(Actionable) Blackout Tuesday

It’s 11pm on #blackouttuesday and I’ve been scrolling through a seemingly infinite number of black squares on all of my social media accounts. I’ve seen some incredibly beautiful tributes, calls to actions, and just plain support both from within and without the community. In light of current events, it warms even my hard little soul that there are so many people in my social spheres who are so willing to publicly support the less privileged.

However, I couldn’t bring myself to only post another black square in a sea of black squares. So I remained silent all day. Until I came across a friend’s post that stuck out:

Photo by Ahsan Farooqi on June 02, 2020. Image may contain: text that says 'Sorry all. won't posting a blackout pic because being silent is the problem. Instead post action items. Please donating, sign petitions, and if able calls. Here are some suggestions get you www.runwithmaud.com -Minnesota freedom fund (Bail out protestors. There are ones for many major cities) tps://gf.me/u/x4xyax (George Floyd Memorial Fund) -Be on the lookout for the ability to help with medical bills protestors. l.e. Brad Ayala face a sniper while far from protestors. -And follow @grassrootslaw, @shaunking, @leemerittesq as they post action items and causes. And most of all, harass your representatives to take action!'

So with that, here’s that info in (my edited) text form.

Alongside a blackout pic, I’d like to post action items. Please consider donating, sign petitions, and if able, make calls.

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

  • https://www.runwithmaud.com
  • Minnesota freedom fund (Bail out protestors. There are ones for many major cities.)
  • https://gf.me/u/x4xyax (George Floyd Memorial Fund)
  • Be on the lookout for the ability to help with medical bills of protestors. I.e. Brad Ayala who was shot in the face by a police sniper while standing far away from protestors.
  • Follow resources within the community like @grassrootslaw, @shaunking, and @leemerittesq as they post action items and causes

And most of all, harass your representatives to take action. You can google contact information or use services like https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative

There are so many resources available to anyone who is looking. This is also a post a friend recommended as a good jumping off point as well.

I hope the information above helps y’all get started.

Two Years Down

Two years ago, I was in Phoenix dealing with a dead rental car full of stuff. I was also driving across the California border at sunset and in Hollywood by midnight.

Sunset crossing the California border - Sept 10, 2017
Here’s the California border if anyone’s curious 😀

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY4i7AbjBqYuCwSA_YMxGpoza2xKrXKaC-c5DI0/

It’s been a heck of a ride since. Southern California has definitely taken my heart in a way I couldn’t have imagined then. No, it’s not just the weather (but how could I not enjoy all of the sun?). Or even the scenery (reading on the beach after hiking a mountain trail on the same day!).

It’s the feeling of accomplishment, survival, growth. Albeit, some of it came after much kicking and screaming. I’ve never lived so far away for family or my inner circle — thank goodness for text messaging, phone calls, and facetime! I’ve made new friends and created more circles. I’m still working on having game nights and potlucks though (Sidenote: Anyone know how to get folks to cross the 405 on a regular or even irregular basis?)

It was such a milestone when I realized I could get around the city without Google Maps-ing my way everywhere. Even more so when I could find faster shortcuts!

All of this to say, the two years have flown by and dragged on. Another 730 days older (I see you wrinkles!), wiser (pfft…maybe), and weathered (wear that sunscreen folks!).

Besides, can it really be real if Facebook didn’t remind me or I don’t post online about it for the world to see?

Amalienborg Castle

Portfolio.2010_22_NTPhoto

Portfolio.2010_23_NTPhotoSo some water, some ice, big stinking deal, right? Just some big fat canal that she’s posting again. But this is not just another domed old building, this is one of the official  residences for the royal family of Denmark, notably the winter residence. NBD, just another castle. Except this is on the harbor, overlooking the hundreds of ships going in and out on a regular basis, and it has an incredible history.

 

A statue in Nyhavn

On my walk around the city one day, I happened to actually see this monstrous statue outside the harbor. I must’ve passed it dozens of times before I actually saw it. I don’t know what made me stop that one time, but I got a cool shot out of it!

What do you pass everyday that you don’t notice until that one special day? Take note of it 🙂

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Night Sky Line

DailyUpload_103_November2010_NancyThankiPhotography

DailyUpload_104_November2010_NancyThankiPhotographyCopenhagen once again, there may be a trend in where my mind is lately 🙂

Sunset is one of my favorite times of day. As a photographer, it has the “magic hour” when the light is as naturally perfect for photographing as it will ever be. But for me it has always been nice to wind down to a beautiful scenery, a wonderful backdrop to cap of a wonderful day.

 

Foggy Georgia Tech, Fall 2012

Georgia Tech has a beautiful campus, full of greenery and technology. The newest building on campus at least while I was there, was the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, an extremely high-tech, green building with 5 floors and countless wall outlets (the latter being much more significant!). My favorite part though was the rooftop garden which provided a central view of campus. One particularly foggy night, I was fortunate enough to be there with my camera.

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