empty chairs at empty tables

I had wanted to post something bright and cheerful today, but certain circumstances have led me to this image. Those of you familiar with the musical Les Miserablé will recognise the title I used for this post. It is the song Marius sings when he thinks of his friends and family who became victims and have since become a sad memory.

I think I commented on nearly every DP blog yesterday out of sheer restlessness and because I needed to get away from tagging my photos. There were some fabulous pictures yesterday. The last 2 DPs I hit were Beirut, which I hadn't visited for weeks, and Montchauvet. Please visit them if you haven't.

As much as the work I do is political and satirical which aims to create some level of awareness, I can't help but feel how trivial it all is. Helpless, sitting here typing these words, practically doing nothing but complaining to a friendly ear about the folly of humanity, joining the odd protest now and then... helpless and I'm feeling useless. The daily news coverage is bloody frustrating and depressing. It's days like this I look to my mother for support and I remember my late father.

Sorry for being this melancholic. I've convinced myself that current events have something to do with Mars being the closest it'll ever be to Earth. If so, then the next decade will bring some peace of mind as Mars retracts and loosens it's grip. I hope (as usual). You know what? I'll still be alive then.