Plugging IN

Hey Everyone~ Fall is here, and October starts tomorrow. Time for the leaves to turn colors, pumpkin pie to made, plans for creepy costumes in the works, and who can forget celebrating all the (pink) women and their boobs out there?...yes, October is here. Lovely isn't it? To get you started, here are some bouts around the web. You'll be glad you clicked.

**News You Can Use:
--Apparently according to one study German men are smelly and terrible the in bedroom. I assure you, it's not Cosmo's quiz.

--If Ahmadinejad had a Gmail account....

--A study in England & Europe has given a number heroin addicts doses of heroine as a way to ween them off the drug. So far, several patients have rehabilitated. But still couldn't this be seriously dangerous?

--A recent article discussed the treatment of women in the work place during the 1940s: thankfully feminist movement followed

**Blogs:
--Maybe you heard, maybe you didn't, but Walmart recently decided to return the motor home of a young well educated homeless woman. Her story is somewhat fascinating.

**Goings on:
--It's Breast Cancer Awareness mo. and Yoplait is asking everyone to save their pink lids! I know I am. Every lid is 10 cents toward the Susan B. Koman foundation. For information on Breast Cancer, click HERE.

--After 40 weeks of Documenting the World Pictures, I am mauling over a number of slots for a Coffee Table book that will include both Photography & Writing. I hope and expect it will come out for Christmas.

What's Really Going On...

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Camera's Rolling & It's Out of Control

"Embracing the concept of something greater may involve a specific experience of God; it may or may not include an attachment to a religious community or faith. It can involve a simple awareness  that the world does not revolve around you. The basic element is Faith: Faith that the sun will come out in the morning, that the laws of physics will continue to function as we have always known them, and, most important for the narcissist, that people can be trusted, and that the world can be a good and safe place." (~Dr. Drew pg241)

Recently I finished Dr. Drew Pinsky's book, The Mirror Effect. For many of you who know the celebrity doctor, he's quickly become a rational voice among the addictive and outrageous behaviors of Hollywood stars. He's not Dr. Phil, with his own sensational antics of advice~ instead he addresses the needs of the desperate stars who are about to break. After years of treating patients, hosting VH1's Celebrity Rehab, Sober House, radio programming - Lovelines and a host of other public psychological advice, I find that Dr. Drew has a lot to bring to the table.

The Mirror Effect is an important book on the how society progresses toward celebrity status as well as how the public both feeds it, and feeds off of it. The book is an in depth discussion on how narcissistic behaviors take over a person and ultimately can destroy them. Pinsky even points out in the changes that have happened in media over the last 50 years and how the addictive behaviors of our celebrity idols become more noticed, sought out and even worse than they have been before.

At the end of the read, Pinsky offers the 40 question NPI test for readers to evaluate their behavior. Granted, he notes that it's not a complete determinant if someone is a narcissist, but it can be an indicator. Throughout the read; he talks about the percentages of average americans compared to celebrities and particularly reality stars. He recommends counseling for further diagnosis and even talks about the unfortunate message that is being handed to teenagers today.

As to the quote above: I found it profound that it was included in Pinsky's final comments. The fact remains that each person MUST realize that no one has any more entitlement than another to exist and function in the world. It does take a special kind of trust and faith to step out in humility and be able to embrace those around you, to exalt them above yourself and ultimately allow who you truly are to shine. Celebrities don't have it all, their failures are not a justification for our society to fail and become grotesque. They are people with wounds and faults like everyone else...being in the spotlight only makes life harder, not easier. In the end: the Mirror Effect ought not to be a disdainful reflection, but a balance of support and growth from the inside out.

The book itself is worth reading, informational, and can even be educational. I would definitely recommend it.

House MD~ Season 6

It's a week away...

Documenting the World, Wk 40, City Colors

Today, I took Paulina out to do an experimental shoot with me. There are spots in town I had not done any photography yet, so she played my model and helped me out. The afternoon was a sheer blast as I hardly had to do any work. Paulina is animated and was certainly easy to do this with, I appreciated it.

This Week

*Brett McCracken wrote a great piece on why President Obama's back-to-school speech was very well presented. He discusses why FOX News was wrong for criticizing it and hits home the true & underlying mesage Obama gave, which was simple: "at the end of the day...none of it will matter unless you fulfill your responsibilities." Certainly this is a lesson that we can all accept and that Obama grew up learning.

*Sara J. Gonzalez Memorial Park is conducting it's dedication ceremony today. Sara J. Gonzalez is the mother of Ofelia de la Valette- who is the founder & owner of Dance 101. My coming documentary project is covering her story. As for Gonzalez; she was a well respected member of the Atlanta Hispanic community~ so for her family and friends, this is an exciting event, not to mention, an incredible addition to all their stories.

*Guess who's been named to replace Paula Abdul on American Idol? The one and only Ellen Degeneres! I'm not joking. The only oddity about this is Ellen has never been seriously involved with the music industry as the other judges, but the show's producer claims that her knowledge of the American public could bring a different and positive spin on the judging. Could be interesting.

*Apparently, people haven't had enough Michael Jackson tribute yet. Sunday, during MTV's Video Music Awards, not only will Janet Jackson perform a musical tribute but the trailer for a film based around the last footage of Jackson's rehearsal's will be unleashed as well.

*Tomorrow is the 8th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks. I anticipate that people across the country will have a number of commemorative speeches, and ceremonies for the innocent lives that were lost and celebration of a country that came together. Tomorrow. will be declared a National Day of Service by President Obama. Tomorrow will be a meaningful day.

September 11th Memorial from Jeffrey Lee on Vimeo.

The Sight of Death

Recently an article came out (HERE) that the Associated Press had released a photo (HERE) of a soldier dying against the will of the family and Defense Secratary Robert Gates. According to the article; AP's statement in favor of running it said they wanted, "to make public an image that conveys the grimness of war and the sacrifice of young men and women fighting it."

The conflict is not uncommon and just maybe, in this particular circumstance, a different Lance Corporal's photograph could have been chosen. However, for a moment, I would like to discuss the decision that the Associate Press made, even defend it.

Working in the media requires a level of editorial judgment or knowing when to use propriety. At the same time; why is it that the current society, particularly in America, is so afraid of the truth?

Looking at the photo itself, I see the grimness of war, I see a slightly blurred picture of a soldier dying for what is right- standing for the very thing we take for granted in this country: freedom. I also see someone I wish could have made it home before this scene happened. For soldiers, for civilians- war is torturous. It's real and it's not pretty. War is hell.

I have seen worse. I have heard worse. And while there are images I probably wish I had not seen, I know that being educated to the world around me gives me a much more realistic perspective. The media cuts it out and American society hides from it.

During the Viet Nam war: it was the rise and expansion for the media in ways that had never been seen before. While there were images that were harsh or even tasteless, there were many more that needed to be seen- the public was interested, the public found their voice- through the images. Today- it's numbers, it's the "regular news of war" that are regularly reported...it is quickly dismissed, and even becomes the subject of annoyance for some who would prefer the fluff.

Again, perhaps at the family's request; the Associated Press could have not used that particular photo. BUT~ AP has thousands of photos they could use...and I DO applaud their expression of their First Amendment right: freedom of press, freedom of speech, freedom to tell the truth. Those who are dying need a voice as much as those who live. To tell the story of someone who would otherwise have no say- to be a journalist- carries a great weight, carries a great responsibility, carries a duty, to defy the odds of status quo and tell the truth.

Aftermath, my friends, is boring and complacent. Death, life, struggle, succession....being in the midst of these things- these are thrilling- for better or worse, these are the truth.

Dirty Kitchen

Over the past several months; I have been watching & catching up on seasons of Kitchen Nightmares on Hulu.com. World renown Chef and restaurant owner, Gordon Ramsey, hosts the show. Some of you may know him from Hell's Kitchen and his tyrannizing calls for competing chefs to "step it up." He may come across as overbearing or too crass for the liking, but at the heart of Kitchen Nightmares; Ramsey encourages people to live up to their potential and get back the passion they started with when they first dove into owning "that" restaurant.

The premise of the show begins, always, with a restaurant that is failing. Owners usually know at the very least, they are not raking in enough cash to survive & their invitation to Ramsey is a hope to get through the crisis. Ramsey walks through the door, opens with eating from the menu, analyzing both the food and the situation, and even goes on a cleaning inspection. Most restaurants fail that latter.

But through the tough love rants and corrections that Ramsey makes, he always finds a way to connect w/ the human soft spot that is bring the owners and the workers of the restaurant down. He invests in them, helps them come up with a signature menu and usually helps remodel old decor.

Why do I mention this show? Mostly, because I think Kitchen Nightmares is worth watching if for no other reason than to be inspired to accomplish dreams. But I have to say, I have learned something about cooking, and the restaurant business (especially after spending time working as a waitress). Not only that; but I'm tempted to just start buying everything fresh daily...after seeing what frozen and left over food can really leave behind.

OneThing 09

November 6th/7th Raleigh, NC