This is my life right now...

The Impossible Dream

To dream the impossible dream,

To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow,
To run where the brave dare not go.

To right the unrightable wrong,
To love pure and chaste from afar,
To try when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star.

This is my quest,
To follow that star --
No matter how hopeless,
No matter how far.

To fight for the right
Without question or pause,
To be willing to march
Into hell for a heavenly cause.

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will be peaceful and calm
when I'm laid to my rest.

And the world will be better for this,
that one man scorned and covered with scars
still strove with his last ounce of courage.
To reach the unreachable star.

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go.

To right the unrightable wrong
To be better far than you are
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star.

This is my quest, to follow that star,
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To be willing to give when there's no more to give
To be willing to die so that honor and justice may live

And I know if I'll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star.

Lyrics by Joe Darion

Music by Mitch Leigh

Click here for more information about the song on Wikipedia.

Hugs

Susan
Originally uploaded by MyxMaster.

I met Susan one Sunday afternoon standing in front of the Walgreens Pharmacy on Polk and California Street. She apologetically asked me for help and I turned to look at her. I saw a reflection of myself standing there. I knew that our lives weren't any different from one another, because we have the same needs, such as, food, warmth, and shelter. But, we also have the need to be loved, heard and understood, and the need to have significance. I became so focused on Susan that everyone around me and my surroundings became non-existent. It was as if we were the only ones standing there, facing one another. Compassion immediately began to flow out of my heart.

I told her about the $2 Portrait Project on Flickr and asked if she would pose for me. Susan was happy to oblige. I asked her to tell me a little bit about herself and Susan, without hesitation, immediately began to share. Susan has lived all over the United States, but she is originally from Michigan. She has also lived in Tacoma, WA, where I once lived and where my mother resides now. Her father was in the military, so they wouldn't stay in one place very long. I think the last city she said she lived in was Sacramento and then she eventually came to San Francisco, California, where she is living now.

After we talked, I gave her a big bear hug and I didn't let go of her until I knew she knew she was cared for. We both smiled and I told her to keep believing in herself and that things would get better. I went on my way and she continued to stand in her spot and ask for help, thanking everyone that gave or offered her any spare change.

My doctor of fifteen years suddenly past away last week, so I've been going over all the memories I have of him. My time with Susan brought up this memory. At the end of each office visit, he would give me a huge bear hug. It was in those moments that I knew that I was loved and cared for. He unknowingly taught me how hugs can make a big difference in a person's life. I wish I could tell him that fifteen years of hugs made me the man I am today. I would tell him thanks for loving me and showing me how important it is to show others that they are loved too. I dedicate this post to my friend, Dr. Robert C. Scott and all that he has done for me. Thanks, Dr. Scott.

Please visit:

Allen Temple Baptist Church AIDS Ministry

Unique

Unique
Originally uploaded by MyxMaster.

I went to the LovEvolution Celebration in San Francisco, CA yesterday and I noticed that mostly everyone there were wearing the same themes of clothing and looks. I glanced to my left and I noticed a very distinguished looking man sitting on the curb. I thought to myself, this man doesn't look like anyone else. He's different. I asked if I could take his photo and he gave me a slight nod.

Afterwards, I told him he was the most unique person here and I noticed a tiny glimpse of a smile. He had a very quiet, reserved demeanor about him, so I didn't want to disturb him any further. I just said thanks and went on my way.

This is my favorite of out of all the photos I took that day. I wonder what his story is? I hope I run into him again.

Olivia & Shekinah

Olivia & Shekinah
Originally uploaded by MyxMaster.

I met Olivia & Shekinah on Castro Street in San Francisco sitting in front of Walgreens. I stopped and told them about the $2 Portrait Project and they agreed to have their photo taken. When I asked how they both got in this situation, it looked like I struck a bad nerve, so I didn't pursue it with any further questions. "Long story?", I said caringly and Shekinah nodded. They both reminded me of my niece, Samantha, who I love very much. I hope they both find their way to happiness.

Matt

Matt
Originally uploaded by MyxMaster.

I met Matt in Santa Cruz, CA. I was walking down the street and just past him on the sidewalk. I could hear him faintly asking for spare change. I turned around and I told him about the $2 Portrait Project and he was excited to participate. He talked about how he would meet people and run into them again in a different state or city. He's lived all over the United States and somehow ended up in Santa Cruz. We talked for a while and then he left to go get some juice because he was thirsty. About an hour later, I passed him again talking to his friends on the corner. I thought about what he said earlier about running into people he knew. He's a really nice guy.

Photojournalism: Museums vs. Furniture Stores

This is a short story of an important lesson I learned about photojournalism from a college instructor a few years ago.

For the final project in my photography class, I submitted a series of shots of a building. I used several unique angles and various compositions. The resulting images looked excellent. When the day we were to present our projects to the class finally arrived, I was a little nervous about my presentation. I walked in and I placed the photos in the front of the room to be critiqued.

At long last, it was my turn to share, so I stood up and began telling the other students how I found the building on a walk in my neighborhood and then I described the techniques I used to process the photos. My classmates had positive things to say about the project and they all seemed to liked the images.

After class, my instructor told me she liked my presentation, but that my images would have more of an impact if I had a story to tell about them. She said having a story behind the images may make the difference between displaying your photos in a museum versus a furniture store. Her feedback changed the way I look at photography.

I began to think about the type of photographer I wanted to be. The words she spoke stuck in my head, "...displaying your photos in a museum versus a furniture store." For some photographers, the latter is sufficient for them, but I'm discovering that what's important to me is my need to contribute to life. Photography is a tool I can use to do that. I may never have any awards or recognition for being a photojournalist, but I'm happy knowing that I'm a messenger of light shining in sometimes a dark world.

The next time you pick up your camera, ask yourself, "Do I want my images displayed in a museum or a furniture store?"

$2 Portraits

Dwayne
Originally uploaded by MyxMaster.

This is part of the Flickr $2 portrait pool. Essentially, when someone ask you for money, you tell them you will give them $2 in exchange for a portrait. It's a great opportunity to contribute to life and tell a person's story through photojournalism.

While I was stopped at a signal light, a man approached my car window asking for money for gas for his truck, which was parked on the corner. I pulled over and asked to see his license and then proceeded to get out of my car. He said, "Oh, I don't have my license, you don't need to get out of your car." The next thing I was going to ask him was to try and start his truck to confirm that he had the keys and it was his truck, but before I could, he admitted his bike was hidden around the corner and he just needed the money. We introduced ourselves and began to talk.

He told me his name is Dwayne and he's from San Francisco, CA. He was fired from his job six years ago as a delivery man and he's been unemployed since then. He spends most of his time in the Tenderloin District without an address he can call home. He asked for money, so I asked him if I could take his portrait for $2 and he agreed.

After I took his photo, I did my best to encourage him and lift his spirits. I asked him if he needed prayer for anything. He said, "Success." I prayed with him and then we said our goodbyes.