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Truth be told, in my younger, healthier days I used to be absolutely mad about New Year's Eve, even though I was a habitual prowler of the night and compulsive chaser of the seductive pleasures it promised. Most of my fellow denizens of the dark held the holiday in holier than thou contempt, horrified that our dimly lit world would be so sullied by an army of once a year dilettantes, invaded by hordes of unseasoned dabblers in the murky nocturne.
Still, the allure of New Year's Eve held me in its thrall, its promise of renewal, second chances, and new beginnings far too enticing to be passed up. The reality of the evening’s festivities rarely lived up to their anticipation, and quite often descended into a farcical scramble from one party to the next, crisscrossing the town in vain pursuit of that perfect fete that likely only existed in the imaginations of me and my companions. In retrospect those long-ago madcap journeys were far more entertaining than their intended destinations, and my youthful New Year's Eve misadventures provided fodder for many a happy memory. Yes, those were the days of wine and roses, and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.
I still love the idea of the out with the old, in with the new spirit of New Year's Eve, although living with a chronically disabling disease does put something of a damper on any excited anticipation of the future. The annual holidays serve as markers along the road of disease progression, as a quick review of recent New Year's Eves past makes my declining physical state glaringly apparent, and begs the question of what further insult and damage this next stanza might hold. Then again, this could be the year that things take a turn for the better, as I have some interesting new treatment options to explore (more on these in later blog entries), and my lack of a definitive diagnosis leaves open all sorts of possibilities. So, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead! All anybody really has is the present moment anyway, the past is gone and the future is inscrutable, so live for today, and today is New Year's Eve, so might as well celebrate it like it will be the last New Year's Eve in history. Hey, if the Mayans were right, it will be (click here)…
Anyway, I seem to have veered far from my original intent to write a quick paragraph and post a few photos, so let's get on with the photo posting. The following shots are a mixed lot, almost all taken in Central Park, a few with the toy camera lens I like to play with (click here), and others extreme close ups of flowers taken with a macro adapter attached to another funky cheap lens I like to mess with. They were all shot with a camera mounted to the arm of my wheelchair, as my wonky physical state makes it impossible to hold a camera to my eye. As always, comments and critiques are highly valued, negative and positive alike. So, feel free to tell me which photos you love and which shots you loathe, and above all, I wish you all a wonderfully happy new year!
Please click on thumbnail for full size image.
Hi Marc
ReplyDeleteLove the GoingHome + FountainLake2 photos - to me they seem to inspire an instant story in my head.
The Wikipedia fireworks picture is from my city Copenhagen, and a bit surprised that they call it a NewYear's Eve photo - the picture is of the lake and surroundings in Tivoli Garden, and that place is not open on New Years Eve. Since there is so much light around the lake it is more likely to be from the weekly fireworks show at summertime in the Tivoli Garden But it sure is a good photo.
These are lovely. I particularly like 'texting girl' 'purple buds' and 'blue flower'.
ReplyDeleteMay 2012 bring you delight.
Thank you, Marc, for brightening our lives with your words and photos. May 2012 treat you well.
ReplyDeleteJudy
I enjoy all your wonderful photos. Every one seem to reach out and tell a story.
ReplyDelete"I wish you a wondrous new year with miracles and wishes all happen and come true."
wonderful photos! glad to see you are able to get out and about with your camera. best wishes for 2012. I say, "farewell to the crap of 2011!"
ReplyDeleteI love the girl on the swing. Damn if that doesn't look like fun.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you. As always, your photos are wonderous and inspiring. I know that you are a busy man....but,I sure would like for you to figure out a way for us to be able to buy some of them for our walls at home...so the inspiration can continue. Please post if you ever decide to make them available. Best wishes in the new year! Dinah
ReplyDeleteYou have an artist's eye and that makes your photos captivating and engaging. The girl texting and the child swinging are my favorites. Thanks for sharing. Happy 2012!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely texting guy (or is it really a girl?)The composition knocks my socks off .... but only because fall is over--those fall photos are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI love both the purple flowers and the blue ones as well. Also love the floating leaves. There is a story in "going home." What is she thinking? Where is she coming from, going to? The rain has swept everything clean.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, the composition in the texting woman is amazing. Also agreed, can you make some of your photos for sale?
Love texting girl. You wonder what she might be texting and she looks so cool while she's doing so. Purple buds is striking. Would be even better Blown up huge and displayed as only photo on a wall. Great work!
ReplyDeleteHi Marc, I just love your photos, they give an aura of peace in this group. You are so lucky to have Central Park. Terrific work luv Judi
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is as you describe New Years as rarely living up to anticipation and often amounting to little more than a farcical scramble from one party to another, I keep thinking this is more than just New Years. I know I live that life every day. I can’t tell you how often I think if this goal or that is met then all will be awe inspiringly awesome. If we could just get the kids out of diapers, if we could just teach them to read, if we could just find the best medicine routine for me and the kids, if….
ReplyDeleteHowever, failing to find the imagined state of nirvana in no way takes away from the joy of the search. The search itself is the Holy Grail. I think one of the hardest parts of a chronic health condition is the added magical hurdle which seems to reappear in front of us every 5 feet. It’s just more tiring. Still, as the New Year signals a fresh start, may all have a wonderful journey this year towards what ever destinations await.
you are one talented son of a gun!
ReplyDeletegreat pics. Every single one. Happy New Year to you Kazmo
Happy, happy New Year to you and Karen, Marc.
ReplyDeleteI am a 28 year-old quadriplegic wheelchair user who has a book of poetry/prose coming out in March 2012 titled The Virgin Journals released by A S D publishing out of New Jersey. The book will be split into three sections; Life, Love, World. It is going to be roughly 170 pages long and is a good mixture of memoir poetry & person centered world views. My hope is that people will be able to learn about themselves by reading my words. I would love to make myself available as a possible interview for your site. Thanks for any interest!
ReplyDeleteTravis Laurence Naught
Thanks to everybody for the comments, input, and wishes for a happy new year. They're all very much appreciated. May 2012 bring only good things to all of us. Please don't feel slighted if I don't answer each and every comment that was left on this post, as I do read and take to heart all of them. In this case, though, I'm only going to address folks with specific inquiries, but again, muchos gracias for each and every comment…
ReplyDeleteAndaje-thanks for the info on the Copenhagen photo. Just goes to show, you can't trust everything you find/read on the Internet. Except for what you read on Wheelchair Kamikaze, of course, all of which is the gospel truth (ouch, I just got hit with a bolt of lightning). Sounds like Tivoli Gardens would be a great place to visit during the summertime, and I've always wanted to see Copenhagen. Never say never, right? Need to get their work on this walking thing, though…
Twobarkingdogs-I have to agree, 2011 wasn't exactly a banner year. Let's hope for better days ahead…
Dinah-since so many people have requested that I find a way to make my photos available for purchase, I'll do some research. I have some philosophical problems with making any money off of this blog, so maybe any profits generated can go to MS related charities. I'll see if I can dig up a reasonable way to make prints available…
Daphne-the texting person is indeed a girl. The autumn photos would've been even more better if we had had a longer autumn here in NYC. Lots of rain, and it seemed like the leaves went from green to brown within about two weeks, with only one or two nice days squeezed in…
Judy-agreed, I am absolutely blessed to have Central Park so close. It's my home away from home…
Life-thank you for your always very thoughtful and well-written comments. Life is all about the journey. As Gertrude Stein said, when you get there, there is no there there, although I think she was talking about Oakland rather than life. Still, if the shoe fits, make sure that it's easy to slip on and off, or else I'll never be able to wear it. I don't know if you've ever read my post "The Tao of MS", but it deals with the constant struggle to reach destinations that very well may not even be where we truly wish to arrive. When all is said and done, despite the different paths taken and various destinations reached, we all wind up in the same place. I told that to old Gertrude when I visited her grave in Paris…
Travis-congratulations on your upcoming book, I hope it is a great success. This blog isn't really a venue for interviews, though, but I'm sure your story and insights are quite compelling…
purple bud and red leaves are my favorite
ReplyDeleteit's difficult to decide, each one is a masterpiece
great work, Marc, thank you!
really nice pix. as a fellow photographer and a fellow wheelchair user, your work is a constant reminder that the two are not as incompatible as they sometimes feel. i am pretty much house-bound, and live in a city that is not wheelchair friendly, so most my work is done around my house. but reading your writing and looking at your pix inspires me to find some way to get back out on the street. thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Marc,
ReplyDeleteBeen reading your posts. Your words and thoughts are incredibly written. I can especially relate to this post about New Year's eve. Rock on brotha.
Jacob