8 posts from September 2009

2, originally uploaded by SOFTSERVEGIRL.

In february I shot the dance company of Wayne McGregor's RANDOM DANCE. It was such an amazing experience to work with such world class dancers. It makes such a difference to be with people who know how to move. Shooting them was no effort. It was the camera exposure that made it difficult :)
the whole series can be found at softservegirl.com

REHEARSALS.-84, originally uploaded by SOFTSERVEGIRL.

I photoraphed the REHEARSALS @ JEAN ISAAC'S STUDIO, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2009. DANCERS: SUMMER JONES and TRISTAN LOUCADO

7, originally uploaded by SOFTSERVEGIRL.

photo.a.day
looking up in the four corners
www.softservegirl.com

I was recently FORCED into a technical union at the University of California, San Diego.  My job title was absorbed by this union.  Though I did not "JOIN" they still take $45 a month out of my paycheck to pay for their Mafia Thug salaries.  The State of California is under financial duress and is putting all University State Employees under furlough. The lenght of your furlough is based on a sliding scale - I have to take 16 days off during the year without pay.  BUT THE UNION IS AGAINST THIS.  they think the technical union shouldn't have to take furloughs like everyone else and is forcing those who are in the union to strike on the first day of school which is this thursday, september 24th.  Werner Wilke who runs JUSTVOTEUC.ORG, a web site which fights this mafia union recently sent me a letter about the union's activities.  I absolutely HATE this union!  Of course I will not strike, and thank goodness I don't have to nor am I obliged to as I am not a member of that thug union. 

Because the union is objecting we are now being LAYED-OFF for 16 days consecutive and will loose the salary all at once instead of spread out over the academic year.  THANK A LOT UPTE YOU SUCK!

UPTE's strike scheduled for September 24 plays right into the University's
hands. UPTE's strike is a furlough day for UPTE members where members
forfeit a days pay.  UPTE members can use a vacation day or comp time
(amounts to the same thing).  UPTE represented non members (known as agency
fee payers) have no obligation to strike and lose a days pay.  UC is
furloughing employees to save money and UC saves a days pay for all UPTE
strikers.

Will this strike will bring UC to it's knees, forcing them to grant
substantial pay raises, eliminate furloughs and layoffs?  I can't predict
the future, you'll have to see for yourself what UPTE's next contract gives
to RX and TX employees.  I'm awating the  details of the next UPTE contract
with UC to find out how large our next raises will be.  Last raise that I
recall was in January 2008 so I've paid about $1,000 to UPTE since that time
and gotten nothing for this.

UPTE portrays me as someone who wants to bust the union, untrue.  I have no
problem with any union that is run competently, honestly, is financially
sound and truly serves and protects those whom it represents.  I do not
believe that UPTE members are the problem, I believe that UPTE leadership is
the problem.

UPTE complains that the University has lent the state $200,000,000 for
construction projects, money that could be used for raises.  I'm also trying
to connect UC employees who are seeking jobs with those who know of job
opportunities.  See what I have to say on these issues and more on my
website (http://justvoteuc.org, just click on Newsletter 34).

TULSA (no weapons!), originally uploaded by SOFTSERVEGIRL.

@ the Hard Rock Cafe Casino. That is what people do around here..

JUMPER Machine, originally uploaded by SOFTSERVEGIRL.

on my way to Tulsa and I had no idea I would be flying in a puddle jumper of a plane. My first thought: OH MY GOD! But when I got a seat next to the wing and took these photos with my iPhone, I was instantly pleased and withdrew my previous prejudice for small planes and their instability.

19, originally uploaded by SOFTSERVEGIRL.

Finally posted these images on photoaday. I LOVE these photos. I wanted this shoot to be elusive and abstract. The skirts were magical to me and having a group of photos that were representational were not what I had in mind. The photography should be about the feeling of dance, not the static pose, not the freeze frame moment that we tend to hold in our minds and assume is what dance IS. for me these photos speak of dance the way i feel it.