the last post

I could look back and be disappointed with things I did not do this year, but then again, I can also look back and see all that I did do, documented or not. I can also get excited to always strive to be better, do better, no matter if it's the new year or three months in. I'm finishing this after coming home from seeing Wild, which was a life-changing book when I read it. I was deep down in the dumps, and reading what Cheryl accomplished in order to work through her suffering made me feel empowered. I haven't done anything in years for New Years Eve just because going out and having to wait until at least midnight to go home does not appeal to me. I'm here, rambling, watching the Simpsons with my boyfriend and my cat. There's nowhere else I'd rather be. Cheers to more nights like this and a good new year.

around here

Things have been so hectic lately. I hope to review some books in the next days I have off. Please don't hold your breath, but I'd really like to! I'll try my hardest, I swear. Gosh, I don't even think I'll finish my 365. It's not that I haven't been trying to get motivated, but ooof. Sometimes you just can't jumpstart your brain, y'know? These past week has been great, with friends visiting from out of town, family, and food. This year, Matt and I had to split time between out families. My family hasn't really done much for Christmas so it was exciting, and maybe a little stressful, to do back and forth. But at least I got to see everyone and spend time with both sides. Batman was super spoiled by Matt's mom and sister. She's loving her toys and treats, both of which she's usually weird about. She's also excited about all of the boxes we've obtained over the week. Kitty paradise!

life lately: photos and thoughts

I'm considering importing my other blog into this blog so that I can just purchase a domain, have everything under one name, clean things up a little bit more. I'll have to round up the books I have read. I know I am not making it to 50 books in the short amount of time I have. Only on 32 books. Definitely not happening. I'm trying to really push myself to be motivated to execute all of the ideas I have floating around in my brain. My friend and I are working on a show together. He came up with a really great theme that will be revealed in due time. I'm planning on some sort of May showing. It gives us time to pull everything together. Lately, I have been scrapbooking/collaging/hand-lettering. It's fun to lose yourself in juxtaposing images and a lyric or quote. I also enjoy using my new micro-line ink pens. I've certainly been practicing my drawing skills. Maybe I'll be brave to share someday.

november 25, 2014

snapshots from a lazy day with batman & matt, baking cookies.

about that unexpected break...

It's been nearly a month since I last posted, and that's odd, even for me. I wasn't expecting to take a little break. I can't even promise future consistency, but I can say that I will try my best, but I have to admit that after a summer filled with lots of adventures and projects, I feel a little bit burned out. That's not to say I'm not shooting. I'm shooting a lot with my phone, using VSCOcam app. I stopped following a photography website because they always seemed to hate on VSCO in favor of another photo preset company, but they're similar in that they provide presets for photographers to use, but I prefer VSCO's style and user interface. Just because something doesn't suit your aesthetic doesn't mean it's something to bash. I understand constructive criticism, but it was a little petty, IMO. Whoa, sorry to go off on a tangent. I haven't been able to sit still for very long in order to post to my tumblr and 365 Project, but I've been keeping up with my VSCO grid. Maybe I'll finally finish up my summer book roundup *nail bite*

all about that (office) space

I recently got it into my head that I needed a space to work away from my bedroom, away from distractions. After moving around and getting rid of a few things in the spare bedroom, I was all set for some key components of my office space. I've never had a desk that was all mine. I was super excited that as an early birthday present, my mom and I went shopping for a desk (thanks, ma!!!) This thing is solid. It's metal, wood, and glass (the top is). The chevron is actually one of three sheets of contact paper patterns that came with the desk. They're double sided so I've got six choices whenever I feel like changing things up. A run to Target was necessary, where I found a small area rug on clearance (not pictured, but here's something similar from Target) and that stupid $1 section sucked me in. I managed to power through some wedding photos I shot this weekend, seated comfortably in my turquoise chair. From said wedding, I acquired sculptures of Totoro and No Face from Miyazaki movies My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. Totoro sits on my desk. I've got to say that it's a small thing to have this little space, but I love it. I can't wait to paint and change the light fixture. I'll share that when the time comes!

coffee, anyone?

Ran out of coffee Saturday morning so before work yesterday, Matt and I picked up some coffees, as well as a pound to replenish our home stock. Coffee is the perfect way to begin the day, in my opinion. It's been part of my morning routine forever. I drink my coffee slowly so I'm grateful for mornings off when I can sit around with one large cup for a long time.

Work has been one giant blur. Groundhogs day. I've barely had time to bring out my camera. I'm actually shooting another roll of film from the grab bag I got for my birthday. It's Fujifilm Superia 400. I'm looking into online processing for film so if anybody knows of a website. I've got a couple that I'm thinking of, but one is in Europe and I'm afraid my film will get lost in transit. I'm seriously paranoid about my film. I once had a roll destroyed from when I travelled out west to Seattle. It was very sad. The local place I went to closed down. Such is my luck when it comes to film. First, it was the place where I used to purchase Ilford HP5 when I was in high school, and now the place where I'd get my film processed. Sad. Hopefully, one day, I'll be able to put the darkroom equipment I've been hoarding to good use.

longest winter ever

This photograph is from two years ago when I was in California around this time of year. It was nice and warm. I could wear shorts. It was great! I wish that I could say the same thing about the weather here, but it is warming up. It's been in the 30s and 40s the past few days, which is nice. Tonight it has dropped, but I want this warmness to stay and to possibly become warmer.

I haven't shot a whole lot of new things. Once again, the weather has been a factor, but that will turn around. For now, I've been scouring my archives for hidden gems to edit with Lightroom. I haven't gotten tired of learning its ins and outs. I also treated myself to the amazing book of Vivian Maier self-portraits. I'm not sure if I've brought up Vivian Maier before, but her story is amazing.I'm not sure if I shared this story, but her photographs went largely undeveloped until collector John Maloof came across them during an estate sale of some sort. He developed them and discovered an unknown street photographer. Actually a nanny, Vivian traveled around the world, but most of her photographs are set in Chicago. It's just a very interesting story of such a great photographer.

cookies and such

The weather is freaking weird. It was really warm yesterday to the point where I was leaving work at around 10:30, wearing just my scarf and hoodie. Yep. Today, it's kind of chilly again, but pouring rain. It's really bizarre, but it's Wisconsin. Typical. I've spent the day inside doodling and I'm coming up with possibly a new, doodled header. We'll see if I come up with anything I actually like, but I've just been playing around with a couple ideas in my sketchbook. I'm trying to draw things and ideas more because it does seem to help me to come up with a solution in the end.

It has been a while since I have baked any thing. Stupid winter and lack of motivation. I bought the ingredients for these cookies a couple of weeks ago and have just been so lazy. I finally got down to business today and finally whipped up a batch. A few are just plain chocolate chip, but the rest have walnuts because if it's one thing my mom always complains about my cookies is that they lack nuts. Nothing to complain about now. Just a glass of milk and some cookies. yum!

thoughts and things

I have had to start carrying around my catch-all, Jonathan Adler notebook because I've got so many thoughts and ideas. Must write it all down! It's fun to page through that thing, filled with half lists, sentence fragments that only make sense to me, and random doodles. I have been doing a lot of different things, just nothing that I am sharing. Who knows if I will ever share it? However, I'd like to keep it to myself until I know what I want to really do with it. Lately, I've been really inspired by Amanda Jasnowski, Vivian Fu, and Johanna Tagada. I have been perusing their portfolios at least once a day. Doing so has helped me to look at things differently, but I'm not sure if anyone wants to see what I'm seeing in the new way in which I'm seeing things. Does that make sense?
I'm always amazed when people are interested in what I am doing photography-wise. Just the other day, someone asked me how did my 365 project end up. I had them repeat the question, that's how in shock I was. Despite having heard shitty things others have said about my photography, I am my own worst critic. The fact that someone else is genuinely interested in what I am doing makes my heart swell and the doubt fades away. Hopefully I can feel that way one day about the weird stuff I'm doing, but for now, it's the regularly scheduled program.

looking forward

This is my last post of 2013. That is weird to think. This year just flew by, but it was a great year. I'm not going to do a whole recap. You can check out my instagram for that recap, but that's it. I'm excited to start a new year, a new 365 project. I've been looking into possibly acquiring a Nikon D7100. I'd love one. We'll see. Maybe that will be a goal of mine for 2014. Today, I acquired a photo printer. It's so pretty and works wonderfully. I've already printed a few photographs so get ready for some prints that I've promised to a few folks.
I enjoyed a fun day with my mom and Matt. We went shopping for a few items and I ended up buying the printer. My mom says I'm like a kid with a new toy. I've been wanting a good printer for a while! Just for photos! All mine! Hooray! Merry Christmas to me! I hope everyone has a safe, yet fun New Years Eve. I don't do anything except go to the movies. Finally seeing The Hobbit!

time flies...

...when you're busy working retail during the Holiday season. I have had no energy to do anything. My room is clean for the first time in over a month. I won't have to pep talk myself as much when I go to work tomorrow. Hopefully, the meltdowns are over. It's exhausting. At work, we say,"Smile 'cause when you smile, the whole world smiles with you." Some people's armor is tough to penetrate with just a smile, but it does help to keep you sane if you're smiling despite the fact someone is yelling at you because you can't take a Starbucks card. Hence, my absence. It's been snowing a lot here, on and off for the past few days. Snow is pretty until everyone starts driving, turning the snow a yucky grey. We did have a white Christmas.
I finally saw Catching Fire. What an AMAZING movie. I've read the books, I know how everything plays out, but I still could not help but to be tense during certain parts. We had plans to see American Hustle last night, but I'd been ill all day so that didn't happen. Matt and I were supposed to see the Hobbit today, but instead spent it cleaning my room, moving things around. Our reward was pizza, food coma/nap, and movies. We've watched Lawless and are currently watching Seven Psychopaths. Interesting movie, this Seven Psychopaths. I feel like I was more invested in Lawless, but we're not that far into it. I should probably end this post so that I can get back to focusing on what's going on. I've got a few phone snaps to share: 1. Matt's present | 2. Matt wearing one of his presents- Limited Edition Heisenberg sweater | 3. Matt's mom made this awesome Where The Wild Things Are blanket

bring on the cheer

Back in November, I was getting a few people's addresses in order so I could send them a nice Christmas package. Seth Cohen had his own special Seth Cohen Starter Pack that he gave to the ladies he was seeing. I'm giving something similar to friends in far away parts of the country. There will be a mix cd, handmade Christmas card, and photo prints. I've been stressing a lot about putting these packs together, as well as work stress, that time has flown away from me. Bye, bye, time, good to see you. Tomorrow, I'm planning on putting these babies in their envelopes and sending them on their way. If you're expecting one, it might arrive after Christmas, but fear not! It will be en route.
Why did I want to do something like that? This time of year is difficult- it's stressful, exhausting, and for some of us, depressing due to the lack of sunlight. I thought of a way to share one of my coping mechanisms (music) and the idea went from there. I miss receiving and sending things to people so I guess this is my way of attempting to get back into the game. I'm having fun with it. I hope everyone who receives one enjoys it, too.