Punk Rock Mommy

Punk Rock Mommy Memories…

Not long after Andrea died, I had a dream. I was at a sparely populated party and Andrea appeared in the room. No one else seemed to notice. She came up to me and said that she wanted to say goodbye and to acknowledge how awkward our last interaction was. We talked about how awkward death can be and how no one really knows what to do. She told me that she didn’t have much time, because she needed to get back to her grave before her body started to fall apart. I said that I thought she had been cremated. She told me that she only wanted people to think that because she wanted to avoid a big dramatic episode at the site. I laughed. She gave me a big hug and then she went away.

I often dream of Andrea. I think of her when I am alone printing in the darkroom at three in the morning and other random times. I didn’t know what we were getting into when we first started this project. I thought this was going to be a weird chapter in our lives that we would move on from and think back on. Even now my rib cage feels like it is shrinking.

I am working on a project that started out as a pretty personal project using images and sounds that I gathered over the last two years, a mingling of images, voices and stories. I am realizing that the story is much more than just me, but that it involves an entire community. I would like to incorporate other voices and memories into the project as well.

Here is a link to a rough prototype of the project just to give you an idea: http://punkrockmommy.org/memories/ The reason for all of the layers is that I want to create sense of something that is there, but it is fluid, something you can’t quite grasp. Maybe a piece like this will have value to others – maybe not. Just to explain the interface…you click on the stars to move through the piece…the mouse controls the audio levels (there is sound!) and the star at the top left will make the piece go into fullscreen.

This is where you come in. If you have a story or a memory about Andrea that you would like to share I ask that you find some way to record yourself and turn it into an mp3 file and upload it here: http://punkrockmommy.org/memories/mp3upload.php. It can be funny, serious, sad, educational…whatever. I intend to interweave Andrea’s voice with the voices of those who were affected by her. I only ask that it be shorter than two minutes. There are other details listed on the upload page. I know this requires some technical know how, but I am sure you have a friend that can help you. We could even have an event if this seems exciting to enough people. You can email me or just reply to this post about technical issues. You could even shoot a video and upload to youtube and use this website (http://www.vidtomp3.com/)to turn the audio into an mp3.

Anyway, I’m open to any feedback you may have. I hope that this can be another way of honoring her. Even if you don’t want to record yourself talking feel free to comment on this post and write your memory there. And yes, a book based on the blog may be happen as well, but not just yet…

Peace to you,
Jon (contact@punkrockmommy.org)

Hey crew,

It’s been awhile, but I just wanted to mention a new project we have going on. For the next couple weeks I will be hanging out with Andrea and Company with a video camera and try to capture some of the special moments that happen in this little house. I’ve have had a wild couple of months and haven’t been around quite so much, I realize that the best way for me to be around is to tie myself to a creative project. The photos are still happening, but I am slow and way too particular when it comes to processing, scanning, cleaning up dust and adjusting tones…so for this side project it will be a day of shooting, quick editing and there ya go…a little more dynamic, maybe lacking a bit aesthetically, but these are special moments and that’s what matters. It’s been an honor to share in all of this. So, see the above post for: Punk Rock Mommy – Part 1 …

love,

Jon-O

Hi…I’m Jonathan Olshefski aka Jon-O….The above photo is courtesy of Tucker Collins…he can tell you how hard it is to get a sharp focus when shooting stopped all the way open in low-light situations…but that’s me and Andrea…it’s funny after talking to Andrea about the Chemo photos and how she doesn’t like the shirt she’s wearing and to see me wearing a “got game?” t-shirt….I don’t think of myself as a guy who wears stuff like that, but I do….alot….I just looked down and I’m actually wearing the same shirt right now..haha..so me and my cheesy shirt are just gonna tip toe out of this photo and get the camera back from Tucker….

Ummmm. Usually I just post on here to inform you guys of new photos, but awhile ago Andrea asked me to post as well and to explain why I am participating in this “project”. As I was preparing the last batch of photos for flickr (which i’ll explain in a moment) I was just overwhelmed by the amount I love this family…we have so much fun together…Andrea and I also have a similar sense of humor….we enjoy the irony…she says this is “our project, but it’s her cancer”….

Anyway….my deal….I just want to tell stories and I want to be around people and connect to people while they are living their lives….documenting allows me to do that….I’ve gotten to meet so many types of people and experience so many different types of things because I can press a button that lets light into a dark box….it’s the easiest thing….press a button. pull a lever, move a little, press a button, pull a level…..anyway, I started hanging out with recovering addicts in the summer or 2005 and photography was my gateway in, it has changed my life….for more go here: whispersinthestorm.com

…so, when I heard that Andrea was sick I felt this urgency to document her and record her..because she is so fabulous….and like alot of you I just wanted to be around her…..so I asked if we could do this project together….it has been amazing…..I just love being around and it feels good that Andrea is enjoying the process and it actually has turned into such a positive thing….thanks to all of you….and for me personally it is a great comfort…..when I am around the family I am so happy….it’s when I’m away that heaviness sets in….I hope that this can be a comfort and an encouragement to all of you…..it’s hard, but the feeling that we are not alone is so incredible….there are times when we’ve been hanging out that I’ve been shaking, knots twisting in my stomach…..but that discomfort is something I am sharing with people I really care about and in that sense it is so good…this crappy situation….this “cancer swindle” is binding people together…there’s something bigger than us going on and I can feel it and I can feel it through the laughter and the tears…..if you can sense God somewhere then chase after it….I sense God with this family…..it’s as simple as that….it is an honor to share these moments with Andrea and Kelly and my younger friends who happen to be their kids….I count it as such a privilege and I am so thankful for the trust and encouragement that I have received….so…that’s why I am doing this…..I want to share with my friends….and I happen to like pressing buttons….

Peace to you all…..we are in this together…..if I could sum up this experience, this blog, everything… in one word (and this word is for all of you) that word is: “together”

-Jon

ps I added some more fun family images… new photos! ..and I pulled stuff up from the archive….punk show at CBGBs and Wedding photos….I’d elaborate more, but I feel like I’m talking too much right now….the punk show was in 2004! I can’t believe it was that long ago….ok, I’m done

This site was created in order enrich, enlighten and entangle the community that surrounds Andrea Collins Smith as she is faced with inflammatory breast cancer. Hopefully, it will serve as a hub where friends, family and supporters can walk alongside Andrea, Kelly and the kids; offer support and encouragement – basically, stay connected.

As various needs and opportunities present themselves we will post information here. This space will act as a real-time documentary of Andrea’s story and process. In time we will add photography, video, and audio to accompany any blogging Andrea and her family wishes to do…it’s a process.

Here is the conclusion to an email Andrea sent out last week:

“Thank you all so much for all your support. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful loving friends. I feel a bit anxious. Emotionally though most of the time I feel at peace about the whole thing. God is good. I love you all so much. Don’t worry about me. And don’t be afraid. Its going to be okay. Love Andrea”

I hope that this virtual space, in some small way, will mirror the encouragement, enthusiasm and strength that Andrea exudes…

-Jon-O