To achieve (fill in the blank), you must have a cause.

One of the hard realities about being a former organ donor and beign rejected as I was, is that I think about it quite a bit.
I use to think what it would be like to be in a tragic situation and being a survivor. I always thought that I would think somewhere along the lines of “well, I made it out alive, I should be happy.” I don’t htink I would be one of those “I wish it would have been me” people unless it was one of my children.
Harsh? Perhaps. But that’s part of what makes me, ME!

As a former potential liver donor, I thought about the possiblility of death whil undergoing the donation. Or after the fact from a sickness/infection. It didn’t scare me for dying. It scared me for those left behind left living without my infectuous smile, incredible sense of humor and great comedic timing.

I write great fiction too.

Pics, picks, piks, whatever.

I posted the pictures “J” and “M” on the flickr page. You should have already noticed the little picture thingy there to the right. But I will put the link here anyway.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007

I can honestly say my subjects today werer significantly better than my photography. While they may have been a little nervous, I was acting the amateur here. I decided to shoot manual (as opposed to an automatic setting) because of the backlight. (The light coming in from the windows behind them). I didn’t use a flash either so that meant I had to bump the ISO (film speed) up and drag the shutter (slower shutter speed, 1/40th of a second rather than 1/125th or so). That resulted in blurry pictures. A person’s body moves an awful lot in 1/40th of a second.

.sigh.

Sorry ladies, I hope you can still accept the pictures for the whole of the work rather than my inane ability on this day.

Let’s just hope my skills progress throughout the year, right!

Pics, picks, piks, whatever.

I posted the pictures “J” and “M” on the flickr page. You should have already noticed the little picture thingy there to the right. But I will put the link here anyway.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007

I can honestly say my subjects today werer significantly better than my photography. While they may have been a little nervous, I was acting the amateur here. I decided to shoot manual (as opposed to an automatic setting) because of the backlight. (The light coming in from the windows behind them). I didn’t use a flash either so that meant I had to bump the ISO (film speed) up and drag the shutter (slower shutter speed, 1/40th of a second rather than 1/125th or so). That resulted in blurry pictures. A person’s body moves an awful lot in 1/40th of a second.

.sigh.

Sorry ladies, I hope you can still accept the pictures for the whole of the work rather than my inane ability on this day.

Let’s just hope my skills progress throughout the year, right!

After last nights dismal results, I was able to meet two very nice women that allowed me some of their time.

I took some pictures of “J” and “M” this afternoon during a visit to our company office for real business. We chatted about gardening and cooking in the five or so minutes I had with them. I hope to get some quotes later via email to attach to the pictures that will be posted tonight.

“J” is a donor but it isn’t reflected on her drivers license and “M” is a donor. Both think it is a great idea and wished me luck in my endeavor.

After last nights dismal results, I was able to meet two very nice women that allowed me some of their time.

I took some pictures of “J” and “M” this afternoon during a visit to our company office for real business. We chatted about gardening and cooking in the five or so minutes I had with them. I hope to get some quotes later via email to attach to the pictures that will be posted tonight.

“J” is a donor but it isn’t reflected on her drivers license and “M” is a donor. Both think it is a great idea and wished me luck in my endeavor.

This project is going to be really tough.

I worked another 15 hours today and it leaves very little time to try and shoot pictures of people. My first stop around 9:20 pm tonight was a fast food joint. I actually only wanted an ice cream dessert but it was “out of order”. Funny how it always happens at night. I decided to go for a burger meal.

I rolled through the drive through and knowing I would only have an opportunity for one or two pictures. I readied my business card and photo release. My drink was handed to me and I asked a favor of the employee. I stated my case first, that I was a photographer and I am doing a photo project to promote awareness for organ donation. I went on to ask if she was an organ donor and if I could take a picture. She said she wants to be one, but her dad wouldn’t let her.
Of course I had to inquire her age (you have to be 18 to sign the photo release) and she was not that age yet.
She went on to say that her dad said if you are an organ donor the doctors won’t take care of you if there is an accident.

Basically he was subscribing to the very common thought of let some one else die in order to POSSIBLY take their organs and then MAYBE put them in someone else. Then in teh small chance that that organ is viable the recipient MIGHT actually live longer.

Really, if you actually think about it, regardless of the ethics issues, it make NO sense to let someone die and put their organs in another person. My brow is wrinkled just thinking about it.

But to help you all in this similar issue look here:
http://www.optn.org/about/myths.asp
http://www.optn.org/resources/links.asp?index=1&title=Donation%20Related
http://www.cdtny.org/donation-mythsfaqs.html
http://www.organtransplants.org/

Obviously, I wasn’t able to get a photo. So I went off to a second place. The gas station down the road. I thought perhaps I could eat my burger and see what happens. But as I sat there, rubber necking, I felt like a stalker. It wasn’t a good feeling either. I checked my watch, well my cell phone time and I realized i could head over to the gas station back in my neighborhood and buy a lottery ticket (only one dollar) and see if the clerk there would let me take a picture.

I drove up a little before 10:00 pm and headed into the gas station. The clerk was in the back and when she came up front I recognized her, but I don’t know her. (Not that many people work there, so it really wasn’t a stretch either).

I asked for a lottery ticket then handed her my business card and asked if I could take a picture of her for my organ donation awareness project. She has an incredible smile but was definately shy about the whole deal. As we talked she said she wasn’t an organ donor for personal reasons.

I understand the decision. I tried to re assure her that I am not trying to change anyone’s mind. Just bring about an awareness and hopefully let people talk about it. Sort of a “you’ll never guess what happened to me today” kind of thing.

Remember, if you are a donor, you must talk to otehrs about it. Especially your family.

So, I struck out twice. It was on my way home, that I realized this will be a terribly difficult project to complete. Day three and really only one portrait. Of the four people I have talked to, only one is an organ donor. Me.

Don’t forget the photo blog too http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007/

Well, 16 hour days are gravy.

I posted my selection of “G”. My wife liked this one too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007/

Well, 16 hour days are gravy.

I posted my selection of “G”. My wife liked this one too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007/

Wouldn’t you know it. One of the last possible people I would probably see today was willing to let me take a picture.

“G” said he wasn’t a donor, “mom and dad are, but I didn’t fill it out on the drivers license.” We had a good talk about computers, and organ donation.

Then as I was about to post, I realized I sould be this excited about spreading the word of God as I am about my project and organ donation……

I guess I still have some soul searching to do don’t I.

I’ll put “G’s” picture up tonight when I get home (if the missus will let me) or tomorrow morning.

Wouldn’t you know it. One of the last possible people I would probably see today was willing to let me take a picture.

“G” said he wasn’t a donor, “mom and dad are, but I didn’t fill it out on the drivers license.” We had a good talk about computers, and organ donation.

Then as I was about to post, I realized I sould be this excited about spreading the word of God as I am about my project and organ donation……

I guess I still have some soul searching to do don’t I.

I’ll put “G’s” picture up tonight when I get home (if the missus will let me) or tomorrow morning.