Don't forget to check out my Birds of a Feather blog post this week!!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Photos for a Friend {Ashley's Wedding}
You may remember the WINDY photo shoot I did in the spring. Engagement pictures for Ashley, red balloons, one of my favorites ever?? Anyway, she and Adam were married on July 3rd and it was such a wonderful experience to take pictures for them. It was rainy that day so we ended up taking all of the photos inside the church. I learned a lot about photography inside a darkened church with no flash....challenging....Ashley was a beautiful bride! Enjoy!
Bubbles = magic.
Unity sand with the rings.
Don't forget to check out my Birds of a Feather blog post this week!!
Don't forget to check out my Birds of a Feather blog post this week!!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Let's Bowl!!!
I love bowling alleys, the vintage color schemes and retro decor. In college, I took bowling as a class to fulfill my 'physical education' requirement. It wasn't just bowling, tennis half the time and bowling the other half. We actually met at the bowling alley, learned how to take score, a few 'trick' throwing methods that I have since forgotten.
The great thing about bowling is that pretty much anyone can bowl. And for those of us non-athletes, even if we aren't very coordinated, bowling is a sport we can have a lot of fun with and not worry about getting too sweaty, hot or tired. Its not the sort of sport where one can become overly exerted. Of course you can get sore muscles, drop the ball or get your finger smashed in between a couple of balls in the ball return, but it isn't super dangerous or exhausting.
Every time I bowl, I sort of feel like the star of the game. Center stage. All eyes on me. If I roll a gutter ball or a strike, it doesn't really matter, I get to be the star. I've never pitched a throw at a baseball or softball game, but I am sure its a bit like that, the game doesn't advance without the pitcher at the mound. In bowling, if you go to the bathroom or the concession stand, the game is on pause until you get back and roll your two attempts.
In bowling, I have a routine. It doesn't matter if I throw a strike or a gutter....My approach is always the same. I walk up to the ball return, let some air blow on to my hand, like I really know what I am doing, spin the ball so that the holes are on top. Put my fingers in the holes, and pick up the ball. Align my toes with those dots on the floor, shake my booty a little. Raise the ball in front of me. Take a few steps, extending the ball and then lowering it so that it is ready to be released just as I reach the line on the floor and then I drop the ball, it rolls onto the lane and I flip your arm back with a very, ahem... convincing follow through.
In some cases, I stand there, watching the ball all the way down, (saying a little prayer) using my arms and hands to direct the ball over a tiny bit or I move my body, hopping a little to the left or right, trying to use my mind to move the ball.
Other times, I try to be cool, I throw the ball and turn around, like..."yeah, its cool...I'm a really good bowler, I don't need to watch. I don't care wear it lands. I'm a star. I own this lane."
It never fails. When I go bowling, I always blame my first game on the 'warm up' because I usually do pretty lousy on the first game if I haven't bowled in a while.
Last Friday I went bowling with a group of friends, and I bowled a 107 on my first game....HOTDOG! If that's my warm up, not bad....its gonna be a good night...I'm on fire, I thought!!
This is my chance at athletic fame. My night in the spotlight. I'm gonna blow everyone away with my amazing skills. I am rarely competitive because my powers just aren't in the realm of athleticism so I usually just try to have fun and not worry about my score.
But that night I wanted glory. And fame.
The second game. I started out OK. First throw, 7 then 0. Second attempt 8 then 0. So in my first two frames I had 15. Decent.
Somewhere about midway through, maybe the 5th frame, I threw a STRIKE!! My first strike of the night. I'M BACK BABY, THIS IS IT!
Everyone saw how amazing it was and I had my touchdown dance ready, my fists went up and I was doing the chainsaw. That's right. I was sawing the air with an invisible chainsaw. I remember it like it was in slow motion. There's me, doing the chainsaw...all of my friends cheering and clapping and the music was loud but in that moment, I couldn't hear anything. ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!
I could live in that moment forever after what happened next. Every mediocre bowler in the world's worst fear. After a strike, the next two throws are added to the 10 pins you got on your strike so you really have to try to knock at least a few down in order to make the strike worth anything. It is a lot of pressure. A LOT of pressure. Especially when people were watching to see if I could throw another strike....
I approached the lane, just as I do every other time. I must've been high on the glory from my previous strike or something because as I made my approach, something was a little off. Recounting the chain of events now, I don't exactly know how it happened, but here is what I do know.
There I was, on stage. Ready to make my athletic debut. The ball was poised in front of me. I took a couple of steps. Just as I was getting ready to release the ball onto the lane, I felt myself slipping. Not just an average, knee down in front of the line, I felt my feet going over the line.
YOU KNOW THE LINE...The forbidden spot in the bowling alley where you should never go. But it gets worse. Not only did I step over the line, but I fell over the line.
My ass was suddenly hurling itself down the lane, faster than the ball, I actually pictured my butt making a strike and the ball getting a gutter, as I tried to scramble back across, it felt like I was in a slippery mud wrestling pit. Everything was in slow motion again. I felt like a bug just before it crashes into a windshield, trying to stop, knowing I can't get away.
It was terrifying. I finally managed to get up, and now I know what the term 'lickety split' means...btw.... When I stood up, straightening my shirt, brushing down my hair with my hands, I turn to see all of my friends, laughing and pointing. THE HORROR! They will never forget this moment.
The worst part, my ball had reached the return and I had to get up and make a second attempt.
DOUBLE ZEROS. I threw two gutters in a row. Completely wasting my strike.
The horror. I was humiliated. I just wished I had a magic wand or some sort of memory erasing potion so that no one would remember what just happened.
Finally, it was my turn again. So....I picked myself up......Collected my ball.....approached the lane like I always do. Repeated my normal routine. Dropped the ball onto the lane.
STRIKE!
Wish granted, memories wiped clean, slate chiseled clear.....REDEMPTION.
All of the photos in this post are by me. The one of me is a holga pic, the others are from my iPhone....except the little girls, those were taken on my fuji camera, edited in Camerabag for Mac.
Hope you enjoyed reading this post. I must mention that my friend Kelly has a much better bowling story than me, so I dedicate this to her. Luckily, I wasn't hurt when I fell. ;-)
The great thing about bowling is that pretty much anyone can bowl. And for those of us non-athletes, even if we aren't very coordinated, bowling is a sport we can have a lot of fun with and not worry about getting too sweaty, hot or tired. Its not the sort of sport where one can become overly exerted. Of course you can get sore muscles, drop the ball or get your finger smashed in between a couple of balls in the ball return, but it isn't super dangerous or exhausting.
If you are terrible, you can always make it more fun by giving it your best granny roll.
Every time I bowl, I sort of feel like the star of the game. Center stage. All eyes on me. If I roll a gutter ball or a strike, it doesn't really matter, I get to be the star. I've never pitched a throw at a baseball or softball game, but I am sure its a bit like that, the game doesn't advance without the pitcher at the mound. In bowling, if you go to the bathroom or the concession stand, the game is on pause until you get back and roll your two attempts.
In bowling, I have a routine. It doesn't matter if I throw a strike or a gutter....My approach is always the same. I walk up to the ball return, let some air blow on to my hand, like I really know what I am doing, spin the ball so that the holes are on top. Put my fingers in the holes, and pick up the ball. Align my toes with those dots on the floor, shake my booty a little. Raise the ball in front of me. Take a few steps, extending the ball and then lowering it so that it is ready to be released just as I reach the line on the floor and then I drop the ball, it rolls onto the lane and I flip your arm back with a very, ahem... convincing follow through.
In some cases, I stand there, watching the ball all the way down, (saying a little prayer) using my arms and hands to direct the ball over a tiny bit or I move my body, hopping a little to the left or right, trying to use my mind to move the ball.
Other times, I try to be cool, I throw the ball and turn around, like..."yeah, its cool...I'm a really good bowler, I don't need to watch. I don't care wear it lands. I'm a star. I own this lane."
It never fails. When I go bowling, I always blame my first game on the 'warm up' because I usually do pretty lousy on the first game if I haven't bowled in a while.
Last Friday I went bowling with a group of friends, and I bowled a 107 on my first game....HOTDOG! If that's my warm up, not bad....its gonna be a good night...I'm on fire, I thought!!
But that night I wanted glory. And fame.
The second game. I started out OK. First throw, 7 then 0. Second attempt 8 then 0. So in my first two frames I had 15. Decent.
Somewhere about midway through, maybe the 5th frame, I threw a STRIKE!! My first strike of the night. I'M BACK BABY, THIS IS IT!
Everyone saw how amazing it was and I had my touchdown dance ready, my fists went up and I was doing the chainsaw. That's right. I was sawing the air with an invisible chainsaw. I remember it like it was in slow motion. There's me, doing the chainsaw...all of my friends cheering and clapping and the music was loud but in that moment, I couldn't hear anything. ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!
I could live in that moment forever after what happened next. Every mediocre bowler in the world's worst fear. After a strike, the next two throws are added to the 10 pins you got on your strike so you really have to try to knock at least a few down in order to make the strike worth anything. It is a lot of pressure. A LOT of pressure. Especially when people were watching to see if I could throw another strike....
I approached the lane, just as I do every other time. I must've been high on the glory from my previous strike or something because as I made my approach, something was a little off. Recounting the chain of events now, I don't exactly know how it happened, but here is what I do know.
There I was, on stage. Ready to make my athletic debut. The ball was poised in front of me. I took a couple of steps. Just as I was getting ready to release the ball onto the lane, I felt myself slipping. Not just an average, knee down in front of the line, I felt my feet going over the line.
YOU KNOW THE LINE...The forbidden spot in the bowling alley where you should never go. But it gets worse. Not only did I step over the line, but I fell over the line.
My ass was suddenly hurling itself down the lane, faster than the ball, I actually pictured my butt making a strike and the ball getting a gutter, as I tried to scramble back across, it felt like I was in a slippery mud wrestling pit. Everything was in slow motion again. I felt like a bug just before it crashes into a windshield, trying to stop, knowing I can't get away.
It was terrifying. I finally managed to get up, and now I know what the term 'lickety split' means...btw.... When I stood up, straightening my shirt, brushing down my hair with my hands, I turn to see all of my friends, laughing and pointing. THE HORROR! They will never forget this moment.
The worst part, my ball had reached the return and I had to get up and make a second attempt.
DOUBLE ZEROS. I threw two gutters in a row. Completely wasting my strike.
The horror. I was humiliated. I just wished I had a magic wand or some sort of memory erasing potion so that no one would remember what just happened.
Finally, it was my turn again. So....I picked myself up......Collected my ball.....approached the lane like I always do. Repeated my normal routine. Dropped the ball onto the lane.
STRIKE!
Wish granted, memories wiped clean, slate chiseled clear.....REDEMPTION.
Hope you enjoyed reading this post. I must mention that my friend Kelly has a much better bowling story than me, so I dedicate this to her. Luckily, I wasn't hurt when I fell. ;-)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A photo shoot for my nephew...
While I was in Arizona last week, I took 8 month pictures of my nephew. He is so cute!! I am in love with these photos. The hat is from Kmart and he is wearing one of those denim diapers...
He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!
Thanks for looking. Hope you are having a great week!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A baby shower....
A few weeks ago I went to a baby shower for my friend Julie. She is due in a couple of months. The shower was so cute! I thought I would share some of my favorite photos from the day with you. Enjoy!
Here is Julie with her twin sister, aren't they so cute! And Jill is below with grandma Edna, so sweet!
The decor was so elegant. I just love the flower arrangements in the punch glasses.
Isn't this a gorgeous salad? I had to pick around the cantaloupe. I hate that stuff, but I wish I liked it....
The most-talked about thing at the shower....these cupcakes with little dirt covered baby feet and grass....YUM!
Happy Monday!
Here is Julie with her twin sister, aren't they so cute! And Jill is below with grandma Edna, so sweet!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Hello! I took a little adventure out to Arizona last week to visit my brother and I didn't have an internet connection beyond my iPhone...it was a major technology vacation for me. It was really nice to read, lay by the pool, and spend quality time with my family.
I have so much to share later this week! For now, check out my Death Valley blog post over on the Birds of a Feather Blog. Also, check out my posts from last week here and here.
Happy Monday!!
p.s. It is about to storm....I am getting caught up on the Bachelorette....and I went to Zumba for the first time tonight!
I have so much to share later this week! For now, check out my Death Valley blog post over on the Birds of a Feather Blog. Also, check out my posts from last week here and here.
p.s. It is about to storm....I am getting caught up on the Bachelorette....and I went to Zumba for the first time tonight!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I've sort of had writer's block.....
Last spring I had about ten things to write about every week. Now that summer is here, I just don't want to be tied to my computer and I am feeling totally uninspired. I haven't stopped creating, I've just sort of taken a break from documenting it. I thought it would be fun to share some pretty pictures I took at a recent local art walk. If you don't want to read all the boring stuff, enjoy the pretty pictures!
Today is my second day of summer vacation. The worst part about a vacation is feeling like, 'wow...I don't ever want to go back to work....ever....." I guess that it is bad because I fee guilty, like I don't like my job. But it is good too because it means that I am really enjoying every single second that I do have off. Yesterday I did a few things on the computer that I needed to get done but I had been procrastinating. (ordered some more Instax film--yay!) I am shooting a wedding this weekend so I have been getting ready for that. Today has been a major cleaning day. Clean sheets. Clean kitchen. Clean laundry (folded and put away). I drank some green tea and it really energized me to get some mundane tasks done!
I recently set a few new goals for myself....
1. Lose 5 lbs.
2. Keep a food journal
3. Work out at least 4 days a week
4. Avoid fried foods, eat more grilled meat with veggies and fruit
5. Limit sweets and other junk food
This is week four and I have done pretty well with all of my goals. My food journal was really easy while I was in school but I have slacked off on that this week. I have really stuck to working out....I must admit that the last time I ran a full mile was in Jr. high but I am nearly there now...I can't run an entire mile...haha...I live in a neighborhood full of hills...but I almost can. I jog/walk 2.4 miles nearly every day and I have gone hiking at a local nature center too.
I had hoped that the results from all this hard work would be paying off but I haven't lost a single pound. My clothes fit a little better but I am still the same size. grrr....that is frustrating. Week 4 is almost over and I am going on a trip next week so that might sabotage my workout and eating plan (who wants to be restrictive when they are traveling!) I just hope I don't have to start completely over when I get back. I want to meet my goal of losing 5 lbs. before school starts in August!!
I have been working really hard on some art goals too. I am planning an art exhibit this fall with my medium format photography (Holga pictures) and I am creating some sculptures with found objects as part of my exhibit. I am excited to be working on this and I will share pictures as soon as I am a little farther along.
These are a couple of my artists friends from college. One of my favorite thing about art walk is all the great old friends I see!
At art walk the students at the local university create a screen print on site based on a post card picture from an old building downtown. The prints are so cool!
Here is one of Scott's sculptures. It is a guitar made out of found objects. The entire show was so cool. Some of them were made my his students! He is so great!!
Yes, the guitars actually work!
Frustratingly, the local photography studio that develops my holga pictures (for 25 cents each--total bargain!) is closing. I have been buying equipment to start my own darkroom, but that is pretty far in the future. I am excited to get it started but I will probably only be able to process black and white pictures so that may limit my options with the holga photography. Bummer.
I just entered some of my Holga pictures in a contest: HOLGAPALOOZA!! I don't really think I will win....but I am proud of myself for actually entering.
I just finished my first 'summer craft swap.' I am getting ready to mail off 16 sun glass cases. I will share pictures soon!
My family is going through some stuff so I am trying to relax but I am also worried about several situations that have developed. None of them involve me directly, but I am still feeling the stress for my parents and brother.
Oh and I have just a couple more pictures from the art walk to share with you. I took these with my iPhone hipstomatic app. Tacos and a Mexican coke! YUMMMMMM!!
Today is my second day of summer vacation. The worst part about a vacation is feeling like, 'wow...I don't ever want to go back to work....ever....." I guess that it is bad because I fee guilty, like I don't like my job. But it is good too because it means that I am really enjoying every single second that I do have off. Yesterday I did a few things on the computer that I needed to get done but I had been procrastinating. (ordered some more Instax film--yay!) I am shooting a wedding this weekend so I have been getting ready for that. Today has been a major cleaning day. Clean sheets. Clean kitchen. Clean laundry (folded and put away). I drank some green tea and it really energized me to get some mundane tasks done!
I recently set a few new goals for myself....
1. Lose 5 lbs.
2. Keep a food journal
3. Work out at least 4 days a week
4. Avoid fried foods, eat more grilled meat with veggies and fruit
5. Limit sweets and other junk food
This is week four and I have done pretty well with all of my goals. My food journal was really easy while I was in school but I have slacked off on that this week. I have really stuck to working out....I must admit that the last time I ran a full mile was in Jr. high but I am nearly there now...I can't run an entire mile...haha...I live in a neighborhood full of hills...but I almost can. I jog/walk 2.4 miles nearly every day and I have gone hiking at a local nature center too.
I had hoped that the results from all this hard work would be paying off but I haven't lost a single pound. My clothes fit a little better but I am still the same size. grrr....that is frustrating. Week 4 is almost over and I am going on a trip next week so that might sabotage my workout and eating plan (who wants to be restrictive when they are traveling!) I just hope I don't have to start completely over when I get back. I want to meet my goal of losing 5 lbs. before school starts in August!!
I have been working really hard on some art goals too. I am planning an art exhibit this fall with my medium format photography (Holga pictures) and I am creating some sculptures with found objects as part of my exhibit. I am excited to be working on this and I will share pictures as soon as I am a little farther along.
These are a couple of my artists friends from college. One of my favorite thing about art walk is all the great old friends I see!
Frustratingly, the local photography studio that develops my holga pictures (for 25 cents each--total bargain!) is closing. I have been buying equipment to start my own darkroom, but that is pretty far in the future. I am excited to get it started but I will probably only be able to process black and white pictures so that may limit my options with the holga photography. Bummer.
I just entered some of my Holga pictures in a contest: HOLGAPALOOZA!! I don't really think I will win....but I am proud of myself for actually entering.
I just finished my first 'summer craft swap.' I am getting ready to mail off 16 sun glass cases. I will share pictures soon!
My family is going through some stuff so I am trying to relax but I am also worried about several situations that have developed. None of them involve me directly, but I am still feeling the stress for my parents and brother.
Oh and I have just a couple more pictures from the art walk to share with you. I took these with my iPhone hipstomatic app. Tacos and a Mexican coke! YUMMMMMM!!
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