January 26, 2009

D.C. photos...

of the nearly 200 pictures i took...these are my favorite 40...



you can see full sized versions by clicking on the photo player...

January 21, 2009

Dispatch...Denver...

landed...and looking forward to telling you more and more about this little journey...for now, rest...and lots of kisses...both human and furry...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch...Charlotte...

after three gate changes...two pastries...one coffee and an upgrade...i am ready to go..

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch D.C....homeward...

I am ready for home...thank you citizens of D.C....you made this a wonderful experience...and you...fellow americans...god bless you...every one...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

January 20, 2009

Dispatch...D.C....weary...

batteries dying...energy flagging... i'm turning in...much more for you later...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch D.C....the warmening...

a shot of Powers and a wonderful bowl of clam chowder helps me regain my grasp of reality...it is good...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch D.C....hi, i'm cold...

overwhelming sensatuin is tryung to maintatin bidy hheat...nwvewr been to times square on new years, but this seemslike a nore sober version of that...were standing in the cold commemorate a grand begunning...ignore me...did I say I am cold...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch D.C....GOOD MORNING...

showered and prepped last night...woke up @ 7 am...out the door @ 8 am...I'm still playing catch up this morning...no matter...all is well...today is a good day...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

January 19, 2009

Dispatch D.C....comments and complaints...

in any gathering of people you'll have your fair share of douchebags...count 1, 2, 3...one will be your douchebag...problem is, Db's like to hang out together...they are the only ones who will tolerate each other...so, when you encounter one, you can feel like you're at sea amongst douchies...it's brain bending...

also, there's gradiant levels of douchbaggery...like the guy standing in line behind you who can't tell the difference between Lionel Richie singing "Easy Like Sunday Morning" and "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight & The Pips...he also insists that Q-Tip was always a solo artist who did some work with Common, Talib Kwelli, and Tribe Called Quest...rather than a founding member...it's annoying, but hardly the pinnacle of douchey...

that would be reserved for the know-it-all asshat with the smug smile who silently shakes his head and thinks about how he'll blog about this later...

wait, what...?

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch D.C....the network...

is crazy...sending photos is spotty right now....so much to share...will attempt to post again tonight...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch D.C....day 3...

morning...for some reason sleep evades me...i replay yesterday in my head...a good day...more photos were taken than what's here...those will be revealed later...

Today...more walking, more seeing, more doing...the Manifest Hope art show has been recomended...we'll see...i would like to see the Holocaust Museum...or maybe the Newseum...

Recomendations are welcome...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

January 18, 2009

Dispatch D.C. ...day 2...

at the lincoln memorial...mob central...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

January 17, 2009

Dispatch D.C....

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch...Washington D.C....

things I love about here...

the metro rocks...but if you knew anything about me, you know I would love the trains...the flashing lights in the platforms...truly genius...

tonight, I went to a concert at a synogogue...wait, what...?

hey! the bars are open till 5 am...

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch Charlotte...overheard...

Greg the shoe shine man..."I woke up this morning and didn't read my name in the obituary...so I'm having a good day...

John at the bar...
hey yo, is Schooch comin'?


James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

Dispatch...Charlotte...

first leg to D.C. complete...a rough flight...the last time I was on a plane that shook, rattled, and rolled that much I was wearing a uniform...but all is well, and I have two hours to kill...hmm...what to do?

James P. Johnson

Showing up is not enough.

January 3, 2009

liars poker...or, bullshit as a way of life 101...

we all tell ourselves little lies...maybe about who we are...maybe about other people...most of the time these lies are just props to get us by for a short time...eventually, they help us get to the truth about ourselves...and others...sometimes these lies end up crippling us...or turn into cages...the worst lies are the ones that others make up for us...and we accept them without question...they become cheap suits that fall apart upon the most cursory inspection...

all of this is prelude to me coming across someone today who's whole life is nothing but falsehood...i know people like this exist outside of books and movies, but to come to know one personally...that's still a little mind blowing...

it takes balls...or more pleasantly, chutzpah...to present yourself to the world...when everything about your presentation is fraudulent, fake, and illusory...and never once blinking, stuttering, or wavering...as if no one will ever see through you and find out the truth...

knowing the truth, my first reaction is to be immensely entertained...when the laughter subsides...i don't know how i feel about this person...scorn is appropriate...respect is taboo...mostly, i'm just curious about the psychological logistics of how this kind of person works...

and you can be sure i'll find a way to write about such a character...