DSP Diary

REPEATING HISTORY

Damien — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:44:48 +0000

It is a very sad day to see the ones who once fought for freedom in South Africa now try to take it away again. But we are not going to let history repeat itself. Enough has been said on the matter, attached a re links to the insightful elements of what is happening:

Zapiros Cartoon

ANC MP’s forced to vote for Secrecy Bill

Right 2 Know Campaign

M&G Arrticle – How media stopped corruption in the past

M&G Arrticle – Charges Against Mail & Guardian

About Apartheids Black Wednesday in 1977

SECOND LOOK

Damien — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:00:39 +0000

My mind is catching up with my eye. Im busy going through the archive in preparation for Nuestra Casa Initiative 2012. Seeing things I didnt see before..

STRATO

Damien — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:21:35 +0000

Strato street fashion called up for some photos to release their new summer range. After a great debut at Cape Town Fashion Week, this is a brand to watch out for. www.wearstrato.com

SAVING STALLIONS

Damien — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:43:24 +0000

Being temporarily crippled at the moment got me thinking about health care, and the forms of it we dont normally consider when thinking of ourselves and what can possibly affect us. I was so blown away by the remarkable work these veterinary surgeons are doing to care for horses I had to revisit them…

LAST TOUCH

Damien — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:03:50 +0000

Leaving a Christian rock festival. Itaparica, Brazil

PENSIONERS FASHION SHOW

Damien — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:43:02 +0000

I arrive at Fairmead retirement home and am immediately requested check tickets at the door to make sure that nobody tries to sneak into the venue. Its still early, and so I oblige for a while. The two men sitting at the table in front of me selling tickets start talking in hushed tones. Well, as hushed as one can be without a hearing aid switched on. ‘Don’t worry’ he says, ‘Just keep a low profile…’ I realize at this point, that this is going to be a morning to remember.
Backstage there is distress. The outfits are late – caught in the morning traffic coming through from Fishhoek. AP Jones is supplying the fashion for today. Make-up is being applied, accessories decided upon, and models are being asked to run upstairs to their rooms and choose their best outfits just in case the clothes don’t arrive in time. The show must go on! Fortunately, the van pulls in just in a nick of time.
The crowd has turned into a full house. Ladies in wheelchairs are being pushed up to the bar to collect their champagne, and everyone is jostling for front row seats. Anticipation for the big event is growing.
Behind the scenes there is one last dilemma… who is hitting the catwalk to ‘Singing in the rain’ and who is going to ‘Rain drops are falling on my head’ The announcer is introducing everyone. The music starts. The models give it everything they have. The crowd cheers and applauds.
The show is a great success. Not even the big raffle prizes can distract the audience from talking about the energy and presence the models held in the room.
The last raffle prize is won and everyone moves towards the tea and cake tables. I drive away, and am left in awe, hoping, that when I am that age I still have so much life in me.

THE TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS

Damien — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:23:01 +0000

A departing memory of Brazil…

THE MERGER – GOSPEL FEST

Damien — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:15:48 +0000

Ive never come across something like this before… In a village where there are few people and many religions, the answer to making everyone get along is to merge all religions. The product: A Rabi giving an Evangelical styled service outside the Catholic Church.

CANDOMBLE

Damien — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:00:54 +0000

Searching for elements of culture that were brought over from Africa during the slave trade to Brazil, I stumbled across this…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candomblé

GAY PARADE – SALVADOR

Damien — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:19:45 +0000

Ive documented this event in three countries now… think its growing into something. With over 80 000 people attending this event in Salvador, Brazil this was definitely the biggest Gay Pride event I have ever seen.