This past weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph the Virginia Special Olympics Summer Games. It is the second year I have done so, and probably about the 6th or 7th Special Olympics event I have shot. I am in awe of those that I see at these events, and draw inspiration for a good life from my experiences there. Not only are there the athletes, young and old alike, who refuse to be deterred in their lives, and who relish in the camaraderie and joy that permeates the event; but, there are the numerous volunteers and organizers, and family and friends who unabashedly share in the enthusiasm and provide support and love at every turn. It is truly the way the world should work.
Much effort, time, and money are spent to coordinate these events, which bring light to many folks’ lives. From the donors and sponsors, coordinators, facilities, families, the volunteers handing out water and popcorn, to the fans that simply cheer on the athletes in their big moments, all are truly inspiring and remind me that humanity, despite what we often hear, can still be humane. Give it a try!
http://www.specialolympicsva.org/volunteer.htm
http://www.volunteer2cheer.com/

©Jeff S. Saxman

Good grief, it has been awhile.  Much to keep me busy lately.  Finally catching my breath, and even taking time to clean out a few closets.  For those who may be wanting to hear some dirt, I am sorry to disappoint- no skeletons.  However, I did find a batch of well-traveled, well-worn cassette tapes.  Since my focus of this blog is on inspiration, it seems relevant to talk about these tapes, as many of them accompanied me in my ‘81 Mustang across the NY State Thruway, kept me sane in the woods of Maine, and ultimately made the trip with me down 95 to Richmond.  Some were actually made in Richmond, as recent as 2000, I think.  Among the artists are Beth Orton, Molly Mason & Jay Ungar, and H.E. Double Toothpicks, a band which contained my friend Lisa Cherkasky, whose blog, Lunch Encounter, makes me hungry.  But these are fairly recent additions to my music collection, and it made me wonder just when the cassette tape died, and whether it is OK to render them to the landfill.

If I were to have guessed, I would say the cassette tape died about 53 years ago, as I have been shuffling out of iTunes and carrying around my iPod forever, now.  But my closet discovery made me realize it is much more recent than that.  I think that at the speed at which technology advances these days, we seem to live a lifetime about every ten years or so.  And that is shrinking, I fear.  (Fear?  Or embrace?  Or perhaps, simply, ride?)

Other artists in the batch include James Brown and Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Pink Floyd, Blind Faith, and the Grateful Dead.  There is even “The 8 Nelson Mix of Tunes,” undoubtedly capturing the spirit of life at 8 Nelson Street in Rochester, NY around 1990 (Frank, you know what I’m talking about).  And it is these tapes that have embedded themselves into my very core, having accompanied me since my tender teens.  They embody a period of my life to which I will never return.  How can I throw these tapes away?  That would be turning my back on my youth, life forming experiences, the soundtrack of which is preserved in magnetic magic.  I will most likely never play any of these again- that is not the point.  The point is that each time my eyes fall on the song lists and  cover art, this past rushes back to me, and I smile.

And so, I will make a small amount of room on the top shelf of that closet, and again sequester these tunes, until their rediscovery on another special day in the future.

My youth. Photo ©Jeff S. Saxman

You know things are tough when Family Dollar is having a clearance…

Family Quarter? ©Jeff S. Saxman

I wish all the best, and a speedy economic recovery to all!

I once knew a girl who would always answer “Detroit” when asked that rhetorical question.  Not quite sure what that meant, but when you are 19 and trying to impress, you will giggle at the slightest thing.  Of course, I have never been to Detroit- for all I know there is a vortex of all past events collected in the center of town, complete with blue lightning bolts and raging winds which must be shouted over.  But, probably not.

The way I see it, time goes behind us. Enough said.  We pass it (or it passes us), never to be reclaimed, perhaps remembered, but lost to us forever.  This being the case, it evident just how valuable the thing is.  We often do not see that until the moment has passed us, however.  Keeping this in mind helps keep me in the moment.

My thoughts on time this morning, of course, were set into motion by the realization that six weeks have passed since my last blog post.  A blog must be kept current, I had heard, so that folks will want to come back.  It’s probably a good idea to keep it interesting as well.  And so, I apologize to the thousands of people reading for failing you on both counts.

Life has been full of minutiae lately, and that has kept me from organizing my thoughts.  That, and Facebook.  What a time killer that is.  But it does seem to celebrate minutiae, and that is pretty cool.  Makes me feel relevant.  I’ve enjoyed connecting personally (did I really just say “personally?”) with people from my past.  When thinking of the gaps in my blog, I am reminded of my journal, which I began in college and have kept up with very sporadically in the past several years.  Recent entries have dealt with major events, not all of which have been pleasant.  When historians crack open that account, they will surely see my life has become quite a drama!  So, I have welcomed Facebook and am grateful for their “Terms of Service,” which ensure that my minutiae will be someone else’s ad campaign long after I am gone.  At last, I have achieved immortality!

But this blog is supposed to focus on inspiration, and that may show up just about anywhere.  My thoughts of the inevitable passing of time has planted a seed which I hope soon germinates into art.  And sometimes inspiration comes from a warm (for February) night, camera, tripod, Christmas lights, and a willing 12 year old assistant.

Downtown Detroit? Don't think so. ©Jeff S. Saxman.

Another one in the books. I hope it was enjoyable for all, and that good connections were made with family and friends.

This one was a doozie. We moved into a new house, and that process is pretty much complete. Between the carrying and the hauling and the cleaning and the organizing and the packing and the unpacking and the taking down of pictures and the putting up of pictures and the replacing of old exterior doors and the staining and installing of new kitchen cabinet doors and the nailing of quarter round and the talking on the phone to Verizon’s customer service and the hanging of Christmas lights, we managed to have a very pleasant holiday. Ones never to shy away from deadlines, we invited family to visit for Christmas, and friends to visit for New Year’s Eve. As crazy as I thought we were for doing this at this time, I am glad we did, because I sure would not want it in front of me now that the holidays are past. And Christmas was wonderful, as was New Year’s.

We have had a couple of cold days here in Richmond the past couple weeks. One morning, the low temperatures even made the water pooled up in our driveway turn hard, something I think in other areas of the country they call “ice.”  This being such a special occasion, I quickly grabbed my camera to document the rare event.

A winter's day, in a deep and dark December...

You may have noticed that the hanging of Christmas lights was mentioned among our holiday pursuits, and here is proof…

©Jeff S. Saxman

Hey, down in front. ©Jeff S. Saxman

If you read my previous post, you know that we are in the process of packing up 15 years worth of belongings, and preparing to shuttle them 8 miles away to a new house.  The big move happens this Saturday (with lots of little ones to follow, most likely.)  Before we went nuts with the packing, though, we wanted to get some pictures of the house with furniture in it, to embody the real estate ads with that “homey, lived in” feeling.

So, a few days ago, I set up the old camera with a single strobe, and began to photograph several rooms.  No human being was home but myself, so I figured distractions would be few.  However, there was one creature that continually felt the need to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Who knew Rosie was such a ham?

She obviously enjoyed getting her camera time, so the “Living Room Shoot” became the “Canine Fashion Show,” and I rolled with it.  After looking at the shots, I realized she was actually in the right place at the right time.  The funny thing is, if I were trying to get good photos of her, she would have been nowhere to be found.

Yes, this is really about me. ©Jeff S. Saxman

As the title of this entry may suggest, time is something I have not had a lot of lately.  But the reasons for this are good:  work has been steady and productive (and to be able to say that these days is a blessing);  the boys are busy with worthwhile engagements such as Boy Scouting and music (which, of course, means the missus and I are busy with worthwhile engagements as well); and, lastly, we are in the process of purchasing a new home.  That last one has been the major time killer, what with writing and rewriting purchase offers and contracts, arranging inspections, eyeing interest rates, etc.  Plus, we are going to try to be in by Christmas!  Are we nuts?  Probably.

It’s a good thing, though.  We will have a bit more space, which hopefully translates to more music and friends and family coming by for visits  (Hint, hint). Being closer to the schools will help cut down on the miles back and forth as well.  So I am optimistic, and enthusiastic.  I suppose time will return to me…in time.

I wish all my friends and family a happy and safe Thanksgiving.  Unlike others, I suggest you eat LOTS of turkey.

A measure of that which I do not have. Image ©Jeff S. Saxman

I arrived at my polling location, Brighton Green Community Association in Bon Air, Va, at 6 am to find a line extending out the building and through the parking lot approximately 100 yards long.  Most expressed amazement and excitement at the size of turnout more than anything else.  A light drizzle fell down upon us, but seemed to discourage no one.  There were campaign signs visible, and workers on hand passing out the ol’ sample ballots, completed for each party, but there was no attempt to sway or intimidate anyone.  Small talk and laughter was heard up and down the line during my 40 minute wait;  as I remarked to the gentleman behind me, it could be worse- we could be waiting in line for bread.

Yes, I did. ©Jeff S. Saxman

The workers at the poll were cheerful, helpful, and seemingly organized.  I thanked a woman for the work she was doing as I entered the building, and her reaction led me to believe that she had not yet been thanked.  She mentioned the fact that their “shift” is all day, 5 am to after 7 pm.  So be sure to thank the poll workers when you vote.

While in line, I overheard an Obama campaign worker standing nearby greet a McCain campaign worker; it was the first time they had seen each other since the last election, apparently.  Their exchange was warm, and ended with the Obama worker saying he was going to get some coffee, and asking if he could bring something back for the McCain worker.  My polling experience was tremendously positive and has given me great hope for the future of our great country.

I know many of you have been interested in seeing what I really look like after the sun goes down.  You’ve been very patient, and now, that patience will be rewarded…

Only a week to go until the big election.  Since this is perhaps the most important election in my lifetime, and nearly two years have been spent focusing on the minutiae of this very crucial campaign, as it draws close, we need to keep our heads and do what is necessary at this vital hour:  Carve Pumpkins!

©Jeff S. Saxman