Sample of the pictures that I took for Women of Kireka jewelry shoot. You can find the rest of the images here.

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Leila C. of Samasource at Facebook Developers Garage in Kampala, Uganda

Leila C. of Samasource at Facebook Developers Garage in Kampala, Uganda


This morning I had an opportunity to be featured on The Hugh Macken Live radio show. Actually should I say, Leila Charayath Janar—who I interviewed last year at the Facebook Developer’s Garage in Uganda for Project Diaspora—was the featured guest. Myself, along with one Maria Umar from Pakistan were there for support.

I have to say that Samasource has given me the opportunity to feed my two loves: economic development in Africa and my passion for design. Yes, they may sound completely unrelated fields but that’s the beauty of Samasource. If you have the passion to do something socially responsible, they’ll find a way to accommodate your field of work. From transcription, to business processing, to computer application development, Samasource has the ability to cater to your needs while actively creating market opportunities in emerging markets.

Samasource enables marginalized people, from refugees in Kenya to women in rural Pakistan, to receive life-changing work opportunities via the Internet. The core of this concept is microwork – little bits of labor that can be performed anytime and anywhere that add up to a real livelihood for our partners. In parallel, we enable socially responsible companies, small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs in the US to contribute to economic development by buying services from our workforce at fair prices.

As a designer and web developer, it’s fulfilling to have the ability to tap into great developers and put really marginalized individuals to work in Africa, thereby merging my two passions. My work at TMS Ruge Media and Project Diaspora couldn’t be more diametrically opposed, but in a way, they are a means to each others end. Project Diaspora was started as way to promote the great work the African Diaspora that’s going unnoticed. And in a way, I am fulfilling that mission as a member of that Diaspora.

By next month I’ll be launching the two web projects that Samasource’s talented developers are helping me work on. I had occasion to visit the coders myself while I was in Nairobi this past summer and was quite impressed with the level of talent that was working on my projects. I was completely put at ease as they were well-versed programmers that were able to deliver just about any requested feature my clients needed.

So if you are a developmentally-minded or a member of the African Diaspora and would like to give work as your mission to do good or put Africa’s idle talent, please contact Leila at Samasource. I’ll be revealing the two projects under production at Samasource next month. So check back on a full-post on both projects next month.

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Riots Rock London for 3rd day

by tms ruge on September 17, 2009 · 0 comments

London is in flames as a result of riots by supporters of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England.

Trouble started when Prime Minister Gordon Brown prevented the Queen from travelling to Scotland for an annual youth festival. The no nonsense British Prime Minister insisted that the Queen must seek permission from the leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party and Scotland’s First Minister Michael Salmond before she travels to Scotland. The Scottish National Party is advocating for independence of Scotland from Britain.

Mr. Brown, who is of Scottish origin, also insisted that he must have a one to one audience with the Queen before the Queen’s visit can be allowed to go ahead.

Her Majesty’s spokesman insisted that under British Union Laws that was not necessary and that she does not require permission from anyone to travel within the United Kingdom and vowed to head to Dundee in Scotland.

However, Prime Minister Brown was not to take any of this. He despatched the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and ordered SAS and other British Special forces up North to block the Queens’ travel. As I write, the MI, M25 and other major roads in and around London have been blocked by Military personnel. In addition, British Military Police and other Security operatives surrounded Buckingham Palace the Official Queen’s residence.

With all roots closed, the Queen had no choice but to cancel her visit to Scotland. So far, the rioting has caused the death of 21 people and over 100 injured. Police has arrested over 500 rioters.

In the process to smash the rebellion, the Prime Minister has closed down 5 radio stations including Sunrise, Capital FM, Kiss FM, Magic 106 and Heart FM. The Website of Bi-weekly Newspaper the Observer has been closed down.

In addition, talk show presenter Andrew Mar has been kidnapped as he left the BBC studios in Hammersmith. His whereabouts are not known. But police say the Prime Minister ordered his arrest and beating because the known Journalist made remarks, while on air that did not please the Prime Minister. UK Version has received a doctor’s report indicating that Mr. Mar is in Hospital under SAS guard and in critical condition fighting for his life.

The Prime Minister has insisted that those engaged in the rioting are criminals that must be eliminated and vowed to uphold the rule of law and democracy in the United Kingdom. “Hooliganism will not be tolerated he said”

I remind readers that relationship between the Prime Minister and the Queen cooled since the former prevented the Queen from visiting Wales last year insisting that the Queen’s visit must be authorised by the Walsh Workers Party first.

The Prime Minister, while addressing a hastily arranged cabinet meeting, complained of the Queen’s refusal to pick his phone calls. “I have kept on calling Her Majesty but she refuses to pick my calls, even after hiding my Caller ID and using my new Orange line”, riled the Prime Minister.


It’s sad that I can’t take credit for this here post. Credit goes to a very creative Ugandan that needless to say left me in stitches when this arrived in my inbox.

While this is quite funny, let’s remember that people died in this senseless riot. Let’s also remember that the bare freedoms we take for granted in the Diaspora are feeble if not non-exitent in many parts of Africa, most especially press freedom in Uganda.

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GO VOTE: My “Africa 3.0″ talk is up at SXSW Panel Picker

September 4, 2009

So if you haven’t noticed, I’ve been a little busy. By busy, I mean real busy, but you ask, surely it doesn’t take but a second to blog a post right?
Actually.
It takes just a little more than a second because I am naturally ADD!
With that I have this last-minute announcement. I submitted a [...]

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Africa’s Diaspora and the Cloud… and, er German Schadenfreude

September 4, 2009

Just arrived in Germany and I thought I’d pen a couple of thoughts on Frankfurt Airport. This airport has a warm fuzzy spot in my heart. 22 years ago, I flew through this very airport alone on my way to the States. I remember very little about it, but I can’t help but be a [...]

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I know, I know… Awesome updates coming soon!

July 13, 2009

So I’ve been busy. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve left this here blog slightly unattended. I did publish a few articles over on Project Diaspora these past few months, but that’s not what’s been keeping me busy. I’ve had some really fantastic projects to shoot these past few months. And I’ve been meaning to add [...]

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This just in: TMS Ruge Harpoons first assistant on the “Moby Dick” set!

July 13, 2009

Not content with being relegated to cleaning up the aftermath of a broken toilet, TMS Ruge went on a frothy rampage, chasing everyone around the set with the business end of a dirty mop, all the while yelling, “I got your Moby Dick right here! Smell some respect, bitches!”
He later wrestled the half-naked Captain Ahab [...]

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Happy Birthday dear ‘ol mum!

April 14, 2009

I was going through the gazillion photos I took on my trip this week and came across this little gem. I shot it at twilight, just as the sun was setting under heavy clouds. The nightly showers were prepping for a downpour upon the village where my mom stay. When the moon is not out, [...]

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‘Moon’ trailer looks promising

April 10, 2009

Just checked out the ‘Moon‘ trailer. Not sure how I missed seeing this at SXSW earlier this year. Making sure not to miss it when it opens. That adds like a bazillion films that I need to catch. Oh iTunes, why are you so good to me?

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iOTW: Teresa gets hitched

April 7, 2009

Back when I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do when I grew up, I was working at a design temp at Sally Corporation headquarters, churning out sales catalogs ad nauseam. My partner on several occasion was the young lady you see above. We’d grumble through several editions of the Beauty Systems Group Educational catalogs, intermixed [...]

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Hanging out with Texas Governor Rick Perry

March 10, 2009

Last Thursday I had the honor to once again photograph an event featuring Texas Governor Rick Perry presenting at the 2009 Tech Success Emerging Technology Fund (EFT) Awards. I’ve photograph the Governor on a number of occasions while he’s in North Texas. I am sure he’s starting to think I am the only one allowed [...]

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I am Andy Warhol. I am Basquiat!

February 13, 2009

 
I know who I am, but who’s this guy? Looks just like me, or pretends to look just like me!

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iOTW: Birds of a feather, bird-drop together

February 13, 2009

 
iOTW is back and this image has been a favorite of mine from this past year. I spent about an hour sitting among the tourists in Amsterdam square. The kids were busy agitating the birds while the adults were busy feeding them.
My goal was to capture flight. It’s amazing how fast these little birds are, [...]

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Oh look! The emperor does have new clothes…

February 10, 2009

Yes, I know, I’ve gone and done it yet again. I think tweaking this blog then promptyly abandoning any semblance of regular updates is like my past time. Truth is, I’ve been busy over there at PD. And I’ve been slightly neglected my photography. Which, to tell you the truth is the bread and butter [...]

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Blogging from BarCamp Jozi

October 20, 2008

 
I spent the past 12 days in Johannesburg, South Africa. Here’s an image I found, taken by Erik “White African” Hersman. We had a great time talking about all things mobile tech, security, and courtesy of Paul Cook, a cursory peek into string theory. My brain is still wobbly from all the intellectual intake.

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iOTW: Life After Dark

October 18, 2008

Life after dark in Johannesburg is a mixture of contrasts. It is deceptively vacant and at peace,as it is a haven for crime. On my last day here, my fellow globe-trotting friend Robin took me on a night-time tour of the city, otherwise known as “getting-lost-on-the-way-from-Sofiatown”. We managed to park in the median in the [...]

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iOTW: Have a cup on me

October 18, 2008

I couldn’t pass up this pot of tea that was keeping my tea warm as I was surfing the internet at the Mugg & Bean in Johannesburg’s Rosebank mall. Natural lighting and a bit of chiaroscuro for ya. Shooting found objects can be some of the best photography around. They offer unexpected flashes of inspiration. [...]

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Vincent Lafore takes Canon’s 5D MkII for a 72hr spin

September 23, 2008

Filmmaker Vincent Laforet took Canon’s brand new 5D MKII for a spin around New York for 72 hours and came up with this stunning video, Reverie.
In a word? Drool!
At least you see what I am going to be spending my money on over the next 6 months. Yeah, high quality glass! And a hellafied [...]

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About. Freakin’. Time: Canon Drops long awaited 5D Mark ii

September 17, 2008

Remember Miss Sexy? Yeah, she just got a potential playmate. Too bad it’s gonna take forever for me afford the 5d Mark ii. I just recently bought the 5D Mark 1. I’ll set a target date before New Year’s. I have to do a wedding in Maimi, on the beach. Can’t think of a better [...]

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Sneak Peak at the 2008 Dallas Cowboys Cookbook

September 17, 2008

What you see there is a work in progress. So far so good. The back cover has a little subtle homage to the soon to be retired Texas Stadium. If you are a fan of the Cowboys, I think this year’s Cookbook is going to be something worth getting, especially if you can get it [...]

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iOTW: Shooting Naked Leather in Denton

September 13, 2008

This summer I returned to my college stomping grounds in Denton, TX for a quick shoot with Leatherwood, one of Denton’s upcoming bands. My ex called me to shoot her boyfriend’s band’s promotional images.
For free.
And I was like, yeahp, sign me up.
The shoot brought back memories of the days when I spent [...]

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Why I hate being a creative sometimes

September 13, 2008

I don’t know who wrote this but it was one of the few forwards that I do actually read in my emails. As an aside, I think my friends have figured out that I don’t really send them email forwards all that often, if ever. Not only that, it’s a rare occassion for me to [...]

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Learning about the world we live in…

September 7, 2008

So I found this little gem while tunneling through the world of links that allow this phenomenon to be called the World Wide Web. I was doing some back end work, giving Project Diaspora a facelift. (If you haven’t seen it yet, go check it out, sorry I completely forgot to blog about it, that’s [...]

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My first large photo project goes live!

September 2, 2008

Haynes and Boone launched their brand new site this last week after nearly a year in production. The site features a good number of images that I spent the early part of summer shooting. I traveled to their Dallas, Richardson, Ft. Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Washington, D.C. and New York office over a two-month [...]

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iOTW: Walking in the Clouds

August 29, 2008

So last night I added some more carbon to my carbon footprint count that Dopplr is doing a nice job of tracking. We had a flyby of a storm cloud that was busy getting it’s business on with lightning and thunder (I assume since you can’t really hear what’s going on outside the plane). I [...]

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