Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Happy New Year

I have already decided that New Years for me will start a bit later than January 1, 2010. It will start when I feel like it will start. Not now.... not sure when.

In the meantime, I smile at a few pictures I did take when Dec 31 moved to Jan 1. I will post new photos for you when my personal New Year begins. I am kinda tired of this one already....








Better Thought For The Day

This one is for all my work friends. You know who you are.

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

Lao Tzu

I am tempted to rewrite this to "Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way YOU like."

Because.... "change" sprung upon us gives us opportunity to stop and think about what we want to do with our life and how that "change" fits in...which might mean throwing even more change right back at it.

Splat.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Thought for the day

"Fuel creativity wherever inspired."

I am sitting here wondering how to get inspiration from a day at work, crunching numbers, reading reports, and filing emails. I am wondering how to get inspiration from a few hours cleaning the house, mopping the floor, scrubbing the toilet, spraying out the inside of the fridge (moldy olives, shriveled cherry tomatoes). I am wondering how to get inspiration from the lunch I ate (spicy chicken burger, fries, diet coke) or the bills I paid (mortgage, internet) or the dinner I made (pasta, sauce, bread) or the few quick phone calls to somewhat stay connected (mom, dad, Paris).

Sometimes.....yawn.... it is just better to get to bed and try again the next day.

My Favourite Photo

These were once my favourite photos. So.... one of my favourite photo sessions of 2009 was shooting Public Access, a Lower Mainland indie / punk / ska band with a touch of blues (according to their Facebook site). These photos were suppose to remain a secret until their CD was launched, but..... they have a new drummer, which makes the pictures kinda obsolete. It also means I can share them more openly, as opposed to hide them on the right.








I CAN contribute to the 2010 Games, too!

How fun is this? I just saw that one of my photos of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was selected by NBC for their NBCOlympics.com website. Last photo through this gallery.


Monday, January 18, 2010

Myanmar Schools Project

Three Cups of Tea may be a #1 New York Times Bestseller, but the story from my Uncle Duke hits much closer to home.

For years, he has been dedicating his time and dollars to renovating and building schools in Myanmar, and to date, there are seventeen projects on the go.

This is from the Myanmar Schools Project website:

"We believe that every educated child can help him/herself and future children become free of the burden of poverty and contribute to the well-being of their families and communities."

One dollar at a time, one day at a time, one trip at a time and over time, he has achieved so much.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Going to be all right

I took the skytrain from New West to Vancouver early, early, dark in the morning a few days ago. Somewhere close to Chinatown a glowing white sign illuminated the skyline.

"Everything Is Going To Be All Right"

I smiled. "I know," I said to myself. "I know."

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Cover Girl

This really has been an amazing year for my photography. A big highlight: seeing my photo on the cover of the January/February issue of Cottage Magazine. Double the fun for me: in addition to the photography for the feature, I also wrote the story! Hopefully: (fingers crossed), there will be more cottages to shoot and write about in 2010. Maybe yours?


2009 New Year Report Card

As you may know, every year, I write down 8 to 12 things I want to accomplish over the next year. To be honest, they are more "goals" than "resolutions." For 2009, I had things like get a hot tub, have good vacations with family, add more music to my life, and stay connect with friends and family in Vancouver.

But the big one for me was my photography. I wanted to progress my photography and I definitely did that. Shot a wedding, launched a website, family photos, baby photos, stock photography, business cards and a new camera. And I got published! (See next post.)

I managed to achieve about 6 1/2 out of 8 in 2009.

For 2010, I am still thinking of them. Here are a few I know:

I want to spend a fun night with just me and my neices - sleepover style with lots of giggles. (something my friend Oriana did, which I loved.)
Remove the shag carpet in our...cough, cough... bathroom (Kje's too).
Keep the computer desk at home clutter free.
Take one month off work and roam around a bit.
Build my core strength so I can stop going to the Chiropractor.

If you can think of any others I can benefit from, let me know.