A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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Are you a good photographer?
I'm generally not good with any camera, though I occasionally get lucky. I don't seem to have a good eye for composition, though I have tried to learn the Rule of Thirds. I'm also too impatient and just snap away. More than half of my pictures turn out blurry, or have my thumb in them, or the lighting's wrong, or there's a street lamp growing out of someone's head, or my subject's eyes are closed or they have a goofy expression. For some reason I just don't see those things in the viewfinder before I click. I'm so grateful for digital cameras because I used to waste a ton of film, only getting 1-2 usable pictures of a roll.
Whenever possible I hand the camera off to someone else and they'll get the better shot than I ever could have. pNut, who has studied lighting, is a great photographer. My seestah mimi2three, who has made a real study of photography, is just outstanding. And if you're at a meet-up with the Diva know that she'll get the best photos of all.
When we were walking to the Cheers & Jeers dinner in Detroit we turned a corner away from the shiny new Renaissance GM building to see this spectacularly colorful abandoned building. I snapped several bad photos, then had the good sense to hand my cell phone to 4freedom, who then did it justice. An even better photo of this building was taken by front pager Mark E. Andersen.
My excited snapshot on the left, 4freedom's composed photo on right.
Photo by Mark E. Andersen in Detroit: We Need to Renew the American Dream
Clearly the lesson here is, the closer you get to your subject the better. Unless, of course, I'm the subject, in which case the further back you stand (preferably about 20 feet, with a little Vaseline on the lens) the more aesthetically pleasing the image. I've passed my age of close-ups, Mr. DeMille!
But every now and then not knowing what I'm doing creates an odd but personally compelling photo:
A tourist in Motown
I've seen that some of you are very good photographers, so feel free to share your favorite picture you've taken and give the rest of us advice about how you did it.
Do you take good photos?
If so, what advice do you have for people like me?
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
Connecting Kansas:
Democrats Unite in Emporia
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
So our latest hero, tmservo433 provides a great re-cap to the event we promoted here for him.
At the time Paul Davis spoke, I had an in room headcount of 166, which is a heck of a turnout. Sam Brownback couldn't bring in 200 in the Kansas City Metro when Rick Santorum came to town.
Kossacks showed up. Several Kossacks were in the hall, as well as individuals who noticed I still had on my Netroots gear, and were happy to come and tell us how they are working for change in our communities.
tmservo433 is doing great work seeking out Kossacks and moving his state's progressive agenda forward.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
by susans ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
The Los Angeles Kossacks ranks have increased by 40% in the last few months. New members attended the latest recreational field trip to see the retired space shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center in Exposition Park near downtown Los Angeles.
Back Row L-R: Vyan, Chiwere, susans, Otoelbc, mommyp00ka, Ducktape
Front Row L-R: Robin, 714day, Little Loner, Moody Loner, jakedog42 and grandaughter, SanFernandoValleyMom
Please visit susans's diary for details on the Space Shuttle. You can still REC it. You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to susans.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, July 26th
Meet the Candidates in Hutchinson, Kansas!
• Jean Shodorf (Candidate for Secretary of State)
• Brian E Davis (Candidate for State House of Representatives)
• Jim Sherow (Candidate for 1st District US House of Representatives)
• Jill Docking (Candidate, Lt. Governor)
• Various County Party Leadership
AFL-CIO will speak on the importance of this election
Jean Shodorf, Candidate for Attorney General will speak about her race
Brian E Davis, our local candidate, will speak about the issues facing Hutchinson and the 102.
Jim Sherow will finish with a discussion of the policies of Tim Huelskamp
Several Kossacks are organizing cars to come from Lawrence and Western Kansas to attend, and we are currently expecting about 500-1000 attendees
TIME: 11:00-3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyle Park
100 E. Ave. B • Hutchinson
BBQ, watermelon and other food provided. Bring a lawn chair.
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
Latest diary: Young Turks Segregation 2.0: Education in Kansas & Why I Took the Big Risk
Sunday, July 27th
Phoenix Kossacks Get Pitchforks & Torches Ready for navajo
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Mother Mag's Rooftop Terrace
(address given privately to RSVPs) • Downtown Phoenix
ORGANIZER: Send Mother Mags a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Mother Mags
2. navajo
3. Azazello
4. Mrs. Azazello
5. Sun Tzu
6. Stripe
7. Kane in CA
8. puzzled
9. Late Again
10. Mr. Late Again
11. rasbobbo
12. DaNang65
13. Gilmore
14. CenPhx
15. Mrs. Gilmore
16. Anonymous
17. itzadryheat
18. Bluejay RN
19. ramara
20. Hugo Polanco (with David Garcia's campaign)
21. CindyV
22. Mr. CindyV
23. SusieinArizona
24. SusieinArizona's friend
25. snearkers563
26. Mr. BluejayRN
27. Man Eegee
28. dobleremolque
29. Empty Vessel
30. PSzymeczek
35. Skippah
36. Thinking Fella
37. Josh
38. dewey of the desert
39. Mr. dewey of the desert
40.
41.
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Maybees:
arizonablue
Mr. arizonablue
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Latest diary: Arizona meet-up: Summer potluck with Navajo!
Monday, August 4th
Asheville Kossacks Connect for Lunch Before Moral Monday's Event with Reverend Barber!
Followed by a stroll through downtown to the Mountain Moral Monday event
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Rosetta's Kitchen
111 Broadway St • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. DawnN
5. Lamont Cranston
6. Gordon20024
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, August 9th
Northern & Central Florida Kossacks Meet-up
with (D) DC Koller who is running for House Representative against Rich Nugent
TIME: 10:00 AM
LOCATION: Vetwife's Home
Kosmail Vetwife for address • Inverness
ORGANIZER: Send Vetwife a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Vetwife
2. Vet
3. Gordon20024
4. nancyjones
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Attention Florida Kossacks !!!
Saturday, August 9th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Picnic - Local Candidate Speaks
Meet at the Hays city park to enjoy a free hamburger/hotdog/watermelon feed. Jim Sherow along with other local candidates will be speaking.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Municipal Park
1st and Main • Hays, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Skohays
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Saturday, August 9th
LA Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Guild Restaurant
611 W. 7th St • Downtown Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. susans
2. Shockwave
3. navajo
4. Meteor Blades
5. Knucklehead
6. SanFernandoValleyMom
7. Otoelbc
8. Chiwere
9. Vyan
10. 714day
11. Ducktape
12. Mugwump Blues
13. Just Saying
14. Just Saying's friend
15. Panorama City Chick
16. jakedog42
17. Santa Susanna Kid
18. La Gitane
19. Susan from 29
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
Saturday, August 16th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: National Mall
at the Smithsonian Metro stop • Washington DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.