I hope everyone had a safe 4th of July and a good celebration. Alec and I saw a late movie last night after I came home from visiting my folks/grandmother. On our drive back we saw some fireworks afar... We did the exact same thing last year. That is enough for us.

Enjoy your Sunday. I think I'll head back to the beach tomorrow to do more reading and writing.

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Currently listening:
Harold Budd & Robin Guthrie - Neil's Theme

This photo was taken some time last year. I took it around the time when I first got my camera and was fidgeting with it in bed, pitch-black in the dark while playing with the built-in flash. Someone said that there's a sense of eeriness to it, but I like things that are a bit out of the ordinary. Besides, I like photos that have isolated body parts!

I'm not cheating. I'll still be taking pictures today. Though I might take a few days off this week from posting since we'll be traveling up to the Oregon coast this Wednesday, and we won't be back until early next week. This is for the 3 people who swing by here. :-)

Have a fantastic Monday!!

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Currently listening:
Robin Guthrie - Red Moon Rising [Edit]

Mug on table. Something reminded me of this one particular joke:

Q: How many surrealists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: A fish.

Yes, it's my favorite joke of all time! Enjoy your Tuesday.

Who dares it, has no courage;
To whom it is missing - feels well;
Who owns it, is bitterly poor;
Who is successful - is damaged;
Who gives it, is as hard as stone;
Who loves it, stays alone...

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Browsing through some of the entries from my old blog is kinda fun. I miss the sporadic-ness on how I can post just about anything and everything, but not too much. It seems like what I want to say these days has all been said before. But this riddle is worth repeating. I'm not good with brainteasers and riddles myself. Are you?

xo, r

Torso. I love this track. It relaxes me and yet it demands attention. It takes me places...

The piece is melancholy and brooding, for I could simply close my eyes and drift off and it is in that very short space of time, I could care less a single moment in this world.

I'm off to Portland. Take care everyone.

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Currently listening:
The Hope Blister - Friday Afternoon

Wahaha! It's a bit difficult to catch up with my photos while on vacation. Hope you're having a great week? Oregon coast is pretty awesome!!

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Currently listening:
Robin Guthrie - 3:19 Outro

I'm late. I'm late... and I feel like the White Wabbit. I don't like missing a day, or two. Anyway, this is a mama [or papa?] bird that's been hovering in our front yard for weeks. They both guard their chicks day in and out. The 4 chicks are hatched and sitting pretty inside our red Camellia... and they're fat!

The was taken weeks ago but thought I would add this in just because! :-) This is a piece of large artwork that sits outside of the MoCA's gift shop. If you come to Los Angeles and head to the museum, you'll find it. I apologize since I never caught the name. Why not we go one day together and find out?

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Currently listening:
The Flying Lizards - The Flood

Well we're back from the Oregon coast. I'm not sure where this was exactly but just thought I would start out this photo series with a picture of the coastline. :-) I think I got some decent ones, but how can anyone not with such spectacular landscapes!

At any rate, I'm heading out to see my folks today. I miss them. Take care now!

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Currently listening:
Lunz - Lunz

Yaquina Head lighthouse. I wish I could've spent more time there. Taking some night photos of this particular lighthouse would've been spectacular. But it was a great visit overall. Loved every minute.

Sometimes, you just have to follow the light...

About the distortion: It's difficult to get it to look absolutely correct when I was this close to the lighthouse. Being further away would've helped. I tried to fix it as much as I could during post process. I'll try to shoot better on my next trip! :-)

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Currently listening:
Robin Guthrie - lisa@dixo.com

Twin Houses. This was from the last night of the trip. The beach was right behind these two houses. We were walking around the neighborhood after a family party. It rained earlier that evening and the cold mist still lingers. The most lovely time for a walk.

I hope you have a good day today. 'til tomorrow!

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Currently listening:
David Darling - Darkwood IV- Dawn

I was just thinking... What if there won't be a tomorrow? For you, and for me. What would you do today? Call your family? Getting in touch with your loved ones? And so what if tomorrow is your last day and you not know about it? How will you live today?

How are you living today now?

Children of Light. I think this is one of my favorite photos from the trip. I don't know these girls, for they just came into the shot... into focus. What you don't see is on the right hand side, a monolithic haystack rock. Here's the original version of the photograph. The one with just the two girls is more personal and intimate, but portrays more like a regular snapshot. I think having the rock in the photo places so much more emphasis on being traditional landscape photography.

I prefer having the children in this photograph.

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Currently listening:
Dead Can Dance - Severance [Live]

Greys. I only wish we had more time that one day.

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Currently listening:
This Mortal Coil - Meniscus

Washed Up. Sometimes I feel like that. Only sometimes...

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Currently listening:
The Hope Blister - Iota

The House on Twinberry Lane. This was a night shot without any post processing. I think it looks colorful enough as is. Okay, last of the trip photos. Not sure about you, but I'm getting sick of them, and it's already been a while! I have not taken any photos this week at all. I'll take some new ones tomorrow.

I hope you had an awesome weekend. I did. I spent it with Alec's and my families as well. We also went to LACMA and I saw [and felt] Richard Serra's Sequence for the 3rd time, the first time being at MoCA three years ago. He's one of my favorite sculptors/visual artists and this particular piece definitely has to be seen, touched and felt by its audience.

Let's go again!!

Thinking about my sister Medina who passed away three years ago today. Flying down to Melbourne, it was a wonderful trip getting to see her one last time before she left. I remember the visit as if it was yesterday. Holding her hand, watching her sleep, saying our goodbyes...

I dreamt about her last night... And as time marches on, there will be more 'anniversaries' to remember. Take heart.

No photo today.

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Currently listening:
Sam Hui - 浪子心聲 [1976]

Into The White. I've been all over the world this week by watching over 6 hours of the Planet Earth series on DVD. I asked for it on my last birthday [or was it Christmas?!] and it's about time I finish watching the program. I absolutely love nature shows. Have you seen the one on bugs?? That's my favorite out of all the series. We also have the DVD sets on birds, ocean life and the one that talks about the weather. I can be such a couch potato and we don't even have cable television.

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Currently listening:
Roger Eno - Through The Blue

High-Low. I'm in a bit of a rut lately. Hmm... What to do... Maybe it has something to do with this hot weather. I much prefer the cooler climates. I'm like a polar bear without all the fat. Tomorrow I'll meet up with a friend/ex-coworker whom also got the boot from our job. We can spend some time talking about our f-unemployment blues. I will lug my camera with me. It's about a 30-mile drive; I should be able to scope out some areas/things to photograph. Just to think, I was commuting a 110-mile drive every day to my last job! Yes, I was much crazier then.

Have a pleasant evening. Keep cool!

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Currently listening:
The Flying Lizards - Trouble

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Text: Max Ehrmann

Outlooking v1. I saw my friend/ex-coworker today. We had a good chat and we ate our lunch heartily. It was a hot day, and by the time we parted around 2.30pm, I jetted to a Barnes & Noble nearest him to look for this particular photo magazine named Silvershotz. May issue. They didn't have it anymore. Dratz. It featured one of my favorite photographer named Michael Levin. His photographs are divine. I bought his book Zebrato the other day online and it'll be arriving tomorrow. I don't usually buy books by any particular photographer but this one I cannot wait. I wrote him an email earlier this week... told him about me getting his book and also asked him a couple of minor questions regarding his techniques, etc. I also told him that he needn't disclose any of the information and that I would wholeheartedly understand. He responded late last night and I was thrilled to get a reply back. I was so moved. He sent me a PDF on an article which he talked about his book, a bit about his background and some of his techniques. It was, why yes, featured in this May issue of Silvershotz.

Anyway, I didn't take any photos today. I thought I had more time, but it was pretty late already when I got home, with traffic and all. This photo was, again, from our trip to Oregon. It's Alec... staring outlooking. It adds a bit of mystery wondering what he's looking at, or why he was standing there. Here's the full version. I hope to get back on taking photos tomorrow. Crossing my fingers.

Looking at Michael's photographs can literally bring me to tears... I'm so moved. And sometimes, there are simply no words.

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Currently listening:
Brian Eno - Always Returning [II]

The photo made me think of this particular song! heh!

And I couldn't possibly play slow songs on here all the time... I think I need to dance a little! :-)

...Oh god it's another disease
And you just got rid of the last
You were beginning to feel OK
And the friends you gave it to
Were speaking to you again.

And you find yourself having sex
In the back of a car
And the girl underneath
Doesn't care who you are
And you're nearly there
And she still doesn't care
And her chewing gum
Is getting stuck in your hair
And there's something wrong
Something that you forgot
Oh Shit, you've forgotten the rubber
And you don't want a kid
Well, deny it was you
Oh Christ, if your dad finds out
Then he'll make you stay in
And do your homework
And cut your hair
And wear your school uniform
Out in the street
What a fate worse than death

Oh well he can't hit you
You can hit him back
And play your records so loud
All the ones that he especially hates
Deep Purple in Rock, Led Zeppelin II
Well even you hate those
Well on second thoughts
I think I'll leave home
And go and live in America
Because they earn more money there
And you can get away with murder - Yeah!

Oh this is a Mugs game
I can't wait until I'm twenty one
And I can tell them all to sod off.

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Currently listening:
Soft Cell - It's A Mugs Game [Extended]

I'm just waiting for it... the right moment. Or am I?

Alec took me to see (500) Days of Summer this weekend and it's a pretty awesome film. Good music, decent plot, a few feel good moments and some bittersweet as well. The entire movie was filmed in Los Angeles. Funny that in certain scenes the main characters' favorite hangout was at this park where I took photos of a few months ago... In which I named my photo The Lover. Here's the full version. In the movie on the bench there they sat! So this was another reason why Alec took me [and to surprise me!] to see the film.

Thanks B. You mean the world to me!

Thinking about Alec [him being the world to me], I went back and rummaged through our photos that we took while we were visiting Beijing in 2004. He hasn't changed a bit... still as youthful, playful and [even more] loving as ever!

I think I'll be posting our old photos from China all this week!

Discontent. I forgot how I got so high above to take this photo, a particular angle. I like all the colors... and his little play-jacket. I wonder what the lady was thinking about while the boy contemplates. I would love to fly back to Beijing again with Alec some day. Some day soon.

Have a productive day everyone.

Outlooking v2. Funny cropping, but I wanted to show the building more rather than Alec himself. Here's the full version. Nothing artsy, but I do prefer the colors. You know I used to live in one of these similar style apartments with my family back in HK. But these don't have the 'rods' that one sticks out from the balcony to hang and dry their clothes on. Hard to explain the process if you don't know what I'm talking about. :-)

Anyway, in this photo, I think we ate somewhere near there! I know it's late but Happy Hump Day!

Outlooking v3. Last photo from China. This one Alec overlooks the Forbidden City. When we were there, there was an actual Starbucks there right inside. People started complaining and they finally took it out. It just isn't right is it? :-) Here's the full version.

Now I shall head out to the bookstore and may take some new photos while I'm out. Tomorrow is Friday. Woohoo for everyone!