and so lived I

The Athens of America

spottedzebra522 — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:59:00 +0000

“…an assembly of demi-gods…” ~Thomas Jefferson

As we roamed about the Capitol, I became quite aware of the influence the Greek architectural design had on how I viewed the monuments. As the center of our democracy, D.C. is also the shining city for a patriot’s pilgrimage. The similarities between the temples of Ancient Greece and the memorials of our founding fathers are eerily and impressively obvious. The juxtaposition causes the areas to carry auras from a much older era despite the modernity surrounding them.

We worship the heroes of our country’s past; turning to their scribed words for greater wisdom than we possess, raising up glowing, marble houses of adoration, holding their image as sacred. They are congregated here in Washington, watching from opaque, unmoving eyes.

This was not the first time I have ever been to Washington D.C. and I do not know why this notion never struck me before. Perhaps it was a bolt thrown by Zeus, or should I say George Washington?

Click to view slideshow.

And here we go!

spottedzebra522 — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 22:10:30 +0000

I’ve finally been able to get the rest of the pictures I took while at the Washington Journalism and Media Conference in July off of my phone.I took all of them with the “Retro Camera” app by Urbania that transforms pictures to look as if they were taken on film with different effects added for the different toy cameras you can choose. I still try not to rely on the effects as much as possible however since I believe that is cheating at the art which is why I use “The Little Orange Box” camera because it modifies the photo the least. It’s superydooper fantabulous.

The next few posts will be the remaining photos from my experience at WJMC. Personally, it effected me greatly; my confidence was kindled, my opinions were sharpened, my horizons were expanded. My inner character was not altered but was instead illuminated by my self discovery.That is not to say that I have solved the mystery of myself, I do however have a clearer perception of the person I am and who am meant to be.

I am I am simply meant to be me.

My most sincere apologies

spottedzebra522 — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:55:31 +0000

It has been weeks since my last post! I am ashamed of myself. I have been experiencing a creative slump these days and have much to catch up on. As soon as I can figure out how to hook up my blasted phone to my computer, I’ll upload the remaining photos from my D.C. adventure. I just came back from a little road trip to NJ with a friend to visit a friend and I have a bit to share on that as well. You can expect some artwork to be popping up too!

So stay tuned, ya hear!

“Bloom where you are planted.”

spottedzebra522 — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:15:00 +0000

After sitting through an opinionated panel of political journalists including Jonathan Martin, Jessica Yellin, and a rather bored Chuck Todd, we finally met the woman herself; Hoda Kotb. She appeared as a goddess, commanding the room with her presence like Hera with the grace and wisdom of Athena. The only trait she lacked that would have completed her heavenly appearance was a halo. Ms. Kotb was the ideal statue of a modern, powerful woman. The sincerity that saturated her speech perfumed the atmosphere of the room with comfort and security. She concentrated mainly on her realization that to “live in the moment, in the now,” is the most important lesson she has learned. If you are constantly facing backwards or straining too far forward, how are you supposed to concentrate on where your feet are landing at the moment?

Entering the National Press Club

Amy Takayama-Perez and Caitlin Shear, the two women responsible for WJMC 2011

Hail Goddess Hoda!

The sun shone a bit brighter after receiving a direct smile from Hoda Kotb.

Symmetry is a Beautiful Thing

spottedzebra522 — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:29:57 +0000

My wish to capture some of Washington D.C.’s fabulous architecture came true as the buildings opposite the National Press Club were extremely pleasing to the eye. Their lines are crisp and have a sense of mature modernity, like a dapper gentleman.

Send me on my way… to Tuesday

spottedzebra522 — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:14:03 +0000

We moved sluggishly along through traffic to the Fairfax campus and then to the National Press Club.

Newseum Nostalgia

spottedzebra522 — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:54:00 +0000

Newseum could be simply named ”Museum.” No need for any sly play on words. All history was at one point news after all. I do not mean to degrade the Newseum in any way by pointing out its basic essence. It is extremely streamlined but complex at the same time. The simplistic, modern exhibits contain hidden kiosks and theaters to further educate and inform visitors on the importance of journalism to the world.

: Pulitzer Prize Winning Photograph Gallery

I doubt I need to relay how much esteem I have for the Pulitzer Prize photographs. They are truly sobering as are the stories layered behind each image.

Inspirational art off of the Berlin Wall.

Good advice.

While I could have taken snaps of every single exhibit that I found irristably interesting but that is the purpose that the Newseum is there to serve. The sections of the Berlin Wall were quite symbolic to me. We all have grim, gray barriers in our life that block us from reaching happiness though we can see its shining beams creeping over the concrete. That’s when we need to get out the paint and the brushes and “act up.”

Travel

spottedzebra522 — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:22:59 +0000

Dorm dorm dorm dorm

spottedzebra522 — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 20:02:53 +0000

Tally ho!

spottedzebra522 — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 16:42:11 +0000

The sliding pavement is framed by the car window, the cliche beginning of a movie.

My mother holds the steering wheel with one hand, the swirls in the air to the hypnotic Arabic beat of a Jesse Cook CD. “Can’t you imagine riding a camel to this?” she asks. I smile, trying to picture my skinny, frenzied, little mother wrapped up as a Bedouin attempting to direct a dazed and drooling camel.

We are headed to George Mason University where I will be stay for 5 days as I attend the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. I don’t quite know how managed to be nominated, but I’m not about to start complaining. We managed to scrape up the money for tuition and here I am, 4 months later heading away from beloved Blue Ridge moutains and into the hazy concrete of D.C.

My stomach is churning slightly as I roll my gum around in my mouth. I consider myself a friendly person but I’m definitely not a social butterfly. Here’s to meeting equally as shy people!

I’m hoping catch some nice shots of Washington’s architecture since its one of my favorite aspects of the city.

We just pasted the GMU sign; time to start paying attention to what road we are taking. À demain!