Thursday 18 March 2010: balls...
well, sometimes, that's what it takes...and some classic examples came to me in the form of photography today...nothing great at work, it was a relatively easy day today. farside might have figured it out already as he received more than usual number of emails from me today during work hours...most (or maybe all) of the emails were to do about photography though...
...that brings me to the two LOTDs. first is a Boston.com Big Picture series on 2010 Winter Paralympics. I was totally awed at the series. The photographs are good beyond doubt but it is more about the stories behind the photos. These athletes have some series balls! The kind of things they're doing, are beyond what many of we 'normal' ones have ever done (or will do) in life! I just tried to visualize and imagine the the effort that each of these tasks will require - and I could just applaud in admiration. There's a roar or courage and determination behind every face there!
the other link is about a wildlife photographer who stood in a waterhole for 3 months in the middle of a jungle in Africa to get a few good shots of the lions in their habitat. In the process, he contact many lethal diseases but survived to tell the story, and probably go back to the jungle some day...now what degree of passion and commitment forces one to take such extreme steps...the pictures that came out of his perseverance are just amazing!
Comments
They do indeed have enormous courage and dedication - and how humbling to watch them compete and then contrast their dedication to that of the overpaid and ridiculous professional athletes in this world.
~ KathGordon
I was crying so hard watching them, I had to stop. I think it was proud, happy crying but it was too much. Last year I watched the special Olympics where my daughter, Rachel was competing in track. I cried then, too (and I am not a cryer) I just go back in time and think of all the lost opportunities for the mentally and physically challenged people from the past. So many people trapped at home or in institutions when they could have been competing, reaching their full potential, showing the world that they shouldn't be written off. What a wonderful achievement by all of these athletes ! They are amazing! Thank you for sharing this link with us!. I hardly ever use the word "normal" 'cause I like "average" better. Rachel once told her uncle that he had a nice average family and he about choked. She also introduces herself to people, sometimes, saying, "Hello, I'm Rachel, I have Down Syndrome, what do you have?" That usually get them, too. But really, we all "have" something, it's just that there are some things that haven't been "labeled" yet.
I'm sure there is some kind of label for making yourself ill standing in dirty water in the midst of wild animals to get a good shot! :-))
~ dorrit
Great links. I am tempted to think, that the disabled athletes at the paralympics might end up leading fuller lives than so many of us. And instead of merely drawing our sympathy, they can serve as great sources of inspiration for us all.
~ farsidehues
Marvelous, it is like you have created your own universe. Also you have managed well with dof. Awesome picture and thanks you for fav.
~ tarkastaja
@dorrit - very true on the 'normal' probably 'common' would be more apt.
@farside - exactly...their level of satisfaction and achievement will be so much higher than ours
~ Adda
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