thoughts on my new space...

thoughts after my first day in the new building... it's not too bad. i like the area for Creative Services and i didn't even mind Susan sitting next to me squeaking like a dolphin. i'm really out there in the open, but i don't really mind since i was pretty out there at the last building.

there are appealing gathering spots and an extra fabulous cafeteria. i stumbled upon several nooks and crannies that truly appeal to me; i like to hide from the world and work or have a quick meditative moment. the colors are a little funky. the blues don't really work, but the silvers a very nice. i really enjoy the multitude of windows making it insanely bright.

AND they have diet dew in the soda machine! i'm also very close to the coffee and the bathroom! a thrilling and unexpected boon!

and now, the not so greats... when i look out our window, we've got a stunning, full-out view of the man-made mountain known as The Dump. ewwwww.

i feel awful about our location. for pete's sake, i actually went through a CORN field coming home and ended up winding and weaving till i landed somewhere in Bridgeton which i can barely find, much less find my way out of. GAH!

i really do wish that they hadn't built a new building. with so many beautiful and even not so beautiful buildings standing empty in this area, i feel wasteful enjoying a new building.

i'm troubled by the environmental impact of the space. i don't care how much we recycle, or how many spaces we have for environmental vehicles, i feel like we cannot make up for the natural habitats we have destroyed. the pr can be a little overwhelming; this was built for the tax abatement, so stop slapping butter cream icing on it.

when i climbed into my car and pulled out of the lot, i felt a little dirty. enjoying the new building treats left me feeling selfish and decadent. after all, the newness will wear off as it does with everything. soon, it will be just another building in the flood plain.

but, at least there are stairs everywhere, and i was beside myself with joy running them at every possible opportunity. now, if only i could house some of the homeless wildlife under my desk. i've got room for a family of red foxes, maybe?

wipe out...

i've been swapping music with a friend lately, and we got into surf music... i prefer the Ventures version to the Surfaris--it just has more zing if you ask me.

this tune goes back to some of my earliest memories when i was hanging out with my legendary uncle mickey in his room. i was just a wee little one, but he would play this and let me jump around and dance on his bed. when he played this on his guitar, i thought he was just about the coolest dude in the universe.

he had challenges in his short life and didn't live to see his son's first birthday. but, before we lost him, he left me with many happy memories and goofy stories. three things i learned from him: it's okay to dress up as a character and be a silly, laughing adult, it's also okay to be exuberant and just out there if that's who you are, and he taught me not to take myself so seriously.

i miss him very often...

two sides of a day...

as i woke up this morning, i listened to this story about the removal of the blast walls and the reopening of the Baghdad Hotel. I can't exactly explain it, but knowing people were going back to work... reclaiming something special... made me not only happy, but gave me an overwhelming sense of relief. this was good news and it made me hopeful.

then, i read about the bomb in Sadr City and it reminds me of two things: a. for every solution, another problem appears and b. people are extraordinarily complicated.

friends have heard me say a million times: without extremes at both sides, how would we ever find the middle? after both of these events, i'm reminded of temperance, patience and striving to live mindfully with others.

it is difficult to be a human.

The Afghan Girl

I remember being in the dentist's waiting room and gazing at this cover. It is one of the few images throughout my life that resonated and remained with me. I remember when they first located Gula; I was so moved by the fact that the world had embraced this face yet she had no idea.

And now, we say goodbye to Kodachrome, the film used to take this moving photo. Yes, it's actually a big deal, but progress is what it is. I certainly can't knock it since I could never afford photography as a hobby prior to digital.

But, I think it's worth noting the moment.

B-15 and the Emperor Penguins

Emperor penguins are amazing and graceful. I already knew quite a bit about them--the way they launch from the water blows my mind. This was a great special--but it left me angry. I have a hard time watching animal shows. I love them, but I always end up in tears and wanting to save the world.

Emperors of the Ice

Nissa

IMG_2203, originally uploaded by MisfitHue.

I shot Nissa during the Edison show on May 10. It was the first time she danced in that show, and I know she was very excited.

This is one of my favorites... for me it epitomizes the internal and emotional nature of interpreting a song.

There is much joy in dancing, but occasionally a song calls upon you to remember other emotions. Like any dance form, there is a certain amount of your inner self that you need to be willing to put out on the line.

blogging a blog on socmedia and iran...

i remembered this quote today...

"I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit" ~ Kahlil Gibran...

like many of you, i've been reading twitter, watching youtube links, and looking at flickr pics of the revolution in Iran. i've been moved by the solidarity of Americans with the people of Iran... and as i sit at my kitchen table in my comfortable apartment surfing away and listening to my Ozzy at a level that will not disrupt the balance of the building, i'm nothing less than deeply appreciative of my life.

and i also thought i'd share this blog post...

the revolution will be 140 characters or less

about last night...

IMG_4453, originally uploaded by MisfitHue.

i took my camera to the future of the orient show at cicero's last night--sort of as an after thought. the show was put together by final veil and promised a wide variety of dancing.

about half way through the show something clicked in my head and the whole event turned into a belly dance safari for me. i was wearing this cute little flouncy dress that is sort of short. i utterly threw "lady-like" off the bus and started climbing over people to get a better spot for pics. i don't think i flashed anyone; it was a dark bar and i was on the floor, after all. so glamorous, isn't it?

by the last set of dancers, i was camped out in the front. the last act was the picture in this blog--all dancers i know. their entire presentation was dramatic and creative, plus these girls are good dancers. well, i was shooting like a crazy woman when i realized that all of these men had descended around me--photog guys. guys with cameras that were as good as or bigger and better than mine.

granted, this was probably triggered by the sheer dramatics of this act, but it didn't really matter to me. it felt unbelievable to be swimming with these fish. i don't know who they were, but i remember thinking, "right here, right now, this is what i want."

after the show, i charged up the stairs taking them two at a time to my apartment to get to the computer. this is no joke people; i'd have taken down any poor soul in my way.

i took more than 900 pictures and learned a truck load about shooting dancers. i've a lot of editing still to do, but i'm absolutely thrilled with what i got.

...and next time, i'll wear pants!

light play...

65/365latenight, originally uploaded by MisfitHue.

so, last night i colored my hair and took a shower. then, i started playing with my camera. i put it on a tripod and put the whole set-up on the kitchen counter. then i went to town with the lights. i wanted to see what i could do. all of the shots were a little fuzzy for various reasons except this one. LOL

there is something about this picture that i like. for one thing it utterly reflects the week that i've had. i really like the light play and am going to try again. only next time i'm going to try to get into focus.

parachuting...

i'm a woman with a camera who parachuted into the field of photography. i didn't get here the way many photographers did. i don't have the educational background, and i don't have many biases or know what to expect. for me, every scrap of knowledge or experience is a mouthful of ambrosia.

i just watched some videos of annie leibovitz shooting. what i saw that i related to? the certainty of what you want. the confidence to direct a room and subject to get what you want. the experience and focus to create your art--to know what that is.

why do i say that i recognize it? because this may be photography, but i've had that knowledge, certainty, and ability to direct in other career fields. experience gives you incredible power.

i've grown to admire her work above others and call her an influence. watching the videos has reminded me that i have been nervous and afraid before. but, i've met challenges and this is something i can master.

what i saw? i saw a person that i'd like to emulate and that is something i've not seen in a long, long time.

a new obsession...

i get fixated on music and bands. this is my newest.... enjoy.

this and that...

i went shopping this evening and bought one of those sexy long summer dresses... i've been so leery of them and not found a single one i've liked on me. this one has a cut out mid section and the pattern reminds me of a peacock. as soon as i put it on, i knew it was made for me. i love moments like that; they are so far and few between. now... where to wear it!?!

boho chic has finally made it to town with a fury, and that has always been my style. imagine my delight to look around and everywhere see flowy, billowy skirts! of course, i found one that i had to have.

it was a good retail therapy night. if a mere object could make me happy forever, i'd never come off cloud nine...

later, i went into borders to pick up a copy of Letters from the Earth. after i'd made my purchase and approached the door, i saw the most charming man on the other side. he grabbed at the door and pulled it open for me to come through with such purpose and a little bow! he wore a navy suit jacket and a fedora. he was maybe as tall as me and i'd guess in his late 70's, but oh! what a lovely smile and friendly eyes he had. we exchanged several pleasantries before he wished me a "fine evening, young lady." people can be such a wonderful, random experience.

now, i'm going to have a nice salad with dandelion greens and a bit of feta and curl up with my new book.

i really appreciate the evening i've had; i needed a little joy today.

a new subject...

I have always wanted to read Mark Twain’s Letters from the Earth. People who know me well have recommended it to me many times during my life, but I’ve simply never taken the time to read it.

I was lost in my thoughts driving to work this morning when it occurred to me that I should read it now. I know that Twain wrote it during a difficult time in his life, and I feel like this is good time for me to turn inward.

I’ve always found wisdom in the words of Twain, and I look forward to the coming hours of introspection of a completely separate topic than has consumed my attention recently.

JDeadly takes the cake!

IMG_3514, originally uploaded by MisfitHue.

in reference to the earlier blog.... this would be the day after. i believe jdead has claimed the left overs!

chatauqua retreat...

IMG_3144, originally uploaded by MisfitHue.

we had our company retreat last week. it was lovely in chatauqua and the department had a wonderful time. i went absolutely nuts with my camera and everyone seemed to appreciate the results.

this was our second retreat at our boss Sharon's cottage called The Sisterhood-three sisters and mom has a place called The Motherhood. it is an insanely quaint little resort-ish, dirty dancing-esque spot near grafton on the great river road... ahhh the mississippi!

i did three things i'd never done before... 1) made a warm fuzzy, 2) ate a "sheet" cake with some friends armed only with our forks, sans plates, and 3) played a card game called spoons. OMG i love that game, and i really liked that everyone was as competitive as me!

we also played co-worker trivia that was genius on the planners part and hysterical. i discovered that you can work with people for six years, call them family and find out you don't know the first thing about them! i was pleasantly surprised that even i stumped my co-workers--me the open book. ha!

it was a fantastic release and a fabulous bonding. Sharon made her famous Pasta Sharona and the most yummy egg casserole for breakfast. With the sheet cake and Mike's lemonade... it was a feast, as well!

i didn't have time to give up at work for this activity, but i think this was a better use of my time by far. ohhhhh what camp song, butter cream frosting and flying spoons can do for the spirit!

first day with the varsity belly dancers...

well, well, well... that was interesting and fun!

i remember when, as a sophomore, i made the pom squad. i was elated, even though i was an alternate. i was an alternate to suzi simons. i was her alternate the whole time i was in high school from class officer to the pom squad.

pretty much, that's been the status quo my whole life. not quite good enough to take front and center. always the girl ready to go on if you get the flu. but, no one ever gets the flu.

hey, i'm not bitter... it took a lot of the pressure off, and i've learned to be comfortable here. however, it isn't quite the same and i know it. never quite good enough...

"decide you want something more than you are afraid of it." bill cosby

things have changed. now, i'm in a dance class with women i've had as teachers, the women i've admired in shows... and it's a little unfamiliar, but in a pleasant and welcoming way.

after the first class, i have a mental list of strengths and challenges--semester goals, if you will. i'll sit down soon and compare those notes with my teacher. the demeanor is a little different--a little more serious, but not too.

i like it here. i feel my own style is here, waiting for me. it was just waiting for me to leave the wings and want something more than to be an alternate.