Juchitan 2002

Here's a promotional postcard by my filmmaker friends Dos Vatos using an image that I shot for them in Juchitan, Mexico. What fun that was!

Big fresh at lynagh's

Big fresh at lynagh's, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

John table surfs at Lynagh's during a Big Fresh show, much to the chagrin of the staff.

Big fresh at lynagh's

Big fresh at lynagh's, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

Big Fresh brings the Trumpet Rock to Lynagh's. (apologies to Beulah, but they broke up, so somebody else gets to "bring the trumpet rock")

Stir spoons!

Stir spoons!, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

The exact bar spoon I've been wanting.. For a buck and change…

Hot dogger

Hot dogger, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

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Dreamland

Dreamland, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

The institutional restaurant supply store on NoLi in lex. Heaven.

Rebirthing Jazz History

Inside the Lyric, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

Lexington's Lyric Theater, at the corner of 3rd and Elm Tree Lane, was a mecca in its heyday, playing host to giants like Count Basie and Sarah Vaughan. Over time, it has fallen into neglect followed by abandonment. There is an effort in town to restore the theater and they recently had an open house. The second I stepped inside, I felt washed over by memories here and an aura of utter greatness. In the blink of an eye, I realized that Lexington needs — NEEDS — the Lyric Theater back.

Go here to help restore the Lyric Theater.

Lexington Bike Prom 2008

Bike Prom Hijinx 2008, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

A bunch of cool folks sponsored the 1st Lexington Bike Prom to benefit our next-door neighbors, the Living Arts and Science Center. I did the Laptop Lounge deejay thing while all sorts of funloving bike-folks rode a downtown circuit and then celebrated at Molly Brooks afterwards, where I also bumped some tunes. What fun!

Here's the flickr pool of people's images of the event. (note: I didn't shoot pictures but rather made a few little flipvideos like this and this. One of my favorite things about the vids is that the soundtrack is actually live off of my PA. It's not overdubbed later. We were rockin' downtown, I tellya…

Drums foe lyric

Drums foe lyric, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

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Drummers inside the in-progress renovation of lexington's lyic theatre. Very cool, very inspiring.Drummers inside the in-progress renovation of lexington's lyic theatre. Very cool, very inspiring.

Blues n street

Blues n street, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

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Thowin down some wendy and lisa styleThowin down some wendy and lisa style

Key-tar!

Key-tar!, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

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Y can't beat a keytar soloY can't beat a keytar solo

Roots and heritage fest

Roots and heritage fest, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

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One of lexington's most genuine summer events.One of lexington's most genuine summer events.

Notable Neighbors 2008

I was delighted to be asked once again this year to do the principal photography for Smiley Pete Publishing's Notable Neighbors series, which runs concurrently in the Chevy Chaser and the Southsider monthlies.

The assignment was expected to be challenging — and it was. It was also a great exercise in the things that I love: photography, socializing, problem-solving, and creative thinking, plus a healthy dose of good fortune.

Along the way, I became mildly obsessed with the venerable art of photographic portraiture and took some time at the library perusing some of the masters.

During the project, I felt grateful to get to apply lighting lessons that I learned from National Georgraphic veteran shooter Karen Kasmauski at the Maine Media Workshops last summer, as well as some of the tough love that came to me from Jonathan Newton of the Washington Post at Mountain Workshop 2007).

During the shooting (over the course of a week and a half) I was struck by a few things:

1. That there are some remarkable people living in Lexington.
   
2. That I've learned a great deal since shooting last year's portraits.
3. That I know little of the craft that defines exceptional portrait photography.

The third insight is one of those that is both enlivening and discouraging. Ultimately, though, it's a good thing: to see distant horizons in a discipline under which you would like to improve.

I'm reminded, then, of a lecture I heard from a legendary photographer (though I now forget who) saying: "Every assignment I go on, I just wait to see what I'll screw up that I've never screwed up before… and will probably never screw up again after that!"

So the final published results — in their online form — are here and here. But I also set up a Flickr set with all the final shots and some alternates, if you're curious or would like to comment on any of the pix.

clipped from www.chevychaser.com September 02, 2008 2008 Chevy Chaser Notable Neighbors Chuck Beal. photo by: Mick Jeffries.

Ed McClanahan returns to Trivial Thursdays

With much delight, I welcome Lexington institution and national treasure Ed McClanahan back to Trivial Thursdays this thursday! He'll be sharing more of his fabulous finery with listeners and discussing his new book O the Clear Moment and his upcoming CD release Fondelle, or: The Whore with a Heart of Gold.

You don't want to miss this one, friends!

(photo: guy mendes)

protest clashes in minneapolis

there is some amazing footage here of protesters in Minneapolis being arrested at the GOP convention.

qik homepage of theuptake

A particularly amazing video of protesters being detained and processed is here.

minneapolis protests, live and now.

there are clashes between police and "protesters" around the GOP convention. Amazingly, in this modern world, people are posting real videos from their cellphones of some of what is going on.

clipped from qik.com

Speaking of Jack-booted thugs

There are some pretty disturbing reports coming out of Minneapolis about preliminary residential raids by heavily-armed SWAT-like teams, seemingly looking to intimidate those considering protesting the GOP convention. This material is from Salon.com, which I would consider to be a reputable media outlet.

If this scares or disturbs you (and it should), then VOTE the goons that run our country out on their asses in November.

This is an DEVELOPING STORY. Here's an unrelated video of a dozen police cars commandeering an activist bus. More developments, in words and pictures, here.

It will be interesting to see what sort of role social networking plays in the next few days of the political landscape.

clipped from www.salon.com Glenn Greenwald Saturday Aug. 30, 2008 12:44 EDT Massive police raids on suspected protestors in Minneapolis

Live from …

I am plenty lucky to live in the modern world, to have a delightful and talented wife and so much more.

I say this particularly because I'm currently blessed by being able to work — yes, work — in a hotel room at the sumptuous Netherland hotel in Cincinnati. Thanks to my wife, who's here on business, and thanks to modern technology for allowing me to communicate with clients and get stuff done — all from 23 stories in the air with a view of the Ohio River.

And while I do predict that in the not-too-distant future, more and more people are going to be forced to work out of the office, I must confess that these are the salad days for us "remote workers."

Okay, back to the grind.

A Gem

Oh, thank you, thank you to amazing music blog I Supply the Country with Butter for returning a gem to us. The Bongwater version of "You Don't Love Me Yet" has been stuck in my head for, oh, about 20 years. And I haven't heard it in nearly that long.

clipped from isupplythecountrywithbutter.blogspot.com WHERE THE PYRAMID MEETS THE EYE: A TRIBUTE TO ROKY ERICKSON (1990) [Various Artists] Probably the finest of all the major label tributes released in the '90's, Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye is filled with tuneful renderings of Roky Erickson's greatest songs. The troubled Texan and former 13th Floor Elevator is honored here by the likes of Julian Cope, R.E.M., Judybats, Butthole Surfers, Primal Scream, ZZ Top, The Jesus & Mary Chain and many other outstanding acts. An excellent and enjoyable ride, to be sure.

Wmstown fire dept IN EFFECT

Wmstown fire dept IN EFFECT, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

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Boxie on the mend!

Boxie on the mend!, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

Got some good people on the case of my suddenly ill Volvo here at Sechrest Garage in Williamstown, ky. She runs fine now, but we've decided to replace the apparently never-ever-replaced fuel filter. Over 200,000 miles. Amazing. l'm actually feeling grateful and happy. Hope that lasts.

Off-brand cereals

Off-brand cereals, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

Off-brand cereals are much more prevalent in small rural towns.

Boxie's having a bad day!

Boxie's having a bad day!, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

My faithful Volvo wagon is ill! She seized up w/o warning on I-75 near williamstown. Once we got her to a mechanic, she starts right up!

I love my car.. Gotta get her better..

THIS IS NOT A MANNEQUIN. THIS IS NOT A SCULPTURE.

BODIES in Cincinnati

Made it to see BODIES in Cincinnati, the amazing and slightly revolting touring exhibit of actual cadavers that have been "polymered" into static poses and decontructed, making for the most remarkable and occasionally disturbing displays of human anatomy that most people (including me) will have ever seen. The verdict? Amazing. BODIES is at Cincinnati's Union Terminal for just two more weeks. Don't miss it.

clipped from www.bodiesrevealed.com Using real human specimens, painstakingly prepared and respectfully displayed, the Bodies Revealed exhibition lets visitors of all ages explore deep within the human body in a way that informs but doesn’t overwhelm.

Farm tools

Farm tools, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

I've been working at the Kentucky Horse Park for a few months now and my main charge has been "freshening up" the Horse-Drawn Farming Equipment exhibit. The project is nearing completion, and while I couldn't have done it without the help of some very key people, I'm also mighty proud to have charted the direction of the effort. Working on museum exhibits is cool and fun work.

the NOLA life

I went to New Orleans recently and found this bit from Esquire to be spot on, in retrospect. I can't wait to go back.

clipped from www.esquire.com Going by a couple of hours spent sipping Sazeracs at Tujague’s, Napoleon House, Arnaud’s, or any one of the other great old French Quarter oases -- about as pleasant a thing as any clothed adult can do -- you’d never know there was a Katrina. But then again, neither would you know there was a 21st century. New Orleans bars are very conservative places, in the best sense of the word: Proprietors won’t change things just to make them new and shiny. And if they find something that works for them, they’ll stick to it, come hell or high water -- or, in this case, both. All of this is by way of saying that unlike restaurants, there aren’t a lot of new bars in the city. And the best of the ones there are, Café Adelaide in the Loews Hotel, already seems like it has been there forever. We consider that a healthy sign.

daiquiri from esquire

the daiquiri is the latest in my continuing home series of Most Misunderstood Drinks. Thanks, Wondrich! (as always)

clipped from www.esquire.com Ingredients Daiquiri 2 ounces white rum 1/2 teaspoon superfine sugar 1/2 ounce lime juice   Glass Type: cocktail glass Instructions Squeeze the lime into your shaker, stir in the sugar, and then add the rum. Shake well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Note on the rum: Some prefer dark over white; if you do use dark rum, cut back a little on the sugar.

The Apples in Stereo on Colbert

Our local happy happys, The Apples in Stereo on The Colbert Report! Can you feel it?

Well, done, guys!

Big Bugs in Kentucky!

Bill and Susie Tyler (aka my parents) and a swarm of others have been busy as bees getting the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden ready for Big Bugs, David Rogers' traveling show.

The big day has arrived and Big Bugs have, too. All sorts of events are happening connected to Big Bugs. To see what's up (and to arrange a visit!), take a look here. Here's some pictures of KET's Kentucky Life crew filming a segment on Big Bugs.

Cocktail hour

Cocktail hour, originally uploaded by mrtoastey.

There must be better ways to spend one's time than sipping a martini at the Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza Hilton. But I can't think of any at the moment.