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“all along the western front, all along the eastern shore”

02/09/2010 New ithaca is.

Gorges, local currency and an Ivy League—my knowledge of Ithaca summed up in ten words or less.  I would have to admit that it is a shallow and cliché ridden assessment.

Recently, I spent the weekend “camping” in the area.  And, by camping, I mean sleeping in a tent, taking a shower and immediately afterward spending the afternoon in the antique stores downtown.

Anyway, what i discovered in my time there was, yes, ‘Ithaca is gorges.’  And, yes, it does have a local currency, appropriately named, the Ithaca Hours.  Oh, and there most definitely is a university with a bit of prestige.  However, Ithaca is more than a cliché  or a town that easily fits into a box with four neat corners–all of that which people know and come to cherish about this locale is based around the principles that I grapple with and educate people on in my day job.

Ithaca has a true sense of what a commitment to community and relationship looks like coupled with green thinking, support for local producers and an intentional focus towards the sustainable and experiential.

And they did it without the hipsters.  In fact, they have been committed to the cause before hipsters were conceived let alone exclusively supported the ‘Buy Local’ movement.  It’s no wonder why Ithaca has and continues to be [a] Mecca from which to learn and glean ideas from.

While I was there, I couldn’t help but conceptualize what it would be like to see Buffalo branded as the Ithaca of the Rust Belt.  Whether it ever happens or not, is one thing, but when I rise and ride my bike the quarter of a mile down Allen to 910 Main, I operate under the auspices that it could.  Thank you, Ithaca.

Photographs from my weekend travels are below; enjoy!

[sb]


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18/08/2010 what is transatlantic love? [for $500]

A few months ago, my niece, Jessica, paid a visit to 16 Longmeadow in East Aurora. She had wedding photos in tow to show all of us; she had just married a young man from Hungary a few weeks prior. And, although I was elated to hear the news–especially since my Grandma Bishop’s side of the family hail from the Land-o-Hungar–all I could really think about was a little thing called…

E.U. Citizenship.

Yeah, that’s right. As she was speaking, I was imagining all of the countries that would now be readily accessible for work, leisure and life in general. Damn it! What I wouldn’t give for… I digress.

Back to the subject at hand. It was during that visit when Jessica began to discuss her ‘American’ wedding; the date was set for the 7th of August. Without so much as a thought, and in a way only family can, Jessica turned to me and dictated, “Sarah, you’re going to photograph the wedding.” And it was at that point, without so much as pausing for a retort, she turned and carried on with her other conversation. [The whole scenario still makes me chuckle and roll my eyes as if to say, ‘Oh, Jessica…’]

Fast forward a couple of months. On the seventh of August, Mr. and Mrs. Fejős László were [re-]married on American soil.

The day was gorgeous; the family obnoxious; more or less, the perfect wedding.

Kaitlyn, my older niece, delivered a speech that reflected many of the same anecdotes and sentiments that I would have addressed in my maid of honor speech on my sister’s wedding day [had it not been for that whole elopement thing]; you know, the typical, ‘you’re older–why are you not married?’ And the whole, ‘thanks for depressing me even further by mocking the fact that I lack a significant other, too, little sister.’

All in all, I had a fantastic time. I mean, what other gig would I have the chance to go-cart race with the bride and groom? Plus, I even found some time to insert myself into a shot or two via the help of my brother-in-law.

On that note, I’ll let the photographs speak for themselves– Congratulations, Jessica and Fejős–no words could aptly express or embody all my great hopes for your lives together.

Next time in Budapest!

[sb]

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06/08/2010 wyclef for president

I remember first hearing Wyclef Jean’s ‘If I Was President’ years ago—it was one of those songs that immediately resonated with me.  The song was filled with social commentary on everything from unpopular policy to race relations to poverty.

I used to listen to it on repeat for days on end.  I would sit there and reflect on the issues raised throughout the song and then wander into make-believe where I would imagine myself as President.

Two words: Jimmy. Carter.

I would quickly snap myself back to reality and tell myself that, rather than tarnish my reputation as a failed one-term President; I would forego the presidency and go straight to the celebrated philanthropist part.

But, that’s off point…

The point is—I had long since forgotten about that song.  I think everyone had.  Well, until news broke earlier this week that Jean was planning to run for the Haitian Presidency.

[Haiti’s very own Ronald Reagan of sorts.]

Jean says he felt compelled by the urgency of Haiti’s situation to interrupt his life as a musician and make a bid for the highly anticipated November 28th presidential election.

“You can either live trying to do something or die having done nothing,” Jean said, going on to say that he did not want history to remember him as, “somebody who, after the devastation of the country that he claimed he loved so much, just kept singing more songs.

Although, it is via Jean’s songs that he has urged elected officials to act swiftly, and describes the type of president who he hopes to become—one who “gets elected on Friday, assassinated on Saturday, buried on Sunday” — and then the country goes “back to work on Monday.”

If Jean’s candidacy is approved, Jean will face several candidates who lack his international status but have more political clout. Among the most formidable contestants will be ousted ex-Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis.

Only time will tell whether or not if Mr. Jean’s will be able to change the title of his song to one more befitting—‘I Am Your President.’

[sb]

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26/07/2010 the golden rule: expect the unexpected

I, like all good photographers, don’t leave my apartment without first thinking of my camera.

Some days I know that by the end of it, someone or something will be photographed.  Sure, what I perceive will happen during the course of that particular shoot and what eventually will become the completed product, are two very different things.  Most of what I intend never comes to fruition while most of what goes unplanned is captured.  Other days,  I have no intention of using my camera at all.

Both have taught me, quite quickly, to learn the golden rule of photography: expect the unexpected.

So, it came as no surprise the other day when I thought I’d ride my little blue Peugeot over to see a friend of mine, that our time together was spent more behind the lens than face to face.

Upon arrival, I had noticed we were a person down—her boyfriend, Tom.  I couldn’t help but inquire as to where he was and soon enough we were riding over to Grant Street to catch Tom and some other lads in action.  They had been spraying a mural for a new tattoo parlor all afternoon.

As to say, I was quickly reminded of how incredibly talented my friends are [I may or not have reaffirmed my pledge to be a faithful groupie].  And, of course, it afforded me the opportunity to snap a shot or two.

Per usual, my favorites are below.

[sb]




15/07/2010 flash[of]light

One of the many photography blogs I check daily is that of the New York Times. ‘Lens’ showcases Times photographers and the best work of other newspapers, magazines, and picture agencies; more or less, it’s a source of intriguing subject matter from the best of the best.

Every now and again, a certain photo essay will draw me in, hold my attention and go so far as to make me do independent research around the subject matter and photographer—today was one of those days.

When I was sixteen, I was infected with the travel bug; the place that gave it to me? Ghana.

Peter DiCampo’s collection, ‘Life Without Lights,’ came about as a result of choosing to show people’s lives after dark. Did I mention that in northern Ghana most communities live almost completely without electricity? Oh, and that the only source of light for his photographs would be a small flashlight? Suffice to say, this project is ambitious.

But, that’s just why Peter DiCampo took this project on. He didn’t do it for the photographs as much as he did it to provide social commentary on a situation that most people will never consider.

DiCampo’s point is that where there is no electricity, there is no machinery. Children can’t study at night and, therefore, many do poorly in school. Moreover, much needed professionals, such as teachers and health care workers, aren’t interested in moving to the area. [You can see where this is going.]

DiCampo’s work is brilliant, in my opinion, not just because it provides a strong dose of nostalgia but for its sincerity in trying to provide social commentary on a topic and region of the world that many times goes overlooked.

To find out more about Peter DiCampo and to see the rest of the ‘Life Without Lights’ collection, visit: http://www.peterdicampo.com/

[sb]

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30/06/2010 somethin’ borrowed, somethin’ blue

The 11th of June was significant for two reasons: the first and probably most obvious is that it was day one of the highly anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup; the second and likely not-so-known reason is that it was the day that I photographed my first wedding [with the help of my trusty side-kick, Gabriella Malliaris].

How did I meet the bride and groom?  Well, here’s the funny thing—I never had prior to the rehearsal dinner.  I had spoken with Michael many times prior to the event but even walking in The Buffalo Brew Pub, I was unsure of what he looked like.

The whole thing happened as a matter of happenstance really.  Michael and Karen had decided to have their larger ceremony in Buffalo since his entire family is from the area.  Therefore, he was looking for a photographer here instead of in Los Angeles where they currently live.  My name reached him via my sister-in-law via her employer who happens to be Michael’s cousin [just one of ninety-nine, as rumor has it].

Either way, it worked out.  And, I’m glad that it did.

The day was marked by a beautiful outdoor ceremony—where the story of how the couples met was narrated by the Justice of the Peace, vows exchanged, tears shed and too many photographs to count taken.

The reception gave me a chance to get to know the bride and groom along with their families a little better; it turns out that most of the attendees were Michael’s cousins or siblings of his parents.  As to say, coming from someone with a big family of her own, I felt right at home.

Not to mention that their families are extremely talented folk—the favors at the wedding were chocolate bars that were made by Michael’s mom.  And, not to be outdone, Karen’s dad made necklaces for myself and Gabe.  Turns out that Michael and Karen are both learning their parent’s crafts and will, hopefully, keep the tradition alive once they have long since given it up.

I wish the newly titled Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kinsley all the happiness that a lifetime will allow; come back and visit us in Buffalo anytime.
[sb]

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21/06/2010 refuge[e]

Yesterday, as many were marking Father’s Day, an equally as deserving day of recognition was taking place: World Refugee Day 2010.

This year’s World Refugee Day marks the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Refugee Act. Since its passage, Americans have graciously welcomed more than 2.5 million refugees into their communities; however, there are still more than 40 million uprooted people around the world with nearly 10 million of those being of special concern to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees [UNHCR].

Secretary Clinton made it clear in her address yesterday that helping refugee populations is beneficial to U.S. foreign policy for vital two reasons,

“[I]t is the right thing to do. We happen to believe it’s also the smart thing to do, but even in cases where it doesn’t appear all that smart, it’s still often right. And therefore, we proceed. It goes to the core of who we are as a people and a country, because the United States is not only a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of refugees.”

We should all have our basic needs met in matters of food, water and lives free of political or religious persecution.  However, in many countries throughout the world, this is not so.

Each one with a story to tell; they are real people with real lives.

Whether it’s in my hometown of Buffalo, New York, where a large refugee population has developed, to days filled with case studies on the ‘Lost Boys’ of Sudan to travels across the security checkpoints into Bethlehem, my life has always asked—if only in a minor way—to grapple with the challenges facing refugee populations.

Therefore, it goes without saying that I echo the sentiment of UNHCR when I say that, although natural disasters, people and [even] governments have taken your homes, they cannot take your future.

[sb]

To learn more about how to advocate, educate and work with refugee populations, please visit:

http://www.unhcr.org

About Invisible Children


http://www.jersbuffalo.org/
http://www.refintl.org/

MEET USCRI

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19/06/2010 soundtrack of summer

Summertime by default is the best; it is the time of year where memories are begging to be made and songs are just waiting to encapsulate them.

I remember a few years back when Kat DeLuna’s ‘Whine Up’ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kal6iJ1qu1M] was the soundtrack to my summer–I could not turn off that song for the life of me.  To this day, it still reminds me of a past relationship and Washington, D.C.  I bring it back every now and again when I am nostalgic for my studio apartment in Alexandria and eating off of the dollar menu at McDonald’s far more than I’d like to admit.

Last year, I spent the summer traveling throughout Italia—including, Roma, Firenze, Venezia, Milano and Napoli.  All of the cities were individually unique and beautiful in their own right; five cities in three weeks made it difficult to find much continuity.  But, at the end of the day, MTV Italia provided that for me.  Zero Assoluto’s ‘Per Dimenticare’ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEZhmMCK8DM] is my favorite keepsake from that trip—reminding me of the amphitheater of Pompeii, overcrowded public transport, late night dinners in piazzas and the surreal moment of entering the Sistine Chapel.

This year, I already have the song picked out and have been blaring it every chance I get—quite frankly, I think that my co-workers, friends and all the places and spaces in Buffalo that I request it at are over it and hoping that I soon draw weary of it as well.  For them, this all points bulletin: not happening, but you can be sure that Katy Perry and Snoop will be blaring from my speakers for the entire summer. Something about the combination of ‘California’ and ‘West Coast [represent],’ along with the words ‘fine, fresh, fierce’ together, just works. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP_hLBY1bVQ]

Obviously, there are hundreds of other songs I could have mentioned—and it goes without saying, anything from Justin Timberlake, the Black Eyed Peas or Lady Gaga would be summertime terriffic—but, I’d rather hear from you: what’s on your list?

[sb]

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14/06/2010 live from south africa [part #1]

Since starting my job at Buffalo First earlier this year, I have not taken off for mental nor physical health-related issues.  I have kept myself together through thick and thin.  However, the start of the World Cup started this past Friday and I couldn’t think of a better reason to not show up for work.

I traded 910 Main Street for 16 Longmeadow.  Armed with a spirited disposition, brunch and my two brothers—I watched as South Africa took on Mexico.  The most thrilling moment came while watching Tshabalala hit the upper-ninety, run over to the sideline and do a choreographed dance with his teammates while Desmond Tutu—dressed head-to-toe in football gear—did his own little dance in the stands.

The rest of the weekend looked a little something like this:

Messi showed the world, once again, why he is as good as they come.  I have no doubt in my mind that with Messi on the field that Argentina has a real shot at taking home the Cup.

As for the United States and England in their highly anticipated match…all I would like to say is this:  Thank you, Robert Green! We sincerely owe you a lot.  You have, overnight, become my favorite player in the entire world.  But, now that you’re done playing the U.S., can you please try to act a little bit more like a goalkeeper and possibly save the ball?  Thanks.

Who else? Ah, yes, the Black Stars.  The Black Stars have always had a special place in my heart.  The first place I ever traveled to when I was sixteen years old was to Ghana; I cheer for them every chance I get and this World Cup is no exception.  They made their continent proud last World Cup when they were the only African team to advance to the Round of Sixteen.  This past weekend showed that they have the drive to do so again—I have faith that they will.

And, who could forget, the Germans!  Their performance yesterday could only be defined as ‘guns blazing.’  I hate to say it, but after watching Italy this afternoon, I can say with all sincerity that up to this point, they are the only ones who look like they came to not just play but WIN the Cup; they were quick, methodical and they controlled the ball very nicely against the Aussies.  They will have to capitalize on their chances down the road but for now, they were successful in creating opportunities and getting it done when needed.  I have no doubt that we will be hearing a lot about them throughout this tournament.

Next up…Brazil, Portugal and Spain.  And to think, the fun has just begun!

Keep checking back throughout the month for analysis, commentary and updates on the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa!

[sb]

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10/06/2010 i got a feelin’ [world cup edition]

The highly anticipated start of the World Cup is right around the corner. The excitement and energy of football fans the world over has reached fever pitch. Innumerable articles have been written and comments both nonchalant and analytical have focused on what the World Cup means for the continent of Africa. Do you know what I think it means? A month long party, plain and simple; that’s what it means.

Take it from someone that has seen it with her own two eyes; Africans love to celebrate and this coming month they will be doing it hard and it all starts this afternoon with the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert.  The action kicks off in Johannesburg, featuring performances by the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Shakira.

And, in case you’re not excited enough yet, remember, you’re less than twenty-four hours away until the host country, South Africa takes on Mexico with Nelson Mandela on hand to cheer on Bafana Bafana [“The Boys”].  Does it get any better than that? I think not.

HAPPY CUP, WORLD!!! [And may the best team win.]
[sb]

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