#Pandemic Normalcy

 

    Elikamida Toran enjoys a moscow mule outside and fireside, at Four Spirits Distillery, Corvallis, after a long day at work. "I really love all the additional outside space that many places in Corvallis now offer, even with the winter months arriving. The open space and air makes me feel much more safe with everything going on, especially when you have a larger group (pictured behind)", says Toran. "The restaurant industry as really taken a hit because of the virus, and it's good to see business adapting and still getting business". Elikamida is an engineer who works near by, and who studied at LBCC and OSU. Wednesday, October 28th, 2020. 

Kevin Thomas hosts outside at one of Corvallis's longest standing establishments, The Peacock, which has been in business since the 1920's. Kevin continues to work through the pandemic with a big smile under the mask and an injured leg. Business at The Peacock has definitely declined with the virus-related new world, but that doesn't stop their welcoming energy and high hopes for a busier future.  Thursday, October 28th.

Bald Hill of Corvallis, Tuesday evening, October 27th. What used to be an extremely busy walking/running/biking trail, often filled with families, is now empty among the pandemic. "The sunsets especially used to entice people here around this time. Sometimes I walk the whole loop and don't see a soul", said an 'anonymous frequent walker.' 

A local favorite, The Corvallis Old Spaghetti Factory

 

    Luke Hughes, the General Manager of The Old Spaghetti Factory in Corvallis, Friday, October 23rd. Smiling wide behind his mask in front of the beautifully custom stain glass window, Luke eagerly awaits the next guest at host desk. He has been with OSF for more than 5 years, where he has put his heart and soul into creating a family-like working environment. Covid-19 really put a wrench in the wheels of the restaurant business, especially here where the primary business is dine-in, but this hasn't stopped Luke and his wonderful team. They have done a fabulous job at adapting to our new "virus revolving" lives. As you can see, the mask *never* leaves his face, and he enforces the same standards for his crew. "We high standards and the best view in town" Luke states as he gestures towards the large window lining the dinning room, just a few yards away from one of Corvallis Willamette Rivers banks. 

Alli Bradford (left to right, front to back), Shea Clarke, Oliver Tymoshuk and Luke Hughes are working diligently, literally behind the giant red velvet curtain, used to hide the "behind the scenes" at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Corvallis, Friday, October 23rd. This tight, but long hallway provides more room then you'd think. "The masks never come off, in addition to this being one of the cleanest places I've ever worked", says Shea Clarke when asked about Covid-19 related practices. Oliver Tymoshuk has worked at OSF on and off for about 3 years, where he states Luke, and the management team, is "one of the best you'll ever find". 

Luke Hughes, General Manager of The Old Spaghetti Factory, Friday, October 23rd, 2020.

Just A Girl

 

Asia Lederer reads a fantasy novel outside of New Morning Bakery, downtown Corvallis, October 19th. Asia has just arrived back to Oregon from Yosemite, where she has been on the furthest possible back trail crew, caring to trails in the large park, where she spent much of her day operating a large chainsaw. The smoke from the fires got so bad out in the woods of Yosemite, that she, and much of her crew, were offered paid leave. 

Sitting outside of New Morning Bakery, Corvallis, 26 year old Asia Lederer says "Fantasy, or fiction, is the only thing that allows me to fully escape from the mundane world". Asia who is a student at LBCC in her off seasons from work. Her current position, is a crew member on the furthest back trail crew at Yosemite sate park. However, with how bad the smoke from the fires has gotten, her and much of her chainsaw-operating-trail-crew have been offered paid leave until the air quality gets better.  October 19th, 2020. 

Downtown Corvallis, Oregon, October 19th. Many gather outside of the restaurants lining Corvallis's downtown are, such as Bellhop and Tride and True (pictured above) and New Morning Bakery which is just around this corner of 2nd street. 

Wanderlust - Humans of Corvallis

    

                                        

Chris Hanson plays his saxophone everyday here on the Corvallis waterfront. His only exception - when it rains. Thursday, October 8th.

     Chris Hanson playing "My one and Only Love" by John Coltrane. Thursday, October 8th, Corvallis waterfront. 

      Corvallis east waterfront, Thursday October 8th. It was humbling to stumble upon this shot on this brisk Thursday morning. 

     

Humans of LBCC

  

            Yin and Yang. Positive and negative. Give and take. These are the extremes I have been able to feel during this historical time in our lives. Whilst many of world are in the most devastating times in their lives, I have been enormously lucky (although, I think it's more than luck) enough to catch the opposite side of the coin. People right now are dying, hurting, losing loved ones and finances, and I can feel the world crumbling all around me. I hope I'm not the only one to say this, but ironically I have never been more freely happy in my life. 

      Previously, I was making a career out of restaurant management, and doing a great job at that. I was able to travel, meet cool new people, and have a paycheck that allowed me to live without much fear. That's the dream, right? Or... at least that's what they say. For me, this just didn't cut it. My hunger for more is boundless and my lack of fear is endless. I knew I couldn't keep up the "smile and nod" shamble for too long, but was scared to leave a comfortable situation. Then Covid-19 hit, and I was laid off. To my dismay, this was one of the best blessings in disguise. I now had to make a change, and no way was I going back to the service industry. The plan was to go back to school for a while now, but now it's actually happening, for which I am overjoyed. 

            I had 6 months off.... 6 months of paid time off. This was more time off and money then I had ever had in my adult life, and I got to spend it all with my dog (okay, the boyfriend too). Everything started to change for the better - my dogs behavior, my mental state of mind and physical state. I was able to have time to indulge in the things that I love, and better yet, discover new hobbies that I never knew I'd fall in love with. My relationships blossomed with my honey, friends and family. All of this following my road of addiction recovery and the death of a son (both of which are unrelated), I am now living my best life. 

    I am so brokenhearted for those in pain in the world and I want every opportunity possible presented so I can be there to love my neighbor, but I am so grateful for the way things have turned out for me. 

    With every inch of my being I hope that there are glimpses of light for all of you during this trying time in our world. After just watching the Star Wars trilogy for the first time recently, I'll bid you adieu with this.. 

May the force be with you. 

Dakota. 

 

It's Just Part of Me

 

                   As I'm laying on the floor in my living room trying to dissect the best parts of me to share with all of you, I can confidently say that the best part is my dog, Nahla, who is currently making my legs her nest. I (or should I say we) am an Oregonian who really enjoys anything outdoors (hiking, rafting, swimming, etc...), interior design, many different types of rock music, and quality time with family. I recently have been learning to fire spin and dance, and this has been a thrilling hobby to enthrall. I love learning about theology, philosophy, anthropology, astronomy, and astrology - they're all so fascinating.

                   Currently, I'm working on my Associates of Journalism/Mass Communications and plan to take that to U of O to get my bachelors in Journalism. I believe that there are many truths out there, and so many people fail to comprehend the information that is presented to them due to its form of communication. If we can reach people, then that's the first step in change, and photography cannot lie. Thus, one reason why I'm taking this class - to learn about photojournalism and how to navigate my way in the journalism world and to better my photography skills, which has been a long time hobby of mine. I love the idea of a moment that will never again be the same, a moment that can never be re-experienced the same way, captured in the palm of my camera. I have experience working in a dark room with film cameras (old, but my favorite!) and have done a lot of self-taught digital photography work. I previously began using Instagram a start to my portfolio, so I'm stoked I get to use it for this class!

            It would be awesome to get a picture, if not multiple, published, regardless of getting an A. I'm a little behind on the technology wagon, and am excited to versify my skills in both social media platforms/blogs and photo editing programs. Overall, my biggest goal is to stay on top of everything and to have this be an exciting class, and a place where I can develop my skills, creativity and knowledge in a non-stressful manor. 

Cheers! 

Dakota.