Fireworks

I hit the fireworks festival during my last week in Ottawa. I'm pleased with the results
http://www.shorterthanjesus.com/gallery/fireworks/

Vocabulary

A reflection on some of the ideas given in Cyler's latest post

Vocabulary is definitely not about sounding smarter (what's the point of sounding smarter if you can't be understood); It's about having a wider gamut of colors to work with as you paint the image that is in your mind. We're living in a world with an ever shrinking vocabulary.

Years ago, I could have informed you of my displeasure with a behaviour of yours with a comment ranging from "I felt slighted by your actions" to "Your behaviour was downright appalling and amends need to be made for it". Today, most of our generational compatriots seem to range between "Shut up" and "Shut the F___ up" with only tonality and body language left to provide any distinction.

The same thing could be said about a man's expression of his love for a woman (or vice versa). Try to imagine letters like this coming from the pen (or keyboard, as it may be) of any of the couples that we pass on the way in to the movie theatres or other public areas.

We have access to a remarkably detailed and powerful language, built upon the framework of some of the world's most beautiful and effective languages (Latin, Greek, and French, to name just a few). There is no excuse for not clearly and efficiently communicating information, feelings, or or thoughts, whether through the spoken or the written word.

Adapt to the audience when necessary, but adapt the audience whenever possible. Teach!

A challenge

A challenge to anyone who finds themselves singing a song of Christian worship.

Do not sing another "Christian" word until you know explicitly what it means.

I don't want to hear another "Hallelujah", "Amen", "Bulwark", or anything else along those lines unless you can confidently explain its meaning to another person.

Christian worship is so often (and rightfully so) looked upon with great skepticism by non-Christians. We have a group of people giving in to, what appears to be, mass hysteria and mindless chanting of words including some that, I'm quite sure, at least 50% of the congregation do not understand. I am in no position to judge the position of person's mind and soul, but by observation I would be willing to bet that a surprising portion of the tears, convulsions, and "hallelujahs" are elements of a mass hysteria, more than actual personal interaction with the Almighty. I cannot say that, though, without also saying that I am more than confident that the remainder are real, true, and blessed events.

What I honestly would like to see is an explanation slide (overhead / bulletin insert / announcement) before every song that slips in any of these Christianeze words. I want someone, a person entirely unfamiliar with the Christian church, to be able to walk in to an event and be actually able to understand what is going on. What good is it to them if they don't understand it.

Step by step, we can slowly move ourselves away from the image of a bunch of mindless religious fanatics.

If you refuse to do it right...

If you refuse to do it right, don't do it at all.

It needs to be said that I am thankful for the many positive relationship examples in my life; It is only the rare case that doesn't work as it should that really pisses me off.

When a lady friend of mine is in a relationship with a guy who doesn't treat her as well as I would, I take it as an affront to me. I am far from perfect, I am know that there are a great many gentlemen out there who would eclipse me to a staggering degree; But, ladies, you've got some explaining to do if the guy you're crushing/dating/marrying isn't one of them.

Photo Excursion

My arrival back in town this weekend heralds the planning stages of a massive photo excursion at some point in the next month or two.

What do I envision? Everyone who is, or wants to be, comfortable behind their camera, and everyone who is comfortable in front of a camera, going out to some reasonably accessible location and spending a couple hours taking photos, learning from each other, and generally building the most kick-ass collection of people photos one could ever imagine.

It can be as simple or as complicated as people want. I see no reason why we can't have cellphone-camera artists working beside DSLR shooters.


I want people to start contacting me with dates and times they are free and interested. Evenings, weekends, whatever. Let me know and I'll start compiling a list of possible days. The more people that come, the better.

Know someone who doesn't do the camera thing but loves to be in photos, bring them too. We need models!

I'm also open for location ideas.