The Great Pumpkin

Dear Great Pumpkin,
I'm looking forward to your arrival on Halloween night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents. You must get discouraged because more believe in Santa Claus than you. Well, let's face it...Santa Clause has had more publicity. But being number two, perhaps you try harder. Everyone tells me you are a fake but I believe in you.
P.S. If you really are a fake, don't tell me. I don't want to know.

"On Halloween night the Great Pumpkin rises out his pumpkin patch and flies through the air with his bag of toys for all the good little children. Wouldn't you like to sit with on Halloween night in the pumpkin patch and wait for the Great Pumpkin?"

"Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere with presents for all the children of the world. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see."

Alien Jerky

I just couldn't resist stopping in Baker for this shot.  I knew it would probably be the last time I passed through (although, I just remembered one more trip to LA) so I figured I pick up some Alien Jerky, just to say I did.  If you know me, you know I love kitsch and this is about as good as it gets.  

FYI, I didn't buy the jerky (I've been spoiled by the local jerky boys at Jo Jo's Jerky, it's amazing), but I did by garlic and onion flavored pistachios (I used the bathroom, so I felt obliged).

Parting Shot from Irwin

Good-Bye, Ft. Irwin...this is the way I will always remember you.  It would have been nice to have working toilets while I was there but...whatever.

I'd Rather Be...Texting a Boyfriend

I sweet talked this awesome Marine into being one of my subjects for my thesis project!  She was so great!!!  :D
Thanks, Laura

Tank at Twilight

I was enjoying the magnificent twilight hour tonight.  The sky is beautiful shades of blue, vanilla and pink and suddenly this tank comes cruising through the desert leaving a dust trail behind him like a teenager with a new convertible.  It really is an image of boys and their toys because what you can't really see here is that it is two guys sitting in that turret.  I imagine they are smiling as they take this baby top speed, they probably don't know I'm even watching...

Hermit Crab Tanks

As I watched this endless line of tanks "moving out" today I squinted my eyes and imagined them as tiny hermit crabs running across the sand on the beach.  So, squint your eyes and try to imagine the same thing...that this dirt is really sand and the blue sky is really the blue ocean and these massive tanks are really hermit crabs, moving along, across the sand...

Cool Toys

Here's one of the MANY cool toys I've seen today.  I thought it would be fun to share.  I would have given anything to have had one of these in hot pink when I was a teenager...ok, now too...FUN!

Fitness Center

Yes, I'm still embracing banality...can you tell?  I constantly find myself looking at everyday places thinking about how it would look through my lens at different lights.  This particular image would be much less interesting in daylight, it's amazing how the lines pop in the darkness.  I really enjoy scenes like this, dimly lit, lots of rectangles and a destination that forces my eyes to travel down the sidewalk.  When you pass an everyday place tomorrow, imagine how it would look at night, or at sunset...would it be more interesting?  

Embracing Banality

As an artist I feel that it's important (for me) to explore every genre of photography as I also explore every part of myself.  I was researching banality in photography and found this great article, "Embracing Banality" and wanted to share: http://photoartsmagazine.blogspot.com/2012/07/embracing-banality.html
It's hard to take pretty pictures when you don't feel pretty...although, I found it rather easy to embrace my banal side today because I feel crummy.  I have a nasty cold, my eyes are tired, my butt is sore from sitting in a cheap rental car for 4 hours driving through the desert, it's windy and cold (did I say I hate wind?) and I am ready for my NyQuil and a junky magazine now.  When you're feeling crummy why not explore your own banality?  It's something...right?

Arts District The Attic

Here's another image from our local Arts District.  It's the original home of The Attic, before it was destroyed and left for dead by the local energy company (apparently).  What I find remarkable, is that in the year this has been here, no one has tagged it or graffitied it in any way (save the original sign on top).  In a town rich with graffiti artists, there seems to be a sort of respect for another artists' work.  Interesting...love it!

Meet Dolly

Who doesn't love a petting zoo?  This is Dolly, the very fat but adorable sheep.  She was one of a dozen of friendly animals at a birthday party today.  I wish adult birthday parties had baby animals, ponies, sheep, goats and funny looking chickens, no fair!  The people who ran this gig truly loved their animals and I can tell you that the animals loved them too.  As soon as the woman stepped away, Dolly here began to bleat as if to say, "come back, where are you going?"  She stared at her just like my dog stares at me when I walk away, it was pretty sweet.  Enjoy an animal near you soon, they make you smile!

Bowling

I'd Rather Be....Bowling!  That was today's assignment anyway.  I think it turned out great, I love how Casey looks like she's actually having fun here, in spite of the fact that her fingers are killing her after 20 takes with a 16lb ball!  I have the most amazing friends.  ;)

Wishes

Photography really is capturing light...not much more than that.  Art is capturing light with intention.  I saw this dandelion in the setting sun tonight and it actually grabbed me.  I felt so compelled to photograph it, with all the intention it deserved.  What a beautiful thing nature is, so sweet and so strong in the same wind.  In case you're wondering, I didn't pick it, I wanted to leave this wish for someone else.  I have so many fulfilled already, it felt greedy.

My Distraction

What do you do when you "should" be doing something else?  I do really cool things like clean house or read...oooooh, I'm living by the seat of my pants, I know it!  Ok, sometimes, when I'm really feeling wild, I cook.  Here's my reading pile du jour...yes, I have devoured each one this week alone and I'm hungry for more...in spite of my workload at both um, work, and 3 classes, shit.  But, it's reading, how that's a good thing, right?  What's your distraction?

PS. I have even contemplated taking a bath to avoid schoolwork but just can't bring myself to enjoy that level of relaxation.  It's too decadent!  

Buy Local

I love the Farmers Market in the Fall.  The weather is perfect to sit outside and enjoy some yummy local fare.  After a delicious, fresh salad we rocked out the hulu hoops for a while and then she got a shave ice to go...and we happily walked home.  Tonight, she said, "Thanks, Mom, for the best day ever."  How awesome is that?

Sandcastles

Shane woke up to a view of Haystack Rock this morning, which inspired me to post an image I took the last time we were at Cannon Beach, OR.  I love a cool beach...the kind that you inhabit year round, even if it's cold, you just throw on your slickers and rain coat and go walk the dog anyway.  You can sit around a bonfire at night and enjoy the sounds of the ocean...I long for it.  Here's an image I want to share, I'm not the only one who loves wet sand!  

I'd Rather Be...Swimming

What would you rather be doing?  To be completely honest, I love being in my kitchen with my little cherub.  It is one of my happy places.  However, for the sake of my homework assignment, I chose to be swimming instead.  Too bad there's no water around here!

Art District Vacancy

It might be cheesy, but I love the posterize effect on this one.  It's the arts district, what better place to posterize?!  This is a sad but strong message that resonates from the local artists..."Never Stop Fighting" is what is felt among so many "off the strip" artisans.  It's sad to see vacant galleries, but when you drive around the corner, many more appear to be opening.  One block away sometimes can mean the difference in this town (in any town, really).  I hope these folks keep fighting and find their bliss eventually.  For now, I'm still a fan.

"Playing Tennis"

Here's yet another image for my "I'd Rather Be..." series called "Playing Tennis."  I'm not loving it but it's a good test shot for what can be...  In all honestly, this one should be called "behind the camera" instead!  Ha!

6 Going On 16

Isn't life funny, your whole childhood you ache to be older and most of your adulthood you long to be younger...aren't we ever happy?  This is the perfect example of 6 going on 16...what's next?  The years fly by and I truly embrace every minute of it (now that we are past that sucky 3 and under phase).  It's fun to watch your mini-me reveal more about yourself each day.  It's eerie and remarkable all at once.  Here she's talking to her grandma instead of a boy...but I'm sure that time will come soon enough.  For now, I'm enjoying the 6 yr old moments, they are pretty awesome.

Red Chairs

How deliciously inviting are these cherry-red chairs?  I just love them!  The geometric shapes appear designed to fit you just right in a sleek, modern way and they are so uber-modern that they beg for attention.  (They got mine!)  I didn't do anything exciting today...I cleaned house, cooked and listened to the rain (love) so I thought I'd share one of the many interesting sights of Stockholm that I captured this summer.  It's a fantastic city that I fell in love with during my short visit (as a part-Swede I'm partial though).  Every city has something crazy like this...you just have to walk around and find it--and hope you brought your camera!

Rainbow

Just like yesterdays treasure shot, I love the way kids can find rainbows.  We don't get many of them here so it's really special when we do (even the adults notice) but this one I just drove right by until my daughter shouted with excitement, "MOM, LOOK!  RAINBOW!"  Luckily, I had my camera with me...sweet!

(FYI, this image looks a lot lighter in my PS)

Found Treasure

How many things would you call treasure?  Isn't it amazing how children think?  My daughter found at least 6 things in this picture that she would call treasure.  How refreshing.

Happy Place

Here's the newest addition to my series "I'd Rather Be..." called "in my happy place."  I'm still working on my lighting techniques, not thrilled with this one (the light is too gold) but it's a step in the right direction.  If you don't have an ND filter and you shoot in the sunlight/blue sky...get one, they rock!

Mt. Charleston Hike

It was a perfect day for a Mt. Charleston escape.  You have to appreciate the pink explosion in the distance...always a girly girl.  Why let a little dirt keep you from pure self-expression?  She has grown up hiking and we are so happy she loves it.  On todays adventure, she found several deer, an owl flying by carrying a mouse, a message in a bottle (I'm not joking) and a woodpecker...pretty cool, eh?  Next time you have a slow Sunday--take a hike!

Freak Society

More love for local artists.  Here's a very hip cat who runs the Hiptazmic space in the Arts Factory.  He's really very nice and smiley in person!  Check out their goods...it's a family affair and it's all very unique and full of heart and soul.  I love sporting my crazy Freak Society tshirt.

www.hiptazmic.com

Dig it.

Eyes Wide Open

I took this shot while I was driving with a friend (Mary) to lunch.  I said, "This red hand thing is driving me nuts!  I can't figure it out!" when she replied, "Are you kidding?  It is about Kony 2012 and the child soldiers in Africa."  And my eyes were opened once again.  Years ago I was forever moved by a life changing book called "A Long Way Gone" by Ishmael Beah.  The book is written by a man who endured a childhood of being a soldier.  I educated myself on the LRA in Uganda and never came across this Red Hand movement, until today.  

Apparently, the Red Hand symbolizes the children still at war today.  Although I hate to use wiki-anything as a reference, the write up is pretty informative:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hand_Day

Here's a better source, an article on the UNICEF website:

http://fieldnotes.unicefusa.org/2011/02/child-soldiers-and-red-hand-da.html

UNICEF seems like an amazing organization to me.  I am so grateful to anyone who gives their time, money and prayers to help children anywhere, for any reason.

My red hand mystery is solved and my eyes continue to be wide open...

Old Friend

You give until it hurts.
Your love knows no limits.
You are a generous soul and a true gift.
Thank you for this time together...I love you and I always will.
Our time runs short, has 11 years gone by already?
I will hold you until the end.
It's almost here, I can barely say good bye.
Just a little longer, I promise I won't let you suffer.
Rest tonight.
My Zoe.

Pasta

Ok, I am playing around with which lens works best with close still life shots.  This one is NOT the right lens but I will try again tomorrow.

Siena wrote the following for the blog tonight:

Here is the spaghetti extravaganza!  Who might rather eat these delicious spaghetti's that are screaming and asking for help?  But we have to cook them before we eat them.  We can put tomato sauce on the cooked spaghetti extravaganza.  That is the end of the screaming and howling story extravaganza.

OCD?

So, I came downstairs this morning to find this installation art on the kitchen counter.  I don't know how long it took her to do it, but our daughter is the chief architect and builder and the hub swears she's not a bit OCD...what do you think?

Casey's Zen Moment

Doesn't every mom need a little zen?  Here's one I designed for Casey today...smile!