Well, it started this time with a NYT story on an exhibit at The International Center of Photography, featuring my favorite genre, "street."  Out of nowhere came to mind an image from India that I had chosen to make monochrome.  That one always bothered me for some reason.   I had wanted a series of monochrome for my India portfolio for a reason: everything in India is COLOR!  So I chose a series of images that were more grit than sheen, more dirt than gloss.  

My new quest was to process this image again, but in a muted, desaturation of the original capture.  Just enough color to break up the monotony but still keep the mood.

So here is the before and after:

Hubris … a cultural tick?  A byproduct of empire?  The USA’s version is both in my opinion.  Hubris is dangerous, as we learned with our slide into permanent war since invading and occupying Afghanistan and Iraq.  Hubris kills.  But has there ever been an empire that acted any different?  Comes with the territory (no pun intended).

“Everything is Broken” yesterday delved into hubris and then switched to a life saved by going against the cultural grain.  Brad Willis, a.k.a. Bhava Ram was an international war correspondent for NBC News.  He pushed thru a broken back for 7 long years; he was addicted to just about anything that could stop the pain.  He was also diagnosed with Stage IV cancer (courtesy of the First Gulf War depleted uranium bombs).  He told us his story and his climb out of the pit of despair and self-pity.  He turned to Yoga and ancient healing arts like Aruveda.  Now he teaches others how to heal themselves.  He described his “Type A” personality and career arc; he resolved to work harder than anyone else.  He soared high; he fell hard, broken.  Check out his most recent book “Warrior Pose … a War Correspondent’s Memoir … How Yoga (Literally) Saved My Life", at his website.