~ See you next week...
p.s.
please keep them coming
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Madness That is Bliss
The paragraph below is what I wrote after reading the responses to the “Faith & Creativity” stories that I asked you to share with me. Please keep them coming. What follows is a stream of conscious writing: My apologies to whomever reads this. Sometimes you just have to.....
When I am happy I do not create. When I am blue, spirits haunt me. I need a tank of fuel to create. Fueled by spirits of the bottle, madness of the psyche, motivation of my heartbeat. I sit next to the crazy girl in the bar just to listen to her talk, “Set fire to the world, envelope please, another scotch & soda barkeep” she says. I love every breath she takes. Just listen to her. It's like jazz. I steal every idea she spews. She looks at me and says “I hate people." Next she asks me the same damn thing, “Do you hate people?” No, I just like like it when they don’t ask too much of me. I am not a joiner or a loner, just a seeker of the divine. Maybe I am the divine. I think I could have been a prophet if I would have just listened more to the voices, but I didn't. The voices, the ones that speak between levels of consciousness. I drift awake, drift asleep, they speak, they whisper, they thank me for my hospitality. We need the room, you provided the space. They thank me for the fuel that I provide. They ask for another, I pour a drink, down it, then another.
Recognizing those crazy moments of madness, that is bliss. That is what pure consciousness must feel like.
When I am happy I do not create. When I am blue, spirits haunt me. I need a tank of fuel to create. Fueled by spirits of the bottle, madness of the psyche, motivation of my heartbeat. I sit next to the crazy girl in the bar just to listen to her talk, “Set fire to the world, envelope please, another scotch & soda barkeep” she says. I love every breath she takes. Just listen to her. It's like jazz. I steal every idea she spews. She looks at me and says “I hate people." Next she asks me the same damn thing, “Do you hate people?” No, I just like like it when they don’t ask too much of me. I am not a joiner or a loner, just a seeker of the divine. Maybe I am the divine. I think I could have been a prophet if I would have just listened more to the voices, but I didn't. The voices, the ones that speak between levels of consciousness. I drift awake, drift asleep, they speak, they whisper, they thank me for my hospitality. We need the room, you provided the space. They thank me for the fuel that I provide. They ask for another, I pour a drink, down it, then another.
Recognizing those crazy moments of madness, that is bliss. That is what pure consciousness must feel like.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Faith & Creativity ~ Share Your Story
Share your story with me.
I would like to hear about how your faith has shaped, formed, moved and inspired your creative practice. Or how your creative practice has opened up the world of faith, spirit and connection with the Divine in your life.
Start off by e-mailing me at jecraig@mac.com after that we can Skype or have a phone call.
Why do I ask? Looking to find people who I can connect with, write about and hopefully photograph their stories to help others along their own journey.
Please pass this post along.
I would like to hear about how your faith has shaped, formed, moved and inspired your creative practice. Or how your creative practice has opened up the world of faith, spirit and connection with the Divine in your life.Start off by e-mailing me at jecraig@mac.com after that we can Skype or have a phone call.
Why do I ask? Looking to find people who I can connect with, write about and hopefully photograph their stories to help others along their own journey.
Please pass this post along.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
100 Straight Miles
I drove 100 straight miles today on the Ohio turnpike. 100 straight miles, no turns, no hills or no valleys in the roadway. The plains of pasture-land blended with blue skies, fluffy clouds and the graying horizon. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
Grandeur without measure, glory beyond belief, 100 miles of straightness. The road was quiet. I barely passed a car or truck the entire trip. At times I was lost in the void of what is real. My wife and daughter both asleep. 100 straight miles of quiet. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
I dreamed of walking 100 straight miles. Just myself, my breath, my feet and a journey without need of discovery. What would it be like to walk 100 straight miles in quiet? A walking meditation with no purpose, only to experience. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
These thoughts, however obscure, ran throughout my head. My journey has changed in life. I needed to ask myself some questions. Those are always the hardest ones to answer. Sometimes you just don’t know. Then again sometimes you need to answer those questions.
I walk.
I am giving myself the month of March to go for walks, lots of them.
Grandeur without measure, glory beyond belief, 100 miles of straightness. The road was quiet. I barely passed a car or truck the entire trip. At times I was lost in the void of what is real. My wife and daughter both asleep. 100 straight miles of quiet. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
I dreamed of walking 100 straight miles. Just myself, my breath, my feet and a journey without need of discovery. What would it be like to walk 100 straight miles in quiet? A walking meditation with no purpose, only to experience. This is what pure consciousness must feel like.
These thoughts, however obscure, ran throughout my head. My journey has changed in life. I needed to ask myself some questions. Those are always the hardest ones to answer. Sometimes you just don’t know. Then again sometimes you need to answer those questions.
I walk.
I am giving myself the month of March to go for walks, lots of them.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Weekend Workshops & Book Recommendations
Thank you to all for attending this past weekends workshop. Below are a list of book recommendations that can help guide you along your photography journey.
Remember photography is to be experienced with a camera in your hand. Reading books and blogs (including this one) is only a smattering of information. Go for a walk and create something new...
Book Recommendations
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson
Zen of Creativity by John Daido Loori
Remember photography is to be experienced with a camera in your hand. Reading books and blogs (including this one) is only a smattering of information. Go for a walk and create something new...
Book RecommendationsUnderstanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson
Zen of Creativity by John Daido Loori
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Moment
Current Reading: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Marakami
Current Music: Consequence of Chaos by Al Di Meola
Mood: Needles & pins all over...
Smells: Coffee & left over spaghetti
Sounds: Humming heater & panting dog
Temperature: 7 degrees feels like -2 out there.
Thoughts: New biz-site coming soon(ish)
Current Music: Consequence of Chaos by Al Di Meola
Mood: Needles & pins all over...
Smells: Coffee & left over spaghetti
Sounds: Humming heater & panting dog
Temperature: 7 degrees feels like -2 out there.
Thoughts: New biz-site coming soon(ish)
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