Be Tough

BE

1.	to exist or live: Shakespeare's “To be or not to be” is the ultimate question.

TOUGH

1.	strong and durable; not easily broken or cut.

2.	not brittle or tender.

3.	difficult to masticate, as food: a tough steak.

4.	of viscous consistency, as liquid or semiliquid matter: tough molasses.

5.	capable of great endurance; sturdy; hardy: tough troops.

6.	not easily influenced, as a person; unyielding; stubborn: a tough man to work for.

7.	hardened; incorrigible: a tough criminal.

8.	difficult to perform, accomplish, or deal with; hard, trying, or troublesome: a tough problem.

9.	hard to bear or endure (often used ironically): tough luck.

10.	vigorous; severe; violent: a tough struggle.

11.	vicious; rough; rowdyish: a tough character; a tough neighborhood.

12.	practical, realistic, and lacking in sentimentality; tough-minded.

13.	Slang. remarkably excellent; first-rate; great.

brian and ron

1985

January 20 - U.S. President Ronald Reagan is privately sworn in for a second term in office (publicly sworn in, January 21).
January 28 - In Hollywood, California, the charity single "We Are the World" is recorded by USA for Africa.
February 10 - Nelson Mandela rejects an offer of freedom from the South African government.
February 20 - Minolta releases world's first autofocus single-lens reflex camera.
March 6 - Mike Tyson makes his professional debut in Albany, New York, a match which he wins by a first round knockout.
March 11 - Mikhail Gorbachev becomes General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party and de facto leader of the Soviet Union.
April 15 - South Africa ends its ban on interracial marriages.
April 23 - Coca-Cola changes its formula and releases New Coke. (The response is overwhelmingly negative, and the original formula is back on the market in less than 3 months.)
May 5 - U.S. President Ronald Reagan joins German Chancellor Helmut Kohl for a controversial funeral service at a cemetery in Bitburg, Germany, which includes the graves of 59 elite S.S. troops from World War II.
May 25 - Bangladesh is hit by a tropical cyclone and storm surge, which kills approximately 10,000 people.
June 27 - U.S. Route 66 is officially decommissioned.
June 30 - Michael Phelps, American Swimmer, born
July 13 - Live Aid pop concerts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and London raise over £50 million for famine relief in Ethiopia.
July 13 - U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush serves as Acting President for 8 hours, while President Ronald W. Reagan undergoes colon cancer surgery.
August 4 - Major League Baseball player Rod Carew of the Anaheim Angels becomes the 16th player to achieve 3,000 hits in a career.
August 6 - In Hiroshima, tens of thousands mark the 40th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.
September 1 - A joint American-French expedition locates the wreck of the RMS Titanic.
September 19 - An 8.1 Richter scale earthquake strikes Mexico City. More than 9,000 people are killed, 30,000 injured, and 95,000 left homeless.
October 2 - Rock Hudson, American Actor, dies
October 18 - The Nintendo Entertainment System is released in U.S. stores.
November 18 - The comic strip Calvin and Hobbes debuts in 35 newspapers.
November 20 - Microsoft Corporation releases the first version of Windows, Windows 1.0.
December 16 - In New York City, Mafia bosses Paul Castellano and Thomas Bilotti are shot dead in front of Spark's Steak House, making hit organizer John Gotti the leader of the powerful Gambino organized crime family. During the shootout Andrew Bearse is born in the middle of the street, when his mother is hit by a stray bullet which forces her into early labor. He survives and currently resides in Detroit, Michigan.
December 22 - D. Boon, American Singer and Guitarist, dies

Ainjoy

I took this portrait of Ainjoy last night. I was next door at Dave's house and they were laying down some horn tracks for a recording they have been working on. They had miked the upstairs bedroom and I just really loved the way it looked. Seeing Ainjoy in there with that enormous baritone sax really made my night.

Topanga State Park Sunset

I went hiking in Topanga State Park today. It is so fantastic to have beautiful hikes only 20 minutes away. I walked about a mile in and stayed in the park much to late to get these shots. Once I heard the coyote howling, I knew it was time to go. Unfortunately, at this time I realized that the light was almost gone. I had to hightail it out of there. I'm really glad I had the flashlight app on the Iphone. Click on the above to get a better view.

Saul Williams

Saul was one of the first people I met out in L.A. His energy and creative spirit really knock me out. I don't think it would be a stretch for me to say that he is one of the main reasons I wanted to live in L.A. Saul is an amazing poet, actor and musician. You can check out all things Saul here.

I took this photo at a time when we were both transitioning to new situations. I think it captures the feelings we were both sharing at that moment.

sarA lov

During a recent sunny Los Angeles afternoon, singer-songwriter sarA Lov allowed me into her world, and demonstrated an emotional range that mirrors her range as a performer. For this I am indebted. Not to mention, she also made me a killer lunch.

We used the simple setting of her wonderfully decorated apartment as our backdrop. I really enjoy photographing people in their homes. It provides a level of personal insight into the portrait. As a side note, sarA has a really dynamite art collection. Some of which you can see above.

You can check out all things sarA here. Also look for her upcoming full length cd release: "Seasoned Eyes Were Beaming" dropping next month. I can attest to the beauty of this music.

Austin City Hall Opening

I have a piece in the Austin City Hall show that opens this evening. The show will be up for a year, but this is the only time you will be able to roam freely throughout the entire building.
Go and check it out, it is always an interesting exhibit.

You Don't Need a Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind Blows

We've been having a surge of weather here lately. The first few weeks I was in L.A. were beautiful, serene and sunny. The last week has been rainy, windy, and chilly. I keep having to temper my thoughts with the fact that it is February. Although everybody is talking about how unseasonable the cold has been.

I have really been enjoying watching it all from my window. I think this image captures the unrest I have been witnessing.

leon

photo taken by scott g. this evening in my apartment.

Downtown Los Angeles

Well, it took me a little while to get here but I finally found the grungy side of Los Angeles. I went to take some photos down by the L.A. River for possible cover art for my friend Scott's upcoming cd. There is a whole other world of photos possibilities down here. I spent the day driving around and taking photos of burned out cars, homeless camps, and general seediness. The melancholic beauty of this photo really gets me.

Los Angeles Rain

the sound of thunder
limbs bow back and forth softly
rain on the window

My Slice of Paradise

Here is my perch out in L.A. I have an amazing view overlooking Benedict Canyon. The sunsets here are particularly spectacular. The sky has that purple orange color that you always seem to get out west. During the day I try and spend some time each day, sitting on the patio next door at my friend Dave's house, with the sun beating down on me.

ether,

David's Portrait

I took this photo of David today. We had just been out to breakfast and stopped by my house for a minute afterward. I saw him standing there in the yard and felt inspired to grab my camera.

The Trees

Trucking

sometimes the lights all shinin on me; other times I can barely see.

Stefanie's Portrait

I was introduced to Stefanie by my friend Scott. When I first met her, I immediately started thinking of her in photographs. She has a timeless quality that I felt would lend itself to a variety of settings. When I asked her, she was excited and very gracious.

She suggested the downtown area of L.A. The particular section we visited was filled with defunct movie houses, odd retail stores and left over restaurants from a bygone era. This proved to be a perfect backdrop for what I had in mind. Click on the above photo and take a look at some of the photos from the day.

If you are in the area and after you look at all the wonderful architecture, I highly recommend going to Clifton's Cafeteria which originally opened in 1935. It is decorated in a mountain lodge motif. There is a lifesize forest mural, a 20 foot waterfall, an odd deer sanctuary and plenty of local color to satisfy a full day of people watching.

Jonathan

I'd like to introduce you to Jonathan. In the L.A. digs, where I have been staying, Jonathan is a constant around the house, although it is not his first home. He is the type of feline that demonstrates very dog like qualities and is very comfortable plopping down just about anywhere with no regard for us bi-peds. He is a very curious creature with some odd habits.

One of the things that Jonathan does each morning is to sit outside the kitchen window and let his dietary concerns be known to whomever is inside. One morning during the verbal onslaught, I stopped and stared at him and noticed his half-crazed face while he was meowing and the streaking of the window. I quickly grabbed the camera and took this photo.

Sara Lov

sarA Lov has an amazing voice!

Some friends invited me to join them to see Ms. Lov at Spaceland. It was my first show in L.A. Spaceland is a grungy rock club that was a disco in a previous incarnation with mirror ball remnants and silver and blue glitter curtains still hanging around sparkling at you. Sara crooned in her lush, syrupy vox, ending with a countrified and heartbreaking cover of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" that out-sadded ONJ's nightie-clad swimming-pool love-letter float by fathoms. Her new video for her best original song, "New York," came out the day of the show and you should watch it here. Be careful though, because these words will break your heart.

check it here: New York

Step into the Great Unknown

blow away the dreams that tear you apart, blow away the dreams that break your heart, blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted - springsteen

Hollywood Forever Cemetary

This image was taken at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary. This is not just any ordinary resting place. This is a hollywood experience. I must say, I was taken with its beauty.

This is from their website:
One of the world’s most fascinating landmarks, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place to more of Hollywood’s founders and stars than anywhere else on earth. Founded in 1899, the cemetery was an integral part of the growth of early Hollywood. Paramount Studios was built on the back half of the original Hollywood Cemetery, where the studio is still in operation today.

The cemetery of choice for most of the founders of Hollywood’s great studios, as well as writers, directors, and, performers, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is now listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Visitors come from all over the world to pay respects Cecil B. DeMille, Jayne Mansfield, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, and hundreds more of Hollywood’s greatest stars.

The Beginning of a Great Adventure

freedom implies acceptance, letting come what comes and letting go what go's. in this state of freedom we step into the great unknown. what people call fear of the unknown really is a mirage. what they should really be afraid of is the known. because, what is the known? the known is the rigid patterns of past conditioning. when you are in the known, you have imprisoned yourself in the prison walls of your own conditioning. so freedom implies letting go of the known and to have the knowledge and the confidence to step into the great unknown in every second of our existence. because the unknown is the field of all possibilities in every successive moment of the present. the known is just rigid patterns of past conditioning. the prison we have inadvertently erected around ourselves. we need to free ourselves from this known and leap into the unknown where fresh choices are available in every second of our existance. 

-  d. chopra