Merry Christmas to all

MoFo's Birthday in DC

Happy Birthday MoFo!!!!

It has been a pleasure to know you and call you my friend.

Almost Three Hours in line for a little bit of History

 
 
 

Election Coverage 2008

Edward Scissors Hands

Edward Scissors Hands, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

Went out on Halloween to shoot the night life. After spending three hours and taking 200+ shots, this was the best. I had tried using high ISO and no flash but in the end Flash produced this shot.

Oh well....I think this shot was worth the flash....Yeah I know..I'm a wimp for using flash.

A Grateful Nation

A Grateful Nation, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.

Columbia Heights..Wow

Went to Mt. Pleasant last night to see the debate with some friends. I was really amazed at how the area has changed. I don't know the city anymore.

Eleanor Roosevelt HS 25 Yr Reunion

Eleanor Roosevelt HS 25 Yr Reunion, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

View On Black
The most important part of any successful reunion appearance for an old gray haired geazer like me is to have a young smoking hot chick on your arm.

Well through lots of begging, pleading, crying, begging and more crying, pleading and begging...Throwing myself upon the mercy of the court.....I was able to get a hot chick to go with me to the reunion.

True friends only let you cry and beg so much before agreeing and setting the terms and conditions of their appearance.

All the begging and pleading was well worth it. Cause I did not want to go alone with all of the other stuff running through my head about my dad.

See the all the pics:

In the Friday Washington Post

In the Friday Washington Post, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

DEATH NOTICE/OBITUARY FOR REV. JOHN HENRY ARRINGTON, JR.

Peacefully on Tuesday September 2, 2008, Rev. John Henry Arrington, Jr. of Newark, DE, passed from this life into spirit after a challenging battle with pneumonia at the Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC. Rev. Arrington was preceded in death by his second wife, Louise B. Wash-Arrington; his parents, John Henry Sr. and Mattie Rouche; his brother, Robert Lee Arrington; and sister, Mary Elizabeth Ellison.

Rev. Arrington served as a minister in the AME Zion Church for over 40 years, first as Assistant Pastor at Contee AME Zion Church NE Washington, DC; then as Pastor of Varick Memorial AME Zion Church–in NE Washington, DC and in Jacksonville, FL. In 1995, Rev. Arrington retired from the ministry, but accepted the role of Presiding Elder and Pastor Emeritus. He will be remembered for his dedication and service to his spiritual community, and his steadfast advocacy for education and empowerment.

Prior to entering the ministry in 1956, Rev. Arrington proudly served his country during WW II from Feb. 16, 1943 until he was honorably discharged on Feb. 7, 1946. In 1985 he retired from the Federal Protective Service with the rank of Captain after 34 years of federal service in Washington, DC.

Rev. Arrington is survived by his first wife, Mary Elizabeth (Bell) Arrington; six adult children - Mary Elizabeth Moore, John Henry Arrington III, Marvelle Alicia McIntyre-Hall, Zita Yolanda Johnson-Betts, Joel Malquis Arrington, Manuel Andre Arrington; step-daughter, Lisa Wash; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins and countless friends who were touched by his life.

Services will be held at noon, on Monday, September 22, 2008, at Varick Memorial AME Zion Church, 255 Anacostia Ave. NE, Washington, DC, and in Madison County, VA, in October 2008.

We ask that any expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations. Tax deductible charitable contributions may be made to the Carson Scholars Fund, Inc., 305 W. Chesapeake Avenue, Suite L-020, Towson, MD 21204 with the name John Henry Arrington Jr. noted in the memo section of your check. These contributions will go towards a college scholarship for a deserving student in grades 4-6 at the River Terrace Elementary School in Washington, DC.

If you would like to support the administration of the family website Arrington.org, you may make a non-deductible gift directly on the website. We hope that all contributions either those to the Carson Scholars Fund or to the Arrington.org family website will be viewed as testaments to Rev. Arrington’s belief in family, the history of love he imparted to all who knew him, his indomitable spirit and his remarkable desire to see good done in this world.

Watching Shark Week

Watching Shark Week, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

Dad and I are enjoying Shark Week on Discovery. I think dad has had CNN overload.

Vote for MoFo at JPG Magazine

Vote for MoFo at JPG Magazine, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

I have submitted a picture of our own Headliner Mofo to JPG Magazine for the On Stage Series. Feel free to vote "Yeah!"

www.jpgmag.com/photos/841751

No Refill on Life

No Refill on Life, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

This bottle is a lot like life. For this bottle, this is the end of the line. So many of us don't realize in life you don't get many "Do Overs."

Coming home last night from hanging out with the BEST Flickr Folks and Folks PERIOD...aka DC Social...I was thinking about my Dad, all the fishing, talking about life, talking about women, talking about relationships, talking about religion, talking about politics, talking about growing up in the former Heart of the Confederacy, talking about our heritage as a
family.

I discovered that I am FULL.

I am FULL of great dreams, memories, family and love. My life hasn't been perfect but its been like a GED...Good Enough....

So, I say to anyone who is estranged from their mother, father, brothers, sisters....NO REFILL...Once your empty and drained...NO REFILL..

Don't go empty because of disagreements and stuff that in the grand scheme of things is pretty stupid......For those of you of the Christian Faith remember this:

1 John 4:20-21
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Wow.....It is my prayer that all of those that have been so great to me in this time of stress and strain are FULL. If your not don't let another day go by with the meter running on you. In the END it will be about you and what you have done...Not them.

Peace upon you all my friends........

Holding On

Holding On, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

I am finally home from a full day at the Hospital with my dad. I
posted a picture from my Blackberry earlier today but, this was what I
wanted the picture to be. There are 42 years between my dad and I, we
are father and son, we are best friends, we are fathers and we are
men.

I will cherish the memories that we have had no matter what. My
regret is that I don't have a son to share my journey in life with.
My daughter is precious and I would not trade her for anything in this
entire world. However, as man and a son I do know there is a
difference in relationship between father and daughter and father and
son.

Pop I don't know where the road goes from here but I will walk as far
as I can with you until I know I can go no further.

I am "Hooked" on this....

I love the mountains
I love the clear blue skies
I love big bridges
I love when great whites fly
I love the whole world [Les Stroud]
And all its sights and sounds
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
I love the oceans
I love real dirty things [Mike Rowe]
I love to go fast
I love Egyptian kings
I love the whole world
And all its craziness
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da [Richard Machowicz]
I love tornadoes [Joshua Wurman]
I love arachnids [Bear Grylls]
I love hot magma
I love the giant squids
I love the whole world
It's such a brilliant place
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da [Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage]
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da [Stephen Hawking]
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da
Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da

DCSocial Presents Singing Phenom...Nate

DCSocial Presents Singing Phenom...Nate
Originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel)

We had a real blast yesterday. The cameras were out and clicking away. Anyone close to Washington, DC. should be sure to come out for DCSocial Flickr Meetups.

Nate was with another group of folks at the Banana Cafe last night but all had a great time. Come over to http://www.flickr.com/photos/marrngtn and see all of the shots.

Are You One?

Are You One?, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

Are We Not All Just Pawns in the Larger Game of Life.....

The citizen is becoming a pawn in a game where nobody knows the rules, where everybody consequently doubts that there are rules at all, and where the vocabulary has been diminished to such an extent that nobody is even sure what the game is all about.

Andrew Eldritch

My Contribution to Bokeh Wednesday

I really like how this shot came out.

Votes Needed at JPG Magazine

Please go over to JPG Magazine and vote for my photo representing Democracy.

Cool Video

Cinco De Mayo Carnival from Andrew Curtis on Vimeo.

Our Angel on Earth

Our Angel on Earth, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

My sister has a calming,comforting and nurturing spirit. She has the ability to reassure my father in his times of confusion and frustration. She has been an Angel to see over him and care for him.

Zita, I don't know where he, I or the rest of the family would be without you. May God Protect You All Of Your Days.

Did I mention she is an Attorney, Former Nurse(MSN) and an Ordained Minister.

John Henry turns around

John Henry turns around, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

For anyone that thinks prayers and positive energy have no influence on outcomes, needed to see my dad yesterday.

This is a picture of him feeding himself. He has the lust for life again. He is claiming his plans for his 100th Birthday Party 15 years from now.

I can't imagine those in this life that have no hope in the face of crisis and have no where to draw strength.

A Smoke for My Dad

A smoke for my Dad, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

My dad said his goodbye's today. His condition hasn't changed much. Not sure whats happening with his spirit but. he said he has made peace with the Alpha and the Omega.

He had all of his children by his side tonight. Before arriving at the hospital I stopped by the Basilica and prayed, lit a candle and got some holy water.

Before leaving the hospital I anointed his head and chest with the holy water. We joined hand in hand and prayed around his bed. My eldest sister and eldest brother lead us in prayer.

After we prayed he insisted that we anoint our hands with the water. He sent us on our way, not wanting anyone to stay with him.

My dad is not only my dad but somewhere along the way we became best friends, sharing life trials, tribulations and happiness. We talked about anything and everything openly and honestly.

So tonight pop, I smoked for you. I know you are "Jones'n" for a smoke. I had a drink from the bottle of Bushmills Malt we shared our last drink from together.

We have had a great time together. If you have heard your call home go with peace.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Nauda @ DC Social Shoot

Nauda @ DC Social Shoot
Originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel)

My first experience with producing a video led me to use the recent photos from the DC Social Shoot. There was and still is much debate on Flickr as to video degrading the site into another youtube. But I think the use of high quality photos to produce videos is just another creative expression.
(http://marrngtn.blogspot.com/2008/04/nauda-dc-social-shoot.html)

Spring 2008 Cherry Blossoms

Up Close and Personal, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

The Japanese Cherry Blossoms have come to the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The annual flowering of the trees brings thousands of visitors and photographers out to enjoy their beauty. Since the rain of the last few days has battered the blossoms we will have to await their return next year. I thought I would share a couple of the nicest captures this year with my internet audience.

Blossoms with DOF, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

 

Tiger Shot @ DCist Photo Shoot

Tiger Shot @ DCist Photo Shoot, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

Had my first studio shoot today. Got to take some amazing pictures. This picture is all about the fun that we had today. Twenty photographers from DCist took part in the shoot with five models.

Learned and lot and had a great time.

See the work at here.

Violation of Constitutional First Amendment Rights

Violation of Constitutional First Amendment Rights, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

This evening I was going to go south bound through the Fort McHenry
Tunnel in Baltimore, Maryland. I saw the setting sun and thought what
a great Sunset.

I exited on Keith Avenue and stopped on the Exit Ramp to capture a
quick photo. I thought this is really busy right here so let me go
and find a safe location. So I went and took the Clinton Street turn
off and drove along the water and stopped to take some pictures.

Thats when a private security guard stated that I had to delete the
pictures from my camera because this was a "Foreign Trade Zone." I told
her that the street is public property and that I have a right to
photograph from the Street and that she should call the Baltimore City
Police. I photographed her ID once she showed it so that there wont
be any questions. I also got the tag number of MD 958M676 of the private security vehicle.

This country is going to hell in a hand basket. Since when do we have
guards with no police powers harassing citizens. When did the Taliban take over America. This is an outrage.