www.refresheverything.com/thewaitinglist

one of my fondest childhood memories is of my father, with his film nikon camera hanging safely around his neck, his eyes peering through the viewfinder at us, his family. we're in the house celebrating our birthdays, at the beach, head down mesmerized by the waves, in a random parking lot in front of a blooming tree, and at various school events. it used to annoy me that he would say, "1, 2,.." and then decide to change his point of view and do his little camera shuffle. two steps to the left, one step to the right, two steps to the left again. once he was satisfied with his composition, his voice, "1, 2, 3"--CLICK. the best part was the anticipation of the developed goods.

i LOVED the day he brought the photographs home, the negatives protected by their plastic encasing. I also loved going with him to pick up our memories, handing over the receipt for the store clerk to find. "c" for chong.

as a child, i grew impatient easily. but now, as an older, wiser and more patient "child," i understand my father's craft, the time and thoughts needed for composition, clarity, focus. photography wasn't/isn't just about the captured images themselves but at times, so much more about remembering everything else surrounding the act of taking a picture. the feelings, accompanying music, weather, place in life.

my sweet friend, beth has brought this to my attention that i'd like to share with you. her friend, david y. lee, put his life into the waiting list, a non-profit that raises awareness of the importance of organ donation. (www.thewaitinglist.org) he has entered a photography project, a program for children waiting for an organ transplant, in the "refresh everything" pepsi contest. if his proposal is in the top ten, he'll win $50,000 to supply children the tools needed to provide this: additional support through a creative coping and healing process.

voting continues until the end of the month. i strongly encourage you to sign up and vote! VOTE EVERYDAY until february 28th. thank you, thank you.

www.refresheverything.com/thewaitinglist