- WORDS -
“Words, whether written or spoken, in and of themselves have no meaning.
It is only when the reader or listener attributes meaning to words that they become meaningful.
Unfortunately, quite often attributing meaning to the words quite different than what the writer or speaker intended. Think about that when attributing meanings to words.”
- Gunther G. (aka TimeWizard) ©
My dear friends Sara, Ana Maria, and Peter, please think about that quote and let us all "chill out" a bit. As you all know I love this "contest" because of the fun and joy it's meant to convey here at ALP. Sara, I've been to your photo gallery many times and am always glad to see your additions to it. They are truly wonderful pictures. I say that about many, many photo galleries here at ALP. To me the INTENT of the pictures being posted to this contest is the main, perhaps only, criteria that really matters. I've seen quite a few pictures that are questionable as to the person posting them actually having taken them by their own hand. Of the thousands of pictures I have on my camera and on my computer the majority are personnally taken by me. However, there are also a large number of pictures taken by my wife, family members, and even a few taken by friends, with their camera or mine. Although I am a strictly amateur photographer I have also had a few pictures published, including on the internet, over the years, thereby making them "public pictures".
This picture of my wife and myself's "Golden Moment" 
, the one on my profile here, was taken by a passing motorist who was also taking pictures of the scenery, that I asked to take a picture of us together with my (our) camera, does that mean it's not my picture?
Sara, Ana Maria, Peter, please, let us not make anything that is meant to be FUN and give pleasure to the people here at ALP "controversial" as I see happening here. Sheeesh, come on folks, life is way too short to get "bothered" by feelings getting hurt over little things like whose finger pressed the button to take the picture. If you have an undisputed RIGHT to post a picture here (let your concience be your guide) then it's A-OK in my book.
Sara, please consider that English is a second language to many people here, Ana Maria included, and you and I both know, in our hearts, that she would never do anything to "cheat" in what she does in regards to this contest. Please don't withdraw your lovely picture Sara, nor should anyone, and deny us from seeing your entries in this contest. Lucky Dog is a "big boy" and can take the "trouncings" he's received at the hands of the terrific photographers, like yourself, here at ALP (so can I).
Personnally, I take ALL "criticism" as being "constructive". Funny thing about that is, by doing that, my feelings NEVER get hurt. ;)
May all you dreams and desires become realities in '08.
Gunther G.
-A TRUISM-
"The gaining of KNOWLEDGE and ENLIGHTENMENT always has a degree of VALUE, regardless of whether it's agreeable or objectionable to ones own VIEWS and SENSIBILITIES."
- Gunther G. (aka TimeWizard) ©