Anti-Racism Rally 2014-so you think...

Anti-Racism Rally 2014-so you think..., a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

"Don't take his picture!" the anti-racism activist yelled at me. "Don't encourage him!"

"I'm documenting an event," I explained. "He's part of it."

Friday, March 21st was the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Which means that on Saturday five local anti-racism activists and one dissenter held a rally in front of City Hall.

Never before have I had an activist tell me not to take someone's photo, until Saturday.  Which of course got my back up and made me take more photos of the one protester standing 20 feet away from the rally who was actually carrying a sign.  Not just because she ordered me not to, but because she had a "born-again-Christian" air about her.  You know, the preachy self-righteous type that feels compelled to argue with anyone that disagrees with their opinions.  When I tried chatting with her she became disagreeable.

As far as I could tell (I was on my way to work and couldn't stay long), this guy wasn't being confrontational.  He was just quietly expressing an opinion.  If I had more time I might have asked him what his sign meant to him.

Link:

• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Tired of winter & 7 day forecasts

So tired of winter.

It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one...

A photo club friend shared this slideshow of beautifully colorized historical b&w photos.  Apparently the color was done with a computer.

purple hat

purple hat, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

Was going to call this "purple hat trick" because there are three purple things in this photo, but not everyone is a hockey fan.

I spotted the guy's hat first, then noticed the ticket machine. As I was preparing to shoot the C-Train appeared, making the shot even better.

the conversation

the conversation, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

Went for a walk through Kensington this afternoon. Heard a guy from across Kensington Road having a loud animated conversation. When I looked to see what was happening, I saw this guy. At first I thought he was talking to his child, then I saw the cellphone ear-bud cord.  It wasn't until I got home and was about to edit that I noticed the BAD WOLF TARDIS BOX and the FORGET poster.  So many possible stories/themes/morals, shot by chance.

flowers & fruit

flowers & fruit, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

Saw this on my way to work yesterday. This week an 82 year old woman was killed crossing a street in Chinatown. This is the fourth pedestrian death in Calgary this year. No news on what exactly happened or who was "in the wrong."

Reader comments to news reports have been extreme pro-drivers/anti-pedestrian and visa versa.

As a pedestrian, I have to admit I've had moments when I've almost been clipped by people just not paying attention. It's the "entitled" drivers that tick me off. The one's that feel that it's everyone for themselves, might is right, and I'm the mightier in my big SUV so watch yourself.

When a driver buzzes by me while I'm crossing in a crosswalk, there are days when I wish I could clip them with a paint gun. Make a mark for pedestrians everywhere! But then "that would be wrong." The driver would cry victim, even though he almost took my life, and I could be charged with something.

There's got to be a way pedestrians and drivers can co-exist (without leaving it to natural selection). Covered crosswalks? Arms that drop down like on train lines? A little compassion for the other guy or gal, maybe?

Link:

* Calgary Sun