Something To Consider?

In light of the current economic situation and government panic, please consider this passage from Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged:

“Do you wish to know whether that day is coming? Watch money. Money is the barometer of a society’s virtue. When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion – when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing – when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors – when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don’t protect you against them, but protect them against you – when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice you may know that your society is doomed. Money is so noble a medium that it does not compete with guns and it does not make terms with brutality. It will not permit a country to survive as half-property, half-loot.”

Published in: on October 8, 2008 at 8:27 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Alhambra’s Lion Fountain

When visiting the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, one of the must-see items is the lion fountain.

I first became aware of the Alhambra when I read Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra. Many people don’t know that Irving was responsible for one of the earliest conservation efforts of historical sites. He traveled to Spain, rode from Seville to Granada, and found the Alhambra in a sorry state of disrepair. His book was a huge seller during his time, igniting the imaginations of people in various countries. One of the most amazing things is how his writings remain relevant more than a hundred and fifty years later. His discussion of the Spanish character, the context in which the Alhambra exists, and his interpretation of the sight ring true. It is interesting to read how travel was conducted all those years ago. It certainly makes me appreciate all the conveniences available in the current age.

Published in: on October 7, 2008 at 2:24 pm  Comments (1)  
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Practicing Your Craft

While walking through New York City, I came upon this man painting a street scene.

What impresses me most about people like this is that they are out there practicing their craft. It’s not easy to set your creative self to work every day. Things like self-doubt, criticism, and the necessity of paying the bills often get in the way. Nonetheless, you have to get out there and do what it is that makes you an artist. For me this means writing pieces that I know aren’t always my best or even good enough to be seen by the public. Still, practice does make perfect, or at least better.

So, I’m taking the fountain pen and paper out just now and getting to work.

Published in: on October 6, 2008 at 1:45 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Brilliant Photography

Regular readers of this blog will know that I’ve mentioned a few great photographers. I also post those old-time panoramic shots. Well, I came across this fellow Arnaud Frich. His website is www.arnaudfrichphoto.com. His photography is brilliant, both literally and figuratively.

In the first place, he photographs cathedrals, palaces, and open spaces with stunning clarity. His perspectives are interesting and insightful. He used panoramic cameras as well as others and the work shown on his website is consistently impressive. I particularly enjoyed his church interiors. He captures the weight and light of these structures as well as the sense of place that they impose upon the visitor. This is a photographic challenge few practioners of the craft are capable of achieving.

So pay his sight a visit. I’m sure you will be impressed.

Published in: on October 5, 2008 at 3:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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