The Little Things

I suppose its a selfish thought, but I figured I'd start doing things for me. It doesn't have to be something huge, but just things I once used to do that bring me enjoyment. Like a pampering day with my pearl face masks, shaving my legs or better yet, go for a walk in the rain.

Why did I stop walking in the rain?

Ah. yeah. Walking pneumonia.

I guess that just means I have to invest in a better coat, dryer shoes and make sure to bundle up when I come back with a good cup of tea.

In the meantime, I'll keep on photographing.

Here are more pictures from the other day. I really, really had fun and I felt relaxed by the time I turned in for the night. It felt refreshing. I really do have to go back. It is one of my favorite places on Earth, just like the lovely spot off the i10 in the Santa Anita mountains. It wasn't very far in, but I loved parking in the turn about, watch the sunset and the lights of the city twinkle on.

Because, you know, star gazing isn't really a thing near LA. ^-^

I call this rock gazing. I can't believe the water was so clear.

Also, I really need to start blogging about hair. I suppose I felt I was getting too obsessed. I also need to photograph the awesome purple. Its finally faded enough that it is obviously purple.

I suppose I'll do that tomorrow a long with some silly shots of lego time.

Mother nature is Serenity

The past few months have been nothing but stressful. We're talking the usual wear and tear from the fiscal grind on top of more serious, personal matters. While I've pretended that everything is 'o.k' and I keep toiling with my mouth mum in a very misguided attempt to keep the monsters from becoming reality, my little universe has begun to unravel.

But see, I've been down this road before. I can see the outcome from miles away and I don't want to end up there again. I am done with the panic attacks, the self-harm and the belief that I'm not worth enough to seek help in any shape or form. These demons I've come to know so well are there, ready to pounce, tug, and pull me down the rabbit hole. And I have no desire to let that happen. Ever. Again.

I have more tools at my disposal this time. Whereas before all I had was my writing -- and now that I am feeling more powerful than I did before, I have searched and searched for the Muse that kept me alive. She's nowhere to be seen... or at least I thought she was gone. But like the caterpillar she's just found a different incarnation to help me along with and so far its been the shape of a camera.

Since I've gotten this camera I've been out and a bout more. I've also started to see the world in a different way and I've also found myself doing things I haven't done before.

Since I left SoCal almost thirteen years ago, I have not been as in tune with mother nature as I used to . My hikes have been less. My sense of adventure muted. I used to run around in the forests of Santa Anita or swim along the waves of Long Beach and I'd be fueled with so many images that I'd go home and write for ages. Now that same desire to create has returned in a way I never expected it. I do not go out there to be inspired. I leave my house because *I am* inspired.  In the last two weeks I've been out and about. I've seen friends I haven't in a long time.... and I find myself balanced for those few precious moments I'm walking along with Mother Nature.

The sound of her streams, the feel of her tear drops on my face, the way my feet sink into her pathways. I love it all. Why, the hell, did I not do this with more frequency?

I suppose I wasn't ready yet.


Anyhow, I figure I'd share more of the lovely landscapes I have always adored.

2014 changes

A few days after Yule, I decided to try something different. Roomie, henceforth known as Ninja, helped me come up with a new look. He balayaged my hair, fairly light then slapped some purple instead of my red. Sadly, we didn't estimate how blue-loving my hair would be and instead of it turning purple, it turned black. Purple black.

So, I'm kind of rocking a cholita purple right now. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it, but neither Ninja or I are happy with the over all change. We wanted something brighter. We're now currently waiting for most of this stuff to bleed out before we try lightening my hair a few more shades and then putting in a more red based purple versus the blue based we used the first time.

I cheated on J. Ninja gave me a trim. Its slightly layered, but I have more movement. He also commented on how healthy my hair is and how refreshing it was to see someone with such length... such healthy length. And no, I don't let just anyone touch my hair. Ninja is a licensed professional. He and his girlfriend live with us and he's always dying her hair. I figured he can't suck because at that point, we'd hear the slaughter if it goes wrong.

Anyhow, I've been enjoying my present a lot. We visited the Tsubaki Grand Shrine for New Year's (hubby's shinto so we like to go for the yearly blessings) and I took the opportunity to shoot a little bit.

The only editing on this was to change the brightness level slightly.I didn't even change the 

white balance... this is how *every one* of the shots of this tree came out. I'll have to 

post the rest later. 

Photography fun

I got up at the crack of dawn and spent three hours shooting mother nature in the face until I was exhausted.

I came home, took a nap and fell asleep. Woke up a good five hours later.

Anyhow, here's some of the shots from today. I'm getting to know my equipment a bit better, and I'm having a LOT of fun viewing the world through the lens of a camera.

December Challenge - Joy

I couldn't make up my mind as to what brought me most joy today.  (Yes, I know I'm an hour late, I got caught up crafting.)  So there are three photographs.

Wrapping presents. I love this.. and I always look for random excuses to do so. I don't know what it is about wrapping a present but I enjoy it a lot. It makes me smile and giggle like a school girl. I've been known to use Sunday funnies, regular printing paper, butcher paper, etc. The more -out there- the wrapping, the happier I get and the more I have fun with it. And I don't like to just *wrap* it, I like to get fancy with my folds. I was running out of paper and the one that I did have also had guidelines in the back so I couldn't do my usual folds. (I like to fold Vs along the paper and then put the bow where the folds meet. I'll have to photograph the next batch I wrap.) 

Funny story, I found out there was no Santa because of my fondness of wrapping paper. I threw a fit one Christmas and insisted on helping my mom wrap up the presents. It was her fault, she taught me the Nordstroms/Macy's folds (It was her first job waaay back in the day) and once Santa came at midnight... I recognized that wrapping paper. And the folds. And the bows. I was crushed. 

Maybe that's why I enjoy wrapping presents in funky wrappers. If there's contrasting colors, front and back, the more intricate I can get on the wrapping. And everybody KNOWS who the present is from just buy looking at the wrapping and folds. My favorite part of using undecorated paper is decorating it myself. 

I've been having fun wrapping presents for more than 18 years now and I *still* can't hold a candle to my mother.  

Crafting. 

I don't like to buy presents for people and I try to avoid it as much as I can. Sure, I can buy someone something magnificent and I could have put a lot of effort into the thought but nothing makes me more proud than to make something for someone and they enjoy it. This is the middle of a present for someone... or the beginnings of it anyway. 

I've already finished about 1/3rd of the presents I'm sending out on the Winter Swap for the LHC right now. (I won't post them here just in case someone gets sneaky and tries to see it!). I don't know what else to make and that's fine. Just because I don't like buying presents for someone doesn't mean I won't buy them. A store bought present is a surplus to something I have hand crafted. 

And while that red yarmulke wanna-be looks boring and unappetizing, I can assure you it is going to look awesome.  Should I have time I may make a similar thing in green and white. That's all the hinting anyone's ever going to get from me on that regards. 

Tending for the discarded and forgotten. This little sucker was left behind at my previous work place and was more than half dead. there was but a single leaf on it and I couldn't tell what the hell type of plant that is. While there is still damage (Thank you, Watson for the nibbles and travel damage from office to home! >.< ) it is doing so much better. And... I think Rand may be a pathos vine after all. 

And do not worry, gentle reader-- I made sure the cats loose their appetite to eating the toxic leaves/vine. I rubbed habanero oil on the leaves. Watson took ONE BITE and never touched it again. He hasn't even come close to it anymore.  Patches never bothered, simply because we'd already done this song and dance with Devil's Ivy except my punishment of choice at that time had been cayanne pepper. 

Disclaimer: the cats have running water at all times in the form of a water fountain. While I may rub spicy stuff all over my plants to keep them from being eaten, there is ALWAYS water and food to tempt the children away from said hot stuff. Regardless what the perpetually starved Watson may have to whine about. 

December Challenge - Red

I swear, this needs to be a meme. Something about not doing catnip very often but when she does, even Charlie Sheen gets jealous of the action.

December Photo Challenge

I got an early Christmas present from the hubby this year. He had me open it to check and make sure it was working, and since it is and there's a challenge going on for this month that pertains to said present, I might as well not pack up my new camera and wait until Yule.

I mean, I got to get used to what this baby can do and I figure taking a few shots here and there on my free time may get me better acquainted with my camera.

Now, while I edit my first two images (i.e. crop them to size and what not), I figure I'd post at least some of the ones I've taken so far. 

Featuring my favorite models in the existence of models, the ever sullen Patchers and the kitten that smizes like no one can, Watson