Last week I had a party for a few clients and friends ( See Party Pics). I made gumbo for several days.
Maybe as much as a couple of gallons. In my desire to be a gracious host, I also ordered another 3/4 gallon from Marcela’s in Pioneer Square. The top chef and co-owner is Anthony a true New Orleans son who migrated here after the distructive storms of earlier in this decade. As traditional and reminiscent of New Orleans fare as I’ve tasted in Seattle. Check it out!
In the end, I had three gumbo offerings: sausage and chicken (from Marcela’s); andouille sausage, shrimp, chicken; and, turkey sausage, chicken, shrimp and okra. Sorry no vegetarian gumbo…
My event was a big success and I was pleased with the turn out and food. Although copious amounts of gumbo were consumed, I ended up with about one gallon that I continue to enjoy.
At the same time as my friends and I were celebrating life, a long time business chum passed away. It’s always hard to talk about death, but in David Azose’s death I discovered an abundance of life and tradition. I attended his funeral. I was unaware but David was a Jewish and the funeral seemed to be very traditional, possibly Reform Jewish.
I arrived minutes before the ceremony and was greeted to my delight by a full auditorium. First, I sat next to a woman who discreetly informed me the men sat on the right. I turned to see most of them wore yamakas. The rabbi spoke eloquently in Hebrew and English. After a few minutes, a simple pine or wooden casket was wheeled by me to the front. I have been to less than a dozen funerals in my life and I was a bit surprised and discomforted by the casket being wheeled down the aisle. Reflecting on this mild discomfort, I also reveled in the tradition and reverence extended. There were many stirring reflections on David’s life. It was clear of the countless ways in which David touched so very many people. In less than an hour the service was over.
Afterward, I drove to the corner, parked for a moment, cried, took in the experience and began to move through my day. As the day continued to unfold, I reflected on that hour of love, mourning, grief and the appreciation of being allowed a moment with death, remembrance and ultimately underscoring how thankful I am for having this time. Although these are tough times, as a middle class American and artist, I am thankful I can provide a needed service mostly on my own terms and live in a remarkable city…
It’s been observed, that all southern men are heavily influenced by their mothers. My mother, in her own way, wasn’t much different. In 1974 after two years in the Army, I was prepared to return to my life, such as it was, in Baton Rouge. My mother took me aside and said, “If you don’t leave the south now, you never will”. She was prepared to “lose” me in order to open my horizons.
Traveling West '74Army ID 1972
Army I.D. 1972
This then is how I began my travels through the west ending in May of 1975 in Seattle. Fresh into town, I found Seattle to be a grand place to live, except for the weather. That first summer passed pleasantly into fall. October of ’75 had one day without rain. I made it through and I have learned to cope with the long days without sunshine. I purchased a rain jacket, cap, a pair of Birkenstocks, hiking boats and went forward.
I had four years of G.I. bill to use, a great desire to learn and some grand schools from which to choose. After my third degree, the last being in bio-medical photography, I left the NW for a job in Birmingham, AL. There I managed the medical photography department of the University of Alabama’s medical school. After 4 months I moved on. I can say it was a poor match up on both sides. I returned to the NW. My mother’s message was whispering in my ear to leave the south. As much as I love the south, it’s culture, the food, my close friends and family, the Northwest is and was a better fit.
I moved to Tacoma for a job with the Army, this time as a civilian. For a while I worked as a medical photographer at Madigan Hospital before being hired by the UW. In January of ’80, I became the UW’s second “official” photographer. For over a decade I honed my craft, raised a family and along the way grew restless. Ready to seek new adventures, I started a commercial photography business. After a few years of part-time UW and part-time commercial work and with a gulp and a boot I hurled myself full-time into freelance photographer. It was the early 90′s.
Jon Shirley and Bill Gates Microsoft Annual Report
My first important commercial assignment was for a then small and little known company called Microsoft. I recall on a Thursday I meet with Microsoft’s art director, she reviewed my work and said, “Great! We’ll start the annual on Monday.” I wasn’t totally sure what we’d do, but I went home and told my wife that it paid really well and I’d be traveling to NYC among other places.” My next annual report was for Nordstrom but took 1 1/2 years to snare and a lot of portfolio reviews. From then forward, I was busy with primarily corporate work, teaching & lecturing, portrait and personal work.
From there to here has been 20+ years. Annual reports are almost a thing of the past. My art director friend left Microsoft a decade ago. Now my focus is on portrait work, teaching, creative pursuits and staying close to Seattle.
This is my first posting on my blog. To be honest, I don’t exactly know what I’m supposed to do here. I did some inter-net research and no one seems to have an answer. I hope my occasional words are of interest to anyone out in cyberland.
Enjoy and carpe diem
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