Chinese Acrobats stranded in Dallas

You might have already heard this story in its circle around the news wires, but I was recently asked by Richard McClure (who's website features my photos) to shoot them to help promote their show.


They came here promised a 9 month US tour. And then,

"Their promoter, Gary Tullberg, has said he ran out of money and asked the Union Gospel Mission homeless shelter in Dallas to take them in.

The young acrobats, many of whom had worked for years to get to perform in this country, spoke little or no English. They stayed in two homeless shelters for two days until Mr. Terranova, an animal trainer who had worked with the troupe last year, heard about their plight and took the team into his home.

Now Mr. Terranova and the troupe's agent, Gui Ming Meng, who also performs with the team, are trying to improvise the rest of their U.S. tour." ---Dallas Morning News

The shows are absolutely incredible. I went backstage and proved I have negative skills when it comes to speaking Chinese. Photographing people without being able to talk to them is a humorous experience.

Doug, who has taken them in, is one of the kindest souls and appears to have picked up quickly. I suppose being surrounded by 18 Chinese kids helps.


So I pointed to different things and asked them what they were for. Most, it seemed, were for balancing on your head.


They are a cheery bunch despite their situation. Talented beyond belief. So, let's keep them in business while they are here in our country. You won't be giving for charity, you'll be giving because THEY ARE SO GOOD I CAN'T STAND IT.

Donations can be sent to the Chinese Acrobat Fund, American National Bank of Texas, P.O. Box 40, Terrell, Texas 75160-0040. Contributions also may be made in person at any American National Bank of Texas branch.

Click here to see more photos.

Another day home from school

Penn at Plaza Arts, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

We're on Day #5 of baby-at-home but at least it's on the upswing. His spirits are much better, but he has to stop every 10 minutes to make an attempt to dislodge the giant lodge in his well-used-this-week bowel system. And I just can't make a toddler with suspected bits of low self-esteem due to faulty bowel system have to perform this painful maneuver in a school setting among his peers.

So I have another day of balancing work and nurture. It's too bad that these two important life qualities don't go better together.

The biggest downside for today is that I am missing an important doctor's appointment with a friend. I was playing the part of damned-straight-you're-not-going-alone-
don't-even-try-and-talk-me-out-of-it and we were going to document the occasion with a photo essay on breast cancer.

So to her I wish wellness and courage. Even though she already has the latter.

Ringo is a Jindo?

Korean Jindo Sleeping, originally uploaded by syntheticj.

First off, the above photo is not my dog.

Last week while Penn and I were taking a walk we passed a man who yelled to us, "Jindo!" To which I replied, "Whaa?"

"Your dog. You have a Jindo."
"The guy told me half lab half chow."
"Yeah, people in the states do that sometimes. Here, I have a pure breed Jindo, I'll show you."

So he brought out Alexander, an exact replica of my dog, and gave me the rundown on the Jindo breed. Despite the two dogs standing like mirror images in the yard and the similarities he was pointing out, I was still skeptical. He then said, "Yeah, and they don't bark much, but kind of sound like a Wookie."

To which I replied, "Mine sounds like Chewbacca."

Starwars fans just fell off their chair laughing.

But no really, my dog talks a lot like Chewbacca.

Curiosity getting the best of me I came home and looked up Jindo. Photos in Flickr tagged Jindo pull up a few look alikes too. How appropriate that I came home with a Korean dog.

The photo below is my dog. I'm certain I have a photo of Ringo that looks just like the above, but don't feel like looking for it.


Whatever Ringo's breed may be I am in love with my puppy. But after seeing so many orange dogs with funny ears and funny necks and funny tails......I'm convinced there might be something to it.

Still sick

Pain in Penn's legs does not fit growing pain diagnosis anymore. He's making his way upstairs like an old man, clinging to the rail. Calling for information on the xrays while he's asleep.

It is so hard to judge a toddler's pain and it's severity. Web MD type things are full of scary words.

This sucks.

Sick Penn + tmi

Sick Penn, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

I have a sick little boy that's been home from school for the past two days. We ventured to the doctor today and, as much as I predicted the verdict of cold, constipation and growing pains, it does not help the sleepless nights when he wakes screaming because his legs hurt or the fact that I can't remember the last time he had a regular bowel movement and because the poor child has never managed a complete evacuation of his bowels he is still not potty trained on the #2 business.

Frustrating on all parts. If this stool softener doesn't work we're headed for an x-ray.

Kungfoox Collective

Kungfoox, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

I've recently been asked to join Kungfoox, an art collective with an edge.

When I met David at Starbucks I was instantly charmed by his ideas and goals for life and art, not to mention the work that they do. They are here to support and inspire and are showing across the nation. I am honored to be a part of such a creative collaboration of talent.

I'll be participating in my first Kungfoox show in Tyler on April 23rd. Please come out and support this fantastic group of people.

More details to come.

Saul Williams

I've been a huge fan of Saul Williams since my early college years when all those poetry classes felt far more important than any calculus class. Pretty sure I own everything he's put out.

And now I get to see him live at the Loft this Monday.

After downloading his album I got to the screen that urges me to "copy and paste this html into your website," which I am, but it also says,

"Rumor has it NiggyTardust himself controls this thing and will likely be broadcasting whatever he feels is necessary directly though this."

Happy Birthday Daniel

I had an idea about a month ago. I'm not sure how it started and I don't quite remember all of the different forms it took, but in it's finale I thought about how amazing it would be for an avid music, art and people lover to receive music, art and love made especially for him on his birthday. Many truckloads of emails later it was accomplished.

So on Daniel Miller's thirty third birthday morning I woke up at 7:45 a.m. without an alarm. This may be the most significant portion of the surprise considering I have a long-standing love affair with Mr. Sleep. I walked the dogs, made a cup of his own brand of coffee from White Rock Coffee, "Miller 33," and plugged in the ipod speakers I had snuck in with my camera bag.

Then I pushed play and he woke up to Track 1 by Dave Little.

Follwed by:

02 A Very Lovie Birthday
03 Mom and Dad Miller
04 John Duhfilo
05 A Chemset Happy Birthday
06 Chemset
07 Blue Petal
08 The Freakin Hott - Bend Yr Halo
09 Happy Bullets
10 Carissa
11 Penn

Then he got cheesecake in bed and this book that, for rather annoying reasons, is currently only online. (Real touchy-feely book coming.)


Then we hit the mountain bike trails, kenneled my dog because he rolled in a dead opposum and had a post birthday lunch nap.

I had a fantastic day and it wasn't even my birthday.

But I really wanted him to have a good day.

Because Daniel Miller has been my best friend for a long time. And when the dust of our lives settled down and we were still standing there, we earned magical cool points that promoted us into the most unexpected and blissful, supportive, comfortable and fun relationship I could have ever dreamed up. If I could hand him all the love in the world on a cd with a slice of cheesecake I would.

Maybe this is a start.

Cheers to many more birthdays, Mr. Daniel. You are the absolute best.

Thanks to everyone who contributed and thanks to everyone who tried to contribute. You are all amazing. If you were unable to make the deadline and would still like to add something, the book hasn't been printed yet and the cd can always be burned again. Feel free to contact me.

Easter in the park

This easter Penn opened an "Easter box" from Papa and got the "Dumb Bunnies Easter" from me. We had lunch and then headed to Turtle Creek for Easter in the Park and the Pooch Parade.


And I'll be honest, I don't care how bad the parking is or how far I have to walk or how many times I have to say "Penn! Come back here!" or "Ringo, sit." "Ringo, stop smelling his butt." "Ringo, stop pulling." lick, lick, lick "I'm sorry, my dog's reaalllly friendly...."


There is something about it that is Worth. It. I don't understand dressing up your dog at all, but bringing thousands of people together to make a spectacle of it is hilarious.


And all of you leaving your dogs poop out there [rant deleted] PICK IT UP. You're gross and you're lazy. I can't believe this picture is for real.

Click here for the video!!!


Click here to see more.

Sugarfilled teams up for piece in Lakewood Now

Click here to view article by Daniel Miller and photos by moi.

I love love

A friend I haven't seen in at least two years recently moved back to Dallas and gave her sister an engagement portrait for a wedding present. We had a blast. We started at Space, walked around Deep Ellum then trekked out to Turtle Creek. I love love.

A More Perfect Union

As we gathered around the Samsung flatscreen this morning, Folgers and donuts in hand, dogs curled at our feet, we watched CNN on Youtube and I thought, "This is the new intellectual cozy."

It's thrilling to see a candidate actually answer actual questions. I see Obama as a man who is not afraid of a media looking for blood. I remember as a journalism student we were taught, "If it bleeds it leads." This is meant literally. Also, metaphorically.

To continue with that metaphor, and being armed only with too many NPR discussions, Youtube and a very well-done website, Obama appears to be comfortable explaining that metaphorical wound before putting on that metaphorical band-aid. He appears to be one that is forthcoming about the pros and cons of himself, of the nation, and of you and me.

Because, "This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected."

NIN: Ghosts

Just downloaded Nine Inch Nails: Ghosts I-IV. I suggest you do too. If not for the music, then to participate in the transition technology is pushing us through as to how consumers should get their music.

Ghosts gives you a variety of options and price points.

Happily Entertained

Last night I saw two of the best bands I've never heard of.

Band Marino sealed up this idea for me: If you have a banjo, accordion, piano, harmonica (see also: brass section and clarinet) then I might love you. Or at least your music. Which is probably easier since some of you lose control and talk about your privates in lieu of witty stage banter. Not to say that isn't called for on a warm Monday evening in Deep Ellum.

Back to the idea, I want more out of music. I want you to be good. I walk into the club really wanting you to be good. And not just so that the other people paying for my cover aren't wasting their money. I want something on stage to move me and I am wide open as to what that's going to be. But if you throw in any instrument outside of the standard guitar-bass-drum, then I am going to pay more attention. Throw in a tiny curly haired man with a versatile voice and an appreciation for musical thespianism and I. Am. Down. Well done, Band Marino.

Next up was Modern Skirts. They feel like a chorus band to me. Maybe I should go ahead and patent that term.

chorus band (adj.): band who writes a catchy chorus and wraps a couple lyrics around it.

Meaning, you're gonna tap your foot and enjoy the singability but keep walking if you're looking for musical enlightenment.

Modern Skirts wouldn't exist without the keyboard player but MAN DO THEY HAVE A KEYBOARD PLAYER! I feel like the WB is going to pick them up any minute.

The week, she is off to a good start. I blame the rain.

Repeat:

It's my lot in life to miss every Happy Bullets show due to either work or lack of a babysitter. Seriously. Every. One. And it's a damned shame, too, since they're not only one of my favorite bands in the big D, but they're also composed of a pretty amazing group of people who are doing more than making music.

I scored childcare long enough to hear the first part of their set at Dada this weekend and it's official. My favorite band here. Yay. Good to get those important decisions filed away.

Daniel Miller describes last nights John Ralston show here, including the show we get to see tonight.

Three outings in a row? Has this ever happened since my "miracle of life" experience?!

I (heart) Murray Street Coffee

Penn , originally uploaded by carissabyers.

He scored some Patty's Day loot at Murray's Street Coffee on the way to work with me at Space.

You should see the other guy

You should see the other guy, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

Excerpt from Daniel Miller

He's redesigned his site and I love the writing that's being uncovered.

Spiritual Conflict In The Everyday: honesty, power, suburbia, and death

We rail against suburbia, but it is not the enemy: it is only our version of the enemy. And "enemy" is not even the right word for it, this unseen power we feel over and around us, pushing us from behind into the crowd, or a dark pit, the fall and the feel of the bottom we know and dread.

Selfishness has gone global. Europeans import our political and financial clouting, covering their moves with their historical sly grin and sideways step. We import their philandering, covering it up with a sheen of Biblical adjectives and calls to war.

The West consumes and pollutes more only because we can. The Third World aspires to our gluttony, dreams of our geo-politico-historical good fortune. We look on with a tear not quite falling from our eye and say, "God has blessed us, let us beacon freedom and democracy."

Every day we die a little more, but never enough to change. Our daily destruction takes place in the malls, on the freeways, in the megaplexes and megachurches where we are reminded that we are not rich enough, not fast enough, not beautiful enough, and not morally perfected enough to call ourselves a Generation, to fight our Great War, to hold our High Office, to have our sway, our turn at bat.

So we attack the cul de sac, the SUV, the Sunday-school teacher, the overweight woman ordering a number five, super-sized.

Read more.

Penn

Cookes and milk

Cookes and milk, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

Darnit

It was one of those days that just started out so good anything could happen and I'd still feel the warm fuzziness of Cloud 9 between my toes.

And then the world decided to test that theory. Looking back, the busted water heater was just the icing on a rotten cake.

I am grateful for my optimism and undying faith that everything will be okay.

Renee Rouleau in Paper City

I went down to shoot Renee's new downtown salon a little while back. She's in this month's Paper City.

Design Sponge

I love Design Sponge. I love design in all things and they showcase daily something that inspires me. I noticed today they have city guides. When I clicked over to Dallas I saw Sally Rosen's, 20th Century Collections which makes me happy since I took those pictures. Sally has exquisite taste. I covet her house often.

Girlfriend Portrait

This is the 2nd "girlfriend" portrait I've done. I love shooting friends who have been together for years. We should all be so lucky to have such amazing people to laugh and smile with by our side.

Hans York

Hans York, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

The Sugarfilled Peeps tag-teamed for Lakewood Now at an East Dallas House Concert starring Hans York.

Article by Daniel Miller and photos by moi out soon!