Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Apple in a bag...

I'm going to be submitting this, among other photos, to Trendy Camera Straps' first giveaway contest! We'll see if any of my shots get picked for voting. If so, I expect all of you to go vote for me!
Posting this here makes me even more aware that I need to figure out how to use Blogspot so that my images are big. Anyone know how to do this?
Anyway...
Isn't Apple cute?!?!?!

Here's another photo I'm probably going to submit: I'm a shoe hooker so, trust me, there are tons more! I have three other pairs that I have shots of... and two or three others that I think I'll work on tonight. The submission deadline is Thursday!

Oh, and I ordered a Shootsac last week... and a Giddy cover! I'm really hoping I can use it on my shoot with the Goldens this weekend! Yippee!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

More kitties

Cats are hard for me... I'm trying to practice though. I think I just need a better lens. I hate using the built in flash on my camera... it bounces off their eyes and looks horrid. I really just need the 580EX flash with a diffuser but I don't have $500 to spend on it right now. Hopefully soon...
So anyway, these are a few recent ones...

This is Tigger. She's a riot... she loves to tease you by coming over and rubbing a bit on your hands, but as soon as you try to pet her... WHAP! She smacks you as hard as she can with her paws. It sounds mean but it's really kinda amusing... only because she has no claws.
When I emailed this one to her mom, she replied that it was the best photo she'd ever seen of Tigger... who always closes her eyes for pictures! : )
Because of the forementioned dilemma, I set the camera on the floor to get this shot. I couldn't handhold the camera at the slow shutter speed but I didn't want to use the flash.

This is Tigger with the flash. I attempted to work on the eyes in photoshop though because they were all crazy blown. I thought it looked much better but I'd still rather just not need the flash... or be able to bounce the flash.


And this is Deuce. He's a giant sweetie pie... no smackage from him!
He loved sitting on my lap and getting lovin'. I left with more fur on me than I think he had on him! : )
In case the towels behind him didn't give it away, I took this in the bathroom. There was a huge window in there that let in just enough light that if I didn't breathe, I could get a shot without a flash. Whew.

I have so much to learn... and I'm really looking forward to practicing.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Furrie Fotographie

I bought my domain name!!!
Woohoo!
Now I need to figure out the rest of it... and my sister is going to help me build my website because she's an IT guru!
: )

And I got my registration paperwork for the pet photography workshop I am going to in September. I can't wait to fill it all out and send in my deposit this weekend! Woohoo! I keep up with Jamie's photography on Cowbelly's blog and she is amazing. I can't wait to learn from her!

I also have a time set up for next weekend to take pictures of my co-worker's two golden retrievers. They are gorgeous and will be fabulous practice... especially since they are incredibly hyper. It will be fun to play with them and attempt to wear them out just a wee bit before getting started with the camera.
Plus, I gotta figure out how to put together an online portfolio before the workshop!

Lots going on...
hope all is well with each of you!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

YAY!

I have a logo!!! My husband is AWESOME! Friggin' AWESOME!
Seriously, Chris is an amazing artist so I asked him to draw something for me... and he was inspired last night... I LOVE it!!!!
But I was advised not to post it just yet until I find out if I need to copyright it. I'm not sure how all that works... but I can't wait to show you guys. I've been putting it on photos this morning just to see how it looks. Chris might have a heart attack because he says it's not done yet... but I'm impressed by his ability to take the ideas I had and make them look so fabulous on paper!
Hee hee...
I'm giddy!

Friday, July 18, 2008

recycled... envelopes!

So I always save the Sunday comics to use to make my bows... or to use as wrapping paper. Now I've discovered a NEW way to use my comics...
I ordered an envelope making kit that comes with templates and directions for different sizes. I'm so excited!!
Plus I've been thinking about making photo cards too. I figure I have a million photos that could work for that purpose... plus once I get my photography business off and running, I could make them for clients... with their fur-babies on them!

And speaking of my pet photography... well, I'll tell you soon! ; )

Monday, July 14, 2008

My sister is grumpy

that I haven't posted photos from the honeymoon that include me or Chris...
This is our favorite place to eat breakfast:

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Dance off!

I love "So You Think You Can Dance" and I'm very excited that the finale this season will include a dance off between Robert Muraine and Phillip Chbeeb!!

Robert made it to Vegas but then took himself out of the competition... he felt he wasn't a partner dancer and that's what the show is all about, at least until the end when just one person wins. I don't know if he would have made it into the show or not but I sure wish he would have tried. Ah well. They had him on a couple weeks back and Nigel (grumpily) challenged him to dance against Phillip, another popper who auditioned but didn't make it into the show. They announced this week that it will be happening on the finale! Yay!

Here's a dance from the show that I loved. : ) Mia Michaels always choreographs amazing pieces.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

honeymoon post #2

I bought a bag of sunflower seeds for the birds hanging around our cabin... but this cute little chipmunk found them one morning!
(I know the shots are kinda far away but I didn't want to scare him... you can click on the small photo to see it bigger...)


Hee hee... look at his fat little cheeks!

Oops, he saw me... and off he ran!




Thursday, July 10, 2008

Don't tell Uni...

but I made a new little friend on the honeymoon:


Look at these lil paws...
Ha ha! She's almost as bendy as me!










She was the sweetest thing... all rubby and would sit on my lap for ages while I sat in the rocking chair on the porch. She had three or four siblings/buddies but they were skittish and all ran away when they saw me. They didn't know what they were missing with all the pettin!

So, I took lots of photos of various animals on the trip. This is blog post number one. More to come!! : )

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

I'm back and

I wish I could dance.

I know that sounds strange. And it has nothing to do with my honeymoon at all. It's the TV show that I got sucked into halfway through the season last season and have been watching all of this season.
So You Think You Can Dance.
I love it.
I miss dance.
I took ballet, tap, and jazz for 14 years. Yes. 14.
But it's been ages now... and I have a love/hate relationship with dance shows. I love this one though. LOVE it. And hate it a little because I'm too old to be on it. Or try to be on it. Or really to do that kind of dancing anymore. I know, I'm only 33... but I used up my allotment of knee usage already. They creak. Seriously. When I go up the three flights of stairs home, they make noise. But I was a catcher for many years (still am on occasion) and all that dance didn't help either.

Anyway, I DVR the show every week and I'm slightly behind. I watched two weeks ago's shows last night... and you better believe I'll be watching last week's shows in the next couple days.
And yesterday I emailed a dance company in town to get information... they offer an adult ballet class. I still have my pointe shoes!
Maybe I can dance.
Again.



ps. I'll write about my honeymoon later. : )

Friday, June 27, 2008

Meow

Years and the Five Elements
People born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in the "Year Of The Tiger," while also bearing the following elemental sign:

8 February 1902 - 28 January 1903: Water Tiger
26 January 1914 - 13 February 1915: Wood Tiger
13 February 1926 - 1 February 1927: Fire Tiger
31 January 1938 - 18 February 1939: Earth Tiger
17 February 1950 - 5 February 1951: Metal Tiger
5 February 1962 - 24 January 1963: Water Tiger
23 January 1974 - 10 February 1975: Wood Tiger
9 February 1986 - 28 January 1987: Fire Tiger
28 January 1998 - 15 February 1999: Earth Tiger
15 February 2010 - 3 February 2011: Metal Tiger
2022 - 2023: Water Tiger

Attributes
Tiger people are difficult to resist, for they are magnetic characters and their natural air of authority confers a certain prestige on them. They are tempestuous yet calm, warm-hearted yet fearsome, courageous in the face of danger yet yielding, soft and mysterious in unexpected places. They enjoy a life full of challenges and unexpected events, like visiting unusual places and meeting interesting or outstanding people. Other people in their area are easily attracted by the tiger's enthusiasm and way of life. Tigers find pleasure in the unpredictable, and while other people would rather make a backward step, they are not afraid to explore the new and unusual. But it is not that simple to interest the Tiger. What they really need is first-hand experience. Usually open and frank, these people are likely to withdraw and can be aggressive when trapped. As soon as the Tiger has regained their sense of security their confidence also returns, enabling them to set out once more. These people usually tend to trust their instincts, though there is another side of their personality, which assesses situations thoughtfully before they launch any actions. Their friends usually secretly admire their determination and optimism, though sometimes may find it complicated to share the Tiger's enthusiasm and can be pushed away and left behind. Although Tigers can be courageous and generous friends, if they are not able to achieve what they want, they can be inflexible and self-centered. So if your friend was born in the year of the Tiger, there will be highs and lows in your friendship, but the friendship itself will remain firm.

Ideal jobs for tigers include entrepreneur, military officer, politician, musician, writer, poet, artist, theater director, biological and environmental engineer, stockbroker, athlete, film star, trade union leader, company director, stunt person, explorer, and lawyer.


Traditional Tiger Attributes/Associations
Attribute
Zodiac Location 3rd
Ruling hours 3am-5am
Direction Northeast
Season and month Winter, February
Lunar Month Dates February 4-March 5
Gemstone Sapphire
Colors Green
Roughly equivalent western sign Aquarius
Polarity Yang
Food Bread, poultry
Positive Traits Independent, brave, confident, dynamic, intense, energetic, sacrificing, faithful, Attractive
Negative Traits Moody, reckless, hot-headed, selfish, impatient, impulsive, opinionated, rebellious
Countries Russia, Romania, Spain, Turkey, El Salvador, North Korea

So I'm an Aquarius AND a Tiger! : )
I looked up wood too since it said I am a wood tiger.

Attributes
In Chinese thought, Wood attributes are considered to be strength and flexibility, as with bamboo. It is also associated with qualities of warmth, generosity, co-operation and idealism. The Wood person will be expansive, outgoing and socially conscious. The wood element is one that seeks always to grow and expand. Wood heralds the beginning of life, springtime and buds, sensuality and fecundity. Wood needs moisture to thrive.

In Chinese medicine, wood is associated with negative feelings of anger or depression, and positive feelings of patience and altruism. Organs associated with this element are the liver (yin) and the gall bladder (yang), the eyes and the tendons.

In Chinese astrology wood is included in the 10 heavenly stems (the five elements in their yin and yang forms), which combine with the 12 earthly branches (or Chinese signs of the zodiac), to form the 60 year cycle. Yang wood years end in 4 (eg 1974), while Yin years end in 5 (eg 1975). Wood governs the Chinese zodiac signs Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, and Dragon.

Although it traditionally is not included in the Western scheme of elements, some western astrologers have suggested that wood should be recognised as a 'combined element' or 'material' derived from Fire and Water; just as Jupiter rules the Fire sign of Sagittarius and the Water sign of Pisces.


Cycle of the elements
In the regenerative cycle of the elements, Water engenders Wood, as rain or dew makes plant life flourish; and Wood begets Fire as fire is generated by rubbing together two pieces of wood. In the conquest cycle, Wood overcomes Earth by binding it together with the roots of trees; and Metal overcomes Wood, as the metal axe can fell even the largest tree.

Uh oh... apparently Ox and Tiger are a bad match...
I may be doomed! ; )
But at least he's a WATER ox!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Day After Tomorrow

We are off on our Sweet Orb in the Sky!!
North Carolina, here we come!

And I didn't send off my camera just yet... I couldn't bear to be without it for the trip. I know, I know... I need to get it fixed. But a camera that works half the time is better than no camera.

Scarlett wrote about a company that makes fun, fashionable camera straps... I want one but I don't know which one to get. I kinda like the men's "Out of the Box". What do you guys think?
Which one should I get?

Back to NC stuff... we bought tickets to Biltmore and for a train tour on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. We're doing the Tuckasegee River Tour and we'll see where The Fugitive was filmed. The movie, not the tv show...
We also have some other stuff planned and lots of downtime too. I'll definitely post photos when we return!
Have a good week!!!!!
: )

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Camera Update

For those of you who are interested, I'm sending my camera off to Canon this week for some fixin! Yippee.
Of course then I'll be without it for a few weeks... and I'm really hoping I get it back before our sweet orb in the sky to North Carolina at the end of this month. I'm going to make Chris stop at all the overlooks on our drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and although my point and shoot isn't a bad lil camera, it just won't be the same. : (


Anyway, on a happier note... I managed to get a couple cute shots of Mr. Big on his visit this weekend. These are for you, Traci P!!





And this one is Apple... Mr. Big and Apple look a lot alike : )



Same pose!!
That's it... for now.

Cuddle your Kitty


An Engineer's Guide to Cats

I LOVE the Corporal Cuddling part... you have got to watch this video!! : )

To keep you antici...


pating.
That's my dress hanging in the corner... and my mom and one of my bridesmaids, Sheri. Weren't those dresses fun?? I think every bride likes to think they got a dress for their girls that they can wear again... but really... didn't I??
: )

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

I'm baaaack!

And I'm married!

I promise to write more about it... and to definitely share photos when I get them! But I will say that the day flew by and seemed sorta fuzzy and surreal... and the zoo at night was GORGEOUS!

Hope all is well with each of you! : )

Monday, April 28, 2008

Unice

Uni, Unice when she's in trouble or when I just feel like elongating her name, loves the tube my mom got her last summer. She's hard to take good pictures of because she's not allowed outside (except the patio... and then only if we are there too) and when the flash goes off inside, she squints. So here is my shot of her sans flash. Just close to the window and with a slow shutter speed. : )

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

hard work and frustration

So I'm in St. Augustine this week dogsitting for four pups. This means I have yet to bake something good for Katie, who is the only one to take me up on my previous blog entry. It also means that I have been able to do some practicing for my eventually business in pet photography. It's a lot of work. AND I'm about to lose my mind over this "error 99" I keep getting from my camera which causes me to lose half the pictures I try to take. Ugh. I've been doing some research on it but I've yet to fix the problem. : (
Anyway, here are some of the recent shots of the dogs. If you recognize them it is probably because they are the same four dogs that I always watch so I've posted shots before...

This is Kody (the cowardly lion...)


And Biscuit who reminds me of a black Apple for some reason...

Miss Macy has her nails painted hot pink!
So does Molly!
Kody is smilin'... and you can see me in his eyes if you look close. I like this one. I know no one is looking at me... but it gives me a certain vibe. Like the scene is Swingers that they steal from Reservoir Dogs... where they are all walking down the street... it gives me that vibe. I should try it in black and white...

I had more photos to upload but I keep getting errors and I'm tired. All four have to sleep in the bed with me... and it's not my bed so I wake up a lot anyway... it's been a long week. And it's not over yet!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Play It Forward

I "won" the cutest bag from Sue of Too Cute Pugs last week! I borrowed the picture so you guys can see how fun it is! And perfect for me because I hate plastic bags at the store so it will be much more exciting to have a cute canvas bag as opposed to the plain ones I have now!

Now it is my turn to think of something to offer to YOU!
I debated on offering up some photography... and then I thought about making some photography greeting cards. But I think in the end, I'll do something that more people would be interested in:
DESSERT!
I love to bake! So the first three people to comment and let me know they want in on the game will get a goodie box of baked from scratch treats. Make sure to let me know if you can't eat something specific that might be an ingredient... like I have a friend who can't eat my fudge because I put marshmallow fluff in it which apparently has gelatin in it which is made from hooves (I think that's what she said?) and she's a vegan. Or if you are allergic to peanuts, I guess I shouldn't make my infamous peanut butter chocolate bars. But I promise whatever I make for you, it will be tasty!
And then YOU will have to Play It Forward! People do all kinds of things for their gifts... I've seen a lot of art (but I think I had found my way into an artists circle) but you can give whatever you want! : )
Yay!