Hey, we had a small earthquake here this afternoon.. Nothing for anyone to be worried about (it was minor) but very rare around these parts.
I was on the computer finishing up work I had procrastinated doing the days before and heard what sounded like a snowplow scraping the road.. but directly on the ground. There was nothing outside. I could feel the trembling in the caboose (;-D) though and it lasted about 30 seconds.
A girlfriend of mine that lives about a mile away called me and said she felt the same thing.. that her dog was sleeping and it woke him up.. and he was frightened. Sylvain was about 4 miles out of town and they felt it there too.
Seems the epicenter was about 40 some miles away and it rated 3.3 on the richter scale. I know everyone in California is laughing right now the same way we laugh when you say your town was immoblized because of a few inches of snow.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
my printer
Last summer I bought myself a new photoprinter that Kitten recommended and I must say it is a real jewel. It prints incredible photos at lightning speed, full color high resolution 8 x 10s in about a 1 minute and so quietly that when I first got it I would stand up and check if it was really printing.. yes that quiet.
I never appreciated the 6 individual ink tanks as much as today though. After printing over 70 sepia 8 x 10's ... I can just imagine the waste of ink in the regular 3 color combotanks, literally, money in the trash.
Canon i960, I love you!
I never appreciated the 6 individual ink tanks as much as today though. After printing over 70 sepia 8 x 10's ... I can just imagine the waste of ink in the regular 3 color combotanks, literally, money in the trash.
Canon i960, I love you!
Saturday, January 29, 2005
weird
Boy, the forums at Worth has been incredibly quiet since yesterday... it's weird. Maybe there is some huge sporting event or something going on that I'm not aware of.
Anyways, I've made a batch of cookies, they are warm out of the oven, and waiting just for you! You can have milk, coffee, tea.. whatever you want.. just come on over, I could sure use the company.
Anyways, I've made a batch of cookies, they are warm out of the oven, and waiting just for you! You can have milk, coffee, tea.. whatever you want.. just come on over, I could sure use the company.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Procrastinating
I've been procrastinating all day. I have these forms that the members of the troupe filled out to put together with the photographs I took and to turn it all into something easy to access and read for the director and the costume designer. I'm used to working in Publisher but if I want to turn this into a .pdf document, I will most likely have to do it in Word. I don't feel like it .. so I've been putting it aside since yesterday.. and roaming the Worth forums instead.
I have looked through them though.. and some people apparently used the wrong end of the measuring tape.. One woman has her head as being 39" in circumference... was the Elephant man's head that big?.. and one man put his hips as being 21 1/2".. unless he had a buttectomy, this has got to be wrong. One of the girls does indeed have a 33" butt... now that's tiny.
One thing for sure, woman have wider hips than men and men have bigger heads. I wonder what that says about the fact we are attracted to each other.
----------
Talking about members of the troupe, I have a bit of a dilemna. There is a girl that often likes to place herself beside me. She is a fabulous singer but there is one huge problem for me. She has body odor.
Now, I'm very much in favor of letting people live the way they want. I'm not perfect and don't expect others to be. Your house can be messy or very oraganized; do as you wish. Want hairy armpits and hairy legs, fine with me.. they are yours to do with as you please. The problem for me is that the odor is distracting and really turns me off.
I wish there was a way to tell her. The thing is she is a sweetheart and I don't have the heart to do it. She would be incredibly hurt, I'm sure.. as I would be if someone would tell me such a thing.
She's young, 23, I think, and fnishing school to be a teacher this year. She also lives with a guy. I can't imagine having intimate relations with someone who smells bad. They say bodily odors are an aphrodisiac ad can turn people on.. well they can.. but normal smells.. on a clean body.. not something that smells like the lockerroom after a basketball game.
I just can't see anyway of telling her that wouldn't be mean. Is there a kind way? Hmm.. I'm thinking I 'll just have to endure it.
I have looked through them though.. and some people apparently used the wrong end of the measuring tape.. One woman has her head as being 39" in circumference... was the Elephant man's head that big?.. and one man put his hips as being 21 1/2".. unless he had a buttectomy, this has got to be wrong. One of the girls does indeed have a 33" butt... now that's tiny.
One thing for sure, woman have wider hips than men and men have bigger heads. I wonder what that says about the fact we are attracted to each other.
----------
Talking about members of the troupe, I have a bit of a dilemna. There is a girl that often likes to place herself beside me. She is a fabulous singer but there is one huge problem for me. She has body odor.
Now, I'm very much in favor of letting people live the way they want. I'm not perfect and don't expect others to be. Your house can be messy or very oraganized; do as you wish. Want hairy armpits and hairy legs, fine with me.. they are yours to do with as you please. The problem for me is that the odor is distracting and really turns me off.
I wish there was a way to tell her. The thing is she is a sweetheart and I don't have the heart to do it. She would be incredibly hurt, I'm sure.. as I would be if someone would tell me such a thing.
She's young, 23, I think, and fnishing school to be a teacher this year. She also lives with a guy. I can't imagine having intimate relations with someone who smells bad. They say bodily odors are an aphrodisiac ad can turn people on.. well they can.. but normal smells.. on a clean body.. not something that smells like the lockerroom after a basketball game.
I just can't see anyway of telling her that wouldn't be mean. Is there a kind way? Hmm.. I'm thinking I 'll just have to endure it.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
tag, you're it!
After my shower this evening before going to practice, I put on a new bra that I bought last week. Before buying it, I tried it on and it fit fine but you know how it is.. there are labels and plastic wires attached for price tags etc., so it is normal that it sometimes picks a bit.
Tonight I put on the bra.. it looked fine but felt like something was jabbing me on the left. This wasn't a little prickle .. it was really annoying.
I take it off to find the manufacturer has sewn on a little pouch next to the label that is very hard and about 1 1/2 inches long by 1/2 inch wide. I cut it off and inside is a plastic stick that when you cut open you find a long piece of metal. I immediately understand what it is; a security tag against theft. This little object is a magnetized piece of metal that they demagnetize when you pass at the cash.
I'm imagining in my brain someone trying on this bra.. and deciding to steal it.. by wearing it. They are leaving the store and the alarms start ringing.. They start checking her bags.. nothing.. her pockets .. again, nothing. Ok.. how do they check this out.. what if she is a teenager? This is not a CD.. this is a very personal item worn on a very intimate part of our body.
Can they just ask someone to strip? This little security device is sewn completely inside the bra.. there is no way you could find it without taking off the bra.
I know you are not supposed to steal (believe me, I remember once walking out of a store with a small bag of elastics worth perhaps a dollar.. and walking all the way back to pass at the cash with it.. when I realized I hadn't paid for it) but I'm thinking of lots of young kids that often do stupid and foolish things.. if you are caught with a CD in your pocket, they confiscate it and then probably call your parents.. but what do they do here? A strip search? I just wish the tag would be more obvious and that it would discourage theft instead of being hidden for the purpose of catching thiefs.. Does this make sense to anyone else at all?
Tonight I put on the bra.. it looked fine but felt like something was jabbing me on the left. This wasn't a little prickle .. it was really annoying.
I take it off to find the manufacturer has sewn on a little pouch next to the label that is very hard and about 1 1/2 inches long by 1/2 inch wide. I cut it off and inside is a plastic stick that when you cut open you find a long piece of metal. I immediately understand what it is; a security tag against theft. This little object is a magnetized piece of metal that they demagnetize when you pass at the cash.
I'm imagining in my brain someone trying on this bra.. and deciding to steal it.. by wearing it. They are leaving the store and the alarms start ringing.. They start checking her bags.. nothing.. her pockets .. again, nothing. Ok.. how do they check this out.. what if she is a teenager? This is not a CD.. this is a very personal item worn on a very intimate part of our body.
Can they just ask someone to strip? This little security device is sewn completely inside the bra.. there is no way you could find it without taking off the bra.
I know you are not supposed to steal (believe me, I remember once walking out of a store with a small bag of elastics worth perhaps a dollar.. and walking all the way back to pass at the cash with it.. when I realized I hadn't paid for it) but I'm thinking of lots of young kids that often do stupid and foolish things.. if you are caught with a CD in your pocket, they confiscate it and then probably call your parents.. but what do they do here? A strip search? I just wish the tag would be more obvious and that it would discourage theft instead of being hidden for the purpose of catching thiefs.. Does this make sense to anyone else at all?
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
cold mountain
Yesterday, I finally sat down to watch 'Cold Mountain'. I had heard all about it being a great historical romance.
There were certain parts that I just loved. The battle scenes at the beginning were very well done although I suspect that during that time the soldiers would have taken more than silver and metal.. they would have stripped them naked and left them to rot.. of course this was alot easier to watch.
I also really admired the choice of the chanting during the battle scenes... I thought that was brilliant.
Renée Zwellweger made me laugh in that I know someone that is very much like her, not a hillbilly mind you, but a tomboy and very much... no frill.. boisterous and loud and always... go.. go.. go.. and let's get this done.. type of person.
Jude Law was gorgeus; Nicole Kidman was a bit cold.. they just didn't have alot of chemistry.
I know they wanted the story to be filled with trials and tribulations, but somewhere along the line I felt nobody could be outdoors for 2 minutes without being in danger of getting not just killed but slaughtered.
I also hated the ending. Yes, it is perhaps true that I'm a sucker for a happy ending but in this case I was disappointed that as in several other movies I have seen the hero comes back only to be able to inseminate her.. so that when he dies.. she will live happily ever after now with his offspring.
So all this to say, the movie was good, but not the masterpiece that I had heard about. Worth the little 2 1/2 hours it took to watch it? Yeah, sure. :)
There were certain parts that I just loved. The battle scenes at the beginning were very well done although I suspect that during that time the soldiers would have taken more than silver and metal.. they would have stripped them naked and left them to rot.. of course this was alot easier to watch.
I also really admired the choice of the chanting during the battle scenes... I thought that was brilliant.
Renée Zwellweger made me laugh in that I know someone that is very much like her, not a hillbilly mind you, but a tomboy and very much... no frill.. boisterous and loud and always... go.. go.. go.. and let's get this done.. type of person.
Jude Law was gorgeus; Nicole Kidman was a bit cold.. they just didn't have alot of chemistry.
I know they wanted the story to be filled with trials and tribulations, but somewhere along the line I felt nobody could be outdoors for 2 minutes without being in danger of getting not just killed but slaughtered.
I also hated the ending. Yes, it is perhaps true that I'm a sucker for a happy ending but in this case I was disappointed that as in several other movies I have seen the hero comes back only to be able to inseminate her.. so that when he dies.. she will live happily ever after now with his offspring.
So all this to say, the movie was good, but not the masterpiece that I had heard about. Worth the little 2 1/2 hours it took to watch it? Yeah, sure. :)
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Oh My!
Some of you may remember a few weeks ago, I wrote a blog on a discussion we had at Artalyst about nudes in art. One of the persons on the site made quite a stir about it being soft porn. I wrote all about it here.
Anyways, seems I have had a visitor to my blog who came here specifically with the following keywords: soft porn, butt, photographs.
Oh My!!
Galoot, was that you??
Anyways, seems I have had a visitor to my blog who came here specifically with the following keywords: soft porn, butt, photographs.
Oh My!!
Galoot, was that you??
Saturday, January 22, 2005
shortcut icon
Today, I added a shortcut icon to my blog. You should be able to see a 16 x 16 pixel icon of my Worth avatar in the location bar atop. I can see it in Mozilla, can you see it too?
Would you like to add one to your blog? ... easy as pie.
A) Just make a small icon .. exactly 16 x 16 pixels... I would suggest a .gif then rename it as a .ico
B) upload it somewhere you can link to
C) Add this html code between the HEAD and TITLE in your template:
Would you like to add one to your blog? ... easy as pie.
A) Just make a small icon .. exactly 16 x 16 pixels... I would suggest a .gif then rename it as a .ico
B) upload it somewhere you can link to
C) Add this html code between the HEAD and TITLE in your template:
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Jamais deux sans trois!
There is a French expression: Jamais deux sans trois.. which means, never twice without thrice. It is used when talking about luck.. usually about bad luck. Tonight was one such night.
Nothing terribly bad happened... but it's as if nothing would go right. Actually it is all pretty funny.
Normally, last week I was to take individual pictures of all the members of the troupe for our coming production. The weather last week was pretty horrendous so I put off taking the pictures until this week because I didn't want too many people that would be missing.
To start off with, I'm going to blame all this on my periods that I started today. I guess there was not enough blood going to my head and I bungled a bunch of stuff up.
I was scrambling to get ready to leave and wanted to make sure I had fresh batteries in my camera. I had done a photoshoot a few nights before and still had on the piece with a screw that allows you to attach your camera to a tripod. I 'll call this piece the "whatchamacallit" because I don't know it's proper name. So, of course, to exchange the batteries, I had to take this whatchamacallit off. I did so. Put in fresh batteries.. put my camera and another set of fresh batteries (just to be on the safe side) into my camera case.
I have alot of things to bring, my camera in it's case, a tripod, an envelope with forms for members that weren't there last week to fill out, a pen, a bottle of water and of course.. in case I get finished early enough.. a binder with music. I decide I don't want to juggle so many different articles so I'll put several in a bag. I put everything except the camera and the tripod into this bag.
I'm thinking I'm well organized and everything will be fine. I will go up 4 flights and take the pictures of all the girls... then go down 5 flights.. take pictures of the guys.. then go up 5 flights.. and join rehearsals and then go down 4 flights and go home. Sounds like an aerobics class doesn't it?
Anyways.. I get to the hall.. and take off my coat.. start taking out my forms..and ooh.. bungle up #1: I hadn't pressed the top of my water bottle properly.. and half of the bottle of water emptied into this bag. All the music in my binder has wet edges, my forms are safe since the envelope they were in saved them. This is actually pretty funny to everyone.. I just smirk. take everything out.. place it to the side.. and empty the bag of it's water in the bathroom. A few people are making stupid jokes.. as they should have as it was rather funny.
Of course the best time to get up in front of a crowd (when you are shy to begin with ) to explain the procedure you would like them to follow is when you have just done something incredibly dumb.
So while everyone is warming up, I will have them come 4 at a time, and then they will send more people back. I set up the tripod and when I want to put my camera on said tripod.. I realize that the "whatchamacallit" is not in my camera bag. It is certainly at home on my computer desk. I call home so my hubby can bring it to me. In circumstances such as this, he immediately becomes blind and cannot see anything. Fine, I will do without. I decide I'll have to just stabilize my camera on the tripod head.. but I know someone is looking at me, thinking.. what is she doing? Anyways.. that would be bungle up #2. As I said, never 2 without 3.. so something has got to give right?
At first everything is going well.. I have almost finished taking all the pictures of the girls.. everyone is in a good mood.. fooling around, smiling large for the camera. I'm almost finished taking the girls pictures.. only 3 more to go.. out of 30 girls.. I 'm very happy. I've made a numbered list to match up with the photos so I don't mess up anyone's name.. and that number is cross-indexed with the forms they have brought back. It is still very early, I will have plenty of time to rehearse with the everyone.
I'm going to take the picture of the 3rd last girl.. and another one of them starts passing by under my camera.. twice. This causes the girl that is standing waiting for her picture to move around and talk to her.. This was not a problem, I'm quite laid back and so is the session.. So I just say, stay there one more sec.. and I'll delete this pic and take another one. Why delete it.. I could have just gone on and taken another.. but I didn't. Do you see what is going to happen a mile away? Obviously I didn't .. Should have hit FUNCTION: Erase ... but no.. I hit MENU .. ERASE ALL. I look dumbfounded as I see the status bar of the erasing happening.. it's only taking 2 seconds.. and yup.. I have erased every single photo I have taken in the evening. Yes, dears, that was my bungle up #3.
Of course this is not the end of the world.. everyone will get back in line, the list is already made.. so all I have to do is take them in the same order and all will be fine. The only thing is I have to go back into the hall.. look at everyone with this "oops, sorry" sort of smile.. and tell them. Let's just say that I was a bit embarrassed. Everyone was great and I redid the shoot of all the girls.. went down 5 flights did the guys.. and had plenty of time to finish rehearsals with everyone.
All in all, it was a fun evening... I just thought you guys might enjoy sharing my evening of maladroitness with me.
Nothing terribly bad happened... but it's as if nothing would go right. Actually it is all pretty funny.
Normally, last week I was to take individual pictures of all the members of the troupe for our coming production. The weather last week was pretty horrendous so I put off taking the pictures until this week because I didn't want too many people that would be missing.
To start off with, I'm going to blame all this on my periods that I started today. I guess there was not enough blood going to my head and I bungled a bunch of stuff up.
I was scrambling to get ready to leave and wanted to make sure I had fresh batteries in my camera. I had done a photoshoot a few nights before and still had on the piece with a screw that allows you to attach your camera to a tripod. I 'll call this piece the "whatchamacallit" because I don't know it's proper name. So, of course, to exchange the batteries, I had to take this whatchamacallit off. I did so. Put in fresh batteries.. put my camera and another set of fresh batteries (just to be on the safe side) into my camera case.
I have alot of things to bring, my camera in it's case, a tripod, an envelope with forms for members that weren't there last week to fill out, a pen, a bottle of water and of course.. in case I get finished early enough.. a binder with music. I decide I don't want to juggle so many different articles so I'll put several in a bag. I put everything except the camera and the tripod into this bag.
I'm thinking I'm well organized and everything will be fine. I will go up 4 flights and take the pictures of all the girls... then go down 5 flights.. take pictures of the guys.. then go up 5 flights.. and join rehearsals and then go down 4 flights and go home. Sounds like an aerobics class doesn't it?
Anyways.. I get to the hall.. and take off my coat.. start taking out my forms..and ooh.. bungle up #1: I hadn't pressed the top of my water bottle properly.. and half of the bottle of water emptied into this bag. All the music in my binder has wet edges, my forms are safe since the envelope they were in saved them. This is actually pretty funny to everyone.. I just smirk. take everything out.. place it to the side.. and empty the bag of it's water in the bathroom. A few people are making stupid jokes.. as they should have as it was rather funny.
Of course the best time to get up in front of a crowd (when you are shy to begin with ) to explain the procedure you would like them to follow is when you have just done something incredibly dumb.
So while everyone is warming up, I will have them come 4 at a time, and then they will send more people back. I set up the tripod and when I want to put my camera on said tripod.. I realize that the "whatchamacallit" is not in my camera bag. It is certainly at home on my computer desk. I call home so my hubby can bring it to me. In circumstances such as this, he immediately becomes blind and cannot see anything. Fine, I will do without. I decide I'll have to just stabilize my camera on the tripod head.. but I know someone is looking at me, thinking.. what is she doing? Anyways.. that would be bungle up #2. As I said, never 2 without 3.. so something has got to give right?
At first everything is going well.. I have almost finished taking all the pictures of the girls.. everyone is in a good mood.. fooling around, smiling large for the camera. I'm almost finished taking the girls pictures.. only 3 more to go.. out of 30 girls.. I 'm very happy. I've made a numbered list to match up with the photos so I don't mess up anyone's name.. and that number is cross-indexed with the forms they have brought back. It is still very early, I will have plenty of time to rehearse with the everyone.
I'm going to take the picture of the 3rd last girl.. and another one of them starts passing by under my camera.. twice. This causes the girl that is standing waiting for her picture to move around and talk to her.. This was not a problem, I'm quite laid back and so is the session.. So I just say, stay there one more sec.. and I'll delete this pic and take another one. Why delete it.. I could have just gone on and taken another.. but I didn't. Do you see what is going to happen a mile away? Obviously I didn't .. Should have hit FUNCTION: Erase ... but no.. I hit MENU .. ERASE ALL. I look dumbfounded as I see the status bar of the erasing happening.. it's only taking 2 seconds.. and yup.. I have erased every single photo I have taken in the evening. Yes, dears, that was my bungle up #3.
Of course this is not the end of the world.. everyone will get back in line, the list is already made.. so all I have to do is take them in the same order and all will be fine. The only thing is I have to go back into the hall.. look at everyone with this "oops, sorry" sort of smile.. and tell them. Let's just say that I was a bit embarrassed. Everyone was great and I redid the shoot of all the girls.. went down 5 flights did the guys.. and had plenty of time to finish rehearsals with everyone.
All in all, it was a fun evening... I just thought you guys might enjoy sharing my evening of maladroitness with me.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
cake
Tomorrow is Sylvain's birthday. He'll be 44. Man, I can't believe how time flies. You feel pretty young and don't even quite realize that you are aging until you look in the mirror... and then it hits you.. you ain't what you used to be. It's not for nothing that your vision goes down as you get older.. it's to help you keep your sanity...or your vanity. :-P. ( I'm writing this and imagining Cynlynn nodding her head.. yep!)
Heck, if we could only just mature in our brain and keep the old body intact (thinking back to what it looked like at 18) wouldn't that be great? But I guess some of the maturing comes with the realization that we're way too shallow and to dig deeper... and find the beauty beneath.
For the occasion, I've made a birthday cake.. well, it's in the oven as I blog, so technically, it isn't quite "made" yet. It's called Crazy Chocolate cake because you simply throw all the ingredients one on top of each other, top off with a cup of hot java and mix. Foolproof.. Could have been called: Chocolate Cake for Dummies. I shouldn't knock it though, it's pretty darn good.
Heck, if we could only just mature in our brain and keep the old body intact (thinking back to what it looked like at 18) wouldn't that be great? But I guess some of the maturing comes with the realization that we're way too shallow and to dig deeper... and find the beauty beneath.
For the occasion, I've made a birthday cake.. well, it's in the oven as I blog, so technically, it isn't quite "made" yet. It's called Crazy Chocolate cake because you simply throw all the ingredients one on top of each other, top off with a cup of hot java and mix. Foolproof.. Could have been called: Chocolate Cake for Dummies. I shouldn't knock it though, it's pretty darn good.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
thank you
Worth has been and still is a very special place to me. The people who visit this blog are all Worthers.
To all of you,
To those who have laughed with me with me when I did or said something stupid, that cheered me on and supported me with my projects, that stopped by for virtual stuffed peppers and apple pie but most of all to all of those of you that have held both my hand and my heart when I was feeling down and hurt
To Arsi, Heather, Nicki, CynLynn, Kim, Los, Elbradenabra, MeanMrMustard, iZ and Galoot
I want to say, from the bottom of my heart
Thank you!
Maggie
To all of you,
To those who have laughed with me with me when I did or said something stupid, that cheered me on and supported me with my projects, that stopped by for virtual stuffed peppers and apple pie but most of all to all of those of you that have held both my hand and my heart when I was feeling down and hurt
To Arsi, Heather, Nicki, CynLynn, Kim, Los, Elbradenabra, MeanMrMustard, iZ and Galoot
I want to say, from the bottom of my heart
Thank you!
Maggie
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Arsi
Last spring, Arsi began making his now famous Arsitars. He had already done a few and they were lovely. Someone started a thread in the Sugar Shack and soon people were begging Arsi for one. Of course, everybody wanted one. People were offering special favors... mostly camping favors. I remember Storminatrix offered the following: "Arsi, I'm really good at camping. We've got lots of spiders and snakes here... I'm really good at sucking out the poison too! :D"
Sure, I wanted one too... they were wonderful. I knew there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell that I would just receive one out of the blue...heck, he probably didn't even know who I was.. heck, how could he? I wasn't exactly advertising myself in the forums.
I got brave and followed with my own post. No, no poison sucking here, but if I went camping I would bring Tim Horton's donuts. To my surprise, he replied to my post saying that would do just fine. Man, I felt so lucky!
I was very happy about getting an Arsitar but when it finally arrived in an email... I was ecstatic to say the least. T'was a thing of beauty. He had made me looks so pretty, well, more than pretty... gorgeous. Hair all pulled up, luscious lips and huge doe eyes that batted softly and flirtatiously. It made me feel so good about myself.. made "me" feel pretty. I know it may sound shallow but things like that are important to a girl.
He wrote me something to the effect of: if you don't like it or want me to change something, let me know. What! Are you nuts!! It's beautiful, it's amazing. I'll wear it with pride.. Don't you dare change a thing!!
Keep your cowbells, your orange crates and your kitty cats... I'm not changing my Arsitar for anything.
Some gifts can not be bought.. this is one of them. :)
Oh.. and Arsi.. if we ever do go camping... I still owe you those donuts. ;)
Sure, I wanted one too... they were wonderful. I knew there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell that I would just receive one out of the blue...heck, he probably didn't even know who I was.. heck, how could he? I wasn't exactly advertising myself in the forums.
I got brave and followed with my own post. No, no poison sucking here, but if I went camping I would bring Tim Horton's donuts. To my surprise, he replied to my post saying that would do just fine. Man, I felt so lucky!
I was very happy about getting an Arsitar but when it finally arrived in an email... I was ecstatic to say the least. T'was a thing of beauty. He had made me looks so pretty, well, more than pretty... gorgeous. Hair all pulled up, luscious lips and huge doe eyes that batted softly and flirtatiously. It made me feel so good about myself.. made "me" feel pretty. I know it may sound shallow but things like that are important to a girl.
He wrote me something to the effect of: if you don't like it or want me to change something, let me know. What! Are you nuts!! It's beautiful, it's amazing. I'll wear it with pride.. Don't you dare change a thing!!
Keep your cowbells, your orange crates and your kitty cats... I'm not changing my Arsitar for anything.
Some gifts can not be bought.. this is one of them. :)
Oh.. and Arsi.. if we ever do go camping... I still owe you those donuts. ;)
Monday, January 10, 2005
Worth - part deux
The first person I really talked to on Worth was Burndog.
He helped me out when I started in the Photography department. We became friends. He sent me a couple of books on photography and I sent him a video card for his son.
He used to email me quite regularly, critiqued my photos and send me pictures of his wife and kids, their home and his fabulous garden. Burndog bought a new house, a fixer upper... and has been fixer-uppering since. He doesn't have alot of time for Worth these days but he emails me once every couple of months and this year he called me on Xmas Eve to wish me happy holidays. I remember we became jurors at the same time.
I was very surprised to become a juror. Although I commented on contests, I wasn't very vocal in the forums and thought I was pretty much invisible. For the longest time I wondered who had nominated me.
Before becoming a juror, I really had no idea how much work went on behind the scenes. It was a bit like when you take apart a clock and you expect to find that big black battery cell but what you find instead is amazing multitude of gears, wheels, springs and pins that work in unison to keep everything working smoothly.
I found a group of smart and generous people who freely gave of their time to make sure the place so many of us consider our home on the net stays a great place that we want to continue to come to, people who were passionate about art and community; fun, interesting, witty and talented people. It was like being given a gift when you least expect it... a wonderful and splendid surprise.
He helped me out when I started in the Photography department. We became friends. He sent me a couple of books on photography and I sent him a video card for his son.
He used to email me quite regularly, critiqued my photos and send me pictures of his wife and kids, their home and his fabulous garden. Burndog bought a new house, a fixer upper... and has been fixer-uppering since. He doesn't have alot of time for Worth these days but he emails me once every couple of months and this year he called me on Xmas Eve to wish me happy holidays. I remember we became jurors at the same time.
I was very surprised to become a juror. Although I commented on contests, I wasn't very vocal in the forums and thought I was pretty much invisible. For the longest time I wondered who had nominated me.
Before becoming a juror, I really had no idea how much work went on behind the scenes. It was a bit like when you take apart a clock and you expect to find that big black battery cell but what you find instead is amazing multitude of gears, wheels, springs and pins that work in unison to keep everything working smoothly.
I found a group of smart and generous people who freely gave of their time to make sure the place so many of us consider our home on the net stays a great place that we want to continue to come to, people who were passionate about art and community; fun, interesting, witty and talented people. It was like being given a gift when you least expect it... a wonderful and splendid surprise.
Worth1000
Worth1000
At the end of this week, it will be 2 years that I starting going to Worth1000. I received an email with a funny image.. followed the link and ended up in the galleries. I spent hours pouring over the images. They were funny, crazy and inspiring. Who were these people?... what was this?... I was in awe.
I took the the gallery.asp off the url and entered the home page.I looked at all the contests.. and was flabbergasted at some of the entries. All I could think was .. what an amazing place!
I registered and on the same day I entered a Training Grounds contest called Color Me
(a line sketch that we were to paint). It has now been moved to the Multimedia section but was in the PS section back then. I remember I painted it all in Paint Shop Pro and was very nervous about uploading the image. When the contest went live I watched the leader board as if my entire life depended on it. I came in 3rd. I was so happy. I was hooked and I've never turned back.
The community... I'm going to seem like such a dork when you all find out... but I didn't go to the forums for the longest time. I had never been to a community and I thought it was some sort of chatroom.... yes, yes... insert you laughter ... right here >LOL< . I was scared out of my wits, I thought I wouldn't know protocol. Several months later... yes... you heard it here folks... I said several months after... I tentatively clicked on the link... that link that I almost pressed a hundred times and held back... (I was so naive.. you must all think me so stupid). When I finally did click it... what did I find? Something I wasn't expecting. The forums; the wonderful, glorious forums.
People shared ideas.. and exchanged jokes, talked about their life. It was
abuzz with activity and all I had to do was virtually walk around, read and refresh to enjoy myself. Darn, I couldn't believe I had missed so much.
2 years. I can hardly believe it. Worth is such a big part of my life now. I found the photograhy section and bought a digital camera to play. I had never taken photos that weren't snapshots before and now really enjoy this new part of my life. But most of all.. what I enjoy is the community. There is not a day that I don't come and read the forums and vote in the contests. When my computer was on the blitz for a few days, it was difficult; on vacation I missed the place more than you can know. Yes... Worth, my sweet addiction, better than chocolate.
So few of you know me, know who I am, what I'm like. But I know you. I've lurked in the forums everyday. I've laughed at your jokes, smiled reading about your adventures and felt your sadness when your days were blue. I've played your silly games and filled out your polls. I've been amazed at your talent but more amazed by your compassion and generosity of spirit.
Worthers were blogging. Blogs.. I had no idea. Ingenious. I started mine because of all of you. I haven't had alot to say, just trivial, boring stuff about my daily life; sometimes my happiness, sometimes my frustration and sometimes simply what I was making for supper. Some of you came and shared in my life. Others have lurked and that's alright, as I've done my fair share of lurking.
This week I intend to dedicate my blogs to the people of Worth. I want to let you know how you have touched my heart in so many different ways. So.. please stay tuned.. it's going to be all about you! :)
At the end of this week, it will be 2 years that I starting going to Worth1000. I received an email with a funny image.. followed the link and ended up in the galleries. I spent hours pouring over the images. They were funny, crazy and inspiring. Who were these people?... what was this?... I was in awe.
I took the the gallery.asp off the url and entered the home page.I looked at all the contests.. and was flabbergasted at some of the entries. All I could think was .. what an amazing place!
I registered and on the same day I entered a Training Grounds contest called Color Me
(a line sketch that we were to paint). It has now been moved to the Multimedia section but was in the PS section back then. I remember I painted it all in Paint Shop Pro and was very nervous about uploading the image. When the contest went live I watched the leader board as if my entire life depended on it. I came in 3rd. I was so happy. I was hooked and I've never turned back.
The community... I'm going to seem like such a dork when you all find out... but I didn't go to the forums for the longest time. I had never been to a community and I thought it was some sort of chatroom.... yes, yes... insert you laughter ... right here >LOL< . I was scared out of my wits, I thought I wouldn't know protocol. Several months later... yes... you heard it here folks... I said several months after... I tentatively clicked on the link... that link that I almost pressed a hundred times and held back... (I was so naive.. you must all think me so stupid). When I finally did click it... what did I find? Something I wasn't expecting. The forums; the wonderful, glorious forums.
People shared ideas.. and exchanged jokes, talked about their life. It was
abuzz with activity and all I had to do was virtually walk around, read and refresh to enjoy myself. Darn, I couldn't believe I had missed so much.
2 years. I can hardly believe it. Worth is such a big part of my life now. I found the photograhy section and bought a digital camera to play. I had never taken photos that weren't snapshots before and now really enjoy this new part of my life. But most of all.. what I enjoy is the community. There is not a day that I don't come and read the forums and vote in the contests. When my computer was on the blitz for a few days, it was difficult; on vacation I missed the place more than you can know. Yes... Worth, my sweet addiction, better than chocolate.
So few of you know me, know who I am, what I'm like. But I know you. I've lurked in the forums everyday. I've laughed at your jokes, smiled reading about your adventures and felt your sadness when your days were blue. I've played your silly games and filled out your polls. I've been amazed at your talent but more amazed by your compassion and generosity of spirit.
Worthers were blogging. Blogs.. I had no idea. Ingenious. I started mine because of all of you. I haven't had alot to say, just trivial, boring stuff about my daily life; sometimes my happiness, sometimes my frustration and sometimes simply what I was making for supper. Some of you came and shared in my life. Others have lurked and that's alright, as I've done my fair share of lurking.
This week I intend to dedicate my blogs to the people of Worth. I want to let you know how you have touched my heart in so many different ways. So.. please stay tuned.. it's going to be all about you! :)
Saturday, January 08, 2005
So Bare
Took down the tree today...
tons of lights, miles of ribbon, tiny santas, angels, itty-bitty birds and a plethora of shiny baubles.... no longer.
taken down without pomp and circumstance
without peppy xmas music
even though back to normal.. oddly, now, the room looks so bare.
tons of lights, miles of ribbon, tiny santas, angels, itty-bitty birds and a plethora of shiny baubles.... no longer.
taken down without pomp and circumstance
without peppy xmas music
even though back to normal.. oddly, now, the room looks so bare.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
DIscussion
For the last few days at Artalyst.. there has been quite a discussion going on in the forums. It had to do with one member getting upset because of a couple photographs that were put in the gallery that were of a woman's behind. He not only was upset, but he went to the lengths of calling the photos: Soft Porn.
I do admit that they should be classified NSFW (Not Safe For Work) and the images will be put in a separate section... but soft porn? I think he went a little too far, but it brought up some very interesting conversation.
Here are some of the better excerpts:
(I'm not going to correct anyone's spelling here.. just so you know)
T: There just isn't any wholesome sites any more, without fail, someone wants to exploit the human body under the idea of art and in turn, limmit those who can view it. Why can't we keep it pg13? Why do we have to creep up into R?
Admin: not telling you how to raise your children, but (I believe) that children should always be monitored while on the internet. even programs like web nanny and such can always be bypassed by a kid with any computer skills.
T: I appreciate you setting up the thumb nail situation for the more conservative crowd. Hey, don't missunderstand me, I like nude bodies too, but aiming guns at your own face isn't the smartest thing to do.
L: Soft porn? Here? Where? I'm sorry but I have seen nothing on this site that I would consider soft porn. I've seen some excellent nudes that show a guys chest and abdomen and a womans bum, but you can see more by going to the beach.
T: I guess it's all relative. I suppose Hue Hefner and Billy Grahm would have different ideas about taste. Sorry for raining on you guys' art.
E: ( a 15 year old by the way) T..., im am not tellin you how to raise your kids or anything-heck im still a kid- but if they come across these images, you must tell them to be mature about it and look at it as art and as nothing more.
then he jokingly added ... and cracked me up, by the way: the images on this site are what i am refferring to, but i could understand if this had pictures like some of those pop-ups we all get--whew--and if they get some of those then well.......its ppl using their bodies in an unartful way.....and beat them with the bible until pictures fall onto the floor the quickly set them aflame. just jokin- but do take what i say into consideration and i understand if you disagree we all are entitled to an opinion.
M: (not me by the way) E.... you are very wise for your years. You are very right ( in my opinion) The human body is nothing to be ashamed of.
T: Again, the points being made here in this forum are based on relativity. Some pople have standards, some don't. Some have some standards, some have none. It all depends on a persons world view. Some people like chocolate and some like rape, and that is why we must have prisons - because some people see nothing wrong with rape, it's just a celebration of human sexuality. I know the consequences of being raped are far more severe than viewing nude photos, it's not even on the same plain - although Ted Bundy admitted to beginning his sexcapades with harmless nude photos, he obviously didn't end up staying there. Some things promise to serve and please, but only in the end desire to enslave and dominate. But if you have some standards, it's only right to ask if they could be put in place so you can participate without purposely going against personal safegaurds. A person who drives the speed limmit isn't better than the drunk driver, he's just safer - and so is everyone he comes in contact with on the road. I was just hoping to make the highway a bit safer. I still love you people:)
L: w00t... the can of worms just keeps getting bigger and I'm having a hard time not grabbin a fork... I love it.
Admin: it's amazing how "sex" (being so hardwired into our minds, bodies, and souls. the very thing that keeps our species alive) is such a magnet for everyone's attention. whether it be for sex, about sex, against sex, why sex or anything about sex, everyone will chime in. everyone will stay tuned. sex sells.
J: I don't mind the nudes, but my wife is not as openminded as I am. I can understand t..'s concern, if I was to bring up the pix in full view with my wife in here, I would get "that look". I don't find them erotic, just form. There is a picture in this site that I find the most erotic photograph I have ever seen, and the model is fully clothed. Just my thoughts.
Eurydice: (yes, me.. usually quiet in my little corner.. not saying a word.. even I chimed in) I think it's a good idea for us to have a NSFW section since we don't want to get people in trouble at work. That said, I think it has to do with who we are inside .. when I look at the images with a chest or a butt..than the actual picture. I find beauty in them.. and .. yes .. sensuality.
I think j..... hit it on the nail..what you find erotic.. doesn't have necessarily anything to do with being naked... some people get turned on by feet.. should we censor images of feet, too.. heck .. someone could go on a rampage... maybe women shouldn't wear nice shoes... or walk around with bare feet.
When does a butt go from being something natural.. like an arm and a leg.. something you are born with.. to something considered bad. I think it has to do with the person that is looking.. If you find it "offensive" perhaps you may have to look inside and wonder why? ... at what stage does a baby's bottom become -- no longer cute... when the person looking finds something more in it.
I don't like someone saying though, that I lack values or morals because I don't find these images offensive. I'm a good person and don't think my lack of being offended by the human form makes me lack in the values or morals department.
Georgia O"Keefe painted flowers .. flowers that I find both sensual and erotic in their nature. Their forms are very reminiscent of female genitalia... but they are still .. flowers.. I guess you can say.. it's all in the eye of the beholder.
L: To me this thread is going more along the lines of morality rather than artistic bounds. You're making analagies that to my way of thinking are a little far fetched. What do the pictures that spurred this whole thread have to do with sex anyway? When you look at the statue of David, do you feel that they were right in covering his penis with a stupid fig leaf? Or does looking at a penis carved in marble or a picture of a naked buttock on this site bring up suppressed feelings that you have been taught are nasty and dirty and unclean? Only since the introduction of "modern" religion, primarily christianity, has sex and nakedness become the spawn of the devil and something that we should be ashamed of. We also have a huge problem in the media that glorifies the abuse and beauty of such things. On one had in the churches we are taught that these are things that shouldn't be talked about. On the other hand we have media (internet, movies, news, etc.) that deifies sex and violence. What can we expect but the bubbling up of massively suppressed desires. Which then takes us to looking at the very fabric of our society.
Admin: I've always felt the best way to rid society of perverts and oversexed content, would be to allow everyone to go around naked. It would get old really fast.
In the Victorian Era, women weren't allowed to show their ankles or even their bare neck. I don't think there are many people who, today, are quite so aroused by a bare neck anymore.
-------
I would love to hear your opinions on the subject.. any takers?
I do admit that they should be classified NSFW (Not Safe For Work) and the images will be put in a separate section... but soft porn? I think he went a little too far, but it brought up some very interesting conversation.
Here are some of the better excerpts:
(I'm not going to correct anyone's spelling here.. just so you know)
T: There just isn't any wholesome sites any more, without fail, someone wants to exploit the human body under the idea of art and in turn, limmit those who can view it. Why can't we keep it pg13? Why do we have to creep up into R?
Admin: not telling you how to raise your children, but (I believe) that children should always be monitored while on the internet. even programs like web nanny and such can always be bypassed by a kid with any computer skills.
T: I appreciate you setting up the thumb nail situation for the more conservative crowd. Hey, don't missunderstand me, I like nude bodies too, but aiming guns at your own face isn't the smartest thing to do.
L: Soft porn? Here? Where? I'm sorry but I have seen nothing on this site that I would consider soft porn. I've seen some excellent nudes that show a guys chest and abdomen and a womans bum, but you can see more by going to the beach.
T: I guess it's all relative. I suppose Hue Hefner and Billy Grahm would have different ideas about taste. Sorry for raining on you guys' art.
E: ( a 15 year old by the way) T..., im am not tellin you how to raise your kids or anything-heck im still a kid- but if they come across these images, you must tell them to be mature about it and look at it as art and as nothing more.
then he jokingly added ... and cracked me up, by the way: the images on this site are what i am refferring to, but i could understand if this had pictures like some of those pop-ups we all get--whew--and if they get some of those then well.......its ppl using their bodies in an unartful way.....and beat them with the bible until pictures fall onto the floor the quickly set them aflame. just jokin- but do take what i say into consideration and i understand if you disagree we all are entitled to an opinion.
M: (not me by the way) E.... you are very wise for your years. You are very right ( in my opinion) The human body is nothing to be ashamed of.
T: Again, the points being made here in this forum are based on relativity. Some pople have standards, some don't. Some have some standards, some have none. It all depends on a persons world view. Some people like chocolate and some like rape, and that is why we must have prisons - because some people see nothing wrong with rape, it's just a celebration of human sexuality. I know the consequences of being raped are far more severe than viewing nude photos, it's not even on the same plain - although Ted Bundy admitted to beginning his sexcapades with harmless nude photos, he obviously didn't end up staying there. Some things promise to serve and please, but only in the end desire to enslave and dominate. But if you have some standards, it's only right to ask if they could be put in place so you can participate without purposely going against personal safegaurds. A person who drives the speed limmit isn't better than the drunk driver, he's just safer - and so is everyone he comes in contact with on the road. I was just hoping to make the highway a bit safer. I still love you people:)
L: w00t... the can of worms just keeps getting bigger and I'm having a hard time not grabbin a fork... I love it.
Admin: it's amazing how "sex" (being so hardwired into our minds, bodies, and souls. the very thing that keeps our species alive) is such a magnet for everyone's attention. whether it be for sex, about sex, against sex, why sex or anything about sex, everyone will chime in. everyone will stay tuned. sex sells.
J: I don't mind the nudes, but my wife is not as openminded as I am. I can understand t..'s concern, if I was to bring up the pix in full view with my wife in here, I would get "that look". I don't find them erotic, just form. There is a picture in this site that I find the most erotic photograph I have ever seen, and the model is fully clothed. Just my thoughts.
Eurydice: (yes, me.. usually quiet in my little corner.. not saying a word.. even I chimed in) I think it's a good idea for us to have a NSFW section since we don't want to get people in trouble at work. That said, I think it has to do with who we are inside .. when I look at the images with a chest or a butt..than the actual picture. I find beauty in them.. and .. yes .. sensuality.
I think j..... hit it on the nail..what you find erotic.. doesn't have necessarily anything to do with being naked... some people get turned on by feet.. should we censor images of feet, too.. heck .. someone could go on a rampage... maybe women shouldn't wear nice shoes... or walk around with bare feet.
When does a butt go from being something natural.. like an arm and a leg.. something you are born with.. to something considered bad. I think it has to do with the person that is looking.. If you find it "offensive" perhaps you may have to look inside and wonder why? ... at what stage does a baby's bottom become -- no longer cute... when the person looking finds something more in it.
I don't like someone saying though, that I lack values or morals because I don't find these images offensive. I'm a good person and don't think my lack of being offended by the human form makes me lack in the values or morals department.
Georgia O"Keefe painted flowers .. flowers that I find both sensual and erotic in their nature. Their forms are very reminiscent of female genitalia... but they are still .. flowers.. I guess you can say.. it's all in the eye of the beholder.
L: To me this thread is going more along the lines of morality rather than artistic bounds. You're making analagies that to my way of thinking are a little far fetched. What do the pictures that spurred this whole thread have to do with sex anyway? When you look at the statue of David, do you feel that they were right in covering his penis with a stupid fig leaf? Or does looking at a penis carved in marble or a picture of a naked buttock on this site bring up suppressed feelings that you have been taught are nasty and dirty and unclean? Only since the introduction of "modern" religion, primarily christianity, has sex and nakedness become the spawn of the devil and something that we should be ashamed of. We also have a huge problem in the media that glorifies the abuse and beauty of such things. On one had in the churches we are taught that these are things that shouldn't be talked about. On the other hand we have media (internet, movies, news, etc.) that deifies sex and violence. What can we expect but the bubbling up of massively suppressed desires. Which then takes us to looking at the very fabric of our society.
Admin: I've always felt the best way to rid society of perverts and oversexed content, would be to allow everyone to go around naked. It would get old really fast.
In the Victorian Era, women weren't allowed to show their ankles or even their bare neck. I don't think there are many people who, today, are quite so aroused by a bare neck anymore.
-------
I would love to hear your opinions on the subject.. any takers?
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
no rehearsals tonight
It is Wednesday, and normally, I would have rehearsals tonight, but we only start back next week. This happens to work out perfectly for me, as I lost my voice on Sunday and although it is almost back today, it is still low and breathy...when I try and go higher.. it just squawks...like a pubescent young boy.
Next week instead of singing though, I have to photograph 60 people in a 2 hour time frame. This means.. take the picture, no chit-chat allowed. Otherwise I will never be done. These photos will certainly not be typical studio shots.. they will be for assigning roles, costumes, accessories. Each person will be given a form to fill out.. with his name and vital statistics. Take the form.. add ten pounds to what everyone wrote and you got it just about right! ;)
I got another small contract.. this time for gift certificates for spa treatments. Massages and body wraps in seaweed, clay or wax. These treatments cost a fortune, so they don't want to sell gift certificates that look like high-school diplomas.
So here is my idea. I make a card, something like a greeting card. It has a small translucent pouch in it where you put the actual gift certificate which is very small.. like a business card. The idea is that the giver can write a sentiment inside the card that the receiver can keep if they wish and just remit the small card to the spa. The envelope matches the interior paper and the whole is tied with a gold ribbon.
Here is my prototype:
Next week instead of singing though, I have to photograph 60 people in a 2 hour time frame. This means.. take the picture, no chit-chat allowed. Otherwise I will never be done. These photos will certainly not be typical studio shots.. they will be for assigning roles, costumes, accessories. Each person will be given a form to fill out.. with his name and vital statistics. Take the form.. add ten pounds to what everyone wrote and you got it just about right! ;)
I got another small contract.. this time for gift certificates for spa treatments. Massages and body wraps in seaweed, clay or wax. These treatments cost a fortune, so they don't want to sell gift certificates that look like high-school diplomas.
So here is my idea. I make a card, something like a greeting card. It has a small translucent pouch in it where you put the actual gift certificate which is very small.. like a business card. The idea is that the giver can write a sentiment inside the card that the receiver can keep if they wish and just remit the small card to the spa. The envelope matches the interior paper and the whole is tied with a gold ribbon.
Here is my prototype:
Monday, January 03, 2005
Seduced!
Yesterday, I watched a wonderful little movie called "La Grande Séduction" by Jean François Pouliot. In English it is called "Seducing Dr. Lewis".
This movie is very charming, funny, whimsical and at times, poignant. It is about a very tiny fishing village in Quebec that no longer can survive on fishing and want a multi-national factory to set up in their town; only problem is, the company demands that the town have a doctor. The story is about how this tiny town of approx. 150 inhabitants go about seducing a doctor from the city to come live there.
I don't know if Americans can find this movie but if you can it is well worth it. You will be as seduced by the story and the characters as I was.
Movie Trailer
This movie is very charming, funny, whimsical and at times, poignant. It is about a very tiny fishing village in Quebec that no longer can survive on fishing and want a multi-national factory to set up in their town; only problem is, the company demands that the town have a doctor. The story is about how this tiny town of approx. 150 inhabitants go about seducing a doctor from the city to come live there.
I don't know if Americans can find this movie but if you can it is well worth it. You will be as seduced by the story and the characters as I was.
Movie Trailer
Saturday, January 01, 2005
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