That's our Favorite Houseguest In The World, Erik M. chatting with Ted after another nice evening of food and conversation. He's been staying with us since Saturday night, and it's been loads of fun.
I had a really long day, and quite frankly, I'm falling asleep.................
Dear Jack,
It's your birthday! 4 whole years on this earth, and to think I've known you for every single one of those years...
I love when you make fierce faces for my camera, and I also love when I capture that glimpse of pure golden light shining in your eyes and in your smile. You have a very special place in my heart, and I just love you to pieces.
Love,
Sarah-Ji
P.S. Tell your mama I love her and happy anniversary-of-the-day-of-giving-birth-to-Jack.
...gonna get married! That's right. My friends Dave and Alicia tied the knot at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday. I had the pleasure and honor of following them and Dave's awesome parents around to various Chicago locales shooting photos, and I had a blast. Dave has been a friend of the family for over 7 years now, and to see him so happy just melted my heart. I am not prone to tears, but I'd be lying if I denied wiping my eyes during their 1st dance.
Congrats to you two...you are a beautiful couple! xoxo
This was at the Glenwood Ave Arts Festival last weekend, right outside the Morse Ave Red Line stop. It seemed like every where I looked, people were talking on cell phones, texting, surfing, etc. I know I do that all the time too. Makes me think the smarter phones get, the more tethered we become to them. It's like we're addicted to connection even when it's virtual and not face-to-face. And that statement is not necessarily a judgement; mere observation. Something I think about as I consider how much of it I want to implement in my own life.
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 12:00AM | Permalink | in Around Town, B&W, Night Photography, People, Rogers Park, Street Photography 
...with water bottle! Just a reminder for all the motorists out there. Many of my family and friends' primary mode of transportation is by bicycle, so please don't door them as you're getting out of your vehicle.
This is my friend Jhonathan's bottle. We got together for coffee and talked about gear (we're both Nikonians) and a bunch of other topics mainly related to social justice/activism. The weather could NOT have been more perfect. Good, engaging and challenging conversation over some chai/coffee out in the open air with a refreshing breeze is one of my favorite ways to rejuvenate. I highly recommend it.
During the Glenwood Arts Festival this weekend, the lovely folks over at Mess Hall (with help from Radio Populares) reclaimed the air waves for the people and broadcast live on the radio via homemade equipment.
I enjoyed an hour of tunes live via the internet a couple nights ago when I was up late working on a project. I hope they keep this up on a regular basis. My friend Justin said it was a lot of fun. Maybe I'll get to make my dream of DJ'ing on the radio a reality someday. You know how I feel about making mix CDs...
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 12:59AM | Permalink | in Around Town, Art, Chicago, Revolution, Rogers Park 
I sent off three pieces of mail to the state of New York today, and I'm feeling just a tad sad that I didn't get to make a tirp out there this summer as I'd hoped. It's not a place that I feel I can live in long-term, but it sure is a sweet place to visit.
I'm missing my faraway friends lately...
These are the Ten Points of Mess Hall, an experimental cultural space in my neighborhood. I remember the first time I read this a couple years ago and how I felt stunned at how perfectly it articulated my personal beliefs about my creative endeavors and life in general.
I believe in abundance. I believe in sharing. I believe in radical generosity. I believe in dismantling fear and hierarchy. I believe all these things, and more...I believe the driving force behind all these other beliefs is Love. And Hope. And Joy. And Struggle.
This is why I take photographs. I know that I have a gift, and I say this without arrogance but with a sense of responsibility. I can deny that gift under the guise of humility, and in doing so squander something precious and powerful. Or I can take ownership of it, be accountable to it, give it away as freely and as unconditionally as it was given to me. It is a choice that I have to make again and again.
"Make a face, J!" I called out, camera ready and aimed downwards. He readily complied with the most ferocious look he could muster. And so it went, for the next few minutes; every time the lens was fixed on him, he'd strike a fierce pose. I couldn't have been happier.
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Read the whole post on Shutter Sisters.
Milwaukee, has it really been 8 years since I last spent time with you? How is it that I crammed 4 visits into 3 months that year, and never went back until now? What was I thinking? Well, now I know. I'll be back. That's a promise.
Me: "Cadence, why are you wearing your boots? It's gonna be hot at the show."
Cadence: [slight pause]"It MIGHT rain."
Never mind that there was no forecast for rain, nor was there any indication in the sky that would cause a reasonable person to make preparations for precipitation...you can't argue with that statement, ever. Such is the nature of reality. There is always the possibility of rain. Especially when you're 5 going on 6 and love your rainboots so much you'll take sweaty feet over wearing more "sensible" footwear.
I'm supposing this bag is not going to get returned any time soon, despite the request printed right on it.
This was a shop window in Pilsen, a neighborhood I want to spend more time in. There is a lot of beauty in that neighborhood.
Yay for bicycles. 'Tis all I've got for now. It's 1am, and I need to be up at six.
P.S. I had a good weekend.
Monday, August 9, 2010 at 1:10AM | Permalink | in Around Town, Bicycle, Chicago, People, Street Photography 
I unexpectedly had a free evening to myself that required just one errand, which was to deliver a DVD of wedding photos in Wicker Park. Ted had planned on staying home with Cadence with some friends over, so I knew I'd be as free as the wind to wander where I wished. I had no plan, but I had my camera bag. I eveuntually found myself going east on Division after my errand was done, not knowing where to go, when I stumbled upon a corner I had been meaning to come back to for ages.
This is at the SE corner of Division and Elston. It's one of those inexplicable sightings that when traveling past by car, you do a double-take and wonder what the hell that was. This was the Life Is Short bar, which, true to its name, has been closed for some years now. It's in an industrial area near the river just west of Goose Island that doesn't get much foot traffic. It's probably the perfect place for a bar because there are no residential buildings within a several block radius, so you could be as loud as you want, and your neighbors wouldn't care because all you had was the prison-like People's Energy warehouse across the street. I suppose you could argue that the lack of homes near by may also equate to a dearth of patrons, but that doesn't seem to bother the Hideout, another dive bar (albeit kick-ass music venue) in a tucked away industrial neighborhood.
Next to the former bar space is a wall of what looks like street art. This actually says "I LOVE YOU SO MUCH IT HURTS." Sorry if I misled you.
And now I can say that I found True Love--faded and battered--at the corner of Division and Elston.
Apparently, the bar had a nautical theme. Perhaps due to its proximity to the river? Or just the party ethic of a beach/sailor lifestyle?
This was taken from the east bridge on Goose Island. When I got there, one lonely duck was swimming from one side of the river to the other. Then all of a sudden, the kayakers and canoers floated underneath me in ones and twos until there was a veritable armada paddling downstream. I wanted to call out to them, "Who are you? Where did you come from? How do I join you?" but I didn't think my voice would carry.
I kept walking east off the bridge to the corner of Division and Halsted. I love taking photos of cyclists waiting for the green at stoplights. Halsted seems to be a favorite route for cyclists.
I guess I also like taking photos of people at stoplights too. That's one of the remaining Cabrini Green buildings in the background. I was surpised at how empty the neighborhood seemed, especially on a perfect summer's night .
And here is the ubiquitously triumphant Queen Anne's Lace growing in a cluster of greenery. oblivious to its concrete surroundings. I love wild city flora.
By the time I walked back across the bridge, the city had turned on her lights. It was a lovely sight indeed.
Thanks for walking with me...
Friday, August 6, 2010 at 9:25AM | Permalink | in Around Town, Chicago, Street Photography, Why I Shoot 
DISCLAIMER: This is not a post about breastmilk vs formula. That debate is quite nuanced, and has been discussed at length elsewhere. Bottom line: be informed; know what support is available; make your own choice; don't let anyone guilt-trip you.
The photo above is of me nursing Cadence when she was two and a half. That was over 3 years ago. I know that may raise some eyebrows here in the United States and many other Westernized countries, but since it's World Breastfeeding Week, and it doesn't seem like there are very many (if any) positive images of breastfeeding toddlers and older children (a.k.a. extended breastfeeding) in our culture, I'm putting it out there, and I'm going to talk about it.
Off the top of my head, I can only think of a couple references to extended breastfeeding in the media. One is in the movie About Schmidt with Jack Nicolson and Kathy Bates, in which the latter refers to having breastfed her son until he was five. The other is an episode from Desperate Housewives (which my boss told me about) in which one of the characters weans her co-worker's five year old by offering him chocolate milk. Neither reference is what I would call POSITIVE. Both were probably going for the "ewwww" reaction or at least snickers and jeers aimed at any mother who would be so overbearing as to breastfeed a FIVE YEAR OLD.
I'm sorry to say that the recently released movie Cyrus may contribute to the unfounded notion that breastfeeding an older child may lead to the development of a creepily unhealthy relationship between mother and child. It was very subtle innuendo, that scene in which John C. Reilly's character happens to pick up a framed photo of his love interest (Marisa Tomei) breastfeeding her (now-adult) son Cyrus when he looked to be obviously much older than a baby, perhaps as old as (*GASP*!) FOUR YEARS OLD. Subtle, maybe, but the filmmaker's intent in including that photo was very clear. It was to make you go, "Ewwww! No WONDER they're so codependent!"
Well, you know what? It just so happens that I nursed Cadence until she was over 4 1/2 years old. That's right. And I am so glad I did. You know what else? I have plenty of friends--all of whom anyone should be delighted to have over for a party due to their intelligence, creativity and over-all kick-assedness--who also nursed their babies into toddlerhood and beyond. It's a lot more common than you think. The body of research points to a much later natural weaning age--between 2 1/2 and 7 years--than most people think is or should be the norm.
Why am I bringing this up? Partly because if we don't talk about it and simply allow the media continue to perpetuate the image of extended breastfeeding as something to be ashamed of, something only clingy mothers with boundary issues would do, then that's what most of us are going to continue believing. If people realize that some of their friends whom they respect and are sure are not freaks are practicing extended breastfeeding, it'll give them pause before they snicker at the next negative media depiction of extended breastfeeding. Another reason I want to talk about this is because when Cadence gets older, I don't want her to feel like a freak because she breastfed longer than most of her friends. She still remembers nursing and even what breastmilk tastes like (chocolate ice cream, she says). These are fond, nostalgic memories for her right now. I would hate for that to change when she's older because the dominant attitude towards EB continues to be that it's gross or freaky. I also hope that by bringing this subject out into the open, it would encourage women who are considering extended breastfeeding to feel like they are supported and not alone.
Extended breastfeeding is not for everyone. In addition to the social stigma, we have government policies in place that make it extremely difficult for most working mothers. However, for those for whom EB is a viable and desirable choice, my hope is that we as fellow parents and friends and family would support them in their decision so that they feel like it's the most natural thing in the world to do. Which it is.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 2:10AM | Permalink | in B&W, Babies, Cadence, Chicago, Me, Motherhood, Raising Cadence 
(Cross-posted on Shutter Sisters today.)
I was late to a live acoustic music show at a little coffee shop, and I found a seat somewhat removed from the other patrons and the band. During the performance, I happened to glance over to my left, and that's when I saw her, absentmindedly playing with her hair, soaking in the music, with the late afternoon light from the window subtly illuminating her from behind. Instantly smitten, I turned my lens towards her, carefully composed the shot and clicked.
I am a big fan of shooting from the hip, but for this photo, I was very intentional about the way I arranged the visual elements of the image. I wanted the viewer to know that I was at a distance from the subject, that most likely she was a stranger, and by framing the shot within an actual environmental border (the dark outline of the wall on the left, the top of a chair below, and the gentleman on the right), there is a sense that I, the photographer, am looking in from the outside.
In post-processing, I actually considered cropping out the dark borders to zoom in more on the subject. Doing so, however, didn't tell the story I wanted to convey--namely, that this was one of those random encounters with beauty that I often observe admiringly from a distance, hesitant to get any closer for fear that detection of my presence would chase the moment away. I was glad that I composed the shot as intentionally as I did, because in this case, the framing really does tell half the story, at least for me.
