For Erik's paper, we're highlighting the stories we read and where we stop reading them. Management wants to know ... whatever. In truth, it's creating a bit of a false positive from me. If I read the paper, it's usually a few days later ... and maybe one or two stories. But give me a highlighter and tell me to mark it up? I pushed through 6+ inches of snow on the porch this morning to retrieve the paper. Go figure!
So .... headlines that caught my attention this morning.
1. Jury finds George Tiller not gilty
(CLICK HERE to read the story)
REALLY??????? I was shocked. Especially after earlier this week he said "When she was working for me - correction, when she was providing consultations for the patient ..." in THIS article (the trial was over if his "second opinion" doctor was an employee or not). I thought after that slip, it was all over. Evidently not.
2. Kathleen Sebelius signs Kansas right to know abortion bill
(CLICK HERE to read the story)
I have to admit I was a little surprised, but not really. She's trying to get confirmed to a cabinet seat.
3. Law cuts cell use by teen drivers
(CLICK HERE to read the story)
I'm not sure if I feel safer or not .... what about passengers in the car? Oh well, I guess I'm not a teen anymore (thank God!). I'll be interested to see how this 'hands free' device while driving thing goes. It was in effect when we were in California ... but that's not to say we stuck to it. But I'm told they DO ticket people for it.
These next two are for Erik:
4. Kansas falls late to Spartans
(CLICK HERE to read the story)
Thank GOODNESS! KU was really messing up my bracket. (ok, not really. I just don't like them and their 'we're God's gift to basketball and we're entitled to win b/c we did last year' attitude).
5. Mizzou battles UConn for right to move to Final Four
(CLICK HERE to read the story)
A surprising event, but Erik's excited nonetheless. If they win tonight, maybe he'll go outside and roll around in the snow shirtless. Or not ...
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Washington D.C. — Newseum — 9/11
It's difficult figuring out exactly what to write in this post.
There was a section of the Newseum dedicated to the coverage of Sept. 11, 2001.
I think it's safe to say everyone knows exactly where they were when they heard the planes hit the twin towers.
I rose early that morning to work on an assignment for my photojournalism class. Because it was early and I figured I'd have time before class, I was unshowered and grimy (I was gonna work on the prairie, why shower before, right?). I was on the Konza Prairie, photographing a horse trainer. The light was spectacular. As a matter of fact, I just came across the printoffs of the photos from that day (I need to find a proper reader so I can open the files).
At that time, I was also the photo editor of our collegiate newspaper.
On the prairie, we listened to the news on the radio, and at the time, I thought some moron had a bad accident. I just kept shooting pictures. I had no idea it was purposeful. After a few more minutes, I figured I'd better get back to the newsroom, and we'd do man on the street (remember, I still thought it was an accident). There were probably a dozen missed calls from the newsroom. And then I turned on NPR.
This was no accident.
The photographers on staff were amazing, and were already at work capturing local reaction. I was on the phone, trying to get through to an alumni photographer who lived in NYC. We looked through hundreds of photos, tried to figure out the best way to put the paper together for the next day.
I don't remember eating. I don't remember sleeping. And I sure don't remember crying.
I remember watching with unbelieving shock.
When I'm covering something for any paper, emotion goes straight out the door. If I got emotional, it'd be impossible to do my job. Does that make me inhuman?
Well, at the Newseum, there was a section dedicated to the Sept. 11 coverage.
And it was powerful.
This headline .... well, I remember seeing it the next day and thinking it was brilliant. Is it bad to say it makes me smile? Everyone was thinking the same thing ... they just put it out there in 100+ point type.
Here's an overview. On the back wall are page fronts from special sections the afternoon of, or the morning after.
And a timeline of events ...
I have to say, it felt a *little* strange to be in a museum and see something I REMEMBER happening. In my mind, museums are all about things hundreds of years old ... nothing contemporary. I guess I have a lot to learn ...
Here's Bill Biggart's camera/gear. He was the only working professional photojournalist killed on that day.
And of course, Tom Franklin. I know many of you won't know his name, but click on the link ... you will recognize his image. I PROMISE.
I had the fortune to meet Tom a year after the photo was taken. I was a student at the Eddie Adams Barnstorm in 2002. We photographed a book about the resilience of New Yorkers on the 1-year anniversary of the attacks. Franklin came and spoke with us ... he was just the nicest, most unassuming fella.
Oh, and the coolest part was Eddie lined up Joe Rosenthal on the phone to talk w/ Franklin. OK, if you don't know Joe's name, I PROMISE you'll know his picture.
Woah, I'm going on a tangent here. Sorry.
SO, back to the Newseum.
There was also a video about the day, from the perspective of those who covered the event. I simply sat and watched the video run over and over.
Finally, 7.25 years later ... I cried.
Perhaps the numbness wore off. Or maybe I'm just learning you don't have to be strong ALL of the time. Or even that journalists CAN have feelings, too. And it's OK to be affected by the news/what you are covering or putting in your paper.
It's funny, because now when I'm working (covering weddings), I weep at almost every one of them. It's pitiful, really. I have no good reason to cry. I just do. They're so beautiful and out couples ... they're just so sweet. I cried at every 2008 wedding. We start our season in about a month, so we'll see how I do then ....
There was a section of the Newseum dedicated to the coverage of Sept. 11, 2001.
I think it's safe to say everyone knows exactly where they were when they heard the planes hit the twin towers.
I rose early that morning to work on an assignment for my photojournalism class. Because it was early and I figured I'd have time before class, I was unshowered and grimy (I was gonna work on the prairie, why shower before, right?). I was on the Konza Prairie, photographing a horse trainer. The light was spectacular. As a matter of fact, I just came across the printoffs of the photos from that day (I need to find a proper reader so I can open the files).
At that time, I was also the photo editor of our collegiate newspaper.
On the prairie, we listened to the news on the radio, and at the time, I thought some moron had a bad accident. I just kept shooting pictures. I had no idea it was purposeful. After a few more minutes, I figured I'd better get back to the newsroom, and we'd do man on the street (remember, I still thought it was an accident). There were probably a dozen missed calls from the newsroom. And then I turned on NPR.
This was no accident.
The photographers on staff were amazing, and were already at work capturing local reaction. I was on the phone, trying to get through to an alumni photographer who lived in NYC. We looked through hundreds of photos, tried to figure out the best way to put the paper together for the next day.
I don't remember eating. I don't remember sleeping. And I sure don't remember crying.
I remember watching with unbelieving shock.
When I'm covering something for any paper, emotion goes straight out the door. If I got emotional, it'd be impossible to do my job. Does that make me inhuman?
Well, at the Newseum, there was a section dedicated to the Sept. 11 coverage.
And it was powerful.
This headline .... well, I remember seeing it the next day and thinking it was brilliant. Is it bad to say it makes me smile? Everyone was thinking the same thing ... they just put it out there in 100+ point type.
Here's an overview. On the back wall are page fronts from special sections the afternoon of, or the morning after.
And a timeline of events ...
I have to say, it felt a *little* strange to be in a museum and see something I REMEMBER happening. In my mind, museums are all about things hundreds of years old ... nothing contemporary. I guess I have a lot to learn ...
Here's Bill Biggart's camera/gear. He was the only working professional photojournalist killed on that day.
And of course, Tom Franklin. I know many of you won't know his name, but click on the link ... you will recognize his image. I PROMISE.
I had the fortune to meet Tom a year after the photo was taken. I was a student at the Eddie Adams Barnstorm in 2002. We photographed a book about the resilience of New Yorkers on the 1-year anniversary of the attacks. Franklin came and spoke with us ... he was just the nicest, most unassuming fella.
Oh, and the coolest part was Eddie lined up Joe Rosenthal on the phone to talk w/ Franklin. OK, if you don't know Joe's name, I PROMISE you'll know his picture.
Woah, I'm going on a tangent here. Sorry.
SO, back to the Newseum.
There was also a video about the day, from the perspective of those who covered the event. I simply sat and watched the video run over and over.
Finally, 7.25 years later ... I cried.
Perhaps the numbness wore off. Or maybe I'm just learning you don't have to be strong ALL of the time. Or even that journalists CAN have feelings, too. And it's OK to be affected by the news/what you are covering or putting in your paper.
It's funny, because now when I'm working (covering weddings), I weep at almost every one of them. It's pitiful, really. I have no good reason to cry. I just do. They're so beautiful and out couples ... they're just so sweet. I cried at every 2008 wedding. We start our season in about a month, so we'll see how I do then ....
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Braggin' on my husband
Last night, E told me he is amazing.
I already knew that.
But he received an award from the Kansas Press Association for work last year. In fairness, the awards are shared w/ his co-desk designer.
Erik and Troy won second place in headline writing.
They also were awarded third place in sports design.
Yay for the fellas!
I already knew that.
But he received an award from the Kansas Press Association for work last year. In fairness, the awards are shared w/ his co-desk designer.
Erik and Troy won second place in headline writing.
They also were awarded third place in sports design.
Yay for the fellas!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Washington D.C. — Newseum
YAY!!!!!!! this was the BIG thing I wanted to do in DC. Yup, I'm a NEWS NERD!!!! :)
But when I saw the Newseum was close to where we would be, I totally INSISTED on going inside.
It was exciting to see the "today's front pages" feature out front. It's interesting to see how different papers across the country display the news in different ways.
This is a powerful visual. All of the green is countries who have freedom of the press. Yellow has semi-freedom. Red has no freedom of the press. It was incredibly powerful to stand back and look at this wall ... and all I could think was how lucky/blessed we are to have the freedom we have.
There are plenty of awesome journalism quotes ... here are a few (but my favorite remains "if your mother says she loves you, check it out."):
And this editorial cartoon cracked me UP!
With the promise of a dog for the Obama girls, there was an entire gallery of presidential pooches. :)
And here's the view from the top of the Newseum. Totally WORTH the price of admission. Oh, and for all of you journalists, you get a little b it of a break on the admission price for being under-paid in a thankless job. Did you ever think there'd be a perk for being a journalist? :)
And there was some displays on those who put their way in the way of possible harm to bring the news around the world.
Last one today is for my sister:
Sunday, March 1, 2009
#79 — Get karenmikols.com UP AND RUNNING!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you hear me screaming from here? I'm SO excited to have my editorial site UP AND RUNNING! Please CLICK HERE to check out karenbonar.com .... I'm trying to figure out how to get it to forward from my maiden name to my married name. What a struggle. To keep going by my maiden name or to just go w/ my married name. Anyone who's worked w/ me professionally knows my maiden name ... ugh. Whatever. I figured if I got both domain names and just forwarded them one to the other, it'd work out, right?
I'm proud to be knocking off items from the 101 in 1001 list.
Check out the galleries ... I've actually compiled photos from several different projects ... all in one place. I especially enjoy
the abstract gallery. There's also the teen pregnancy I photographed a LONG time ago. Erik made the comment he'd never seen those or many of the photos before ... so true. But here they are now!
There's still some updating to do, tweaking to do on it, but the big thing was GETTING IT ONLINE AND RUNNING. Ya know?
You have to click the play button on the main site to get the slideshow to roll through ... I'm trying to figure out how to get it to run automatically. But that's one of the tweaks ... it'll all get sorted out eventually.
EDIT: got the opening slideshow fixed! It automatically runs now. Yippie!!!!!!!
Friday, February 27, 2009
RIP Rocky Mountain News
I sit here with a blank mind as tear after salty tear runs down my face.
When I first heard that the Rocky Mountain News CLOSED, I thought I heard wrong. Is it for REAL? Seriously? Like, the Final Edition. Obituary Time.
There's just such a strange sense of emptiness when I think about this ... in fact, it's difficult to wrap my mind around this.
Ok, given the economic climate, it's not shocking to hear of a business closing. And let's face it people, a newspaper (despite duties to the community) is, after all, a business.
But .... I guess I think of small-town, po-dunk newspapers closing down. And that's not shocking. But here's the rub: In the last decade alone, this paper was awarded FOUR Pulitzer Prizes. FOUR.
This is an award-winning newspaper.
I still remember the photos produced by staff photographers after the Columbine shootings.
And it's closing.
Oh, did I mention it's almost 150 years old?
How is this possible?
But it is.
Oh, and not to neglect sports ... according to a story on the former paper's Web site, this week, the sports section was named one of the 10 best in the country.
I'm ill.
Let's take a video break .... it's about 20 minutes, so if you wanna watch, get comfy.
Final Edition from Matthew Roberts on Vimeo.
But ... I think this is sweet. It's a site called IwantMyRocky.com.
There are so many reasons things fall apart. But one thing I found interesting was some of the reporters commented people are getting their news from blogs, not necessarily going to a news source. REALLY? Seriously peeps?
But I guess I shouldn't be shocked. I've lived with people who don't know the difference between a column on the editorial page and a news story. And readers ... we'd get calls in the newsroom from people looking for a "story" in the paper .... after I went through all the local and wire stories, I dug through the editorial page. Still no luck. Know what they were talking about? AN ADVERTISEMENT!!!!!!! *sigh* But do people really not know the difference between an unbiased source that has to verify sources and is accountable?
Think about it.
Newspapers are chronicles of history. If Denver were a one-paper town, who would be around to document history? Who would keep local officials accountable?
Sad.
And other papers, such as the Tucson Citizen, a paper that's been around 138 years could close, too?
To think, just 7 months ago, I was a reporter. I'd spent my entire high school and college career training to be a photojournalist and even learning to write "just in case." ... this field is one I've put so many years and such effort into ... and it's shriveling up.
I can't imagine how people who have been doing this for decades upon decades must feel.
And ... while I hated being known as "there's the newspaper lady" .... I very much WAS "the photographer" or "the reporter." It became an integral part of who I was and am. And I left willingly .... how would it be if I was told my newspaper became the news. Ugh.
Mike LIttwin so pointedly writes:
"The guys in suits - and I say that as someone who doesn't own one - don't understand what it means to be in a newsroom, or if they once did, they forgot.
They're businessmen, who talk in terms of quarters. We talk in terms of stories. The Rocky lived. It breathed. It told stories that annoyed and ones that thrilled. I love both.
I signed up - and stayed signed up - because there isn't a job where you could possibly have more fun."
Ok, I think that column sums it up best. I have to say it is a more accurate description of my thoughts than I've expressed here in my ramblings. To read it all, CLICK HERE
On a positive note, strawberries and grapes were on sale tonight at the supermarket.
When I first heard that the Rocky Mountain News CLOSED, I thought I heard wrong. Is it for REAL? Seriously? Like, the Final Edition. Obituary Time.
There's just such a strange sense of emptiness when I think about this ... in fact, it's difficult to wrap my mind around this.
Ok, given the economic climate, it's not shocking to hear of a business closing. And let's face it people, a newspaper (despite duties to the community) is, after all, a business.
But .... I guess I think of small-town, po-dunk newspapers closing down. And that's not shocking. But here's the rub: In the last decade alone, this paper was awarded FOUR Pulitzer Prizes. FOUR.
This is an award-winning newspaper.
I still remember the photos produced by staff photographers after the Columbine shootings.
And it's closing.
Oh, did I mention it's almost 150 years old?
How is this possible?
But it is.
Oh, and not to neglect sports ... according to a story on the former paper's Web site, this week, the sports section was named one of the 10 best in the country.
I'm ill.
Let's take a video break .... it's about 20 minutes, so if you wanna watch, get comfy.
Final Edition from Matthew Roberts on Vimeo.
But ... I think this is sweet. It's a site called IwantMyRocky.com.
There are so many reasons things fall apart. But one thing I found interesting was some of the reporters commented people are getting their news from blogs, not necessarily going to a news source. REALLY? Seriously peeps?
But I guess I shouldn't be shocked. I've lived with people who don't know the difference between a column on the editorial page and a news story. And readers ... we'd get calls in the newsroom from people looking for a "story" in the paper .... after I went through all the local and wire stories, I dug through the editorial page. Still no luck. Know what they were talking about? AN ADVERTISEMENT!!!!!!! *sigh* But do people really not know the difference between an unbiased source that has to verify sources and is accountable?
Think about it.
Newspapers are chronicles of history. If Denver were a one-paper town, who would be around to document history? Who would keep local officials accountable?
Sad.
And other papers, such as the Tucson Citizen, a paper that's been around 138 years could close, too?
To think, just 7 months ago, I was a reporter. I'd spent my entire high school and college career training to be a photojournalist and even learning to write "just in case." ... this field is one I've put so many years and such effort into ... and it's shriveling up.
I can't imagine how people who have been doing this for decades upon decades must feel.
And ... while I hated being known as "there's the newspaper lady" .... I very much WAS "the photographer" or "the reporter." It became an integral part of who I was and am. And I left willingly .... how would it be if I was told my newspaper became the news. Ugh.
Mike LIttwin so pointedly writes:
"The guys in suits - and I say that as someone who doesn't own one - don't understand what it means to be in a newsroom, or if they once did, they forgot.
They're businessmen, who talk in terms of quarters. We talk in terms of stories. The Rocky lived. It breathed. It told stories that annoyed and ones that thrilled. I love both.
I signed up - and stayed signed up - because there isn't a job where you could possibly have more fun."
Ok, I think that column sums it up best. I have to say it is a more accurate description of my thoughts than I've expressed here in my ramblings. To read it all, CLICK HERE
On a positive note, strawberries and grapes were on sale tonight at the supermarket.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A nutty mess.....
On NPR the other evening, I was listening to this story about how squirrels might be in trouble b/c there is a shortage of acorns. It certainly seems silly. Ok, I totally laughed out loud when I heard it. But .... if you need a good laugh, CLICK HERE
Our family has a silly obsession with squirrels, so the photo below absolutely cracked me up.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Are ya KIDDING me???????
This morning, I was reading the paper and read a lawsuit is being filed against a non-profit org near where I used to live in Independence.
Lawsuit filed over Little House museum in Kansas
By ROXANA HEGEMAN
The Associated Press
"WICHITA | A California production firm has filed a lawsuit against a museum on the southeast Kansas homestead where writer Laura Ingalls Wilder once lived, saying it owns the rights to the name "Little House on the Prairie."
Friendly Family Productions, the maker of the television series based on the best-selling book, filed a lawsuit last week in federal court in Los Angeles against Little House on the Prairie Inc., a nonprofit group that runs a small museum on a farm outside Independence. The suit claims trademark infringement, unfair competition and trademark dilution."
UNFAIR COMPETITION????????? ARE YOU FREKIN' KIDDING ME?????????? This place is in the middle of nowhere, Kansas. Not even CLOSE to California. Gawsh...c'mon guys!
Oh, but they *did* throw the little organization a bone, the article said: "Schodorf said Friendly Family Productions offered the Kansas museum $40,000 for its trademarks and to change the name of its Web site and online store, Schodorf said."
What a JOKE.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE. And feel free to leave a comment HERE.
It's unfortunate how litigious our society has become ... that a giant in California would sue over a historic site's name. COME ON PEOPLE! Find better things to do with your lives!!!!!!
Oh, to check out the site in Southeast Kansas where the family lived, CLICK HERE.
Lawsuit filed over Little House museum in Kansas
By ROXANA HEGEMAN
The Associated Press
"WICHITA | A California production firm has filed a lawsuit against a museum on the southeast Kansas homestead where writer Laura Ingalls Wilder once lived, saying it owns the rights to the name "Little House on the Prairie."
Friendly Family Productions, the maker of the television series based on the best-selling book, filed a lawsuit last week in federal court in Los Angeles against Little House on the Prairie Inc., a nonprofit group that runs a small museum on a farm outside Independence. The suit claims trademark infringement, unfair competition and trademark dilution."
UNFAIR COMPETITION????????? ARE YOU FREKIN' KIDDING ME?????????? This place is in the middle of nowhere, Kansas. Not even CLOSE to California. Gawsh...c'mon guys!
Oh, but they *did* throw the little organization a bone, the article said: "Schodorf said Friendly Family Productions offered the Kansas museum $40,000 for its trademarks and to change the name of its Web site and online store, Schodorf said."
What a JOKE.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE. And feel free to leave a comment HERE.
It's unfortunate how litigious our society has become ... that a giant in California would sue over a historic site's name. COME ON PEOPLE! Find better things to do with your lives!!!!!!
Oh, to check out the site in Southeast Kansas where the family lived, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Gustav
Ok, time to talk about spot news.
Yesterday afternoon as I was driving around Wichita, running errands like a maniac, I heard a piece on NPR about Hurricane Gustav and its effects on a small town in Lousiana called Houma. "So what?" you might ask. So, one of my college colleagues, Matt Stamey, lives down there and works as a photographer for the Houma Courier.
(photo by Matt Stamey)
Matt is chronicling the events via the Stormtracker Photo Blog, but he also has some brief updates on his personal blog as well.
An excerpt from Day 1 of the Stormtracker Photo Blog:
"Wow, that was intense.
Being from Kansas, I had never seen anything like I saw today as Gustav made its way through Terrebonne Parish.
As the wind and rain increased, I wanted to see first hand what a Hurricane felt like. It didn't take long to realize that standing in the middle of town during a hurricane wasn't for me. "
And this is an excerpt from day 2:
"I felt whole again, I was finally out shooting. For a while, I forgot that a hurricane had just passed. We were talking with a couple of guys on their street and it felt like any other day. We were out there getting photos and stories of the people who live in our community.
If it's a story of a kid at a science fair, or story about a man and his batman collection or a story about someone who just lost their home, the concept of gathering the images and story remains the same."
What I just love, love, love about Matt is how genuine he is. He moved down to Houma a few years ago and just dove into the community. He truly became a part of the community, and whenever he talks about it, it is SO evident. I wish I could have become part of the community at my first newspaper .... and truly called it home. Stamey has done that, and I have to tip my hat to him for that.
Let's rewind a bit to 2005 and Hurricane Katrina. Matt was beginning to call Houma home, and was also in the biggest national news event of the year.
Having the heart of gold that he does, Matt wanted to help. And thus "Faces of Katrina" was born.
He explained to the K-State photographers: "my main goal with this project is to get families back together. It kills me when a little boy comes to me and asks if I've seen his dad. Any little bit I can do to help, I will."
So he went to a few shelters and photographed the refugees, posted it on the Courier's Web site, and hoped families would be able to find their loved ones.
(photos by Matt Stamey)
You can view the project HERE and HERE.
Matt is so awesome that he put together a year-anniversary project, too. You can check it out HERE.
I also think he put together a DVD about the project ... where he spoke about the project, his thought behind it and the results of it. He presented it to us at our annual K-State photo gathering .... and I just wept when I saw it. It was so truly beautiful, and you could tell it was so heartfelt (I'm all tearing up as I'm typing this now!). I'm not sure where you can get it, but if I find out, I'll add it to this post.
So ... be sure to go leave some encouragement for those in Houma at the Stormtracker Photo Blog!
Yesterday afternoon as I was driving around Wichita, running errands like a maniac, I heard a piece on NPR about Hurricane Gustav and its effects on a small town in Lousiana called Houma. "So what?" you might ask. So, one of my college colleagues, Matt Stamey, lives down there and works as a photographer for the Houma Courier.
(photo by Matt Stamey)
Matt is chronicling the events via the Stormtracker Photo Blog, but he also has some brief updates on his personal blog as well.
An excerpt from Day 1 of the Stormtracker Photo Blog:
"Wow, that was intense.
Being from Kansas, I had never seen anything like I saw today as Gustav made its way through Terrebonne Parish.
As the wind and rain increased, I wanted to see first hand what a Hurricane felt like. It didn't take long to realize that standing in the middle of town during a hurricane wasn't for me. "
And this is an excerpt from day 2:
"I felt whole again, I was finally out shooting. For a while, I forgot that a hurricane had just passed. We were talking with a couple of guys on their street and it felt like any other day. We were out there getting photos and stories of the people who live in our community.
If it's a story of a kid at a science fair, or story about a man and his batman collection or a story about someone who just lost their home, the concept of gathering the images and story remains the same."
What I just love, love, love about Matt is how genuine he is. He moved down to Houma a few years ago and just dove into the community. He truly became a part of the community, and whenever he talks about it, it is SO evident. I wish I could have become part of the community at my first newspaper .... and truly called it home. Stamey has done that, and I have to tip my hat to him for that.
Let's rewind a bit to 2005 and Hurricane Katrina. Matt was beginning to call Houma home, and was also in the biggest national news event of the year.
Having the heart of gold that he does, Matt wanted to help. And thus "Faces of Katrina" was born.
He explained to the K-State photographers: "my main goal with this project is to get families back together. It kills me when a little boy comes to me and asks if I've seen his dad. Any little bit I can do to help, I will."
So he went to a few shelters and photographed the refugees, posted it on the Courier's Web site, and hoped families would be able to find their loved ones.
(photos by Matt Stamey)
You can view the project HERE and HERE.
Matt is so awesome that he put together a year-anniversary project, too. You can check it out HERE.
I also think he put together a DVD about the project ... where he spoke about the project, his thought behind it and the results of it. He presented it to us at our annual K-State photo gathering .... and I just wept when I saw it. It was so truly beautiful, and you could tell it was so heartfelt (I'm all tearing up as I'm typing this now!). I'm not sure where you can get it, but if I find out, I'll add it to this post.
So ... be sure to go leave some encouragement for those in Houma at the Stormtracker Photo Blog!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
A recipe for disaster
Siiiiiiiigh. The other day, I heard about Dunkin' Donuts pulling a Rachael Ray TV ad while I was listening to NPR.
Internet searching led me to the story on MSNBC.com.
I don't have many nice things to say about this. How ridiculous! Seriously! I ranted to Erik for awhile, but then had to pause and look at the other side of the coin.
When I was headed ton Africa about a year and a half ago, I certainly was more than a little intimidated of some of my traveling companions. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I was skeptical of talking to the guy next to me on the plane from Atlanta to Paris. He looked middle-eastern to me (see how easily we can all buy into being terrified of people different than us?). Come to find out, he was a wonderfully nice business man who spent a lot of time between India and the U.S. on business. He had a young son, who he missed like crazy, and just wanted someone to talk to.
Then, in Niger, Africa, you didn't have to look far to see men wearing head scarfs. Heck, I was spending two weeks in a Muslim country, what did I expect. But did that mean they were all terrorists? No and HECK NO.
Less than one second after disembarking from the bus that took us to Agadez on the edge of the desert, I KNEW why they were all wearing scarfs around their heads. The wind was crazy and kicked up dust and sand into your hair, face, eyes and any other exposed part of your body. It did NOT take me long to purchase a head scarf of my own. Heck, does that make ME a terrorist? No and HECK NO.
I guess my basic message to anyone who reads this blog is this: Just because someone looks or dresses vastly different than you, jumping to conclusions is often the worst thing you can do. If you take a few minutes to engage with someone, you might have not only a new respect for their culture, but a wider world view. And that's something we ALL could use more of.
I'll close with this commentary from The Chicago Tribune. I think it hit the nail on the head!
Internet searching led me to the story on MSNBC.com.
I don't have many nice things to say about this. How ridiculous! Seriously! I ranted to Erik for awhile, but then had to pause and look at the other side of the coin.
When I was headed ton Africa about a year and a half ago, I certainly was more than a little intimidated of some of my traveling companions. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I was skeptical of talking to the guy next to me on the plane from Atlanta to Paris. He looked middle-eastern to me (see how easily we can all buy into being terrified of people different than us?). Come to find out, he was a wonderfully nice business man who spent a lot of time between India and the U.S. on business. He had a young son, who he missed like crazy, and just wanted someone to talk to.
Then, in Niger, Africa, you didn't have to look far to see men wearing head scarfs. Heck, I was spending two weeks in a Muslim country, what did I expect. But did that mean they were all terrorists? No and HECK NO.
Less than one second after disembarking from the bus that took us to Agadez on the edge of the desert, I KNEW why they were all wearing scarfs around their heads. The wind was crazy and kicked up dust and sand into your hair, face, eyes and any other exposed part of your body. It did NOT take me long to purchase a head scarf of my own. Heck, does that make ME a terrorist? No and HECK NO.
I guess my basic message to anyone who reads this blog is this: Just because someone looks or dresses vastly different than you, jumping to conclusions is often the worst thing you can do. If you take a few minutes to engage with someone, you might have not only a new respect for their culture, but a wider world view. And that's something we ALL could use more of.
I'll close with this commentary from The Chicago Tribune. I think it hit the nail on the head!
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