The Crow is the man.

Its one thing to see something pre-production, it is another thing to see it finished and published. Last week I had the opportunity to look at my boss's audio silde show and give him some feedback before the final edit/publication. I just saw it on the web for the first time and I have to say I am very proud of my boss. The pictures and audio fit together perfectly and told the story so well.
I could sit here and ramble the statistics of the massive AIDS and drug crisis in DC, and how it seems that nothing is really being done about it. But I don't think that would have the impact of this story. Check it out.

"Washington's Lone Needle Exchange Program."

Graduation

So now it really is over. The biggest hurdle in my life (so far) I have cleared. And now what? I wonder if I am where I am supposed to be. I keep thinking that I am a slacker, and need to be out constantly taking pictures and should be freelancing in addition to the job I have. A part of me is kinda scared to move forward.
Then there is this other part of me that doesn't want to move forward just yet. I'd like to spend the summer working on projects I have always wanted to do, but have never had the chance. I'd like to be self-motivated. So, in the future, you'll see some pictures of things I'll be working on my own. It will be nice to do something not because it is for class, a teacher, or an editor. I'll be doing it for me. I'll be doing it to get in touch with why I decided to become a photographer in the first place.
Of course, I have to finish watching the Sopranos first. Right now I am at the beginning of Season 6, via Netflix. I used to waitress on Sunday nights, so I never got a chance to get into the show. Now, every Sunday night I watch it with my friends Glen and Meagan. During the week, I watch the other seasons. Like Glen, I believe in setting realistic goals. Btw, I have a movie I did of him that I plan on wrapping up over the summer.
Enough of the rambling. Click on the Harry Potters below to see the my flickr site of my graduation.

This is the end...

My only friend the end. For some reason this song by the Doors was in my head when I was editing the photos for this entry.

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I'll never look into your eyes...again


This is the end.




Click on the picture to see more pictures of the last PJ Class.
As for the last Picture Editing Class, that is here too.
Don't forget Thesis Hanging.

So now, no more Photojournalism class. Two and 1/2 years with the same people, minus 3. I'm not one for nostalgia. There is a part of me that is like big deal. Then there is another part of me that is like, now I have the rest of my life to look forward to. It has taken me 10 years to get to this point. To take the last class of my Bachelors Degree. My dad and I were talking about it today, he mentioned how he was proud of me for not giving up. He had suggested years ago I switch my major, or join the Navy. I never did. I remember in high school him telling me I was as belligerent as my mother. Maybe. Maybe even more.
Things never get accomplished by giving up.
These past two 1/2 years have seen me more stressed and tearful (especially the past six months) than at any other period in my life. I wasn't sad, just nervous, stressed, anxious, upset, worried, etc.
I used to be ashamed of the fact I was so sensitive to things around me. I cried a lot when I was a kid. But now I realize:
We never get great things from insensitive people.

Finality

I'm doing my finality project on landscapes. I'm trying to tell a story with color. I was driving past Middleburg on Sunday, down a country road with no markings when I passed the remains of what looked to be a dead dog. All that was left was its fur and bones. I'm not going to show you those pictures, because they are too gruesome.
Walking back to my car, I noticed this in the ditch beside the road:

So much work so little time...

So technically this is my last week of class. Well I have class next week, but this week is the last week of actual work. Work work (my job) is keeping me busy. Right now I am in my El Salvador class, wishing a certain person would stop talking. Harry just showed up with food, so this post is now finished.



One of the many protests being held today, this one outside of Republican National Headquarters.