Karma Congestion… (UPDATE)
…is a phrase my dear friend Alex Ross coined many years ago. I think I have mentioned it here before. We use it as a general catch-all to cover anything from mild creative block to what the Germans call Weltschmerz. I have been somewhere in it for a while now. I haven’t been posting much, but I have been shooting quite a bit and I wanted to put up a few shots here. / I was chastised by a Kathmandu policeman just after I shot this ↑. The white kiosk in the middle of the intersection was put there this very day. The old one was lying on its side on the corner beside me (and is quite possibly still there).
I’ve been in and out of the New Haven train station a lot lately and have always liked these tunnels.
Our friends Scott and Lisa very generously invite us to visit them on Block Island for a few days in July. This was the view from their rental. We had a lovely time.
Olive is now just over 2 years old and is the most wonderful dog. My pal Peter Carroll took this picture.
These two big stones are in the empty lot next to the house on Ensenada Drive in Woodland Hills, CA where Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band recorded “Trout Mask Replica”. I was going to take a photo of the house, but it is a private residence now and I didn’t want to bother the current occupants. I had a friend in college by the name of Greg Trout whose granny gave him a copy of the album for his birthday. The only reason she bought it for him was that his surname was in the title. When I first heard it, it seemed beyond unlistenable. Now it is one of my most favorite records. Beefheart was a genius. Click on this only if you are open to weirdness.
My brother-in law John is also a huge Beefheart fan. He was up for the excursion to Woodland Hills especially if it involved a stop at Musso and Frank is Hollywood. John is totally amazing and so much fun to be with. He was raised in Southern California and his knowledge of the area is staggering.
He grew up in Palos Verdes and gave us a tour on a lovely Sunday morning. This is a detail of a fountain that is in the center of town.
Here is John and Lynne’s dog Scooter. He is a mischievous sweetie.
Cris and I always go to Huntington Beach when we are in California. The summer program for future lifeguards was happening as we were there. There was a wide range of ages of the kids, and it was way cool to see all of the participants in their red suits and colorful caps.
The older kids paddled out beyone the end of the pier and back. It looked exhausting.
The US Open of Surfing was happening the same day and the pier was jammed with people.
We also usually make it out to the Huntington Library in Pasadena,
mostly just for the chance to see Gainsborough’s Blue Boy. It never gets old.
Peter was visiting from DC last week, and we made our annual trip to Essex to eat fried clams at Farnham’s. It was a beautiful day and the view from the picnic tables can not be beat.
Thanks for following and for giving me the opportunity to unclog some of that karma congestion. I think it worked. Cheers.
UPDATE. This is indicative of how spaced out I am, but the picture of Olive was taken by Peter Carroll. It is the best photograph of her ever, and he totally deserves the credit. Sorry Pete!
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
Always love your posts, Jon!
Thank you! This was a interesting and creative visual trip for me. Eye candy. 🙂
Loved this. Thank you!
Like your stuff! And the main site. Rural poverty shorts look more like East Germany before the wall came down and not the land of the free.
Thanks Paul, I lived in Berlin for a while in the 80s and spent some time in the East. Maybe it rubbed off. Jon
Great series of photos, diverse and from such different perspectives. And yes, a wonderful shot of Olive ~
[…] Orígenes: Karma congestión … (UPDATE) […]
Totaly loved it!
Rohm, welcome! I am just curious as to how you found the site. I have been getting a lot of traffic today, and can’t figure out why. Best, Jon
Well, I kinda stumbled upon your blog but loved it so much that spend quite a time on it. The pi
Keep it up bro! Do check our blog It Starts With A Coffee and let me know how you liked it. I look forward to hear from you on this!
Cheers! 🙂
Very enjoyable. My cat is Oliver. Wonderful must be in the name.
I know exactly where that intersection is in Kathmandu! That’s so funny, before even reading I thought to myself that it looked like a familiar intersection. I’m so happy to have come across your blog, your posts are great! ❤
we love your articles 🙂 and Olive your dog looks very happy. Like our Labrador “Tiger” … he loves his Teddy Bears .
The last picture, of the marshlands, is so beautiful. Is that near Essex? I’m from California and I always love that whole land! Incomparable.
Yes Amber. That is in Essex. Thanks, jon
The best one
Nice!
Love your posts 😍
Great collection of photos complimented with a fascinating write up
Terrific set of images and great commentary, Jon.
Love the photos. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Love the dog pic. I have a basset hound myself.
I had a basset hound too. His name was Socrates and he lived to be 18 years old. What a guy! Best, Jon
I really like the detail in the Palos Verde statue, the hands holding the head fascinate me, it’s very visceral, almost reminiscent of an African pledge. Also Gainsborough’s Blue Boy, the contrast of the violence between the animals with the stiff aristocratic painting…noice!
-DSW
https://ourjamaicanframe.wordpress.com/
DSW, thanks so much for your comment. I went to your site, and your photos are fabulous! Really very nice. All best, Jon
Beautiful blog… Keep the photos and creativity coming!
I like your photos. Thanks for sharing them.
That is really the best thing ever.
Nice
Love your featured image! So much action going on. Great post overall!
Beautiful pics