On Dec 23rd we had an awesome holiday party celebrating peace and love with our family and friends. Our good (and very talented) friend Steven Vargo took photos that night. He used an old film camera of mine and it had a partially exposed roll in it when he picked it up, so some of the photos at the end are over-exposed - sorry Steven! I still thought they were worth including.
Last night, President Obama said a grateful goodbye to the American people. He was as inspiring as ever and he gave me new hope. Looking beyond the next four years or eight. Rather focusing on everyday involvement. The fundamental pillars of democracy are always worth fighting for. He laid out a simple four point outline of civic duty. In other words, how does democracy work?
Equal Economic opportunity for All.
Moving beyond Racism.
GOVERNMENT as a vehicle for the betterment of all peoples lives.
Democracy is threatened when we take it for granted.
Our proudest title, one we all share : CITIZEN.
Thank you Mr. President for all your work. You inspired me to be the best version of myself.
I can't wait to stand next to you and your family whatever you do next.
Here are a couple of my favorite memories from the Obama years. (thus far)
2004 DNC Keynote Speech
Yes We Can Speech 2008
2008 DNC Speech
I took these on August 9, 2010 on Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles. I remember the Hope posters were everywhere. I pulled over and took these because of the one coming down. It felt like a metaphor for where America was with regards to the first term and the administration's priorities. As if the hope was still there but starting to decay. The President had descended back to a mortal figure.
2012 Victory Speech.
Newtown.
2017 Farewell Address.
A few photos from Christmas and the New Year. We had an amazing time together filled with special people and positivity. You need to remember the good years.
Bird's Eye View of Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, 1870 by Augustus Koch.
Printed by the Chicago Lithographing Company.
A few weeks ago Leigh, Joey and I went to Southern Utah for the weekend. It was such a great reminder of the natural order of things. The trip provided great perspective for me with regard to how humans fit in this world in terms of space and time. We are all just grains of sand in a gargantuan organic mix.
Like my dad always said, "Don't sweat the small stuff, Cramer"
I am not angry. Or am I?
No. I haven't been. It must be my white privilege. The gift that keeps on giving.
I have been sad. So sad. During Hillary Rodham Clinton's concession I wept out all the anxiety, fear and disbelief from election night. As she stood there in front of two men. One her husband, the 42nd President of the United States. The other, her running mate, the Junior Senator of Virginia.
She shed her labels one at a time like old skin cracking away. Flaking off in pieces.
"Corrupt" "Insider" "Greedy" "Secretive" "Too This" "Too That" "Fake Southern Accent" "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" all of it.
As she spoke, which was one of the most important political speeches I have ever witnessed, I saw her turn to stone, put her arms above her head with her wrists together forming a foot hold for the next woman to use as her final step as she ascends to greatness. May the next woman be the honorable person we need, right when we need her. May she come quickly.
And as for him, the one who won. The one who pounded the shrill drum for the paper thin parade of fear, dishonesty and disconnection, I wish you all the best on your journey. You are my president now. And Dempsey's. And Leigh's. And our family's. And our friends'. May you burrow deep into the depths of your own mind to find compassion, reason, justice, intellect and humility.
Because it is so easy to say "you don't speak for us"
But we have a process. A bedrock. A foundation. I am a democrat. Not by party but by principal. I honor my right to vote - free of all the noise and currency that attach to that honor like velcro.
You sir, consolidate all my beliefs and priorities. In fact, the road to progress has never been clearer. When I felt the darkest after your victory, I was met with creativity and inspiration that originated deep in my soul.
It's time to talk to each other. It's time to listen to each other.
Not what you want to hear, but what is difficult to hear. It is time to meet that difference with dignity. We are only as divided as we let ourselves become. The truth is we are not that different. We are all human beings.
It's time for action. It's time to build. It's time to create.
Tomorrow the sun will rise. Dempsey will wake up and tip toe into our room like a mouse, ready to take on her day. We know what to say and we know what to do.
Without a doubt. Fantastic idea. Kate McKinnon and Dave Chappelle are amazing.
And so needed. Thanks TCQ.
WE GOT IT FROM HERE...THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
My Light. My Love. My partner in Life. I learn so much from her. Be kind. Let what is in your spirit radiate out into the world as a beacon of hope. Be authentic, true and honest to yourself and others. I honor you everyday. I appreciate you everyday. I will love you everyday until my last and beyond. Hand in hand staring out into the horizon.
How did this happen?
The "liberals" never respected the threat of trump; The polls and common sense told them otherwise, leading to apathy. The "conservatives" let his hateful rhetoric become normalized and many "working class" people were led to believe he had their best interests in mind. The fact that he is deeply unqualified became secondary.
For us, this horrifying election result is the consequence of all of us choosing what reality we want to believe. A consequence of us creating a cocoon through social media and what news we seek, by letting ourselves be separated along class, gender, and race lines. People like trump have used this trend to their advantage, playing with "reality" however he chooses.
One way to take back power is to try to find ways to relate to and understand people who are different from you. There are far more similarities and common concerns between us than the internet, news agencies, and politicians want us to believe. Their motivations are ratings, power, wealth, and not our well being.
This can come across as naive, but love and empathy are the only ways out of this trap. Apologies if this comes across as preaching, but we need to get off our phones and out of our living rooms, and see each other for who we really are. We are not actually that divided.
Much Love
Beach House
One of the best of the year without question. In a few years in my mind. A Seat At The Table puts a beautiful face and voice to a movement that has touched so many people in this country. Subtle and powerful at the same time.
For my birthday, we went to the Washington School House Hotel - Thanks Leigh! It was such a special weekend. The structure was built in 1889 as a school and was renovated down to the studs into a beautifully simple space. Here are a few photos of a space that is warm and makes sense.
HRC
DT
Thanks for the memories this Summer.
Trees develop a singed crust
Leaves can no longer generate health
The sun creeps into the west slowly but surely descending into the abyss of darkness
Never fear.
Hope and life will return.
As sure as the sun will rise on another season
Life always remains however quiet it sounds.
This looks pretty beautiful and intense.
TELL ME THAT ISN'T A WINNING COMBINATION?
A LOT OF WORK. WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF HOW THIS CAME TOGETHER
