The Wall

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“What a dear old wall that is that runs along by the river there! I never pass it without feeling better for the sight of it. Such a mellow, bright, sweet old wall; what a charming picture it would make, with the lichen creeping here, and the moss growing there, a shy young vine peeping over the top at this spot, to see what is going on upon the busy river, and the sober old ivy clustering a little farther down! There are fifty shades and tints and hues in every ten yards of that old wall. . . . It looks so peaceful and so quiet, and it is such a dear old place to ramble round in the early morning before many people are about.” Jerome K. Jerome, “Three Men In A Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)” Ch. 6 (1889)

"10 THINGS I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE SEA" by Lorenzo Fonda

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I'd like to share a poem with you. But first, a word from it's creator:

"This video is based on footage I shot on marine vessel 'Portland Senator' on the route from Los Angeles to Shanghai, in December 2008. Warning: this film requires ten minutes of your life and hopefully no phone calls during the screening. thank you."


One expects a poem to have an "author" and perhaps that is the better choice of word than "creator" but if you've sanctified ten minutes and experienced the film, you understand why the term falls woefully short. I'll venture that if you merely watched the film, you missed the experience.

Coupled with a soundtrack by the greatest ambient post-rock bands of all time ever ("Hammock"), this short film--this poem--sits you down and makes you think, feel  . . . well, you decide. I know how it made me feel. 

The photography: amazing
The music: moving
The insights: deep

Frankly, I'm intrigued with the idea of taking a cruise to a foreign port on a freighter:
  • Un-glamorous. I want to hear and feel the engines, the wind and the water.
  • Without distractions of the glittery; more personal freedom on deck 'cause nobody else is there!
  • On a mission. Think about it--seeing the world a passenger and not as a tourist.
  • A freighter will go through a storm, not around it.

Please visit Lorenzo's page to learn more about this trip and his experiences. Enjoy other photographs and insights as well.




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