A rising tide flips all the boats...

... so said Chase Jarvis.

I just tuned in to a live stream from Photo District News's Photo Plus Expo in NYC this morning. The keynote speaker was Chase Jarvis, photographer director inspiring sharer of all things creative. I cannot remember how I first heard about him, maybe a blogger called Pat Flynn. Or from some other place to which the IS (Internet Sherpa) guided me.

Regardless, it was a very inspiring hour with the key message that NOW is the most exciting time to be here, being creative, on your path, doing/being what makes your soul sing.

A generous, insightful, thoughtful, and inclusive presentation that is well worth tuning in to if he rebroadcasts it on his blog. Which I hope he does.

In the meantime here's a link to a recent adventure of his somewhere in Asia during typhoon season, where he was literally brain-storming about today's address. It made me chuckle. :~)

Or, you can watch it here, too.

Enjoy!

International Women's Day and The Power of Film

I'm thrilled for Kathryn Bigelow, the first female director to win an Academy Award (for "The Hurt Locker"). She's only one of five female directors in the Academy's 82-year his-story to be nominated. I love what she said last night during her acceptance speech: "I would not be standing here if it wasn't for Mark Boal, who risked his life for the words on the page and wrote such a courageous screenplay that I was fortunate to have an extraordinary cast bring that screenplay to life." One classy lady, especially to give credence and kudos to the screenwriter, which is not often the case. Jane Campion and Sofia Coppola have also been nominated for Best Director. A far cry from the early days of film, where the only role behind the scenes females once played were secretaries to the studio executives. Incidentally, these women edited all the films back then! Who had the power, eh?

I do find it interesting, though, what Tom Hanks said about the last time ten films were nominated in 1942 when "Casablanca" won: America was at war.

Photo of Kathryn Bigelow came from here.

I also loved the genius of "Avatar", and I agree with much of what the writer of this article from TIME has to say regarding why it didn't garner the expected BIG awards.

Actors Sam Worthington, left, and Zoe Saldana as Jake and Neytiri in Avatar

20th Century Fox / WETA / Reuters

The voters of the Academy and what and who they represent are perhaps not able to acknowledge a film like "Avatar" at this time. Nonetheless this film permeated the ethers of the planet, and no doubt beyond. It has left its mark imprinted upon our imaginations, and it has blazed a trail for others with a similar theme of BEAUTY, VISION and COMPASSION. Let us hope so. Film is such a powerful medium for inspiration and understanding, especially in this time of gargantuan global transition.

Those Amazing Ants Are At It Again...

The amazing ants are at it again. I walk carefully down the path, always being aware of their industry. This particular morning I had to squat down and take a good look at these feathers, courtesy of the pine siskins, courtesy perhaps of Parlez. Sigh. He would wait behind a flower pot and when these happily fed birds flew by below six feet, he'd jump up with his mouth open and presto, sometimes he'd catch one. Sometimes some feathers fluttered, and that was good fortune for the ants. They did manage to get both of these down their front door. It took about a day. But they did it. 

Why? I have no idea. Just part of the great Mystery.

Make Your Own Hammock!

I'm going to do this. And after I do I will post a photo!

Keep watching after the credits, as the last few seconds are actually an art installation. Enjoy!

Sheep, Goats and a Yarn Farm in Martha's Vineyard

When I was about 13 years old my pal Al and I went on an adventure with the Crusaders. No, not Randy Crawford and her group, but a type of bible study group we belonged to in Hertfordshire, England, where I grew up. I think I joined for the trips and so I wouldn't have to go to church (I was required to do something in this vain). But that's a whole other story.

So one April Al and I went to Cae Canol, in Wales. An idyllic little town green as you've ever seen. I remember we slept in bunk beds. And I remember we set out to climb Mount Snowdon. I took my trusty Vivitar 110 camera (the slim ones with the teeeenie negatives) to get some outstanding in-progress shots, and similar ones once we reached the top. It was overcast when we set out and continued to get worse the further up we went. Polyanna me said that no doubt it would be clear as a bell once we reached the top. Al was a little more skeptical, because she just was, and also her mother was from Wales so she was very familiar with the Welsh weather.

So we climbed and climbed, and climbed. A few hours later we ascended the summit plodding and puffing a bit, but we were at the top. We were elated. And we were also completely socked in, with nary a vista for the eyes to behold, just a thick layer of grey pea soup. Visibility was about five feet so we seized this opportunity to have someone take a shot, maybe two, of us to prove we had actually done it.

But on the way home.... and this brings me to the whole point of the story. On the way home walking through a field we came across some sheep, and in particular, a ewe just about to give birth. This was absolutely enthralling to me. I had to stop and document the whole thing. Which I did, as the others continued. I think I finished up the roll, and ran to catch up.

When I got home the gang said, "Let's see your photos from your trip!" And I proudly showed them the (groovy 1970s color) prints. The general response was: "Where's that? Oh, Snowdon. But what are all these other pictures of sheep? And this one all bloody? Oooooo." I excitedly recounted the whole thing about how we were passing by at the perfect time, and wasn't that fortunate and isn't this all just amazing. "Very nice Elsa", they said nodding, sticking them into the envelope and handing it back to me.

And that was when I knew: some people just don't get it.

So in the spirit of adventure, nature and creatures, entrepreneurship and innovation (all close to my heart), I present to you this inspiring video about network news producer-turned-shepherd's Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm.