So what? Big deal.

28 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Commentary, Culture, History

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So the fish are gone in Newfoundland. So what? Big deal. Right? Wrong. So very wrong!

After more than twenty years, our species, the virus known as man, hasn’t learned a blasted thing. We are still fishing carelessly and without regard to the outcome and the future. Gotta have our sushi. Kitty has to have it’s food too. And what lunchbox would be complete without the prerequisite tuna fish sandwich, smell and all? Yet, what is the result of this? Here’s one example.

Resettlement is not a happy word in Newfoundland. In my travels, I visited several sites where once there had been outports (fishing villages) and now there was nothing; plowed under and grown over. People used to live and work there. Now, nothing to even mark their past. Get ready; it’ll happen in more places than we’d like. This is an article from the National Post illustrating what’s at stake.

‘Our little community’s dying’: Isolation prompts Newfoundland town to ask province for ‘resettlement’

Tristin Hopper | Feb 27, 2013 8:31 PM ET

Adam Norman/Wikipedia Lockes’ Stage on Little Bay Islands, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Little Bay Islands used to be just another prosperous settlement on the Newfoundland coast: Ample jobs at the local crab processing plant, streets jammed with children, dances at the Orange Hall — and all of it within surroundings befitting a tourism ad: Cosy wood houses facing onto an iceberg-dotted Atlantic.

Now, the crab plant is long gone, every shop in town is shuttered and the population has plummeted to 72 from a one-time high of almost 800. Aside from a toddler and a pair of young teenagers, virtually the only islanders left are a few dozen widows and seniors, many of whom don’t have the money to leave.

“We all know our little community’s dying,” said one Little Bay Islands resident who preferred to remain anonymous.

Now, you can’t even get a soft drink

“One time, I’d say there was probably seven or eight stores here; you could go and buy whatever you wanted. Now, you can’t even get a soft drink.”

It is why, earlier this month, the nearly 200-year-old community applied for “resettlement,” a 60-year-old program in which the province issues everyone a cheque to leave town before cutting the power, suspending the ferry service and leaving nature to take its course.

“Since the crab plant closed down there’s no work here whatsoever … and nobody wants to be on EI if they can get away with it,” said Dennis Budgell, a Little Bay Islands town councillor who raised the issue with the province’s Department of Municipal Affairs.

Under the resettlement deal available to Little Bay Islands, if 90% of the community votes in favour, every household will stand to receive between $80,000 and $100,000.

So what, you ask? Big deal. Yeah, it is a big deal.

You think this is over? It’s over when I say it’s over.

25 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Media, Photo-documentary

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Arn? Narn., Jon Stewart, New Jersey, Newfoundland

Back in December, I started calling out Jonathan Liebowitz, oops sorry, (you can take the boy out of the neighborhood, but…) Jon Stewart of The Daily Show fame to cover my photo-documentary book Arn? Narn. and the plight of Newfoundlanders. So far he has successfully avoided responding to my posts, tweets, (yes, I tweet now! Can the end times be far away?) and general internet nuisance. He is indeed made of hearty stock. Must be that peasant, New Jersey upbringing. Well, that’s OK. You see I’m from Jersey originally too. Game on!

It has beeen a matter of an immovable object meeting an irresistible force. Something’s got to give, Jon. So why prolong this? Why incur extra expense avoiding the inevitable? Yeah, I get it. Madeleine Albright is better looking than me. Well, that may be a stretch. Michelle Obama IS better looking and better known than me, but don’t blame me because I married a civilian. (Hey, I was young and in love!)

But, and this is a big one, neither knows much about Newfoundland and why it’s important in our planet’s future. It’s fish are gone and before too long, so will the rest of the world’s wild fish stock. You like sushi? Not that much longer. Gefilte fish? I know you do…fuggedaboutit. It won’t work with farmed catfish. Yeah, it’s THAT serious. So what are you waiting for?

Here’s review that speaks about the book’s importance.

Arn? Narn. by Bruce Meisterman

Photo by Bruce Meisterman

First sentence: “When you’re twenty years ahead of the curve, it really doesn’t matter that you’re right.”

Publisher’s Summary: “Arn? Narn. is photographer Bruce Meisterman s first book. Arn? Narn. chronicles Canada s Newfoundland Island fishing culture on the road to its unfortunate demise. The black and white photography and interviews conducted by Meisterman showcase a community earmarked by minimalist living and deep community bonds, but broken by the cod’s disappearance.”

Bruce Meisterman is a photographer and the beauty of this book is in the photography. The text is sparse. Each chapter starts with a minimal yet informative narrative on topic and then the often full page photographs tell the rest of the story. Meisterman tells the story of the end of cod fishing in Newfoundland, the moratorium put on the industry in 1992 and the effect that has had on the fishing industry and the people. He explains that fishing is not just an industry to Newfoundlanders but a way of life born into these island people, a cultural heritage that defines their history, art, music, dance and craft. He paints a grim picture that is mostly blamed on over-fishing, government mismanagement, and greed. But as anyone knows who has visited Newfoundland (I haven’t) or knows a “Newfie” (I’ve known several) they can tell you that Newfoundlanders are not a downhearted people. They are down-to-earth people with no pretensions, full of the joy of life with a sense of humour and love of the folk arts born into them. Meisterman also tries to convey this in his book and succeeds to a point.

The choice of black and white photography both aids and hinders the author’s objectives. The desolate, stark countryside is powerfully represented in this medium, especially the winter scenes with the snow and ice along with the sandy shores of the lonely beaches and yet the beauty of the land is missing when we cannot see the green of the foliage and colours of wildflowers growing close to the ground on the rock. The death of the fishing industry is brought home with the b/w photos of clapboard homes, churches and graveyards and yet the life essence of the people is missing when we cannot see the bright colours used to paint houses, lighthouses, murals and folk art signs. Also the revelry of a kitchen party is missing when shown in black and white and yet the contrast between the joy of the people and the poverty of the economy is marked in this medium. An enchanting book with a sad tale told with optimism, but one that does not end on a sad note.

“Even now, Newfoundland is moving into its new reality…The Newfoundland spirit is anything if not indomitable. A people who came to live at terms with the sea will find their way here as well.”

Review by: Nicola Mansfield

C’mon, Jon. You know you want to do this. I can be on the next plane. Just call.

Everybody’s talkin’…

18 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Culture, Newfoundland, Photo-documentary

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

Well, not everybody but quite a few. I’d like to share a review from The Memphis Flyer of my book Arn? Narn. In the interest of full disclosure, it pretty much lets you know where I do my day job…(what, you think all authors drive Ferrari’s and sip Mojitos by the pool while channeling Norman Mailer? If only.) However, it is a good review and I think its author got it right. Hope you enjoy it. Certainly, if you’ve any thoughts or comments, I’d love to hear them.

Go Fish?by Leonard Gill

Three trips to Newfoundland; 5,000 or so photographs: That’s what it’s taken for Memphian Bruce Meisterman to produce Arn? Narn. (Gosslee), his book of striking black-and-white photos of Newfoundland.

Five hundred years: That’s how long Newfoundlanders have been fishing for cod. In recent decades, though, the cod have largely disappeared from Newfoundland’s waters, and a way of life on this island off the coast of Canada is threatened with extinction. Is overfishing to blame? Trawling? Poaching? Climate change? And is this what’s in store for fishstocks globally? Hard to say for sure what’s to blame or what to predict. But no question about the words one often hears from one Newfoundland fisherman, as he heads out to sea, to a fisherman headed back in: “Arn?” (“Fish?”) “Narn.” (“No fish.”).

Meisterman — advertising director for MBQ: Inside Memphis Business, a sister publication of the Flyer — has had his share of local photography exhibits. (See his upcoming show at Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects, opening reception on December 14th.) And he’s doing a good job introducing Memphians to Newfoundland popular culture. (On Wednesday of this week, he joined Bruce Newman for a program of Newfoundland folk music on radio station WEVL.)

But the publication of Arn? Narn. is drawing the most attention, as it did recently at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, where interest in Meisterman’s work (and its warnings) was encouraging. So too the positive coverage of Meisterman’s book generally and particularly in a British magazine, which plans to make Arn? Narn. its book of the month in November.

Memphians have a chance to meet Meisterman when he discusses and signs copies of Arn? Narn. at the Booksellers at Laurelwood on Thursday. Doubtful, though, that Meisterman will be doing a book-store signing in Newfoundland. “Earlier this year, the last independent book store on Newfoundland closed,” Meisterman said. “Doesn’t mean I won’t be going up there for the book, though. I’ve made friends with many musicians. They’d love to host a signing.”

And at this point, Amazon is sold out until they get a new shipment. But you can still get them directly from the publisher at fjordsreview.com .

Lest you think…

04 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Fish, Newfoundland, Observations

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Arn? Narn., Canada, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, New England, Newfoundland

In 1992, the Canadian government shut down the fishing industry in Newfoundland for 10 years in hopes that the fish would come back. When they revisited it in 2002, they found the fish stocks were in worse shape than at the outset of the moratorium. It is now in place permanently. And apparently, outside of Canada, no one took notice of this catastrophe. For the rest of the world, it looked pretty much like an example of “It couldn’t happen here.” Yeah, right.

If we didn’t know this before, we now know better than that. Here is an article from the National Post illustrating that the Newfoundland disaster was not an isolated incident. This will happen across our planet with increasing frequency, yet there doesn’t seem to be anyone terribly concerned with it.

Aquaculture while an amazing achievement is not the answer. Our naturally reproducing fish are in grave danger of disappearing and still we harvest them irresponsibly. There are a few countries starting to act with an eye to the future, but until the rest of those countries contributing to this dilemma own up to their own hand in this, nothing will change except for the greater decrease of this natural resource.

Write letters. Make phone calls. Protest even. It is our “Today” and our children’s “Tomorrows.”

Twenty years later, New England fishery collapse mirrors Newfoundland disaster

Kelly McParland | Jan 31, 2013 11:36 AM ET

file

Twenty years after Ottawa imposed a moratorium on Newfoundland’s cod fishery, northeastern U.S. states are looking at similar cuts as fishery officials argue for steep new limits in an effort to stave off disaster.

“The game is over” reported the Boston Business Journal, noting that one official called it “a day of reckoning.”

The New England Fishery Management Council voted Wednesday night to cut the catch limit on Gulf of Maine cod by 77 percent – although most members reportedly agreed the move was tantamount to shutting down direct fishing for cod, which has sustained New England’s inshore fishing industry for centuries.

The Georges Bank cod catch is to be cut by 66 percent.

The Gloucester Times reports the cuts are so severe, at least one council member argued for a complete shutdown of the cod fishery, altogether. ““I don’t see myself leaving the dock next year, I’m not sure we’re going fishing (anymore),” said Councilor Joe Orlando of Gloucester, according to the Times. Another Gloucester fisherman, Paul Vitale, said the “docks and the stores” will be quiet.

The New York Times report was similarly grim:

“We are headed, slowly, seeming inexorably, to oblivion,” said John Bullard, the regional administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a member of the council, as he explained his support for the catch limits. “I do not deny the costs that are going to be paid by fishermen, families, communities. They are real. They will hurt.”

The problem, he said, is not government inflexibility, as fishermen have suggested, but the lack of fish. “It’s midnight and getting darker when it comes to how many cod there are,” he said. “There isn’t enough cod for people to make a decent living.”

Fishermen were shocked by the decision, seeing it as the end of an industry that sustained their communities for centuries.

“Right now what we’ve got is a plan that guarantees the fishermen’s extinction,” one told the Times.

“I’m leaving here in a coffin,” said another.

The reaction mirrored the trauma that hit Canada’s east coast 20 years ago, when federal authorities declared a moratorium on cod, warning that years of overfishing had reduced stocks by up to 97%. Despite hopes that stocks might revive if left alone, a decade later the federal fisheries minister announced the outright closure of the fishery in the Atlantic provinces and Quebec.

In New England, optimism is in short supply.

“We are headed down the wrong course here, of exterminating the inshore fleet, for no good reason,” David Goethel, a New Hampshire fisherman and council member, told the Associated Press.

“I’m bankrupt. That’s it,” said 40-year-old Gloucester fishermen Paul Vitale, a father of three. “I’m all done. The boat’s going up for sale.”

National Post

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Thoughts on lessons maybe learned.

31 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Commentary, Discovery, Observations

≈ 1 Comment

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

Arn? Narn. has been out now for nearly four months. It’s been a wonderful period with much to be thankful for. Sales have been good, reviews have been even better, the Newfoundlanders who have seen it seem to like it. It’s all good. I just wanted to take some space on this post to share a few random thoughts in no particular order about what I experienced and expected while doing it.

Alas, no longer – Red’s Lounge (unpublished from Arn? Narn.)

What we want will never be on our time table. It’ll happen when it happens. Nine years from conception to market would not have been my idea of a good time table. But, it did happen. There are always too many things out of my control.

Gratification can come from the most unexpected place or person and in a most surprising fashion. Always be open to new ideas and experiences.

No matter how good the work is, it can always be better. No matter how bad you think it might be, it is always much better than that. At some point, you will have to let go and launch it.

Do not ever lose sight of your goal. Others may not “get it”. That’s OK. Actually that’s fine. There’s a real satisfaction in proving otherwise.

Be single-minded in your determination to make it happen. Discouragement will happen, probably more than you would like. But be on the lookout for signs. Throughout the process there were several “bites” on the book only to have them back off at some point. I learned from those that the book did indeed have merit. All I needed was fortitude.

Your book is not perfect no matter how hard you worked on it. Your publisher/editor will have ideas that can improve it. Really.

Take immense satisfaction that you will have accomplished what only a small fraction of authors set out to do.

Share freely and openly what you’ve learned with other aspiring authors. Why not?

Be humble, gracious, and thankful.

Start work on your next book as soon as you can.

Write a blog as a journal of your journey. It is a great reference for you and others. It helps keep alive and move the project along until eventual publication. You can build some audience anticipation with it as well.

Keep researching your subject even after the book is done. You will be asked questions that you may not have thought of while writing the book. Stay current. See above photo of Red’s Lounge. I learned only two weeks ago it is no longer open. It was the only bar on the island of Ramea.

Realize that your creativity cannot be turned off or on at will. In those times where nothing seems to come easy, don’t despair. It’s only temporary. And when it does come back and it will, what are a few lost hours of sleep compared to what you’re doing and accomplishing?

And one last note: shortly after my book came out, an acquaintance greeted me with “Well, here’s the author!?” I replied, “Please. An author?” They asked “Are you happy with it?” I, wanting it to have been perfect and seeing faults that no one else could, responded, “No. I wish I could have done it better.” Their reply, “Then you really are an author!” I hate know-it-alls!

Enough is enough.

28 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Commentary, Fish, History

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Arn? Narn., Climate change, Newfoundland

Twenty-one years ago, when the Canadian government enacted a moratorium to cease cod fishing, an entire industry and way of life was wiped out. 40,000 jobs gone, just like that. In that first ten year period of the moratorium which is still in effect eleven years later after the original cutoff date, 20% of the population left the island never to return.

A way of life no more.

The catches had been getting smaller and then were legislated into nothingness. There were several theories as to why this decline had happened: natural predation by other species, pollution, climate change, and overfishing. It’s pretty clear now what has happened, with overfishing if you will, claiming the title of winner. Government mismanagement and greed literally took the livelihood of out of the Newfoundlander‘s hands. But it is now apparent that climate change has a contributing hand in this. A paper published a couple of months ago stated that fish all over the world are becoming smaller because of the warmer waters. This precludes them from reaching full maturity and breeding normally. That is now leading to a further decline in viable fish which will lead to a larger cascading effect on the rest of the global fish population, Newfoundland included. There’s a one-two punch that would be hard for anyone from which to recover.

Now, whatever little remains of Newfoundland’s fishing stocks is under further assault. And assault is the operable word. In 2007, the southern coast of Newfoundland was seeing infestations of a new species, heretofore unknown of in that province, called the green crab. It has since grown more serious. The introduction of them is not necessarily a problem introduced by man, but it is likely to be an element of it. Even unknowingly, we are adept at mucking things up.

The green crab is a voracious predator eating anything and everything, size be damned. Lobsters? Tasty. Shrimp? Oh, yeah. Cod? What do you think? And currently there is no known remedy for them. They affect the ecological biodiversity wherever they settle. Whatever small chance there might have been for a return of the cod is threatened by this non-native species. What is next? A land to live on which is as hard as its rocks once again is getting hammered. And it appears to be a helpless situation.

One has to believe there are Newfoundlanders saying to themselves and each other, “Enough is enough.” Yes. Yes, indeed.

Arn? Narn. nation.

24 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Humor, Newfoundland

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Arn? Narn., Daily Show, Jon Stewart, Newfoundland

If anyone ever wants to move to another country and apply for citizenship of said country, there are myriad hoops to jump through, not to mention the legal fees involved. I know as I’ve aimlessly looked into it. Over the past few years, as Arn? Narn. became less of an idea, dream, and project and more of the book it became, I’ve wanted to share what Newfoundland in my eyes is all about. The book and by extension this blog is my take on it.

As the book has now been out just over three months and to unanimously good-to-great reviews, I’ve been imploring (well, maybe begging even) my readers to contact Jon Stewart of The Daily Show so I can share Arn? Narn. with a larger audience.

Yeah, this guy.

You are, in effect, the Arn? Narn. nation. And what better way to express that than wearing the colors of our beloved nation? Well, with an Arn? Narn. t-shirt! You’re probably asking yourself right now, “Gee, how do I get one of those rare, limited edition, not available in any store or on TV commercials, fine, cotton, apparel-quality t-shirts?”

Simple, even though it does smack a little bit of bribery. All you have to do is send Jon Stewart at The Daily Show a note telling him how much he needs to have this book and its humble (!) author (me) on his show. There are three reviews currently on Amazon under the book’s title. If you would copy and paste any one of them and send to: guestpitch@thedailyshow.com with a note suggesting, maybe even imploring, him to do this and copy me at bmeisterman@comcast.net, then you can win a t-shirt complete with the really cool Arn? Narn. logo. As I mentioned early, this really is a limited edition, so the first three who do this, win. Yeah, it’s that easy. And you’ll be a t-shirt-wearing member of Arn? Narn. Nation.

The really cool Arn? Narn. logo.

If, no, rather when, Jon capitulates, and it’s clear which one was the deciding suggesting e-mail, then you’ll also win a signed copy of Arn? Narn. Yup, it’s that easy. You too will now be a member of Arn? Narn. nation. And you won’t even need a passport.

This is serious.

22 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Newfoundland, Photo-documentary

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Arn? Narn., Daily Show, Jon Stewart, Newfoundland

The holidays, formerly at our throats, are now behind us. My trip to NYC last week went well, but still no invitation from Jon Stewart of The Daily Show to appear on behalf of Arn? Narn. So, now it’s time to resume my effort to get exposure for my book. Invoking an old Newfoundland tradition, I could show up at the studio as a Mummer in an attempt to crash the show. Unlike most homes in Newfoundland, I am sure they have an adept security staff that would hinder any progress I might make in speaking with Jon. What a paranoid nation we’ve become! I’m harmless. Mostly. OK. Totally.

Newfoundland Mummers – sort of harmless.

But like an ardent Weight Watchers member, Stewart is avoiding me like an-all-you-can-eat buffet. Hey, Jon. I can assure you I’ve no poly-triglycerides, no peanuts (if you’re allergic and you may very well be), and no trans fats. I told you I was harmless, right? So why resist?

So, loyal readers, I ask you again, and it won’t be the last time, help me get the word out to Mr. Stewart. Share with him this link to the video for the book (copy and paste to your browser): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpFIb1s-sgw&list=HL1343692229&feature=mh_lolz . The e-mail address is: guestpitch@thedailyshow.com .

Dear Jon,

Take a look at this book. It’s really cool and I’d love to hear what this guy is all about.

Newfoundlanders and their connection to the sea December 3, 2012

By Nicola Manning TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Bruce Meisterman is a photographer and the beauty of this book is in the photography. The text is sparse. Each chapter starts with a minimal yet informative narrative on topic and then the often full page photographs tell the rest of the story. Meisterman tells the story of the end of cod fishing in Newfoundland, the moratorium put on the industry in 1996 and the effect that has had on the fishing industry and the people. He explains that fishing is not just an industry to Newfoundlanders but a way of life born into these island people, a cultural heritage that defines their history, art, music, dance and craft. He paints a grim picture that is mostly blamed on over-fishing, government mismanagement, and greed. But as anyone knows who has visited Newfoundland (I haven’t) or knows a “Newfie” (I’ve known several) they can tell you that Newfoundlanders are not a downhearted people. They are down-to-earth people with no pretensions, full of the joy of life with a sense of humour and love of the folk arts born into them. Meisterman also tries to convey this in his book and succeeds to a point.The choice of black and white photography both aids and hinders the author’s objectives. The desolate, stark countryside is powerfully represented in this medium, especially the winter scenes with the snow and ice along with the sandy shores of the lonely beaches and yet the beauty of the land is missing when we cannot see the green of the foliage and colours of wildflowers growing close to the ground on the rock. The death of the fishing industry is brought home with the b/w photos of clapboard homes, churches and graveyards and yet the life essence of the people is missing when we cannot see the bright colours used to paint houses, lighthouses, murals and folk art signs. Also the revelry of a kitchen party is missing when shown in black and white and yet the contrast between the joy of the people and the poverty of the economy is marked in this medium. An enchanting book with a sad tale told with optimism, but one that does not end on a sad note.”Even now, Newfoundland is moving into its new reality…The Newfoundland spirit is anything if not indomitable. A people who came to live at terms with the sea will find their way here as well.”

A Newfoundland Christmas post-Christmas poem

26 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Culture, Humor

≈ 1 Comment

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Christmas, Newfoundland

I Just received this this morning from a friend of mine in Newfoundland. Sometime ago, I wrote about Mummering at Christmas time in Newfoundland. This little poem does a good job in describing it. Hope you enjoy it.

A Newfoundland Christmas by James Rogin

‘Twas a night after Christmas in old Newfoundland.
The fire in the place was blazing just grand.
I sat on the chesterfield holding the phone,
While the wife’s in the kitchen making a scone.
When all of a sudden there was a loud rap,
And someone was banging tap a tap, tap.

I went to the door and who should appear,
But a “Mummer” or two looking for beer.
They wore old pillow cases,
That well covered their faces,
And I knew our houses were part of their quests.
So I welcomed them in, these old special guests.

They spoke in strange voices,
Saying I had to make choices,
As to who was who in that strange odd pair,
And so I played a part in this yule time affair.
I quickly named a name that wasn’t quite right.
So they drak my drink and went off into the night.

I never found who my callers were that year.
But I’m glad they came with all that good cheer.
And I hope this tradition will never come to an end,
For this is good fun to have with a friend.
And I’ll remember this Christmas wherever I go,
For I love Newfoundland, this will always be so.

Yes, you in the third row…

15 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Uncategorized

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland, Public relations

So what happens next? Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe even better. Now that the initial push is over, I have to find a way to continue the PR effort. I am open to all suggestions. If as a loyal reader, you have any ideas, send ‘em over, I’m game. If I use any of them, the creator of that or those particular ideas will win an autographed copy of my photography book Arn? Narn. What could be easier?

Ideas I will not use: advertising on food products, Val-Pak coupons, hygiene products, costumes, that kind of stuff. So what do you think? I’m game.

There is still an upcoming combination exhibition and book signing in December and a radio “appearance” this Saturday. Then, I’m open. Book party at your home? Sure, why not? (As long as I can drive there, although an opportunity to go back to Newfoundland can always entice me.) Signing at a religious institution? No problem as long as all are welcome. Gas station openings? Ehh, not so much.

You see, I’m ready to do anything, well – pretty much anything, to get this book out there. Your ideas, no matter how wild or out-of-the-box they may be, are appreciated.

So what do you think? Are any of you game out there? Wanna get in on the ground floor of a new marketing push?

Blog-slinger.

05 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Blogs, Observations

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Arn? Narn., Have Gun–Will Travel, Newfoundland

For the past 15 months or so, I’ve been diligently writing, recounting my experiences photographing in Newfoundland, and getting Arn? Narn. ready for publication. Add in the PR aspect of letting the world know about it and then acting on the results of said PR and it’s easy to see that it has consumed a large amount of my time. Thankfully, I’ve been able to do a lot of it in evenings and on weekends. Throw in lunchtimes too. The good news is that my work doesn’t appear to have suffered from these extra-curricular activities.

But now, this has moved into wholly new territory. If you’ve been reading this blog, then you know I write this blog. No one else. So, when a request comes in to do a guest blog piece, I’m starting to feel like a hired gun. I know this is all part of the deal, but it is a little weird.

This morning while channel surfing and having my coffee, I came across an old black and white TV show from the sixties called Have Gun, Will Travel. Starring Richard Boone, it told the tales of a black-clad gunslinger for hire. The title of the show was the slogan on his business card which was also adorned with the knight piece from a chess game. This one character might have been solely responsible for actors and/or stars having only one name such as Cher and that ilk: his being Paladin. That name comes from the paladins, being the foremost warriors of King Charlemagne‘s court. He was a knight. And he was for hire.

Richard Boone. (Not in Paladin black.)

And that’s sort of how I feel when I have to write a guest post for a reviewer’s blog. It’s all part of the new way books are marketed. I can’t merely re-post a piece from this blog or the search engines will banish all parties involved to a fate worse than Prodigy. (Look it up.) So, I have to write something new. For anyone reading this who also blogs, you know that’s not the easiest thing to do. As I wrote in a previous post, it’s our wish to keep it fresh. This is a great test of our ability to write and attempt not to repeat ourselves. and attempt not to repeat our selves. Yeah, right.

I liken these posts to the “Director’s Cut” versions of films. “You know, this is the film I really wanted to make.” Or, “I felt as if there were too many unanswered questions.” Or, “It really needed the resolution in the second act, you know.” That kind of stuff. Expand, expound, and expect people to like it. Yeah, OK. But don’t get on me too hard if it seems a little familiar.

So going forward, I have a new occupation and my new card will say “Have blog, will travel.” Why not?

We interrupt this blog to bring you… Halloween.

01 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Culture, Humor, Local Art, Newfoundland

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Fogo Island, Mummer, Newfoundland, Ramea

Last night being All Hallow’s Eve, I couldn’t help but put something of a Newfoundland spin on it. At Christmas time in Newfoundland, in addition to all the normal festivities including the prerequisite kitchen parties, is the custom of Mummering. I’ve written about this previously, but I’ll recap. Complete strangers, oddly dressed, descend upon unsuspecting resident’s homes and demand food and drink, carouse, and usually stay until tired or their true identities are discovered and then they leave to repeat said mayhem in yet another home. It can get out of hand. Once the government even tried to outlaw it, but the Newfoundlanders were having none of that, thank you b’y.

This year, as we get ready to dole out the ritual baksheesh to the little and not-so-little ones, I got to thinking how cool it might be to dress as a mummer here in the US.

This is Alphonse.

This is a fairly typical mummer “outfit” and is not the kind of costume one gets in a store. No, this requires creativity or color blindness at the very least. These figurines are from a collection created by two Newfoundland women, Pam and Cara. They produce one new limited edition mummer every year and are usually quite funny. Yet, they are accurate and indicative of what one might have knocking on their door come Christmas time.

Nish from Merasheem.

Now, can you imagine someone showing up at your house on Halloween in this? You might be inclined to call the police or at least use some pepper spray. But generally speaking in Newfoundland, it’s usually just harmless fun. However, I would not suggest walking into a convenient store dressed like this. They do have surveillance cameras after all.

And of course in the spirit(s) of the holiday, a toast must be made. Have another one, Fannie?

Fannie from Fogo.

The other possible downside in dressing this way for Halloween is that you might get picked up for vagrancy. After all, I don’t think we’re in Newfoundland anymore, Toto.

Oh, myyyy…. with all due respects to George Takei.

25 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Uncategorized

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Arn? Narn., George Takei, Newfoundland

Oh, my. Oh, yes. Omigod. That seems to be more and more my response to news these days about my book, Arn? Narn. And at this point, it’s all good. I’m not certain I had any specific expectations about the response the book might receive. Oh, sure, I had hopes, but they’re all too easily dashed. So I just quietly waited.

Then the first reviews came in. I’ve written about them already, but they were good. They were very good. Then the first book signing at a private home. What fun.

Now what I’m about to report all that happened just yesterday! First, a two-hour stint on a radio program about Canadian music with a focus on Newfoundland and my book. Very enjoyable. It was shaping up to be a good day. Little did I know how good. Let me stop right here and warn you there are going to be a fair amount of “thens” in this post.

Then two of my interviews appeared online yesterday and I don’t think I came off too much like a raving lunatic. Well, maybe not too much. They alone would have been fine for one day. Then I booked two radio interviews.

Then a very nice piece in our weekly arts and entertainment weekly touting the book and mentioning said two hour radio show and upcoming book signing. Then of course is the big book signing this evening.

Then I received an e-mail from the first person in Newfoundland to have seen the book. I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t important to me. I wanted to make sure their impression of the book was positive; that I had portrayed them and their situation accurately and honestly. The response was perfect. Her words, “I love it and… haunting.” Oh, myyyy. I did not want to misrepresent them in the least. It appears I haven’t.

Then, yes another one, I was at an event late yesterday afternoon and the number of people who knew of the book and its signing was amazing. This whole thing is amazing and very gratifying.

So that’s where we are today. The book signing is this evening followed by dinner with friends. This just keeps getting better. So, to Mr. Takei… Oh, myyyy. Indeed.

Hemingway, Grisham, Shakespeare, and me.

15 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Uncategorized

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

Just about thirteen months ago, I began writing this blog about my then upcoming book about disappearing rural Newfoundland entitled Arn? Narn. Two weeks ago, Arn? Narn. was published. It has been an eventful year and it continues even as I write this.

Last night I returned from the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville where I had been a featured author for my photography book, Arn? Narn. The festival features over 200 authors from around the region and the nation including Pulitzer Prize winners. Pretty heavy duty company. As a first time author, this was an incredible honor and recognition for the book. So, take that Ernest, Will, and John!

This means it’s official and really happened – look under 1:00 PM.

Throughout the three day event, I was able to listen and talk with any and all of the authors I wanted to. And without exception, they were all very welcoming, open and received my book warmly. Incredible.

The highlight for me though was my presentation with fellow photographer Chip Cooper. Chip is a highly accomplished photographer, former head of the photography department and now artist in residence at the University of Alabama. I was in very good company. Not so sure Chip can say the same though.

Chip and some other photographer. (Photo courtesy of Carla Meisterman.)

We did a well-attended hour session presenting our books and then a Q&A afterwards. It was a great experience sharing the stage with another photographer discussing our passion and finding out our approaches were quite similar.

Following that was a book signing session in which we got to visit personally with those who had attended our presentation. This was just an amazing event and one I wish I could do every year. The only problem: how would I be able to produce a book that frequently?

My thanks to Humanities Tennessee for hosting such a wonderful event and helping me to introduce my book to a wider audience. It just keeps getting better.

Next week is my first local book signing, a private book signing party, both of which should be fun. Everyone’s invited.

Next up now though is the launch of my virtual book tour online, starting today! More on this as it gets rolling. Oh, yes b’y!

Inconceivable!

08 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Discovery, Movies

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

Last week, I wrote about going digital with an online webinar. Yet I honestly had no idea of the speed in which things can occur on the net. Yes, I knew all about things going viral virtually overnight, but when it starts to happen to you, it’s a whole new ball game. This is how it feels.

Arn? Narn., my photo-documentary book on disappearing rural Newfoundland, has not gone viral. Nor do I expect it to. I also did not expect to see it mentioned online so quickly. After all, it was only released one week ago.

Because of the book’s release, and having a surplus of time on my hands like so many others before me, I Googled my name. No surprise that I found the usual links to it. What I did find surprised the hell out of me.

I learned that Barnes and Noble has it! So I salute Mr. Barnes and Ms. Noble, or is it the other way around?, on their impeccable good taste. The mighty Amazon has it as well! These were the first things I discovered. So, as I wrote in an earlier post, if you buy only one photography book about disappearing rural Newfoundland this year, please make sure it’s this one.

The next discovery really blew me away. Arn? Narn. has already been reviewed a few times. And they were more than positive. It’s like your child made the Honor Roll and you didn’t even know they were doing their homework! What makes this even more impressive (to me at least) is that the PR campaign has not yet even started! To quote the movie “The Princess Bride“, Inconceivable!

When all of that is coupled with the response from my radio interview a week earlier, inconceivable certainly applies. Amazing.

So, is this beginning of a new media darling? Hardly. It does point out that the old ways of marketing a book, or anything else for that matter, have changed. This too is not big news. Unless it’s happening to you. So, it’ll be interesting to see where this part of the journey goes. Stay tuned.

Running off at the mouth.

04 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Uncategorized

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Newfoundland, Photography, Public relations

Yesterday I entered the digital age. Now that is not to say I don’t shoot my photography digitally or I don’t know how to surf the internet. I do on both accounts and I think fairly well.

To date, my encounters with media for the Arn? Narn. PR push, have been of the more traditional kind: print, radio, the like. But now, I was the sole subject of a webinar speaking to other photographers or some such like interested parties. I went online. There’s no turning back now.

Donning my newly purchased headset, I was ready to communicate with the outside world through my computer. I felt as if I was at mission control. And the only thing ready to launch was my mouth. We are running and we have liftoff!

Liftoff indeed!

I was being interviewed – in depth – about my photo-documentary book Arn? Narn. Once we were sure all equipment was functional, last week at the originally scheduled webinar, it wasn’t, we were good to go.

I had anticipated maybe being able to keep the other participants interest for a half hour, 45 minutes tops. Oh, no. Or as George Takei might say, “Oh, Myyyy.” It went longer, a lot longer. Try nearly two hours!

The hands on the clock go round and round…for two hours!

Who knew I had so much to say? Certainly not me. OK, maybe me but not for that long. The moderator, another photographer, kept things humming along. Between his questions and those of the participants, it did take that long. I was surprised at the questions and how thoughtful they were. I can only hope my answers did them justice.

We had posted a number of pictures from the book and discussed them: what was going on; what were my thoughts as I was photographing them, that kind of stuff. Mercifully, there were no questions such as, “What f-stop did you use for that photo?” Truthfully, my answer would have been, “How the h— should I know?” I have trouble remembering where my socks are.

To be the subject of such intense scrutiny is a little unnerving. To think that any group, no matter the size, would have any interest in what I have to say amazes me. But this group, by and large, held on for the entire interview. That was very flattering. I hope it wasn’t boring. The tales I can tell of my experiences in Newfoundland are largely humorous or at least I think so. Judging from the response of the moderator, so did he. An appreciative audience of one is a start.

So now, that two hours is forever available online for anyone with the fortitude to listen to it. Brew some fresh coffee and sit back and try not to gag.

No f-stops. No focal lengths. No “what film did you use, man?” It was all about the story as it should have been. It’s a story that will impact us all. If we only take notice.

Matt, Jon, George…can you hear me? Are you out there? (arnnarn.com)

Gentlemen (women too, of course) start your engines…

24 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Uncategorized

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland, Public relations

For very many years, the Indianapolis 500 race has been started with the famous words, “Gentlemen, start your engines.” In recent years, that has come to include female drivers as well.

So, I now say to all my loyal readers (male and female) out in blog land…Gentlepeople, start your engines! The race is on. To the top of the best sellers list? Hardly likely, but one can dream, right? To the book stores? Hopefully. And this is why.

This week, the first copies of Arn? Narn. are to be delivered from the printer! I am really having a hard time believing it. This has been such a long journey; one filled with expected setbacks and unexpected delights. It has been one of a much longer gestation then I ever anticipated. And it has been a hell of an education. More on this later.

The final proof is all I could have hoped for. After some difficult decisions on paper and printers, we bit the bullet and forged ahead. We made the right decision. The book is heavier than I would have thought. Heavy in that it has some significant heft. We already knew the topic itself was heavy, so the weight of the book itself adds to that. Very cool synchronicity going on here.

The image reproduction is quite good. That doesn’t happen without a good and watchful printer and the right paper. While I have purchased printing for my photography many times over the years, I’m always amazed at the amount of different papers available. Each year brings new papers (even today!) that seem to get better and better. The same is true of printing processes.

So, the book will be here this week, just days before the stated publication date of October 1, 2012. We’ll start marketing it live everywhere we can. There will be a link to it on the bmeisterman.com website in just a week or so. It’ll also be available on Pinterest. I’ll publish that link here as well (of course!).

This week, the serious PR starts with a radio appearance, a live on-line interview, and more behind-the-scenes machinations to get more exposure. Stay tuned for more updates. This blog too will be in a different mode. Over the past year, I’ve been able to “bank” my posts – sometimes having as many as three weeks entries written in advance. That was easy to do as I was recounting my experiences in creating Arn? Narn. I am now all caught up and just in time too! It will now be written in real time. I will try to keep to my twice a week frequency as well.

Just a few paragraphs ago, I mentioned my education. A year ago, just after I signed the book contract, I embarked on a new educational curve: one that would teach me a bit about PR, publishing, new printing processes, and self-restraint. That last one really is a life-long pursuit. The others are new and ever-growing. Now, on the eve of exposing myself (sounds just a little dubious, right?) to the media, another new learning curve is about to start. It doesn’t seem like this is about to end very soon. So, onwards.

And now, let me introduce to you, the first (but unbound) copy of Arn? Narn. (Taken with an iPhone.)

If you have a coffee table, it needs to have this book adorning it. If your friends have coffee tables, wouldn’t it be a good idea to help them out too? Just saying. The holiday shopping season begins…now.

DIY PR (or Don Draper, eat your heart out!). (arnnarn.com)
Matt, Jon, George…can you hear me? Are you out there? (arnnarn.com)

Oh man, do I really have to take a shower for this?

17 Monday Sep 2012

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland, Public relations

Like an impending weather front coming in without any indication of what to expect, there appears to be a schedule forming of where there will be “Bruce” sightings. Unlike Big Foot, rumors of my existence are not exaggerated however unfortunate that may be. These sightings will be book signings, media appearances, readings and such. I have a book, therefore I am (apologies to Rene Descartes)…or something like that.

Sorry, Rene. (all-art.com)

Earlier I wrote that I am now soap, (but without the Cool Linen smell). So I have to be marketed and convince those out there that if they’re going to buy only one photography book about disappearing rural Newfoundland this year, it absolutely should be Arn? Narn. The manufacturer, me, makes no claim to an improved dating life, fresher smelling breath, or shinier hair. I will tell you though about what’s happened in Newfoundland and what it means for the rest of the world. Really.

Now, like most people, I’ve not spent any real time in front of a microphone much less a TV camera. That’s OK as some friends of mine have repeatedly told me I have a face for radio. If I do happen to be on the tube, please hide the children. Note – you’ve been warned.

Like anyone else who is as passionate about a subject as I am about Newfoundland, all one has to do is ask a simple question and risk watching their lives speed by as we wax enthusiastically about whatever it is that we so want to share with you. In other words, I need to learn to be succinct. Yeah, right. Have you ever noticed that even an abridged dictionary is huge? That’s what I’ll be fighting within myself.

There are numerous opportunities to receive media training so you don’t come across like a spokesperson for BP in the Gulf. We saw how that went. Those responses were nearly as devastating as the spill itself. The lesson will be think, think again, and think once more before I respond to a question and all of that within the context of a live interview. “Oh yes, Katie, I read them all.” Nope, don’t want to go there.

So in addition to watching my mouth, I’ll have to look the part. Do I want the urbane, worldly, war-weary photographer look complete with shooting vest? (I do have one!) How about the professorial adventurer in a tweed jacket (I don’t have one.) and prop pipe? Or can I get away with clothes just purchased from Old Navy? Appearance will be important. That means grooming. OK, a haircut is alright. Manicure? No way. Makeup – only if on TV. Just remember, I have a face for radio.

Purple prose…and doubts.

13 Thursday Sep 2012

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

That wind, a storm almost, came out of the north blowing away all my preconceived notions of isolation and leaving in its trail a yawning, gaping hole of wistfulness, what might have been had I been born there and at another time. But still, I did get to see it, be there, and experience a couldabeen. (OK, that’s enough of the purple prose.)

Yeah, and if elephants had wings we could have won the war, any war, a lot earlier with these prehistoric fecal bombers. Uh-huh, another couldabeen.

Unlike previous posts, this is one of slight remorse and a few doubts. No “did you see that?”‘s; no “you gotta go there”‘s; and no “what incredible people”. This is more like the realization that this journey is almost at an end. Not an end maybe, but a new phase, the next one. Damn, I was really enjoying the old one too. It’s not an issue of change, that’s never been much of a problem for me. No, it’s the next phase which is like labor, as in childbirth. A few weeks ago, one of my posts about bringing this book to fruition was originally titled “I don’t know nothing ’bout birthin’ no babies.” And I didn’t. I do know a bit more now. But I’m dreading the contractions, when the book is actually out of the “womb” and in my anxious hands. What do I do next?

Making the book, traveling to Newfoundland (a real hardship!), shooting the photographs, writing the narrative, was almost like, certainly as good as, sex. And it resulted in this offspring. Gotta be careful when you’re dealing with a muse. They’ll do some awfully strange things to you. Yeah, a book, with a funny name. What was I thinking?

So, in less than two weeks, I’ll be holding the actual, finished book, Arn? Narn. I’ve seen these photographs so many times, I don’t know anything about them anymore. I don’t know if they’re any good. I’ve read the words too many times to be able to tell if they even make sense anymore. And the book? Same thing all around. I’ve been too close to it for too long. Is it really any good? Good enough for a publisher to want to bring it to the world? Hell, I don’t know.

Doubts? Oh, yeah.

We all think our children are the best looking ones in the world. None better, right? Parenthood automatically outfits you with filters and blinders so everything concerning your baby’s appearance is now perceived as beautiful. Just as it should be. Aside from genes and all that other stuff, we don’t have much of an active role in how little baby looks. Not so with a book.

We create this “child’ from out of who knows what. The idea starts with a twinge and grows, sometimes quickly, other times, not so much. Too often, the idea goes nowhere and is relegated to a mental scrap pile, maybe to be recycled later, probably not.

But suppose the idea takes root. It will need continuous cultivation to live. Depending on where one wants to go with it will determine the course of that cultivation. One could become the literary equivalent of a bonsai master and trim, cut, wire, and restrain the work until it becomes a small, torturously beautiful creation. The other choice is over-fertilizing the idea until it becomes a wild, smelly, over-grown compost heap filled with ideas and no discipline. Between those two is an awfully wide range of options, all filled with risks. So many, too many, decisions in such early stages all the way through to completion and then beyond. John Lennon wrote, “Mother told me there would be days like this.” Got that right.

Neither a bonsai or a compost heap.

So. With all of this behind me and a new phase about to begin, I keep asking myself this question over and over, “Was it worth it?” Yeah, it was.

Would I do it again? Yeah, I would.

Will I do it again? Yes, I will.

I’ve already started.

Dammit Jim, I’m a photographer, not a film maker!

13 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Discovery, Photography

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Arn? Narn., Bruce Meisterman, Newfoundland

The days of placing some ads in newspapers to herald the arrival of your book are mostly in the past. Of course that would be part of your marketing campaign today, but only a small part. The internet has changed all that. This blog is proof of that. This should be the very first thing you do in marketing your book. And start early to help build buzz.

But other blogs are also targets for a marketing plan. If you can get them talking about your book, then you’re widening your audience immeasurably and that’s a very good thing.

G-Rated. (spinstheworld.com)

A relatively new wrinkle is the video book trailer. Essentially, this is like the coming attractions part of going to the movies. But without the popcorn and sticky floors. But these are not just born out of thin air. A shooting script has to be written, graphics have to be developed, content must be chosen, voice-over talent and music needs to be selected, and the whole thing should be thematically related to the actual book. Oh, and get a YouTube account for this will be the first place it goes up on. While there are some wonderful programs out there where you can put together a trailer on your own, using a studio will give you a much better end-product. This is the direction I took.

So while yes, I am a photographer, I know next to nothing about video production. It’s sort of like Dr. Coy on the old Star Trek Show. “Dammit Jim, I’m a photographer…” I’m not a film-maker. I did know that I needed a script, graphics, theme, and voice talent. Happily, I also knew some first rate studio people and that was a great help. So into the studio to create my mini-version of a Jerry Bruckheimer film – not really, there were no explosions and no Shia LeBoeuf either. But it was a revelation.

Dammit, Jim…(empireonline.com)

Not surprisingly, there is a profound difference between motion and still photography in emotional content. Marry the two and it’s a whole other ballgame. Ken Burns displayed that tremendously in his ground-breaking The Civil War documentary. And that’s what we did with Arn? Narn. With voice-over, editing, music, graphics et al, Arn? Narn. shows another side of itself entirely, not ground-breaking, but very well done if I do say so myself. If you’re interested, it’s now up on YouTube. Just type in my name in the search bar, Bruce Meisterman, and then click on the Arn? Narn. image on the left. Hope you enjoy it.

Exclusive, first time ever, not seen on any cable networks, other blogs, or even tweeted about yet… imaginary interview. Part 1. (arnnarn.com)

Menage a Wha?

06 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Discovery, Geography, Newfoundland, Photography, Travel

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

(Warning: content addresses adult themes – not really – and no bad photos.)

It’s not like that all. We are still together and in love with each other, still! But for the previous three years, I’d been carrying on an affair, right out in the open, thank you very much, and I was still happily married.

For those out there with some prurient interest in where this is going, check out another blog. It’s not like that at all. I’d fallen in love with Newfoundland the moment I stepped off the plane to start the photography on what was to become Arn? Narn. I carried on this affair in front of my long-suffering wife, subjecting her to stories of wonderful people, incredible land, beautiful seas, marvelous skies, great music, etc. and still she didn’t kick me to the curb. No doubt there were times she probably wanted to, but discretion and propriety saved the day, for me at least.

What’s not to love? (citypictures.net)

This was not your typical sleazy affair. There was no other woman. There was just this land to which I felt strongly attracted. If Newfoundland had been a person, yes, damn straight, I would have moved right in. I still feel that way. Yet, I loved (and still do) my wife. I won’t leave her, but I just might take her with me! Yeah, it’s that cool and my wife is down with that.

So, now as I drive Carla around the province, meeting and talking with locals, even dancing, kicking back to a new, slower tempo, she’s getting it. The land and sea are beginning to speak to her and she is responding. It’s now beginning to make sense. Earlier in this blog, I wrote about Gerard saying Newfoundland was “The Land of Low Anxiety.” It seeps into you. You know in your bones, your soul, it’s right. And now, so does Carla.

Low anxiety indeed! (citypictures.org)

We fantasize about moving up there. We even casually look at real estate. Financially, it’s in our reach, but if it were to happen, it wouldn’t be in the near future, no, no, not the short term. It’s a dream at this point.

She has met my “mistress” and realized it is not a competition. It is meant for us both to share. And we’re just starting.

A baby takes nine months; a book – maybe nine years! (arnnarn.com)

A baby takes nine months; a book – maybe nine years!

01 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Discovery, Observations, Photography, Travel

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

All the good stuff that goes into conceiving a child is great. It’s the fodder of legends, songs, stories, movies, and art. And it only takes nine months. Then the hard work begins, years of being a parent which never really end even when they’re grown and move out. Nine months to the start and years to the conclusion.

Ah, but a book? If you’re writing about a topical event, it’s amazing how quickly such a tome can be brought to market. Breathtakingly fast. It was that way even before all the technological advances we enjoy today occurred. Now it seems like they spring up as fast as mushrooms after a summer rain.

However, if it’s a novel, an art book, educational, whatever, the gestation period can be agonizingly long. And that’s just to finish it. Someone has to publish it. If not you, who then?

The idea for my book Arn? Narn. was conceived in 2003. I spent a year researching Newfoundland, the type of clothes I would need when up there (in winter!), a camera bag that would hold all my equipment and still fit in the overhead bin of a plane, flights and car rentals, creating an itinerary around this very large island (thank God for the help of soon-to-be Newfoundland friends), and blah, blah, blah, so much more.

Newfoundland. (heritage.nf.ca)

Finally a year later, I was ready to go up there and start photographing. It was an incredible two weeks. Traveling alone as a stranger in a strange but wonderful land was transformative. The work I did while there would keep me busy for many months.

As so often happens, what I photographed was what I wanted but sadly not what I needed. There was a story here that had to be told and this wasn’t it. So unhappily biting the bullet (oh, poor, poor, pitiful me), I went back up again one year later.

For three weeks this time, I again traveled alone throughout the province and did find the story that I knew had to be there. Now it all made sense. I could happily go home with the material I needed to do this properly.

So for the next two years, I worked in the darkroom producing the prints that would eventually become this book. I would spend more hours doing that than I had spent in five weeks in Newfoundland. I also had to write the narrative explaining what one would be seeing when they held in their hands Arn? Narn. That was to be one of the hardest parts of this whole project.

So, now four years after the idea was born, it was more or less completed. I went back up a third time, but with my wife with me. Check out some of the previous posts for that visit. I did photograph (hell, my wife took more pictures than me!), but I had all I needed for the book, so nothing was added from that trip. What I did need though was an agent or a publisher.

Finding that would take four more years. In that time, much was learned about this process so that the next book should not take quite as long. Now, just weeks away from publication, Arn? Narn.will be nine years in the making. That’s 63 in dog years!

Throughout those years, it has been a period of hope, expectations, disappointments, learning, hard work beyond the actual production of the book, and joy. This book, this baby of mine, will come into the world on October 1, 2012. Please join me in welcoming it.

We drive around, eat some fish, listen to music, talk to Newfoundlanders, and go to a dance.

30 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Culture, Discovery, Local Art, Observations

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Burin, Newfoundland

With bellies full and hearts settled, we set out to explore. We have a map but plan on using it only if we get lost. If you know where you are in relation to the sea, you should be alright. That was our plan and we stuck to it.

We visited some antique shops in Burin and were able to get a small but nice sense of their history. Like all of Newfoundland, it was informed by fishing. And the articles in the shop reflected that: old prints of boats and fish, compasses and sextants, posters and signs from another era, hosted by a typically wonderful and friendly Newfoundlander.

Across the street was a small museum, the Burin Heritage Museum which of course we had to see. In it were displays of indigenous wildlife, a photo gallery of the 1929 tidal wave that created an incredible amount of damage, architectural records, local ceramics, histories including those of Burin’s involvement in WWII, clothes, and folk art. It was amazing how much that rather small house held.

Burin Heritage Museum (townof burin.com)

After that it was time for lunch. Options were limited but a restaurant was right across the street so off we went. Burin is small, it seems as if everything is right across the street. We chowed down and headed out once more.

While walking around, we found this beautiful wooden bay walk that took us almost around the entire bay. We watched while a local fisherman/artist painted a mural on the side of a meeting hall. He invited us into the hall to see more of his work. They were wall size murals and quite good in a folk art fashion, but sadly too big to take home though. He told us he had to finish it quickly as there was a dance there that evening. Everyone has a great time and we should come. Yes, they ARE that friendly to strangers. We didn’t want to commit, but told him we would try. We would. We did.

Burin bay walk. (panaramio.com)

Newfoundland dances are like no other I’ve been to. They are truly egalitarian: all ages, all occupations, no pretense. They are there for one reason – to have fun. And do they ever. Anyone can get up and sing, anyone can join the band, and everyone dances with everyone. It is a remarkable experience.

If you’re not dancing, singing, or playing an instrument, you’re at a table discussing your entire life story with complete strangers, except they’re really not strangers any longer. That is Newfoundland. You’re a stranger for no more than a few minutes.

Many of the people there are older. If you get to sit with them, prepare to share your medical history with them. That noted, it may say something about the Canadian health system that so many of them are elderly and still kicking up their heels. Or they’re just happy to be living in Newfoundland. And that last statement is fact. They do love Newfoundland.

Over the course of my trips up there, I have heard the same refrain repeated time and time again. “I moved away, but had to come back. This is home.” Or some such variation. What makes this all the more significant and poignant, is Newfoundlanders want to come back even if there is no fishing any longer. It is home, their home and they love it. How many of us can say that about where we live? And how many of us dance there?

Come from away’s are welcome here. (arnnarn.com)

Hi Ho all over again…Part 2

19 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Culture, Travel

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Newfoundland

After our momentous arrival in St. John’s, daylight has finally arrived and we leave the hotel, but not before tipping generously the still on-duty, unbelievably helpful concierge. We grab a taxi and head over to the airport. It is still a bit too early as the car rental counters aren’t open yet, so we just sort of sit around looking at brochures and such.

Carla wandered off to find new reading materials and pamphlets, whatever is on the racks for tourists such as her. I, an inveterate snob, no longer consider myself a tourist in Newfoundland. Hey, I’ve been “screeched.” She returns with a small pile of them.

As she’s sifting through them, she comes a cross a large postcard for a beautiful, pastoral looking B&B, photographed in a soft, romantic fog. (By the way, fog can make almost anything and anyplace look good.) She’s smitten by it. “Look at this,” she says. “Oh, this is perfect.” I, being the perfect husband, say “Yes it is. We’re staying there later on the trip.” She thinks I’m joking as I am prone to do. Not this time, I assure her. I’ve booked us there for three nights. As I wrote in the previous post, major points here! Carla’s getting excited.

Something to get excited about alright. (bedbreakfasthome.com)

The car rental counter opens, we get our car and head out. As it is still early and we are somewhat famished, we find the nearest Tim Horton‘s and indulge in good coffee and less than nourishing donut-related pastries. Finally, it’s late enough in the morning to find out why there was no room at the inn last night.

(waymarking.com) It’s always safe at Tim Horton’s.

We raise the proprietors of our B&B and explain what happened. They check their books and determine that the person who took our reservation booked us for arriving that night. She probably got confused when I told her we were arriving very early that morning. The hosts could not be more apologetic and told us to come right over. They would get a room ready for us to crash in if we wanted to while they got our proper room ready. We got in, crashed and slept well for the next few hours. Our hosts would move all our stuff to the right room while we were out doing whatever we would do.

What we were going to do was get some lunch, show Carla around and meet up later with my photographer friend Randy and his wife Vickie for dinner. Food, drink, and rest are amazing for what they can do for the body and spirit. Thus fortified, we were ready for St. John’s, Newfoundland, and what new adventures were in front of us.

Dinner tonight, road trip tomorrow, and Burin by late afternoon. It’s good to be back.

Partridgeberry jam: Nectar of the Gods. (arnnarn.com)

Exclusive, first time ever, interview… with me. Part 2.

21 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Fish

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

Sponsor: And now we return to our regularly scheduled interview -

I. You mentioned that the cod, Newfoundland’s largest source of revenue, were gone and the affect it had on the island’s population.

B. Yes, that’s right. The fish stocks had fallen off before, but certainly not to the precipitous levels that they reached in 1992. At that point, it was sort of like the canary in a coal mine – if the bird in the cage is laying on its back, you better get out of that mine fast. A catastrophe is about to happen. And that is what happened in Newfoundland. It was the canary in a global coal mine, but nobody noticed until it was too late.

I. Is is an isolated case?

B. It was thought to be until 2006 when a paper, by Dr. Boris Worm of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, was published predicting a worldwide version of this disaster. The paper received worldwide attention as it should have as it stated that by the middle of this century, all stocks of wild, edible fish will be in total collapse. After that, lots of kids will not be taking tuna fish sandwiches to lunch any longer.

I. OK, that’s the problem. What’s the solution?

B. Well, as in so many things, identifying the problem is often far more easy that determining the solution. The quick, cheap, and dirty answer is stop fishing. Is that realistic? Probably not. Could we get an easy buy-in from fishing countries around the world – same answer. But, unfortunately, that is the only answer at this point.

I. How about fish farming as a replacement?(organicguide.com)

B. That becomes a whole political issue for which there is a lot of debate. The other part of that though is it does not return the fisherman to the sea. As I said earlier about another solution – it’s an answer. Maybe not the popular one though. Without the fishermen returning to their livelihood, rural Newfoundland will, and is, disappearing before us. That is what the book “Arn? Narn.” portrays.

I. So fish farming is not a viable answer?

B. Not for cod at least. They don’t seem to be very cooperative about it. Additionally, there are too many studies floating around discouraging wide consumption of farmed fish, particularly salmon. Catfish do well as a farmed species, perhaps Tilapia as well. But they can’t replace all the other species.

(fitsugar.com)

I. Last question, Bruce. When will the book be out?

B. It looks like now sometime in late September or the first week of October. We hope to start getting the word out in the next couple of months.

Canary in the global coal mine. (arnnarn.com)
The End of the Line (4l2012.wordpress.com)
“Blue Jobs” Key to Future Fisheries (newswatch.nationalgeographic.com)

Mummer Dearest. (Don’t worry about the wire hangers.)

18 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Culture, History, Local Art

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

For a lot of people, the idea of mummers is garishly dressed men in otherworldly and fanciful, often feathered outfits marching in a parade. Almost as if RuPaul had been on a bad acid trip. Making it worse is that it was usually held on New Year’s Day morning in Philadelphia. As if a hangover weren’t enough!

Not from Philadelphia.

But as in Star Wars, these are not the Mummers you’re looking for. As opposed to the Mos Eisley of the aforementioned parade, the mummers I’m talking about are of a traditional kind. This mummer tradition dates back to the mid 1800′s originating mostly in Northern Europe. Since the book “Arn? Narn.” is about Newfoundland, let’s talk about their mummering tradition. It’s a hell of lot more entertaining.

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

In Newfoundland, locals would dress up, (a slight overstatement as anything that would fit on one’s person or over other garments would constitute a “costume”) and visit, well rather prey on other people’s houses. Once admitted in, they would generally carouse and torment (all in good fun of course), causing minor and sometimes major damages to that particular abode, usually drink all the legal adult spirits, and not leave until the hosts (read this as hostages) identified who the invaders were. Once that was accomplished, the mummers would then move on to yet another house and repeat their holiday mayhem. Sounds like fun doesn’t it? Unless yours was the next house to host such “festivities.”

The mummering tradition is immortalized in all sorts of folk art: from statues to drawings and paintings to song and story.Singer Loreena McKennit also sang about it in her haunting song “The Mummer’s Dance.”

In my travels while photographing Newfoundland, I became interested in the Mummer tradition. Not so much as to participate (the opportunity never presented itself and more’s the pity!), but as something I would like to remember as part of the Newfoundland experience. The closest I was able to get was in local art. One in particular caught my eye. The photo below are Mummer figurines produced by Pam and Cara in Newfoundland. They issue one new Mummer each year and they sell out pretty fast.

True confession: I even have a few of these. Does anyone know where I can get a curio cabinet cheap?

And in atypical fashion, as I am loathe to like anything that falls into a category loosely defined as tschotckes, I found myself charmed by these. The good news is that if you invite these guys into your home, they won’t cause any damage. And better yet, they’ll leave your liquor stash alone! That alone makes them better than most guests, right?

Mummers and Pagans and Wrens – Oh My! (kitsimpson.wordpress.com)
New Year’s Traditions: Mummers Parade, Fireworks and More Make Philly More Fun for the New Year – MarketWatch (gloucestercitynews.typepad.com)

Exclusive, first time ever, not seen on any cable networks, other blogs, or even tweeted about yet… imaginary interview. Part 1.

14 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Fish, Newfoundland, Writing

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Arn? Narn., Cod, Newfoundland

Interviewer: Hello and welcome to this exclusive interview with the author and photographer of the book “Arn? Narn.”, Bruce Meisterman. Thanks for coming here today Mr. Meisterman.

(ossipeevalley.org)

Bruce: Thank you. I’m very happy to be here with you and please, call me Bruce.

I: OK then,… uh – Bruce. How did you come up with the idea for “Arn? Narn.”? What was your inspiration? Who influenced you the most? Did you really go to Newfoundland? Where is Newfoundland?

B: Whoa, one question at a time. My mind can’t handle that many concepts all at once. Inspiration is a funny thing, sort of like Groucho Marx. He might have said one thing and on paper it would look like something else, but when it came out it was altogether different once again. And that’s how this book came about.

B: My first idea was really to explore the concept of isolation in a western culture. What’s it feel like to be in contact with the entire world but cut off geographically. Sort of like Delaware.

I: But you said this was about Newfoundland. Where does Delaware come into it?

B: Not actually; just figuratively. Initially, I thought I wanted to go to Nova Scotia. Shows you how much I know. Way too many tourists. Seriously, only after a week of thinking about this, I realized, and god only knows how I came to this, that I needed to go to Newfoundland. Really, that’s how it happened. I knew nothing of Newfoundland at the time, but upon doing my research, it became clear that was the right decision. What I needed to find at that time was a destination not a stop on one’s way elsewhere.

I: That is interesting, but that’s not what the book is about. What changed it?

B: That’s a great question. After my first trip, I saw that the photographs were pretty good but didn’t hold together as a story. So, unfortunately, I had to go back to that really wonderful place. These are the sacrifices an artist has to make! Right? It’s tough, but, hey!

I: So you did go back. What did you find?

B: I found the story – which I then realized I already had known, but not photographed with that in mind. Once I had gotten to that point, it became really easy now that I knew where I had to go.

I: You said the book was originally about isolation. But it turned out to be about the disappearance of the fish. Isn’t that so?

B: Oh, yes. Imagine a country dependent on mining or oil. And then suddenly the coal or oil is gone. What do the people do? That is exactly what has happened in Newfoundland, but in this case it’s the cod that have disappeared. That is almost always the outcome in an extraction society.

I: The fish have disappeared. Do they know what happened? They just didn’t swim off somewhere else. did they?

B: No, it wasn’t anything like that. It was something much more serious with an impact that is only starting to be felt around the world.

I: Can you describe for us what that is?

End of Interview – Part 1. To be continued on arnnarn.com shortly.

It’s hard out there for a…fisherman. (arnnarn.com)
Musings on the road(s) taken and not taken. (arnnarn.com)

Come from away’s are welcome here.

11 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Culture, Language

≈ 1 Comment

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland

I’d come from a long way away. I’m not from Newfoundland and more’s the pity, to me at last. I’m a “come from away.” That is the gentle term Newfoundlanders use to describe visitors or people who have moved from a different part of this province or another country to this new one. Come from away? Well, yes I have.

To a come-from-away, the Newfoundland language is unique to itself. It is a lingual stew comprised of English and Irish with a hell of a lot of salt water thrown in for seasoning. When you hear it, and it’s not spoken like Jimmy from a previous post, it has a lilt and a rolling cadence. The Dictionary of Newfoundland English (yes b’y! ) is a nearly 800 page book with all you need to know. Unlike Madonna, I don’t advocate you starting to use a Newfoundland accent. That’s just silly.

Being that big and that thick makes it just a wee bit unwieldy to carry around to use as a handy pocket travelers guide (it’s more like a door stop!) to speaking the language. But it is a start. The language spoken in Newfoundland is English, but filled with unique and often funny colloquialisms.

“Touch da beer cap b’y!” translates to “You’re quite the cheapskate!” Succinct and right to the point.

“What’s your name” comes as “Who’s you buddy?” Please, do not under any circumstance confuse this with “Who’s your daddy?” Really.

If your car breaks down and you call for help, you would probably hear a response along the lines of “Stay there and I’ll be right over”. Translated it becomes the wonderful “Stay where’s yer at ’til I comes where yer to.”

If you are in a courting mood with a Newfoundland lass, you would probably say something like “Missus, what’ye at?” All of these done in a Newfoundland accent of course. Please, don’t try this in NYC.

“Buddy, you don’t know n’one who don’t want nuttin done, d’ya?” is the plaintive plea for work. Put that on your resume!

And the all purpose “Yes b’y” has many meanings. It can mean something as simple as “Right?” It can also be used to express emotions of agreement, acknowledgement, disbelief, amazement, shock, dismay, ridicule, impatience, happiness, endearment, and just as a lingual lubricant. But there are places where one should probably not use it as in: “Thank you, I’d love another serving of the pecan-encrusted pork tenderloins, b’y” – nah, that’s wrong on so many levels. If used within the context of Newfoundland English, it’s OK. Just the same, they’ll know you’re a come from away. Don’t try and fake it. You won’t get away with it.

So, I am a “come from away.” Yes b’y!

Newfoundlanders do not get ‘disorientated’ (fawny.org)

Done and done-r.

07 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

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Arn? Narn., Newfoundland, Photography

After careful and meticulous (I hope) examination, I’ve selected some 200 photographs to print from the several thousand taken in Newfoundland. Having so many to choose from is like deciding which of your children will live and the others, well, you get the picture. In this case, several thousand negatives (most of them!) will never see the light of an enlarger. They will be destined to remain in the files until some misguided cultural anthropologist in a dig discovers them and announces a major find. Uh-huh, sure.

Noted and not misguided cultural anthropologist Loretta Orion, not likely to make this major discovery. Oh, well. (27east.com)

From these 200+ images will be the ones I choose to be included in the book “Arn? Narn.”. In turn, those will determine how the book will be divided into chapters. At this point, I’ve no idea how they will come together once selected. I also have no idea of how many I’ll wind up including. It’s much like a very large puzzle whose final image is not on the cover of the box in which it came. How do you put so many disparate pieces together cohesively when you don’t know what it’s supposed to look like? It’s sort of like the ultimate blind date.

Having lived so intimately with these images, it gets to the point that I don’t know if they’re any good. I do have favorites, of course, but there is no rhyme or reason for that. Those may not necessarily make it to the book. Only throwing them together and seeing how they work will I be able to start to shape this.

Like the written word, what I choose, what I edit, will certainly tell a particular story. Rearrange them, add/subtract, and it’s now another story or at the very least one with a different point of view. I have to ask myself continuously, how do I want to tell this story: this tale of survival, this morality play staged against a backdrop of beauty and government greed, and finally what do I bring to it and can I keep my opinions locked down? It’s like being given a dictionary but told “You can only use words that have no “e”s in them. Go ahead and write your story.” I can’t use everything.

I know what my given words, my photos, are. It’s just I don’t know yet how to put them down in a way that makes sense. Eloquence with words is one thing; eloquence with images is an altogether different situation.

So I will enter the darkroom, play and sing diddly music and Peter Gabriel, and print. These will be master prints (suitable for exhibition), so it’s going to take some time. There’s no pressure yet to produce this by a certain date, so I can dawdle, but I won’t. I can’t wait to see what this looks like.

Sometimes I feel like a mushroom, they keep me in the dark and feed… (arnnarn.com)

Partridgeberry jam: Nectar of the Gods.

04 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by Bruce Meisterman in Food, Newfoundland

≈ 3 Comments

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Newfoundland, Partridgeberry jam

I’m not getting out much anymore. Sounds almost like a song. No, that’s “Don’t get around much anymore.” Good try. Johnny, show Bruce what he’s won.

No, I’m not getting out. There is a lot of work to do on this book. While I’m deeply involved in now creating the bones for “Arn? Narn.”, I find myself mightily homesick for Newfoundland. As I’ve written before, it has been a singularly transformative experience. To requote my wife from an earlier blog entry: “Where you’re born is not necessarily where you’re from.” Ergo – homesick.

I’m everyday looking at images from a land I’ve grown to love immensely. And it is so far away my heart feels as if it will break. I do miss it that much. (Little man on my shoulder – “Oh, grow the hell up!”)

OK, sniff-sniff, I will.

While I’m printing the photographs for the book, I am still keeping up with news from Newfoundland on the internet. I want to keep it as current as possible and include anything that might impact the story.

I see ads for restaurants, coffee shops, B&B’s, whale watches, etc. Some of these I’ve been to and remember them fondly. Other ads are just that, ads. Ads for car dealers; ads for hospital supplies (always good to know where you can get a splint in a hurry); and ads for other sundry items that I’ll never need. Whoa! What’s this?

It’s an ad for all things Newfoundland. And in that ad, partridgeberry jam. Now, if you’ve never had partridgeberry jam, write your will out now, pick out your box, and get your affairs in order. There’s no need to go on living. It’s that good.

This is it. The real stuff!

In other parts of the world, the partridgeberry in known as the lingonberry. I don’t know – that sounds like something you might call someone who’s a little drunk or just not with it. With slurred speech: “That guy’s a lingonberry!” Now, partridgeberry – not so – there’s a nobility to that.

“I’ll have the scones with the partridgeberry jam on it, James.” That sounds proper, doesn’t it? Now, replace it with lingonberry and you might as well be living in a trailer. “Puh-leeze pass the lingonberry jelly, Paw!” No, it has to be partridgeberry. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Woo-hoo! I called this store and they will ship it to the US. Of course who knows what customs would do when they got their hands on it. I can see it now – you’re driving through the gate at the US/Canada border and the Canadian guard is slathering my partridgeberry jam all over his Tim Horton donut while asking you for your papers! Homeland security my foot!

I order 4 jars of this edible soul salve and wait until it passes through the gauntlet of regulation and illicit tasting by border guards. It arrives. The top of each jar is covered with a cute, red piece of fabric. How precious! Tear that $%$!* off and give me the jam, damn it!

Once opened, once tasted, calm and contentment are restored. All that from just a little jar of partridgeberry jam. Yeah. it’s really that good. Yes, b’y.

"Arn? Narn."

~ "Any fish?" "No fish."

Tag Archives: Newfoundland

So what? Big deal.

‘Our little community’s dying’: Isolation prompts Newfoundland town to ask province for ‘resettlement’

You think this is over? It’s over when I say it’s over.

Everybody’s talkin’…

Go Fish?by Leonard Gill

Lest you think…

Thoughts on lessons maybe learned.

Enough is enough.

Arn? Narn. nation.

This is serious.

A Newfoundland Christmas post-Christmas poem

Yes, you in the third row…

Blog-slinger.

We interrupt this blog to bring you… Halloween.

Oh, myyyy…. with all due respects to George Takei.

Hemingway, Grisham, Shakespeare, and me.

Inconceivable!

Running off at the mouth.

Gentlemen (women too, of course) start your engines…

Oh man, do I really have to take a shower for this?

Purple prose…and doubts.

Dammit Jim, I’m a photographer, not a film maker!

Menage a Wha?

A baby takes nine months; a book – maybe nine years!

We drive around, eat some fish, listen to music, talk to Newfoundlanders, and go to a dance.

Hi Ho all over again…Part 2

Exclusive, first time ever, interview… with me. Part 2.

Mummer Dearest. (Don’t worry about the wire hangers.)

Exclusive, first time ever, not seen on any cable networks, other blogs, or even tweeted about yet… imaginary interview. Part 1.

Come from away’s are welcome here.

Done and done-r.

Partridgeberry jam: Nectar of the Gods.

‘Our little community’s dying’: Isolation prompts Newfoundland town to ask province for ‘resettlement’

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Go Fish?by Leonard Gill

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