LIVELY CONVERSATION ON HOLLYWOOD BEACH, Fl.

During the mid 1980's walking down Hollywood Beach's boardwalk we came across a lively conversation. Retirees often hung out together and formed unique bonds of friendship.

Often we are much too busy in this cyber age to sit down with a friend and have a meanigful face to face conversation. We lavish our attentions on our keyboard, e-mails, text messages, and IM's.

MAMAS and PAPAS - GEORGIA STATE COLLEGE

One of the highlights at Georgia State College was a performance by the Mamas and Papas.

Michelle Phillips was quite a 'Presence' on stage, as was Cass Elliot in the second picture, which is more of a kinetic slow shutter speed.

Overall going to GSC had some superb entertainment during the late 60's. Otis Redding, James Brown at Atlanta Stadium, the Allman Brothers, Herbie Mann, BB King, and the Atlanta Jazz Festival.

If there was one thing I could say about the Soutern schools in those days...they knew how to party and enjoy life.

COLLEGE PARTY , ATLANTA 1967

I recall we went to Gigi's Pizza after a party during the late 60's . This was from Georgia State College. There's not too much I can really say about this picture, other than it has a nice feeling, if you double click it and take some time to take it in.

Probably in their late teens or early 20's these kids had warm and caring feelings towards each other. A nice period in our lives to remember.

THE SUFFERING INVISIBLE - NYC SUBWAY

One day I was riding the subway, and came across across a social wrong.

All probability dictates this woman has passed on to the next world. The picture was taken in the mid-60's , taken from a scanned slide. she was not wearing Manolo Blahniks. One might speculate from her babushka she was possibly once a European immigrant.

Was she once beautiful, was she well loved, with suitors and admirers when she was young. Did she once have a charming personality, and lithe figure ? What was she like ? Where did she go to school? Who were her friends ?

Did she have a happy childhood ? Who were her parents ? What was her Karma ?

Normally one looks away and passes by. Perhaps one makes a little prayer, but I wondered about the dignity of old age, where her family, children, and relatives ...if she had anyone ? Did she have a place to live ? Did she ride the subways all day and most of the night ? Who was there to bathe her, perfume her body, and wash her ? To dress her in clean, elegant, and beautiful clothes ?

How did we have such people in the midst of mid 60's opulence, especially in the Big Apple ? You could get off the subway and walk along Central Park East, and wonder at the comparison.

The suffering invisible are given labels as crazies who were once institutionalized or drug addicts, or perhaps in this case someone who was simply abandoned.

With the New Millennium the problem has not gone away. Ultimately we are all in G-d's hands.

The sign on the window asks to "save water", another problem that has yet to go away. Then again we can always rationalize, make merry, and simply look the other way.

TREES TELL ME HOW

A tree, foliage, a leaf , a bloom, are challenging subjects to photograph. How does one capture their essence and beauty other than by poetic imagery ?

If a photographer studies a subject, it tells you how. An answer forms, where you capture the
essence you perceive with the camera.

There are all from a bike path in Holland Park, in Hollywood, Florida. Again there's a quality of visual tactility, tactile-ness...merging perception. Subject and object become one. Relish in associations and memories...

Tress all have a story...a history...what was said and what happened in their presence ?

YOURS TRULY 1954 LAKESIDE MICHIGAN - BITTEN BY THE BUG

I was eight years old, and a family friend snapped this picture, with what was most likely an Argus or a Kodak 35mm range finder camera. This is when I got bitten by the Photography Bug.
Hmmm this is interesting...one look, one snap of the shutter. Wasn't it Rashi who said something about the Eyes See and the Heart Desires.

I received my first serious camera, a Konica range finder in 1960.

What really made a difference in my view of photo editing was going to the Photoshop User conferences on Miami Beach. This organization is fabulous and beyond compare, for any serious photographer.

H.H. SWAMI RAMA

In 1970 I first met Swami Rama when he came to America. He was charismatic and was an excellent speaker. Dr. Elmer Green collaborated with Swami Rama in his research.

Swamiji built up a large organization in the US as well as built a Hospital in India. Overall he did a lot good in the world.

This is an older picture that he used in a couple of his books. I really did not touch it up very much at all.
This picture came from a seminar at the Unitarian church in Dallas. He knew how to work a room and inspire his audience. He received the title of Shankaracharya, and had quite a following. Swami Rama somehow always reminded me of Sid Caesar, in appearance.

He also had his human side. Because of his knowledge and medical research, he attracted quite a few doctors and professionals as his students. He is an interesting subject to Google. He left the US and passed on in India.

While I find Eastern Philosophy and Yoga a fascinating subject, I believe one is responsible for one's own progress and enlightenment, and should always keep religion and cults in proper perspective and balance. This is not for everyone.

BAL HARBOR FLORIDA - A KOY PICTURE 2006

Next to Gefilte fish, people are fond of Koy for their gardens and shopping centers. This photo was taken at Bal Harbor Shopping Mall, an upscale shopping center near Miami Beach.

From an Ethology standpoint they are fun to observe and this can be a relaxing, if not colorful experience.

RECREATIONAL WEEKEND DRIVING IN THE META - A REAL GAZ

During a 1974 trip to the Ariari River in Colombia's Meta, we saw a Jeep that ended up in a roadside ditch that was rather substantial. This on a small country road where , for whatever purpose , the driver lost control. This was not that uncommon an occurrence, we were informed.

The Jeep was most likely a Russian GAZ. They were a GAZ to drive.

THE MEANING BEHIND AVIAN SYMBOLS

There is a colorful B&B on Hollywood Beach, that we always pass by on our morning walks. In the second picture, when you double click , you'll see a cockatoo in it's cage by the pool.

If you look closely, you can see the bird is watching. They are very conscious and intelligent creatures. Cockatoos require a lot of attention, and as a rule are very affectionate pet birds.

THE WHO 1970 LINCOLN CENTER AT THE MET

I posted a Quicktime photo presentation on You Tube.

As of August 2007 I have had 582 views of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohnVUxhY0fE

This concert was a superb experience. These are not hi res views, but if you would like to arrange for a special photo or poster, send me an e-mail.

THE LOOK OF LOVE IS IN YOUR EYES

This was taken in a park between the late 60's and early 70's.
Lucky Dog, pets are well loved.


Abe passed away after shortly after his German shepherd expired one day during yoga class. It's as their love for one another helped sustain their very being. This was from the late 1980's.
He felt there was a psychic bond between pets and their owners.

QUA QUA's QUAKER PARROT HOLLYWOOD BEACH 2006

Our Daughter calls Quaker Parrots Qua Qua's. They are beautiful, extremely quick, and adept at flying, can be trained to talk, but can they ever bite, if they are not hand tamed. You can see the qua qua at 3 O'clock, when you double click.

There were quite a few on Hollywood Beach prior to Wilma and the renovation. They are a hardy species and will most likely repopulate.

TROPICAL SKYS - HOLLYWOOD BEACH FLORIDA 2006

Can a Catapillar bulldozer look artistic and be part of a photographic work of art ? At lest Hollywood Beach looked better after the beach was renovated.


Parasailing ? on Hollywodd Beach Florida 2006


Photoeditied Sky and Palm Tree, Hollywood Beach Florida, 2006

One has to pause, reflect and really take a look at one's surroundings and feel the wind, see the light and shadow, and sculpture in the clouds.

AMRITAM & PRASAD

This photo is of Sri Brahmananda Sarasvati, Rammurti S. Mishra, M.D.
The website of his ashram is at www.anandaashram.org .

The pictures below are of Swami Naranda Devi, Edith Epstein, who left her physical form a year later after Dr. Mishra in 1994.

Amritam is nectar...spiritual nectar, vibrational nectar, the nectar of knowledge. Double click on this picture and enjoy the feeling for a while...

The the bottle of Lechee Honey on the lower right is symbolic of sweetness. Gurus, spiritual teachers, holy persons show us how to know G-d, to feel and experience this idea and knowledge. Guruji often stated, "I am a cafeteria for all religions."

A Guru dispels darkness and brings light, by virtue of being closer to G-d, they take us along and give us a helping hand.

If you click on the Google Video Search link below, you can watch four nights of Dr. Mishra's programs and experience the teachings and knowledge via streaming video. The Internet is about sharing good knowledge and information. This is a good way to honor his memory and for you to learn some good technique and acquire some useful knowledge.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=sri+brahmananda+sarasvati

Dr. Mishra's Guru, Bhagavan Das stated people came to him for "Transfer of Power".




Prasad is divinely inspired food which is spiritually blessed. It may be something a simple as a piece of fruit or a delicious specially prepared dish. Prasad takes on a special meaning and vibration when it comes from the hand of the Guru.

Swami Naranda Devi, Edith Epstein, taught Hatha Yoga and Meditation for over 40 years.

No doubt about it, good food is all about love. One of her favorite quotes was "Sharing is Caring". She was also renown for her vegetarian feasts. Toward the end of her life, when Dr. Mishra came down to her Ashram in Hallandale, Florida, she stayed up three nights preparing a special vegetarian feast as I recall with over 72 dishes. She liked to be referred to as"Swami Mommy". She was a Cosmic Jewish Mother, a great mom in any faith. Her students were from the US, Canada,India, Europe, and Latin America. Her students were lavished with plenty of motherly love. Swami Naranda taught yoga but would still light Shabbat candles, challah, and wine every Friday night, and have vegetarian Seders. She would also make tofu turkey on Thanksgiving.

Her life was dedicated to her students.

You can view her favorite relaxation, "This is your moment" here accompanied by master sitarist Roop Verma :

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Swami+Naranda+Devi

You can also view her speaking in a private sitar concert with Roop Verma performing.
Naranda's Ashram was behind the old Hallandale, Fl., City Hall and Main Fire Station.She offered yoga classes, intensives and teachers training courses.Most every weekend she featured "Yoga on the Beach"classes,in a pine grove on A1A and Hallandale Beach Blvd. One could remember the sound of pine trees rustling in the wind,interspersed with moments of silence. This was just South of Golden Beach, where Broward County begins in S. Florida.

Since then the Pine Grove was torn up and exclusive high rise condominiums have been built on this site, once owned by financier Victor Posner. The grounds of her Ashram were later turned into a adjoining single homes, and all the orchards and mango trees were dug up and hauled away.The main house was preserved as part of a small historical site.These grounds were a wonderful spatial temporal nexus while they lasted.

Shortly after she passed on I wrote a poem in her memory. She often used a metronome in her hatha yoga classes to give a sense of timing, in meditation one can experience eternity.
http://poeticorthogonal.blogspot.com/2007/06/swami-naranda-rememberance.html

The grounds of her Ashram had fabulous mango trees, papayas trees, and ample room for outdoor programs and concerts. The residents living in her historic building were a cast of characters, by any one's definition. She deserves to be remembered for her many wonderful qualities. She was not all that well known or publicized, but was an exceptional teacher.

MUNICH DRAGON

1989 Munich in the Old European World. What and whom did the Dragon represent ?

Fortunately we do not have dragons in this New Millenium, not exactly.

This was taken on the corner of Weinstrasse and Marienplatz, by the local bagel place.

MARDI GRAS NEW ORLEANS LATE 60'S

This picture is from the mid 60's. That's New Orleans and Mardi Gras


Here someone is compassionately helping a poor besotted soul to leave Jackson Square Park.
Having taken the photo 40 years ago, the longevity prospects for the fellow on the left were not too good.

SHEA STADIUM CONCERT 1970- HAIR,JANICE JOPLIN, JOHNNY WINTER

In 1970 Hair was quite the rage on Broadway. This photo was taken from a concert performance at Shea Stadium. They were singing Age of Aquarius. In retrospect, are we ever getting the Aquarian Age ! The decade of the 70's ended in the age of microbe morality :)


Johnny Winter is still going at 'em and has always been a lively and talented performer.

This was one of Janice Joplin's last concerts. Sorry to say I wished she had a healthier aura and took better care of herself. I just watched from the background, behind the lens.

VANILLA FUDGE ATLANTA AIRPORT LATE 60'S

Just walking along the terminal at Atlanta Airport and along came a couple of band members from Vanilla Fudge. They said," Hi Shel, take our picture". Here you go guys. A bit belated from the late 60's.

So sorry to Keep You Hanging On :) Great Group in it's time. Sharp dressers.

BB KING GEORGIA STATE COLLEGE LATE 60'S

I first met BB King as a student when I was a photographer on the the Georgia State College
Rampway. What a wonderful performer, consummate musician, and warm friendly person, who loves to play for his fans.

With BB the thrill is never gone. The singing and feeling come directly from his heart and soul.
Lucille and BB Hands... it's an act of pure musical love.


A few years ago, I saw BB perform on New Years Eve at the Jacki Gleason Theater on Miami
Beach. The fans were ecstatic. How a performer his age can handle such a busy schedule is nothing short of amazing.

This picture was from a very thin negative, and was shot which explains the graininess.

I posted a photo presentation of BB King on You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQWf3zgQFLQ

BOSTON 1988

During a CDLA Conference in 1988, at Copley Square in Boston, I took this picture with a Fuji disposable camera. The colors were rather striking, and there was a Zen like quality to the arrangement of the boulders.

Along with Judge Green's Consent Degree, the Computer Dealers and Lessors Association
disappeared. ECLAT, the European conterpart of CDLA merged with ASCDI. NATD, the National Association of Telecom Dealers is another organization that offers highs standards and a code of ethics.

LIFE IN BLOOM

These water lilies come from a late 80's visit to the Oxford Botanical Gardens.

I am fond of Railroad Vines on the Florida Beaches . I was very pleased with the detail of the sand, light, and shadow in this photo.

Back to Oxford...see above


More flora from the beaches...the color is a bit surreal, but the subject communicates.

APPLE TROPICALE

We were eating a pizza across from the Apple store on Lincoln road in South Beach. It's always interesting to photograph an icon, under natural urban lighting conditions at night. At night Lincoln Road Mall is an interesting place to go for a stroll. Lots of outdoor restaurants and cafes.

Food has to be really good for a restaurant to make it. The South Beach area is popular and trendy, where the masses go to be seen by the masses, otherwise great for people watching.
One watches for "Presence", usually a rare commodity.

FOLIAGE SPECTRUM

The foliage is real , the colors are artistic license. The flower and leaves became an interesting subject. This was taken from a boardwalk on a park near the ocean on AIA and Sheridan Street in Hollywood, Fl. Most people wouldn't notice and just walk by.

LIGHT FROM ABOVE

This picture was of a rather remarkable skylight, a stained glass mosaic, at the Society of Composers, taken in Madrid, Spain in 1989. Double clink on the picture, take a minute and enjoy
the patterning and the light.


We visited Cordoba in 2001, and documented the exquisite workmanship of Moorish architecture shown in this Mosque's dome.

Of course the art and beauty are exquisite, the Moors were expelled with Spain, and shortly there after the Inquisition began. Over history one wonders who was the most brutal, especially when you consider the conquistador's conquest of Mexico and the New World. Of course there was no multimedia or photographs of the genocide perpetuated on the native Indian populations. The Inquisition was however well documented to an extent.

The Mesquita was turned into a church, which was the general practice, and the one in Cordoba was also used as a Mausoleum, where bodies were interred under the floor, and bones in glass caskets. This went over well with the expelled Moors and the Ottomans.

The Synagogue in Toledo also was turned into a church with a reliquary. The New World traditions led to our New Millenium. Shall we "Give Peace A Chance" and have the next Woodstock Concert in Iraq ?

VENICE VENEDIG VENEZIA 1989

We visited Venice in 1988 and 1989. Venetians uniquely speak an Italian-ized dialect of Castilian Spanish. One can never tire of visiting Venice or it's adjacent islands. It calls me back and elicits Deja Vu.

Whenever one sees Venice in film or on TV, a little chill goes through you, and you think , I was really there.

Is it touristy and romantic, yes. Other than Su Chow and Ft. Lauderdale by Las Olas Blvd., going toward the ocean, Venice is still the first best alternative. Peggy Guggenheim must have had some really interesting parties. Always a great city to watch people, and experience good food, art, and beauty.