Thursday, February 25, 2010

An Official Photo Shoot...

...with an uncooperative subject.  But the photos are great anyway.  Here are some of my favorites.  It has been really nice to be able to stretch my photographic potential in a more professional way. (You know, until he can balance something on his head at which point professional will go out the window.)








And in case you were wondering where he gets his good looks:


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Dog Xing










I love this dog so much.  When we walk together a simple "tsk" from me makes him turn around and come to me immediately.  He is better off a leash than many dogs are on one.  He stands still for my pictures even when he doesn't want to or doesn't understand.  And his newest trick? He cleans up his toys.  On the command "put away" he is learning to pick up his toys and put them back in his toy basket.  Like I said, I love him so much.


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Miss Delilah





Monday, February 22, 2010

Archie Versus The Coffee Grinder

Friday, February 19, 2010

Perspective

This

Is the brown dot in this photo

Pretty Cool.

(Sorry for the blur in the first photo, I had to stand in an awkward position to get the shot and did not have my mini tripod with me.  Thanks to Fla. Remodel Gal for lending her hand for some perspective.)


Thursday, February 18, 2010

Serious Cuteness Coming Your Way

I can't stop taking photos of this kid!





Wednesday, February 17, 2010

My Incredibly Important Opinions About The Olympics

1. Cross country skiing is insane.  I don't know what crazed Viking started the sport, but he was nuts. Maybe he thought "I know, I will ski until I want to die so that the rest of my life seems better in comparison".  I mean, these guys (and girls) literally collapse at the finish line.  They often have a lovely trail of drool coming out of their mouth and windburned faces the color of cherries. Yeah, that's how I want to spend my day. Where can I sign up?

2. I have a new respect for the snowboarders after trying it for myself and falling on my ass so many times that I couldn't sit down for days. Plus they're hot.

3. "Oh, Canada" is a really confusing anthem. The Canadians don't seem any less confused.

4.  Every time a moguls skier hits a bump going down the hill I think "knee replacement, knee replacement, knee replacement".

5. It makes sense that many figure skating pairs are also couples in real life. It's a very handsy sport.

6. Two weeks of Olympic games....That's a lot of Bob Costas. 

7. If the difference between Gold and Last Place is .03 seconds, you should find another sport (I'M TALKING TO YOU LUGERS!)

8. What The Fuck is wrong with the Japanese judges? Dudes, it's obvious, give it up.

9. I don't understand hockey.

10. I liked seeing Wayne Gretzky sweat when the torch thingy malfunctioned during the opening ceremonies.  I could just hear someone in the camera control room saying, "Move in on his upper lip. I WANT TO SEE THE GREAT ONE SWEAT DAMNIT!"

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

All Creatures Great And Small



Monday, February 15, 2010

Medicine Is Magical and Magical Is Art

That is one of my favorite quotes in the world.  It is from a Paul Simon song called The Boy In The Bubble.
This lyric seems to be running through my head right now. 

I have been having an internal debate about whether or not to discuss the following subject on the blog.  I finally came to the decision that this blog is about who I am and I cannot leave this part out.

I have depression.

Like millions of other people in the world I struggle with the chemicals in my brain.  I have been on medication for many years (medication I am not willing to name) and it helps me.  Well, sometimes it helps more than others.  Lately I have been going through the unpleasant process of adding a medication to my regimen.  I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to bring this topic up here.

Part of my decision to talk about it is that I don't want to perpetuate the stereotype that depression is something to be ashamed of.  Depression is chemical and is often genetic.  There is depression on both sides of my family as far back as I can think.  At first I didn't bring it up because it didn't seem to have anything to do with the blog.  Then I realized that because it is something I deal with every day (even when "dealing with it" simply means taking a pill), it is a part of me and therefore a part of my writing here. 

Over the years, my depression has had peaks and valleys.  Some of the peaks were wonderful and lasted a long time.  Some of the valleys were very deep and seemingly endless. 

A recent string of events has made it hard to see the good side of life.  I cannot talk about the specifics of the tragedy because it is not my tragedy.  I do not own it.  My friend owns it.  What I can say is that it has changed my worldview and will stay with me for a very long time.

This tragedy came only a month or so after a little one I know was diagnosed with a fatal disease.  Watching her deteriorate week by week has been tough.  Watching her little hands shake as she comes in for a hug pulls at my heart.  Watching her have ten to fifteen absence seizures an hour is difficult to watch.

I guess the main reason why I am blogging about depression is because I don't want this blog to be about some charicature of myself.  I want it to be about me.  And part of me is my battle with depression. 
If my being open about my depression helps even one person who reads this understand that their depression is not something to be ashamed of, then I have been able to squeeze some good out of some bad.

Luckily I have good doctors and am now on the other side of this little hiccup.  The days are good and will continue to get better.

"Medicine is Magical and Magical is Art.  Just look at the Boy in the Bubble and the Baby with the Baboon Heart." -Paul Simon

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

First Signs Of Spring?



























All of these were taken with my micro lens.  Looks like I am getting a little better with it, no? My next step is to get a tripod so I can reduce shake and blur altogether. 

Monday, February 8, 2010

New Life

Remember the photos I shared from my first pregnancy shoot?


Well take a look at my next photo subject.

























This is Hayden. I may be biased but I think he is just edible!
These photos were taken when I visited E in the hospital. I can't wait to do a proper photo shoot with this little (and I mean 5 lbs 12 oz little) man. 
In the meantime, enjoy the pictures. Oh, and try not to kiss those cheeks through the computer, just try it.









Saturday, February 6, 2010

Loss

Please keep my friend and her husband and daughter in your thoughts right now.
They have just gone through one of the most horrible experiences that I can imagine.
Thank You.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Smooshableness

In our house these are called llama lips.  And they are infinitely kissable.

























(These are Arrow's lips in case that wasn't obvious)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Itty Bitty

Here are some more pictures from my recent forays into micro photography.  I am still working out all the kinks but here you go.





(If you look closely at the center drop in the photo above you can see a reflection of me taking the picture.)


I cannot wait until Spring rolls around and I have more interesting things to take pictures of than dew drops.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

I Feel Like I Win When I Lose

My boss asked me to work on Saturday which really bummed me out.  I mean, who wants to give up their Saturday? But I said yes and am glad that I did. 
We had a presentation to do in San Rafael so I brought my camera in case the weather cleared and I could head down to San Francisco for some pictures.  
Instead, I went to the Marin Headlands and spent one of the most glorious hours of my life. I gave myself the gift of time.  I wasn't in a rush. I didn't have a goal that had to be met.  The entire objective of the trip was to enjoy myself and take some great pictures.  And here they are, be warned, I took a lot of pictures. 





























I took a walk around the old barracks by the north tower of the bridge.







Then I drove the long and narrow road around the top of the headlands toward the Pacific.









What an amazing place to call home.