Bend

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Aspens typically grow in large colonies; some colonies become very large overtime, spreading a about a meter a year; eventually covering many hectares.

I imagine, living in such a dense population, some aspen is going to have to bend in order to grow upward.

“Blessed are the hearts that can bends; they shall never be broken.” ~ Albert Camus.

Belongs to No One

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Whenever I see these abandoned homes, I can't help wondering why people abandon their homes. I come up with several usual suspects: death, financial difficulty, imprisonment, natural disaster, or relocate, etc. Well, your guess will be as good as mine. Who knows?

Or, perhaps, people do not just abandon their possessions; they actually abandon their past for the hope of a better tomorrow. If that was the case, then I wish them better homes and better shoes.

This year's Thanksgiving, I am thankful that I have a home to go to everyday and have a sense of belonging.

I wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Perhaps, home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition.” ~ James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room.

Looking to the West II

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I like to dedicate this photo to Izzie who took the time to write me such a meaningful comment in my previous post, “Looking to the West”. I do not get this kind of comment very often; I find it very inspiring, so, thank you Izzie.

This is what Izzie wrote:

“Quan Tran… I like the way you expressed your feelings with this photo. To me, it’s just too busy. Maybe I am looking for only a little of the tree and more of the mountains or the tree would have been more with the trunks and the mountain a bit further. I seem to think that you position yourself nearer the tree and lost most of the mountain… could be better…”

Today, I happen to look into my hard drive; and find this image from the same trip. This one has a tree trunk and the mountain a bit further. What do you think about this image (compare to the previous one)?

-Quan.
November 2011.

“It is from the womb of art that criticism was born.” ~ Charles Baudelaire

Looking to the West

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While traveling on highway 395, I like to look westward because (to me) the scenery is more beautiful that way; maybe, because the grand sierra is over that direction.

When I stood there, taking this picture; I didn’t feel hungry or tired, I didn’t feel the pressure of the daily life, life was not too short, and life was not too long. I was simply happy.

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery.” ~ John Ruskin.

Friends for Life

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If I were a tree…

Every now and then, on the clear nights, I look up and I see millions of stars above; I couldn't help wondering what the chances are, in this vast universe; that I get to stand right next to a pretty one like you.

I do not know how we end up together here; I only know that I am glad that you stuck with me all these time. And, deep down, I know that if I were a tree, I would want to be your friend for life.

If I were a tree…

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” ~ Albert Camus

Veterans Day 2011

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It’s Friday, why not take a little break from whatever you are doing and look at some flower.

Today is also Veterans Day in the US. I like to take a moment to say thanks to our veterans. They risk their lives during combat, and then have to deal with the post-war trauma. These folks really give up a huge chunk of their lives, so that we can enjoy ours.

I don’t know the name of this flower; so I just call it “Little Purple Flower”. People say purple flowers symbolize royalty. With that, I like to dedicate this flower to our veterans.

To those who served, I salute you!

-Quan.

November 2011. 

“Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” ~ Hans Christian Andersen

Traces of the Fall

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I can understand why autumn is so attractive to so many people, especially the photographers (me included). Who can really resist those glowing bright golden leaves? Even when most of the golden stuffs were gone, there were still magic in the air; her beauty still lingered on.

After taking this shot, I stood there, wanted to look at the scene with my naked eyes for a few more minutes. Logic told me that she will be back next year, there would be another autumn; I knew my heart will long for her, but my instinct told me that it may not be the same.

But then, I had to move on…

-Quan.
November 2011.

"Happiness is the longing for repetition." ~ Milan Kundera (Czech Novelist, Playwright and Poet, b.1929)

Caution

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Today, I am thinking about shadows; particularly, our own shadows.

Shadows never complain, and always follow us quietly. When we step into the shade, they just disappear. When we face the light, they stay right behind us. When the light gets brighter, the shadows get deeper. The only time we see our own shadows is when we turn our back to the light; or when we face the light but turn our heads to look back behind us.

Shadows have many shapes and forms; they can be very pretty sometimes. Whenever I see my shadow, I get a feeling of comfort, knowing that there’s light. When I see my shadow, I know it is sunny and I am not alone.

If you haven’t looked at your own shadow lately, I invite you to walk into the light; walk, jump, dance or run (whatever you like to do) while noticing your own shadows. It is pure joy, I guarantee it. Watch your steps and don’t injure yourself though.

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Between the Seasons

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Last weekend, a few friends and I drove out to Eastern Sierra (California) area to take pictures of the fall colors. Before heading out, I knew it has passed the peek time, but I was hopeful that autumn was still around for a bit longer.

Upon arrival, looking at the bare trees, I knew that we were late for the party. However, there were still remnant of the fall; I could see a few trees with yellow leaves scattered between the bared ones. There was also early sign of the coming winter, a few small patches of snow on the ground.

I realized, then, that I was neither late for the autumn, nor early for the winter. I was just in between the seasons. I told myself “nature’s clock waits for no one, all I can do is to be a good observer.”

Until next year, here is my humbled-not-quite-fall-color photograph. Hope you enjoy it.

-Quan
November 2011.