City on Fire

What Are We Here For?

The age old question about what the meaning of life is certainly cannot be answered by me. I'm just as confused as the rest of humanity, but I'd like to believe that there is a meaning somewhere. Some say that having kids, or making a difference is what we are all here for, but even still, I'm not so sure. If everyone is equal in death, and everyone dies alone, then does it really matter how we lived our life? All of us are going to cease to exist, and while memories live on for our family and friends, even they too will perish eventually. I don't mean to sound so depressing, but the only thing for certain in life is death. We can't get around it no matter how much we wish we could. I guess that doesn't mean we should live without any regard to other people and that it's okay to act reckless because our time is running out. However, we all seem to walk around like we are in chains. We are so scared of the unknown, afraid to take risks because of the consequences, when really, who cares? What is it that keeps us from doing what we want to do? What is the harm of trying the career path we had always dreamed of or being with the person that we always wanted to be with but who isn't liked by our friends? We should not fear any consequence, because we only get one shot. This is it, and when it is our time to go, it's over. There will be no second chances, no do-overs. Do we really want to look back on our life and think, "that was safe, I didn't get my hands dirty, I never had a hair out of place" ,or do we want to look back and say "wow, what a ride!" I can't speak for everyone, but for me, I'm hoping I can experience the latter.

A War Hero?

Having some fun with gimp. My grandfather recently passed this Christmas, and while going through some of his things, I found many old photos from war, college, and his youth. He was a reserved man, and never boasted or talked much about his accomplishments in life. I feel I learned more about him after his death than I knew about him while he was living. During his lifetime he was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers, took Nazi prisoners during the war, and was a school principal in Red Hook Brooklyn. I never knew any of these things, and am amazed by the things he accomplished. While incredibly proud, I also feel a deep feeling of regret about not knowing these things while he was alive, and being able to hear these stories from him. I played around with the light glows and blurs to add a feeling of nostalgia, corny? yes, but it was a trial run.