Namaste

I do some volunteer event shooting for the Mitrata Nepal Foundation, which you may have noticed on the lower right of these pages. Mrs. C and I helped to support a young woman from a rural village through high school. Now we contribute to a fund for Nepalese medical students. It's one of life's oddities that although I've never been to, say, Cincinnati, Milwaukee or Houston, I've visited Kathmandu three times. We know our money is well spent. 

They had one of those trivia nights recently. I'm hopeless at popular culture so, instead of playing, I wander around sticking my lens in things. The top pic shows scarves made by Nepalese craftspeople. The bottom one represents a domestic product, but that's what you say to people over there morning, noon and night.     

Clare, Michigan, by late afternoon today.

In Your Dreams

I bet you'd prefer that this one left you in peace. It is a Nepalese Hindu demon, a mask that was on sale at a fundraiser for the Mitrata Nepal Foundation last weekend. You have  probably noticed the logo and link at the bottom of the right sidebar. We have supported a young woman in Kathmandu for 8 or 9 years. Now she has finished high school and is about to take the entrance exam for college. She is posing here with Mrs. C.  

The other pictures are of Nepalese batik fabric and rolled Buddhist prayer flags.

One of STL's biggest annual photo ops today. Pix tomorrow.      

Concert For Kathmandu Kids - Around The Room

Just a bit more from last weekend's fundraiser for the Mitrata Nepal Foundation. There was a good crowd at The Old Rock House, a bar and music venue near downtown. Above, the leaders of Joia and Christine Schutz, the president of the foundation. Below, part of the Nepalese contingent at the party and, finally, fun on the dance floor during the final jam with Dawn Weber, her band and Joia.        

Concert For Kathmandu Kids- Joia

The other main act at the Mitrata Nepal Foundation's fundraiser was Joia. I can only describe it as a percussion orchestra. Their performances aren't just jam sessions, although they can be at times. The group has set pieces of incredible rhythmic complexity and drive. It's impossible to sit still in their presence.

Click any of the videos on their home page for a sample. It's good for what ails you.            

Concert For Kathmandu Kids - Dawn Weber

One of the headliners at the Mitrata Nepal Foundation fundraiser was the remarkable Dawn Weber, trumpeter, singer, composer and arranger. She plays jazz, funk, classical, Latin and more. She filled the stage with personality and music. Locals, if you have the chance you must hear her play. There are some music clips on her website - click the link on her name.        

Madeleine Monday

My younger child is 33 so there is a lot I've forgotten about developmental milestones. For instance, babies don't know how to smile right away. Ms. M will be nine weeks tomorrow and she's got this all figured out now. So much more expressive.         

Concert For Kathmandu Kids

Long-time readers know that my wife and I support the Mitrata Nepal Foundation (see bottom of right sidebar), which provides a loving home, education, health care and nutrition in Kathmandu. We've visited there and met the young woman we sponsor. Contributions are very, very well spent.

Last night was the Concert For Kathmandu Kids, an annual event. I was the house photographer. The headliners were the amazing Dawn Weber, above, and The Lou's supercharged percussion ensemble, Joia. I got a ton of good pix but it's really late as I write this. More to come.

That's Not Nepalese

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Three skilled belly dancers were part of the Concert For Kathmandu Kids. Uh, this is Middle Eastern, not South Asian, isn't it? Although the last time we were in Kathmandu two years ago, our group had a farewell dinner at a restaurant that featured belly dancers (and a finale with an appearance by Yeti).

Today is the deadline for submissions for STL's big year-end photography show, SEEN 2011. I won first place last year with this one. You can see my entries for this year here. Any favorites?

The Kids From Kathmandu

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My time has been totally sucked up by new dimensions in overwork and watching the World Series. So, here are some shots of shots of kids in the Mitrata Nepal home in Kathmandu, Top, the organization's brochure. Middle, a photo of a reverent boy. Bottom, a Nepalese dancer in front of a slide show of the children. The photo is of Januka, the young woman my wife and I sponsor.

No game tonight so I should be able to visit friends' blogs. The Cardinals just lost Game 5 in Texas 4-3. Game 6 is Wednesday night in St. Louis and I hope to be there.

Concert For Kathmandu Kids

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Last night Mrs. C and I attended the Concert For Kathmandu Kids, to benefit of the Mitrata Nepal Foundation. We have sponsored a 15 year old girl, Januka, in their children's' residence for about six years. The concert ran late so, for now, a quick shot of Todd Ferris Mosby, an astounding guitarist who also plays what amounts to en electric sitar. More about this in days to come.

Oh, and by the way - Texans are are a proud people. They have an expression "Don't Mess With Texas," as if you will meet a horrible fate if you muss their hair. Well, the St. Louis Cardinals just kicked some Texas rump steak, defeating the Rangers 16 to 7 in a wild game to take a 2 games to 1 lead in the World Series. The great Albert Pujols hit three home runs for the Redbirds. So HA, Rick Perry.

Mitrata Nepal Foundation

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You may have noticed the last thing on my left sidebar, promoting the Mitrata Nepal Foundation (click it!). Well, these women run the U.S. side of the operation here in St. Louis. Mitrata has a children's home and school in Kathmandu. It provides care and education to orphans and kids whose families have no means to support them in one of the world's poorest - and most beautiful and sweetest - countries. They had a table at out annual Festival of Nations this weekend, which celebrates all of the lands and cultures that contribute to our region. We will be visiting Mitrata soon.

Nepal is the only country on earth that has the creativity to break out of the rectangular flag habit. That's it in the center of the table. Mrs. C and I will arrive in Kathmandu on Saturday. She knows a little Nepalese. I can barely manage "namaste" but I can hardly wait.