So Matt and Courtney have taken part in the full Bobby Earle experience :) I met Matt at a workshop I was speaking at. He then booked him and his girlfriend on my RPTE to Thailand/Cambodia in 2010. Then about 8 months later I shot their wedding at the Smog Shoppe in Los Angeles (one of my favorite weddings ever — definitely worth a look see ;). Unless they hire me to practice Chopin on their living room piano, they’ve exhausted all that I can offer them :P
Anyways, while we were out in Thailand and Cambodia, we grabbed a few shots here and there of the two of them. Hope you like them!
The image on the right actually took place during the Kanchanaburi, Thailand leg of our trip ;)
In Cambodia, you’re the odd one that the monks take pictures of :P
To see Matt and Courtney’s Smog Shoppe wedding, click here :)
So I’ve got a new RPTE site up! Check it out and let me know what you think :D
We’re half full for our Thailand/Cambodia trip this December!!! So if you’re wanting to come, make it happen! As I always say, the excuses that are keeping you from coming this year will almost certainly be there next year… and the year after… and the year after that.
——————–
Here’s an amazing clip of the Tonle Sap (one of our day trips out in Cambodia). One of my dearest friends, and an always RPTE attendant favorite, Mister Don, making music with a water bottle. As always with Mr. Don, he ends up being his favorite comedian and cracking himself up. He’s like this every second of the day. It’s incredible :)
Click the HD option!
Link for feedreaders/facebookers. Click the HD option!
disclaimer: while there are certainly celebrities who are worthy of attention, I’m not speaking of individuals — but rather the culture of fame ;)
——————–
One of the best things I’ve ever heard in my life, thanks to Dennis Prager, is that the great are rarely famous and the famous are rarely great.
This single statement has had a profound impact on my life. I think I heard Prager say this some 7 or 8 years ago. Right around my entry to the 20′s (a perfect time to hear such a thing). The idea immediately took hold in my mind. So much, in fact, that it changed my perception on a huge part of life. The part of life where we look up to famous people because… well… because they’re famous!
With the recent bombardment of “pay attention to us!” celebrity awards — the Grammy’s, Golden Globes, the Oscar’s, and probably many I’m leaving out (there’s something to be said about an industry that celebrates itself so much) — I’m just reminded of this truth. That the great are rarely famous and the famous are rarely great.
It’s very tempting to be extremely interested in fame. In famous people. The celeb industry is unbelievably talented when it comes to keeping our interest, after all. But I believe these are temptations we are better off fighting. There’s no harm in a mild interest — so long as it is balanced with the understanding that these people may be entertaining, but they aren’t (necessarily) people we ought to wish to become. The idea of seeking fame shouldn’t be one we employ. It rarely brings about greatness (not to mention happiness, goodness, and so on)…
Greatness, not fame, should get (and keep) our attention. Famous people aren’t great. They are famous. And we’re the wiser to know the difference.
——————–
On an unrelated note, lately I’ve been both missing Cambodia tremendously and have been extremely grateful for my many times in that wonderful country. There is a nation filled with great people — completely lacking in fame. If any country has taught me about life, it’s Cambodia.
Marianne Moffett - right on Bobby....good thinkin'....with you all the way..lol..February 28, 2011 - 12:00 am
Ashton James - Couldn't agree more. I haven't watched an award show in years because it has become a huge party for movie stars to honor themselves, spout their often uninformed political views, and inflate their already overwhelming egos. Most of them are quite unimpressive and certainly not "great".February 28, 2011 - 12:00 am
Marianne Moffett - right on Bobby....good thinkin'....with you all the way..lol..February 28, 2011 - 12:00 am
Christina - Very funny, my husband and in-laws were just discussing this topic.. well sort of.. we were talking about how ridiculous it is that sports players get paid as much as they do, while there are people, in their own country! in their own town! sick, hungry, homeless, jobless etc.. it just seems like professional sports are more driven by greed than anything. Very frustrating, and makes it hard to really be loyal to any team.February 28, 2011 - 8:24 am
jenberry - I accidentally turned on ABC GMA "news" (reluctant use of this noun). The first story was Lindsay Lohen, approximately 3 minutes, then Charlie Sheen, at least 3 minutes, then a few SECONDS on Libya, nothing on HBGary, nothing on Egypt, nothing on Tunisia, nothing on Palestine. Pathetic.
The problem is a catch 22. Our citizens read garbage magazines, like People. Read garbage blogs and websites, like TMZ. Watch stupid mindless shows like the Bachelor. We advocate this press. In turn the media eats it up and sensationalizes it even more, it's a vicious cycle. It makes them lots of money.
As a production manager in the film business, I can say that the film industry is not that glamorous. The majority of people work extremely hard, long hours in hopes to be "discovered" or "recognized". Why, I don't know. There are many many "famous" people that parlay notoriety to help others. For example, George Clooney and Sudan. He is hands on. He goes there on his own dime, consistently, over many years. My husband prepped him for one trip. He learned the camera himself. He was sincere about the trip. He worked hard for the trip. He didn't expect anything in return. He did it because he believed in it.
Meanwhile this young girl http://blinknow.org/ works her butt off and not many know her in the "real world". Not many care. Why do they care about Clooney more than her cause. Or Angelina and her causes. I have no idea. But regardless, both avenues are being used to help many needy people. I adovocate these instances of acknowledgment, as they help people.
There are others who soak up the attention. Abuse it. Cause more harm. It's just like regular citizens, bad and good. However, I couldn't agree with you more. It's pathetic and sad that we as a nation, and world, put celebrities in such high regard. Do I really care about Charlie Sheen's reckless behavior. NO. But I can't escape the stories. No matter how hard I try. They are everywhere and it makes me sick.
The news says it all.
(you got me on a bad day)March 1, 2011 - 11:10 am
So before the iPhone polaroid apps became so popular, I was able to tell people that images like the ones below were actually from an off-market polaroid. It was fun hearing people tell me (quite often, in fact) that “oh man… you just can’t replicate the wonder of instant film!” :)
These are my iPhone images from Thailand, Cambodia, and Japan using the instagram app.
These are everywhere in Thailand. Everywhere. I’m serious. EVERYWHERE.
Justin Kanoya - Cool ... Kinda ridiculous it looks like these pictures were taken 35 years ago with a gadget that no one would have even conjured up 35 years ago.January 17, 2011 - 12:00 am
Matthew Cotter - I think I like the one of Josh the most... Kinda hard to pinpoint, but there's just this stark "Sterile" quality to it...January 17, 2011 - 12:36 am
Julianna Koh - I love, love, love, LOVE these! You've got to compile a book!January 17, 2011 - 12:40 am
Justin Kanoya - Cool ... Kinda ridiculous it looks like these pictures were taken 35 years ago with a gadget that no one would have even conjured up 35 yearJanuary 17, 2011 - 11:28 am
Really missing my most recent RPTE crew today. Going through some photos from the trip and came across this one. So thankful for the people that came on this adventure :)
Now for those wanting to come on this year’s RPTE, I heard you all loud and clear that you need more notice than a few months for you to be able to come. We’ll be going at the end of the year — December or January — and I should be making details available and taking retainers in a week or two. So if you want to come on next year’s RPTE, email info@bobbyearle.com with the subject “RPTE” and I’ll get you on the list for more info. There’s 300+ people on the list so my hunch is that this year is going to sell out rather fast…
I’ve made such incredible friendships (for example, Katie, who I met during 2009′s RPTE is out visiting us from Fargo this week!!!) and can’t wait to meet this year’s group :D
Josh Newton - miss you all as well, SUCH a fun trip =) hope everyone is having a great new year!!January 7, 2011 - 1:02 pm
Josh Newton - miss you all as well, SUCH a fun trip =) hope everyone is having a great new January 7, 2011 - 1:02 pm
Shannon - Bobby... random question... what is the significance of the tattoo's inside your elbows? I have always wondered. Can't wait to find out more about next years trip! :)January 7, 2011 - 6:47 am
Matthew Cotter - DUDE! Courtney and I are still relishing in the trip!!! We cant wait for China or EurJanuary 7, 2011 - 6:13 pm
Matthew Cotter - DUDE! Courtney and I are still relishing in the trip!!! We cant wait for China or Europe...January 8, 2011 - 6:13 pm
by Bobby Earle
2 comments
Give this post some comment love! link to this post email a friend