Take a Step Sunday, June 14, 2009

I've found especially as an artist [photographer] that I can easily fall prey to a cranial assault, commonly known as "the rut" or "a funk". For a while I would sit in these things for days, weeks or maybe months at a time. From others, I have discovered this is not exclusive to the left-brained, but you may suffer as well in your workplace, relationships, or just day to day activities.

In Africa, this enigma has been easy to avoid due to the nature of my daily work, but it has crept in a bit as things start to wind down. I luckily have been given some inspiration from a friend here to relieve that itch; which I'll be slowly revealing in the coming weeks. Be prepared; you're invited to participate as well.

Before that inspiration, I felt like I was in a photographic funk. It was easy for me to go from assignment to assignment, shoot what I needed to and "get the job done." But the only way for me to grow as a photographer [or in anything for that matter] is to simply get my feet wet.



So today and this week I encourage you to try something new; not only that, but include someone in your journey. It can be a close friend, relative or even a stranger in the street; but please include someone. I think its easy to tell ourselves we're doing something different, but in reality we're not. So having someone along for the ride makes it a conscious experience for two. Whatever it may be; smiling, waving to a stranger, holding a door open in a public place or even serving at a soup kitchen: I just want to encourage you in this.

Jerome

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I Attended a Trade Show Today... Thursday, June 11, 2009

Online. How about that? The web never ceases to amaze me. I was able to keep my photography-gear feed going while here in Johannesburg! Amazing.

PDN hosted part two of it's Photographers' Virtual Tradeshow.

This thing is slick.





It is amazing that from another continent I can tune into a virtual tradeshow, interacting with vendors, photo professionals and service providers in real time.

Take a look.



When I logged in, I found the plaza. How awesome is this?

From there I could go over to the trade room floor.



It was like I was in Cal Expo back home!

Jerome

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For all the Mac Fans... Monday, June 08, 2009

Like myself... Apple has been hosting the WWDC (WorldWide Developers Connection) in San Fransisco this week. Their keynote is today! It's rumoured that Jobs will be returning today as well as the new release of the iPhone. Watch live with me via the Gizmodo Liveblog.!
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Film Favorites Sunday, June 07, 2009

No work today, so I'm going to pull a few out of the Lightroom Archives.

I really miss my bike back home and riding with all the guys and gals from SFG.

More after the jump.



I ran into Andron several months ago in a parking lot. I saw he was riding fixed and I just asked him if he rode much with anyone. Like a week later, we got together and rode. Since then, He and a few other guys created an online community of riders from the Sacramento area. I miss riding with these people terribly. Check them out. I still think they ride every Friday and have hosted a few races and trick contests. Big shout out to you guys!






Jerome


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Thank God for Good, Fridays Saturdays Saturday, June 06, 2009

So the past two days have been quite eventful and I forgot about updating you all on some good being done here in South Africa. So today, we'll say Thank God for Good on Saturdays.

If you're unfamiliar with the idea behind this mini-series, check out my previous post on what TGFG,F is all about.

This one's pretty recent. Thursday I was able to hang out with an HIV/AIDS Support Group in Kliptown. What an amazing group of people. Even with all that I've been told about living with HIV, these friends of mine completely shattered my preconceived notions about HIV/AIDS and those who live with it.





The HIV/AIDS Support Group, is one of the ways South Africans are working together to abolish the stigmatization, loneliness and hopelessness that many would think are an all-in-one package deal with the conception of HIV.

The stories I hear removed, obliterate that idea.

Sitting around the table, we chatted, joked and laughed. We talked politics (South Africa just finished their elections), food, culture and on and on.

Wait a minute... I've been here an hour and haven't even talked with them about HIV. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!

"We're not unhappy, we love life. HIV is now a part of that."



When I had been taught about HIV/AIDS, I thought people we're miserable who had it. It's a viral death sentence right? Wrong. There is joy with HIV/AIDS.



There is life with HIV/AIDS.



As I conversed, I realized that my friends here didn't see HIV as the end of their life (many do). But instead, see it as a opportunity to be proud of who they are, educate others and speak up for those who can't.

This is unreal. I think back to a year ago, and my trivial life in highschool. Oh how I thought "being cool" was a life and death situation! How I became a masked magician in the business of people-pleasing for what? How I thought that my life was that and that only.

I'm glad I've moved on from that in so many ways, but what I learned from my friends in Kliptown is something that I never looked into enough in the States. They seek their strength in those who take and love them as they are. Their support group is their family. These are the people who inspire them, the people who laugh with them, the people who listen when they aren't feeling so well.

OH, how I wish I had valued such people in my earlier days!

But in all seriousness, HIV/AIDS is a life-threatening disease. It's something that eats your immune system. These friends of mine are facing it with amazing bravery and strength.

"I'm proud of my status!" Is what not one but three of my friends say. Could you say that?

These people forgo opportunities available to most of South Africa, because of their stigmatization. It's hard to get a job being HIV positive. It's hard to have a family being HIV positive. It's hard to have friends being HIV positive.



The education regarding the subject in this country is failing. To put it in perspective, the new president of the country believes a cold shower will wash you clean and free of HIV.

That's where Vox is going to change things. Through programs like YouthUnited, where we go into schools and give vital education about HIV/AIDS, ways to prevent contraction and ways to help those who are afflicted, and through Small Business Opportunity for those like this group. In July we will be launching a sewing project, similar to the one in Swaziland right here in Kliptown, beginning with the members of this group.

We're excited about this and we wanted to get to know the people involved. What I found is invaluable. People who in spite of life-threatening virus, live with more joy, peace and love than I had ever expected.

Jerome Love


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Youth United Finishes in Sparrow Schools Wednesday, June 03, 2009

About three weeks ago, Youth United launched in Sparrow Schools, Auckland Park teaching vital information about HIV/AIDS and preventive measures against it. Well last Wednesday we finished those classes and were able to reach over 150 students with life-saving information.



Students like those pictured below were part of these classes and were inspired to take a new approach when talking about HIV/AIDS with others.










Later this week, we'll be hearing excerpts from them and their perspectives on South Africa, HIV/AIDS and life as a teenager in this country.

Jerome

Read More Here.

PSA from PDA's Pt. 1 Monday, June 01, 2009

This is a worldwide Public Service Announcement. There isn't actually a statement at this point ; just a little background.

A PDA is not your latest cell phone gadget, do-everything besides microwave a hotpocket.

A PDA is a place like Finetown or Kliptown.

A PDA is home to previously disadvantaged people.

A PDA is a Previously Disadvantaged Area.

But guess what, there's a lot of joy in these "PDA's"

Enter Paulina, she lives in Finetown ( A government recognized PDA) and she's my favorite person here. She says I'm her new boyfriend :D.





She lives there with her cat Dirty and enjoys a pretty simple life. She was pretty excited to see us, because she may be moving soon. She is close to getting an RDP home from the government. We brought her some food and a little bit of money for the doctor (she's a diabetic).

I just find it odd, that the government calls places like Finetown, Previously Disadvantaged Areas. Previous must have been added to make sure it had a nice three letter ring to it. Everyone loves nice, tidy abbreviations.

Kind of ironic, because these places aren't as nice and tidy as say a smartphone. They don't have a nice contact organizer with the ability to synchronize with your Gmail calendar. In fact, the PDA I know hardly has access to clean, running water. Nutritional food, nevermind proper housing for a family of 6 (when was the last time you stayed in a one room hotel with your parents, brother, two sisters and niece?). Very strange ring these PDAs have.

Only being here for about two months now, I claim no expertise in knowing the struggles of South Africans, the intricate politics and bazillion cultures. I only claim expertise in what I see day to day. I only claim expertise in the stories I hear, from the people I know, from the life they live.

The purpose of this PSA is to communicate this. To show that next to the largest mall in the southern hemisphere, right alongside a completely voice activated house, and just beyond the yard of one of a guy who owns one of the ten cars Pagani produces per year, lives people who were never given a chance, the down-and-out, and many whose memory is ingrained with the perverse idea that they are worth no more than what they produce.

This is where we work. This is where we build relationships. This is where the need is great. This where I learned why I'm here.







In these, disadvantaged areas, children suffer the most. Most without one parent, another good portion without both. Striving to eat and survive. Education is a luxury, and that seems to be a root problem in these areas. Education is too costly, too far away or has been shrugged off as "it's not worth it".







el fin.

Later this week, we'll look at how we can make this road a little brighter, how we can come alongside others and show them how to dream again.

Jerome
www.jeromelovesyou.com
www.jeromelove.net
VOXUnited
jerome@voxunited.org

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