Heading to New York, one more time, but this time we plan to camp, enjoy the cool weather thanks to Ernesto hurricane - and then do downtown stuff. Ah, it is late, I am really tired, and will write more when I am back!

How would you describe an ocean wave? As a sound, an event, a fact, a thing? I for one would opt for the sound, because this is what is still with me after a one day mini-adventure at the Atlantic coast, specifically Bethany Beach. That day I discovered that the Atlantic is an "unlucky" ocean compared to the Pasific, because it does not have a sun set. The sun sets on the Western horizon. Yet, the same sun rises over the Atlantic, so if I am on the beach early early in the morning, this means I will finally be able to catch a glimpse of this....eh, no I will not use magical as I overused it in my blog and elsewhere, wondrous.., let me check the thesaurus in a sec, ok, this means I will finally be able to catch a glimpse of this wondrous vastness. For us, a one day trip meant we were at the beach around 5 pm, had only 2 hours to enjoy the ocean, and then felt compelled to leave Bethany Beach for Ocean City - and this is where the wondrous vastness was awaiting us, where we were least expecting it. Behind a barely noticeable roadside restaurant that we randomly picked because we had to eat. There was a long line of hungry vacationers in front of it, yet we were determined to set our foot in. Not just because we were hungry but because we noticed why all these people were waiting. BJ's was on the water, overlooking the West, and on the horizon, right behind the swamp on which our deck extended, was the vastness: it was the perfect time and place to watch the sun set in the wilderness. In the swamp glimmering beneath us, geese and ducks and seagulls were paddling in peaceful coexistence, we laughed at the Canadian geese, which looked elegant and funny and a little lost as they tried to reach the grass at the bottom of the swamp with their long necks - their bodies occasionally bumped into each other, unable to see the traffic above. We had to wait for 40 minutes before a table was ready for us, and by pure chance, it overlooked the red giant sun slowly sinking into the horizon. Next time, I know what I will do - arrive early enough to catch the sunrise.

Back on track. I have discovered a nice bookstore in Connecticut Ave, Washington DC, Politics and Proze, which features book reading events every night, I called to inquire about tonight's event and I learned that it is a public event, first come first serve basis, caffee downstairs, and book signing by the author in the end. I look forward to attending the event tomorrow if not this evening, sounds promising and very Washington-esque. There are other events that I am eagerly anticipating. Visiting the National Portrait Gallery is a beginning, in fact I already voted for my favorite portrait online. It is a portrait of a homeless man, titled Portrait of George Guillaume, it touched me more than some other paintings which were technically perfect, but had little to say to me, for instance a portrait of the painter himself standing behind a glass door. Of course, painting so brutally realistically must require great skill, but I stil find it,eh, brutal and cold. I would prefer something that has some level of social warmth in it rather than cruel objectivity. There is so much pain and suffering and what not going on in the world. I guess I am not a great fan of art for the sake of art. I loved the Portrait of George Guillaume because that is the portrait of the man about whom I would love to write a book about one day - and somebody already told the whole story on a simple canvass. Here is what the artist, Kris Kuksi, said about why he painted George:


George Guillaume is a homeless man seen by many but known to few in our community. He has become a great subject for my work many times over. He possesses a distinctive and timeless look that inspires me to capture and celebrate in a great work of art. George is a humble man, always willing to help me in the studio. He has never accepted anything in return, though he is fond of chocolate chip cookies. He is a religious man, often reciting stories from the Bible and passing along words of wisdom as only he can. George truly feels God provides for him despite his woes and lack of personal possessions. I consider George a genuine individual with passion for life and compassion for those he encounters. To many, George may seem easily dispensible to society. I consider him a close friend. It has been a true pleasure making his acquaintance. My approach to this particular portrait was size. I rarely work in this small a format. However, I felt that this was critical in my portrait of George. I considered a realistic take on him in order to capture his weathered appearance. I wanted to accentuate his wrinkles and age as well as the wonderful textures within the beard. This piece, at a size of only 6 inches by 6 inches, lures the viewer into an intimate look at a man like George Guillaume, homeless and humble. The blue-gray negative areas around him suggest a cold world, and create a feeling of isolation. The garment which George wears creates senarios from hospital patient to perhaps a holy man. The lighting could be described as a single bare bulb just above, that further enhances feelings of solitude.

Freaks was a thing I photographed a lot ... it had a terrific kind of excitement for me... Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks are born with their trauma. They've already passed it. They're aristocrats. Diane Arbus

Wasn't in the mood today to do much, too exhausted to go out by myself, was expecting to spend a nice afternoon with Kotmish outside, doing something nice, but looks like he has better things to do - like hang with biker friends and so I am stuck at home today, any ideas of how to spend quiality time by yourself? Listened to my favorite CDs, cooked a delicious dinner, dreamed a little, and dressed up even there is no occasion. It is amazing how clothes can transform us, and make us feel better for no reason. I definitely need a cat. In fact, being in Washington, I shouldn't be complaining, since I am %100 sure there are lots of activities to do in the area, open air amphitheatres, world renowned theatres, museums, cafes, what not. Yet ever since I came from Turkiye, I have not felt the smallest desire to go out and socialize as I used to - instead, I have been reading and writing - totally detached from the city I live in.