Linsanity

The thing I really appreciate about the whole Jeremy Lin show, is that it captures an amazing display of what sports should be. That, and I have every reason to root for an Asian-American kid from Harvard. The only way this story could be any more exciting for me, is if Jeremy had attended Rutgers as an undergrad and went on to Harvard for grad school.

I don't mean to turn this into a rant by any stretch against the woes of our modern society as reflected in the arena of sports, but how refreshing is it to see a guy with unbridled energy and passion. He's really throwing it all out there, and that is genuine.

People can relate to the underdog. We still want to believe we live in a world where hard work can fight off pedigree and the way ordained by the establishment. He is fighting for a professional future, which you can see and feel in every single step he takes on the court. Linsanity.



Admittedly, the kid has much more to prove. But boy, have the last 4 games been an adventure. Even if he turns out to be a total bust (which I would not advise betting on), no one will ever be able to take away the night he lit up Kobe and the Lakers and electrified the crowd at Madison Square Garden. The Black Mamba met the Yellow Mamba. Hope Kobe knows who Jeremy is from here on out.

Lebron also offered this nugget when asked about Jeremy: "Harvard grad eh? Well, I'm a St. Mary's High grad myself. I know books." Oh, Lebron. While it doesn't matter where one goes to school, there is certainly nothing to be proud about not having placed a priority on education. No head. No heart. The Lebron James story.

One of the announcers calling the Lakers-Knicks game offered the following commentary, "Jeremy Lin is an Asian kid from Harvard playing in the NBA. Talk about the ultimate long-shot." He's right. We judge that book by its cover, and it's a long shot. But no one ever measured the size of the kid's heart, and from all indications it is huge. And it's not fair to criticize the NBA teams that waived or passed on him. Jeremy was at Harvard the same time I was, and while he was killing it then, it was definitely a stretch to say he'd be starting for an NBA team and lighting up the Lakers. Glad the kid is getting his shot and a good shake. Looks like it won't be wasted.

Hard not to be swept up by Linsanity. This kid embodies one reason why I love sports. Rags to riches in a single flick of the wrist, albeit many years of prep and training support the overnight "success" story. And never mind that the kid is doing this with a heavy dose of humility. But really, humility is in order. Last week Jeremy was sleeping on his brother's couch pondering his future after basketball. Last night, Jeremy dropped 38 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds Jeremy on Kobe and the Lakers. To call this an immense reversal of fortune would be an understatement.

Charlie Sheen can have "Winning." I'll take "Linning."

the pain of college football

There can only be one champion, which leaves a whole mess of heartbreak. There aren't enough BCS bowls to fill the void either.

Every season starts with promise, but more often than not, the "ball" gets pulled by season's end.

Keep choppin' Charlie Brown

Until the national title returns to the birthplace of the sport, I will continue to look forward to each and every precious moment of college football - the 12 best "Saturdays" of the year.

If not for our individual obsessions and passions, life would be far less sweet. I don't know how to casually dabble in hobbies- they usually become much more than that. Photography is no different. It will always remain a part of me, like riding a bike or the urge to blow off dandelion seeds.

Beauty is everywhere, though most of it fragile and fleeting.

Ever changing strands of the universe. 

Say Hello to My Little Friend

Lex in a Box

I am blessed to be able to photograph this little guy as often as I do. His versatility and expressiveness never fail to amaze me.

e.e. cummings was a cool dude.

but generally his pants were hitched a bit too high.

to the point where they might even be called rib huggers.

still i respect his audacity and the courage it takes to be different or to just not give a damn.

there is something i have always loved about lowercase letters- unassuming, to the point, and efficient.

and the earth shook

as i sat in my office with my manager discussing my next project, the building shook.

we continued talking after the first set of rumblings, but quickly realized the second round of quaking was a bit more serious.

i didn't realize it at the time as i filed out of a building that passes as a high-rise in DC, but i am now filled with thoughts of mortality and just how brittle life is.

amazing that the earth can shake the way it did.

Super stoked for my new website and online portfolio.

Stay tuned!

Question

Is it art? Is it kitsch?

Does it matter?

Check out my: Facebook Photography Page

Gotta be the Shoes

Tools are nice, but without fundamental skills and abilities, the usefulness of a tool is seriously hampered.

I think that principle can be applied to any industry, profession, or line of work. Blue or white collar, game is universally respected.

And if you respect the game as much as you love your game, it is a beautiful thing indeed.

So it's not about the shoes, and it never has been.

But of course, there is nothing wrong with a nice pair of shoes.

Just beyond the horizon...

I've been thinking of new ways to tie my passion for development and photography together. I figure the more of my interests I can connect, the more I can actually enjoy them.

Stay tuned.

Impact is a beautiful thing.

My interests and dreams have an interesting way of breaking into reality.

In the meantime, here are some photos from a recent portrait session:

Accidents Happen



Stay tuned. Because life is one reality show that isn't staged.

Italia Mia

Pigeon Lady of Venezia

There was something about this old Italian lady feeding pigeons in Venice that really caught my eye. I composed this image long before I framed the scene through my camera's viewfinder. I knew immediately that I had an intriguing image, and I wanted to put the finishing touches on the photograph right away. On that day, gelato and the rest of my leisurely stroll through the confusing myriad of streets in Venice kept me from doing it, but the whole time I was eager to finally get to work on my shots. In the moments leading up to the click of the shutter, I felt something, and I hoped to convey those same emotions through my photograph. Until the creative process runs its course to semi-completion, I find that I am always a little bit restless.

Solo

I didn't enjoy Venice very much, but definitely appreciated the opportunity to flex my creative muscles. With most photography sessions, you don't have the freedom to shoot for yourself. Limitations abound. There are shots that need to be taken and those that cannot be missed. Of course it is possible to be creative within those confines, but let's face it, a client doesn't want a group portrait in tilt. Artsy (or its pseudo wannabe cousin) doesn't really work on a real gig, unless you are fortunate enough to be hired solely for that reason. Which leads to the question, can creative truly be a job? Once you submit your creativity to the "man," is it truly creativity? Or is it just an institutionalized and sanitized process?

Can you tell me how to get to Vicenza Street?

Thus far, my favorite city in Italy is a little town called Vicenza in the North. It is a quaint place with a lot of interesting architecture as well as friendly locals. Italians have a reputation for being rude to foreigners, but I never encountered such attitudes or people in Vicenza. Perhaps they would have been less nice if I told them I was from New Jersey. Nevertheless, I tried to absorb the history, culture, art, food, and wine of a wonderful city during my week in Italy. This trip could have been infinitely better had it been a personal vacation instead of a business trip, but sometimes you just have to take what you get. 

I sometimes lament the fact that I am never in the pictures I take when I travel. Upon my return from this trip, those sentiments returned. However, I remember listening to Joe Buissink talk about analyzing and taking a real deep look at your photographs. Joe passionately and convincingly argues that there is always a piece of you and elements of your self in each and every photograph you have taken. And I take solace in that. 2011- Sam was here.