Good For The Goose...

Photo: © Stan Banos

We shouldn't have to be talking about this, this shouldn't even be a partisan issue- we should simply be following the guidelines that... REPUBLICANS themselves set up!!!

The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.   -Mitch McConnell, 2016

 Or in the words of...  Lindsey Graham!

Please, sign! I've never asked anyone, to sign anything, on this blog- but this is so vile, so dismissive of anything moral, ethical or humanly decent that we must make these lying, sorry ass SOB's live up to their own words!

The DEMS best grow a pair... 

Just Beautiful...

Let's see, how do I put this... OK, how 'bout this- the first* and last song (15:40) on this video are two of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Did I say how much I love her laugh?
*starts immed.

In Time Of Plague

Brian Rose has made quite the specialty of documenting the hidden histories of distinct geographic localities: The Berlin Wall, The Meatpacking District, The Lower East Side, Atlantic City, and now- Williamsburg, Brooklyn during Covid. Williamsburg is an area that has experienced hyper gentrification since the eighties, an area in Brooklyn that was largely split between distinct Hasidic and Puerto Rican neighborhoods; it followed the now well proven formula of an influx of artists and hipsters seeking cheaper rent, followed by the inevitable onslaught of big real estate and other well monied interests and residents. Out go the poor and low wage workers of color, in come the luxury condo owners with their accompanying Black nannies and caretakers like a scene from Ye Olde South (I kid you not- it was a common sight, pre-Covid)- but I digress...

Rose is more than adept at capturing the details and nuances that speak to the hidden histories behind that which is in plain sight. In Williamsburg, Brooklyn: In Time Of Plague, he deftly uses shadows, rain swept streets and the contrasting and competing styles of architecture to accentuate those vastly sweeping changes, changes further emphasized by the highly unoccupied streets of "these uncertain times."

 

Photo: © Brian Rose

I've walked these same streets on many an occasion, but unlike Rose I don't have the visual goods to show for the effort. I've considered and framed that very storefront many a time, and well... I'm just glad someone was able to do it justice. I have a general rule that I don't get a photobook unless it has at least twenty winners that I think capable of standing on their own. I can easily pick around two dozen in this case, and the rest of the photos add nicely to support and advance the overall character of this transitionary neighborhood in this transitional period of time. Oh, and the reproductions, in a word- superb!

Commitment March (cont.)

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

  

Photo: © Stan Banos

Life Is Short!!!

Good Luck- PASS IT ON...

09/09/2020

11:00AM   Pedicure Apocalypse         Cause, ya know... gotta look good! 
Photo: © Stan Banos

Today was the first day in which all the legitimate and cautionary warnings concerning climate change became (a trifle more) real, palpable and visceral to yet another (albeit small) group of people (in San Francisco). As rural California continues to burn unabated all around us, most urban Californians are content to just continue about their now semi-routine Covid existence. One crisis at a time, please! But nature, and the onslaught we have ravaged upon it, deems otherwise.

And again, this is just one small portent of much greater (and catastrophic) things to come. Because we won't always be able to simply pause, get out nails done and and casually take pretty pictures of the world burning all around us. And it won't be limited to CA much longer.

So look the best you can folks, cause the clock is ticking...  

12:53PM    Bay Bridge             Photo: © Stan Banos   

Choose Your Speed...

Gotta Love 'Em!                  Photo: © Stan Banos

I can only begin to guess how many protests, marches, and demonstrations the two above have between them. You just know they're hardcore (and cute), and have been for decades on in. 

The two below... not so much. But while some will be quick to find fault, hey, this is where many people's participatory level lies. And at the very least, they are sympathetic- unless you apply the completely cynical view that they have that sign displayed simply so they won't be disturbed from their leisure (and no doubt, there's many a Black Lives Matter sign displayed on homes and businesses as a matter of cheap insurance rather than solidarity). But before I, or we, are so quick to judge...

Attending all the protests, doesn't do all that much once the event's over- does it? It's what we do between them that counts: voting, organizing, getting the word out, challenging the status quo.  I remember one rally where a brother informed the assembled flat out that most of them didn't have skin in the game, most of them didn't get beaten by cops where they lived, most of them hadn't gone to jail for simply standing up for their everyday rights- most of them were just there to feel good about themselves on one very beautiful day! 

Now, that particular speech... didn't go down particularly well. Ya might even say a whole lotta people did not appreciate it one single bit. And I know, cause I was purposely looking about to register their looks and grunts of discomfort and disapproval. And hey, I'm not pulling a holier than thou here folks; I'm a relatively light skinned Latin X, I got some measure of anonymity- in a crowd at least, not so much in a department store ('specially when I sported a 'fro, instead of a bald head). But I've never been busted for my beliefs (or looks), so my street cred's shit. But we all must live our beliefs in between the marches to some extent- which means we all must dare beyond our comfort zones some times, if those beliefs are sincere...

Protest Lite...           Photo: © Stan Banos

Commitment March, 8/28/2020- Washington, D.C.

Photo: © Stan Banos

Took a bit of time off recently, survived a plane ride devoid of Black Uniformed thugs loaded with gear, and made my way to The March in DC before spending a few days with moms in NYC. For the past couple of months I was hopin' and a prayin’ that it wouldn’t rain on said date, and fortunately, it didn’t- although hotter ‘n hell with humidity you could cut with a butter knife. Honestly, I don’t know how masses of people weren’t hospitalized, but then, I guess the vast majority of folks weren’t foolish enough to walk around in ninety degree heat for six hours non stop looking for photos... and it was an icee vendor when finally over that saved me from passing out.

Had always wondered what it was like to attend the original MLK march in DC back in the day over fifty years ago- the one you see with wall to wall people going towards virtual infinity on either side of the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial.* Those B&W photos were almost like magic to me, and this event lived up to expectations in living color. Never did see so many damn people in one place in my life spanning several generations, two thirds Black, one third Other- and one very positive vibe throughout. We lacked the ultra-charismatic leader of an MLK, but those gathered were as in the moment, as they were committed towards the future. As one most poignant of signs put it- "They're trying to start a race war, we're trying to stop one!" Of course, there's so much more to say, so much more ugliness to address, so much division to heal..

Eventually, people made a human chain across the reflecting pool with their signs in hand- an inspirational sight to behold both in its simplicity and grandeur. Tempted as I was to follow on in for some unique photo ops and to cool my aching dogs (my younger self would have)- I just saw my current day self slippin' and a trippin' like some wounded wildebeest crossing the river with lions in pursuit. My two cameras were already smoldering to the touch and I didn't further want to test their much touted "weather resistance." So I rather wisely refrained, continuing to concentrate on the thousands of land bound subjects at hand. And when the day was done, I ended up with about a dozen strong contenders along with the blisters healing to this day. That evening it commenced to thunder, and rain fell the entirety of the following day, which was fine- the wait was over, the deed was done, the respite welcomed.

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

I was staying at a small B&B near Howard University, a historically Black neighborhood which was now very mixed and gleaming from that fresh squeezed, just gentrified sheen. On the surface everything was cool, people were friendly and everyone got along. But that certain new found look of forced prosperity comes at a deep and underlying cost wherever it happens, as a short talk with a local native quickly bore out. It is what it is, I suppose..

 

 PS- More photos to come..

*When I first visited Wash, DC, it was as a child with my family and a carload of relatives. We drove up to the the storied Lincoln Monument, and my father circled about trying to find the ever elusive parking lot. Having failed his quest, he threw his hands up, said what the hell, and parked the station wagon right smack in front of Mr. Lincoln's building. As we walked up the stairs, he turned around as we all noticed the motor cycle cop pull over to the curb, remove his helmet and shake his head at who would ever... By now dad had taken out his trusty Bell and Howell Super 8 and filmed the entire sequence with said cop, foot on bumper, writing out his ticket and placing it on the windshield before riding off on his Harley.

See Ya's In Sept...

Photo: © Stan Banos

It's that time where we officially enter the blog respite continuum- time to let the ol' creative juices relax, regurgitate and reinvigorate a spell. We'll commence live on or post Labor Day, before launching into full November countdown mode that will hopefully herald in a new year where we can all breathe a little easier- sans our current tyrannical, delusional overlord.

To be continued...

For Your Consideration...

Strange Bedfellows Indeed!

Relax, calm down, take-a-deep-breath.... There are some things on both sides of this issue that I could readily believe, some that are beyond ridiculous, and some that I am just damn up in the air about- which is the exact purpose of (Russian styled) propaganda- throw up enough seemingly credible scenarios and explanations on all sides so that everyone in turn throws up their hands in collective confusion, despair and ultimate... disengagement.

I have no idea if Covid 19 came from a Chinese wet market, or a man made weapons lab (actually, I lead to the former). And if the latter, yeah, it was planned- and don't tell me that neither government would do such a thing. And... I have no idea if Bill Gates is doing more harm than good, more good than harm, or just raking in more millions with a cosmetic halo (well, definitely the latter- regardless of the first two). 

Here's what I definitely do know: vaccines have saved countless numbers of lives/vaccines can and have caused debilitating, life long injuries. Big Pharma would sell each and every one of their your mothers for an extra buck. Vaccine makers cannot be sued or held liable for any injury or death their product(s) cause- at least that is the law in the US of A. Our current administration has given B-B-B-Billions of dollars to companies that have never produced a vaccine, to produce a vaccine in record time (translation: the usual safety protocols and testing will be compromised- guaranteed).

"I don't need facts to back up my feelings" is not a viable option. And even if everything in the video below is true, it still means the disease is out and about amongst us- so not wearing a precautionary mask when in proximity to other humans for the time being is both selfish and stupid. And no matter your politics, no matter your side of choice, one more thing is most definitely certain- we must make the time and effort to hold our governments accountable!

Plandemic II: Indoctornation - powered by ise.media

(click close on commercial to watch film)

Yeah, But Still...

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

A while back I wrote about how I truly suck at group shots. But what I neglected to say was that I'm also not exactly a whiz at still lifes. It's just that the latter comes up... even less. And while I also tried just enough to know I suck at it, I just don't give a flyin' about it to even care. That is, I wish I could create good group shots, but a still life- ding me all ya want, not gonna phase me, not in the least. But if I come across one, or two, or...

Photo: © Stan Banos

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

Live And Learn...

Never liked cigarettes, nasty little critters. But a good cigar... that's a different horse altogether. Hand made, works of art- all natural too! Sure, not fun to be around with, granted. Neither are a lotta other things in life. I smoke 'em in the great out of doors- or on the street, since I'm rarely in the former. Smoked one in house one night and learned my lesson good- had to open up the windows next morning, mid February when it was twenty degrees Fahrenheit outside!

And while I do love the occasional cigar to relax, contemplate life, whatever... I'm not particularly a fan of the Big Mama Whoppers, I'm a Petite Corona kind a guy (good things come in...). And I've never, ever bought a box of real Cubanos- hell, I can hardly afford... one! What I didn't necessarily know was: a) exactly what sets them apart from "New World" cigars, or b) how to tell the real deal...

PS- 95% of ALL The Cubanos bought in the US of A are... F-A-K-E!!! 

 

These Days...

Photo: © Stan Banos

We all kinda get to feeling like we're forever locked inside: reminiscing old times, living vicariously, and waiting, always waiting, for that someone to rescue us from the recurring somnambulance to which we have all succumbed...

For Chrissakes!

Yup, often wondered the same... The Guy coulda said something, anything- at least dropped a hint all the same. If anyone- the all knowing, all seeing, unlimited Power Supreme is certainly not just your Average Joe limited by the constraints of...'his time.'

Weekend Laughs

One of the (few) things (or is it many- I forget) I can thank this lock down for is allowing me the time to discover Bill Burr. Whenever I saw him previously, I could only stomach a few seconds before I'd get impatient, and change the channel because god knows the last thing I need is yet... Another Angry White Guy Know It All! Besides, I already got my very (very) exclusive pantheon of favorite comedians, and that's one high security enclave virtually impossible to breach.

And then I started seeing these "reaction videos," 'the best' great thing on the inter tube since... "unboxing videos." And the really strange thing, there was a whole host of these reaction vids featuring Black folk watching him, and reacting most intensely- not in an "I'm gonna beat this White Devil to hell" manner, but in a laugh out loud, belly laugh intensity! Hhmmm...

So I set myself down to give the guy an honest shake... and damn, the guy is not only loud, and angry, and (almost) obnoxious- he can also be smart as a whip, insightful as hell, self demeaning (gotta be, to be a good 'un in my book) and yeah, laugh out loud, belly laugh fuckin' FUNNY! On just about anything he puts his mind to- and that doesn't take much, cause he just can't help it...

PS- Sometimes he does pop up or ground out, but pretty good stats overall...

Truth And Consequences...

Photo: © Stan Banos

But Stan, what would you rather have- a safe, prosperous hood with all the amenities or a crime ridden, drug infested, hell hole? Well, screw your predetermined, purposely skewed paradigm; the hell with your black or white, either/or ultimatum. There's a whole world of grey you purposely omitted, complete with low and moderate income neighborhoods that can be safe, affordable and full of promise. We don't have to balance our future and that of our children solely on... greed. There can be enough for everyone when everyone is willing to share both the responsibility and the rewards...

PS- And during this Covid Crisis- All rent should be abolished, and landlords accommodated for their loss...

Steadfast!

Ever notice whenever anyone ever gets anything right that's... small (and it ain't often)- how do they then go about improving it? They make it BIGGER, of course! Case in point- The Mini Cooper. When they started making them again a few years back, they were a small, retro jewel of a car (even though they were already considerably bigger than the miniscule originals). Now, they've pretty much expanded into overgrown mutants the size of a regular mid sized sedan- and defeated their very raison d'etre. The Fujifilm X-T4, and even the X-T3, are fantastic cameras- but actually surpass the SONY full frame mirrorless in size. But FF lenses are bigger, Stan- not so much if you stick to small primes... 

Was seriously thinking of upgrading one of two X-T1's to an X-T2 now that the latter are more affordable Used. Fortunately, saw this video, and although there are certain advantages to the X-T2... do I really need it-  no; fact is, the money saved will definitely be better spent on travel to actually take pictures and/or- make much needed prints!

 

"We're Lower Than The World!"

How many times must we point out what is now well beyond pointing out, since the person in question, already does it for us and does it in a manner which is nothing short of breath taking in its scope and magnanimity!?! One, Two, Three, FOUR Times Herr Trump went out of his way (mentioning the absence of John Lewis at his inauguration, etc) to prove, reprove, emphasize, and magnify beyond doubt that he is nothing more than a seven year old in a seventy year old body- mentally, emotionally, intellectually... A man who has to this date never been called out on his astronomical NARCISSISM, never been forced to deal with the absolute shallowness of his being, never been subject to the consequences of his legion of short comings as has every other human who has lived to his age. How can we possibly expect it now as the most powerful man in the world hands over his homework to an adult hoping he will make sense of it for him? 

Usually, it takes thousands of needless deaths on the battlefield before a citizenry finally wakes up to a leader who has wantonly led them astray- this time those deaths are occurring right at home amongst the citizenry itself. And yet to this day, with reality finally promising to self correct in November, and legal woes in New York post January ready to indict and convict- legions remain faithful and committed, due to their own wishful blindness and pure hatred of humanity's diversity. That gleeful, willful ignorance, that enthusiasm to embrace such pernicious denial and the consequences thereof, is what has always scared me most- without it, he is the failure of a clown he has always been.

Space Jockey

Photo: © Stan Banos

Now, I almost didn't take this shot, cause I mean, ya see a thousand guys lying about the street every damn day (on almost every damn block) in this town. And I was on the third consecutive block going up this rather precipitous, San Franciscan incline and had little inclination to either cross the street or deal with oncoming traffic should I stop to compose. But there was just something slightly off about this particular horizontal gent, his elongated posture levitating as if without care. And it finally hit that homes had used the native topography to help fashion himself a rather unique La-Z-Boy recliner, complete with head and leg rest! And he pulls it off with the kinda aplomb that has you wondering why everyone isn't doing it, or at least why they're not selling his patented, portable recliner kit on some late night TV commercial. All in all, a pretty neat way for a Space Jockey to spend a Sunday afternoon... even if it was Thursday.

The New Millenium

 

Millennium crack (with "monitoring well").       Photo: © Stan Banos

No, not another failed art attempt, just a picture of a... crack; a particular crack that can be found right in front of the Millennium Tower in San Francisco. Quick history: The latter is a tall, super luxury condo building located downtown that was built without a proper foundation smack in the heart of earthquake country to shave some serious bucks, and then: cracks started to appear in the sidewalk, basement, sub basement, a window "mysteriously" shattered, and (Surprise!) the whole building started to sink and tilt as a result. They unsuccessfully tried to blame it on the construction of the adjacent train station- but engineers and the court system just weren't buyin'. I've seen a video of a marble rolling in a straight line towards one side of the room once set on the floor of an apartment in said building. Residents saw their prized real estate investment topple overnight, and just prayed the building itself didn't follow suit.

Afters years of finger pointing, denials and throwing up of hands, seems there's now an actual plan to fix the damn thing to the tune of $100 million or so, kinda like how they did the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Can't say I was ever much worried 'bout them though, no homeless ever shit their sidewalk...

White Pride!

I've always found it rather ironic, and a tad humorous, when White people refer to themselves as... "Caucasian." I remember reading back in the pre-intertube days (wanna say Nat Geo, but can't say for sure) how many of the folks native to the Caucasus were not exactly what "White" people would consider... "White." Many are of a much more "swarthy" (don't ya just love that word) complexion, eg- Chechens, who are not only Muslim (Egads!), but also dismissively referred to by neighboring Russians as... "Blacks!"  PS- Dang, this guy's got balls!