365-ish 2008-ish - Page 4 - Schmootography Photography

365 self portraits. Can I actually do it? Inspired by many others, I decided to give my creativity a kick in the pants with a Daily Photo project. With life happening too fast, quite often I lose the spark that drives me to pick up the camera. Hopefully I can maintain not only this project, but the ability to develop more as a photographer. Ideally, the majority of these will be self-portraits to help me get over my image complex and to document the most important, memorable moments of each day.

My rules:
1. At least part of myself in each shot. Every 24 hours.
2. EXIF data pulls rank. I travel and can't always upload on a timely matter, but the timestamp is as the timestamp does...
3. Try to document the dominant activity/event of the day. This is a journal-type project for me, too.
4. Having help is OK. While I always set up the shot myself, occasionally the location requires having someone else hit the shutter for me.

My current 365 Project gallery is here!

Gallery pages: < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >>

< Prev 46 of 264 Next >

schmoo > January 26, 2008

Today, since I was unable to go back to the slopes due to a boarding injury, Trav and I spent the morning exploring the town of South Lake Tahoe. It really sucked not being able to enjoy the snow like the rest of SmugMug was, but while I'm stubborn, I'm not suicidal. We had a great time poking around the tacky little shops and freezing our fingers as we scurried from place to place. On a Monday morning, things were a little quiet which was great. We also had lunch at a little cafe, enjoying the coziness and the friendliness of this resort town.

I can't wait to come back. And we both promise that the next time this trip happens, we won't suck so much at snowboarding!

schmoo > January 25, 2009

A little messy, but all of SmugMug descending on these cabins is kinda crazy. Our house is the no-kid zone, meaning that it gets a little loud and a little raucus after hours. :D

Beth made an amazing dinner, of course, and Rock Band took over for the evening. Given all of our job titles, maybe Guitar Hero would have been more appropriate. ;)

I'd say more but I gotta get back to the whirlwind!

schmoo > January 24, 2009

Just making the drive from Reno to South Lake Tahoe.

schmoo > January 24, 2008

On our way to Tahoe. The flight attendant dumped his supplies on my lap. I've never had a chance to play with the oxygen mask and the inflatable vest before, fortunately. And here they are, on top of my JPG magazine.

So tired. But we're here! Snow is predicted tomorrow, so hopefully we can go boarding in the afternoon and Monday.

schmoo > January 23, 2008

My Archy is back!

I don't usually mention stuff like this to most people, for obvious reasons. But for a while now there's been a little beetle-like (not roach) bug that lives behind the framed photo that hangs over my desk. A couple of months ago I noticed a black thing crawling across the wall and, well, I wigged out. But I couldn't bear to squish the thing and my Icky Bug Removal System (husband) was not home so I had no backup plan.

He lived, and after that I realized that it was kind of endearing. The bug would come out from the frame every day or two and walk around the wall in the middle of the afternoon, and then run back. Before I knew it, we had a little routine going and we were office-mates.

One day I realized that one bug is not a problem, I can live with that. But what happens when one bug turns into 5 million? That is unacceptable IMO, and I do draw the line somewhere. The next time I saw Archy I caught him in an upturned glass and moved him to the coffee table. I was going to put him outside, but at the last moment I lost my nerve because it was cold outside and I knew he would die. So I put him back, and he scurried very quickly back behind the frame.

He didn't come out for more than two weeks.

I was really, really sad. (Over a bug!)

Today I was absolutely ecstatic to see Archy poke his little antennae out from under the frame and crawl out around the wall again. He didn't hate me! He was still alive! I had a much better day after that, and I even risked startling him again by taking this daily.

I don't know what I'm going to do when we move. I could leave the frame on the wall because I don't want to unhome the little guy, but I'm leaning more towards placing him in a safe corner somewhere, not quite so far from his original place.

And now the world knows just how nuts I really am. :(

schmoo > January 21, 2009

A very busy day. This morning was spent with my mom, taking photos of her exuberant and extremely amiable knitting class! We then had a great lunch and I headed back up to Baltimore for a casual photo shoot in an urban environment. It's cold. I always feel cold these days, and not only because it's winter. Still, there is some great graffiti to be found in this city if you know where to look. And here I thought great tagging was only in San Francisco! ;)

Even though my creative mojo has been pretty low, I'm much more comfortable shooting on the fly like this than in a studio setting. Whew.

Boy, do I have a ton of photos to process....

schmoo > January 20, 2008

I am not a political person by nature, but the change that our country is currently undergoing is such a huge, monumental, historical moment that I cannot help but be moved. It says a lot that me, a person who hates debates and any talk of politics, to be so afraid of where our nation has been going, and to be so relieved and happy that hope is now on the horizon.

I took my laptop to the couch today to work while Obama gave his inaugural speech and I am so very glad that I did. He is one of the best speakers I have ever heard, and I am so grateful to have been old enough to appreciate this event for what it was. I could have been there, yes, but I wasn't and I think it speaks of the seriousness and magnitude of the moment that I am just thankful I caught it on television like the rest of the world.

And I admit that I leaked a little when I heard those beautiful words come out of his mouth. I am just so... proud. To be a part of a country that is undergoing such significant changes in the world. This is something great, I know, and we just have to see where we are headed next.

Onwards and upwards.

schmoo > January 18, 2008

I had a great morning driving down to DC with an old friend and seeing her off on her tropical vacation. I then had a wonderful lunch with Kerry, over which we discussed many photographically geeky things. Dunno about her, but I learned a lot! I have been in a slump lately as I often do, and I thank my friends for coming out and picking me up out of the doldrums. :)

I have another photo shoot tonight which... well, we'll see how that goes! Since it's Sunday (and the Ravens/Steelers showdown), my assistant/voice-activated lightstand is sporting his favorite Flacco jersey. I never in my life imagined I would be married to someone who owned one of those, but his fanism makes me happy.

schmoo > January 17, 2009

Excuse the stupid face, but I wasn't sure if the timer was activated. Here's me wondering what the load potential of the back shelf on my Mini was. Apparently it can hold a 5DmII and a 17-40 lens just fine.

schmoo > January 15, 2009

Silliness + Obamicon.me = today's Daily

schmoo > January 14, 2009

I have been wanting to clear my head, so I took the train down to the National Mall and ventured to the Smithsonian museums for the day. While the chilly workers set up the square for the inauguration next week, I trundled up the steps to the ring of buildings that always wait for tourists like me.

For years I've regretted not taking the time to enjoy the Museum of Natural History. But now that I was here, I felt a little let down. Rather than feel awed at the science of our world, it was a bit unsettling. I guess I don't really care for taxidermy and bones, at least not as much as I thought I would.

The best part, however, was the photo exhibit I came to see. The winners of the Nature's Best 2008 show had a little gallery tucked away in the back of the second floor, and I was happiest there amongst the medium that I knew. I want more. I want opportunities. I'm impatient, longing, and never fulfilled. These pictures were so beautiful and so very perfectly executed, it was a breath of fresh air in a stuffy building of placards and rocks.

Walking back down the steps and coming back home with the other early commuters, I'm still glad that I came. When I look back, I see all the past years of my life around DC. Always with friends. And yet those days are tinged with the feeling of being not quite in step with the others and holding on to the uncertain, unpredictable camaraderie that changed from week to week. I remember squinting in the unwelcome sunlight as I rode the metro, how Union Station was always my gateway to a social vortex, and how little I really believed in the "us" that existed only in my own deluded head.

DC to me is now something very different. I can't quite determine whether or not I prefer the old. At least it was dangerous. At least I could still be surprised. What am I now but the ghostly shell of the person who, while emotionally shackled, still gave the finger to the world and loved it?

Alone. Or free. It all depends on how you look at it.

schmoo > January 13, 2009

I love these boots. Wearing boots with pants is a fashion... thing... that I have never been able to accept, but I'm trying to break myself of that mental barrier by doing it around the house. The dog certainly doesn't care either way, so I'll take that as a good sign.

I need to run to the post office at lunch, so we'll see how I hold up in public.

schmoo > January 12, 2009

These days, gripped by fear
Running on fumes, me, a ghost.
Maybe tomorrow...

schmoo > January 10, 2008

(photo as per Nick's suggestion...)

Day off. Snow day. Another round of snowboarding, this time dragging our comrade Matt. Not only because he's a good friend, but because I needed someone around who would make me look as though I knew what I was doing. ;)

My friend April recently gifted me with an awesome thing called a ButtShield. You can get your own rear-padding at WatchYourAss.com, like it says right there on the thing itself. It's a great, useful thing even though it makes my pants fit a little snugly. Thank you, April!

Boarding today was fantastic. Maybe it was because I started fresh, not sore. Maybe it was Matt's presence, or the ButtShield. Maybe it was just mountain mojo. But things went very well and I had a few passes down the hill without even falling. Things are looking up - including me. I find that keeping my chin up and my knees bent make a huge difference in how I ride.

Now, if I can only look as cute, fit, and coordinated as those youngsters half my age. That would rock.

schmoo > January 9, 2008

A quiet, solitary moment at the Daily Grind. Cutting back on caffeine isn't the most fun in the world, but Harney & Sons make a very fine peppermint tea that is so warming on a chilly January morning. After a week of rain, ice, and mush, the day dawned crystal clear with the bluest skies imaginable. Taking advantage of it, I grabbed a book and went to the coffee shop to unwind before running a few errands and going to work.

I've never read Little Women before. I picked up this copy for $4 at a shop when I was in New Orleans last fall and I can see why this book is, while obviously quite dated, still timeless.

Add to that a squishy, sweet banana and you have a decent morning. The rest of the day/week has not been so good, but you keep the positive things in the forefront.

One of the things I love about Baltimore is Fells Point early in the morning. The restaurants and pubs are sleepy and prepping for a busy night, the seagulls are energetic and happy and the light plays off the water like an urban crystal. Everything looks fresh and new, ready for the nightlife that Fells is so famous for.

I miss it already, that and all of the great times I've had here with so many different friends over the last 11 years. Some are still here, some are gone, some I don't even remember and some I think about and wish I could find where they were.

January 26, 2008

Today, since I was unable to go back to the slopes due to a boarding injury, Trav and I spent the morning exploring the town of South Lake Tahoe. It really sucked not being able to enjoy the snow like the rest of SmugMug was, but while I'm stubborn, I'm not suicidal. We had a great time poking around the tacky little shops and freezing our fingers as we scurried from place to place. On a Monday morning, things were a little quiet which was great. We also had lunch at a little cafe, enjoying the coziness and the friendliness of this resort town.

I can't wait to come back. And we both promise that the next time this trip happens, we won't suck so much at snowboarding!