CNY 09

Hainan Isle, PRC – the ancestral village homestead

 

Chinese New Year the old way:

Homemade fireworks, watermelon fields and palm trees. Blood relatives coming in from miles around.

Xin nian kuai le to my brothers and sisters and may life bring you what you wish for.

Era il giorno

Venice, Italy – fog smoked winter mornings

 

Era il giorno ch’al sol si scoloraro per la pietà del suo factore i rai, quando ì fui preso, et non me ne guardai, chè i bè vostr’occhi, donna, mi legaro.Tempo non mi parea da far riparo contra colpi d’Amor: però m’andai secur, senza sospetto; onde i miei guai nel commune dolor s’incominciaro.   Trovommi Amor del tutto disarmato et aperta la via per gli occhi al core, che di lagrime son fatti uscio et varco: Però al mio parer non li fu honore ferir me de saetta in quello stato, a voi armata non mostrar pur l’arco.

It was the day the sun’s ray had turned pale with pity for the suffering of his Maker when I was caught, and I put up no fight, my lady, for your lovely eyes had bound me.It seemed no time to be on guard against Love’s blows; therefore, I went my way secure and fearless—so, all my misfortunes began in midst of universal woe.   Love found me all disarmed and found the way was clear to reach my heart down through the eyes which have become the halls and doors of tears. It seems to me it did him little honour to wound me with his arrow in my state and to you, armed, not show his bow at all.

 - Petrarch

 

 

 

 

Photographs as conversations

Alps, Switzerland – rumination on the road

 

Breathe, we’re here.

 

What are you running from?

 

I didn’t mean to leave, it was an accident.

 

Are you awake?

 

Are you lost?

 

Stand back and don’t wake me from this dream.

Balloons… the big kind

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – in the desert and searching for perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tokyo monochrome

Tokyo+ Himeji+ Osaka, Japan – mixed platter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resolution

Enroute from Osaka to Hiroshima, Japan – tearing through the dawn on the shinkansen

 

Across the ocean, the shit is going down. Not a happy new year for a great many people. 

At the threshold of 2009, events buffeted by old hate and new hope, I am uncertain at best. 

One thing’s for sure… the bunker is not for me. Perhaps a resolution of sorts? 

I will not hide or live in suspicion of my neighbour and I will not fear the dusty roads of unknown shores. 

… I will be thankful of each new morning, despite the day it delivers and even try my hardest to forgive the night before.

Travel safe and stay well.