a poem

An early morning running postlude

There's a race to be run 

It's still somewhat dark - a sultry softness that comes with the dawn 
As the heart slows down and breathing finds its way 
The kitchen lights are on as her quiet, smiling voice inquires, 
"Have a good run, honey?" 

The run is over but there's another to be run 

"You know, I sure love you" I say 
She smiles and quotes Shakespeare off the fridge 
"They do not love that do not show their love." 
My tired mind slowly wraps its way around this quote 

Her heart has already embraced it 

I think quickly to myself, "Is this what they call a romantic breakfast?" 
Maybe - but it's a cue for sure 
I have another run to be run 
It's an ultra one - not for miles, rather for time 

I have to run with endurance this race put before me 
I have to love this woman till I die 

So with this ultra set before me, the training has already begun 
The steps are many but the effort easy 
You see, each step is a loving one and 
This is one race that I have already won. 

Graceland - THE American shrine

If you ever wanted to get the flavor of "middle" America, the country that lies between both coasts, the exourban (just coined this word) who lives in small towns, farms, country . . . then this is the place to go. It's THE American shrine to a celebrity who reflected the culture and flavor of these people.

But it's also like a religion with worship going on constantly not just on Sunday. And they're way more reverent than Sunday worshippers. Not just one day a week worshippers. They do this on a daily basis.

So, what's the pull, the attraction, the calling? Was it his looks, his talent or his story? I'm thinking the secret abides somewhere in his raw sexuality. Not pornographic but sublimely "real". You could be his fan, be fanatic and it was okay. Just about everyone was like you. But you would never be him and there will never be another (Michael Jackson doesn't count - he was black and black doesn't play well in middle America)

Lastly, there is "grace" in Graceland - a serenity that accompanies all real forms of worship. He was an idol and a god for many. Those who go and worship here - they understand this even if they don't.

the Zen of golf

The guy with the cap is Jack Mulcahy.  Jack Mulcahy


We had quite an interesting conversation and now I know why. He's brilliant with a 148 IQ but more importantly a person who is truly "in the moment." Here I was, a lowly photographer speaking to this brilliant well-known actor about the spiritual component of mindfulness and how actors see and portray reality in their craft. That's why he loves golf, he told me. It makes him focus and focus keenly.

But the irony of the matter was that while we were conversing, I was valiantly trying to stay focused on just our conversation and to be in the moment. Boy, it was hard. I wonder if he picked up on that? After reflecting on this meeting, I must admit that he was the most "keeping it real" person I've ever met.

All I can say is that if you're lucky to meet him, you'll then understand what I'm saying. For now, it's probably just an ineffable piece of info for you to digest.

Today I got lucky - not the luck of getting a shot of someone's club meeting the ball but of meeting a truly fascinating person.

went to shoot a parade and ended up in church

Went to my assignment early which was a Memorial Day parade on City Island which started near the Grace Episcopal Church which had a beautiful little garden with benches where I thought I'd sit and simply reflect on the beauty of the day. Before I could relax and enter a meditative state, one of the female members invited me in for coffee and cookies (little did I know that they also had chocolate donuts which caused me to break the 10th commandment "Thou shalt not covet(lust after)"

I accepted the invitation, entered the church and thereupon became a part of its history. Having seen the exterior of this church for many years as I ran by it during workouts and riding my bike there also, I never imagined the beauty and history that resided within.

Established in 1849, by Rev. Cornelius Bolton, this church is a significant part of NYC history. The Boltons were major players in the formation of other churches also and were important historical characters. See that altar window? The Rev. John Bolton (Cornelius' brother) was its artisan and inserted himself into the painting (the guy with the mutton chops holding a spear)

Finally, did you notice the design of the ceiling? Looks a little like the insides of a hull of a boat, doesn't it? Ship carpenters from the nearby David Carll Shipyard (now Consolidated Marina) built the church and its ceiling is evident in its hand-hewn beams and rafters.

I love learning new things. Don't you? Especially when you've lived most of your life clueless about its wonderful history.

a store who gives back

Stores are in business to provide desired products and to make money. But some stores also give back to the community. That's what Bob's Discount Furniture stores do. And the one that opened in the Bronx, at Bay Plaza Mall near Co-op City (the first one here) is no exception.

It's nice to see local businesses giving something back to the community and in today's case that was the donating of checks to local schools (as seen in the above photos)

I hope they do well and my family surely will be doing business with them.

Tell me - what's a nicer feeling? Giving or receiving?

I think you already know the answer.

"not only teach them tennis and academics but character"

Former number 1 tennis player in the world Billy Jean King was a key speaker at a groundbreaking ceremony I shot this afternoon for a new tennis stadium for the New York Center for Tennis and Learning at Crotona Park in the Bronx. As far as I was concerned, she said the most important stuff of all the speakers and what she said didn't get any applause. I wonder why?

She emphasized in her talk that young people would learn tennis and academics, but most importantly "character" - something lacking in our society today. Isn't typical in our modern times that truly important stuff gets short shrift? Making lots of money, donating lots of money and raising a lot of money - those were the topics that got attention today.

Teach the children, but most importantly, teach them to be a "good" people first and foremost.

"I had their eye!"

In photography, they have a saying: "Focus on the eyes." The problem is, can you get their eyes to look at your lens? Well, if you go and shoot at a red-carpet, celebrity gala event, the eyes are seeking your lens.

These were shot at the "Bronx Ball" - the centerpiece of Bronx Week at Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park. The celebrity guest was Ellen Barkin who described herself as "the Jew from the Bronx". As I reviewed my photographs, I kept saying to myself, "Why was she always looking at me in so many shots?"

Well, she's probably used to it and I was the only photog wearing credentials that labeled me as "Press". But there was that underlying male ego thing going - she likes the way I look.  LOL

For my first red carpet shoot I was pleased. It was, at least for me, a photographer's heaven!