I just love it when people look at my work and that is the first (or second) line out of their mouth. As if my camera jumped out of my hand, ran back down the street, centered the scene perfectly, focused and snapped the shot, noting that it didn't need a flash to get the best lighting.
My hubbie once said this about a friend, but after some thought (I said nothing, neither did his friend) he came to the conclusion that maybe there has to be a smidgen of talent at least to get the camera to produce a nice picture.
And for the record, I do have a nice camera :-) I also have some others that might not be qualified as nice, but will produce some fantastic results if it's the effect you're looking for. Because in the end, the camera is just a tool that the entire world has access to, just like paint, pastels, pens, and clay.
Labels: Florence, Italy, My Art, not just a picture, Observances
I'm feeling better already. The rain had me down, but was good for productivity. Now if I can just get my long days back, I'll be in good shape.
Labels: Day in the Life, just a picture
After
many years of procrastination I have finally taken the first step toward getting an online shop up on this site. I've listed my photos on Etsy because it's easier than building my own storefront (at least for now), plus I get a lot of extra eyeballs, and you get to peruse others handiwork. I only have a couple of series uploaded for now, so if you see something on this site you would like to buy and it's not there, let me know and I'll list it.
So this means now, when you click the shop link above, you no longer see a "Coming Soon" notice :-D And the Madd Hatter's home page has been updated too. Oh happy day!
So pop on over to the Madd Hatter's Lab shop on Etsy and check it out. Heck, throw caution to the wind and buy something even!
Labels: General Info, My Art, Shop
My brain is mush. I don't remember anything anymore. I don't think this is a result of getting older, though, as I'm sure my parents or grandparents will tell me. I think it's a result of the internet and easy accessibility to information. It's because when we drive by a funny business sign in San Francisco, and try to remember it one block later, I think, "Oh, we can just look that up later." We did, and I still don't remember what it was, other than a strip club with a funny name up the street from City Lights bookstore.
I see the same with my photos. Once upon a time I made sure to either note everything or just mentally stash away the info. Now I comb wikipedia and take a look at the photos surrounding to determine where I was and what else I was looking at. Such as the above, "Oh, Pantheon, Raphael's Tomb, Madonna of the Rock".
Labels: Observances
Baby Bear's Bedroom, from Postcards from Another RealityI haven't slept well in days and it's finally catching up with me. I have plenty of stuff to write and talk about here, but I'm so damn drained I just can't right now. By the time I sleep, it will have all slipped away - but maybe I will have some good
dreams to share at that point.
It's nappy time now... zzzzzzzz
Labels: Day in the Life
Carousel, Florence, ItalyYesterday morning the sky was gray - huge, puffy gray clouds provided a few variances in the shade of gray. I had to stop for gas and there was an eerie quiet for a few minutes - which is odd considering the gas station is on a busy street, and I was there during rush hour.
Another one of those
surreal, slo-mo moments.
Labels: Florence, Italy, just a picture, Observances, Surreal
Blue skies have come and gone, but they were here long enough for a good walk on the trail this morning with de Milo. Not much to report this weekend, except that I've almost made it through the October trip photos, editing, editing, editing.
Labels: just a picture
Venice, where I wished I had galoshesIt's a rainy, gray day. Storms have moved in and winds have howled all night long for two nights now. It sounds like there's a waterfall in the breezeway. Some people pay good money for the soothing sound of a waterfall.
But I don't mind - today gives me an excuse to wear my galoshes! And my red raincoat.
Happy Friday!
Labels: Italy, just a picture, venice
The portfolio section is slowly getting updated with some new work. It's about time, huh? Ba-by steps...
Click on that portfolio link above to go there - the one in the menu bar -- next to that shop link that's been coming soon for a year...
Labels: General Info, Italy, just a picture, My Art
2007 was a hell of a year. Last night Raju and I reminisced about all we did and everywhere we'd been this past year. I logged 57,548 miles in the air -- 46,605 of those with him.
January started off with a bang - I visited Raju's family for the first time in Bethesda, where we managed to sneak away for an afternoon and see the sights in D.C., then we flew onto Tennessee to see my family since we were on that coast already. We checked out the Biltmore as a possible wedding venue.
Anu and family in DC - our visit to the 'big pencil'
Everyone at Cafe 111 in Johnson CityFebruary we hung out in Cali - celebrating our anniversary and continuing to follow the theme of the year -- "think about wedding". I'm not sure when we finally set the date, but I was really happy to get that taken care of and quit hearing the questions of "when".
March had us flying back to the east coast for Kristen's wedding in Annapolis. Weddings are a tad more interesting when you're planning your own.
Oh, that's a good idea. Hmm, maybe we could do something like that...April we headed to Chicago, one of my favorite towns. However, this time it wasn't a stay on Michigan Avenue, instead we were visiting more of Raju's family - the infamous Raja mama I had heard so much about over the years.
Anu and Caroline say cheeseIn May I quit my job (yay!!!) of 2 1/2 years which sent me back to Tennessee to train the poor soul who would get to do my job for a while. It was nice to see family again since I didn't think I would see them until the wedding.
But then it was back again in July for a weekend of partying. Bob was celebrating the end of the 50s and Mom decided to piggyback on that celebration. Plus I got to surprise Dad since we hadn't told anyone we were coming - so we all got to have a good lunch together before we hopped back on the plane.
Hanging out on the deck
Bob and ConnieAugust we didn't travel -- but everyone came to us! We had a wonderful time at our wedding, and a wonderful time leading up to it. Mom, Tammy, Bob, and Martin came out early so we could hang out and do fun things like go deep sea fishing, be tourists in San Francisco, and head down to Monterey to check out the special otter exhibit. Then so many others made it out for the rehearsal dinner and wedding on Friday and Saturday.
the young man and the sea
the girls at the Golden Gate
Everyone enjoying a fine meal at Ruth's Chris
Rhys takes the job of ring bearer very seriously
so many friends and family at the Rehearsal Dinner
the Best Man and Maid of Honor's toastsBut, that wasn't the end of the wedding festivities. September 8th we celebrated in Maryland with Raju's parents' friends and more family, and a bunch of my family and even my friend Angie were able to come up for the reception. I decided I liked dancing in the wedding dress much better -- you couldn't see my feet in it to tell that I really couldn't dance. Two celebrations down and I think I'd only had two bites of cake -- future brides, get your fill of cake during the tastings!
Brian, Love, Nin, Amma & Appa, and the MisrasOctober was the big trip. My friend
Pappy came out to hang with Milo for a month, which was sooooo appreciated. I think Milo is still watching for him to come back through the door. Raju and I hit 7 countries (9 if you count airport transfers) and had a blast. We got married again, had a small reception again; my mom and Tammy got dressed up in saris. We were allowed into Singapore. We saw a big cat in Bandipur, India, along with lots of other wildlife. We weren't allowed to hold hands while wandering around Sharjah and had a blast in the sand dunes of Dubai. I froze in Rome until I finally bought a coat. We wandered the streets of Florence only to find ourselves at the Duomo over and over again. In Venice we ate and drank like gluttons and I ended up sick after walking the rainy streets at night. The Paris hotel luckily had the best shower and I was able to steam in it and feel somewhat better. We didn't get to see as much there, but we did check out Raju's Dad's neighbors' house as well as the top tourist spots of the city. In Zurich I was feeling much better -- maybe it was the chocolate? We had wonderful fondue and enjoyed the waterfront before heading back to the States with a stopover in Frankfurt. God bless the Lufthansa first class terminal. By this time it was November, and for Raju's birthday we got to go out with his cousins to celebrate. The next day we were back home and happy to see the dog -- happier than he was to see us. The whirlwind was over, back to reality. (
If you want more details, click on the Honeymooning label below some of the other posts.)
at the Indian weddingI had just a couple of weeks to plan Thanksgiving dinner, but it turned out pretty darn good again this year. Again, we got to see Mom and Tammy (wonder how many miles they logged this year?) and we all just relaxed most of the weekend -- and shopped.
Thanksgiving at our houseA few more weeks and it was Christmas. I headed back to Tennessee. This year I actually got to head down to Chattanooga and do Christmas with Abby, Donald, and Gail. A grand time was had by all that night, as most can see from the pictures. The next night I got to spend some time with my cousins who I haven't seen in many years, and they hung around for Christmas Eve too. Lots of present opening, lots of food, lots of good times. Then it was back home to celebrate Christmas Day with my hubby. I didn't get a ring this year, but the present was just as nice -- a new printer! So I've been playing and printing and can't wait to finally open that shop I've talked about for the past few years.
Gail and Abby dancing
Tony and Linda cuddle on the couch
Emma and Olivia with their American Dolls
Dad demonstrating how large the trash bag isTo say 2007 was a great year is an understatement. I can only hope 2008 goes half as well. No hoppin' john for me today, instead we're celebrating UT winning their bowl game with carrots and onions (oh, and some beef, but I just realized today that carrots and onions are UT colors).
It's a good start to '08 for sure. Raju's headed out to walk the dog while I dig up the picts to go along with this post, celebrating one last day, for it's back to work tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone who made the past year so wonderful. Cheers!
Labels: Year in Review
