Tis The Season

Once again we are starting the Christmas festivities waaaaaay too soon. Whatever happened to Thanksgiving? Every year around mid- to late November I start getting a little stress-induced-twitch as the all the drama and hoopla of the holiday season start to unfurl. Shopping, family expectations, the constant barrage of ads and news stories with the newest, must-have toy of the season. All the Christmas parties with heaps of cakes and cookies and the miles of extra running just to keep the pounds off, and having to hear Nat King-Cole and Mariah Carey every few minutes, all the while being my slowest$$ work time of the year. I imagine the original creators of Christmas, sitting by the manger and all, ever had any idea their beloved holiday would become such a train wreck. Calgon take me away!

Another Memorial

It was sad shooting yet another memorial for Marines killed in Afghanistan. It is impossible to imagine the pain the family members go through in dealing with losing a child. On one hand, they died for a noble cause, on the other, they were a young men or women that had a long prosperous life ahead of them.
On the photo end, it is always a challenge to come up with something a bit different, especially when you are confined to a tight space. My main interest is seeing/studying the reactions of the Marines. They are usually very stoic and lack much emotion. When they do break down or shed a tear, it's a pretty rare sight. I sometimes just look at their faces and try to imagine what they are thinking. "How would Mom react if it was me, what friends and family members would attend my memorial, what would my buddies say about me as they stand at the podium and share stories, how would the wife and kids get by"? It has to be a hard realization that in a Marine's line of work, there is a very good chance that any one of these guys gals could have that portrait picture and boots and rifle up on the podium in the very near future.

California Rockwell

This shot kinda reminds me of a Norman Rockwell scene.... in California. A happy couple holding hands, gay naked men froliching on the sand, while a lifeguard truck cruises by, all on a typically clear, sunny day at the beach in mid-November. The only thing that's missing is a taco vendor. What, is that weird?
Evidently our cash strapped government wants to impose a ban on nude beaches in the Golden State. It's not like we have anything else to focus on, a few billion dollar deficit, job losses, health care, drought, fires, etc... Sometimes I wonder where our priorities lie.

Veteran's Day

Mr. Obama, Tear Down This Wall

Been slow around here lately so I went out and shot some spec work on a vigil held at the U.S.-Mexico Border. In light of the Berlin Wall coming down 20 years ago today, activists staged a protest at our wall to bring to light human rights issues between Mexico and America. For generations families would gather at Friendship Park and re-unite with relatives by having picnics with their loved ones on the other side of the wall. Well, the U.S. Government put an end to this decades old tradition by erecting a new fence which has in effect, put this to an end. It’s very sad to separate these families all in the name of homeland security. I just hope our current administration will recognize that it is more beneficial and safer to create goodwill between ourselves and our neighbors.

Adoption Calendar

I'm very excited that the calendar I've been working on throughout the Summer for San Diego County Adoptions is finally hot off the presses. Introducing the Leap of Faith Calendar which pares a San Diego Charger with various kids around the County that are up for adoption. Our local CBS affiliate, produced by Marcella Lee, did a nice piece on the making of the calendar. Check it out if you get a chance. Although it's been cool meeting all the players I would be honored and delighted if someone saw one of these kids and decided to adopt them. It was a worthy cause.

Staff Sgt Taylor