This was a fun post to write, because it took a village. In an atmosphere of increasing divisiveness, people from all walks of life, from all over the world, got together to do one thing: Take a photograph at 6 pm (their time zone) on the 31st of October. If you’re mathematically inclined, in N-N-1 the first N stands for the number of participants, the second for the number of photos (because those numbers should be the same), and the 1 stands for one time. These photos were sent to me, along with 50-100 words about them, so that we could share them all with you.
What I love most about this project is that we are all seeing different things at the same point in time. The world is so varied and nuanced, as are our lives, and yet we are all part of the human race. Thirteen responses from four different continents and six different countries, all working together. I feel very proud of us right now.
So without further ado, here are the photos we came up with:
This first one comes from me, Barb Abelhauser. I took this on the Fremont Bridge in Seattle, Washington, USA. This was not the photograph I had expected to take. It was my day off, technically, so I should have been relaxing. But I got called in to work. This is the most hectic drawbridge in our system, but it makes for some interesting photos. In the foreground is the bell we used to use to signal the boats back when technology was slightly less technical. It almost looks like a space ship is descending. I think most Seattleites would agree that if a spaceship were to descend anywhere, it would be in the Fremont neighborhood.
I hope you’ll continue to visit my blog, www.theviewfromadrawbridge.wordpress.com.
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This one was taken by Cris LeCompte, during his visit to Fargo, North Dakota, USA. He said it was taken “twelve minutes before sunset and 32° F. Located at the end of the street of 1950’s houses is the Congregational Church reflecting the designs from the 1970’s. The next hour found trick or treaters knocking on the doors.”
Cris is actually the realtor who helped me buy my house in the Seattle, Washington area. If you live around here and need a realtor, I highly recommend him! www.RealtorCris.com
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This photo is by Elaine Lorefield who hails from Kentucky, USA. She writes, “This is an old window from my house. I did the beveled glass work about 30 or so years ago. I had all the windows replaced a few years ago and this one has been sitting outside my back door ever since, slowly deteriorating. Time passes. Nothing endures forever, but the process of deterioration can be unexpectedly beautiful. It still makes rainbows when the light is just right even as it disintegrates.”
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My friend Martin Hunt sent this picture from Canada.
“This where I live. Cyberspace and my mind. The physical location is nice little apartment in Vancouver. The actual location is spread all over the planet. My love lives in Skype and Second Life. Second Life has been a place where I’ve learned a lot. I’m an old guy now and I’ve had a pretty active and adventurous life. I like where I am now as much as any place I have ever been. ”
To see more of his cool photos, along with his philosophical essays, visit his website at www.simulat.ca.
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This, from Anju Lavina, in Bangkok:
“Thailand loves Halloween. They don’t really need an excuse to dress up, but if you’re going to give them one, they’re going to take it to the next level. Unfortunately, Thailand has been on a year-long mourning period for the death of the late King Bhumibol who was loved beyond measure. For a whole year, we have had to wear black in memoriam. Halloween has been cancelled, but the spirit of trick or treat remained. This is a photo of mannequins showing off the latest in mourning fashion, while also managing to look somewhat spooky!”
Visit Anju’s blog here: https://thislabyrinthiroam.blog/
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Norm Houseman, the originator of the N-N-1 concept, had this to say:
Mr. Politician
Why Mr. Politician? Well, it began when our twenty-one-year-old granddaughter, Macey, was three or four years old. She was visiting us around Halloween one night. Our doorbell rang and I went to see who was calling on us on that dark night. It wasn’t the night for Trick or Treating, and we weren’t expecting anyone. I opened the door and found a local politician who was out soliciting our vote in the upcoming election. I assured her that we would cast our vote for her and she left.
Later, when Macey was leaving, I said to her, “Be careful, there are politicians out tonight.”
Macey looked up at the new Halloween windsock hanging on our front porch. She asked, “Is he a politician?”
I looked at it and said, “Yeah, he’s a politician.”
For the next year or so she equated politicians with things spooky. Cindy once found her looking under a bed with a flashlight. When Cindy asked her what she was looking for, Macey whispered, “Politicians.”
Ever since then, Mr. Politician has been an honored Halloween decoration at our home.
Norm is in Lafayette, Indiana, USA. Check out his blog here: https://classicalgasbag.wordpress.com/
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This picture comes all the way from Australia. Karen writes:
My TIME wall in progress!!
Once completed it will represent countries I have lived in and countries that are special to me.
Writing this has made me think about TIME!!
All the cliches come to mind, here are a few:
The TIME of your life
TIME marches on
TIME will tell
TIME can be a great healer
TIME flies (when you are having fun)
The sands of TIME
TIME is money
BUT
Money cannot buy TIME!!
Karen Swanepoel
Gold Coast, Australia
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This scary picture comes from FigBash Snook, who was attending the 10th Annual Bristol Zombie Walk, in the UK.
“Once a year, the undead converge in Bristol. Over 600 zombies shambled their way from College Green to Temple Meads. I had no idea there were that many of us; perhaps the apocalypse is closer than I thought!”
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I have to say that this photo makes me very nostalgic. Taken by my friend Juan Carlos Garcia Romero, in Guanajuato, Mexico, it reminds me of the time when I lived there at age 19 and attended this amazing festival.
Here’s what he wrote, which I’ll humbly attempt to translate, below: “La parte representativa de la realidad virtual es a través de las imágenes mediante ellas mostramos una historia en base al contexto que existe detrás de una sola imagen como es está fotografía. Muestra de ello, es la lechuguilla o gorguera que formo parte de la moda de los usos y costumbres de la sociedad del siglo XV en Europa y fue el antecedente directo para la elaboración y transformación del cuello de las camisas y blusas como prendas de vestir. Sin embargo, poetas, dramaturgos y novelistas hicieron uso de ello. Hoy en día, la imagen de la lechuguilla se mostró solo como un adorno decorativo y cultural del XLV Festival Internacional Cervantino (FIC) en diferentes plazas y edificios de la ciudad colgaron esa imagen. Mientras que alrededor se desarrollaron eventos de música, danza, teatro, poesía, ballet, cine, etcétera. Un panorama difícil de analizar pero fácil de percibir es aquel que vivimos a diario las personas que vivimos en la ciudad, en donde solamente una pequeña parte de los turistas son los que en realidad asisten con una finalidad cultural. La otra parte, solamente viene a tomar en las calles de la ciudad. Para ellos, el festival es venir a ensuciar la ciudad, o ponerse hasta atrás.”
My translation (apologies in advance): The representative part of virtual reality is through images. Through them we tell a story based on the context that exists behind a single image, such as this photograph. For example, the lechuguilla or gorguera (collar) that formed part of the fashion of 15th century society in Europe and was the direct antecedent for shirt collars of today. However, poets, dramatists and novelists made use of it. Today, the image of the lechuguilla was used as the logo for the XLV International Cervantino Festival. It appeared in different squares and buildings of the city. The festival included music, dance, theater, poetry, ballet, cinema, etc. Those of us who live in the city where only a small portion of the people who actually attend the cultural events. Each year the town swells with tourists, who only come to check out the city, leave it dirtier than it was, and then leave it behind.
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This picture was submitted by Natalie Garvois, from West Lumbago, Nebraska. She included a poem.
Some houses need to be avoided.
Each year Samuel, Corrine’s father,
And yes, he is still alive,
Tries to lure young Trick-Or-Treaters
To his door.
There he does his best
To scare the puddin’
Out of sugar hungry youngsters
By dressing like a ghoul
And waving a butcher’s knife.
Many children leave his door
Crying and screaming.
Sometimes they leave
A trail of urine in their wake.
What a guy.
Check out Natalie’s blog here: https://wildriversrunsouth.wordpress.com/
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The picture that gets the award for being taken at the highest altitude definitely comes from Ellis Johnson, who had this to say:
“This photo was taken on a flight from New Orleans into Dallas while we were making our approach at 6pm local time. My trip to New Orleans was with my childhood best friends as a last hurrah and at this point all I wanted to do was be at home snuggling with my wife. When I took this, we weren’t sure if we were going to make our connection to the flight to Seattle so I was geared up and ready to make a run to the next gate but had to take a moment to appreciate this beautiful sunset and view.”
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Amy Sassenberg (who also did the photography for my first book) told the story behind this picture:
“I was supposed to be at a Harvest Festival with my family who were dressing up as the cast of Wizard of Oz, but the flying monkeys threw a wrench into the mix and I was left alone, putting the finishing touches on my makeup and costume as the good witch.”
She was in Huntington Beach, California at the time. Check out more of her writing and photography at Behindtheblues.com.
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And finally, we have this delightful contribution from Princess Butter in California:
“I could have been a hero. I could have been soup, pie, or even a gluten-free spaghetti. But I am here. Being a villain. I am hanging here, bidding my time. I have been sitting out since four days, looking at these people walking by, and this odd girl clicking my pictures. You have subjected me to such gloat and abuse. I am just waiting. Tomorrow, when you pick me up, we will see who has the last laugh. Forget the orange flesh, say hello to the blue-green mossy ball of squish. Bwahahahahaha!”
Check out Princess Butter’s blog at www.asplashofmylife.wordpress.com.
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I decided to add one last submission, from my friend Steve in Jacksonville, Florida, simply because this made me cry. He writes, “This is my 1800 picture. It’s Michaels car. I was wishing he was in it.”
He’s been going through a lot recently.
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Many thanks to all who participated! And thank you for allowing me to be the host this time around. I’m looking forward to the next N-N-1!
The View from a Drawbridge 