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Weekly Photo Challenge: Self Portrait…
“The most difficult thing for me is a portrait. You have to try and put your camera between the skin of a person and his shirt.” Henri Cartier-Bresson
Weekly Photo Challenge: Self Portrait... At home...
Weekly Photo Challenge: Self Portrait... Same place, same day. 😉
This particular challenge posed some difficult moments for me. Like my blogger friend at This Man’s Journey, I didn’t want to expose myself to an additional level of scrutiny by declaring that the visuals you see of me mean more than just what they are; a representation of a small part of my life. Of course, some of you might see the irony in this share because I do have pictures of myself on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and a few other social media sites. However, I put them there for site requested verification and they are not identified as self portraits. There was something quite daunting about the term, self portraits, as it brought up visions of Van Gogh, Picasso, Frida Kahlo and all the greats whose self portraits continue to thrill the masses. After all, I am a bit of a shy person. Who knew, right?
“The countenance is the portrait of the soul, and the eyes mark its intentions.” Marcus Tullius Cicero
Weekly Photo Challenge: Self Portrait... In a hotel bathroom in Seattle
Weekly Photo Challenge: Self Portrait... aiming for an old world feeling here - in Seattle
Nevertheless, as I considered what made me feel so vulnerable about this exercise, I had to admit to myself that like anyone else, I don’t like being judged or making such sweeping declarative statements that might suggest my pictures are the be all and end all… It is for that reason that I kept a picture of myself off this blog. I don’t want the content and context of this blog to be viewed through the lens of my portrait and what it might mean to others… There’s something soothing about selective anonymity as it helps clear the mind of the debris accumulated from years of stereotyping and second guessing each other. You understand, no? 😉 What is also interesting about this subject is that I do take lots of self portraits in hotel bathrooms when I travel… just one of my quirks. But they are for my memory’s sake and private consumption. Anyway, I have added a few for your perusal. Your feedback is always appreciated. Happy Holidays!
“We demand that people should be true to the pictures we have of them, no matter how repulsive those pictures may be: we prefer the true portrait in all its homogeneity, to one with a detail added which refuses to fit in.” Pamela Hansford Johnson
Weekly Photo Challenge: Self Portrait... In a NY hotel room after that massive power outage...
I took this photo in the aftermath of that nasty October storm that knocked out our electricity for several days. I wanted to hold a memory of that time and also because, admittedly, I always take pictures in hotel bathrooms, I had to have it. I like that frenchified beret as it actually brings back memories of my time in Paris. I dressed like that almost daily… What a hoot; the natives must have been so over me and my Parisienne ‘l’artiste a besoin de lutter un travail plus créatif ‘ left bank (La Rive Gauche) look. I love comfortable clothing and black is a favorite color that I wear often. I don’t know about you, but I can take photos with my glasses on or off and though you can’t see them, I am wearing them. Oh yes, the room was comfortable. More below. 😉 Happy Holidays!
Musings: Would You Like To Dance…?
“Go out in the world and work like money doesn’t matter; Sing as if no one is listening; Love as if you have never been hurt; and Dance as if no one is watching…” Anon
Musings: Would You Like To Dance...? Join us... and other dance lovers.
Dj Mam’s feat Doukali & Soldat Jahman – Hella Decalé
I love dance. I love dance combined with superb music that makes you get up and go for it. I love when dance is also part of an exercise routine. Since I jumped into Zumba, feet first, I haven’t looked back. The song above is my favorite and on my top ten list. We dance to it at a pretty fast, high impact pace in my class and I love the rhythm of this French/Arabic Hella Decalé song. I don’t know what the full lyrics are or what the song means completely, but it is a blast. Get up and join me… c’est pas compliqué il suffit d’accelerer, c’est pas compliqué c’est le hella decalé! Come, let’s dance!
“Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is no mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself.” Havelock Ellis
Musings: Would You Like To Dance...? Janelle's in the house...
Janelle Monae: “Many Moons” Official Short Film
Janelle is an amazing performer/dancer and I could watch her perform any day, all day long. She has a unique way of moving her body, and her music will make you want to dance along with her too. What I love about dance music is that we can enjoy it at any age. There is no reason to shy away from a chance to move the body, it is vital for our health and mind to stay active, and we can choose our songs too. More below… 😉
“It’s the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It is the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give. And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.” Bette Midler
Musings: Would You Like To Dance...? Never too late to move...
Dj Mam’s Feat Soldat Jahman & Luis Guisao – Zumba He Zumba Ha
The wonderful thing about dance as a form of exercise is that it’s like playtime when you take a dance class; time flies as you dance away and it feels like a fun time spent at a high energy party. There isn’t the nasty pain that is typical with certain types of exercise, and the effect on the abs/abdomen is fantastic; especially with Zumba. This is another song by the same group and if I could perform with them, and with Janelle, that would awesome. As for an instrument, the drums would do… Why not?
Reflections: Taken Back In Time…
“Traveling is all very well if you can get home at night. I would be willing to go around the world if I came back in time to light the candles and set the table for supper.” Gladys Taber
Reflections: Taken Back In Time... and the staying power of friendships.
Chaka Khan – I’m Every Woman
Skyy – Call Me. If You Need Someone to Talk To (1982) 🙂
I was taking one of my power walks recently and reflecting on a funny conversation I had earlier in the day with my dearest friend Diahann. Even though we lived in London and not so far from each other, Diahann and I met in the US while working for a top high brow retailer. Our friendship has lasted for many years, and I am grateful for the connection and humor we share. Anyhow, we were discussing that period in London when Lovers Rock was the game in town and everyone wanted a dance date or two to practice close to the bone dancing… Then we flashed forward to disco days and club hopping in Manhattan. It sure brought back memories of all the raging popular music and the many divas; male and female of the day. We juggled school, work, parties, relationships, and dreams back then. With each outing, like Gladys quoted above, we found our way back to our respective homes. How did we do it? “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan popped into my head and wouldn’t let go. Yeah, we were every woman… Perhaps we still are; sore knees and all.
“My music fights against the system that teaches us to live and die.” Bob Marley
Reflections: Taken Back In Time... Bob Marley... War...
Bob Marley – War No More Trouble
Not long ago, I wrote a post: Biafra War Memories: No Victor, No Vanquished…? about the Nigeria-Biafra war and some of my memories of it. I’m not inclined to talk much about my time living in a war zone because it is not a topic most people want to read; especially during the holiday season. I know… But, war is part of the human experience. Just as some of us seek uplifting events as memory builders, others look for opportunities to wreck havoc or war. That is part of our human history. Anyway, another blogger linked to me and led me to a post on the same subject and this was a personal narrative by a woman, Chiamaka. It brought me back, full and center, to that subject; war and its aftermath. However, this time, I read it with a tinge of gratitude that we can celebrate the holidays even after such experiences… Naturally, Bob Marley’s song “War” came to mind… What takes you back in time? Music and strong stories do that to me. Always more below. 😉
