Announcement: two week count down to the show in the laundromat.

So, it's actually going to happen. Somehow I managed to get myself into this rather interesting situation. It all started as a playful conversation with the owner of the laundry about a year ago. Xai and her husband Rath, have agreed to let us take over for a day, have food, show pictures, play music.

 It's just one evening, May 19th from 6:30 to 8:30. There will be food prepared by a Somali woman and a woman from Thailand. There may be music too, but I'm still working out the details with Nana, the African drummer I photographed at Ghanian food store about a year ago. 
I'm done taking pictures. The last free friends and family photo day was two weeks ago. Now I'm busy printing pictures and will be working madly on how to display them for the next week and a half.

It promises to be an interesting event, if only because some of the people at the show may be there trying to do their laundry. Here is the announcement. If you have questions or inquiries, feel free to e-mail me at sarah.averill@gmail.com.

Hope you can come.

Leamae Katrina at Whiz Burgers

At the end of the day of walking through the mission district and chasing the pink bag, I was parched and  stopped at the Whiz Burger joint next to a old church, old for California anyway. And there, sitting at one of the picnic tables was Leamae Katrina.    He was patiently sorting out a few of his clothes, picking some lint from a sweater.

I fell into conversation with him, first asking if he'd gotten sun burned, then where he was from then where he'd gotten those blue eyes of his.

Beat up.
California, forever.
Eyes from the sky, like bird eggs.
Found playing marbles,  picked them up. 

Then, the ask: Can I take your picture?
Sure, sent it general delivery: Poste Restante,  San Francisco.

Trucks, Murals..Lybia Women Have Guns???

 There's a very active mural culture in San Francisco. The Mission District is especially well known, and some time I'd like to explore more. It's easy to find because it's everywhere. Some of the messages are more transparent, like Slime Time, but Lybia Women Have Guns?? No doubt, it's a reference to some pop culture phenomenon that I haven't had time to tune into.  Any volunteers to enlighten me? Bring it on.

San Francisco Mission District

I'm in SF at a conference put on my the society for arts and health care this week. I made a detour to visit the Mission district, recommended by a friend. In search of murals, found myself watching this pink plastic bag floating down the street. One thing led to another and before I knew it I was chasing it all over town. It was like the number pi, nudging always nudging a sluggish eternity to continue.

Lodi's a Go!

For the last two months I've been working with InterFaith Works to raise funds for the Lodi Laundromat Photography Exhibition and we now have some funding commitments from SUNY Upstate's Global Health and Outreach program as  well as some private donors.   I've started taking more pictures in the neighborhood, starting with families that I met last year and will be branching out as the weather gets warmer and I can be out in the streets more. Stay tuned for updates. The show will open May 19th.

New Orleans January 2011

 One of my first stops in January was Joe Peters Shop. It was fun talking shop, including rabbit hunting. If ever I get the invitation to go out, I guarantee you I won't turn it down. As usual people came and went in various states of disrepair, personal and automotive. Joe's lived hard, got wisdom to spare and gives generous portions whenever prompted. If you need to borrow a tool while you are in New Orleans, go to Joe. But don't mess with his dog.

Back on Lodi

I've decided to walk to and from work so that I can take pictures on my way home, swing by the Lodi Laundry. I was brought up short by Wendy and her husband, who goes by the nickname "Tank. He's good at fixing things like this weather proof stroller that's gotten their kids around all winter, snug and sheltered somewhat from our elements. I was impressed by their friendly banter. It was fun to meet someone like Tank who took such pride in his ingenuity, particularly the way he fixed the front tire with part of an old bicycle.