The Black Dog’s PhotoBlog

Dang I hate updating this blog’s software. It must of taken me over a week to get it correct! Installing and being interrupted made me miss a few important files and I had to start over. Good thing I made a backup before I began. (eek) BUT I just had to have this theme and it didn’t work with the antiquated version of Wordpress that I was using. The designer of the theme (Andrea Pacquola at pacquola.org) was very helpful and nice. Unfortunately, updating Wordpress was way overdue.

Anyway, sorry for the inconvenience the past week. Please let me know if you find any bugs or glitches. I tried surfing around the blog to make sure things were finally working properly but you know I’m only human and could of missed something.

About the new theme: I’ve been searching all over for something like this since I began my blog back in April. Something with a black background that could match my main web page. Something that would really highlight my photography but be classy and simple at the same time. I love it? It’s perfect and just what I want. What do you think?

What could’ve possibly possessed me to make this picture 5 years ago? Well if you can figure that out, let me know. Just kidding. It’s hard for me to even remember what I was thinking 5 years ago.

I do remember posting this picture on a photography forum back then which was met with an awful response from my fellow members. How could I take a picture of such gross garbage and even think about showing it in public? Of course, most of that forum’s highly rated pictures at that time were either nudes or scenery. I guess maybe they were only accustom to seeing beautiful pictures and weren’t ready for stark realism.

My only regret is that I listened to them.

Several months ago I picked up a photography magazine off the news stand (I can’t remember which magazine). Brought it home and sat down to read. To my amazement there was a big huge picture of nothing other than cigarette butts. This photographer had done a series of photographs on garbage. The pictures were not only interesting but also awakening. Did anyone else see that article? If so, could you remind me which magazine and issue? I’d love to give that photographer a plug!

So what have I learned? You can’t always listen to everyone else. Sometimes you have to follow your own vision even if it isn’t a beautiful vision.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

~

Several years back a friend of mine over in the UK told me about this celebration called Bonfire Night.

This celebration started 403 years ago on November 5th in 1605 after a failed attempt to kill King James I and blow up the Houses of Parliament. The hope was that in blowing up the Houses of Parliament they would also kill members of Parliament. The plotters were 13 English Catholics who felt repressed and persecuted by the current and previous rulers. This attempt was dubbed the ‘Powder Treason’ or ‘Gunpowder Plot’.

Guy Fawkes was one of the 13 conspirators. Guy Fawkes was caught under the House of Lords with 36 barrels of gunpowder. Within a few days his fellow allies were either dead or captured. Guy Fawkes was imprisoned, tortured and then gruesomely executed. (Publically hung, drawn and quartered.)

That same night, after many Londoners heard the news that their King had been saved, they lit bonfires in celebration. Over the years this celebration has grown larger and more elaborate. Today the event is commemorated every year on Nov. 5th. You’ll see fireworks and burning figurines or dummies of Guy Fawkes and sometimes other contemporary politicians tossed on the bonfires in the UK.

If you’re curious, you can find more detailed information at:
The Gunpowder Plot: Parliament & Treason 1605

Picture of Guy Fawkes capture, Unknown author, public domain.

I personally think it’s ironic that this political celebration in the UK follows our election day and want to suggest that us Americans get in on this. Anything for a party – huh? But seriously, why not? Let’s all celebrate with our neighbors across the pond and have a bonfire. We have plenty to celebrate. I’m thrilled that all the politically charged ads and discussions will come to an end for a while and I can eat my dinner, watch TV, listen to the radio or have a conversation in peace. I’m tired of all the junk political mail being jammed into my mail box and the politicians who knock on my door and want to talk for “just a few minutes” while my dinner gets cold or over cooks on the stove. Lets all have a bonfire to burn all those political mailings we’ve received over the past few months. Lets celebrate the fact that yet another election year has passed! Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that I live in a country where I have a voice and a vote. However, I hate all the campaigning and propaganda that gets shoved down my throat in the process.