Friday, February 27, 2009
Photography
I often catch myself saying that I do photography as opposed to saying that I am a photographer. I am struggling with understanding why there is a part of me that refuses to acknowledge the fullness of my artistic talents. I am not able to own the relationship with my camera as equal to those that can speak the technical jargon of seasoned photographers. I do understand that the camera captures what the eye sees. But I see an ability in others to create with the eye of the camera that which the mind sees. I am in awe of that ability to invoke in me thoughts of dreams and emotional realities through the photojournalistic representation of "a day in the life of" whomever. Yet, with each viewing of someone's work I am so compelled to pick up my own camera and enjoy the capture of a moment and the creative eye with which I see the simplicity that I transgress my creative boundaries; I am, in that moment, a photographer and I accept it even if only for a moment.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Pay My Bills
The more I hear about this stimulus package (everyday), the more I am enraged with the thought that someone's irresponsibility has become my problem. The fact that we are now bailing out Americans that foolishly signed on the dotted line to purchase a home that they knew they could not afford is just insane. Everyone knew of the housing bubble, knew that it would burst at some point and gambled on being able to get as much as they could before it happened. Some did. Some purchased homes, held onto them for a year or two and sold for significant gain (sometimes into the hundreds of thousands). Those were the smart ones...they recognized a good thing such as low interest rates, no down payment, interest only loans and bought and sold before the market could go sour. Great investors and kudos to those.
However, many were average everyday Americans who, in a different market, could not afford the home they purchased. They couldn't settle for the modest home that would fit their needs but, not their fantasies. Some, actually far too many, purchased way more home than they needed on the hopes that they could refinance once the interest only period expired and with increase in value they would benefit from a large cushion of equity. Some of these loans qualified people on their ability to pay the interest only payment, not the full note. As interest rates were low, this was perfect and payments were better than renting in some cases. I know, I sold some of those loans.
I know that people had to know what they were getting into because there is an obligation of disclosure. I explained, explained and explained again in order that my clients knew. They were given information to read and advised to do their own due diligence. This is not to say that every loan consultant or mortgage broker or bank did as I did. Yet, it is still the responsibility of the signer to know what they are signing and the buyer to know what they are buying. (FYI, no shady deals on my record)
I didn't buy. I didn't take that gamble. I didn't because I read the papers, paid attention to the economists, heard the financial advisors. The bubble was sure to burst. And it did. I am still in my apartment that I hate. I don't have a mortgage but, now I have to help you pay yours.
I am afraid that as much as I am not a republican, I am with the republicans on this matter. Loss needs to be an unfortunate consequence that those idiots who bought homes way out of their budget feel. They were living in apartment prior and can certainly move back into one. We are not saving people from homelessness, we are saving them from houselessness.
Frankly if the reason is that the banks were wrong for giving them the loans, then let's use that reasoning with my student loans. Tell me why I owe enough money to have become a doctor. The schools allowed me to take out extra money, the banks gave it to me. So, since I didn't know better at 19, it is not fair that I have to pay my student loans. How about we add that to the stimulus.
Let me add that I do understand the need for money to flow, banks to lend, credit loosened, etc. However, I am tired of it being spun into a concern for people losing their homes. Again, pay for my ignorance...I will send you the notes.
And after hearing that part of the stimulus money goes to Filipino veterans I am simply bothered by the bill that we (as a country) are now carrying. Just for the record, I have nothing against Filipino vets and more power to you for getting your share. However, I just can't get completely on board with this being a part of a "stimulus" package.
However, many were average everyday Americans who, in a different market, could not afford the home they purchased. They couldn't settle for the modest home that would fit their needs but, not their fantasies. Some, actually far too many, purchased way more home than they needed on the hopes that they could refinance once the interest only period expired and with increase in value they would benefit from a large cushion of equity. Some of these loans qualified people on their ability to pay the interest only payment, not the full note. As interest rates were low, this was perfect and payments were better than renting in some cases. I know, I sold some of those loans.
I know that people had to know what they were getting into because there is an obligation of disclosure. I explained, explained and explained again in order that my clients knew. They were given information to read and advised to do their own due diligence. This is not to say that every loan consultant or mortgage broker or bank did as I did. Yet, it is still the responsibility of the signer to know what they are signing and the buyer to know what they are buying. (FYI, no shady deals on my record)
I didn't buy. I didn't take that gamble. I didn't because I read the papers, paid attention to the economists, heard the financial advisors. The bubble was sure to burst. And it did. I am still in my apartment that I hate. I don't have a mortgage but, now I have to help you pay yours.
I am afraid that as much as I am not a republican, I am with the republicans on this matter. Loss needs to be an unfortunate consequence that those idiots who bought homes way out of their budget feel. They were living in apartment prior and can certainly move back into one. We are not saving people from homelessness, we are saving them from houselessness.
Frankly if the reason is that the banks were wrong for giving them the loans, then let's use that reasoning with my student loans. Tell me why I owe enough money to have become a doctor. The schools allowed me to take out extra money, the banks gave it to me. So, since I didn't know better at 19, it is not fair that I have to pay my student loans. How about we add that to the stimulus.
Let me add that I do understand the need for money to flow, banks to lend, credit loosened, etc. However, I am tired of it being spun into a concern for people losing their homes. Again, pay for my ignorance...I will send you the notes.
And after hearing that part of the stimulus money goes to Filipino veterans I am simply bothered by the bill that we (as a country) are now carrying. Just for the record, I have nothing against Filipino vets and more power to you for getting your share. However, I just can't get completely on board with this being a part of a "stimulus" package.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Following Directions
What is so difficult about following directions? Was this not a focus of testing in elementary school where the teacher made you sit with your hands crossed on your desk while she read a ten minute explanation of how to fill in the little bubbles and turn the pages...as if bubble filling and page turning was really that difficult. Perhaps it is our focus on speed and instant access that causes people to "skip" the introductions, bypass the instructions and dive head first into stupid.
Sometimes it is the simplest "direction". For example, anyone that calls me...and probably you too...could hear " I am not available to take your call...Please leave a message after the beep." Yet how many actually leave a message? Better yet, how many proceed prior to the beep only to repeat themselves after the beep?
The irony is that the ones that don't leave messages often get frustrated with me because I don't return their calls. Well, how the heck am I supposed to know you called if you don't leave a message? And more importantly, if it was not important enough for you to leave a message, then it is not important enough for me to call right back. Follow Directions!
And when I order a small (or Tall if I am in Starbucks) soy, hot chocolate with hazelnut, no whip cream and no foam, don't get pissed at me when I return the cup that is half full with foam or that I see you mistakenly making with whole milk. Follow Directions!
If I say call me after 6:00 because I will be busy and won't have time to focus on you until then, don't get bothered when you call at 5:00 and I am abrupt and have no time for you. Follow Directions!
If we are driving, and you have directions which you pulled from Mapquest, Yahoo Maps, or a local map, why do you need me to tell you where to turn? Follow the Damn Directions!
When I tell you to go north on hwy 101 and you, in your brilliance, ignore the signs directing you to north instead to go south, don't call me to ask what to do next. You should have followed my directions in the first place. Now you need to reach back into your elementary school lesson of opposites and figure that one out yourself lest you look like a fool. Turn around, and resume Following Original Directions.
When you buy a chair that needs assembly, don't try to put it together by looking at the picture. It comes with directions for a reason, pull them out, get all necessary tools (as it says) and yes, FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS...or warn me prior to sitting in that chair.
However, when you receive a lovely, touching, inspirational poem forwarded by email through a line of people you don't know, don't follow the directions.
Sometimes it is the simplest "direction". For example, anyone that calls me...and probably you too...could hear " I am not available to take your call...Please leave a message after the beep." Yet how many actually leave a message? Better yet, how many proceed prior to the beep only to repeat themselves after the beep?
The irony is that the ones that don't leave messages often get frustrated with me because I don't return their calls. Well, how the heck am I supposed to know you called if you don't leave a message? And more importantly, if it was not important enough for you to leave a message, then it is not important enough for me to call right back. Follow Directions!
And when I order a small (or Tall if I am in Starbucks) soy, hot chocolate with hazelnut, no whip cream and no foam, don't get pissed at me when I return the cup that is half full with foam or that I see you mistakenly making with whole milk. Follow Directions!
If I say call me after 6:00 because I will be busy and won't have time to focus on you until then, don't get bothered when you call at 5:00 and I am abrupt and have no time for you. Follow Directions!
If we are driving, and you have directions which you pulled from Mapquest, Yahoo Maps, or a local map, why do you need me to tell you where to turn? Follow the Damn Directions!
When I tell you to go north on hwy 101 and you, in your brilliance, ignore the signs directing you to north instead to go south, don't call me to ask what to do next. You should have followed my directions in the first place. Now you need to reach back into your elementary school lesson of opposites and figure that one out yourself lest you look like a fool. Turn around, and resume Following Original Directions.
When you buy a chair that needs assembly, don't try to put it together by looking at the picture. It comes with directions for a reason, pull them out, get all necessary tools (as it says) and yes, FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS...or warn me prior to sitting in that chair.
However, when you receive a lovely, touching, inspirational poem forwarded by email through a line of people you don't know, don't follow the directions.
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