CENTER FOR DOCUMENTARY STUDIES Robert Pluma, instructor
October 30, 2021 - Robert Capa
Capa was a Hungarian Jew born in 1913, who became the most renowned war photographer. His most famous shot, called "Falling Soldier," was taken at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. There is some controversy about the photo, as some critics believe it was staged, which I believe is nonsense.
Capa stated that he was in a trench at the time and held the camera above his head. He wasn't even sure what he had taken. However, the photograph has become an enduring image of war.
"Capa" means shark in Hungarian and was the name of the street where Robert Capa grew up. His real name was Andre Friedman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMDkvJRHaNM ("Falling Soldier")
credit: Met Museum, Web Archive
There is another photograph/film (almost) equally as famous as Capa's, which was taken on 911. It is called "The Falling Man" and was filmed by Richard Drew. It was a front page image in newspapers around the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMDkvJRHaNM ("The Falling Man")
credit: Time Magazine
Robert Capa moved to Berlin in 1930. He fell in love with Gerda Taro (real name: Gerta Pohorylle) who became his professional partner. They published their photography under the name pen name "Robert Capa."
October 30, 2021 :"On Becoming a Bad Ass" (again)
I'll have to admit that the CDS course is more difficult than I had imagined. That's probably due to my tendency to procrastinate, because the subject matter makes me feel a bit anxious. And I'm a bit of a techno-phobe. I hated doing the spreadsheet. But got it started. It will be cool to be able to search for a particular photo, maybe I'll even fall in love with spreadsheets. As Erin said "I love me a good spreadsheet." She loves my cussin.' It is, frankly, a great outlet. You cannot hold it in.
Now, why do humans procrastinate? Personally, I think it might be due to fear of failure. Dan Ariely of Duke gave some short videos on this topic. Here's an idea, give yourself a deadline. Then, reward yourself.
Ok, I can do this. I can set a timer for 30 min. My reward will be exercise, so I'll be "killing two birds with one stone."
I can also tell my self doubt to fuck off. I've done really hard projects in the past, abeit 20 years ago. And they turned out well. Like the Library of Congress project and the Master Trainer one.
Starting the timer now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23yQR0V0cq4 (I'll Stop Procrastinating Tomorrow w/ Dan Ariely)
The value of knowing: I must say, I'm awfully glad I invested in Audible a couple of years ago. At the moment I'm listening to an eyewitness account. Arthur Lee Gould was a British pilot during World War 1. My favorite part so far comes in chapter 5, where Lee describes what he is wearing, including silk under gloves. Not least of his attire is his "Sam Brown" belt. Brother John explained the Sam Brown and our father is wearing one in his photograph.
I hadn't realized that Brits wore Sam Brownes also --- till listening to "Open Cockpit". The author describers the challenge of taking a pee while fiddling with the belt and buttons and "obstinate underclothes" and using a funnel (chapter 5 at 15:10). But gather the biggest challenge was trying to stay warm in the open cockpit.
November 1 2021
Just spoke with Holly and she gave me some good advice with tech issues and agreed to be my collaborator with the CDS project. She's been interested in the project all along. Here is another collaborator, my brother, John.
Nov. 4, 2021. Spoke with Penny, a reference librarian at Small Library of UVa. Lovely chat with her. She went to Kent State for library school, has been at Small for about 8 years. Since I spent a significant portion of my life as a librarian, this interested me. From Northern Ohio, Penny knew about Wright-Patterson AFB. The Base is in Fairborn, where I was born!
And where daddy worked /volunteered during WW2.
Penny referred me to Molly Swartzburg, archivist at Small...I need to talk with her b/c there are some special things to consider when mailing archives.
CALL MOLLY!
November 8, 2021 -
What is it about Telemann? First of all, he's from the Baroque Era.
He was incredibly prolific, self taught, played a lot of different instruments. Very calming music.
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POSSIBLE Titles: The Sorrow and the Beauty. Beauty from Ashes.
THE VILE ? AND THE SPLENDID
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November 10, 2021
SHIPWRECK explore this and look up "Rise Again", the song
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/edmund-fitzgerald-wreck-lake-superior/846814
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November 10, 2021
Anxiety:
Today is November 10 and tomorrow is armistice day, or Remembrance Day as it’s referred to in Europe.
I experienced a lot of anxiety today due to pain from the Covid shot, as well as arthritis . Anxiety is an Absolute Bitch. It’s probably more intense today because of the 2 cups of coffee I drank. But in my opinion, a nice hot cup of coffee with my favorite sweetener is just so damn good!
Anxiety is a problem for me all of the time which is why I take an anti-anxiety med and have done so for 20 years or more. Anxiety became more pronounced for me during the Covid pandemic. Also trumps shenanigans and untruths about the virus, i.e., saying things like it’s just like the flu, we’ve got it under control, And this asshole so misled our country.
Armistice Day in Europe
Not the war to end all wars....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0j4yTY_eGI&list=RDS0j4yTY_eGI&start_radio=1&rv=S0j4yTY_eGI&t=8609
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November 12, 2021
Day after Veterans' Day. I had an idea to visit/volunteer at the VA Hospital in Durham. Will have to check that out, as they may not be allowing volunteers now b/c of the pandemic.
Made a new friend today, Kingsley. He's in med school studying radiology. I told him about my project and he related how he too had studied WW1 poets, and was touched by their beautiful style of writing. We traded phone numbers and he was sympathetic toward my getting my car stolen last year. Very recently, it has really started to wear on me. I love Toyotas and Fiats. Don't know if Fiats are any good, really, but they sure are cute!
November 15, 2021
First, five things I'm grateful for: my bro, Holly, Erin, nearing the end of my paper, good food to eat today! Also, a beautiful spot outside to collect my thoughts and relax, even in the cold.
Also, lest I forget: cheap (but good) wine, a yummy dinner, a desire to visit France when the time is right. Issodoun is high on my list!!! Every year, they honor the men and women who trained there during WW1. They constructed a memorial, and have a ceremony on Armistice Day (called Remembrance Day over there).
I am fucking tired. Time to "take five" and chill a bit.
November 21, 2021
Finished my paper -- it's about 10 pages. I'm satisfied and relieved. Still need to add photos.
For future success and satisfaction with writing,
I need to:
Learn Microsoft better
Take a tutorial on iMovie
Learn Excel (library has classes)
Had an idea to use iMovie for my CDS class
Install a new keyboard
Go to Frontier and work. it's too distracting in the apartment. or Lily Library would be great.
Get a mouse.
Set my alarm to wake up earlier...DONE!
Jan. 13, 2022:
DISCOVERIES!
2022! Still adjusting to writing 2022 and not a bit unhappy to see 21 fly by.
Currently obsessed with Hugh Mangum. And his breath-taking photography. Sarah Stacke's book is triumphant and I just discovered this blog by Elizabeth Avedon. Wonder if she is Richard's daughter?
https://elizabethavedon.blogspot.com/2019/07/day-or-night-archive-of-hugh-mangum-by.html.
Feb. 21, 2022
Feeling a little blue today b/c of a death in my extended family. George Keplsey, age 93, former editor and reporter for the Roanoke Times, for like 50 years. Sent my essay on "WW1 coming to Southwestern Virginia" to his journal. Here is his obit:
Obituary
He lived 93 exceptional years, through his writing for the Roanoke Times for 44 years, historical and church publications, and most importantly, volunteering beyond the norm for so many good causes, touching the lives of far more folks than we will ever know.
As Robert Frost wrote in “After Apple Picking,” But I am done with apple picking now. Essence of winter sleep is on the night, The scent of apples: I am drowsing off.
Dad never knew an apple that wasn’t a friend nor worthy of pressing into cider. Many friends and family assisted with cider making over the years.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Louise Fowlkes Kegley. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, James Kegley and Fred Kegley of Wytheville.
He is survived by four children, George Andrew “Andy” Kegley, Jr. (Nan) of Wytheville, Mary Louise Kegley “Sissy” of Roanoke, Robert Kegley (Melissa) of Wytheville, and Richard Kegley (Kristy) of Atlanta; nine grandchildren, Calder Kegley (Megan) of Charlottesville, Grace Kegley of Charlottesville, Reed Kegley of Little Rock, Arkansas, Nathan Guerrero (Francesca) of Arlington, Maria Guerrero of Porto, Portugal, Emma Thomas (Gavin) of Philadelphia, Amy Fleming (Scott) of Suffolk, and Katterine and Clara Kegley of Atlanta; seven great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Finley Kegley of Charlottesville, Sara and Hugo Guerrero of Arlington, Hazel Louise Thomas of Philadelphia, and Chase and Beau Fleming of Suffolk; nephews, Rick Kegley of Wytheville and Dan Kegley of Chilhowie; niece, Sally Kegley Little of Gate City; and sister-in-law, Nancy Kegley, of Wytheville.
The Graveside Service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 21, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Wytheville, Va. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at a later date.
Memorials in George’s name may be made to Blue Ridge Literacy, Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM House), St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, and The Historical Society of Western Virginia. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oakeys.com.
