Art Walk

A week or two ago, my friend Boo emailed me, then alerted me on Facebook that I had an email waiting for me. Boo is an artist, a liberal, and a bit of a rabble-rouser. I like those traits in a person.

But back to the email: St. Petersburg has a monthly art walk in its Grand Central District. Boo and several others were planning to film several artists showing off their work in a free-form short film, and she asked if I wanted to come along. I said sure, then began wondering what the heck I was thinking. I do that a lot: I'll commit to something, then spend time wondering why I agreed to it; in the end, I'm usually glad I came along. But that's beside the point.

Boo showed up Saturday afternoon around 3:00. After bringing my camera and tripod out, we headed off. Boo had several things to drop off before we met up with the group.

It turned out we were a little early. As we waited, I wandered off a little. There was some live music nearby, and I figured I'd check it out. After listening a little and taking some photos, I asked the drummer, one Edward Burrows, the name of the group.

"Rare Phorm Band," I was told, as he handed over one of their business cards.

Quick Note: If you happen to find out that Rare Phorm Band is playing anywhere, and you get a chance, go. Definitely cool, definitely good. I hope they make it big.

Wandering back, Boo was gathering artists for filming, directing as she went along. I managed to take photos, some on her camera, some on mine, until two things happened: Boo's camera ran out of memory, and I ran out of film. Isn't that the way it goes? (Anyone who knows me well knows my one question when it comes to planning: How do you make God laugh? Tell Him your plans.)

But we continued on...We still had access to video, so that was how the rest of it went. Video was what Boo had wanted the most of, so that helped.

We were finished by maybe 7:30-ish, then hung out for an hour, gabbing away, until it was time to leave.

And yes, I'm glad I went along. Boo, if you're reading this, I'll have the pics to you by the end of the week. Edward Burrows and the Rare Phorm Band, please check back here for the photos, as well as at Robin Shwedo Productions. You might see someone you know!

Boston Marathon Explosions

This afternoon, while checking out Facebook, I noticed a post from a friend, K.C., that seemed almost cryptic: "Not. Cool. I hope everybody's okay!" She then included a link, along with the headline that read "Explosions Reported At The Boston Marathon; Dozens Injured [Updating]".

At first, I didn't pay any attention: didn't read the headline, was aware of a photo but didn't look close, didn't check the link. But when another person, a professor that K.C. and I know from school, posted a comment: "This looks really bad. Here's another link to what's going on in Boston right now:" and a link. I went back and looked at K.C.'s post, followed both links, then turned on CNN, then, after a few minutes, turned to MSNBC.

What had happened, what is known so far, is this: The Boston Marathon ran today. It runs every year on Patriot's Day (the third Monday in April), beginning in 1897. This afternoon, two bombs went off at the finish line, after the first wave of runners had crossed the finish line. An incident also occurred at the JFK Library; at first, the incident was reported as a fire, then as a third bomb. (At this time, reports on whether it was, in fact, a fire or third bomb are conflicting.)

I lived in the northeast corner of Connecticut for a little over four years, first in Thompson, right across the line from Webster, Mass., then in South Woodstock. During those years, living equidistance from Providence, Hartford, and Boston (*see below), my parents would frequently bring my sister, brother and me to each of those cities; each of them hold a special place in my memories. For years, I'd thought how wonderful it would be to someday run the Boston Marathon, then spend a day or two (or more) hanging out there.

Years later, when I first started running, the idea of running a marathon and eventually qualifying for Boston reemerged. Sure, I'd watch the New York Marathon, multiple Olympic Marathons, was aware of local marathons...But the Boston Marathon has remained the marathon that sparks the imagination, especially for one who lived in New England for a few years.

As I listened and watched the news, I was as stunned as I'm sure most people watching the unfolding news were. And it's still unfolding: The FBI would be sending agents to investigate; two people are now reported dead, over 100 injured; Logan Airport is closed; people are being told not to be in crowds for safety's sake.

With athletes from around the world in Boston to run the marathon, this becomes not just an attack on the U.S., but on the international community to a degree.

As President Barack Obama has just stated in a press conference, in something like this, "There are no Democrats or Republicans." We can add that there are no Americans, Africans, Europeans, Asians...there are simply people.

May God/Allah/Jehovah/Great Spirit/Mother Earth bless and care for us all.



*Providence is the capital of Rhode Island, Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, and Boston, the capital of Massachusettes.