Ozzy Eyes

I must confess to have been terribly torn on a recent two weeks in Australia.  I was torn between shooting and embracing fully the life experience.  In some important ways, the lens insulates one from some of the strain inherent in any alien experience.  During my 2008 trip to China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, I found my camera an excellent friend and valuable in opening many hearts.  It also dulled the sting of falling headlong into such a weird, dynamic world.  My tinge of guilt felt today hinges on a modest sense of loss at not capturing more on camera during out time Down Under.  Photos can hep you re-live the experience.

Nevertheless, I realized the parallel universe of Oz actually demanded more of my attention than I could offer with a camera in the way.  The rainstorm of wonderful memories left us nourished and reinvigorated. I came to see more clearly.

What a Remarkable Year

Photography took a back seat to fighting for sheer personal survival in a toxic environment that can only be compared to Dante's City of Dis.  I survived, and continue to heal.  The joy of art is much on my mind.  At Halloween,  I attended a Manhattan workshop with Mary Ellen Mark and some very, very talented photographers.  One young man was stupendous with black and white film weddings and  candids.  Old school skill and creativity of youth combined to make it inspirational.  Although shooting time has been limited, my review of previous years' works shows some promise if I can get printing under control.  Spring seems far away yet, but the calendar shows a steady march in that direction.

Roller Derby Ain't What It Used to Be

Theater in the round...and round and round and round...The Fairbanks Rollergirls put on an exciting season finale last Saturday night as the Raven Rebels put the whup on the Gold Diggers at the Carlson Center.  It wasn't the hair-pulling, elbow-busting derby like I used to watch on TV as a kid in the 1960s.  However, there were plenty of thrills and spills as the likes of "Psycho Senorita", "Pat Riot",  and "C-4" bombed their way around the rink.  "Dame Tamer" and "Falice in Wonderland" were among those officiating.

You can find action shots at the Light Trekker Gallery.

Finally Some Aurora!

Warmer, long days bring twilight lingering until nearly midnight.  Soon the stars will be gone for summer.  The aurora borealis is my passion, of course, but this season she nearly left me high and dry!  At last, on Saturday April 5th, a brief display while I had camera in hand:

My New Year's Resolution

I will not allow this blog to languish and will commit to updating more than once per month.

The sunshine tide has turned, and we're gaining daylight measured in minutes each day.  Now to await the deep freeze, which comes with the New Year.

Don't forget to check for updates to my portfolio here.  

Fall is in the Air

At times throughout the year, we wonder why we live here. In July, intense and numerous wildfires choked Fairbanks and the rest of interior Alaska amid 90F temperatures and no rain in sight. This scene was taken only several days ago, and it was 85 degrees. A surprise and welcome rain pushed in and a north wind brought relief on Friday. Along with it, though, are frost warnings now. Some leaves have turned already.

A Most Amazing Adventure

After a long week at the office, wildfires, and everything else going on up here, I had some real excitement on the drive home tonight. I was going past the Trans-Alaska Pipeline view point, and I noticed an odd looking vehicle parked there. It was kind of like a dune buggy, so I decided to make a U turn and go check it out. I assumed whoever was driving was on some sort of road adventure. We see people on motorcycles, bikes, and all kinds of other wheeled things driving the road to Prudhoe Bay, but I never in my wildest dreams thought I would meet folks like I did.

Chris and Elayne Clash, a 50-something couple driving the homemade, bio-diesel/burn-anything, 38 mpg rig, are from Melbourne, Australia, and they're into about 2.5 years of a six-year drive across the world. This is not just circumnavigating. They are literally zig-zagging their way and have driven about 90,000 km so far. They actually did an international driving trek about ten years ago with their teenage boys over two years. They shipped the car to S. Korea, drove across Asia, Europe, parts of North Africa, Iceland, Canada, and now Alaska before they head to Tierra del Fuego, then back to Africa, etc. etc. etc. Wild! They have a myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/adventurebug

The car was built for about $4500, is very light, and has a 3L engine. It has no heater, by the way. Despite the looks, it's 2-wheel drive only and goes everywhere, Chris told me.