Just Pixels

These days it's all about applying for internships. Photography ones. For newspapers. And saying I'm applying for internships has about as much significance as the magic beans had to ol' Jack's mom. (NADA MUCHO) BUT. Perhaps some moisture will fall just right. And a luscious, career-aiding beanstalk will erupt outside my window, leading straight to La-La Intern Land with golden eggs of greatdom. But that's all a bit fluffy.

The truth is that applying can be quite tedious and time consuming and expensive. So I'll just say one thing.
If there are any would-be employers reading this, I just want to say, c'mon. Let's skip the laborious stalk climbing. Just give me the gig. I'll take some pretty pictures. You'll sell some newspapers. The world will be informed. BAM! Everybody's happy. A win-win-win.
But sure, I'll give you some time to think it over. Sleep on it, even. But I don't have all day. I gotta chop this thing down before too long.

But anyway, here are some personally interesting shots I pulled from the archives for the P-folio. Lots of good memories to go along with these too. Sadly you probably can't relate in that respect. But perhaps you'll enjoy them anyway.


Real men shop at the market.


Malacca, Malaysia.


Pick your poison. (i totally forgot about this picture. a nice reminder)


Downtown Singapore somewheres.


Angels of music: Bird singing park.


Dim Sum. This isn't in the portfolio, but SNAP! it's just so glorious to gaze upon.


Malaysia heading toward Singapore. "Hail to the King."


Malay girl vending Rambutans.

Chinese New Year, that is. A small throng gathered for cooking and delicious Asian edibles last night. The cooking oil was in quick supply and the succulent cook smoke hung thick in the apartment air. A glorious sight to intake and behold, no matter what continent you claim. It's hard for me to think what my life was like before quality ethnic foods.

Yeah, I feel sorry for my younger self. So naive. So unaware of the galaxy-wide world of culinary indulgences. Certainly it's a miracle that I've been given these opportunities. I don't take them lightly. Indeed, I attack with a large, heavy serving spoon.


Preparation. Dan and Dina crafting the bounty. I helped too, though I was strictly support staff. But that's okay. It allows more freedom to socialize and such.


Steamy veggies by The Master. Good looks AND remarkable cooking powers. Truly a double threat.


Egg plant and beef.


Finished product. Happy New Year, er'body.

Nephew No. 1 turned six years old this week. Or last week, actually (he was born on 02/02/02). Some commemorations were made this afternoon at the historic Perfect Swing. Oh, the memories in that place. Seems only yesterday I too was wolfing cake and running a-muck in those lofty entertainment corridors. But today there was much rejoicing. A lot of general merry making and simple sugars ingested. The norm. But a good time, for sure.

(Sometimes I wonder [when in public] if people think Carson or Joshy are actually my chillens. Not that it's overly confusing really. Though my bro and I look a good bit alike. But that would be kind of a curious snafu. Fortunately, the Fatman was standing nearby by in his crisp business professionals and iPhone clip-on, thus blunting any possibility of a mix-up.)

But on to the shots.


Made a wish. Sis-in-law, Laura, made the cake. Nice work. Tasty too. Then she cut it into pieces using dental floss. I thought that was pretty cool. Strangely, it made me think of the movies where they always strangle people with dental-floss like wires. I guess floss has lots of uses. But back to the youth birthday party...


Classmates: Carson y Anna.


Nephew No. 2 didn't seem to notice that today was all about his older brother. He just indulged himself in various ball-based games.

Okay, la. Here they are. All the Singaporians who call the University of Oklahoma their home. (I believe you'll recognize the gentleman with the hat) And it's not a horrible showing, considering the tiny island-nation has only 4 million peeps. Makes me wonder, conversely, how many Oklahomans are in Singapore. I'll guess not many.
Good times though. And good food too. Whoa, Nellie. I recommend dinners hosted by asian student associations any day. No lie.

And the Chinese New Year starts on the 7th. This Thursday, fyi. Mark your calendars. And your woks and rice cookers too. And if you don't know any Asianic brethren, by all means find some, and then invite yourself over for amazing food. Really. It's soo worth it.

And here are the La Carpio versions of the prayer cards. Wouldn't be right to leave these great kids off the blogosphere.

And if you want to see where these kids live you can go here.


Luis.


Back of Luis' card, as an example.


Nelson.


Roberto.


Freddy.


Gary.


Manuelito.


Maykol.


Brayon.


Carlos.


Carlos Enrique - "Lapiz"


Daniel. (his glasses seem familiar for some reason)


Elvin.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have the desire in all I am doing.
I hope from that desire,
and I know that if I do this
you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always,
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

- Thomas Merton

Found this one recently. After reading it I wondered where this prayer has been my whole life. I thought "I can really say that? I can really say I have no flipping idea what's going on?"

Apparently so. Which makes me say GREAT! I should admit that more often. And I think I will. Striving for direction is good. And wanting to please God also. But having the 'I don't know' in my front pocket makes life real. Like I'm not lying. Like I'm not a false-front of pretense.

So I feel immense relief in praying this sentiment: "I don't know."
If I'm honest it characterizes a lot of my life probably, though at times there's a certain amount of facading I trick myself with. Try to pretend I've got a lasso on all my cows. Pshaw.

But the last two lines are by far the best. The most promising. The most comforting. The most encouraging. What they represent is just really good news. News that I unfortunately forget a lot.

I wonder what their kids would taste like? Though decaf blends do seem raw-ther low-class.

A.S.


J.S.


B.S.

Doing some work on the prayer cards of the Costa Rica niños. Thought they were worth showing off again. Tis sad I don't get to see them every Monday morning like old times. But pictures are a decent go-to surrogate. Though not always.


Singuer.


Milady.


Milena.


Rene.


Rosa.


Sara.


Fauricio.


Johnny.


Josue.


Kennia.


Luis.


Ana Yancy.


Anthony.


Ariela.


Carlos.


Elena.

So there it was...that special plant. Growing heartily. And stationed conveniently near the dog-walking path.


But as the story goes, I was all alone under that tree in the field. Only the Labs and Shepherd trio nearby. But the mistletoe gods demanded payment. I had to deliver.


Thankfully Molly volunteered and saved the day. And I'm glad she didn't reciprocate. Call me old-fashioned, but I'm not so keen on dirt-mouth kisses.