LOSERS AND SUCKERS

In 2018, Donald Trump canceled a visit to the American World War I cemetery outside Paris. It was raining, and he claimed his helicopter could not fly there and the Secret Service would not drive him. Both statements were false; there are indications that the rain would have messed his hair. The visit wasn’t worth it to him, as he characterized the fallen soldiers as suckers and losers. Trump denied making the statements but there were witnessed, including the retired four star Marine general who was then his chief of staff. Several veterans at the No Trump rally still take offense.                 

VISION

I am so proud of this woman, out at the demonstration with perhaps her son helping her, expressing her conscience. Hard to see at this resolution, but her shirt has a face known to most Americans, Smokey the Bear (only you can prevent forest fires or, more recently, only you can prevent fascist liars). The bear wears mirrored sunglasses, reflecting the desert in one lens and mountains in the other. The word RESIST is  written across the hat. Hooray for her.            

ACCORDING TO MARK TWAIN

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.

Another image from the No Kings demonstration in downtown St. Louis. It was scheduled to go from 2 to 5. I got there at 1:30 as a brief shower broke out. By 2:45 Kiener Plaza was very crowded, my old creaky spine was wearing out and I was soaked in perspiration. I left but people continued to stream in. Only the next day did I learn that thousands more arrived and began a march many blocks long along the adjacent main avenue. I missed it but it’s a consequence of getting old.

And by the way, Mr. Twain, it doesn’t.                      

 

 

NO KINGS

There were at least six No Kings rallies around the metro area yesterday but the big one was downtown. I got there early and Kiener Plaza was already busy. By 40 minutes after the official starting time it was so crowded I could hardly get a clear shot, yet people were still streaming in. As of late Saturday night I have not seen an estimate of the number of people but it must have been well over a thousand. More to come.                 

QUEEN OF THE ROLLER DERBY

Possibly a last pic from Circus Flora, pending what happens at today's No Kings demonstration in downtown St. Louis. It’s hard to see at this resolution, but there is a sturdy strap around the man’s neck that wraps low on the back of the woman’s head. I was able to use a fast shutter speed to freeze this but just looking at it was a blur. 

This afternoon should be interesting.                   

NO NET

America’s first family of acrobats and aerialists, The Flying Wallendas, joins Circus Flora every June. The act included both a generation older and younger than what we see here. Rough estimate is that these three were +/- 30 feet / 10 meters off the floor, with nothing but their skill to protect them.

I need to do at least one more day of circus images. There are No Kings rallies planned in every city in the U.S. on Saturday, and I plan to cover the one in downtown St. Louis.                   

DOGS AND FRISBEES

One of the reasons we go to Circus Flora year after year is because granddaughter Ellie loves animals (particularly her somewhat indolent tabby cat, Gizmo). Whether it’s dogs, horses, goats, rabbits or you name it, she loves them all. I’ve seen dogs catching frisbees before, but never with such choreographed precision.                        

 

FREE DIVER

That’s what the image makes me think of, someone floating through the deep blue without a mask and tank. She performed a ballet in three dimensions, emphasizing the vertical.                    

ARC SEGMENTS

The circle, gentle arc and lines in this picture make me think of high school geometry class. Of course, this is a bit more interesting and, by definition, there weren’t any girls in my boy’s Catholic school.                           

LEVITATION

Or close to it. I can’t imagine the strength, balance and coordination (not qualities I am known for) it takes to do this. At some point the performer was straight up on his hands with his legs perpendicular to his spine. Stunning.                   

THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN

One of the nice things about St. Louis is that we have our own resident circus company, Circus Flora. Last night was opening night. Dad and all four grandparents took Ellie the kid, who can’t get enough of this stuff. One of the acts was this young group of tumblers and acrobats known as the St. Louis Archers. More to come.                   

A TINTYPE

I needed a bit of filler  before a major photo event later today (the circus is in town). A year ago I learned about a $1 iPhone camera app called TinType. It produces images reminiscent of 19th Century low resolution snaps with striking effect. I go out and shoot with it once in a while. You can just see the Arch in the haze.               

STRING BAND

Another act getting ready for Artica in October. This “string band” has a name, which I didn’t write down and don’t member. If someone who sees this knows, let me know and I will edit the post. They played a variety of bluegrass-y and country-ish music, with some humor thrown in. Note the seldom-seen bass guitar.

By the way, I have my late brother-in-law’s banjo, which I can’t possibly play. If anyone would like it, let me know.              

I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THIS ACT

There was a get together last weekend for Artica fans. People who are interested in participating were invited to show their concepts or proposals. This man (I’m  sorry that I don’t know his name) is a stilt walker. I remember him from last year. The framework of what he is wearing is, I think, bent PVC pipe. Garlanded all around is light plastic tubing filled with colored LED lights. You can’t see them in daylight unless you stand right next to him. He plans to cover himself with them from head to stilt tip.                     

L FRIED RICE

A little food shop, L Fried Rice, on South Jefferson Avenue. STL flavor.                         

SITE VISIT

 

Our favorite free-form creative festival, Artica, takes place in early October, but it’s time for people who would like to participate to submit proposals. It takes place in an empty square block near the river. There was an opportunity last weekend for people to check out the space.                  

1ST AND O'FALLON

A block or so from the odd sculpture park and power plant seen over the last few days. This is the edge of the rust belt, when the economy has moved on and found no use for what it left behind other than late afternoon colors on old St. Louis brick.                  

CITY DAILY PHOTO JUNE THEME - SHADOWS

Maybe the most famous shadow in St. Louis, but one that is rarely seen in its entirety. The view, of course, is looking down from the little windows in the top of the Arch.