We finally did it. But we are far from salvation.

It took way too many murders in a short amount of time, and two very senseless murders of an amazing drummer/teacher and an artist to get us out the door. Every protest i have been in in New Orleans, or heard of was always met with SAD attendance. But two weeks ago we marched on City Hall from 3 different areas of town, and ended up numbering over 5,000 people. We said something, we said it loud, and they are listening. Just the other day, task forces from the FBI, ATF, and other gov. agencies added to our dwindling police force to help out. And new approaches are being taken to combat crime and drug related murders, and things will be better.

I marched with my Lower Garden District/Central City crew from the little church up on Dryades. Here are some pics:

**NEWS***

• Part 2 of ASCAP Music in NOLA series
• My photo is one of 31 selected for “Rituals and Revelry” a juried group show on Mardi Gras Photography – Feb 1-March – 537 Bienville St., reception Feb. 8th 6-9 pm (i’ll be in NY, with my bromoils at NONO…come hang there!)
• Rotary Downs featured on this weeks nationally syndicated NPR show Studio 360 in New York
• Mardi Gras, 2007 — My NOLA bromoils will be hanging finally at NONO Kitchen, 293 7th Ave (Cross Street: Between 7th Street and 8th Street) Brooklyn, NY (718) 369-8348. Dee says their Shrimp Grits and Po-Boys are goooood. Go by for their big Mardi Gras Party, Feb. 20th.

Well, I probably did promise never to go that long without a photo. But I have say, nothing new and inspiring enough has come across my lap to send you something until now. Not that there’s a lack of inspirational things and people to photograph, but not for the esteemed P.O.D. (thats’ you).

I recently ran into my good friend Leslie Smith at MoJo and after getting our coffees she says she has something for me at her dad’s studio. Her dad, is legendary New Orleans photographer Michael P. Smith. A man whose work and legend I have been chasing, and trying to feel since I have moved here. But, I’ve been knowing Leslie for years, and her impromptu soulful singing and vivid stories of her New Orleans childhood, and father’s stories, have kept me intrigued and further falling in love with this city and it’s children.

“Race St.: thursday, 2006. 70º.”

I came by the house, and she shoves four full ziploc bags of film in my hands..

“You think you could use this, honey? My dad’s been having it here for a while, and the place is a mess. I am trying to clean some things up. Can you use this?” She points to the darkest corner of the room. “It’s an old backdrop and lights” …near the hanging original bar of Tipitinas full his photos and Bunny Mathews’ artwork, Indian Feathers, decades old dusty Carnival masks, hand-drawn marching crew maps, shrines, and

“Not now” I say as I inspect the bag:

++ Ektachrome 100. 120. Expiration 1984
++Plus X Pan 125. 35mm. Expiration 1979

You get it. And still cold.

Now, film is like milk and it isn’t. The less obvious reason are: you can keep it in the fridge and it stays good. the expiration dates are set in the future (milk’s future, sooner than film).

So you can see now how old this film is. I love Leslie.

My link to the past, my link to treasures and street scenes is ever strengthened. All the possibilities and ideas i am having on what to shoot with this film. The street, the faces, my city. But before that, i had to test the film… 30 years is a long time for anything to be in the refrigerator.

Here are the tests….more to come, and learn:

While you’re at it, check out Michael P. Smith: www.culturalicons.com