black friday

had the pleasure of shooting black friday for work which i meant i got to crawl outta bed at 2:45 a.m. to bare witness to rampant consumerism. it was kinda amazing, but at the same time all i could think is, "what hell is wrong with these people and why do they need like 2 t.v.'s, a blender, several dvd's, and a tom-tom gps device at 4 a.m.
Here is the story.

thankful

being that this is thanksgiving week and this time of year always makes me reflect on where the past year has gone, it also marks my one-year anniversary working for the Appeal-Democrat. So I thought I would post some pics that I feel thankful for not because they are the best pictures i've taken but because I feel lucky to have met these people.
The first frame is of Dolores Huerta. A remarkable women and inspirational speaker. In 1962, she co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chávez. We need those who look out for those are less fortunate than ourselves.
the second frame is of a young man's Mike McCullah's guitar,who drowned in a near by lake. I met this young man at his sister's funeral about six months prior. His family was so welcoming even though they were suffering such tragic loss. I'm am thankful for this.
the third frame is of a young women Meagan Bridgefarmer, 15, with her mother Cynthia by her side, makes an emotional plea to members of the Marysville City Council to help the homeless like herself who are living at the former Hollywood Trailer Park in the riverbottoms. This brave little girl broke my heart with her raw honesty as she pleaded with the city of Marysville to not abandon the homeless. i am thankful to have been witness to her selflessness when her family had nothing.

it's fall

got sent out to look for fall pics here is my contribution.

30th Annual Sikh Parade

This past Sunday I got the chance to witness and shoot the biggest Sikh religious procession in the western hemisphere. Basically about 75,000 Sikhs descend on Yuba City for the 3 days of reading their sacred text the Guru Granth Sahib, the book is then put on a giant float and paraded around town and than back to the Sikh Temple Gurdwara. It was pretty awesome. You can read about it here with video(forgive the curry remark in the lede) and a photo gallery.

Maryville Metal!

After shooting ridiculously cute children dressed up as princesses and such for work, I spent the rest of Halloween night the way it should be spent with a bunch of black eye-make-up wearing freaks, at a really awesome metal show. It made me wanna be a rebellious punk rock teenager again, ya know minus the acne and perpetual teasing from peers. It was a great event put on by a local business owner, Ruth Soto for youth. Read about it here.