Day 60: Family Reunion #2

Hyrum showing off his muscles to Michelle

July is the month for family time!  My immediate family reunion finished yesterday, and today launched my extended family reunion on my Mom's side.  There's just so much love to go around.  I was so anxious and tired getting ready for this second reunion.  I wore myself out at the first one, and I've got no recovery time.  But when we got to the lodge and saw all the family there, my anxiety slowly faded, and as long as I stayed on the couches, my body aches stayed at a minimum.

But what really clenched it was the kids.  OH, the kids!  We have so many little kids in my extended family, and they're all so cute!  I had a great time observing them and laughing at the cute things they said.

Love it!!

Day 59: Tired

Esther had a long couple of days.

Tantrums are no fun for parents, but they provide endless amusement for photographers such as myself.  Luckily for everyone involved, Esther's little tantrum this morning didn't last long, but it lasted long enough for me to get this priceless shot of her.

Today was the last day of my family reunion, and we had a blast!  However, I am so worn out now that I feel like my legs might fall off during the night.  I can't believe how easily I wear out sometimes!

Day 58: Rapids

This is a delayed post from 7/29 because of no internet.  This shot was taken 7/29/10.

A little stream near our camp site.

I know I should be posting one of the amazing shots I got of my family members at my reunion, but I took this picture today while taking a short walk around the camp site, and it turned out so beautifully that I couldn't pass up the oportunity.  I've never been able to capture moving water quite so well, and I LOVE IT.

Once again, this project has made me see how awesome photography is and how much more beauty there is all around me!

Day 57: Family Reunion Time

Belated post from 7/28 because of no internet connection. This was taken on 7/28.

Ashley, Lauren, and Dave.

So today kick started our family reunion.  Our first activity was going to the temple to do a session with all the adults.  Afterwards we met at a nearby park to visit with everyone before heading out to the camp site.  What a great time!  The above shot is Dave's family grabbing some food before heading to camp.

Reunions have always been stressful occasions for me because I get nervous in large groups of people.  So whenever we have a family reunion, I always look forward to them with a little aprehension.  I never remember how much fun I have during the reunions, which I think is my biggest problem. 

Because I have such a great family, and I always have a great time around them.  If there's one thing I could say about my family to describe us, it would be that we love to laugh.  BOY, do we love to laugh.  I'm just glad we have a private camp site this year. :)

Post Interruption Notice

If for some reason you subscribe to my blog and you aren't a family member:

First off: Thanks for reading!!
Secondly: I'm heading up AF canyon for the weekend for a family reunion, so I won't have internet for a few days.  As I did before, I will still take a picture every day and write about it, I'll just post them a few days late.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Day 56: Pies!

An action shot of the kitchen tonight.

Christine was baking today!  She came home late from work, and whipped up some peach pies from scratch (It took soo long, but they are gorgeous!)  I was hovering around her snapping shots and ooh-ing and ahh-ing.  Tomorrow I'll claim I helped her with the baking to make sure I get some of the good stuff.  ;)

Also today, the lens I rented from Borrow Lenses came in the mail.  The stupid FedEx guy was supposed to get a signature, but instead he just left a note on our door (Mom was sitting in front of that door all day, so we know he didn't even knock to see if we were home).  So I had to book it from work early to run down to the FedEx station and pick up the package myself.  So annoyed.

Anyway.  It's a sweet lens.  18-200mm telephoto with max F3.5 capability.  So much better than the crappy standard lens that came with my camera.  I wish I had purchased it instead of renting it, but you gotta start slow, right?  Also, my pocket book couldn't take the hit of this rental, let alone the purchase of a $1,000 lens.  Hopefully I'll have ample opportunities to test this puppy out at my family reunions this weekend.

I love taking pictures sometimes!  There's something so therapeutic about it, and it really helps me appreciate life from a different perspective when I see it through the lens.

Day 55: Don't Be Afraid

Mom's hospital wristband. (The little tease would not sit still for this shot)

I'm feeling very thankful tonight.  Mom had to get another angiogram (sp?) today, which turned into another angioplasty.  This is the second one in a year, and she seemed to just take it in stride this time.  But just because she kept saying tonight that it was such a breeze, it doesn't make me any less grateful for modern medicine and priesthood blessings.  Especially right now when my good friend just lost his father to a sudden heart condition.

We forget how fragile life really is until it's gone.  And even though I've gone thru plenty of intensive care moments mom over the years, and I've gotten used to worrying about whether she'll be alive to see my children, that doesn't mean I still don't worry too much whenever she's sick or in the hospital.

So tonight, I just want to remind everyone to love one another.  Don't waste your life with petty arguements or differences of opinion.  Tell your family you love them, serve them while you can, and don't put it off.  Also, be grateful for the little things.  Not only will it help you through the hard times, but it will make the good times even better.  You'll laugh more if you keep a positive attitude, and as my momma taught me, laughter is the best medicine.

As a closing thought, here's one of my favorite movie montages.  It's from Stranger Than Fiction, and I just love the words.

Day 54: The Children Are Our Future

Beautiful Lauren.

Sometimes when I see my nieces and nephews, I get such painful stabs of homesickness for the family that I don't have yet.  I look into the innocent eyes of the babies of my siblings and nieces and nephews, and I see what my children will look like one day.  And I hurt a little.

And sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get to see my kids, or if that part of life will pass me by.  I wonder if I'll ever have a family of my own, and get to experience the joy that I see in the eyes of my siblings.

And then I realize how much joy I already feel when I am surrounded by the family I already have.  It's not like there aren't plenty of us to go around.  I still get to be around all of the children, even if they aren't my own.  I still get to make them smile and giggle.  I get to play with them and see their little personalities, and it partially fills that void.  When I'm around those babies and children, it makes the pain of single life almost completely disappear.

It gives me hope for the future.

Day 53: Family Time and Theme Parks

Rides at Lagoon.

I took so many pictures today!  And so many of them turned out so cute!  I'll post them on my other blog tomorrow.  We had a barbecue at Dave's house and hung out afterwards to try out a few fireworks for the holiday.  I got some great family shots with the baby, and caught a bunch of candid looks.  I also created a quick slideshow of some of the stop motion shots I took of Lauren playing with her mom on the swing and of the snake fireworks Christine and I were playing with.

I also went to Lagoon with Christine at the end of the day (just to get a few rides in before the hour-long drive back home), and I got a few shots of the rides at night.  And since I've got a lot of family shots on this blog, but I don't have any night shots of roller coasters, I decided to post one of those instead.

I really had a great time tonight!  I was worried that I wouldn't have fun because I didn't get enough sleep last night and was grumpy most of the day because of it.  But I grabbed a small nap before heading up to Dave's house, and it made all the difference in how my evening went.  Thank goodness for naps!

Here's the stop motion video:

Day 52: Haiku

Candles and junk.

It's a Friday night, and I went out to a movie (typical) with Christine.  I didn't think to bring my camera, and I missed a few good photo op's.  Now I'm stuck with lame macro shots again.  There goes my grand plans to up my game and take better shots.  I guess there's always tomorrow.

A Haiku
Little candle flame
Flickering light on my face
Not too bright, are you?

Day 51: Hair

Christine's hair.  So cool!

I think I'm in another photo slump.  It's time to break out of my box and try some new stuff because I'm starting to regress with my photography.  Also, I'm tired of editing my stuff to death to make it look acceptable.  It's time for me to up my game and take stuff that needs little to no fix.  I know I have it in me...somewhere.

Some stuff I thought about today:
Life is a joy, if you allow yourself to live!
Take the time to sit back and watch your friends and family interact.  You'll love them more for it.
Good tunes and great scenery are the best forms of inspiration sometimes.
Know your limitations, but don't let them rule you.
Change is good.
Find a song with your name in it, and let the narcissism momentarily overwhelm you.
When in doubt, make a list. ;)

Day 50:

This wheat field is my elusive white whale.

I just spent the better part of an hour looking up the literary reference for synonyms to the white whale.  I know there's another word for it, but I can't remember what it is.

This field is slippery.  A phantom, a mirage.  Every morning I drive by it, and the wheat grows taller, and the sun glints off the golden stalks with such beauty.  But every morning I'm late for work so I can't make time to stop and walk to a good vantage point to take a few shots.  And if I'm not late, the sun is blocked by clouds, or the only good access road to the field is blocked, or...whatever.  No matter how many times I set my mind to take a picture of this field - properly - I am thwarted.  It is always just out of reach, unattainable.

The reason why I can only take a picture of it in the morning is because that's when the light is best.  Sunset is at the wrong angle, but sunrise is perfect.  Unfortunately, the window I have of getting that perfect amount of sun is so ephemeral, so fleeting, and always right in the middle of rush hour, that it's virtually impossible for me to ever get there at the right moment, not to mention getting close enough to get a good picture.

It's so frustrating!  But one day!  One day I'll get it!  Just hopefully before the farmer who owns the field, harvests the wheat.

Day 49: Feet

Becca and Sherry

My sister and her daughter are staying the night with us, and I managed to grab a random shot of their feet as they were getting ready for bed.  My favorite part about this shot: the cute little scratch on Becca's knee. :D

A few thoughts from today:
*Books are the best refuge sometimes.
*Temple night tonight.  Looove temple night!  We came out of the temple to a gorgeous, stormy, black sky, and a warm breeze.
*I wore a skirt that I haven't worn since my brother got married, and I forgot how cute it is.  I felt like twirling around in it all day!
*I've been hanging around my cats too much.  I caught a glimpse of a co-worker as he made a conspiratorial look at another co-worker, and my first thought was that he looked just like Georgie when she's stalking the laser.
*I love my sweet mother and her patience with me and my sister.  We are so rude sometimes!
*Lunch breaks are very important.

The End

Day 48: Dusk

Sunlight....so gorgeous!

I was sitting on my front step this evening, waiting for my cat to come back to the house and watching the neighborhood kids playing in the yard, when I decided it was the perfect moment to have my camera with me.  I took a handful of shots of the kids climbing the tree in the yard, and looking through the railing at me, before they all scampered off to another yard to play a different game.  It was so peaceful and calming to sit in the shade with a light breeze (it had finally cooled off a bit), listening to little voices laughing and chattering to one another.  It was exactly what I needed.

Then, just before I went back into the house, I snapped a few shots of the bushes next to my front door - on a whim, not really thinking any of them would turn out - and I happened to catch the sun setting behind one of the bushes.  Dream shot!!

This is truly my favorite shot of this project so far!  I just look at it and feel a warm glow.  I didn't edit it (just stuck my signature on the bottom), it didn't have to go through any prep or think up some great idea.  It just happened.

The best shots just happen!  You know. When you just happen to hit the shutter button at the precise moment in time to capture something that you wouldn't normally see unless you froze it.  Those are the shots that look OK in person, but translate into another dimension of beauty through the lens.

Those are the shots that make me LOVE photography!

Day 47: Rough-housing

Dad and Christine having a tickle fight.

Rough-housing is what my parents used to call it.  I still remember mom's distant voice amid the clamor of us  laughing and screeching, "Hey! No rough-housing in the living room!  Go outside to do that!" 

And yet, it was usually dad who started our little wrestling/tickling moments in the living room.  He loves to tease and has always been a kid at heart when it comes to rough-housing.  Now, here is proof that dad hasn't lost his inner kid edge!  

I don't know who started it (honestly, it was probably dad though), but these two were talking calmly one moment, and the next they were keeled over, making faces and laughing uproariously as they tried to tickle each other to complacency!  Amazingly, this all happened in a matter of seconds.  I was just lucky enough to have my camera in my hands at the right time.  I love catching moments like this!

Day 46: Air Conditioning and Heat

My pigtails turned to ringlets.

It was so hot today!  I don't like heat.  I don't know if I've ever mentioned that, but I wilt in the heat...and our A/C is on the fritz.

I spent most of the day in an uncomfortable sweat, my face a rosey shade, my hair frizzing up, and my clothes sticking to me.  Yuck.

We went shopping in the early afternoon, and I complained about the heat in the car.  Then we drove back home and I complained about the heat in the house.  Then I had to return an item to the store we just returned from (a broken picture frame that I didn't notice was broken when I bought it), and I complained about the heat walking back into the store.  The sun beat down on me while we walked around outside until my head throbbed and my vision blurred.  I stuck to my seat at the movie theater - where the A/C was also on the fritz - and I dreamed of ice cream and cool drinks on the way home.  I stared listlessly at the computer screen this evening as I tried to decide which picture to choose from today, and more than once today I've stared in disbelief at the box fans all around our house that aren't doing a thing to cool things down.

I don't like heat.

Contrarywise...I still had a great day.  I got to relax, splayed out on the floor in the living room in front of a box fan.  I got to play with my pictures and the new picture frames I bought.  I got to see a movie with my dad and sister and eat yummy popcorn.  I got to go out to lunch and shopping with the girls (always a favorite).  And I even got to read my book, which I'm almost finished with.

Oh, and my favorite part of the day?  Complaining about the heat to everyone, all the time.  hehe!

Day 45: Trees!

This is one of my favorite trees.

I missed the clouds yesterday.

I kept noticing the lack of clouds every time I looked outside, and when I walked to my car last night, I was a little sad.  They must have missed me too, because they came back in full force by this evening!  I tried to get the awesome sunset-filled clouds with this amazing tree, but the angle didn't work.  These clouds are pretty cool too!

Clouds and trees...what more could I want?

This picture reminds me of a song my mother used to sing to me when I was young (I don't know the title):

I know a place,
Where no one ever goes
There's peace and quiet,
Beauty and repose.

It's hidden in a valley,
Beside a mountain stream.
And lying there beside the stream,
I find that I can dream.

Only of things,
Of beauty to the eye.
Snow peaked mountains,
Rise up to the sky.
Now I know,
That God has made this world,
For me.

One can imagine,
Himself as in a dream.
Climbing up a mountain,
Or down a small ravine.

The beauty of this peace and quiet,
Ever will stay.
To make this place a haven,
Each and every day.

Oh how I wish,
I never had to leave!
All my life,
Such beauty to receive!
Now I know,
That God has made this world,
For me!

Oh yes, for me!

Day 44: BFF

The door reads: "Not an Entrance"

Dear Christine,

You're the coolest sister in the whole wide world.  You let me tag along with you and your friends when I was way too young and immature, and you haven't been able to get rid of me since.  You introduced me to all the best bands, all the best foods, and all my best friends.  You are always you, and you never change who you are to please others, and I have always envied you for that.  I look up to you in so many ways.  You make me want to be a better person, every day.

Because of your example and faith in me, I am a stronger, happier, more confident person.  Because of your love of friends and family, you have changed hearts and uplifted all of us.  You love to laugh and you love life, which is so contagious!  And until one of us finds a boyfriend and runs away, I'm stickin' to you like glue!

Love,
Bal

Day 43: Creeped Out

Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino (no coffee included, obviously).

I went to Starbucks to do my photography class today, and ended up writing the following.

I’m sitting in the Starbucks trying to do my photography class, and I’m getting leary-eyed looks from the guy sitting across from me in the lounging area.  It’s creepy.  But creepier than that is that this is the second guy to blatantly look at me with obvious lewdness since I left the office 20 minutes ago.  The other guy was riding his red dirt bike in front of me out of the business park, and weaving around on the empty street like some sort of chubby maverick.  Wearing jean shorts (a HUGE pet peeve of mine with motorcyclists.  It’s like they’re ASKING to have the skin removed from their legs) and a dirty t-shirt, he looked like a Christ Farley clone ("living in a van, down by the river!").  He even had white-blonde hair sticking out unevenly beneath his helmet.  NOT my type.  When we stopped at the light, I could see him checking me out from his rear-view mirror.  I was amused until he turned around (and he had to twist all the way around because he had no peripheral vision in his ugly helmet) and – I’m not joking or making this up – he pulled the double eyebrows on me, in a long, drawn out way that was astonishingly pervvy.  It was so violating!  

Both times I haven’t had a clue how to react to these guys, aside from looking away.  Although, to be honest, I probably gave them both dirty looks because when I’m truly shocked and grossed out like that, I can’t help but give dirty looks…I’ve been told.  I actually don’t notice at all when I do it.

Anyway, as I sit here writing this little diatribe about creeps, the one in front of me continues to look up from his book and stare.  I glanced up a moment ago to find him tonguing his iced coffee as he looked at me with interest.  I just threw up in my mouth a little, having to type out that disturbing moment.  Let’s set aside the fact that he’s a pervert, and talk about his fashion sense for a minute.  This puny creep looks like a nerded-out Gollum, with dark blonde, spiky hair, and a pock-marked face.  Probably a nine-to-fiver like me, it looks like he shrank after he put his clothes on.  He’s wearing a burnt-orange button up (that’s too big) with what looks like baggy tweed slacks that are too short (the tops of his white tube socks are clearly visible).  Cap it off with a braided belt (saw it when he stood up for a refill) and the taupe, size-too-big Doc Martins (that he’s probably owned since the 90’s), and you've got a nerdy cubicle rat plotting his next kill.  I feel like I should be more afraid, but I’m just really grossed out. 

I feel so ashamed too, because I almost just typed, “at least this guy isn't as ugly as the other one.”  That may not be as offensive if I had ACTUALLY seen the other guy’s face.  But most of his face was covered in his helmet.  I’m basing this comparison solely on the fact that the other guy was fat and blonde.  I know...I'm totally shallow.  

Also, after reading this entry, I realized how mean-spirited I came off sounding.  I am a bad person.

Day 42: Inspiring Views

The beautiful sky.

The following is a short blurb on the sun.  This is what I noticed today as I was driving around in the dappled light, wishing I wasn't driving, so that I could take a million pictures as I passed scene after scene of breathtaking awesomeness!

The sun,
Partially obscured by thick layers of clouds,
Shines intermittently on the vast landscape,
Casting it's shrouded gleam onto the world below
In a patchwork of light and dark.

With each beam, the sun creates a new landscape,
paints a new canvas with stark beauty.
And just when you think you can't look anymore,
The clouds come and veil the brightness
Until it is bearable again.

The world then takes on a new look.
One of deep blues and purples,
With shadows and hidden recesses.

Neither light nor shadow is better than the other.
Rather, their mutual presence creates a fairyland,
An alien landscape of bright contrasts
That are so beautiful,

You can't look away.

Day 41: Painted Flowers

Flowers in my Mom's front yard (don't ask me what kind, because I don't have a clue).

I tried a few different shots for today's photo, but I wasn't super thrilled with any of them.  I have that problem quite often lately.  I do like how this one turned out though!  The flowers looked like a painting before I edited the photo, and I think they still do!  So pretty!

Now, for something completely different...

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I'm supposed to take longer lunches at work to leave the office and do an online photo class I signed up for.  Lately I've been slacking off on my class (for mostly good reasons).  Today, I resolved to work on my class at lunch.  I made sure to take the time and leave even though it was busy.  I drove off feeling good that I was being responsible.  I first stopped to get some lunch and run an errand.  My next stop was Starbucks so that I could set up my laptop and use the free WiFi for my online class.  When I got to the Starbucks parking lot, it looked so crowded that I split, deciding to hit another hot spot to do my class.  But somehow I got sidetracked, and ended up parked at the end of an abandoned parking lot, deciding what to do next.  I was vacillating between going back to the office to hide in a conference room to work on my class, or staying in the parking lot to read my book in my car.

Guess which one I chose?

I felt slightly guilty lounging in the car reading my book, but not guilty enough to do anything about it.  Sure, it was hot and cramped, but I was already set in my decision and I hate going back on a decision - no matter how asinine.  Some people speak of the little thrill they get when they break the rules or lie, but I've never really experienced that. I only ever experience guilt, or fear.  Today, as I pushed my guilt down and tried to enjoy my book for my remaining 30 minutes of lunch, I was also battling my compulsion to stay on course with my new decision.  Because, not only was I feeling bad for not doing my class, but I was also extremely uncomfortable.  My face was turning a deeper and deeper crimson as the sun baked my little car and rendered my air conditioner (on full-blast) practically useless.  Also, I couldn't get into a comfortable, feet-up, position, stuck between the steering wheel and the e-brake.

So, even though my compulsion won out and I stayed reading in my car the remainder of my lunch, I returned to the office slightly the worse for wear.  My hair was frizzy and damp from sweat, and my cheeks stayed red the rest of the day.

OCD: 1     Valerie: 0

Day 40: Some Bad Advice

June and her Great-grandma.

I've been feeling poetic all day, and now that I'm finally in front of my computer, ready to write...

Nothing.

My mind is a complete blank.  That's what I get for procrastinating.  I should have sat in front of my computer the moment I got home from church, when my mind was buzzing with ideas of what to write today.  Or, in the very least, I should have written some of those ideas down.

Now, I sit here in a sleepy stupor, wondering why I'm still sitting up.  So I'll leave you with just a few random thoughts for the evening, and I'll try harder tomorrow night.

I love to color
Even though it's exhausting, I love to act crazy in front of the primary children during singing time
I love babies and the peaceful feeling I get when I hold them
Laughter is the best medicine...except for headaches
Nobody likes a whiner
If a hymn gets stuck in your head, let it stay a while
Don't agree to do something you really don't want to do...because you'll end up backing out at the last minute
Procrastination is the lack of foresight, and the height of selfishness

Day 39: Family Time

Chicken Foot at home on a Saturday night...

I had the perfect Saturday!  My favorite things about today:

• Swedish pancakes
• Spending most of the day lounging in the living room, reading
• Lunch with the girls, and a Great Harvest shopping trip
• BIG raindrops
• Not having to help while Steen baked a few pies, but helping with the eating! YUM
• Taking a nap in the middle of the day!
• Goofing off with Domino bombs while playing Chicken Foot
• Geeking out on Doctor Who

Day 38: Baby June

The newest edition to the family.

This is baby June.  Isn't she adorable!?  She's the newest great-grandchild in our family.  She is not even a month old, and she's already holding her head up and making the cutest facial expressions!  She also has the most alert eyes!  Here she is staring at her momma with an interested, maybe even amused, look on her face. SO CUTE!

I just love having family so close so I can see all the cute babies and have a chance to watch them grow up a bit!

Day 37: The Glorious Heavens

My view from the parking lot at work.

This post was inspired by the tragically adorable double rainbow guy.  I know my picture doesn't have a "full-on double rainbow across the sky," but it does have sunbeams!  And it is incredible!  I confess that this view didn't make me weep openly or yell in unabashed ecstasy (too much?).  Nor did it make me stop and question, "what does this mean?"

But I still had a quiet moment of wonder at the simple beauty that surrounds us every day.  We take it for granted, but the magnificence of the world around us is always there for us to appreciate, and sometimes freak out over.

So this one's for you, Hungrybear

All the way!

Day 36: Paper Dolls and Taffy

Katie and her paper doll.

This is becoming a bad habit.  It seems that lately, every time Celia stops by, I've got to whip out my camera and take pictures of her kids.  But, I can't help it that she has the cutest kids!

This is Katie.  The paper doll she's clutching is the Little Mermaid.  Katie is afraid of our cat, Jasper.  So, even though she likes to come over to "Grandma" Haskin's house to get candy, she doesn't stay long for fear that Jasper will get her.  It's a good think the world has salt water taffy for situations like this.  Katie was just about done with our house, when mom decided to give her a piece of candy as she was leaving.  She may have left in a hurry, but at least she left with a sweet taste in her mouth and a smile on her face.  :)

And really, why wouldn't we give her candy?  Who could say no to those eyes??

Day 35: Family Temple Night

The fam' after the temple session.

Top ten favorite things about today:

10. Finding a Jimmy John's close to my office
 9.  Smelling campfires outside
 8.  Driving with all the windows rolled down and my hair flying in the breeze
 7.  The moment when the lethargy of the muscle relaxant finally wore off and I felt like me again
 6.  Getting an email from a friend that made me grin at their thoughtfulness
 5.  "Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine
 4.  Mac n' Cheese, Mom style
 3.  Running into my YW leader from San Jose
 2.  Running into my lovely friend Valerie S. from high school (she's not only cool because she's named Valerie, but more importantly, because she spells it the right way!)  
 1.  Going to the temple with family

What a great day!!

Day 34: Old Things

A brick wall.

Ok, so neither of the subjects in this photo are old (kind of).  The brick wall is not even 10 years old, and my dad is...you know...young at heart.  The aging effect I did on the photo is really what I meant by "old things."

Kind of.

Anyway, had a great day off today!  I started the morning out helping my parents with a project in the back yard, and then headed out to the tennis courts with Christine to practice and make fun of ourselves (and, of course, I hurt myself).  Then it was hot dogs for lunch, baking sugar-free cookies, and SYTYCD with the girls!  I also got a little laundry in, and was able to run an errand.  A varied day for me. My typical days off include hiding in my room pretending to straighten up or fold laundry, or spent running errands and vegging out in front of the TV.

Well, now that I think about it, not much was different about today.  Aside from the yard project and tennis in the morning, it was basically exactly like my typical day off...

Heh...

Day 33: Lazy Sunday

Kim's orchids.

I'm going through an over-exposure, faded, artsy phase right now.  I think I keep going for that look because I can't quite seem to get it right.  This is attempt number...I don't know...4?  I'll keep trying until my vision becomes reality!

So...today's the real 4th of July, and I didn't get any shots of fireworks, yet again.  This time it was because I was too embarrassed/timid to butt in on my neighbor's fireworks parties.  I had two separate neighbors in my block area that were setting off their fireworks in the parking lot and street around my place.  Both of them looked to be having fun, and the fireworks looked perfect to photograph, but every time I tried to go outside with my camera I got flooded with embarrassment.  I even got as close as the front door at one point before I turned around, ashamed and abashed at my utter lack of gusto.

Sometimes my social awkwardness doesn't inhibit me from getting the good shots, but most of the time it does.  I need to buck up and get a little confidence!  Unfortunately for me, it only comes by degrees, and I don't seem to have any control over how fast I gain that confidence.  At least I can tell that I'm slowly getting better.

That's a good sign, right?

Anyway, hopefully I'll get some better shots next time.  Thanks for reading, if you got this far, and thanks for commenting!  You're minimal support helps my pitiful confidence levels rise by degrees, and it helps me not feel like a complete idiot on the days when I disappoint myself. ;)

Day 32: Happy Independence Day (Observed)

A sparkler, blowing in the wind.

My favorite part of 4th of July fireworks is using the sparklers.  They're usually labeled as the kid's toys, but I always enjoy the quiet and pretty fireworks to the loud, screaming, blow-up-in-your-face fireworks.  Call me crazy.

A few years ago, I took my first photo of a sparkler in the fading light, and I loved the way it turned out so much that I've tried to replicate it every other holiday (July 24th is Sparkler approved as well).  Unfortunately, they never seem to turn out as well as that first shot.  At least not as I remember it.  I need to find it sometime and see if it's as cool as I recall.  Maybe my subsequent attempts aren't as bas as I perceive them to be.  

This most recent attempt isn't bad at all (I think)!  So I know that this isn't my typical photo.  It looks more like a cartoon than a photo, but I loved the way it turned out so much that I decided to keep this version.  You can see the more conservative version on my other blog, or on my Facebook page.  It was fun trying to find different uses for the sparklers, but hopefully on the 24th I'll be able to capture more fireworks shots than just my favorite sparklers. :)

Day 31: Hot Summer Days

A field near my office.

As I was driving to get lunch today, I looked out my passenger window and saw this gorgeous view of the mountain dappled in sunlight from the approaching clouds.  I marveled at how beautiful it was when I realized that I should get a picture of it.  After a moment's hesitation, I pulled off on the side of the road, turned on my hazard lights, grabbed my camera, and began scouting for a good angle to capture the mountain.  I played with a few different shots, but decided on this one because of the contrasts. As so often it happens, I didn't capture the scene accurately.  It was so much more beautiful out there today, right before the wind storm hit and kicked up all the construction dust from here to Logan.  I just wish it had translated as well on film.

Sometimes I am genuinely shocked at the beauty of nature.  I shouldn't be.  It's always going to be breathtaking.  But sometimes it still just gets me right in the heart.  The jaw-dropping symmetry that happens when the sunlight hits something just right, or when the colors in the trees and fields are so striking they actually hurt your eyes...it's just AMAZING!

It's moments like today when I'm grateful I live in such an beautiful place!

Day 30: Month One COMPLETE!

The beets in my parents' garden.

Today is officially the last day of my first month on this project!  YeeHaw!!  I just did my happy food dance in celebration, sorry you missed it.  It was epic.

Anyway, now I'm on to bigger and better things, like...

MONTH TWO!

What to do in month two?  Maybe I'll start a theme for all my pictures during that month...
Naw. I like the way things are going now, so I'll keep it. So for the upcoming months, look forward to seeing more pictures that - hopefully - get better and better.  Look forward to daily plugs for this blog on my Facebook page, and look forward to short quips and blurbs about each photo.  Maybe if I get really brave, I'll try to write more profound and thoughtful entries.  But don't hold your breath. :D

Also, as we head into the second month, I'd really like to know who's out there reading this thing.  Please post a quick response to this blog (even if it's just a smiley face or just your name), or just hit the "like" button on my Facebook link.

Every time I hear about someone new who's seen my blog, I get giddy with excitement.  I've never been good enough at anything for anyone to care, so it gives me a boost in determination to keep this thing going when I know people are looking.  Also, it's nice to know that there are those besides me and my mom (and Kimmy) who are actually viewing these pictures.  I don't even care if you like them.  Just the fact that you're looking at them is good enough for me!

Thanks everyone for your support!