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This image is from Nat geo’s Animals in the womb series. A combination of digital photography, scans, and computer generated models. I don’t care how they did it, it’s fargin’ cool!

The World’s largest panorama & a short film on surf photographer Mickey Smith:

On June 2,3, & 4, the San Felipe de Neri Parish celebrated its 304th fiesta. Yes, that’s three-hundred and four. Stefan and I actually stumbled upon it, having intended to go do some practice portraiture in Old Town. The music was playing, folks were dancing, and to my surprise, people were relatively unphased by the two of us walking around taking pictures with less-than-discrete equipment. What wonderful people, and what a wonderful day in the square.

The conversation went like this:
“What do you want to do this weekend? Let’s go take some pictures.”
“Um, okay, where?”
(Flipping through the Alibi…)
“Oh, wow, the first New Mexican World Naked Bike Ride is happening tomorrow in Santa Fe. Looks like ‘Burque should be well-represented. Sounds like a great excuse to go take pics and get some great grub!”

14 hours later:
“We going?”
(I’ve been up since 5 am and went to bed at 1.) “Aughghgh… I dunno, you want to go?”
“I dunno.”
“Flip a coin.”
(Snooze)
“Okay, get up, we’re going.”

And thus, we went. Not being townies, we came up the back way through Madrid, which is always beautiful. We rolled into town roughly when the ride was scheduled to begin. The jump-off point was cleverly situated at the South Capitol Rail Runner Station (presumably so ABQ Folks could ride the train and join in). A small smattering of riders had already collected, along with a whole bunch of looky-loos (ourselves included), mostly with fancy cameras. The riders were more than patient with us.

Now, regardless of how you feel about the relevancy of the protest, or the means in which it was executed (yes, I read the responses to the thread announcing the ride), I ask you this: Where else can a bunch of crazy hippies take off (most of) their clothes and ride proudly through the city streets for a cause? (Okay, in the US, 26ish other cities, it seems!) That, fellow New Mexicans, despite our differences, is something we should all be genuinely excited about. Because that brothers and sisters, is what it’s all about. People. Glorious people. Brave people. People engaging themselves in political discourse, via whatever (non-violent) means. People caring about other people. People caring about where the country is going. People caring about the planet. People who aren’t afraid to put it out there. And, these folks seriously put it out there.

The level of negativity in the current political climate can be exhausting. Rather than criticize anyone for their methods, we should be celebrating how crazy-wonderful things like this are. And if that’s not convincing enough, consider that not only do events like this enrich our lives, they completely freak out tourists. (I kid… mostly. The response of the crowd at the Plaza seemed really positive.) And, if you could have been there fellow native, oh, the smiles to be had! I submit to you that productive politics should be more about the positive… and there was joy and courage in this that we all could learn a lesson from. That, dear readers, is my thesis for the day. Do with it what you will, but more importantly- enjoy the photos!

(Riders, I have higher quality images available, please contact me here if you are interested in copies. And, thank you for your enthusiasm and being such wonderful subjects! Everyone else, please do not reuse without credit or permission. Thanks!)