When 2010 started, both my parents were alive, Proposition 8 was still the law of the land, and Democrats controlled both houses of Congress.
A lot can happen in 12 months. And did.
In January, I documented the last Camp Courage and attended President Obama's State of the Union address in Washington D.C. By March, my father had had his second heart attack in a year. In April, my mother passed after a short illness, and in May my father died in my arms at home. June and July, after settling my parent's estate, my husband and I took the scenic route back home, and ran smack into the Gulf oil spill. In August, a judge in San Francisco overturned Prop 8, and in November, the Democrats had their asses handed to them by an American public scared and furious. In between, my fellow travelers and I looked at our country and wondered how we had gone from "Hope" to "Hell no, you can't!" in only short two years.
Follow me below fold to see photos from the year (editor's note: one photo contains some graphic imagery which may make some uncomfortable)
The pictures that follow are my attempt to make sense of the year, and of life now changed. Some images are political, some are personal, all are offered with gratitude and an open heart.
Thank you all for being such good and willing teachers. Even when we don't agree, I learn so much from you every day. Happy New Year.
January 16 - Venice, CA
Code Pink activists protest outside a fundraiser for Jane Harman.
Code Pink activists protest outside a fundraiser for Jane Harman.
January 17 - Venice, CA
A motorcyclist dies when he swerves to avoid two children biking in the street. His sacrifice likely saved the children's lives.
January 30-31 - Santa Barbara, CA
Camp Courage, Central Coast. This was to be the last of half a dozen workshops on marriage equality the California Courage Campaign organized in cities across the state since January, 2009
January 30-31 - Santa Barbara, CA
Camp Courage, Central Coast. Facilitator Mike Bonin listens as Courage Campaign founder Rick Jacobs talks about the Prop 8 trial.
Camp Courage, Central Coast. Facilitator Mike Bonin listens as Courage Campaign founder Rick Jacobs talks about the Prop 8 trial.
January 30-31 - Santa Barbara, CA
Camp Courage, Central Coast. Facilitator Lisa Powell is an island of a calm
amid a sea of activity.
Camp Courage, Central Coast. Facilitator Lisa Powell is an island of a calm
amid a sea of activity.
January 30-31 - Santa Barbara, CA
Camp Courage, Central Coast. Marriage Equality activists prepare to march downtown.
February - Venice, CA
The newly restored Venice sign on Windward and Pacific.
This photo and a few of the other B&W photos below were taken on my iPhone4 with the Hipstamatic ap. Settings: John S lens/Blackeys Supergrain B&W "film"
February - Venice, CA
Harry Perry entertains tourists on the boardwalk,
as he has nearly every day for over 20 years.
March - Venice, CA
Bosko the cat enjoys a moment of Spring sunshine in our backyard.
Bosko the cat enjoys a moment of Spring sunshine in our backyard.
April - West Hollywood, CA
Actress Marisa Tomei and actor Josh Lucas meet in a West Hollywood park to reenact parts of the Proposition 8 trial. The Supreme Court had banned cameras from the courtroom, so activist groups like the Courage Campaign staged and recorded dramatic reenactments to make the trial more accessible to the general public.
Actress Marisa Tomei and actor Josh Lucas meet in a West Hollywood park to reenact parts of the Proposition 8 trial. The Supreme Court had banned cameras from the courtroom, so activist groups like the Courage Campaign staged and recorded dramatic reenactments to make the trial more accessible to the general public.
April 15 - Washington D.C.
I hold my mother's hand in the hospital. My mother, Ann Evry, passed after a short illness at the age of 85.
May 13 - Washington D.C.
My father, Allen Evry, passed exactly 4 weeks after my mother. They had been married 51 years. After my mother's death, I discovered a cache of over a hundred letters my father had written to her while they were courting. The letters were ordinary. The envelopes, each an individual work of original art, were not.
June 9 - Sunset, Bald Head Island, NC.
After settling my parent's affairs, my husband and I decided to take a month to drive across country back home to Los Angeles.
June 11 - Sunrise, Dutcham Creek - Baldhead Island, NC
June 11 - "Old Baldy" lighthouse - Baldhead Island, NC
June 14 - Orange Beach, Alabama.
Tar balls the size and consistency of chocolate-chip cookies littered the beach.
June 14 - Pensacola, Florida.
Coincidentally, President Obama travelled down to the Gulf Coast the same day we arrived on the Florida panhandle.
June 14 - Gulf Islands National Seashore, Alabama
June 17 - New Orleans, LA
Street preacher on Canal Street.
June 21 - Houston, TX
My husband, Warren.
June 21 - Houston, TX
Eliot "Yummy Boy" Fowler.
June 23 - Balmorhea, TX.
This giant pool in the middle of the West Texas desert is fed by natural springs, and is full of rare fresh-water fish. The water is deep enough to attract scuba divers from all over the southwest.
June 24 - Plateau, Texas.
This is what can happen to your VW bug if you leave it out in the sun long enough.
June 25 - Mimbres, New Mexico.
Every 5 years Warren's extended family gets together for a family reunion at Camp Thunderbird.
June 25 - Mimbres, New Mexico
Midnight poker at Camp Thunderbird.
June 28 - Santa Fe, New Mexico. City Plaza.
June 28 - Santa Fe, New Mexico
Native Americans sell jewelry and pottery in front of the Palace of the Governors.
June 30 - Durango, Colorado
June 30 - Silverton, Colorado
June 30 - Silverton, Colorado
June 30 - Silverton, Colorado
July 1 - Ouray, Colorado
July 2 - San Juan mountains, Colorado
Mountain bluebells.
July 2 - Ouray, Colorado
Double rainbow after a monster thunderstorm.
July 4 - Telluride, Colorado
The annual Independence Day parade.
July 4 - Telluride, Colorado
The annual Independence Day parade.
July 4 - Telluride, Colorado
The annual Independence Day parade.
July 4 - Telluride, Colorado.
July 22-24 - Netroots Nation - Las Vegas, NV
Every year, thousands of progressive activists, politicians, and bloggers convene to discuss the state of the nation.
July 22-24 - Netroots Nation - Las Vegas, NV
Two friends take a moment in an uncrowded hallway. Kris Froland (on the left), who blogged at Daily Kos under the name "exmearden", passed away from cancer the day after Thanksgiving.
July 22-24 - Netroots Nation - Las Vegas, NV
Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, introduces a video message
from President Obama.
July 22-24 - Netroots Nation - Las Vegas, NV
Former Arkansas Lt. Governor Bill Halter.
July 22-24 - Netroots Nation - Las Vegas, NV
Bloggers.
July 22-24 - Netroots Nation - Las Vegas, NV
Lt. Dan Choi displays the official DADT discharge orders he'd received from the Marines that day.
July 22-24 - Netroots Nation - Las Vegas, NV
Van Jones.
July 22-24 - Netroots Nation - Las Vegas, NV
Former Congressman Alan Grayson.
July 22-24 - Netroots Nation - Las Vegas, NV
Elizabeth Warren looks on as Senator Jeff Merkley talks about the mortgage crisis.
August 4 - West Hollywood, CA
Protestors celebrate Judge Walker's ruling overturning Proposition 8.
August 4 - West Hollywood, CA
Protestors celebrate Judge Walker's ruling overturning Proposition 8.
August 4 - West Hollywood, CA
David Boies who, along with Ted Olson, argued that Proposition 8 be overturned, gives a big thumbs up to supporters.
August 4 - Downtown Los Angeles
Gay and Lesbian Latino activists hold a candlelight vigil celebrating the repeal of Proposition 8.
August 4 - Downtown Los Angeles
Gay and Lesbian Latino activists hold a candlelight vigil celebrating the repeal of Proposition 8.
August 21 - Staples Center, Los Angeles
Warren and I on the red carpet for the Emmy awards. I had been nominated for my work on "The Pacific". I lost.
October 3 - Venice, CA
This RV caught fire in a bank parking lot, melting a nearby vehicle and nearly catching an adjoining house on fire. On any given day, 250-300 RVs park on the streets of Venice. The occupants aren't on vacation. In fact, they have no other place to live.
October 3 - Venice, CA
The RV owner talks with fire investigators.
October 3 - Venice, CA
The man escaped with nothing but this partially burned passport
and the clothes on his back.
October 10 - Los Angeles, CA
Pet owners wait to have their pets blessed at First Congregation Church.
October 10 - Los Angeles, CA
Blessing of the Animals, First Congregation Church.
October 17 - San Francisco, CA
October 22 - USC
Supporters gather to hear President Obama speak on the quad at USC.
October 22 - USC
Supporters gather to hear President Obama speak on the quad at USC.
October 22 - USC
A protestor holds up a sign about DADT. "Get Equal" activists followed President Obama to several events in Southern California over an 18-month period hoping to pressure him to act.
October 22 - USC
President Obama speaks on the quad at USC.
October 22 - USC
Supporter tries to get one final shot of President Obama.
October 31 - Half Moon Bay, CA
November 6 - San Francisco, CA
November 6 - San Francisco, CA
Netroots California. California activists learn about effective online organizing.
November 6 - San Francisco, CA
Netroots California. Deconstructing the failed Meg Whitman campaign.
November 6 - San Francisco, CA
Netroots California. FDL News blogger, Dave Dayen.
November 6 - San Francisco, CA
Netroots California. Activist takes notes.
November 24 - Venice, CA
Venice Boardwalk
November 25 - West Hollywood, CA
Warren's cousin Val and her wife Noelle hold a "Long Table" orphans Thanksgiving for 60 of their closest friends.
November 25 - West Hollywood, CA
Warren's cousin Val and her wife Noelle hold a "Long Table" orphans Thanksgiving for 60 of their closest friends.
November 25 - West Hollywood, CA
Noelle takes a moment after a long day. She'd been up since 5am cooking turkeys.
December 24 - New Orleans, LA
Lafayette #1 Cemetery
December 25 - New Orleans, LA
December 25 - New Orleans, LA
St. Roche's Cemetery
Thank you, Marta, for taking us on your journey this year. Your professionalism clearly shines through in your subject selection, framing, the all important timing and your use of light. Clearly outstanding work. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteKen
Great photography and a memorable year. I especially liked the shot of the Venice sign and the sky overhead. Mark
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark. The photo was taken with my iPhone, using the Hipstamatic app.
ReplyDelete