March 15, 2008 - Black Glass (Reflections 2)

Canon G7

If you've ever been to Las Vegas and seen Luxor, you know that it's something of a strip icon (especially it's bright light that shoots straight up at night). Located between Excalibur and Mandalay Bay, it looks kind of small from the outside. It's only when you're inside this glass pyramid that you realize how big it really is. A little local trivia: Originally, the outside was supposed to be gold tinted glass. When they found out how much that was going to cost, they opted for black tinted glass instead. it's always about money, right?

By the way, have you heard about the SoFoBoMo project? Short for Solo Photo Book Month, it was started by Paul Butzi (I think) and involves a number of amateur photographers who have all "volunteered" to produce an online book of photographs (35 images) during the month of April, 2008. Now, I have to admit that I'm not a participant, so you might think that I'm taking unfair "potshots" at these guys. Maybe. But 3 of them kind of have it coming (in my opinion, anyway). I also have to say that what follows is all in fun - I would hope that all 3 would be friends of mine, if we actually ever met.

The following are quotes from their blogs:

Paul Butzi: "I'm optimistic that I can get it done and include some good photos, but I also suffer from the morbid feeling that my optimism is like the optimism of the next victim in the slasher movie......."

Paul Lester: "There is also the fear that I will choke when the time comes to do it."

Anita Jesse: "I have these recurring visions of someone viewing my book and asking, 'Why did you make this book? What is it about'"?

Wow. Is that an inspiring display of confidence or what? Makes me want to go out and swim the English Channel or climb Everest or run a marathon. I'm reminded of all those Nike "Just Do It" commercials. You know, "be the ball". Anything is possible if we just dare to believe.

Nope. That ain't what I'm hearing here. Sounds more like an escape clause in a nonbinding contract.

Come on guys! Just freaking do it! All you have to do is remember this little nugget of wisdom that I learned long ago. "A hundred years from now, what difference will it make? No one will know or care". Unless, of course, you think you're a Shakespeare or a Beethoven or even an Ansel Adams. So full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes. Get on with it. Stop whining. In the immortal words of the captain of the Titanic, "Don't worry folks, we're just stopping for ice".