w|shepherd

As the story goes:

When George Carlin's wife Brenda passed away in 1997, George did not work for a year following the death of his wife.  He wrote the following piece in her memory.

By George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh to o little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon
and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.  We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
 
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep
profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around
forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person
soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. 

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of
all, mean it.  A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there
again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Art Walk is a monthly event that brings well over 4,000 people to downtown Los Angeles.

http://www.downtownartwalk.com

Galleries are packed with tourist like visitors. One gallery owner told me he has had 1,000 plus people jam their way into his space.

Well, maybe that says something about the quality of the Bert Green Fine Art Gallery on the corner of 5th and Main St:

http://bgfa.us/pages/nav.html

The come to see, hear and party with a truly unique enclave of regional artists. Regional, meaning creators that live local. There are a few global level artists in the area, they tend to shy away from the zoo like energy on Art Walk Nights.

In the last 2 years, downtown has become a mecca for new media producers, mainstream media folks, actors, and the pr firms that support the spin and hype of pop culture.

There have always been painters and visual artists on this scene. Years ago, before the new investments, lofts and such...many of us lived in one of the old bank buildings. It was there that some dreamed of touching the community with art, images, poetics and music.

Then the Mayor of Los Angeles heard of the new artistic movement, and renamed a street to Gallery Row. But, that's a story for another day!

Here are a few little Cameraphone snaps..

Thanks for the visit.
w.shepherd

Senator Obama has utilized the word "Change" as a key phrase towards his bid for the White House; does America need to change?

Or is that simply politics and hype? And, what do we need to change, and what are we willing to change as a nation and global culture?

Thanks for the visit.

w.shepherd

Sunday June 1st, 2008: I had the chance to see and hear something very special. No flash photos could be taken, so my little CamPhone snaps will have tell the story of people swaying to the jazzy beat, as lines of culture blur into the rich harmonics of Miles from India.

The music of the late great Miles Davis was combined with sounds and flavors from India. Grand Performances is an outdoor venue in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, honestly it is one of the best free venues in the nation. Several thousand came down to join the new fusion groove. Can't forget Sir Miles Davis created that style. He was the father of cool, and fusion. Darn, he was an amazing artist; the trumpet master had flow...

Ron Carter on bass, Miles's nephew Vince Wilburn on drums, Wallace Roney on Trumpet and old school jazz producer Bob Beldon directed the talent. And, there was a crew of Indian musical artists that created a strange blend and flavor of jazz.. how cool!

Truly a wonderful way to bridge culture, and advance it with music, and a real tight community vibe.

Classic tunes like So What and In a Silent Way... Miles must be all smiles. Still, many years after his death; the Man with the horn is still Miles Davis.

I guess soon you will be able to add this to your music collection; so, please find Times Square Records which is headed by Yusuf Gandhi. Music produced by Bob Beldon.

Thanks for the visit.

w.shepherd

And she spoke:

" ...We live in a [deconstructed] world, created in layers of space, there are challenges. But all the doors are open. There is no magical door to blessings, no window, no box to think within... It is all open. We pray to see how big the blessing is, to see the different deconstructed hues, tones and wonders.

The Creator promised it all, we have to learn
to see..."

Gita is a fine artist, she has had nearly 40 different global art shows, she is curator of two public art spaces in downtown Los Angeles, she additionally was part of MOCA's "Wack ! Art and the Feminist Revelotion Show"

http://www.gitameh.com

She continues..." ...My group shows are not just about the art inside the space, it is also about the people that live, and walk by my gallery. They also become part of the show(s).

Gita's thoughts on the media, pop tv, press and such "...I don't ever watch televison, don't read newspapers, I create my own news..."

She adds:

...Art today is all about the experience, the sharing of life, planting seeds of hopeful colors, helping the creator to bless the people.."

http://www.gitameh.com

I recall as a very young child, watching my father and uncles chat about life in America. The war in South East Asia was finally winding down, it was a conflict that could not be won with ease.

On Sunday evenings our house was filled with the scent of great food, and sounds of vocal opinions. With eyes wide open I watched the news, and saw the "Body Counts" roll on the tv screen. As a little kid in 1973-74, I could not figure why so many troops had died, in another land; freedom, liberty or valor?

The other day I was warned by someone to [beware of dispair], and it made me recall the book by Ralph Ellison, "The Invisible Man"

I never heard why one should beware...I only know to see joy is a wonderful thing, and to see pain can cause wonderful things to happen: Positive Change from the suffering.

Well, again these are simply my ideals---but, thanks for reading. And, sharing your ideals.

Peace:
w.shepherd

Mile 25 relates to the LA Marathon's change in route. This year it ran by and on the edge of Skid Row. America's deepest pocket of poverty; however there are changes.

Wait, Skid row is cleaning up!

While I've worked in branding all my life, lots of my personal time is directed towards the documentation of culture in America.

www.skidrowportrait.aminus3.com

I was given a camera 4 years old...and have filmed/documented global conflicts for sometime.

lightstalkers.org/william_shepherd

Yet, skid row keeps calling me back. I guess it does not help that my church of mostly Asian-Americans sits in Little Tokyo at the crossroads of dispair, just a mere few blocks. But, truth be told - there is a raw sense of life, gut honest; still, hidden from most of America's vision.

Ralph Ellison wrote about "The Invisible Man." I think he lives down the nickle... The Nickle: down 5th St, folks so poor they only have a Nickle bag of hope, no joke.

So, here are a few CameraPhone snaps..

Peace:
w.shepherd

Even in tough times, someone is making a dollar: 05.28.08 Santee Alley Los Angeles, Ca.

Santee Alley may be the American home of the knockoff brands. Illegal products bearing stolen brand logos, and Santee Alley is one of the few places in the states where people do buy Calvin Klein, Prada, Nike, or the hottest DVD Movie, or Music CD...in an open market; no regard to copyright, trademarks.

Judging by the rather large Armored trucks...and huge bags of money, there is money flowing; hardly a chash shortage: But- who really owns it, and where is it going ..?

Thanks for the visit!

Peace:
w.shepherd

SENATOR OBAMA: Excerpt Of Speech Given At Wesleyan University 05.25.08

Excerpt:

"...at a time of war, we need you to work for peace.."

"...Because our individual salvation depends on our collective salvation..."

"...But I hope you'll remember, during those times of doubt and frustration, that there is nothing naive about your impulse to change this world..."

"...Because all it takes is one act of service--one blow against injustice--to send forth that tiny ripple of hope that Robert Kennedy spoke of.."

1) Who defines Collective; that global grouping of humanity ... ?

Peace:
w.shepherd

Today is Memorial Day in America. Not Labor day, or Veteran's Day..but, a day that stands still to honor those that have fallen on the path towards freedom.

Globally, the concept of FREEDOM takes on many different means, all real to those that suffer without that liberty. Yes, we have freedom fighters, freedom of information acts, economic freedom, freedom of choice, freedom of religon, and freedom of speech.

Lots of ways to understand freedom. Its almost confusing.

But, the truth is.. if one person around the Globe is not free, then [we] all are chained to their suffering.

Do wars make us free?

Migrants come to America to find freedom, yet hide their face because they are not at liberty to speak. Hence, my question: what is freedom in 2008, is your freedom, someone's bondage?

Thanks for reading... And love to hear your free thinking!

Peace:
w.shepherd