Last night I started playing around with the “create collage” feature in Picasa. I created about 5 photo collages. I like them so much that I started a ‘collage’ tab at the top of my blog page. Check ‘em out!
In other news, it looks like my blog has gone international since I saw that someone viewed my blog via the wordpress language translator in Russian. Hello, Russia! Peace.
It’s been 2 months since I launched this daily photo blog. I am already feeling proud of some accomplishments I’ve made with the blog. For one, I’ve stuck with it by creating a daily routine for two solid months. I think some genius out there decided that if you practice something for 30days, you’ve set yourself up for a good solid routine. Part of my routine has been to force (I don’t really see it as forcing, but I’m not sure what other word to use) myself to get out and click, click, click every day. I think this routine of carrying my camera with me at all times has taught me to understand that there are in fact several opportunities for 1 great daily photo – no matter how routine or mundane daily life tends to be.
Another is that when I first launched this site I had no idea if anyone would be interested in following my blog. I feel good to be able to say that as of this morning there are 1,666 (yikes, quick… someone “CLICK”) hits on my blog. For the record, my blog does not count the times I view it to see how it appears on the front side. I’ve also discovered that 4 people / bloggers have subscribed to my blog. Wow. 4 people are actually interested in following my daily photo blog! Pretty Cool!
I think the final accomplishment would be that I’m learning to think outside of the box. I’ve been practicing methods of using composition, textures, patterns, light or lighting, and creating an abstract image in my photos. I am also trying to practice not taking typical cliche photos. I do understand that at times these photos are fun and warm the hearts of many, but my intentions for doing digital photography fall more into line with using my artist abilities. Exercising an artistic style is what make my creative juices flow. I think this practice will also help me to stand out a bit more from other photographers.
My Saturday was pretty much spent watching a youtube marathon of “Kathy Griffin – My Life on The D List”. I fricken love Kathy Griffin. I love her crass, no filter potty-mouth humor. She and I have a lot in common when it comes to our sense of humor.
I was noticing that since she divorced from her husband that she has been on the road a lot more than when she was with him. Or am I making this up? I really don’t understand how people don’t know who Kathy Griffin is. If I passed her on a crowded street I’d probably first pee my pants and then run over to her yelling, “Kathy Griffin! Kathy Griffin! I’m your biggest fan! You’re fricken hilarious, Kathy Griffin!!!” I even found myself fantasizing (Yes, Kathy, I fantasize about you!) about how I could be the ‘assistant to the assistant’s assistant’. I mean, they look really stressed out flying from West Hollywood to London to Miami and back to Ireland. They need one more assistant to lighten the load. Oh, oh oh… I got it! I could be Kathy’s resident photographer AND her event manager and her biggest fan!
Kathy Griffin! Book your next show in Portland, Oregon! This is a gay man’s and woman’s mecca and all the Portland weirdos would love to see you too! I’ll even be your biggest fan.
p.s. I forgot to mention that my heritage goes back to Ireland AND I own the same pair of mary jane Dr. Martens as Kathy. Thanks for listening.
Last night was “date night Friday”. We walked up to Stark Street to the Academy Theater and watched Julie & Julia. Good flick. It made me hungry.
Or shall I say, it made me want to gorge my eyes out with pizza from the original Flying Pie Pizza. The Presto pizza is so good!
Hence, the photo I captured here.
But really, I began to think that maybe I’ll be famous one day writing this blog and posting my daily photos. Although, Julia Childs was Julie Powell’s mentor / idol / “invisible friend” and I don’t yet have one. I don’t have a famous photographer who is my all time idol. Maybe I should research Ansel Adams? Is he still alive? I don’t even know this.
I’ve definitely got some homework to do.
And there I was with Sprina and her mom hitching a ride across town to where my car was parked at the Step It Up, Inc. office. Just as we turned the corner – just a couple of blocks from the parking lot we drove over a metal plate and Sprina’s left front tire busted flat. We carefully pulled over to an open parking lot. The three of us women got out of the car to check the tire. Yep, it’s flat. As if we all knew how to change a tire we walked to the trunk and started to pull out the spare and the flat kit. As if we had any idea how to prop the car up or to use the jack – we sure tried. As if there was anyone else in sight to help – there wasn’t. We each took turns trying to prop up the front end, crank it up. Crank it up. Nope. We sure didn’t know how. I heard Sprina’s mom call to someone in what seemed to be the darkness of the night. “Excuse me, honey. Can you help us here. You see, we’ve got a flat and we’re trying to fix it. Can you help?”
I looked over and this little ole man – a security guard for the tall building we were parked next to had walked around from the other side of the building. His name was Dean. He confidently explained that he was the last person to try-n-fix a flat tire but he was sure he’d try. Dean was able to crank the car up half way until the jack fell over and the car rolled out from under. “This is going to be a long night.” I thought to myself. With all of his might and confidence Dean was finally able to jack the car up, pop off the old tire and swiftly assemble the new tire to the car. Phew. We all stood up and sung his praise, “You’re an angel! You’re an Angel!” Dean looked at the three of us with an awww shucks kind of expression and said, “I’m still working at my age. I aint gonna retire until the day someone throws dirt over my face.”
What a moving experience I had being part of a team like that and witnessing someone helping at the time of need.
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