Monday, March 14, 2011

Thematic Photographic 137 - Late


Oasis of light
New York, NY, November 2009

I'm a little late getting the new theme posted. Okay, a lot late. In light of, well, life, our little weekly photographic diversion took a bit of a back seat. On reflection, however, I realize what we all need right about now is precisely that, a diversion.

That's because as I write this, the precarious situation in Japan is rapidly worsening. Fears of nuclear meltdown - or worse, meltdowns - are growing, and it's hard to see the light at the end of this ever-longer, twisted tunnel. It seems somewhat frivolous to be playing with pictures when an uncontrolled catastrophe grips folks just like us half a world away.

So please forgive me if I write with a bit of ambivalence tonight. I'll keep shooting and writing and sharing. And I hope you will, too. But it'll be with a sense of sadness because the world doesn't always play fair. And explaining the why of it all to our kids is proving to be harder than I thought.

Your turn: You know what to do. If not, please click here. And if you'd like to share a thought about Japan, or about life in general, please feel free to do so in a comment.

21 comments:

Dawn said...

Life goes on...and sadly at that.
I still like your LATE shot,
and hear you on the explanation on it all. Life is unexplainable at the best of times.

On My Soapbox said...

"Real life" should always come before "virtual life". :-) Anyway, here's my late-themed submission.

Gilly said...

Aha! I've got in early this time! Here is my Late but not forgotten

Mike Wood said...

I think we both wrote our blog posts around the same time last night, Carmi. For similar reasons too. It is the End of Winter here, but a dark winter of a different sort has just begun in Japan. (photo with my post is work safe)

21 Wits said...

No life doesn't always play fair, and all of Japan's horrible saddness was doubled for me as a dear friend of mine lost his mother (due to complications of surgery)she was so much like a mom to me as well(she lived life as it should be lived and loved) She died at about the same moment Japan's earthquake hit...I know life is fleeting and we need to make the most of every single moment, but when reality like this walks into our lives I completely agree with you,it seems the simple joy of sitting down to the computer feels so selfish on my part....it's times like this that life absolutely floods a person's soul. They (whoever they are) that these things happen for a reason, that with each heartbreak goodness will follow....but listening, seeing, knowing what is happening just across the ocean leaves me in shock. Ironically she died about 2:30 in the morning on Sat. and her grandbaby girl was born at about 4:00 that afternoon. Bad and good?

Kalei's Best Friend said...

hey, Carmi- missed u...
here's my take on the theme..lol
see if u agree?
http://afreshstartwithkalei.blogspot.com/2011/03/tp-137-late.html

fredamans said...

Better late than never!

http://fredamans.blogspot.com/2011/03/thematic-photographic-late.html

theMuddledMarketPlace said...

"But it'll be with a sense of sadness because the world doesn't always play fair."

Tonight my heart is heavy....not just for the bigger Japanese picture, but for one individual sadness in our city.

Hearts do break ....but often, so often, no one at all notices.

Bob Scotney said...

Sunset and sunrise. Thinking of Japan.

http://bobscotney.blogspot.com/2011/03/late-thematic-photography.html

Aunt Snow said...

I'm feeling the same way, Carmi. Sort of - why does what I have to say matter, in the light of the suffering the Japanese people are undergoing, and in the light of potential disaster.

It's put me in a kind of weird frame of mind, just sort of drifting, taking in things but not processing them creatively.

My son is already an adult. It is sobering to think of having to explain these happenings to children. but I am sure you will do a great job with much sensitivity and care.

Love your photo.

Alexia said...

I love your photo too. We are all feeling a strange sense of sadness and dislocation, I guess. Helpless in the face of horrific destruction and uncertainty.

I was too late for the last TP - and my first idea, to post pics of some of my departed, much-loved pets, has been beautifully done by Gilly.

So here are some gentle, peaceful evening shots.

Unknown said...

My late submission http://randomoutrageous.blogspot.com/2011/03/late.html

You have me pondering the implications of "lateness".

dennisthemennis.co.uk said...

ah lateness ...

http://dennisthemennis.blogspot.com/2011/03/is-it-too-late.html

21 Wits said...

Is it ever too late to be late? No never! Here's my lateness!

http://twincitiesblather.blogspot.com/2011/03/thematic-photographic-137-late.html

Anonymous said...

My postis (predictably) late, but it’s up!

knot eye said...

I refused to go where my head is right now..so I give you my take on...late

Peace. hp


late

Max Sartin said...

Here are my "Late" photographs.
I went through everyone else's as I was trying to figure out what to post, and as always, I was quite impressed. Great job everyone.

PJ said...

I always enjoy the variety of interpretations for themes. My first time posting for one is here.

Smitha said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Smitha said...

here is my post, late

Hope said...

Here is my photo....almost late. Peace to this thoughtful and creative community. A safe harbor in an unsettled world.
http://hopebodwell.blogspot.com/