Theres only one more sleep till Christmas day

God bless us everyone!

Kanga and little roo

Lest anyone think I was not on this trip to Australia... here I am interacting with the wildlife.

Also... notice how I am laughing out of fear.. the Kangaroo had just reached out and grabbed my back and shoulder to pull me in... that is what they do when you are handed the bucket of their food to hold... and they are strong.

aquarium

Opera House

So it turns out editing is taking me ages and ages. And even though I have hundreds of photos waiting for me, I could not help but post these. I have many more of the opera house to come, but think this might be one of my favorites. It is the view from the ferry coming back from Manly beach. And true to form I am indecisive... B&W or Color... hmmmm... how about you enjoy both :)

Australia

"waiting on train"

Brisbane, Australia Oct. 2010

I just started the process of downloading all my photos from my trip to Australia. It is going to take me long while to edit them all, but I could not wait on this one. Many, many more to come. It was such a great trip.

A journey shows us not only the world, but how we fit in it.

Keep a-Goin"

If you strike a thorn or rose,
Keep a-goin'!
If it hails or if it snows,
Keep a-goin'!
'Taint no use to sit an' whine
When the fish ain't on your line;
Bait your hook an' keep a-tryin'--
Keep a-goin'!

When the weather kills your crop,
Keep a-goin'!
Though 'tis work to reach the top,
Keep a-goin'!
S'pose you're out o' ev'ry dime,
Gittin' broke ain't any crime;
Tell the world you're feelin' prime--
Keep a-goin'!

When it looks like all is up,
Keep a-goin'!
Drain the sweetness from the cup,
Keep a-goin'!
See the wild birds on the wing,
Hear the bells that sweetly ring,
When you feel like singin', sing--
Keep a-goin'!

~ Frank L. Stanton

Maker Faire

This Saturday I went to the Maker Faire in New York. My work had a booth there and I worked it for a little bit in the morning and then spent the afternoon roaming. It was so much fun, a dream come true really. I watched a bunch of exhibits, and talked with a whole lot of artist about what they do or what they make. I found myself jealous of them going from faire to faire and selling things they have created with their hands..... doesn't that just sound like a dream?!

This is how awesome it was. Where else can you find... chariots, crafts, 3D printing, and a rocket stage?

Two things that stood out to me: 1) Life Size Mouse Trap. That is right ladies and gentlemen... just like the board game only bigger! At the end when the safe fell on the cab.. It was so loud and I could feel it in my whole body. It was quite the site to behold.

2) This artist does sewing machine designs. Basically he draws with his solar powered sewing machine. I had him make me a camera. I am in love with it and can't wait to frame it.

I love creative people!

yellow

Nobility

True worth is in being, not seeming,—
In doing, each day that goes by,
Some little good—not in dreaming
Of great things to do by and by.
For whatever men say in their blindness,
And spite of the fancies of youth,

There's nothing so kingly as kindness,
And nothing so royal as truth.
We get back our mete as we measure—
We cannot do wrong and feel right,
Nor can we give pain and gain pleasure,
For justice avenges each slight.
The air for the wing of the sparrow,
The bush for the robin and wren,
But always the path that is narrow
And straight, for the children of men.

'Tis not in the pages of story
The heart of its ills to beguile,
Though he who makes courtship to glory
Gives all that he hath for her smile.
For when from her heights he has won her,
Alas! it is only to prove
That nothing's so sacred as honor,
And nothing so loyal as love!

We cannot make bargains for blisses,
Nor catch them like fishes in nets;
And sometimes the thing our life misses
Helps more than the thing which it gets.
For good lieth not in pursuing,
Nor gaining of great nor of small,
But just in the doing, and doing
As we would be done by, is all.

Through envy, through malice, through hating,
Against the world, ,early and late.
No jot of our courage abating
Our part is to work and to wait
And slight is the sting of his trouble
Whose winnings are less than his worth.
For he who is honest is noble
Whatever his fortunes or birth.

~ Alice Carey

From the Archive

After we finished with our statistics class way, way back in the day... Brenda and I decided to burn all our notes. It was a great night that involved sparklers... and of course a photo shoot.

Praise to the Man

While we were in Vermont, we decided to take a side trip to the birthplace of Joseph Smith. The grounds were beautiful. I walked around for a while just listening to the music they had playing. It was quite and peaceful.

The original doorstep is still there to the Smith family home. I was so moved as I stood there looking at that step. The thoughts of the people who entered that home there sprang to my mind. I thought of Lucy, Joseph's Mother, and what she taught Joseph and how it was because of her teaching and love that Joseph was able to ask those important questions that day in the sacred grove. I thought of Joseph Sr. and how he supported his boy and believed his boy. He was the father Joseph needed. I thought of how they and the family followed Joseph across the country seeking refuge and safety in their worship. And I thought of Carthage. The story of Carthage coming to mind while at Joseph's birthplace, made me pause and think of his parents and what devastation that news must have had and the real world reality of that sorrow. But the eternal peace and happiness that is to be had. All of that started here.. here at this threshold... here at this doorstep.

even more from VT

You really have left an impression on me Vermont....

And Then There Were Stars

Happy 100th post!

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately"

If you have ever wondered if Vermont is beautiful... well it is! I went camping with some friends over the three day weekend and pretty much want to move to the forests of Vermont. It literally ached to drive back towards the city and trade tall trees for tall stacks of garbage on the sidewalk. (with the holiday garbage pickups was a bit delayed)

One of the many camping activities we had was a great hike. Here are some of my favorite pics from it. There will be more pics to come once I download them from my other camera. It was quite the adventurous trip, with loads of time for shooting!!!

yet another project

Here is the most current one, of millions of projects I find myself up to my elbows in these days. Someone I love will be getting a cute, cuddly little gift very shortly ;)

I miss you!

These were taken all the way back in January when I was visiting my dear, dear friend Emily and her family. She is coming out to the city to visit in a month!!!! It is making me miss them all.. and I am aching to see her. When I was in AZ visiting the highlights were....

Heidi and I listened to Taylor Swift over and over on my Ipod.. it gave me an excuse to cuddle with her :)
Little Nathan: Pretty much if I said the word "car" he was my best friend!

And well.... Emily: Pretty much every moment was cherished! We read my old letters to her... and discovered what a geek I really was.. lol (emphasis on the was of course) And there were moments of pure laughter that I will never ever ever be able to forget... All I have to think about is me and her in the car out and about on the town and the grin spreads across my face and laughter soon follows.

Oh my goodness I miss you guys! That's what!!!

First Fig

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes and oh, my friends -

It gives a lovely light.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Sprinkles

photo class 101

This week at work I was asked to teach a photo class. A basic beginners class. I wont lie... I have been dreading this. Not because I don't like photo, or teaching. But just because I have been sooo busy with so many other projects right now, I just felt like I had no real time to get all the parts together for it. And for those of you who know me well, know I am all about, "if you are doing something you may as well do it right." So after much feet dragging and many moments of wailing and gnashing of teeth, I finally just made myself sit down at my computer and think about what I should teach...

It turns out once I got going, I had a blast pulling together all the photos from my work and many other crazy talented photographers (many of whom I am happy to call my Friends). I loved how natural it came to me, all the tidbits of info I had picked up over my years of study and practice. I had Brenda pose for some shots to show examples of good and bad cropping. I think these turned out quite nice!



And when I was in the moment, I think the class went well... I tried to keep it entertaining and not dig to much into the weeds of photo.. just basic tips to improve everyone right away. I am glad I had the chance to do it now.. somehow it reminded me how much I love it (weird that I forget... my high from a photograph can sometimes last only a few moments before I move on to the next project)

And the best news is that I now have a saved power point presentation. So the next time any one comes a calling for a photo 101 hour long class.. well, I am all over it ;)

To The One I Love

This post is a tribute to the Robot conversation I had at FHE tonight. So many wonderful people love robots as much as I do and that just fills me with joy. I painted this picture for Valentines day this year.

Heart,

Gabitron

Hotel Art

Baraboo, WI Sunrise Part 2