Freedom

January 13, 2015 {13/365} "Freedom"

« Je ne suis pas d'accord avec ce que vous dites, mais je me battrai pour que vous ayez le droit de le dire. » - Voltaire

It seems ironic that, so far this year, my Tech Tuesday posts have featured images of antiquated technology. I took this photo at the San Francisco International Airport on my way home from the Google Teacher Academy last summer. The printing press in the window of Compass Books struck me as technically beautiful and sophisticated despite being decidedly low-tech. The Press is actually a sculpture by Shawn Hibma Cronan, commissioned by the bookstore to represents the impact of type and the written word on the history of civilization.  I never featured this image on my blog because it was difficult to get a clear photo through the glass without reflections of other lights in the terminal. Yet this week, in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack in Paris, The Press with its message of Freedom -- freedom of written expression -- merits, not only inclusion, but also reverence. As Voltaire stated over two hundred years ago: "I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight for your right to say it."

Narcissus

January 12, 2015 {12/365} "Paper whites"

“If one finds oneself with bread in both hands, one should exchange a loaf for some flowers of the narcissus, because the loaf feeds the body, but the flowers feed the soul” - Muhammed

Fragile

January 10, 2015 {10/365} "Fragile"

Life, happiness, dreams, love: “if only these treasures were not so fragile as they are precious and beautiful.” 

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

French Friday: Nous sommes tous Charlie

January 9, 2015 {9/365} #jesuischarlie

« L'amour est plus fort que la haine. » ["Love is stronger than hate."] - Stéphane « Charb » Charbonnier (d. January 7, 2015) Illustrator & Editor-in-chief of Charlie Hebdo. The terrorist attack in Paris this week was a tragedy, not only for the people of France, but for all those who value freedom. Regardless of political, religious, or cultural beliefs, freedom of expression is a right that generations of citizens in both of our great countries fought and died to gain and defend.  I send love and prayers for peace to Paris and all of my friends in France.

Nous sommes tous Charlie.

Snowy Branches

January 8, 2015 {8/365} Silver lining

(Original Image 12/22/13)

Improvements over original:

  • °better composition (selected branches)

  • clearer colors (not so muddled/green)

Goal/Opportunity for future growth:

  • °Improve focus (wind & distance caused blur)