Life: May 2004 Archives

©Dave Marquis 2004 Zenit ET

 This is another picture from the second Oakland cemetery series that I took over a week ago. I took this photo wondering what memories will be left of us after a generation or two. I have walked through many of the Twin Cities cemeteries and it is a sad sight to see so many long forgotten people buried there. Their grave markers get abused from young kids down to the very lawn mowers that chip and knock them over. Some just sink into the murky realm of forgotten relatives. All hope is not lost though. There are a number of restoration groups around the country trying to restore the dignity of the forgotten souls buried in cemeteries arcoss America. To me, it isn't the question of were we go when we die, but what happens to our memory when we are gone.

©Dave Marquis 2004 Zenit ET

 I am wondering why people seem to skimp on the flowers that they place at grave sites. I mean that these flowers that I have captured here on film are fake, plasticy things that will probably be on this planet for centuries if not millenniums to come. This is also a sign that we live in a busy world, where people do not have time to make it out to their loved ones even once every two weeks to change the flowers. It is a truly sad thing to see. I am just thinking that if people really wanted to never forget a death of someone they loved, wouldn't they choose the best flowers?  Fake flowers are really just the tip of the iceberg. In that I mean that it is not common to see forgotten people whose markers have been graffitied, knocked over, or have simply have been forgotten and sunk into the ground so little is left to even find these people by if it wasn't for a burial map.  I took this picture while on a walk with my wife, Yuko on May 10, 2004. It was taken with my Zenit ET on Fuji Superia 200 color film.

 Well I am back again. I know that it has been awhile and I did promise to get back into the grove of posting again. In fact I just took time on monday to go out and photography the downed trees from last Sunday's storm over at the local cemetery. This house/baby thing sure eats up most of my free time.... It is raining today and it is sure depressing. I wish the sun would come out and cheer things up a bit.

 Nils over at Alive in Kyoto posted this cute picture of his little boy, Gregory. Man is he cute!!!!!  I am soooo excitted about our baby, Daichi birth. Now the panick has started to settle in, I am left wondering what to do. Where is that baby manual all new babies are supposed to come with?

Well I made it through another semester. Well not quite... I need to finish a large paper over the summer as I couldn't get it done on time.... Tomorrow is my last day of working this week. Yippieee!

Jillian

Man have I been busy this past week. I think it is just about to slow down and wham. I get hit again with another "surprise." Well I have been finishing up a couple of last minute projects that I should have been working on a few months ago. What was I thinking? Well it is nearing an end and I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, or is that heavan? I hope I can survive this week and all should be well. In other news, Yuko and I have another early AM visits to the docotr's office. I am certainly not happy about that. Since Yuko can't drive, why doesn't the doctor come to her? Here is a photo of my cute niece.