Thursday, October 23, 2008

Stair...

"A stair," Kafka once wrote, "not worn hollow by footsteps is, regarded from its own point of view, only a boring something made of wood."

There's nothing boring about this old worn-hollow beauty behind the Alexander Building. (I'm resisting the urge to create a movie scenario around this shot. But I won't stop you if you're so inspired...)

And speaking of inspired, Ken Mac over at the fantastic Greenwich Village Daily Photo surprised me with a "Blogging Friends Forever" Award just a day after lovely Scarlet at Jamjarsuperstar awarded me with an E for Excellence Blog Award. Holy moly! This is really great because I have never won anything -- except for $100 on a long shot horse named Clabber Girl years ago at Belmont Race Track. I'm truly honored to be picked by both Scarlet and Ken. Scarlet's musical knowledge is encyclopedic, and her blog is a fabulous source for discovering new artists. And Ken's phenomenal shots of New York capture the soul of the city to the point where you can almost hear the Gershwin soundtrack playing.

So, according to the rules of the award, I get to give the award to five other photo bloggers with these conditions:

1. Only five people are allowed.

2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog.

3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.

4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

5. You have to give everyone else a pony and a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.

Okay, I made up number 5. (Have I mentioned how much I don't like rules?)

With gratitude and great pleasure I would like to pass the award to these photography bloggers:

Hope of Knoxville Daily Photo. Hope can squeeze images out of her Nikon Coolpix that will astonish you. The photographs of her kids capture the essence of childhood and a mother's love with the same poignancy and joy of the paintings of Mary Cassatt...

Wayne of Vancouver Daily Photo. I don't know what I love most about Wayne's blog: his terrific eye for interesting subjects, or his ability to make me spew coffee out of my nose laughing at his self-deprecating wit. I picture Wayne as a sort of Canadian Jack Benny with a camera. Vancouver is a gem of a city and Wayne's record only adds to the luster.

Scott of Minneapolis Daily Photo. This shot of Grumpy's Bar is one of my favorite photographs of all time. Scott is always pushing his camera to create unusual, new images. Like this one. Scott's pictures remind me of David Foster Wallace stories -- ordinary subjects, deeply felt, often treated with an absurd and whimsical point of view.

Kevin of The Jimson Weed Gazette. When I first discovered K's photos, I'm afraid I fell all over myself in comments like a squealing fangirl. Spare, intense, often jarring -- I think Kevin's photos truly capture Los Angeles. What Raymond Carver did with a typewriter, Kevin does with a camera.

Meead of the former Mashhad (IRAN) Daily Photo and now at Portland Oregon Daily Photo. Meead's beautiful soul touched many of us from across the globe -- writing passionately about life in Iran and about his dream of peace throughout the world. Now he's studying in Portland and I'm honored to be able to see my country through his eyes. (Incidentally, Sara N now beautifully continues Mashhad Daily Photo.)

So there you have it. Treat yourself to a few minutes exploring the worlds of these talented bloggers. And thanks, Ken and Scarlet, for honoring me!

21 comments:

Hilda said...

Another gorgeous light and shadow photo! You have a fantastic eye for these!

And congratulations on both awards! You really deserve them, Laurie — with your beautiful shots and beautiful prose. I'd be hard put to say which I like better. Your posts are always wonderful!

-K- said...

Congratulations on all your recognition.

And thanks for the BFF award and all the nice words. I've never won anything before either. Now I'm going to put up a "Raymond Carver" (maybe even Raymond Chandler) photo that I've been saving. Thanks again.

Ken Mac said...

Thanks for awarding Hope, Wayne and Kevin, I had a hard time wittling my list down but they were all on it!

Yakpate said...

Well-deserved honors, Laurie! It's great to see your work recognized in this way... and fun to be among your many fans!

ben wideman said...

one on my favs! great photo.

Halcyon said...

I would not be surprised if Stanley Kowalski came down those stairs yelling "Stella!"

Nice picture and congrats on the award!

Wayne said...

I'm too much of a fraidy cat to venture into dark alleys so I'll never get shots like this.

I've had a frustrating morning. This image is very reminiscent of a photorealist painting from a book I once had. Now I'm wishing I hadn't cleaned out the bookcase so thoroughly. I hope I come across the painting one day so I can show you. I've Googled a lot but I can't find it.

Anonymous said...

This just sucks. I post two of the best photos I've ever seen -- Tuna on rye, and fuzzy leaves -- and what do I get: A big fat zero. There was even one of a broken doll holding a giant zucchini. But am I singled out as soulful --- NOOOOOO. Are we seeing glimpses of insecurity in South Pasadena?

Webradio said...

Hello Laurie !
Great shot for this stair...

Nice text, smile...

Cafe Observer said...

Laurie, you definitely deserve an award, & my award as well - The Dog Bone.

To Karin goes The Most Popular Girl in de Class award.

Otherwise, i'm beginning 2 believe the BFF photo award should be renamed - but no comment.

Anonymous said...

Now that I've read Altadena Hiker's comment I know she'll be over the moon with the "blogger buddies" title I've bestowed on her. Congratulations to you. I'd be more excited with my award if I wasn't having such a sorry week.

Hope said...

Laurie...Thanks so much for the blog award and your very nice words in your post! I am truly honored and flattered. Thanks also to Ken Mac for his words in his comment. Wow!

Now, I love the photo and post for today. I too imagined the scene Halcyon spoke of above.

I also plan to visit some of the other blog award recipients you mentioned in your post. I'm already familiar with Meead and enjoy his blog very much! So many wonderful blogs to visit and so little time. Sigh.

Virginia said...

Laurie you are top notch my friend. I love your photos but you can write the best darn text I ever read. Keep it up!

I love your comments on your nominees. I was too frazzled last night to do that. Wayne, yeah well I've spewed some coffee (read wine) from my nose over him too. I may have to take him out behind the woodshed one day and give him a whipping but I won't because he'll have a take on it that will make us all blush!

I usually draw a blank on your scenarios. But tonight, I think those old worn steps lead to a bordello. Yep, right there in sleepy South Pas!

Unknown said...

WOW - congratulations!!!

Now, about that photo. Man, talk about one screaming from a movie scene. You know me though, I'm trying to figure out if that is indeed an old Ford Fairlane parked beneath. No wait, maybe that's a Mercury Comet. HAHA

The lines and light are just beyond fabulous!!

Patrizzi Intergarlictica said...

Elaine thought about going down the stairs when she saw her car parked there. She arrived in the apartment by way of the Willits porthole on petrea's blog.

The bed was too comfy to leave but her car keys seemed to get warmer in her pocket.

Anonymous said...

Laurie,a great big CONGRATS! to you.

And, Virginia,your comments crack me up! Or - dare I say it? - in Judy's Texas way ?? crack my....no I can't say it. Not here. Not now.
I do look forward to looking up these blogs! This is a new world for me. I look forwad to getting to know all of you better.

Cafe Observer said...

I guess it was 2 early in the morning 4 me 2 see what going down in this pic.

This looks so strangely familiar 2 de back of another old apt bldg in Glendale, off Brand Bl. Maybe it was built by the same architect.

Brings bak sum memories. Or, are memories dreams.

That old rusted pre-revolution piece of metal looks lika Falcon. So many lives have lived there over the years. I suppose de Falcon owner left behind his car to titanicize, decades ago.

Rust never sleeps, yet how time evaporates into melancholy memory.

Omama, thanks, L, for your photo documentaries. Show us your inner voice 4 at least 1000 more.

Laurie Allee said...

HI kids,

Thanks for indulging me in some more late night prowling! Wayne, (I'd love to see that painting if you ever find your book!)

Miss H, that is a truly inspired scene.

Virginia, i'm laughing about the woodshed. (And LOVE the bordello idea!)

Halcyon, I thought of Streetcar Named Desire, too!

And you guys should know by now -- you're ALL my blogging buddies. Forever!

Until tomorrow...

Jilly said...

Laurie, this is a beautiful photograph - love the light - and I so love your words about all these talented bloggers. And well done for your award.

Jane Hards Photography said...

I absolutely adore this image. Te lighting the subject the hues. Wlll done on the award, but be careful. I stopped acccepting these after Old man Linclon pointed out somecontain viruses, and yes I had a few problems.

Profile Not Available said...

Really well done, Laurie! Such a timeless shot!