The Long Silence

The Long Silence, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

There are days that I feel that I am watching people who are at the controls of a train that is on a collision course and who are vaguely looking for the breaks and wondering if they plan to pull them if they find it. 2/24/09

Millie then and Now

Millie then and Now, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

I think about why I started uploading photos to Flickr and wondering who would see them and how they would respond to them. As more and more people began to comment on them I have come to realize that the work is taking on a whole life on its own. People who I thought I would never see again are hearing about it by word of mouth. Through them I am finding out the fate of people from the block. The news makes me happy but in some cases the endings are tragic and leaves me with a lingering sadness.

Mom

Mom, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

You had a long and difficult life, I hope that you have found peace.

Hip Hop Culture in the 1980's

Interview with Arlette Landestoy

Maddie

Maddie, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

How much information do you need to make a photo?

Planet Rock Video slide show

Planet Rock Video slide show, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

Folks have been asking me about the music we may have been listening to during that time. This was one of them and in actuality this is was what I hear in my head when I scan in some of the Hip Hop stuff.

Reflections in Blue

Reflections in Blue, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

Another morning covering illegal Hispanic Day Laborers. I don't know how many mornings I have spent doing these stories. A town doesn't want them all congregating in one place but they really don't want them to leave either. In smaller towns they support local businesses with their patronage and are the main source of revenue. Yet you have a small, loud and vocal grouping who want to drive them out of their towns by any means necessary. Outside in the dawn, the workers gather on the street, in the hopes of seeking as little as one days work. As I leave, there are over 30 men within sight. Given the size of the community, I don't think they all will find work. ( Ricky Flores )

Adeleine, where are you?

Adeleine, where are you?, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

Been thinking about you all day today. You were a child of the system that somehow was able to keep a shy quirky smile and a spirit that wasn't crushed until that night that you called me. I remember your wild and uncontrollable hair that still made you all the more beautiful and a personality that was warm and generous with what little you had. You were in such pain that night you called, but you wouldn't tell me where you were. I never heard from you again. I spent days looking for you after that night and years wondering what happen to you. You are a regret that I still carry with me everyday, always wondering what I can have done or said to pull you closer to me when you needed me the most. I miss you.

Carmen n.4

Carmen n.4, originally uploaded by ananda_nahu.

Another version by Ananda Nahu

# VIVA CARLOS

# VIVA CARLOS, originally uploaded by izolag.

Izolaq continues to rock my images transforming them into master pieces.

Yolanda n1

Yolanda n1, originally uploaded by ananda_nahu.

Another Nahu redux of one of my images. I love the fact that these people who were a part of my youth continue to live on in the eyes of others across a whole continent. Simply amazing how small the world has become in the age of the internet. Smaller and warmer and just a little more kinder. Truly, the world is in the hands of the generations growing up in this age.

190x160

190x160, originally uploaded by ananda_nahu.

When a queen becomes a goddess....

Izolag and Ananda are a tag team, both from Brazil, they rock the Favelas with their murals as well as create fantastic canvases. An amazing pair, and incredible artists.

#BOMBOX

#BOMBOX, originally uploaded by izolag.

By, Izolag. The power of the internet and the immortalization of of a good friend by one of the world's foremost muralists. It left me speechless today.

Puerto Rican Day Parade, Bronx

Puerto Rican Day Parade, Bronx, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

Para Mi Gente

Microtek SUCKS

The Microtek ArtixScan 4000tf 35mm and APS film scanner.

I have a Microtek scanner that now operates as a paper weight on my desk. After numerous calls to the company I was told that they no long have a repair facility in the US to support their products and in fact was closed in 2004. After going back and forth with their customer support, which must be run by a bunch of malcontents working at a temporary job until something better comes up I got this as a reply;


"Microtek's repair facility closed in December 2004 and to accommodate many of our out of warranty customers Microtek authorized Customer Service to offer replacement units at a reduced price."

Maisah
New Micro, Inc.
d.b.a. Microtek Customer Service
10900 E 183rd St., Suite 290
Cerritos, CA 90703
Customer Service: 310-687-5940
Web Support: www.support.microtek.com

You would think that was a good deal. Not. You would still have to fork over $500.00 to get an equivalent model. Mind you that this product only produced less then 2000 scans and a quick look around the web seems to substantiate this for some other of their products.

My advice; stay the hell away from them. Buy their products at your own peril.

When he comes knocking

When he comes knocking, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

I have been struggling with this growing anger over people responses to illegal immigration, specifically the rising tide of racism that I have been reading on local blogs. I saw this beautiful stain glass window of an iconic image of Jesus Christ knocking on a door as a metaphor for the discussion around immigration issues. I decided to juxtapose what I have been reading against that image. Here are the quotes, typos and all;

Welcome to America. The most violent nation on earth.

I get a kick out of these people naming themselves "Jesus" "Angel" what a crock that is.

Do you think they really used the term "undocumented" during biblical times?

U.N. visitor!!! More like illegal imagrant!!! No more amnesty people!

The truth hurts, you Chili lover.

"Si, my head hurts!"

Whats wrong with profiling? If it looks like a thug acts like a thug its a thug!

You mean illegals brought it on themselves.

The cop is going on trial for manslaughter for killing a beaner. Period.

He probably wants a jury of his peers to be 12 illegal aliens.

Put a bullet in his head!

the average Latino is not smart enough for my standards. And yes, low IQ people (85-90) of all races are a burden on society. But we are stuck with them. There's no reason to import tens of millions of low IQ violent people who will always be a burden on society.

AH yes another racist from LA RAZA who is pissed off because his degenerate ancestors could not invent anything or contribute to the advance of civlization,

If he is so concerned about these animals, why not teach them the correct way to become a citizens!

Anyone else tired of hearing about illegal immigrants? America is reminding me of a roach motel.

illegals should be treated as the garbage-scum they are. I wish they were shooting them dead as they cros the border

Alex

Alex, originally uploaded by Rigglord.

Alex was a former gang member with the Savage Skulls which was at its biggest in the 70's and 80's. As time wore on he grew disillusioned with the Outlaw life and turned to religion as a way to deal with the pain and demons of his earlier life. His transformation was driven by the birth of his first son and his need to build a family. One of his brothers that I know of, Lil Man, was killed during the gang years and this greatly impacted Alex's life. We would spend hours talking about life and god as I hung out with Alex as he did security for the buildings that were getting rehabilitated on our block. At that time the Savage Skulls was transforming as well under the leadership of Commanche and they started doing security work in protecting the buildings that were being built or renovated.

The last time I saw Alex, he had a new wife and seem to be happy and at peace with himself.

The Guys on the Block

The Guys on the Block, originally uploaded by rigglord.

Strange what emotions crop up when you look at old photos. Nostalgia, a remembered smile and sadness.

The Blue Chair

The Blue Chair, originally uploaded by rigglord.

A young woman was murder on Saturday. She is survived by her parents and brother. A equestrian by passion and a budding and gifted photographer who also loved the City of New Orleans. Her room is decorated with all of the ribbons that she has won over the years. On the floor, in neat little stacks, are framed photographs of various things that fascinated her visually. Around the room are photos of her competing. Graceful and elegant she appears in the photos on her horse as she jumps over the hurdles.

Like all these scenes that I have seen in the past I always wonder, why?

The murderer took his own life afterwards. Cold comfort and in the end none at all for her family and friends. She is gone.