Captive Thoughts

Kaya went to the VOA dog park on Saturday evening where she wore herself and got nice and dirty.

But she’s still cute.

So I have a certain addiction to tv shows that are related to home improvement or organization.  I watch HGTV almost daily.  I guess I hope that if I watch enough and learn enough that maybe someday I will be skilled enough to actually do some home improvement when I have my own home.

One show I got addicted to in Jan when I had my surgery was Clean House.  They were running a marathon and it sucked me right in.  Clean House basically takes homes that are stuffed to the gills with junk and sells the goods to re-organize and restore the home.

Well back in April the Clean House crew was here in Cincinnati during their Messiest Home in the Country search and the house here was voted the messiest home.  Today on Cincinnati.com they have a story about the family and the experience, “No Apologies, from ‘Messiest Home’ mom“.

After reading it I wanted to go and flick the lady upside the head.  Here’s a snippet from the article -

Baglien, who had so much stuff jammed into the attic that her living room ceiling was collapsing, repeatedly was unrepentant about her shopping and hoarding habits, a first for the third annual “Clean House: Search For The Messiest Home In The Country.”

Baglien, 57, a retired Cincinnati detective, was so upset with the “Clean House” crew on the last day of filming that she bolted as the host was showing her the home makeover, worth an estimated $75,000 to $100,00.

If you ceiling is collapsing because of what you have stored above it and someone is there to help and makes over your home for an estimated $75,000 to $100,00 and you stomp off - I think you need a flick in the head.

Not to mention that accordingly to the article the family is refusing to do interviews promoting the show, or allow the media in the house.  (Bet if Clean House doesn’t have in the contract that you have to do the media junket they will now.)

Clearly the person has some issues with either buying too much or not get rid of stuff or both.  There are lots of people who struggle with that.  But it seems to me that when given such a wonderful chance as the family was given to act like they did is just a slap in the face to the people who came to help.  It’s not like the Clean House team just showed up on their doorstep.  To be on Clean House you have to submit and the daughter submitted the house in the contest.

I plan on watching Wednesday night when the show airs and I’m sure I’ll be shocked by the family and the clutter (that is part of the dyanmic of the show).

Oh and Clean House - my house is not that cluttered (I can’t live like that) but should you want to come and remodel my place I promise not to store off.

Last night I had an experience that was like none other.  The best way that I can describe it is - sometimes you take the picture and sometimes the picture takes you - (dunno if that is famous or not but that is what came in my mind).

Last night at SOS a luau was held where the guests of honor were adults with special needs.  I would venture to guess there were (in addition to the folks there for SOS) another 500 to 700 guests for the luau.  Quite honestly it was overwhelming at first because I had no idea what was going on.

But once I got adjusted to all the activity, it was quite possibly one of the most beautiful displays of love I have ever seen in my life.

I could sit here and list all the activities that were going on but I want to share two stories and one picture.

In the great room there was a dj and everyone was dancing and having so much fun.  I was cutting through to try and get some pictures when something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.  There was this older woman who was wheel chair bound dancing with a kid who looked to be about 9th grade.  He was holding her hands while his other friend spun her in her wheelchair (think ballerina kind spin).  The 3 of them had smiles that I believe will forever be etched in their hearts.  I stood stunned and watched them for several minutes.  They were having so much fun and that lady, you could just tell, felt like she was the queen of the universe.  I wanted to take a picture but I couldn’t lift the camera to my eyes.

The second story is related to the picture below.

You see at first the inflatables were just another place to get some pictures.  It wasn’t until I moved closer and actually listened to those playing that I became dumbfounded.

The two students on either side of this woman helped her “suit up” and get ready to play.  On her own she was unable to navigate the inflatable and the gear.  As she stood there ready to play these two guys picked up the lance (or whatever it is called) and held it with her.  Together they played.  As long as those two were by her side she could swing, jab, and win at the game.

Now I will admit, I try to not “over spiritualize” things.  I don’t go looking for Jesus in my corn flakes but I do believe there are moments that are meant for more than just what is happening.

As I watched the students and their guest and listened to everything around me I was reminded of this story -

Exodus 17:8-16

⁸ While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. ⁹ Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

¹⁰ So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. ¹² Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. ¹³ As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.

You see, with those guys by her side she was defeating the world.  She had support.  Aaron and Hur were aware enough to take action to help and so were those students.

Call me crazy - but that moment took me.  The whole luau is what that moment was.

It is about standing side by side and going at life together.  It’s about moving past whatever may hinder a person.  It’s about seeing each and every person as the gem that they are.

I wish you could have been there and my hope/prayer/wish is that even though you weren’t there last night - that each day you are given a moment where you can be the support someone needs.

One of the things I wanted to accomplish while I am 33 is to “start and finish the 100 strangers project“.

The purpose of the project is to stop people wherever you are, talk with them, and ask if you can take a portrait.  It’s about getting to know people and their story and practicing the art of photography.  You are supposed to post the story and the picture together to the pool in Flickr.

Last night (after months of the want to’s) I finally took my first 100 Strangers portrait!

Meet Shelby -

Shelby goes to Princeton HS here in Cincinnati and like me, she loves both music and photography.  Not only do we have the same loves but she has taken photographs of a one of the same local bands that I have!  Shelby and I had a great convo about cameras and music.  This is her 3rd year coming to SOS and her friendly personality made her the perfect start for this project!

Shelby had some amazing shoes that just needed their picture taken as well.

Shelby thanks for coming up and saying hi.  May your smile encourage all you meet!

So I am listening to today’s hits on Slacker and the song Knock You Down by Keri Hilson is on and this is one of the lyrics.  It literally made me go “did I just hear that?” and I promptly looked up the lyrics and yes I heard that.

I think I’m gonna to kick it with my girl today
I used to be commander in chief for my pimp ship flying high
Till i met this pretty little missile, who shot me out the sky

I am wondering if anyone has any pictures of a “pimp ship” because I would really like to see it and I am wondering what kind of missile takes it down.

Part of me wants to say a lot about the recent interview that Joey Votto of the Reds did.  (You can read it here.) But I will refrain (currently) from that.

But what I would like to say is in response to this -

“I’ve been lumped into the Khalil Greene, Dontrelle Willis, Zack Greinke category,” said Votto, talking about other big leaguers who have dealt with emotional issues. “I’m not saying one way or the other about those guys, because I don’t know what they’re dealing with. But I do know I’ve had a real struggle with my father’s passing. It’s really something I’ve had a real hard time with. It was my biggest hesitation coming out and letting people know, letting my teammates know. We’re supposed to be known as mentally tough and able to withstand any type of adversity.“

Joey - thank you for sharing what you are going through.  It shows  more strength and courage to stand up and share your struggles and to fight to not be overcome with them.  You are allowed to grieve.  There are times for both laughter and tears.

May you find peace as you contiune to grieve and honor your father.  And may your teammates and the public give you grace.

I was a fan of yours before and I am more so now.

Sometimes when I am taking pictures I stumble and take a picture that I refer to as “accidental greatness”.  Basically I had no intention of taking the picture as it turned out - it just somehow happened.

Here are two of my most recent accidental greatness shots.

First is from last Saturday night at Taza.  The band is the Happy Maladies and they blew my socks off.  Saturday was the first time I had ever seen or heard of them and I am better for having experienced them.  Honestly you should check them out.  (I think the live show really hooks you on them.)

I was in the balcony during the set.  I was attempting to shoot over the railing and down onto the stage.  Instead the railing is the focus and the band is bokeh’ed out.

The other picture is from last night at SOS.  I was shooting the opening worship which can be a bit crazy at times.  I did not see the guitarist jump at all.  I discovered it when I downloaded the pictures.