status quo.

.

2010-11-02T16:54:00.016-05:00

PDX: the interns.

2010-10-05T03:42:00.004-05:00

These are the people that I lived, cooked, argued, worked, breathed, camped, laughed, biked with every day for two months. They are incredible humans.

I never got the chance to take everyone's portraits like I had planned in my head. What a great regret! This taught me not to take for granted the time I spend with those close to me. Here's what I ended up with at the end of the summer: some happenstance photos that I can call "portraits."

Not pictured: Cassi Nelson, Shawna Rollins, Heather Bird.

Raleigh McCool. Truly one of the greatest human beings I have ever known. I am blessed to still call him my best friend. Today he is changing lives with his ever-giving heart and compassionate love. One day he will change lives with his powerful words (buy his books a couple years from now!). My love for Raleigh is eneffable and good.

Noel Joy Naker. How appropriate that her parents chose this as her middle name. Noel is a beautiful woman and a bright spirit with a vast love for humankind, nature, and God. She is love, embodied.

Liz Witty. The Texan with a bright smile. Liz is brilliant and passionate: her love is pervasive. She makes me laugh.

Jacob Morse Bethel. One of the freest and most giving men I know. He made PSP unforgettable and will change the world one day.

Chelsea Danielle Crawford. She is beautiful beyond words and has a thirst for freedom.

Andy Glisson. A fellow southerner whose relaxed sentiments brought our group back to its roots. I love this man. He made me laugh every single day of my Portland summer.

PDX: pump. summer. program.

2010-10-05T03:39:00.001-05:00

Pump Summer Program: PSP. This is what I did all summer. Hung out with the coolest kids on the planet and walked with them on a journey of love.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: pump kids.

2010-10-05T03:35:00.003-05:00

These kids were at the heart of my summer. They are all the children of PUMP families, folks we saw not only throughout the week but also on weekends and after camp. They are all amazing spirits.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

"Dear Meredith: I hope you're fun."

PDX: Portland zoo.

2010-10-05T03:32:00.003-05:00

Field trip to the Portland zoo, where we learned about ecosystems and elephant ears.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: waterpark.

2010-10-05T03:31:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite field trips.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: aspiring photojournalists

2010-10-05T03:28:00.002-05:00

I cherish these shots: all taken by elementary aged children on my manual Canon AE-1.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: portland urban ministry project.

2010-10-05T03:24:00.003-05:00

Without the love of the Portland Urban Ministry Project (PUMP Church: a home-based church of incredible folks), my summer would have been significantly less meaningful.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: the city.

2010-10-05T03:21:00.002-05:00

While it was already a beautiful experience to be able to connect with children all summer long, it certainly didn't hurt that we also got to live in such an incredible city while doing it.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: Yamhill.

2010-10-05T03:17:00.003-05:00

Our first weekend together, then ten interns and program directors traveled together to Camp Yamhill, a beautiful retreat center nestled in the Cascades. This was the weekend that started it all. It was magic.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: blue girls.

2010-10-05T03:10:00.003-05:00

This was my absolute favorite part of the summer: leading 10 5th grade girls in a reading group for three days a week. We studied poetry using Sharon Creech's Love That Dog, and also incorporated some hip-hop, slam poetry, pop music and social theory along the way. And they taught me some killer dance moves. I still remember and pray for them one year later, and imagine doing so for some time to come. They are beautiful, strong women. My love for them is vast.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: going around, merrily.

2010-10-05T03:03:00.003-05:00

Our first full day together in Portland was spent on a "city search," guided by our mentors and program directors at PSP. We traversed the city in an attempt to familiarize ourselves with our new home, and ended up near the state line of Oregon/Washington, at this old spot whose name I can't recall.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: Interns at work.

2010-10-05T02:59:00.004-05:00

The crux of the summer: working and learning and sharing and playing with kids. These are the memories that still grip my heart.

Portland, Oregon. Summer 2009.

PDX: Food, coffee, life.

2010-10-05T02:55:00.002-05:00

Portland, Oregon. Summer, 2009.

PSP kids.

2010-06-01T13:43:00.002-05:00

The reason I lived in Portland for 2 months.
Summer 2009.

PDX: Los Taquitos

2010-06-01T13:39:00.004-05:00

There was this group of 4 Hispanic kids who were inseparable. They always gave me a good run when we played soccer at rec time. Esteban, Brian, Sebastian, y Jonathan.
Summer 2009.

PDX: Concordia.

2010-06-01T13:36:00.004-05:00

Concordia University of Portland. Home for two months.
Summer 2009.

PDX: Chester

2010-06-01T13:34:00.003-05:00

Our beloved van. Chester the magnificent.
Summer 2009.

Nawlins.

2010-06-01T13:29:00.005-05:00

Found some old film from last winter. The first few shots are of a group of evangelists who came to Mardi Gras to save souls. February 2009.

Shifting Power

2010-06-01T13:26:00.002-05:00

Found some old film, developed it in Janurary, and here we are. Seems that I only got one shot out of this trip?
January, 2009.

Last days

2009-09-15T17:45:00.001-05:00

End of the spring semester, 2009. Lots of liberation, swimming, bourbon, ketchup, drives on the backroads.

Spring '09

Joey Coe is 20. Sweet little.

2009-09-15T17:19:00.000-05:00

Joey is such a baby. We went to.. some swimmin' hole in Kentucky (?) to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of his birth. Kentucky, Stroghs, swimmin', bein' nearly nekkid... Good old fashioned down-south get-down.

These are dated way back in... May 2009? I believe.

Memory Day Weekend

2009-09-15T16:53:00.000-05:00

Spent my Memorial Day weekend in Arley, Alabama at my father's lake house. Smith Lake boasts some of the cleanest lake water in America, beautiful for swimming and skiing and kayaking and exploring and being free.

My older brother Erin brought three friends along, plus there was Juergen the German to keep me company. Took me forever to develop/post these, yikes.

K-scope, Lost and Found

2009-06-02T18:14:00.000-05:00

Found these buried deep within the crevasses of technology. Circa fall 2008.

Kaleidoscope is the youth arts program that I work for. I teach the visual arts class, where we paint stuff and make up secret handshakes.

Rush Jagoe made a cameo appearance one afternoon.

KFTC haiku contest party night

2009-04-27T21:03:00.000-05:00

We held a haiku contest house party at Kristen and I's place to raise money for Bowling Green KFTC. Judged by WKU professors, lasted beyond midnight, alleviated by bourbon, quite riveting indeed. The theme was "Ketucky": Colleen Stewart took 1st.

www.kftc.org

AID weekend in the front yard

2009-04-27T20:59:00.000-05:00

Good weekend. Friends from out of town: Michigan, D.C., Italy, PFT, 14th St. Lots of learning, painting, speaking easy.

Rushed weekend.

2009-04-27T20:54:00.000-05:00

Freedom.

Photo by Rush Jagoe

Liberation Loft madness

2009-04-27T20:46:00.001-05:00

It's not often that parties betide the famed Liberation Loft. But sometimes, there are missionaries sleeping in the living room, and things must be contained.

Fossil Fool's Day

2009-04-27T20:37:00.000-05:00

Monster Mash dance party, critical mass, going to class dressed as Inga from Ahhh! Real Monsters... all in the name of energy justice.

WKU College Heights Herald

Fossil Fool's Day international

For the Commonwealth.

2009-04-27T20:35:00.001-05:00

Genuine.

www.kftc.org

Sunday dinner.

2009-04-27T20:30:00.000-05:00

Nothing special. Just a group of people eating food - real meals, real community, real Bowling Green. Real underexposed.

The time that nomadic musician came to the Green

2009-04-27T20:25:00.000-05:00

Paleo, traveling nomad, musician of the people, came and stayed a night at the Beardy Poe. We stayed up all night and made memories.

New Orleans via Austin, Tejas, ostentatious

2009-03-29T14:29:00.000-05:00

I went to Austin a month or so ago. Then we decided to drive 9 hours to Mardi Gras. I unfortunately left my camera in the hotel room most of the time. Yahoo.

Bee eff ehf

2009-03-29T14:27:00.000-05:00

My best friend and I live in a house. It's all very magical, the way the world spins.

Partners on the plumb wall

2009-03-29T14:16:00.000-05:00

Starbucks partner party for Joanna's departure. Dress up nice, they said. Photo credit to Joanna Miller for those two shots at the bottom that I'm in.

Parker Bennett Curry Elementary.

2009-03-29T14:11:00.000-05:00

Hanging out, after school, Parker Bennett Curry Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Elementary, dear Watson.

Tea drinker, front porch sleeper. I wept for you today.

2009-03-29T13:46:00.000-05:00

My last post read the following: "Found this roll of film when I was cleaning out my car... It's from the KFTC annual meeting, back in October 2008. My birthday weekend, actually. Met some cool kids this weekend. Berea, Louisville, Lexington. Still haven't made that trip to Berea like we planned... Perhaps I lost this roll for a reason. Nice reminder to live a little, own up to intentions."

Less than two weeks later, my friend Zachary Sieben, who we had talked about visiting in Berea and whose photo was the last image on my previous post, passed away unexpectedly from a heart annurism. So we finally went to Berea, for the first time.

I wrote Zach the following letter the day I got back to Bowling Green:

We have been talking about visiting Berea for months, and we finally made it down this weekend. The town and college community are just as magical as you promised. I even saw the SENS house, only from the outside, as your parents and sisters were cleaning out your room. The compost project and water purification system were strikingly impressive. I know you worked really hard to take good care of everything that made that house what it is.

The Tibetans said prayers aloud as your mother and father spread your ashes on top of Mount Pinnacle. The hike there was beautiful, though I know you know this. It made me really happy to see a part of you stay in Kentucky. You belong here. Your mother said she considers you a Kentuckian, that California was too loud, too bright for your candid eyes.

I'm sorry I never called you back this week.
I really did want to hear of your ice storm adventures.

I also drafted a manifesto:

TO: Zach, God, The World, My Neighbors, Myself.

I will take every opportunity to explore the environment in which a greater Power has placed me.
I will enjoy the aesthetic and tasty goodness of a cup of tea. "Leaves in water are quite complex and deserve more than to be carelessly sipped."
I will get to know my neighbors.
I will be involved, and help when I can, being sure to stick to my commitment and spread the movement to those who don't know.
I will go outside, feel the sun, enjoy the bitter cold and smell the flowers.
I will be conscious of what I throw away, how I spend my money and where my food came from.
I will eat breakfast.
I will travel when given the opportunity, and remember the names and stories of those I meet along the way.
I will love Kentucky with a burning passion to make it better.
I will take advantage of my youth while it is still upon me.
I will turn the heads of my elders with my desire to get things done.
I will fall in love with blank pages, books waiting to be read and stories waiting to be heard.
I will skip instead of run, when everyone or no one is watching.
I will carry a compass, for it is necessary.
I will meditate in the morning and write in the afternoon.
I will be ok with being known as eccentric.
I will take vitamins.
I will never, ever let anyone tell me that Mountaintop Removal will never go away.
I will cherish my front porch and be conscious of its enchanting capabilities.
I will love with every breath that pumps through my body and sustains my being.

back on my 21st

2009-01-28T02:01:00.000-06:00

Found this roll of film when I was cleaning out my car... It's from the KFTC annual meeting, back in October 2008. My birthday weekend, actually.

Met some cool kids this weekend. Berea, Louisville, Lexington. Still haven't made that trip to Berea like we planned... Perhaps I lost this roll for a reason. Nice reminder to live a little, own up to intentions.

Inaugur-action.

2009-01-28T01:57:00.000-06:00

No good shots, really. I left my camera in various folks' apartments at some crucial times in the history of our nation.

This is why I'm not a real photographer.
It was an incredible trip, nonetheless.

Hitched, for finally.

2009-01-22T22:58:00.000-06:00

So my brother got married, after 5 years of being with Briana. It was a sweet day, I didn't expect to cry but it happened.

For Kristen.

2009-01-22T22:36:00.000-06:00

Show at the 7 house to benefit Kristen's trip to Uganda.
I know almost too many beautiful people.

potluck, long ago.

2009-01-22T22:31:00.000-06:00

Found this film in my desk, developed it, messed up a bunch. as always.
It's from a Starbucks partner potluck, probably circa spring 2008.
Maybe March or so.
Glory days, you might call it. Still had classic characters such as Lang, Landon, Meg.
We ate and played games and joked about customers and our boss, lounged and did chin-ups.

Love these kids.

Warren County Day Treatment

2008-11-10T20:43:00.000-06:00

As part of outreach with Kaleidoscope, we're working on a mural with Warren County Day Treatment, the alternative school that we share a building with.

These kids are beautiful.

Si, se puede!

2008-11-10T20:32:00.000-06:00

Election Day - 4 November, 2008. Day history was made.
Being non-partisan today with Kentuckians For The Commonwealth was a challenge.
But I managed. We worked all day getting out the vote, mostly on the West End of town.
No shots that I'm crazy about, but here's something.

I'm beginning to think that I need new film. Everything I've shot lately looks terrible, and I know I'm not that big of an idiot. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure all this is long expired. Such is life.

Halloween, Bowling Green.

2008-11-02T21:27:00.000-06:00

Girls take 2 hours, dudes, 5 minutes.
Duh.
Show at the Kingdom - Anathallo, Colour Revolt, just like old times.
Felt like Memphis again.

Sometimes it's ok to underexpose.
(right?)

Frenzy.

2008-10-31T02:02:00.000-05:00

Rumors, siren, PJ scramble, press conference. This is Western Kentucky University.

Rock Quarry, the most liberated day of the semester so far.

2008-09-22T00:59:00.000-05:00

Pants Tour, part two.

2008-08-05T00:55:00.000-05:00

Kentucky State Equality.

2008-08-02T00:50:00.000-05:00

KY State Fair.
Otherwise known as the Equality.
Unbiased objectivity all around. Steve and Julie, Brian and Disden, free-roaming livestock feces, since when do tigers naturally walk on tightropes?.
August 2008.

That time we dyed your hair teal.

2008-07-24T00:45:00.000-05:00

Bff, summer 2008. I certainly love this girl more than anything.

Final Examinations.

2008-05-24T00:39:00.000-05:00

Preparing to be examined at Western Kentucky University.
Rigorous week, hate those bubbles, all-nighters.

Flatfoot 56. Nashvegas.

2008-04-24T00:32:00.000-05:00

Some kids I know.
Really beautiful people. Played at this trash heap in Nashville, and I mean that in the most endearing way possible. The Muse is perfectly dirty; lounge punk, florescent plastic babies and all.

Spring, 2008.

Sea, at tull.

2008-03-16T00:29:00.000-05:00

Spring Break, 2008. Spent a few days in Seattle with my old man.
I really do miss america.

Krissmuss.

2007-12-24T00:21:00.000-06:00

Family: ho-down in a sitting room.
A sitting room.
Christmas, 2007.

Pants Tour, part one.

2007-08-05T00:17:00.000-05:00

Pants Tour, 2007.
Happens in the summer, when everyone is free, and no one knows what to do with their liberation, other than play music.
So here we are.

Cornerstone liberation.

2007-07-05T00:22:00.000-05:00

A week of freedom, punk rock, internet friends and circle pits.
Nothing better.
Summer 2007.

Shoeless.

2007-06-03T00:14:00.000-05:00

Summer in Memphis.
Like living in someone's mouth. Who doesn't regularly floss. And is a bigot.
2007.

No Skates.

2007-03-24T00:03:00.000-05:00

Skatepark of Memphis, high school glory.
Wicker, Jerry Has No Skates.
Summer 2007.

Bowling Green skatepark extravaganza.

2007-03-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Slim Nash.
March 2007.

What does it even stand for?

2007-03-16T00:08:00.000-05:00

Spring Break at CK's, 2007.
There's this place, in Memphis. Things have changed over the past few years: smoking ban, college migration, ideals dropped/picked up. Staff pretty much stays the same. Regulars fluctuate. Dominique still wants to play army men with you, or throw a rubber ball into your coffee.

Bemis Lawrence, Bemis Lawrence.

2007-01-20T23:44:00.000-06:00

First 3 or 4 weeks in Bemis Lawrence.
#422, never forget. There was this kid, he loved PJ more than life. Met him at orientation, we bonded over film twin check numbers.
Met this girl, my best friend after the first 4 minutes. We rolled around in freshman glory for a few months. Took some trips to Memphis, Louisville.

Shot some eggs.
Some out of necessity, some out of an eagerness to belong.

Anyhow. This is January 2007.

Branches.

2007-01-19T23:51:00.000-06:00

I did leave Bemis a bit.
Spring 2007.

CK's break.

2007-01-05T23:33:00.000-06:00

Winter break at CK's coffee shop in Memphis, Tenn.
December 2006-January 2007.

Memphis at night.

2007-01-02T23:42:00.000-06:00

Downtown Memphis exploring.
January 2007.

#1610: Tribute

2006-11-23T23:31:00.000-06:00

One hour or it's free? Negative.
No pun intended.
Winter 2006-2007.

Clean.

2006-05-23T23:39:00.000-05:00

A bathtub, some Christmas lights, a rubber duck, two girls, summer break.
May 2006.

Springtime, Memphis

2006-03-23T23:28:00.000-06:00

A weekend in Memphis.
Spring.
2006.

San Fransisco

2005-10-23T23:24:00.000-05:00

I went to San Fransisco this one time in high school. It was beautiful. Too bad I was only 17 and had no idea how to shoot anything.

High school, baby steps.

2005-06-22T20:34:00.000-05:00

High school, circa 2003-2006.
With a sweet little Cannon Rebel 2000, that got stolen out of the back seat of my car at Cat's #34. The year was 2005, my mother was angry. Had a vintage vinyl strap and everything, man I was it.