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Recently, my friend Massimo spent hours at St. Paul’s Cathedral, taking fotos for my [upcoming]
article on the “Anthropological Synthesis of Intellect, Spirituality and Engineering in English Baroque Architecture”. Yeh, boring for most, I know, but it’s a passion. What can I do? *ahhahhahh*I perused through his ingenious shots of Wren's 4th rendition… the towers inspired by those of [my favourite Baroque architect] Francesco Borromini's Sant'Agnese in Agone (Roma, 1652-1657)… the disposition of the two elevated tiers of massive Corinthian columns that indeed established Wren as a veritable Baroque rather than Renaissance man… the lower-story’s head windows with their aesthetically awe-inspiring scrolled keystones and cherub/garland adornments. Simply magnificent.
But all of it started me thinking. I imagined him standing in the bitter London wind, snapping shots from every perceivable angle, refusing to let me pay him for his work… and I realized that I’ve completely forgotten how to be a friend. I’ve been slipping into the precipice of “academic humanitarianism”, where we all contemplate and debate our book-knowledge; imagining ourselves as broadening our discernment, our tolerance… our sympathies. The miserable truth is simply that I have a list of phone calls I’m weeks behind on returning, letters I’ve yet to write, friends I desperately want to catch up with. My life has gotten in the way of my life.The Chinese philosopher Deng Ming-Dao said, “Those truly linked don't need correspondence. When they meet again after many years apart, their friendship is as true as ever.” It’s an interesting phenomenon: conceivably, a precept that justifies our determination [sociologically speaking] to focus on people so ambiguous to our daily routine that we become impassive to those which are not. No one disputes the importance of the United States’s mystifying military actions in Afghanistan… the disgraceful lack of U.N. protection in Dungu… the release of Ayman Nour, ad naseum. And perhaps Ming-Dao’s words do hold a certain legitimacy, but they don’t account for the lack of encouragement, edification, and devotion we can offer our “nearest and dearest”…and all too often don’t. As our authority/ability to hold societies together moderates and ultimately ceases, it’s inevitable to focus through fear on the global picture, but some days maybe we should just stay closer to home…
N.B., Thank you for the fotos Massi; your friendship overwhelms me.
5 commentaires ~ [Enregistrer un commentaire]:
Greeaaattt pics! :)
Arriving at my location in early morning (ok..was almost 11am....but still early for me !), the sun was on my head in the way to St. Paul has been obscured by the clouds and rain started gently tap on the roof of my car. To a photographer , no sound can cause more misery except, perhaps, the sickening of don't do it a favour to a friend that ask to you so nicely...;)
I could hardly just turn round and drive back home but what would can think a friend of that attitude? So, I donned hat, coat, gloves, hand a spade, ride a horse, and bla bla bla... ...and went ahead !!!
I know is so epic, and in reality was not so cold and not rain at all...but is like to imagine like that... can I? :))))
Anyway the two hours can only be described as some of the best I've had behind the camera around london.. also I was played some nice music in my i-pod in the same time and you know I have so great music in my collection..ahahah
I got wet and cold but the rain soon stopped and the sun reappeared late afternoon in my way back home..like usual ..;)
I hope you can use well my pics and it's honour to be with my work inside your article “Anthropological Synthesis of ...bla bla..”, that I don't know exactly what mean...... but I'm sure that if I will read I will appreciate....
:)))
and hey...Thank Ali..but Im sure you can do better..:)
you said it right Mik..A workin friendship is like you know no matter how long you dont ride a bicycle you dont forget how to ride it..so if a frienship works most probably it ll work again no matter how. unless if you dont lose one of your legs or your sight but in those cases you know it wont be the friendship's fault, It would be just bad luck..
And good luck with your article!!!I am sure it will be great! and you really write some serious stuff, dont you? =)
"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives."
-Euripides
I understand what you're saying, we're all guilty of the same. We get caught up in work, relationships, family matters and when the sun goes down we're sometimes just too tired to pick up the phone or write an email. It doesn't excuse it and I've decided to follow some of your advice. Your posting is a nice reminder for me.
In the end of the day, we can only do our best and hope our friends feel loved and comforted by knowing us. But, I'm positive that most people feel blessed to know you. You have such a beautiful heart Miki. :) xo
Nah, Massimo. U got talent boy. :)
That was sweet of u 2 take all those 4 Mikstress!
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