ask an alien bee to flash you

So, lately I've been looking into getting my own light set. It's getting harder and harder to reserve the lights when I need them at school, and I'm not sure getting so used to extremely expensive equipment is all that healthy, as in the future, I'll never afford to work with such a luxury, let alone know if it's really the best thing out there to use: Profoto. I started investigating Paul Buff's, i believe that's his name, line of White Lighting and looking at some of their accessories brought me back to AlienBees. I don't even need the highest powered unit, and they're the most inexpensive i've seen outside using the actual flash setups. And get this, they do a student discount, but it includes part time as well as full time students. On top of that, you don't even have to be a photo or even an art major! They make a ring flash. The units are even cheaper than buying ttl flashes! So I think it's time to spread the word on alien bees ... and how they pretty much deserve to take over the planet :) Plus, they come in fun colors ... even the neon green I so dearly love in a color palate :)

A new drama ...

Okay, I have a new japanese drama to add to my list of find (aka: get my hands on) and watch: Ryokiteki na Kanojo ... Literal translation: "That Bizarre Girl"

It's a drama adaptation of my one of my favorite Korean films: Yeopgijeogin geunyeo (My Sassy Girl, 2001)

I guess Hollywood tried to adapt the story in 2008 ... it's no wonder I never heard about it ... it failed miserably when they lost the true essence of the story's characters which made the original Korean movie absolute cinematic perfection. It's not the first time Hollywood just hasn't understood the essence of a foreign film and failed attempting the re-make! They did it to a favorite German film "Mostly Martha".

Here's a couple Links:
Imdb Link for Korean Movie
Wikipedia Link for Original Korean Movie - much better description/ synopsis
DramaWiki Link for Japanese Drama

Family life

In an age where media seems to have taken over civilization, I've been thinking about the turn that society as a whole has taken. When I say it's taken over civilization, I mean society's spirit, inner core; ideas, ways of thinking; morals, values. The direction it's going is certainly not good.

In the way I mean media, ever since people could watch things move on a little box in their own home set to sound, humankind has been addicted to the stories they hear and see on television. When I look at the kind of shows on tv nowadays, most of it makes me want to gag! I can think of my favorite television show growing up that was contrary to today's common norm. About the time that it was cancelled would be described by many as the fall of decent family television ... a time where morals and values were expressed with drama, mystique, interesting characters that you couldn't wait to get to know better with the next week's episode. Shows that conveyed the strengths as well as weaknesses of the human condition, teaching morals without rating high on the hokey meter.

The show was Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. It was a show that families sat down every Saturday night to watch together. It was a time set aside, to stop living in a thousand directions, to drop what you were doing and just spend an hour together without distraction watching an actual decent show and learn a little something ... whether it was a moral teaching or even the historical context that was incredibly accurate. During the commercials, you'd talk about what happened that day, things you were excited about that was going on in your life. When it was over, you'd be excited about what would happen next week, even amazed or surprised by something that happened that night.

I've been watching some old episodes, and it brought back fond memories. I remember it having the same effect as a nascar race in our house, something rare ... when it was on, the channel was not to be changed. It was how we spent our Saturday nights ... Dr Quinn, followed by Walker, Texas Ranger. Occasionally, mom would try to put me to bed after Dr Quinn, but I'd usually find some way to stay up and watch Walker with my parents :)

a little bit of humor :)

So this was my last project for advanced lighting ... was due last thursday.
Must say, these were a lot more work to set up and far more intricate than they look :)
Just lugged around a 3-head profoto 2400 watt kit, an extremely heavy battery pack, light boxes, a stand-kit, tripod, pocket wizard, and used gels over a 20 degree grid spot to match the color balance

1am

So, it was pointed out to me oh so obviously by a certain bobby character that I have yet to update this blog in the recent past, so here goes.

At 1amthis morning, I did something I really can't afford, but was completely worth it. bought the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Live deluxe edition ... It may sound lame and not exciting to the casual random observer, but if one understood the utter magnitude importance and sheer glee of this purchase for me, it would be less lame. I really hope that the Columbus, OH ... i believe 2006, or maybe it was 2005 performance of Gospel Song is included ... that would turn my glee into ... what's better than glee? hee hee ... rhyme, there.

Also, I must mentally note these: If I have any money in the forseeable future, these must be added to my library ... some to replace their paper counterparts.
book one
book two
book three

school blues

I'm tired of school crap!!!!!

I'm tired of teachers who grade unfairly.
I'm tired of pickiness where it really doesn't matter!
I'm tired of spending so much in-depth time studying tools and effects that I don't intend on using in my professional life ... perhaps for fun ... but you don't need a class to play with tools and discover for yourself the little things.
I'm tired of having the option of photographing using film, but not enough time in a project to execute.

memories, mine and others'

This past Saturday was my 5th alumni day for All-Ohio Youth Choir. I can't believe that It's been five years since I lived at the fair and sang all those songs every day. I have to admit, I've been a little sentimental since, so I pulled up some youtube videos of a few songs and clips from the fair choir experience. Couldn't find any clips from my years ... portable electronic devices were a little less around back then ... let alone video phones...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3jvw0D63mk&feature=related
how to describe the aosfyc experience - CRS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDTizZRPgfw&feature=related
Celeste Center concert, 2009. The 2009 All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir sings, "Let Mortal Tongues Awake", by Garry A. Cornell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pkw3woyOJM&feature=related
The 2009 choir singing "The Star-Spangled Banner"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ksPp9eaHVk
2009 choir on channel 4, WCMH 8/3/09

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bePAsKAJos
2007 Cardinal Chorale - "Lord, Listen to Your Children"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5pINE1el_s&feature=related
2009 Choir in the Statehouse rotunda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlQ6neCQmTw
2008 choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nox68YKqvLM&feature=PlayList&p=912E8CE158638144&index=0&playnext=1
2007 choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bDK_yu3DDA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81u5_u19Inc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS56bT6actA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekO81ghuv6g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-QGrWaxfBs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wxQQcuvzdw&feature=related

And a series from the 1976 choir:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F5a2Vn9OmE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veQeEsSpvh8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgdf9zaCPCc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPoP5Q2m2NA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTihXW0FGnA

rise of mediocrity and fall of the truly amazing!

I blame the consumer market for killing the photo industry.

large format final

turned in my large format final today - tabletop (2 commercial and 2 personal still-life's) and one large print :)
Here's the eye candy

another quote .. heard it and it made me nostalgic for home :)

Marshall: She leaves you at the altar, and you're the one avoiding her?

Ted: Yes, I'm avoiding her. What's the big deal? That's how we do it.

Marshall: Who's we? Gutless weenies?

Ted: Uh, no. We is people from the great state of Ohio.
When life gives us pain, we Buckeyes take that pain and we push it down.
And if the pain starts to come up again,
we push more pain down on top of it.
Why confront something when you can avoid it? Right?

~How I met Your Mother

think i'll make it a star wars night

cookie dough

My all-time favorite television quote :)

"And the guy thing ...
I always figured there was something wrong with me
because I couldn't make it work.
Maybe I'm not supposed to ...

Because, Okay ...
I'm cookie dough.
I'm not done baking ...
I'm not finished becoming whoever the hell it is I'm gonna turn out to be.
If I make it through this ...
and the next thing ...
and the next thing ...
And maybe one day I turn around and realize I'm ready,
I'm cookies!
And then, you know ...
If I want someone to eat .. or .. enjoy
Warm, delicous cookie-me,
Then, that's fine,
that'll be then,
when I'm done"
~Buffy - 7x22 - "Chosen"

just a lil update

Okay, haven't updated for a while, so we'll go back to wednesday :)
1. Received birthday package from family. Included:

• microwave cake and box of candles hehe :) as well as microwave brownies ... the miracle of technology :)
• A meowing card from little brother with hidden best buy gift card ... gotta love the working brother :)
• mail, cream of mushroom soup, and tons of lil gummy snacks :)

1. Went to como zoo, and was seriously impressed considering it's a free zoo. Actually had giraffes and zebras, unlike the minnesota zoo that i paid for a membership to. Weather wasn't so nice, but I made friends with a tiger :)
3. Ordered chinese and actually picked it up ... had never driven through midtown so it was about time.
4. Relaxed and stayed in with a movie, enjoyed my chinese:) First birthday I had all to myself, was different, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Appreciated all the text messages and facebook wall posts, as well as the calls :)

Thursday:
1. Got up at 5 am to start/finish paper for presentation due by 2 pm :) Was successful
2. Worked, then crashed

Friday:
1. Worked in Men's Polo all day
2. Saw a guy from Kuwait that looked like Aladdin :) Get this: his last name was Al-Ali! He was so Aladdin, one of my favorite disney characters :) Almost told him, but wasn't sure if he would take offense to the disney reference or to his country ...
3. Met with Brandy for some photos on the playground at the park

Saturday:
1. Worked in Polo once again
2. found a shirt in the men's section ... love it so i bought it :)
3. Teja forced me to try on heels ... a pair of bright red mary jane's :) felt like a girl, but actually liked them ... must think about buying one nice pair of girl shoes
4. Shot Teja in the studio, so much fun, and the pictures came out beautifully :) such a nice smile
5. Went to a coffee shop in Uptown ... really amazing chai tea and beautiful inside ... and met this guy there ... really cute, nice, cool ... we'll see :)
6. Went to this comedy club/ show Comedy Sportz, and my face hurt by the end from laughing so hard

Today:
Planned to go to St Paul cathedral this morning, but waaaayyyyy overslept, whoops :)
Got to the darkroom around 2:30 to develop what film I've got so far ...

Have been wondering about catholicism lately. Luther never really intended to break up the church ... lived and died catholic. We base our denomination on his teaching, but overall and deep down to his inner core, he remained Catholic his entire life ... so what's the difference? Other than purgatory, I don't know any major disagreements I have with what I know to be Catholic views.

I've always been a lutheran, but I've found out recently that some of the stances I take on certain things I can't find what exactly our church's view is, but I know it aligns with the Catholic Church.

"And I say to thee. thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18

Didn't Peter ultimately start the Catholic church? So doesn't that mean that ultimately Catholicism is the Church that everything led to? There was break-off after Luther, but when you think about it ... it's a circle cycle. The problems Luther had with the church aren't around anymore, so why not go back to the church Jesus built upon Peter?

Was just talking with someone the other day about beliefs and views, and she called me a catholic in protestant disguise. Apparently they're just called terms and words I never knew so I didn't know we believed the same thing :) Brings me back to my lutheran/ catholic debates from jr year at muskingum :) good memories

are we the same people we've always been?

Finally finished the grueling book at work the other day! It's wasn't necessarily a bad book, I just didn't enjoy it as much as others and started it looking forward to a german writing style and was given a Swiss. Homo Faber, I"m finally done! Only problem arises considering I've read every book in my apartment and don't when I'll get home again to stock up on my list. School library solves the problem, woohoo!!! Just started Capote's Music for Chameleons yesterday ... was hooked from the preface! Too bad it looks like I'll get through this one in record time ... unlike the 3 months of work breaks to get through a book I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Just can't not finish a book ... have to know how it ends so I know not to read it again if it was completely repulsing.

One thing I've been wondering for a few days ... Are we the same people we were in High School? Everyone talks about maturing and growing into a new person when they start the journey into adulthood ... but how much do we actually change? Even as adults, we still have the cliques: the people with money, the drama folks, the artist/musicians, the stoners, the lazy crowd, the overachievers, and even those of us who still puddle jump between them. We just start to second-guess ourselves. Is an abundance of independence that supposedly builds character only holding us back? I've realized recently that I'm reluctant to rely on others anymore. Do we rely too much on ourselves to feel content and with self-worth. As far as building character ... I've had enough character for quite some time. Besides the fact that I've learned a buttload of random facts and know how to accomplish things through past trial and error ... I"m not one step away from the person I've always been. I'm still the quirky wierd one who for some strange reason is found to be interesting randomly. Perhaps the only major change is that I think with a bit more cynicism than in the past. It's like I'm inwardly cynical of ideas and thoughts that I've always supported and held onto as well as being more self-critical. We learn from our past failures, but are we learning the right things from them? Or are we just observing, doomed to make only different mistakes by assuming the failure was based on error. It's like we're building a tower, stone by stone, but give up after the height becomes stagnant no matter how many more stones are laid. We don't bother to look around and see that our neighbor, too, is building a tower, only using the stones that we, ourselves, have laid as our own.

Rachmaninov

What is it about Rachmaninov's op18, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor that is so mesmerizing to listen to? nice :)

oddly enough, it took me 45 minutes to find the 3 movement piece in my Rachmaninov collection ... first heard the piece back during my music major and was re-introduced to it by an Japanese drama: Nodame Cantible ... my favorite thus far :)

Also found out recently that it's not going to be feasible with classwork to go home for the big 23rd bday ... so i need to find something to do out here ... ideas ...

if you're going to san francisco

This is the baby I've been playing with this weekend. I've decided that I need to spend more time in St. Paul! Drove through St. Paul for the second time ever yesterday after meeting Mugs to take pics of the cathedral and I'm in love with a back alleyway! It just so happens to be right around the corner from Mikey's Diner, which I've finally found after meaning to go there for the past two years. Now I just need to eat there, lol. Even though it takes almost an hour to set up the camera, I'm starting to fall for the 4x5 format. You just get so much more in the photo than you can with 35mm, even medium format ... it's like magic! Hiding under a cover in order to view the grid to see through the lens is like stepping into another world. I feel like Alice meeting the cheshire cat and falling down the rabbit hole. :) Considering it's one of my favorite stories containing my favorite poem, this camera brings me into that world.

I'm thinking of going to San Francisco ... specially while flight prices are still down. I just spoke to an old friend from high school a couple days ago. Can't believe she got married! Though I can completely picture her doing so with the circumstance ... helping a gay man come into his inheritance, lol. Completely fits her. I've never been to California, and have always been drawn to it. Maybe it's the music I grew up listening to ... "If You're Going To San Francisco [Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair]". Since donating my hair a couple years ago, I've missed being able to put flowers in my braids. Maybe someday ... soon? I'd love to make that venture to the city that's inspired so many songs and artists over the years.

Oh, and here's a couple of the Schnuffel videos that I've been listening to and watching lately ... I'm addicted :)

rain :)

Walking home from work in the rain is the best I've felt in a while. It was so refreshing! I love being stuck out in the rain :) Drip, Drip, Drop, little April showers.

So I finally saw the movie "He's just not that into you" last night. I can honestly say that I've had a revelation. I'm completely and utterly, deep down and through and through, a girl. I just have to accept it! No matter what, even though I try to deny girl qualities such as drama, pettiness and over-analysis, I still have those qualities. They may be in a simpler and less complex form, but I still have "girly" qualities. Upon this realization, I feel a little hopeless, but it's okay

So I work at Macy's and today I was in Coach Handbags. I honestly cannot fathom the point of paying so much for a simple purse/ handbag. It's simply ridiculous. Oddly enough, on my break I was abducted by a friend of mine in cosmetics, so I spent a break being pampered and made-up in Shiseido products. It was like a mini-make-over :). I've discovered, that compared to this stuff, Clinique cannot even compare ... [yes, I do take part in the girly ritual of cleansing and caring for my skin, so sue me] I also thought it was cool, because I always heard the name in the credits of the asian dramas I watch all the time, so it was cool to finally try it. The Japanese really know their stuff as far as products. Cameras, electronics, skin care, food, entertainment ... just send me there already, come on! Though for the last hour or so of my shift, I was sent to men's fragrances, like I know anything about that. I did, however, finally find an aftershave/cologne combo that doesn't smell horrid ... might get it for dad for father's day/bday since they're right next to each other. Versache has made a decent smell for men that doesn't make me gag [like most men's cologne that I can't stand]. It even has a hint of citrus lemon, and doesn't over-power.

mozart = beautiful music

So I realized that I haven't listened to classical music for quite some time until this week. And I really miss it. Tonight, since I have a bunch of things to do around my apartment, I put on the movie Amadeus ... music makes me happy. I actually miss analyzing music ... and now I'm as rusty as an old railroad spike that hasn't been used in quite some time. I really do want to finish my music major ...

I've decided that I have far too many interests ... passions actually. I'm passionate about far too many things, and specialization tends to bore me. It's not that I want to be in school forever, but I want to learn more about the things that I thoroughly enjoy. Then, I'll feel adequate enough to later teach it.

I've decided that I want to work freelance ... wedding, senior portraits, architecture, horticulture, engineer, etc .. photographs taken of final products, etc. That will be the way I'd like to earn a living, since teaching will definitely not pay the bills ... but It's what I want to do, so there's gotta be a way to make it work. Another fine thing about going into teaching is that I'll have summers and weekends to work on things. I've always wanted to teach.

I don't want to be in school forever, but I do want to learn things well, so that when I'm asked questions in mediums, I may be well-versed enough to give an adequate answer ... feel certified to teach well.

Listening through a collection of 100 Greatest Classics that has been my latest acquisition via the Minneapolis Public Library, I found one of my favorite pieces of all time. Oddly enough, I couldn't remember where the piece was from, what movement it was, or even a composer, so now I'm uber excited. Hey, if I ever do finish my music major, maybe I'll try to hum this one out on piano instead of the Contemporary classical style piece I'd been working on but haven't touched in 2 years...

The Piece is Henry Purcell's Rondeau from Abdelazar. I couldn't find the exact recording that made me fall in love with the piece, but here's a couple I found on Youtube.

The first was recorded by:
The Chamber Orchestra of Hartford
Fritz Mahler, conductor
...Dario Marianelli used his transcription of this piece of music for the "Pride & Prejudice" (2005) soundtrack.
Link

The Second one I found was recorded In Gabriel's Garden by Wynton Marsalis
A different sound ... though both of these recordings lack the essential harpsichord sound ... though a Fretted clavichord would make a similar sound as well ... love it!
Link

how young is too young in the nuptual wagon?

I've started to wonder why people get married right out of college. When I think of the few close circles of friends I've had over the years, almost everyone in those circles is married, save a few strays of us that have fallen through the cracks of the nuptual wagon. I'm starting to wonder why that is. Why did I not get caught on a splinter of wood to prevent my fall off the map. As a whole, I haven't changed from who I was then to now, matured a lil bit, but that's pretty much it.

My somewhat rant/curiosity struck me while oddly enough, playing around on facebook. I just took notice that in a particular group of friends from college, practically everyone in that group had gotten married to someone they'd known less than a year ... some even less than 6 months. The first thought that came was shock ... and a bit of confusion set in. Why is everyone in such a hurry and get married?

A couple years ago, I probably would have fell prey to the rapid meet n' marry, but not so much anymore. It's not that I don't want to get married; my biggest dreams and ultimate goals still consist of getting married and popping out babies ... to be a mother. I just realized that I'm only 22, almost 23 years old. I'm not really ready to completely settle down, but I think it would be nice to start sharing my life with someone towards that end. I've realized that all the goals and ideas I have in the meantime don't require me to be alone. Maybe the whole dating thing wouldn't be so bad to get into ... perhaps ...

thinking into the past

So last weekend, I was able to check out a Hasselblad for the whole weekend, but it really wasn't the exciting experience i thought it would be. Having shot with my twin lens reflex Yashica 124, I actually like the Yashica better. It's less awkward to handle and I love the extra lenses I can interchange on it, so i guess I'm more about the old equipment that hasn't been made since 1970.

I also realized that I really miss saddle shoes. When I was younger, it was embarrassing that I couldn't wear keds and high-tops like everyone else ... saddle shoes were the only shoes that fit my narrow heels, but now I find that I miss having shoes that really, really fit ... and I miss saddle shoes ... think I might buy a pair again. Heck, maybe I'll start wearing a ponytail with a scarf around it too, lol.

Here's a picture of my baby ------>

Favorite camera to shoot with so far in my life! Though I'm planning to develop my first couple rolls in the next couple days ... let's see how they turn out :)

sink adventures

a friend of mine suggested I start a blog of the many lame and strange adventures I've had while living out here, so here we go.

Yesterday, as everyone knows, was Easter.
Went to my first Catholic mass ... on recommendation of a friend, and I must say it was absolutely beautiful ... the service as well as the bascillica itself ... breathtaking! It's so strange how the design of a space or building can take your breath away just as much as what goes on there.

Story time ...

Until last night, I hadn't used my sink in 3 days in fear that I could lose the necklace that I foolishly left on the counter before a shower and was accidentally knocked in. Yesterday afternoon, I took on the task of rescuing the necklace. The first thing I learned about sinks is that there's a metal rod that has to be unhooked to get the stopper out. Then I realized that a magnet and string won't work since half the pipes are metal, but a coat hanger doesn't have enough bend for the curve at the bottom. I found out that the plastic piece between the 2 metal pipes unscrewed, so i had to twist the pipe at the wall to yank it loose. Then I come to find that there's too much water in the curve of the pipe so the magnet is useless. About half a roll of paper towels later, i've got a magnet taped to an old usb cord and the necklace almost makes it out. Half an hour later, I've managed to hook it before it falls back down into the water and the necklace is finally back. And the sink went almost back to exactly the way it was ... no leaks yet though.

The whole ordeal didn't take the entire afternoon ... gave up after the first couple hours, then went back to it a few hours later. Oddly enough, the necklace was a clearance $2.50 necklace I found when I was an avon lady ... a clover ... but my favorite necklace ... so worth saving. :)