The Slums of Rio

With the upcoming world cup to be held in Rio de Janiro, Brazil, the authorities must have finally realized that their slums might be a hinderance. They decided to "clear" the slums with the police and military. Here I assembled a small image gallery plus two videos that show us outsiders a glimpse of the hard life in the Brazilian slums.

Sleazy Places-The No-Tell Motel

Welcome to the no-tell motel! While people sleep soundly in their beds a seedy underworld springs to life. People flock to the shadows to feed the beast that hides within. Women (or men dressing as women) don their sleazy outfits and offer their bodies for the pleasure of anyone willing to buy it. While these people feed their sexual appetite others come here to feed a stronger appetite. That of drug addiction. Down here it's mostly crack cocaine and marijuana that's the drug of choice. Everyone knows this place. They see it on the news, on Cops, but only a handful of them actually come down here and feed the demons.

Houston Traffic Blows

Houston has got to have the worst traffic in the country. Well if not the country then the top five. In a city of nearly 2.1 million people most of them always seem to be in a big hurry to go absolutely nowhere. When someone passes you giving you that look telling you that you're inconveniencing them just wait about a minute and when you catch up to them at the next red light you can return the favor. I got to 'enjoy' the Houston traffic while trying to go home after working all afternoon on just three hours of sleep.

Another 59 Diner Clip

I find myself at 59 Diner at least once, if not twice a week. This particular morning I came in and found this bunch of people playing the quarter machine. The bars and clubs had been closed for a couple of hours so unless they've been there since 2am I'm guessing they were either night workers too or just bored and up all night and decided to come to the diner and play the games. If that's the case I'd have to say that's an awesome example of spontaneity not to mention more fun than any club.




Using an Iphone app I edited the same clip to a 1960s home video style. Unfortunately it doesn't let me keep the original audio because this, with Nancy
Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made For Walking" would've made a neat retro clip in my opinion.

Riceville Cemetery

Riceville Cemetery in south west Houston. I learned about this place in the dead of night. So being the nerd I am I immediately drove over and took out my camera. Upon walking in the gate all there was was me, a full moon, and a howling wind the only sound. I felt like I was in one of the Phantasm movies and at any moment the Tall Man would come for me. It's an erie experience standing in a graveyard, under a full moon, and the only sound the howling wind.

A Trip Back in Time Courtesy of Color Photographs

We've all seen photographs from way back when. Most of them are in black and white. While we certainly appreciate the window into the past it was only a glancing look because because we are only allowed to see the past through limited shades of gray. Since the 1860s photographers were looking for ways to color their prints. No image could compare to the human eye. Around the 1930s color photography began to really take off. I found an article that brings us depression era (1940s) photographs in full color. Look at each picture in full color and get what amounts to a window taking you back 70 years ago. I look at these people and feel as if I could reach out and touch them. Put yourself in these photographs. Could you live in these times without internet, modern comforts, having to get up early and work late for your supper with little respite? In reality you'd have no choice. Click here for the full article with captions for these photographs.

Melanie Philpott 1978-2011

Bloggers are an odd bunch. What would possess someone to put their lives, their thoughts, their feelings, their deepest secrets out there for the whole world to read? Sounds insane doesn't it? How about someone who participates in a blog-inspired institution known as HNT? Since it takes a special kind of insanity to want to blog it's only natural that bloggers meet other bloggers through cyberspace and often make a connection just as strong as a chance meeting in a bar. These cyberspace based relationships are just as powerful as the traditional face to face relationships with all the included drama, bonding, anxiety, hate, friendship, and sometimes even love. I "met" Melanie (aka Stealth) years ago through her blog. Obviously my first reaction was how beautiful she is. Being a red blooded man I couldn't help but notice how sexy as well and the HNT posts every week proved it. While I read her blog she read mine and that's how the friendship started. When my marriage crumbled we were able to compare notes and have a conversation that made me feel better about the future. I understand she had a hard time and wandered around a bit. She would call me and tell me a few things. One night she called to tell me she was dying. It broke my heart to hear what had happened. Sadly I couldn't have been much help. Over time things seemed to be improving. She was engaged to be married and she had a job. I hadn't heard from her in months until I got the news yesterday. My heart sank. I will miss that spunky wit, that creative spirit, and her sweet voice. Rest in Peace Melanie and may you be a guardian angel to your precious children!