why you should know about tim hetherington and chris hondros

Gentle readers,

Getting serious tonight.

I just found out about these photographers last week. They were both very young. Here is my opinion piece about them:

There is no doubt Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros lived to get the once-in-a- lifetime shot.
They were probably still hunting for it when they died.
When the daily news is peppered with stories of people who die for no reason, why even care about these men?
Both photojournalists were killed last week in Misrata, Libya. Reports are they were killed by a rocket propelled grenade. (The Russian words for rocket propelled grenade actually mean “anti-tank grenade launcher,” which made me think of the capacity to kill that the device has.) One story stated the circumstances of their deaths are still unclear.
When I first heard about their deaths, I was tempted to not pay very much attention. Then I realized I wanted to find out more.
Hetherington did documentary work and special projects and Hondros took pictures for Getty Images.
What is it to you? Some would say the two men acted in a cavalier manner by taking the risk of being in a war zone, when they could have been happily photographing children or ice cream cones in New York. They chose to visit Libya and they knew what could happen.
You should care because if Hetherington and Hondros (and other journalists, both reporters and photographers) did not want to share the ugliness of war, did not want to bring a jolting visual to your day, you would not know what is going on.
Without knowing who they were, you may have already viewed one of Hondros' photos or seen part of Hetherington's documentary (Restrepo) and shuddered or were changed because of it. If this is the case, then these two men-- one was 40 and one was 41--have already directly affected your life.
I was interested in their deaths because I enjoy photography (though my main camera right now is a point and shoot). Another twist explaining why I wanted to write this is because Hetherington and Hondros died doing something they love. The adrenaline rush they felt while traipsing around Libya is something I seek in life. They were killed, tragically, in the midst of a bloody conflict. The nanometer of brightness is that they were doing their life’s work when they died.

Luv,
Alice

n.d.h.

Perplexing Thought Of The Day

I have had the Whitney Houston song, "How Will I Know?" in my head all day today...

Do not ask me where it came from.


DISTURBING. That is all I will say.

Peace and Love,

Alice

miss n.d.h. if you are nasty.

Keep A Plentiful Distance From Small Children

Catching up with the Mailbag, gentle and savvy readers:


A message to Jay:
Yes, I remember you. Hope you are well. And, in reference to your J Lo comment, yes, she is a legend. And even somewhat talented. However, the goal of my blog is to be completely honest...

A message to Gloria:
Thank you for being the first to leave a comment! And your MIX TAPE is in the mail. Of course it's Enrique Iglesias.

I've been seeing some wild fashion, such as a girl in complete muslim garb, (with a Head Scarf), and flip flops.

And also I've seen lots of girls with tight, tight, tank tops.

AND ALSO, a girl in her early 20s, wearing a striped tank top with the price tag hanging out. (I thought this went out of style years ago).

I guess I am clueless to these stylish manners.
N.d.h. must not be on top of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

as always, your #1 Blogger and your favorite Blogspot blogger,

Alice

n.d.h.

J-Lo: Why Are You Still Haunting Us

I think that J Lo has a new song out.
I know this because the other day I was driving and I heard something disturbing: a new song, very dance-y, with vocals that sounded frighteningly like the "Selena" star's.
(Ok.
I did like J Lo in 1999 but that's another story!!)
The song's refrain was urging those listening to "Get On The Floor."
As enchanting and tempting as this sounds, I will not be "getting on the floor" anytime soon.
Despite this new semi-hit, which I hope is not really a hit, I am all J Lo-ed out.
The word I shall leave you with is: Overrated.

GENTLE READERS: there will be no further posting from me tonight, since Chemistry is holding me hostage.

Yours Truly,

alice
(ndh)
and

b.b.b.

Gentle Readers, If You Need Coffee, Just Bring Your Own.

I saw a guy in a study area at Richland College in Dallas, TX.

As I concentrated voraciously on my photocopied chemistry worksheet, he poured himself a cup of coffee.

Even though he was not in a general eating area, he just brought a huge coffee pot with him and poured himself a tasty beverage. Although I did not see an electrical cord, I know he must have plugged it in somehow.

Gentle readers, I have never seen someone pour their own coffee from a coffee pot they brought from home. I was stunned, but also happy to have a story to tell.

He asked me to watch his stuff a bit later on...this gave me the opportunity to secretly gather the highly classified information neccessary for this blog. When he came back, I asked him if he does this on a regular basis (he was maybe in his mid 20's, with a white dressy shirt--too dressy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and jeans).

He said yes, and also said nonchalantly, "sometimes I make tea, and sometime I make coffee."
Later on, maybe I will post a picture that I sneakily took.


In the changer: Julian Casablancas' latest CD. Leave a comment about what's in your CD changer. Or, if you prefer, what's on your playlist. Or, what 8-tracks you are listening to. The first person to leave a comment wins: a mix tape of MY choice... but you have to give me your address. Sorry, not a stellar prize but what did you expect from a startup blog??????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Your favorite obssessive blogger,

Alice

I saw a 9-year=old girl with a t-shirt that said, "Don't Be Jealous..."

She was chatty.

It was a funny shirt.

But I was wondering, and thinking, what, in her mind, was there to be jealous of???????????????????????????????????????????????



Goodbye and Good Saturday,

Alice

or blogging brunette, and sometimes bombshell

Weren't YOU Wondering?

Weren't you wondering if I was going to do a post on GOSSIP in the bathroom?

Well it's coming soon.

The Juanes concert (Colombian Spicy boy ) is on Saturday in Dallas... Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (exclamation mark overload).
I cannot not display my excitement.

Be sure to check out the important news feed on this blog...

yours truly,

Alice

(Or, to all:
devoted readers, n.d.h.)

"Need A Job Please" and What Does Taco Bueno Mean?

Readers,
A telling tale of sadness and despair:
I was driving by the Tom Thumb shopping center at Preston and Forest, in Dallas today. I stopped to talk to a man holding a sign which said, "Need a Job Please." (At first I thought, "that's a good idea!" Sooner or later, someone has to say yes).
The compelling factor that made me stop was that the man looked kind of desperate, and I needed to find out more about his story.
Details: The man was in his early 50s or older. He was a little scruffy looking but not extremely messy. He had white hair and light-colored eyes.
When I asked if I could take his picture, he said, "no, I'm too ugly!"
When I talked to him, he said his name was Lynn. He said he has been out of work for 14 months. His reason for standing out there with the sign? "I was hoping somebody would give me something." He seemed sad and weary.
Not many people seemed to be slowing down to read his sign, or showing any kind of vague interest in him. That saddened me.

Many times I would just blow off an occurrence like this. But for whatever reason, I'm going to remember the man for a while. I am also looking for a job, but that is not the only reason I felt disturbed.
There are too many stories like this lately. What used to be sadness for the jobs state in our society has turned to frustration and: me grappling for answers. Grapple, grapple, grapple.... that's the sound of me grappling for answers.

a new item:
At the mysterious unnamed place where I volunteer, a man (He is not Hispanic. He is maybe in his 40s) was trying to say "your welcome" in Spanish. Using his best humor, he instead said, "Taco Bueno." I witnessed the whole thing. I have heard this before, and it was only funny the first time. For 2 seconds.
"Taco Bueno," when translated, literally means, "Good Taco." Or it can mean, "O.k. taco." I will take even more liberty and say that it sounds like, "My taco was o.k."
So, for anyone who was planning to use this phrase to say, "your welcome," I would like for you to know, you will be walking around saying, "My taco was o.k." If that is o.k. with you, then go ahead. Just a little advice from n.d.h.

Keep listening to Coldplay,
bye,
Alice