Category: Fourre-tout

“Men are born with two eyes, but with one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.” Charles Caleb Colton

Every person is different, but as a photographer, I am more inclined to see than to hear. As a bonus, you don’t have to hear anything to appreciate the sight of a pretty woman… As a matter of fact, any sound might spoil the image.

In a 1958 movie, French director Marc Allégret put together a film titled “sois belle et tais toi” (be pretty and shut up). This provocative heading sounds a bit misogynistic but it illustrates the fact that an image is often effective than sound.

When I watch a boring movie, I often lose track of the dialogue while my eyes wander from character to character. The actors’ lines vanish and I am left with a kaleidoscope of moving snapshots. It is much more interesting than trite lines and unconvincing acting.

I also find it much easier to clearly see evil than to hear it. When you hear a hate speech, it might not make a lasting impression; but when you see an evil action (like the brutalizing of an animal) it immediately prompts a visceral angry reaction.

In WWII, General Eisenhower insisted on documenting the unimaginable horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. He wanted people to remember as long as possible the depravity and the barbarity of the Nazi criminals. He documented his finding with thousands of pictures.

Despite his presence in many photographs, Holocaust deniers persist to this day.

Images are definitely more powerful and lasting than sound.

I don’t know if you have noticed, but in this electoral period, money is flooding all media. The countless commercials that you see on TV and the political pamphlets clogging your mailboxes are the materialization of the millions of dollars spent by the candidates and their backers.

The sponsors prefer visuals to words or sound. If you like someone’s face you are more inclined to vote for him. Being photogenic undoubtedly helps a candidate, regardless of his views.

I am partial to images. It might be partly due to the fact that my hearing is getting less effective than my sight, but to me, an image will always carry more weight than a long speech.

“Hear no evil, speak no evil, and you won’t be invited to cocktail parties.” Oscar Wilde

Alain

“The biggest threat to our democracy is indifference. …” Barack Obama

On November 6, crucial mid-term elections will determine the course of the country for the next two years and maybe beyond. In the US democracy is under attack and there is a noticeable drift toward intolerance and totalitarianism.

It is essential for every citizen to vote, and to vote wisely. This will require some homework and before casting your ballot you will have to do a bit of research.

You will need to do some a lot of reading (sigh) and not rely on television to get informed. Short television ads are funded by Political Action Committees whose main purpose is to sway and mislead voters.

If you care about this country, you absolutely must vote. No excuses. Democracy is often lost through indifference. Not voting is like deserting your unit in a firefight.

“Not voting is not a protest. It is a surrender.” Keith Ellison

You should vote for the common good and not for a few narrow interests. Coal production for instance is not good for the environment and should not be promoted to please a minority. Many viable alternatives are available and should be encouraged instead.

You also need to remember that the original motto of the United States (before being dumped by zealots in 1956) was E pluribus unum (out of many, one).
Our leader needs to unite us and not to pit us against each other.

To survive and flourish a country needs to be unified. Siding with the party of millionaires and bullies will only increase dissension and disunity.
Could the United States wield some much power and influence if they were not united? Definitely not.

It is not easy to figure out what is right and fair when the truth is blatantly distorted by deep pockets money.

But democracy is at stake.

Do yourself a big favor and research the candidates and the issues. Remember the Costa Concordia! An impetuous captain will drive his ship to the shoals. A good skipper will mull over his decision before putting his vessel in jeopardy.

United we stand, divided we fall.

It is as simple as that.

Alain

Yesterday we experienced an outpouring of love the like of which I have seldom witnessed. This heartfelt outflow of emotion was a tribute to a man who was much too briefly a member of our small community.

You get to know a person over time and unfortunately some of us ran short of that commodity. Henry was like a shooting star that appeared and disappeared too quickly. He was a private and modest man who seldom talked about himself, but who cast a giant shadow. I always appreciated his good sense of humor and his quick wit. He was also a hard worker who did a lot to beautify our field.

He also struck me as a person eager to learn. When he first appeared on our field, he asked a lot of questions about the game and took a lot of video clips. He sought everybody’s advice and in a very short time, he became one of our best players.

Whenever he heard a French word or a French expression, he was always keen to learn its exact meaning. What does it mean? How do you spell it? How do you pronounce it? I was always pleased to oblige.

Yesterday, many people paid tribute to Henry. Mark Shirley, Tiaré Ferrari, Noel Marcovecchio, Sandra Shirkey, Doug Coleville, John-Philippe Wyek, Larry Cragg, Evan Falcone, and Bleys Rose were the voices of our various clubs.

We, of course, missed our Christine, but some tears were shed on her behalf. A few speakers (e.g. plucky Sandra) choked and could barely hold their tears while talking.

I was personally heartened to see Calvert again. We all missed her and it was a pleasure to have her on our field again. This Southern Belle is a resilient person and I am convinced that in due time she will be her old happy-go-lucky individual again. Her gracious sister Sally is helping her to remain seaworthy.

Mark Shirkey, Larry Cragg, and Tiaré did a great job putting this presentation together and ought to be warmly congratulated for their efforts.

After a potluck lunch, casual games sprouted spontaneously and a good time was held by all.

Henry left a huge void. He will be missed and will remain in our hearts “pour toujours” forever and a day.

Alain

PS: Feel free to download any of my photos, but when posting any of them on social media, due credit (Photos by Alain Efron) would be deeply appreciated. Merci.