OP-ED: Why Big Mon$y Politics is Coming to an End
July 31, 2008, 7:38 am
It occurred to me yesterday as I was hearing a Press Secretary and her Senator quip back and forth about his refusal to wear his cell phone that the day of the Poli-nerd is eminent.
It’s the generation coming up on my 6- they know only a virtual world, communicate in OMG’s, WTF’s and LOL’s…but more importantly they reach out to billions of each other each year. They know what each other are doing at all times via away message, email, sms, mms, twitter, digg, and google reader.
(Hell even Prettymike is huge in China, ask Hooran Piston…of course I can’t read his Chinese comments so maybe I am a God or maybe I’m wanted for crimes against Humanity…either way KICK ASS. But I digress.)
The Poli-nerd who will be President will have started young, made friends quickly across the Country (and world) he/she will have used an open source software to run the numbers on the issues that matter most to his/her generation, downloaded and distributed early movie and song releases, given his/her friends advice on speeding up their parents hand-me down laptops, shown them how to get on Facebook around the schools firewall and probably created a keyword program to write an original paper on an e-book.
Having recruited, hired, trained and managed thousands of people for Grassroots canvassing for everything from legalizing gambling to door knocking to get DC residents in for their yearly paps mere (talk about an uncomfortable knock at the door…”has someone scraped your vagina this year…greeaaat, see you next year”.)
I have heard story upon story of old time politics, of a man or woman who was there for their community- they didn’t fly in on a chartered jet with their war coffers blazing…they helped people move, were involved in PTA, they were an integral part of making sure Main St got that stop light it needed and most importantly they stood up for those who could not stand for themselves.
From these actions support in their community began, trust was formed, and belief grew- sometimes into a mayors seat sometimes to Congress and occasionally it took them all the way to the White House. But the White House was never the goal, service to the greater good was the goal, the White House, or a seat in Congress was a bi-product of service.
Maybe if as Americans we served our selves less, and each other more we would not be in some of the situations we are in today.
But what the hell do I know? I am just eye candy around here.
Hablo Espanol? Frankenstein can show you how.
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My Day: Shooting on the Hill & Cute Kids from Camp.
July 30, 2008, 7:59 am
Once again I am spending my day shooting photographs of various Members getting interviewed in their offices…(LOL, I said member.)
10:30 – Congressman Mike Rogers
11:00 – Congressman Tom Price
11:30 – Congressman Joe Pitts
12:1:00 – 12:30 / Lunch at Mortons Steak House
1:30 Drop Taylor off at Musical Theater Camp
2 pm – Congressman Charles Boustany
2:45 – Congresswoman Michele Bachman
4 pm – Senator Richard Shelby
Yesterday I was asked to shoot head shots of all the kids in Taylor’s Camp for one of the performances they do over the next two weeks. To date it has definitely been my most interesting gig yet as a photographer. Below are some of the funnier shots I took.
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Will Ferrells Testicles, A lady peeing into a mans urinal & acapela Guns and Roses
July 29, 2008, 8:01 am
Yes, I am talking about Step Brothers and hell yes you should go see it at any cost.
Sell your baby, pawn your wedding ring or give blood, copious amounts… that way you can get some snacks to get your blood sugar back up.
Sitting here at Prettymike Headquarters reflecting on what was an all around impressive comedy recalling its only drawback being at times it would go from peeing your pants funny to completely serious. That may have been its makers intention but I felt it was too abrupt and its comedic timing could have used some finesse.
That being said, Go see step brothers and then thank me later. Besides however many millions it did last weekend and the fact that it’s Tuesday won’t keep me from claiming that I broke the story and am its sole reason for success.
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Is your present – pre-sent?
July 28, 2008, 10:10 am
One of the problems I have with my ex-wife is that she refuses to accept responsibility for her actions… I could name several instances but will just share one that occurred recently.
When my daughter came back from visiting her Grandparents in Oregon she went down to see her other Grandparents for a family reunion. We agreed that on her way back from the reunion she would meet me at a designated location.
She had more than three weeks to prepare: search Google maps, Mapquest, plot a course on a paper map or hell even chart a course via the stars.
Instead she got lost and became angry at me for not having a car (in a city gridlocked with traffic, where I walk to work) she yelled about it being out of her way, and how she had her other kids, but never did she just say “I should have printed out directions”. It never occurred to her that her getting lost was pre- determined by her failure to prepare.
Please don’t take this as an ex-wife bashing session, but rather just an example of why preparation is the king of success.
Failing to prepare is truly preparing to fail.
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Empty Room – Heavy Heart, Inspirational Email.
July 27, 2008, 12:12 pm
Empty Room: I love the picture I am posting today, it’s beauty is the simplicity.
Heavy Heart: I have had a heavy heart lately. Being self employed, having been in constant pain for nine months and missing training and the camaraderie of Capital Jiu-Jitsu. I’ve found myself wondering “am I heading in the right direction or toiling in vain?”
Inspirational Email: I was feeling pretty low for the reasons above the other day- and when I needed it most I received this email from one of my best friends and business partner Larry Ward.
“Mike,
I know the last few months have been rough, but you have emerged a new man, the man I always knew you could be. You have become strong, passionate, and determined. You could have easily let your pains and vices swallow you whole, but instead have done what all great men do…you looked your fears in the eye and kept moving forward.
Sometimes moments like these get lost in the blur of life. When you look back at your life, I promise you that you will remember this moment, this period of your life with the most pride.
The other day you said you have nothing to show for your 31 years…that is not true. You have my respect and you have earned it, partner. I am proud of you.
In the darkest hour the soul is replenished and given strength to continue and endure.
Mahatma Gandhi
Larry Ward“
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Sam Donaldson and Mrs. Donaldson at The National Press Club
July 26, 2008, 5:10 pm
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Race and Reconciliation: 1500 Pictures Later.
July 25, 2008, 3:38 pm
Don’t worry I will not post them all; however, I will say the event was inspiring, informative…hell it was awesome.
The highlight for me was hearing Deepak Chopra speak. He started by asking us all to take a deep breath in and out, then one more.
He then proposed the question. Are you breathing or being breathed? He continued by making the point we are all made up of the same molecules and while these finite bodies which carry are infinite souls may look different that the universe is in fact that: One Song a Uni-verse. Deep and inspiring.
There were too many memorables to list but since I mentioned Deepak here is a picture of him, Reporter Sally Quinn, Janet Langahrt Cohen and Fmr. Secretary of Defense and Senator William Cohen.
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ADDICTED! It had me at +add subscription.
July 23, 2008, 8:03 am
I hate to say it but the Google reader had me at hello. I felt like Neo seeing all the matrix for the first time- like Moses looking over the promise land.
I sent an email to a couple of friends last night doting over my new love and needless to say was scoffed at by the naysayers…but if you want to be Omnipotent like God and Pretty Mike then I would highly recommend signing up for Google reader.
I shot this last week: Congressman Paul Ryan in his office discussing health care.
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EXPOSE'- on Self Assessment and Deviant Art
July 22, 2008, 8:01 am
Today’s day started with Matt’s Gmail Away Message: “Mark Twain: I bring you the stately matron named Christendom, returning bedraggled, besmirched and dishonored from pirate-raids in Kiao-Chow, Manchuria, South Africa and the Philippines, with her soul full of meanness, her pocket full of boodle, and her mouth full of pious hypocrisies. Give her soap and a towel, but hide the looking-glass.”
I laughed because I often offer people jokingly nights of “drinkin’ and debauchery” which his quote reminded me. Then really giving it a thought it quickly became clear that it is really about self evaluation and taking an honest assessment of ones self. Thanks Matt!
Anyway being that deviantart is like the 3rd most trafficked site in the world I decided to start selling prints of my photos there. My Deviant Art Profile
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EXPOSE’- on Self Assessment and Deviant Art
July 22, 2008, 8:01 am
Today’s day started with Matt’s Gmail Away Message: “Mark Twain: I bring you the stately matron named Christendom, returning bedraggled, besmirched and dishonored from pirate-raids in Kiao-Chow, Manchuria, South Africa and the Philippines, with her soul full of meanness, her pocket full of boodle, and her mouth full of pious hypocrisies. Give her soap and a towel, but hide the looking-glass.”
I laughed because I often offer people jokingly nights of “drinkin’ and debauchery” which his quote reminded me. Then really giving it a thought it quickly became clear that it is really about self evaluation and taking an honest assessment of ones self. Thanks Matt!
Anyway being that deviantart is like the 3rd most trafficked site in the world I decided to start selling prints of my photos there. My Deviant Art Profile
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