For Musically Challenged.

It's Step23's week - yay!

song

Lyrics

341/365

one good thing about music,

when it hits you feel no pain

so hit me with music, hit me with music

hit me with music, hit me with music now

- Bob Marley, Trenchtown Rock

I suppose I was due for one of these. My behind the glass series always kind of reminds me of a peep show - a little glimpse into the story of a character who you think you know, while in reality what you're seeing is just a thirty second show of a character of their choosing. Does that make sense? Anyway, while creating these various characters obscured behind the glass, I just kept thinking of a burlesque peep show. Of course, I don't own any really burlesque lingerie (unlike a certain friend of mine whose closet overfloweth and shall remain nameless). So you get my toned down version.

And before my family gets pissed (as they most always do when I show this kind of skin), I was also in the mood to celebrate my weightloss thus far. I mentioned last week that while I've been watching the numbers on the scale change, I only just recently started noticing my clothes fitting much more loosely. Well last night, on a whim (at 12:30am no less), I decided to try on some old jeans of mine that just a few months ago I couldn't even pull all the way on, let alone fasten. Some of these jeans I haven't worn in YEARS. Um, yeah. Totally comfortable in them now. Can't even express how happy that made me. So of course I wound up trying on the majority of the clothes in my closet that haven't fit me in forever. And squealed (quietly since it was 1am by that time) each time something fit me comfortably again. I'm up to six pairs of pants and jeans that are now fully ready to move back into active rotation in my wardrobe. And countless shirts and adorable jackets that used to cut off all circulation in my arms and now fit exactly the way they're meant to fit.

I'm working on getting healthier and losing weight for me. Not for anyone else. I want to get back down to a weight where I feel like me again. That's probably not as skinny as I once was, but I want to stop feeling like I'm trapped in somebody else's body. I've got about forty pounds left to lose, but I'm in no rush. Slow and steady wins this race (says the girl who has lost rapidly and gained it back just as quickly in the past).

Progress, not perfection.

Musically Challenged: Bob Marley - Trenchtown Rock

You could say I'm hard to hold.

- Jann Arden, Good Mother

Not much to report today. Other than I couldn't decide whether I liked this better in color or in black and white. I feel myself gravitating more towards black and white lately, so I'm trying to make sure I don't just default to that every time.

Musically Challenged: Jann Arden - Good Mother

TOTW: Musically Inspired

watching this: butterflies! and anything else from the Viva La Vida tour in 2009 makes me tres happy. smiles all around. Coldplay is my guilty pleasure and i am not ashamed, dammit!

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"Lovers in Japan" by Coldplay for Musically Challenged

As I lay upon my bed, I begin dreaming

Of how it's gonna be the day that I am free

Once I settle like the dust upon the table

But then you came along

You helped me write this song

In my sky you'll always be my morning star

- The Jayhawks, All the Right Reasons

I'm not super familiar with the Jayhawks, but I do know that every song I've ever heard of theirs, I've instantly loved. So I'm pretty sure it's time for me to download an album or two. And since Brad picked one of their songs for Musically Challenged this week, I figured the least I could do was visualize a lyric or two. :)

It was a long freaking day. I got up and into work early because I had a client meeting. Didn't find out until I was already into the office that it was postponed by two hours. *sigh* Isn't that the way it always goes? Anyway, it was an uncharacteristically long day for me as days go, and I'm pooped. Looking forward to relaxing with Andy this evening and watching some Lost a little later on. Up early again tomorrow for an 8:30am hearing over an hour away, so I'll be hitting the hay early tonight.

Hope all of you had a good Tuesday. And a big bear hug goes out to Jenna, because I know hers sucked. Tomorrow will be better, sweets!

365 Days (self portraits): Day 329

Musically Challenged: All the Right Reasons - The Jayhawks

This is the first in a series of musically inspired images created for a friend's classical guitar performance this November. He asked me to created something for the mailer that he will be sending out and I believe that this is the one that he's going to use. This was created from sheet music of Glassworks Opening by Philip Glass and from another multiple exposure image of light from a sunset relecting off of pool water.

A fallen branch reaches above the frozen surface of a creek. All around ice pellets fell and struck musically down.

Explored Front Page! & #50 Explored thank you so much you guys. you are making 2010 so wonderful for me!!! <3

I am honored to tell you guys that I am a group icon! I mean this photo is a group icon lol check it out here at Musically Challenged

Why were you so surprised

That you never saw the stranger

Did you ever let your lover see

The stranger in yourself?

The Stranger by Billy Joel

Today's baby shoot of Anthony was so adorable. I just want to steal him away what a freaken cute kid! I cant wait to get to editing those photos.

I didnt get the calendar project from that producer :( I got out-bidded apparently. Even though I never even got to speak to the guy in person and negotiate anything. But all is good, God will re-direct my path, and I've been getting some really sweet referrals. I need to start building my website but have no idea what to call myself since Anna Nguyen is already taken. :(

anyways.... Jen ! tagged me so I get to give you all ten random facts about me: here goes...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

1. I have a strong tendency to teach people, to help people and show them how to reach their potential. I think I should be a teacher. and i love it.

2. I've been taken for granted a few times in my life, and its not wonderful, but for some people, like family, I just cant say no, even if it hurts me.

3. I hate it when guys hit on me especially now, I normally nonchalantly add in the conversation that I have a boyfriend/fiance/husband, I get almost frantic when they still proceed to disregard that comment I made. Sometimes I just up and walk away, I cant help it my body says "get out!"

4. I use to hate taking pictures of people, I thought they were boring and everyone did them. after starting my 365 I absolutely LOVE taking pictures of people. they are interesting and captivating.

5. I cry in almost every movie I watch, even if it's not sad, I will probably take something that way and cry about it.

6. I tear up during the biggest loser finales when the contestants find out how much they have lost. I feel like I journey with them during their weightloss journey

7. I thought I was over an ex-friend, but every time I think I will run into her, I get scared and run away. I'm such a coward

8. I try to be the best person I can be, so that people will miss me when I'm gone.

9. my favorite ice cream combo at Cold Stones is French Vanilla with Cake Batter ice cream, graham crackers and a kit kat or twix mixed in. YUM.

10. I over-analyze everything.

Project 365: day 218

Musically Challenged: The Stranger - Billy Joel

TOTW: Album Covers - It just looks like an ablum cover, I have no idea what to call it yet.

- Portishead, Roads

Hey guess what? This week marks the one year anniversary of our weekly Emulation Challenges in My Face is My Canvas! Unreal, right? I never in a million years thought that when I created that group one drunken night that it would become so popular that it could actually sustain weekly challenges for a year. To those of you who have been active participants, thanks for being so rad. To those of you who loved it at the beginning and then abandoned it half a year ago (Vic!), you aren't quite as rad but I still like you (except for Vic). This week's emulation challenge is effing awesome if I do say so myself. It was chosen by the immensely creative and talented Kel-Z. You should really drop by and play along.

I'm glad I have soccer tonight because I need to work off some nervous energy. I'm shooting my first wedding this Saturday (with the help of the talented and cocky Tom) and I'm fairly terrified at the prospect of screwing it up somehow. Fingers crossed everything goes off without a hitch! And Tom has promised not to be a little pussy this time and actually drink with me instead of bitching out, so Saturday night after the reception should be fun times. :)

My Face is My Canvas: Emulation Week 52

Theme of the Week: Fashion Statements

Musically Challenged: Roads - Portishead

30 Songs in 30 Days: Roads - Portishead

I guess I'm learning

I must be warmer now.

I'll soon be turning round the corner now.

Outside the dawn is breaking,

But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free!

- Queen, The Show Must Go On

Today has been utterly unproductive. I have a headache from hell and have felt sort of cloudy in the mind all day. Sucks. But you know what doesn't suck? The pulled pork my husband spent all of yesterday making for us. That, friends, is quite delicious.

Musically Challenged: Queen - The Show Must Go On

.

Although the words below were first used musically to address great famine, the lines selected are intended to express some of my own thoughts regarding world crises of all kinds.

>>>>>>>

There comes a time

When we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one

There are people dying

And it's time to lend a hand to life

The greatest gift of all

We are the world

We are the ones who make a brighter day

Send them your heart

So they'll know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free

(paraphrased lyric content "WE ARE THE WORLD")

@ M Jackson. L Richie 1985

*************************************************************************

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace...

And the world will live as one

(paraphrased lyric content "IMAGINE"

John Lennon, Plastic Ono Band

@J Lennon, 1971

i know you're coming in the night like a thief

but i've had some time, oh lord, to hone my lying technique

i know you think that i'm someone you can trust

but i'm scared i'll get scared

and i swear i'll try to nail you back up

"Jesus Christ" by Brand New

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there's not one song i've heard before on the list of songs this week in Musically Challenged. not even one band/artist i know either, for that matter.

the song i chose for this image is my favorite. and from what i've seen it has atheists and christians arguing over it's meaning which i always find interesting.

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Griffith Park Observatory at night. a 30 second exposure, which makes for excellent ghosts!

242/365 Nothing like a drink and cigar at the end of the day....

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I hurt myself today,

to see if i still feel,

I focus on the pain,

the only thing thats real,

but I remember everything

Musically Challenged Group - DJ RED

"Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and Johnny Cash

lyrics: www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858493857/

Cash's rendition: www.youtube.com/watch?v=o22eIJDtKho

NIN's rendition: www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0bZtf5MCzY&feature=related

____________

THANKS

designinstruct.com/author/sebastiano-guerriero/ (Tutorial)

www.flickr.com/photos/calebkimbrough/sets/721576232907207... (Textures)

fetishfaerie-stock.deviantart.com/ (SKULL)

www.morguefile.com/creative/alvimann (Fire)

LSB 2021 Let's Get Tropical! - Musically Inspired

Speeder inspired by this rock star's red keytar!

*Explore/Interestingness*

i am much more comfortable with natural light portraits (outside or window light) - but i took this shot in my studio with just a softbox and gold reflector and like the results.

full stops and exclamation marks

my words stumble before I start

how far can you send emotions?

can this bridge cross the ocean?

- La Roux, In for the Kill

Still fighting this stomach bug. But feeling a little better today, so hopefully this is the end of it. I've had the luxury of editing from home today but tomorrow I have a full day and all of it is out in the big wide world, so that means I have to get off the couch and stop with the constant need for my bathroom being five steps away thank you very much.

Hope you guys are having a significantly better start to your week than I am.

Musically Challenged: La Roux - In for the Kill

“I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger as reason. I am so thirsty for the marvelous that only the marvelous has power over me. Anything I can not transform into something marvelous, I let go. Reality doesn't impress me. I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls.” - Anais Nin (Incest: from a Journal of Love)

bigger better faster more

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i've had a hell of a time lately. photo-slash-Flickr wise.

i think i've uploaded 3 images in the last week alone only to remove them but moments later. i've got no follow through. i'm second guessing bits i never think to guess at in the first place, usually.

my very favorite sort of photos to take are ones that look like i've stolen a moment from random stranger(s). any sort of landscape or cityscape or what have you is, in my opinion, often made heaps better with someone in it. or a few someones. and definitely not posed someones.

shoot. where was i?

anyway. something is off and i'm fairly certain it's me. i just can't seem to produce anything that i'm satisfied with, which is ridiculously irritating.

someone please beat me relentlessly about the head till i've got all this sorted...?

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title from one of the weekly songs in Musically Challenged.

I walk barefoot where the water drowns the sand...

With you no longer here to hold my hand,

I let go,

I let go.

I let go.

Calm Under the Waves by Maria Mena

today was a meh day. but i have to learn to deal with the meh days. it's one of those days where i wish i was in a relationship, but then i realized how much work went into one and i have those feelings where i have to deal with it.

but do you know that feeling of butterflies in your stomach and you get all flustered and your not yourself when you like someone? yeah i really really really like that feeling too, and i dont want to turn it off, but currently i cant be liking anyone, well its at least not convenient! ugh!

project 365: day 315

musically challenged: Calm Under the Waves by Maria Mena

TOTW: It's Magic - the ocean's healing powers

TRP: balloons

photo collaboration with Grace Gebhard

decluttr

I don't know where I am

I don't know where I've been

But I know where I want to go

- Bright Eyes, The First Day of My Life

Do you ever stop and think about your life and realize you've been focusing on entirely the wrong things? I don't mean like having your priorities in the wrong place, though that's usually unsettling to realize too. I'm talking about that realization that you're just looking at things entirely the wrong way. Worrying about the stuff that's really inconsequential - the stuff you can't change anyway. I had one of those moments this week.

It's rough coming to grips with that. For real. But now that I have, I feel so much better. Stronger, more focused, and more determined than ever to chase down my dreams. And I think I needed that slap in the face because I was really starting to drift for a bit there.

I got a ton accomplished today - both on my book and with my photography endeavors. Feeling really good about that. I refuse to let anyone tell me that my dreams are stupid or unreachable. That's just the bullshit that people spew when they don't understand why you're chasing your dreams in the first place.

So many of our dreams seem impossible. But I believe that we all have within us the ability to make our dreams a reality if we just put our nose to the grindstone, sacrifice a little sweat and tears, and refuse to accept defeat. I've seen the most improbable dreams come true for others. And I intend to become one of those people.

I will make my dreams happen if I spend my whole life trying.

Musically Challenged: Bright Eyes - The First Day of My Life

big!

i had a tough time deciding which one i liked best. and i'm sort of a little bit in love with both photos. humble, what? me? ;)

(so, if you have a preference...)

Man Met Brill gave me "Asleep on a Sunbeam", by Belle and Sebastian for Musically Challenged .

i'd not heard the song previously. but the lyrics are so lovely in this languid, summertime, falling headfirst into love, sort of way. which made me excited to hopefully capture a moment of that in some fashion.

so, yesterday evening, before the sun had set, i threw on a long, flow-y dress, scurried up to a neighbors front lawn and set the timer on my camera a dozen or so times while i made little prancing motions and tried not to notice passerby looking at me oddly.

the leaves were crunchy beneath my toes, the grass soft and it all sort of perfectly matched the song.

__________________

When the half light makes for a clearer view

Sleep a little more if you want to

But restlessness has seized me now, it’s true

I could watch the dreams flicker in your eyes

Lying here asleep on a sunbeam

I wonder if you realise you fascinate me so

My joy will be complete

So I had this vampire shot planned for today. And I got all bloodied up, took my shots, washed myself off, uploaded and fell in deep and passionate hate with every single picture. So I scrapped that and ran upstairs to take a few quickie shots while I still had some daylight. And I kind of love the way they turned out. This is my first foray into the cliche hair flip, so while it may be tired and predictable, it's not for me, and I've been really wanting to give it a go. So there you go. Today's last ditch effort turned into something I'm rather proud of. More in comments (as usual).

Had a client meeting today at my client's place of business. Which is a thriving bar in the Detroit metro area. We spent the first fifteen minutes discussing his charity poker room in the basement. I've got to get in there and play sometime. Which reminds me that it's been far too long since I was last at the blackjack tables. I practically lived there during law school. I need to make that happen. As soon as I get paid. :)

Soccer tonight! We're playing the team that apparently is the roughest in our league. Effing cannot wait. I hope somebody gives me a reason to get nasty tonight. When I was younger, I used to rack up more fouls than the rest of my team combined. I was a little bruiser. I'll let you know how it goes!

**Explored**

365 Days (self portraits): Day 296

Musically Challenged: Grace Potter - Cortez the Killer

www.instagram.com/malutrevejo

"its the, N-O, T-O, R-I, O U-S, you just, lay down, slow...

- "Going Back to Cali", by Biggie Smalls

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one of the song selections in Musically Challenged this week is a hybrid of "Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers and "Big Poppa" by the Notorious B.I.G.

however:

1. my favorite Biggie song, hands down, is "Going Back to Cali" and

2. i really wanted to post this shot today!

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to note:

having lived in California my entire life, save for a brief stint in NYC, i think i can safely say that most CA natives are not fond of California being shortened to "Cali". it's been likened to calling San Francisco, "Frisco", which i'm told is loathsome to SF natives.

it's only mildly annoying, though. ;) and it helps to suss out if the speaker is a native or a transplant.

i can't think of other examples right now, aside from New Yorkers being irritated by someone calling it The Big Apple. and someone told me recently that Detroit natives are annoyed by the mention of "South Detroit" in Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" as there is no South Detroit proper.

i'm not sure why, but this sort of thing fascinates me.

- Ani DiFranco, Shameless

Ever since I was about twelve years old, I've suffered from major self image issues. Even when my body is "skinny" for me, I still feel too curvy to be pretty. Of course, the amazing thing about this 365 Day self portrait project is that I've grown more comfortable in my own skin. And I have so many of you to thank for that. Not in any direct way, but really, when you become so immersed into the 365 community, you sort of go along for the ride with other photographers as they conquer their own self image issues. Or you watch enviously as other photographers bare themselves in ways you might cringe at, all with a sort of "yeah, this is me, you got something to say about it?" attitude. So in getting to know all of you, I believe I've made some big strides in conquering my largest insecurity, which is my own body.

It helps to be a part of such a supportive group of photographers who are also tackling the challenge of getting healthy and losing weight. The 52 Fit group has really helped me to stay on track with my resolution to make 2010 the year that I took back my life, lost the weight, created new healthy habits, and became gorgeous in my own eyes again. So thank you to all of you who are involved with 52 Fit.

As I draw closer to the end of my 365, I've been starting to wonder what comes next. Do I immediately dive back in for a year 2? Do I take a break and focus on my wedding? What if I stop shooting a photo every day and somehow lose what I've learned up to this point? What if I commit to another year and fail miserably? These are all questions I don't have the answers to yet. So bear with me while I mull all of this over in the coming weeks.

365 Days (self portraits): Day 345

TOTW: Insecurities

Musically Challenged: Ani DiFranco - Shameless

Hairodynamic: Anonymous Hair

submission for FU64 Challenge, round two

alt title: "ella ella, eh eh eh". except that the alt title would be three years too late and terribly unclever.

instead we'll call this "Street Spirit" after the Radiohead song that Man Met Brill chose for Musically Challenged. because, honestly, i'm a little bit, or a lot, in love with all of the songs he chose.

and even though this particular Radiohead track is actually pretty dark and where the hell is the light at the end of the fucking tunnel like we were promised, dammit!?! it's still a gorgeous song.

and, um, i AM on a street...

right. so, this is me. with a brand new, giant, rainbow umbrella. i've been wanting one of these for years. seriously.

and saturday marked the first day that it was properly winter (in southern california, at least!) and i got to retire the flip flops! i love my flat boots. loads and loads of joy.

and though normally i contrast my photos all to fuck and saturate the hell out of them, i tried to not go too overboard.

________________

Street Spirit by Radiohead

Immerse your soul in love

a little over a week ago, Spider-Man was arrested.

seriously.

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LOS ANGELES -- A Spider-Man impersonator was arrested Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly slugged a man near the Hollywood and Highland complex.

Freddie Krueger was also taken into custody for allegedly stabbing someone. No charges were ever filed.

---

(how fucking awesome are multiple superheros committing crimes?! ok, not 'awesome', but still...!)

yesterday, Ali posted her ten weekly song selections in Musically Challenged. i fell a little in love with the one i chose for today on an episode of Grey's.

i took this photo in back in August but had forgotten about it until i heard about The Best News Story Ever.

the day i shot this, i became fast friends with "Michael Meyers" from 'Halloween', hockey mask, machete and all.

___________________________

"Trouble is a Friend," by Lenka

Rammstein - Engel

Rammstein in the choir, with a fantastic voice, unique!

Great! So and now I'm lost for words ;o))

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHBqEK_iRoY&feature

Danger will follow me now

Everywhere I go

- Lissie, Everywhere I Go

I spent the day shopping with my mom. Very excited to have finally bought Andy's Christmas present. And I negotiated the price down!! Right there in the store! I don't do that often (who does?), so I was particularly proud. I can't tell you what I got him because sometimes he checks in on my stream, but I'll be sure to let you know how much he loves it on Christmas day. Because I just know he's going to love it! :) Also found the remainder of my Christmas gifts for the family, so now all I have left to do is wrap and I'm done! Is it wrong that I bought myself a couple new items too? I was in desperate need of some new dressy pants and a few cute new dressy tops, so I snagged those for myself at the 40% off sales. All in all, a great day of shopping. I feel like I accomplished a lot.

When I got home, I was exhausted and so not in the mood to shoot a picture. So I shot a few really horrible quickie shots in a big cushy chair for Dreamy's HBCCT group. When I uploaded them, I just couldn't stomach the absolute pathetic quality, so I went downstairs, threw on a wig and some makeup and decided to actually put forth a little effort. Have to say I'm fairly pleased with how this shot wound up. Very glad I took a second shot at today's picture. My inspiration today was actually Theme of the Week's theme: It's All in the Details. I find composition really jumps up a few notches on the visual scale when you pay attention to the little details. Which is why I went for the gold fingers and added the ring to complete the makeup look. Also, I'm clearly in a bit of a wind-blown phase. Expect more of these. ;) What do you think? Success?

Musically Challenged: Lissie - Everywhere I Go

Theme of the Week: It's All in the Details

I have kinda been in a weird place the last few weeks. Not sure how I feel about Flickr and some of the stuff that goes on around here. Or even why I bother taking photos......

I wanted to do an HBCCT photo for today but I didn't know what to do, so I checked out Musically Challenged for inspiration. Thats where I found this song: Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen!. I sat and listened to it and started smiling and I realized that this was exactly what I needed. The photo doesn't matter, it's the message of the song.

Baz Luhrmann - "Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen!" If you can't listen then just read it :-)

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '99...

Wear Sunscreen

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You're not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

Sing

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind…the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own..

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time it's 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen...

Happy Big Cushy Chair Tuesday everyone !

I was tagged by Toni_Catherine quite a while ago to do this:

Name: Jason

Gender: Male

Age: 41

Where You're From: South Dakota

Eye Color: Hazel/green

Hair Color: Brown

Favorite Sport: Snowboarding

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Band: Rush

Siblings: Two brothers and one sister

Tattoos: none

Piercings: none

Hobbies: photography, sports of almost any kind, drinking beer, being happy!

I was also tagged by emeraldgirl to take a photo of my favorite rings/necklace, jewelry, etc. and explain why it is your favorite. Well....I don't wear any jewelery, not even a watch and for that matter I don't wear any accessories of any kind. No hats, no sun glasses, no nothing. The only thing I put on everyday other then clothes are my contacts, so I can see!

(8 of 52)²

I forget myself, I want you to remind me.

Quiet moments today. Kind of savoring them. I've got my manimals curled up and napping on either side of me and I'm just soaking up the silence and the little puppy and kitty snores. Trying to push away the unsettled feelings and just enjoy the little things right now.

Musically Challenged: Divinyls - I Touch Myself

"Come oh come ye tea-thirsty restless ones - the kettle boils, bubbles and sings, musically"

(Rabindranath Tagore - Indian Poet, Playwright and Essayist, Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, 1861-1941)

This Chai wallah was preparing tea at sunrise at Munshi ghat along the Ganges in Varanasi (Benaras).

I don't drink chai however I enjoy the scent of those spices blending with in the milk, I could smell this alaround the ghat which was still empty so early in the morning.

Chai from India is a sweet aromatic spiced milk tea, also known as masala tea, which is consumed by millions of people each day, just as we in the West drink coffee.

Masala tea or chai is a blend of spices, the most common being cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper, mixed with a rich black tea, milk, and a sweetener.

This warming and soothing concoction, brewed by street vendors in India, called chai-wallahs, is boiled in a pan on the stovetop for a few minutes, then strained into a cup.

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I have become comfortably numb.

Oh yes, that certainly is a real bee on my face. I had the shivers the whole time I was shooting this. I hate bees. And they hate me. But this guy was dead, so I figured I would probably be ok.

Spent some time today cleaning our house and swapping out the framed photos on our gallery wall. Until now, we've had up a series of black and white photos that I took long before I got serious about photography. So they've been kind of an eyesore to me for a while now. The gallery wall is definitely still a work in progress...I will be adding more framed prints whenever I can actually afford to buy more frames. But for now I have to say I'm thrilled with the new face lift. Some of my favorite shots from my own collection, and some of my favorites from my friends Jenna, Joel and Brian Day as well. Now our wall makes me happy! :)

My Face is My Canvas: Emulation Challenge #90

Musically Challenged: Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd

TOTW: Freakish

- Corinne Bailey Rae, Like a Star

**Explored**

I am so excited over Ashley's picks for the weekly challenge songs this week in Musically Inclined. We have very similar taste in music, so she chose a few that I absolutely adore. The rest I'm looking forward checking out. This song is one of my favorite Corinne Bailey Rae songs. And I ADORE her. This cd takes me back to when Andy and I started dating and moved to Kansas. The lyrics to this song and the lyrics to Trouble Sleeping felt like they were written about us. Andy's actually the one who introduced me to Corinne. I was listening to Put Your Records On when I drove away from my parents' house. That song still makes me tear up when I listen to it. If you haven't listened to this woman, you are doing yourself a huge disservice. Check her out.

And now I have to hop in the shower so that Andy and I can head out to Buffalo Wild Wings to meet friends and watch football. I'll catch up on all of your shots when I get home later! Happy Sunday, everyone!

365 Days (self portraits): Day 222

Musically Challenged: Like a Star - Corinne Bailey Rae

Don't you know we're in this love together

We got the kind that lasts forever

We're in this love together

We got a lot of time for love forever and ever~~~~~~~Al Jarreau

It's a Precious Thing <------Listen.....

I love nothing more than the ocean....we have a great love affair....always will!

Last of my musically challenged...had such a fun week with it.....thanks to all my friends who joined..meant so much to me.....keep playing....great songs every week.

Britney Spears~Circus

There's only two types of people in the world

The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe

Well baby, I'm a put on a show kind of girl

Don't like the back seat, gotta be first

I'm like the ring leader, I call the shots

I'm like a firecracker, I make it hot

When I put on a show

I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins

Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break

I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage

Better be ready, hope that you feel the same

All eyes on me in the center of the ring,

Just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip,

Just like a circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me,

Show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor,

Just like a circus

There's only two types of guys out there

Ones that can hang with me, and ones that are scared

So baby, I hope that you came prepared

I run a tight ship, so beware

I'm like the ring leader, I call the shots

I'm like a firecracker, I make it hot

When I put on a show

I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins

Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break

I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage

Better be ready, hope that you feel the same

All eyes on me in the center of the ring,

Just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip,

Just like a circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me,

Show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor,

Just like a circus

Let's go

A-a-aha

Let me see what you can do

A-a-aha

I'm runnin' this

Like, like, like like a circus

Yeah

Like a what?

Like, like, like a circus

All eyes on me in the center of a ring,

Just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip,

Just like a circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me,

Show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor,

Just like a circus

All eyes on me in the center of a ring,

Just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip,

Just like a circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me,

Show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor,

Just like a circus

Musically, they had kind of an Ike and Tina going. Some of my favorite music has that male-female harmonizing or call-and-response thing going. A set of pipes on both of them, for sure

Beautiful, gifted and musically very artistic Celtic Harpist Sarah Marie Mullen at FreeStone park in Gilbert Arizona. I often listen to her music while I edit photos.

This is the original uncropped image taken for the CD cover of her new album We Brought the Summer With Us. And yes that really is a real harp up in the tree with her. Thank you Sarah for using my photo for your cover.

For more info see www.sarahmariemullen.com

Special thanks to my assistant Twig the Fairy during this shoot for both arranging this session and for being so very helpful with unique and creative posing and lighting. It was Twig's idea to have Sarah pose in the tree. I found that Twig is not just a very beautiful model but also an amazingly talented photographer too. Thank you Twig I have learned so much from you.

www.twigthefairy.com

Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera and Canon EF 85mm F/1.2L II USM lens

Created for The Hypothetical Awards' 4th Annual, Musically-Themed challenge..."Album Cover Design!"

Tatuanna Volkovina and Katrina Winwood (yes, teenaged granddaughter of Steve Winwood of Traffic fame) are a Russian/British duet group who's music reverberates with flashes of Pussy Riot and transcendence of Donny and Marie Osmond. Catapulted into super stardom with their hit single "Cumma Cumma Take me", they persistently flaunt their rambunctious wherewithal towards the establishment and all its decadent trappings

For anyone interested, an "outtake shot" from the photo session can be found Here

play wherever you want. Music is everywhere.

___

for Musically Challenged: "Neighbour" by Mother Mother

ift.tt/2i0kISh

For musically challenged group, mycuteladybug posted her 10 songs, of which Let It Be by The Beatles was the one I chose to represent this photo.

This is my daughter, peeping over the ledge to our apartment, hair dangling in the wind. I shot it with a very low depth of field, so the railing in the front looks almost invisible. I particularly like her hair how it contrasts against the background and the blown out highlights in the sky.

--

The Beatles - Let It Be

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,

shine until tomorrow, let it be.

I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,

speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....

a giant thank you to everyone who played Musically Challenged this week. so many of you participated and oh, i feel like the prom queen! and the images everyone paired with the songs blew my damn mind. i think it's clear by now that i've got the most ridiculously talented flickr friends.

i'll be back later to make sure i give you all the proper adulation you deserve.

kisses and huge squeezes!

well, to everyone who played, that is. the rest of you can get fucked. you're dead to me now.

i kid! i kid!! i promise i still love you all equally and thoroughly.

ps, go HERE to check out everyone's stellar work.

In Amsterdam for a day or so filled with Golden Sunshine, I was drawn out to pretty central Vondelpark, founded in 1865. It was named for the perhaps greatest Dutch poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Just before John Milton wrote his famous Paradise Lost, Vondel had completed his own Lucifer in 1653. In it he portrays the fall of the Archangel.

The play begins with the debriefing of Apollion who has been sent by Lucifer 'that he might gain for him / A better sense of Adam's bliss'. He's observed the 'low terrene' with keenest eye', and he regards that earthly Garden jealously in comparison to his own heaven:

"Though high our Heaven may seem, 'tis far too low,/

For what I saw with mine own eyes deceives /

Me not. The world's delights, yea, Eden's fields /

Alone, our Paradise excel."

These lines - albeit in Dutch - popped up in my mind as I was strolling in these Glades. The English translation of Vondel's Lucifer was made in 1898 by Charles Leonard van Noppen (1868-1935). Van Noppen was a Dutch emigrant to the US and he became there the authority on Dutch literature. His translation of Lucifer was highly acclaimed; it was even set to music by Henry Kimball Hadley (1871-1937) and performed in Carnegie Hall, New York. Amsterdam has its own Concertgebouw, of course, but whether Vondel was ever musically performed there I don't know.

My view of this pristine scene was enhanced by a Modern Eve and her grooming Adam. And that gave rise to my question: was it necessary to comb one's hair in that Prelapsarian State?

no words, my tears won't make any room for more,

and it don't hurt like anything I've ever felt before,

this is no broken heart,

no familiar scars,

this territory goes uncharted...

- Sara Bareilles, Uncharted

Despite the painty tears, today is a good day. A great day, actually. Feeling whole. Feeling happy. Feeling hopeful. I'd spend more time going on and on about how today is such a breath of fresh air for me, but I've got more important things to do and (no offense) far more important people to do them with. Love you guys. ;)

My Face is My Canvas: Emulation Challenge Week 107

Musically Challenged: Sara Bareilles - Uncharted

For Musically Challenged

Fall into Place - Apartment

I touch no one and no one touches me.

I am a rock,

I am an island.

And a rock feels no pain;

And an island never cries.~~~~~~~~Simon and that other guy! =)

I've Built Walls... <---kick ass tune...

For this week's Musically Challenged chosen by the beautiful Shannon

To think I might not see those eyes

Makes it so hard not to cry

And as we say our long goodbye

I nearly do

Light up...

My 1st musically challenged...so be gentle...=))) GO HERE!!!