Monday, July 6, at the Maine Media Workshop

Monday's session started at 9 a.m. in the Union Hall in downtown Rockport. Our instructor, Alison Shaw, suggested we continue with our introductions by partnering with another participant, interviewing our partner and then introducing that person to the group. It was a standard "ice breaker," but it helped us get to know the other members of the class.

I partnered with Angela Possamoto, a middle school music director from Rochester, NY. In the course of my interview, I found out that Angela, like me, had become the chronicler of her family — taking photos of family members and events. She told me that as a teenager she had once been trusted with her father's World War II camera, something like a Leica. However, when she tried to develop the film she shot, nothing turned out. She didn't know it at the time, but such cameras used a lubricating oil that needed to be maintained. Her father later disposed of the camera; years later, Angela found a similar camera in a resale shop and purchased it as a reminder of her father.

Within the past few years, Angela said she sold her piccolo and used the proceeds to buy herself a very good Canon SLR system. She then did her research on how to use her new camera through books, websites and finally, local area classes. The Maine Media Workshop was her first intensive photography workshop. She was very knowledgeable about her lenses and camera — and generous about sharing both.

One of the aspects of the Workshop that I liked best was getting to know Angela and the other participants … all kindred spirits in their passion for photography and making images.

We continued the process of getting to know each other by viewing a selection of each other's images. Then in the afternoon, we headed out to Port Clyde and the Marshall Point Lighthouse. I hitched a ride with John Krauss, from Indianapolis (at one time the assistant mayor of that city). John is now a professor at Indiana University, teaches legal mediation, and runs a research institute for the university.

Port Clyde is a fishing port and home to lobster fisherman as well as the Monhegan Ferry, which we would take the following Friday. Nearby is the Marshall Point Lighthouse and keeper's home. Lots of photo opportunities. Claire (the T.A.) and Alison circulated among the class members, offering advice, suggestions and, for me, necessary tips about how to get my new camera to operate! Alison had said that she didn't want any of us "shooting in auto mode." We could use AV mode (aperture priority) or manual (all controls manually set). This was quite a departure for me; I had grown lazy with the point and shoot digital cameras and had to resurrect long-forgotten details of my manual mode, SLR, black and white film days. I've posted additional photos.

Somewhere in the flat rocks around the Marshall Point lighthouse, my prescription sunglasses decided to take up residence. I'd tucked them in to the open collar of my shirt and they must have fallen out when I leaned over to take a photo. That knocked me off balance a little but the afternoon was beautiful — mild, breezy and bright. I decided to chalk up the loss to my increasing focus on image-making. Lots of color, textures and reflections. I soon wished I had borrowed a tripod along with the macro to 100 mm lens I had gotten from the MMW store. When we got back to the campus, the group had dinner and then everyone dispersed to review images and get ready for the critique and events of Tuesday. It had been great start and a very full day.

Driving to Rockport, Maine

My drive from Boston to Maine proved more complicated than expected. I had reserved a car in Boston from Hertz. The rates in downtown were about half of what they were from the airport facility, so I took the "T" down to Park Plaza to pick up the car. However, the holiday weekend, the improved weather, and lots of people in town meant a very crowded Hertz office, unusually so for a Sunday morning. There were two employees and 24 people in line in front of me … and 22 behind me within 25 minutes. I got to the facility at 11:15 and left with a car at 1:45 pm! I was forced to call my hotel (up in Revere) two times, asking for an extension of check-out time. I worried that they would toss out my clothes and belongings!

Finally, back to the hotel, a quick pack up and I was on the road at 2:15 pm (about 3 hours later than planned).

The walk through Boston Commons from the "T" station to the Hertz office was beautiful. The sky was a gorgeous deep blue with scuttling white clouds. Crews were already setting up for bands and performances later in the day.

The drive up Rt.1 until it intersected with I95 was interesting … all commercial and retail, narrow two lanes each side, fast drivers or wandering over the lane drivers. Once on I95, driving was smooth up through Massachusetts, New Hampshire (I was in the state for about 25 minutes) into Portland. There I took a little side trip to Cape Elizabeth (in liu of lunch … I was grateful I'd eaten breakfast before my car rental adventure). Cape Elizabeth is home to Fort Williams and the Portland Head Light. See photos. For the first time, I could really smell the salt in the air.

The directions to the Maine Media Workshops proved not very clear once I drove north of Cape Elizabeth and got on coastal Route 1. Actually, not much coast was visible, just two lanes of highway between lots of trees for most of the route. The small harbor towns were 8 to 10 miles east of the highway. I had to stop twice to ask for directions. The last time, I was in Rockport but the clerk in the gas station didn't know what the Workshops were. Fortunately, an older woman was familiar with them and offered to lead me to the campus. She really went out of her way to help me find the campus. The roads in the area are very narrow, no shoulders, small street signs and only one sign when you hit the parking lot. I'd have been driving around for quite a while without her help.

I found out I was being housed in the Schooner Bay Motor Inn. I drove there and finally had a chance to read the evening agenda. Only to find out I had 20 minutes to call home and then get back to the Workshops for Orientation. Dinner would have to wait.

There are 17 students in my course. Most are over 35. "Day jobs" for participants include a psychiatrist, three high school/middle school teachers, two painters, two college professors, a lawyer, a music teacher, a professional rock climber and some retirees. They come to the workshop from Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana, Minnesota, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida and New York.

We start tomorrow morning at 9:15 with a "getting to know you session" through our sample photos. Then we are scheduled to shoot in the field at Port Clyde in the afternoon. There is an evening presentation my video students and teachers. Should be a busy day! Allison Shaw wants us to shoot in manual mode … so I need to do some photography refreshers.

Finally, after the class dispersed, I tried to find someplace to eat. The first two restaurants I tried were closed and closing. Even the grocery store was closed. I was directed to Cappy's - a chowder house in Camden where I got some excellent Maine clam chowder and a salad. Nourished, I made my way back down Rt. 1 to the motel and started my blog.

But now I'm signing off. The photography refresher will have to wait to morning.

Evening in Boston

I've started the first leg of my Maine Media Workshop week by arriving in Boston today, July 4. When I left Springfield, it was raining and I understand it continued to rain almost all day. But Boston … Boston was beautiful, 69º, sunny, and celebrating the 28th year of Harborfest.

There were crowds of people all around the city, as well as street bands and performers. Also, there was quite a bit of imbibing going on. Using a Charlie Card, I hopped on the "T" and went down to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

After a Boston dinner special of Maine lobster (There isn't much meat on a lobster…) at McCormick & Schmicks, I walked around the Market area and the North End until it started to get dark. Lots of people were walking towards the Charles River to watch the fireworks, but I hopped backed on the "T" and travelled all the way to the end of the line, Wonderland, in Revere, to my hotel.

Tomorrow morning I'll retrace my route down to the city center to pick up a rental car and start my drive up to Maine.

I'm attaching a few photos: McCormick & Schmicks, Cheers, Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall, people watching on the waterfront, boats in the North End harbor, and an almost full moon in a clear sky over Boston, July 4, 2009.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

The President's Henchman

The President's Henchman is now available. You can order it at any brick and mortar book store. Unfortunately, shelf space is a problem for even mid-size publishers — see Joe's blog for info on this. You can also order your copy through Joe's website or from any on-line bookseller.

Some 5 Star reviews are showing up on Amazon:
"I thoroughly enjoyed the way Joseph Flynn developed the characters and story lines with the Henchman" — Katherine M. Mahon

"Couldn't put it down" – Meghan

"The President's Henchman grabbed me from the first, and kept me up way too late …" – Mary Beth Coates

"This is the start of a promising series. Let us have more soon." – C. Peterson

"Flynn brings elements of suspense and political intrigue. He seamlessly connects the plot lines and leaves the reader with a sense of closure, but also with a strong desire to know what further adventures await the First Family." –Kaylee Gholson

So check it out! Read an excerpt on the website. Order your copy and let us know what you think of the book.

Thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2009

I have been touched and inspired by the enthusiasm, the commitment, and the connections expressed by people across America on the eve of Inauguration Day 2009. The historic aspect of President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony tomorrow, January 20, as the first African-American President of the United States, makes the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day all the more powerful. King's "I have a dream …" may not yet be fulfilled but we have moved closer to the possibility of its realization. That makes me proud.