Some pictures to mull over.
More after the jump.
July 22, 2010
June 8, 2010
Graduation (Again)
White dinner jackets. Crimson cummerbunds. Suspenders.
A Chaminade High School graduation.
Five years ago, I wore the same get-up. The heat was blistering at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University, and the crowds of shouting parents and relatives dressed to the nines didn’t make it any easier to bear. Parents were happy to see their sons (and their monetary investments) walk away with diplomas. Graduates were happy for four years of no-girl, academic suffering to be over. All I could remember from that day was how bored I was up on stage, and how there was nothing I could do about it – I sat in the third row, right in front of video cameras taping graduates receiving their diplomas.
Now it was my brother’s turn.
It is a strange feeling being on the other side of a graduation ceremony. Students stand in the spotlight while their achievements are rattled off. “Plaque for four years on the honor roll, certificate for achievement in Spanish, honor character certificate, academic high school diploma, Joe Schmo.” Different for every kid, but after a while it all sounded the same. Watching them stand there I wondered if I looked that awkward in front of the 2,000 or so people that filled the auditorium. Probably.
A parent sitting next to me asked if I would do it all over again if I had the chance. I said no. Frankly, there are very few things that I’ve done that I would repeat, and toiling for another four years to end up in a crimson cummerbund isn’t one of them. Not to say my high school experience was bad. It wasn’t. But it was a hell of a lot of work, and I don’t plan on memorizing geometric theorems again.
On a side note, we definitely should have listened to Bro. George when he recommended the name “4L-Evators” for our homeroom. Then we could give people the shaft. Get it? “L-Niños” wasn’t bad though.
Mike and Mom.
Bro. John McGrory, S.M.
Mr. Louis Cosentino, aka, "Brownies, no Nuts!"
May 29, 2010
Open Spaces/I’m Horrible At Updating
Who would have thought I would update this thing? Clearly, not me. I’ve been busy with other non-photo things recently (I want to pull my hair out). There are some things in the works, but they’ll have to wait until they’re set in stone. A more comprehensive update next week (seriously). For now:
Pee break.
The future looks bright (Dug through the archives to find this one).
The hand of God.
July 21, 2009
Catholicism As a Tourist Attraction
I’m am definitely not the first one to say that I am religious. Yet while I was in Cebu, I really wanted to see Ferdinand Magellan’s Cross, which was located at the church pictured above. For those that don’t know, Magellan introduced Catholicism to the Philippines back in 1521 and planted a cross in the ground. He was later killed by the native tribes. The irony is that now the Philippines has one of the most devout Catholic populations, where over 80% of its citizens identify as Catholic. I mean, when people volunteer to be crucified around Easter, you know they’re serious.
Magellan's Cross (actually, it's encased in that cross)
Man prays at cross while tourists snap photos from the other side.
As you can see in the picture above, the place has become a major tourist attraction. The whole thing is kind of strange. It’s turned into a huge business, with people selling trinkets and prayer candles right outside of the church. More after the jump.
