Monday, January 12, 2009

January 11th-More Snow

Poor subject and weak composition, but the first time I've ever managed to capture even the faintest bit of sparkle that makes new snow so beautiful.


01.11.09
January 10th -Snow

The quest to find subjects to photograph was severely hampered by 12 inches of snow. I suppose I could try to create something to photograph using my surroundings, but it kinda feels like cheating. Quite a conundrum.


01.10.09

Friday, January 09, 2009

January 8th -Subjects

One of the most challenging aspects of this project is getting out into the world enough to find subjects to photograph. It is as if my office has become a prison. I found the following image on my drive home. The softness suggests the look of the actual windows through fog, but what is missing is an eerie blue cast to the glass that it attracted me to it in the first place. I need to get out more...


01.08.09

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Ice

As Holiday decorations slowly disappear around the neighborhood, the trappings of winter return.


01.07.09
January 6th - Epiphany

As the Christmas season (blissfully in many respects) draws to a close, its last gasp is the celebration of Epiphany. It is not much of a “celebration” in the traditional sense, but this year I’ve been tripping over references to the idea of Epiphany, the Three Kings, Three Wise Men, and even Three Wise Women. It’s as if I have missed some elemental aspect of this particular holiday season and the cosmos doesn’t quite want to let me off the hook just yet. And while I generally relate to and identify more with the idea of God (Spirit, Nature) than Jesus (probably a byproduct of the religious extremism of my community), in recognition of the fact that regardless, I’m obviously still searching for something, here is an excerpt from a one that actually touches on that very thing (plus the reference to Robert Frost doesn't hurt either)

From a reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver, the author of To Begin at the Beginning: An Introduction to the Christian Faith.

“But perhaps the most important reminder in this beloved story is the seemingly throw-away line at the end: after leaving the infant Jesus, "they left for their own country by another road." Matthew says that they did that to avoid the vengeful king Herod. But, in another sense, isn't that what an encounter with Jesus is supposed to do to all of us? We can leave changed. We can find another way. After encountering him we can choose a road less traveled by. And that can make all the difference.

Prayer
Dear God, may I leave my encounter with the Jesus in this season as a changed person, returning to familiar places by another road. Amen.”


01.06.09

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

A.S.

January 5th - said a final goodbye to A.S. A woman who was probably far more complex than people gave her credit, and probably suffered far mor than she (or anyone) deserved. Still, the gathering seemed to be a healing circle for the estranged - especially G. Hopefully seeds of reconciliation were planted.


01.05.09

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Patterns

Photo Fabric. Remember that sometimes seemingly random designs are the most worth noticing


01.04.09
Air

Normally my big, bawdy, boisterous extended family makes me feel grounded and quite content in my place in the world. Yesterday they felt like a plastic bag over my head - suffocating and sad.

What is wrong with me?


01.03.09

Friday, January 02, 2009

Resolutions

After 40 (YIKES!) years (give or take a few when I was blissfully young, innocent and not at all worried about what other people thought of me) I have basically come to accept the fact that the only thing I should resolve for New Year’s is not to make a New Year’s Resolution. In fact it was quoted in the New York Times this week that the average person’s New Year’s Resolution is abandoned by Valentine’s Day – I probably beat that curve by a month.

And I don’t know if I have simply decided that I don’t have the energy to make myself prettier, younger, hipper, funnier, or any other adjective that describes some sort of societal deficiency that I should strive to overcome (which I could), or to lose those last 15 pounds (which I should), but this year I am categorically refusing to undertake any Quixotian quests for shallow media-motivated disenfranchised self-improvement.

That being said, since I do believe that there are many areas of my life in need of a tune-up, I am rather resolving to turn my attentions inward and ramp things up emotionally, intellectually, and creatively. Being that sounds pretty daunting just looking at it (let alone doing it), I have devised a plan to break it down into manageable steps using a“One per …” formula. So with the caveat that the resolver reserves the right to substitute any or all resolutions for ones of equal or greater value, here is the plan for 2009:

- Take at least one picture per day – keep a digital and print record
- Read one book per week – keep a log of titles and authors
- Plan one outing per month – preferably with someone new each time
- Work on one project for the whole year (considering bodhran or Italian, but the jury is still out on both)

To show that this resolution is made in good faith, below are the photos for 01/01 & 01/02…
Felice Anno Nuovo!


01.01.09 & 01.02.09

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Note to Self - Don't Forget to Look!

I will say that in the final days of the election I became something of a crazy (OK, maybe not crazy, but definitely crazed!) person. An unquenchable thirst for information threatened to take over my day to day activities. And while I am ecstatic at the outcome (!!!) I will freely admit that it took a while for me to re-integrate living into my previously obsessive existence. Hence, no photos, no blogging, and in fact, very little of anything that constitutes personal creativity…

BUT, today I received a gift, and was lucky enough to have my camera on me at the time. So while the photo quality leaves something to be desired, the viewing experience bordered on the spiritual (and I am assuming that since I was the only one stopping to look, meant just for me - so thanks!)

Following are pictures of two coyotes playing in the field at Indian Knoll & Geneva Road.









Monday, October 20, 2008

Yes We Cans!

So I was driving yesterday morning (mostly ‘cause I felt so guilty that I didn’t even have a dollar to put in the basket at church that I didn’t go) and I was thinking about the photos of the Obama rally in St. Louis with 100,000 people. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, but not quite because it had been talked about at the DGAAN meeting, but not that much, so still pretty much out of nowhere, that the Obama campaign should ask people to bring donations of food to their rallies to donate to local food pantries. That St. Louis rally could have brought in almost a quarter of a million cans of food!

I’m not sure where this idea came from, because in fact, it id not feel like it was mine. I ruminated over it all day, but it still felt like it was plucked from thin air and plopped in my head. So while I would normally then just drop it, I instead emailed the Obama campaign and told them my idea. I’m not sure if anything will come of it, but if they all of a sudden start collecting food at their rallies, I’ll know that it was a pretty special idea.

I hope it happens!

Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. "
- Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Autumn Reprieve

After yesterday’s angst, today brought a modicum of relief as the need to immediately pack up shop has receded ever so slightly. The floor seems to be littered with eggshells, but at least it is not moving boxes (I think).

Providing a welcome distraction (as well as a couple of hours away from work) was two great lectures that were part of a conference called The Language of Nature. The first was “A Natural History of the Chicago Region” by Joel Greenberg – an author and naturalist, his discussion focused primarily on the history of prairies in the Illinois area, and “Restoring Kinship with the Land” by John Price – a Professor of English at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, he offered a very engaging talk about finding ways to connect emotionally and physically with one’s own landscape. The second talk was “The Nature of Story” by Donna Seaman. A literary critic and editor for Booklist, she spoke about the influence of the natural world on fiction and non-fiction writers.

Both excellent presentations that made the world feel a little wider on a day when it was feeling pretty small.

A second welcome distraction was today’s weather. In a word, GLORIOUS! Trees seemed to turn overnight and a warm breeze sent leaves dancing to the ground. Following are pictures from the KlineCreek Farm, which looked just too pretty not to stop for at least a couple of minutes.





















Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:

"Voting is one of the few things where boycotting in protest clearly makes the problem worse rather than better."
- Jane Bowles

Monday, October 13, 2008

What Now?

Such sadness (yet all truth, I know) following yesterday's interaction - I hesitate to call it a conversation in that it was more a wandering through emotional minefields with the hopes of inducing the least possible carnage...

I feel like we are living in the middle of the quote by AnaĂŻs Nin: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”

Things are pretty painful.

Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin

(If I stay, am I giving up my own essential liberty to purchase safety?? Will everything now seem like a prophetic sign?)

Friday, October 10, 2008

Found Art

Many, many thanks to the wonderful individual(s) responsible for these beautiful mini environmental art installations found this morning on the Geneva Spur of the Prairie Path in Winfield. I LOVE that someone would take the time to do this!!!



Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:

"It may be necessary temporarily to accept a lesser evil, but one must never label a necessary evil as good. "
- Margaret Mead







Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Muddling Through

A dreary day, of which the highpoint has been my walk with Dougal. Bad political karma all around, a debate I don't think I can stomach (will watch Charlie Rose for spin though - keeping my fingers crossed for Doris Kearns Goodwin!!), rain and just general malaise...

Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:


"The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously."
- Hubert H. Humphrey

Monday, October 06, 2008



Helping the Digestion

Because I can become naturally politically combative (not necessarily partisan, but more often railing against the lemming-like tendencies of the populous to decry profusely and/or wax poetically about individuals and issues of which they possess neither the inclination to understand nor the ability to articulate that have become “all the rage”) I generally do not engage in full-contact political discourse with my family. This is mainly due to the fact that we all never FULLLY disclose our political leanings and the desire to respect each other’s opinions far out-weighs the need to drive home a point, no matter how passionately it is held.

That being said, it was a sheer delight to sit around the table this weekend and hear a collective cry (OK, mine was more of a wail) of concern regarding the scariest possible outcome of the November elections. Even if we differ on baseball teams (mine not having fallen just yet!) it is comforting to know that those from whence I came share my belief that the unique values that formed this country should not be sold to the highest bidder or distilled to the lowest common denominator…

Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:

"The only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen."
- James Madison

Friday, October 03, 2008

Peace Fest 2008


In just a little over 30 days, as we come dangerously close to letting the uninformed and/or easily swayed hijack, once again, the constitutional right (not to mention the Constitution itself) of American individuals to a government by the people and FOR THE PEOPLE, it leaves one just slightly more optimistic about our future to see a little group of people so committed to the idea of Peace that not only do they choose to celebrate it but they ask their government to celebrate it too!

Following is the Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 21st, 2008, West Chicago Peace Day.

West Chicago City Council Proclamation #487:
Proclaimed, September 2, 2008

Declared an official holiday by the United Nations in 1981, Peace Day is celebrated worldwide in over 200 countries. The historic U.N. Peace Day resolution calls for an international day of global ceasefire and nonviolence. All nations and individuals are invited on this day to cease all hostilities and join in a worldwide celebration, reflection, and one minute of silence for inner and world peace. The hope is that more and more people will be inspired to carry the commitment of nonviolence forward into the days beyond, until everyday is a celebration of peace.


Recognizing that in 1981, the United Nations officially declared the twenty-first day of September of every year to be Peace Day, calling for an international day of global ceasefire and nonviolence;

WHEREAS, citizens of West Chicago, Illinois understand that peace is an active process that embraces the deepest hopes of all people, and remains humanity's guiding inspiration; and

WHEREAS, we recognize that an enduring peace is our most important national interest, as well as a core value; and

WHEREAS, peaceful unity, understanding and cooperation among individuals and nations is essential to the freedom of all; and

WHEREAS, we share the vision of a day when humanity knows only peace among all nations and in every heart; and

WHEREAS, we are proud to join the rest of our nation and people from around the world in avowing our deepest commitment to peace in our homes, our communities and across the globe;

NOW, THEREFORE, I Michael B. Kwasman, Mayor of the City of West Chicago, do hereby proclaim September 21, 2008 as

WEST CHICAGO PEACE DAY


Photos from Peace Fest 2008







Thursday, September 25, 2008

TEST:

Uploading Photos.



Chicago AIDS Walk. September 20, 2008 (Many thanks to my wonderful Mom for walking with me!)



Tuesday, September 09, 2008

This Blog Thing

In my search to be relevant (thank you Denny Crane) in the blogosphere, I have been trying to identify the consistently appealing elements of the blogs to which I respond, and work to incorporate them into mine.



Since I am, as of yet, lacking a specific topical focus for my musings (a tact that seems to fast track a blogger toward a certain clarity of content) and I do not have a universal viewpoint through which I can connect with the internet masses (i.e., mommyhood, shopping, guns, free-diving, etc.) I have in the meantime decided to simply do my best to create a blog which I myself would find appealing. I'm not sure how this will play out, but one unifying element that I gravitate toward on blogs is the photography. Not a big revelation to anyone who knows me, but in living on the fringe of the modern tech world, I am not even remotely versed in producing a photographic blog. So for the immediate time being, my efforts will include bringing pics to this page.


Monday, September 08, 2008

UPDATE - 99 Problems - One of them being Laziness

So the crack about laziness turned out to be slightly prophetic, but it’s not like I haven’t been doing ANYTHING…

So as a means to jump back into the blogging fray, I’ll start with an abbreviated update of my 99 things. To start, they’ve been changed to 50 things - but really, isn’t practicality the foundation for success??? This serves more as a reminder for me, so I won't be giving regular updates. I just needed a kick in the pants to get going... Here’s the list so far:

50 Things for 2008

THE MEANINGLESS CATEGORY:

1) Re-learn how to have a conversation
I hadn’t thought about this one, but the more I am, I’m wondering if it was my conversation ability or those I chose to engage. Perhaps I should be re-learning how to choose someone to have a conversation with…

2) Re-learn how to walk in high heels
Not too much progress, but now that I’m in the new office where I have to dress like a girl, I’m going to aim for extending the dress code down to my feet.

3) Manicures - even every now and then
New, but no progress yet.

4-9) TBD!

THE HEART CATEGORY:

10) Write one letter per month.
Bad, bad, bad.

11) Leave a server a really big tip in proportion to the ticket
Well, I left a $5.00 tip for a carwash I didn’t even get??? I’ll shoot for one better than that before the end of the year.

12) Use the Steve Chandler “Call List”.
Haven’t. Should.

13) Find lost friends.
See 12

14) Make one friend date per month.
Dragging Marc to the Art Institute for the Africa exhibit.

15-19) TBD!

THE HEALTHY CATEGORY:

20) Walk Dougal every day.
Good on this one!

21) Ride my bike to work 2 days a week for the entire summer and then some...
Didn’t, but I have high hopes for September and October.

22) Lose 15 pounds
No, but am going to join Warrenville, and with the biking, there might be progress.

23) Find a Doctor and an Ob/Gyn AND GO!
Before November!

24) Continue with dental work.
Good in theory, but bad in pocketbook.

25) Fall in love with Exercise
Maybe not in love, but there are moments of like…

26) Be able to do 20 pushups by my 40th birthday
This one is still on the docket!

27-29) TBD.

THE GET SMART CATEGORY:

30) Learn Basic Spanish.
Investigate the library. CDs for car?

31) Read, Read, Read
Does 1085 pages of the Lord of the Rings count?.

32) Take a class
OK, find a class.

33) Re-evaluate my relationship with the media

34) Go on a Gossip Diet

35) Be an informed voter in November
And try not to have an aneurysm before the 4th!

36-39) TBD

THE FOOD CATEGORY:

40) Organize cookbooks and recipes
TASTEBOOK!

41) Make 1 new recipe per week.
Crockpot?.

42) Eat Fresh Food
Sounded good in theory.

43) Look for sustainable food options
Do it

44) Try one new restaurant per month
Do it..

45) Throw a Tapas Party
Really, just do it.

46-49) TBD!

THE FINANCIAL CATEGORY:

50) Increase what I’m savings by 25% per month.
Start a “Saving Yourself” account.

51) Go on a buying “fast”
And clear out what I have.

52) Think about investments/retirement
Do SOMETHING.

53) Make a budget
Know where our money is going!!

54) Open a “Rainy Day” bank account.
See #50

55) Apply for and get a credit card
Use and pay each month – shoot to boost credit score above 700 by 2009

56-59) TBD

THE SUGGESTION CATEGORY:

60-69) TBD. This is for when someone says “You’ve got to…”

THE CULTURE VULTURE CATEGORY:

70) Use twice the value of my Art Institute membership
So far, Hopper & Winslow, Africa in September, & Bresson fallYEAH!)

71) Renew National Geographic Membership
Did that AND Smithsonian!

72) See one opera at the Lyric
Matinee series plus Tristain & Isolde w/ Mom & Joy.

73) Go to Ravinia
Lyle Lovett w/ Matt & Chung - awesome!

74) Play Bodhran!
Step it up.

75) Visit one new museum
Not yet.

75) Take an Architectural Boat Tour
And again, not yet. But fall would be pretty…

76-79) TBD!

THE TRAVEL CATEGORY:

80) Renew Passport!
DON’T MISS ANY OPPORTUNITY!

81) Be a Tourist at Home
Didn’t do this, but again, fall IS really pretty.

82) Visit Maureen in MD
Sigh, No.

83-89) TBD

THE RANDOM CATEGORY:

90) Take LOTS and LOTS of pictures
Fill the photo diary!

91-99) TBD… lots TBD…