Sculpting Garnish

When the majority of my time is spent working, the photography options are limited. (I still promise to make up for my lack of posts Friday and Saturday; some ideas are swirling around my head.) Scott worked brunch with us today, something out of the norm. He skewered bloody mary garnishes and stacked them into a modern sculpture of sorts. While admiring his work, he wished he had a camera to capture his piece of art. He was very proud. I was in desperate need of photos. Go figure, I was needed for more than my serving this morning!

Full-size, toothpick extraordinaire (photogenic bar mats included)

Lemons, olives, and limes... oh my!

Lazzzy

So, yet again, I've gotten lazy and failed to post (I'm not counting this one either) two days in a row. This only means that spectacularly great posts are coming (fingers crossed!). I get the feeling that tomorrow will be devoid of photography yet again; however, I will make up for it this week! Just you wait...

Oh, Joe!

This morning, I hopped behind the wheel of my beloved, not-yet-recalled Corolla and sped off toward the Cape. Forty-five minutes later, I neared my destination. Hyannis. Why, you ask. It is after all the dead of winter and Cape beaches aren't exactly beckoning to sun-bathers. I had one goal in mind: Trader Joe's.
I was spoiled in Bean Town. I could take a walk to the store on a whim. I could leave without buying something and not feel an emptying gas tank giving me the stink eye. I could peruse the aisles for hours or simply pop in for a jiff. Now is a different story. I miss Trader Joe's! It is no longer easily accessible. I must have a plan in mind to go. Well, today I had a plan.
Although they did not have any mini chocolate meringues for sale (boo), I did come home with a bag full of fruit leather, freeze-dried mango, pumpkin butter, mini whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies (by the way, they're all gone... oops), mini pitas, and frozen edamame! Until typing this, I had no idea how obsessed I am with 'mini' foods. That will probably crop up in therapy years down the road. It was well worth the gas to see those vibrant, Hawaiian shirts just one more time!

Wareham Crossing, when will you realize you need one of these?

Gerbil Toys

Today was a nice day off. I baked my first loaf of bread (honey oatmeal, surprisingly it was a great success!), ran as usual, and ventured up to Boston for an enchilada dinner with Jill. (My trip to Boston reminds me, don't always trust a GPS. I was instructed to turn the wrong way onto a one-way. Rut row. In order to remedy the GPS's mistake, I had to get back on the Mass Pike and pay the toll... again. I'm currently giving the GPS the silent treatment. We'll see if it manages to gain back my trust.) Of course, photo-taking somehow slipped my mind. With that being said, I will share another image from last night's festivities. Christian wasn't the only one who gained from his birthday. His gerbils are in for a treat, which he showed off fashionably.

What do you think, modern art?

The Second Sibling Birthday

Today, Christian hit double-digits! His birthday celebration included a dinner of chicken tenders, hot dogs, and mac 'n cheese (ah to be a kid again!), a '10' candle-topped homemade yellow cake, and highly-appreciated Nintendo DS games. Does anyone else wish they were still at the toy-receiving age? He was so thrilled with every tear of the wrapping paper :)

Such a happy ten-year old!

January?

The weather outside was frightful; however, it wasn't the typical January frightful. The rain fell, the temperature climbed, and the wind blew. A branch hurled itself at my windshield while on my drive to work. Customers struggled to open the door to the restaurant. Oh, New England!

Note: The outside temperature was 54 degrees. It is January 25th. This doesn't make sense.
Another Note: I promise I was watching the road (which was a straight away at the time) and not the camera. I swear. Haha

Photo Transformation

These past few days have culminated into another thrilling January weekend... or not. If that truly were the case, I would have dozens of hilarious/creative photos to post. Instead, I spent Sunday night doing a digital photo transformation simply for kicks. (No new photos to share, why not use old ones?!) Using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, I transformed a photo I took last May along Beacon Street. Also, I'm hoping this work makes up for my lack of posting yesterday.

The original

The cropped, rotated, and TRANSFORMED! Man, I need a hobby...

Site Planning #2

I've been working on another website design for myself. Like the other, it changes by the second. The three overlapping photo blocks will display bits of my portfolio (maybe I'll use Flash to fade in different samples every few seconds?). The paisley flourishes, for the moment, simply represent a design element (what, I haven't settled on yet). The green background tells the user that he or she is currently on the home page (the background would be pink while on the portfolio link and would be blue on the contact page, to match the colors of the tabs on the navigation). I just figured I'd share my latest version with you all. Let me know what you think!

So far, I definitely like this one more than the first.

A Moment for My Memoir

I have done plenty of asinine things in my life. We all have. At least, that's what I tell myself to better help get through my stupidity. Unfortunately, there are more of those moments than I care to admit. Yesterday, however, I had one that needs discussing. Before I did this act, I thought it only happened in movies, and even then it seemed forced. Apparently, I got cocky and Fate seemed determined to prove me wrong. I went to the gym. I hopped on the treadmill. I ran... and ran... and ran... and landed on the solid portion of the treadmill. I face-planted. Ask Samantha (who was on the treadmill next to me), it was an impressive fall. In my defense, I leaped up and finished my run. All the while I felt the mocking glares of my fellow Y members burning into my back. Honestly though, I couldn't have cared less. It was hysterical! Now I have another anecdote for my memoir (don't worry, I'm not going to write one! It's a nice thought though, isn't it? Haha). In telling this story, I decided to share a picture of the treadmill's impact on my left leg. Well played, treadmill, well played.

The injuries, which did not photograph well (go figure), include various "road" burns, a blood blister, and a bruised ego. Also, I promise to never photograph my white, pasty leg again. I swear.

The First Sibling Birthday

Fourteen years ago today, Jill Howard was on her way to sleep over my house. We were thrilled. It was supposed to snow and that meant hours of playing fun in the morning. Jill and her mom came to the door, toting a sleeping bag and pair of pajamas. Only, the night didn't go as planned. My soon-to-be little sister decided this was to be her birthday. And with that, I piled into the Howard's car with Jill, her sleeping bag, and her pajamas. In the meantime, my dad and Karen peeled off towards the hospital. That was the night Brittany was born :) (I know you're sitting on the edge of your seat, did they or didn't they get to play in the snow?! The answer is yes, Jill and I played in the snow for hours. If I remember correctly, we launched ourselves off her swings into massive snow drifts. It was glorious.)
Anyway, fast-forward fourteen years. We all helped Brittany celebrate her birthday; we had her cake and ate it too! It's hard to believe that she's already a teenager. I vowed I wouldn't become that person who says, I remember when you were just a baby blah blah blah. But really, I remember when she was just a baby! Time truly flies. Happy birthday, Brittany!

Someone get the fire extinguisher! Also, anyone else thinking "Double, double toil and trouble?"

Voting Day

The Massachusetts senatorial election is happening as we speak. Will Martha Coakley or Scott Brown fill Ted Kennedy's place? Only time will tell... polls close in about 8 hours. I did my part, got my sticker. First, I took Luna to the vet for her final round of shots (I believe she's finally stopped trembling). She waited for me in the car while I stopped by the voting booth. All that voting really tuckered her out, or maybe it was a side effect of the shot (I'm going with the voting, you think?).

Luna snoozing in her crate, showing her voting pride

Sleep

Original Post: My eyelids are heavy, beginning to close. I have yet to take a photo for January 18th. Seems like tomorrow will be a double-blogging kind of day... until then, goodnight!

I found a photo I hadn't uploaded yet. While sharing this photo, I realized that I've increased the number of cat photos somewhat quickly. Scout's honor, I am not becoming a crazy cat lady (at least not for another 10 years or so; it's entirely dependent on what happens in the meantime haha).

The refrigerator ate her mouse!

Portfolio Site Planning

I was hit by a new burst of determination today. Who knows what brought it on, but it's here and I'm running with it. (Shhh, don't scare it away!) The majority of designers, at least the ones who want jobs, create digital portfolios for themselves. Well, I am a designer (at least that's what my student loans tell me). I want a job. The equation is simple. I must build a web-based portfolio. While watching the Golden Globes (how studious!), I threw together a Photoshop sketch of a potential home page. Let me know what you think. Although, it's bound to change the longer I stare at it... ahhh, the agony of a "designer!"

The quality is terrible and the background color changes by the second, but that's a sketch for you! The photos are thumbnail teasers, if you will, of some of my work.

p.s. I recognize that this isn't exactly a photograph. It is a screen shot though! Could it qualify as screen photograph??? As blogger, I say yes.

Long Run Equals No Fun

This isn't entirely true. It is fun... fun to see the beauty of Nature in winter and to explore new paths, to be trailblazers if you will (true, the trail is a man-made bike path, but who cares? I say we're trailblazers!). Although, the fun takes a dramatic leap to the back burner around mile 3 when it's quickly replaced with pain and struggle.
My training partner and I ventured out for a 7-mile jaunt this morning and I was sure I was never to return. I was willing to be left to the coyotes in the Mattapoisett/Fairhaven marsh land. Low and behold, we made it (he could've kept going, I put the kabosh on that idea). At the end of every long run, however, I'm reminded of why I put myself through this. It's rewarding to push yourself. It's rewarding to feel exhausted. It's rewarding to feel sore muscles. Most importantly, it's going to be rewarding to cross that 1/2 marathon finish line in March (fingers crossed!).
We stopped with a mile to go to admire the view across the Mattapoisett Harbor. Today was the ideal weather to see the Cape. Absolutely beautiful and honestly fun.

Photo courtesy of John Vaughn.

Resolution #2

I've come to realize that I haven't discussed my other New Year's resolutions. (You obviously know the first, after all you're reading it!) They vary, some typical, others out of the norm, at least for me. The first appears on 99.999% of resolutions lists every December 31. I am going to Lose Weight, under the umbrella resolution of Get Healthy. Last year was the first time I successfully saw these goals through. Then, the end of the summer arrived which led quickly into chocolates, cookies, and pies... oh, my! (Gotta love the holidays, huh?) Anyway, these resolutions easily flow into my third, which is to Run a Half-Marathon. Specifically, the New Bedford Half-Marathon on March 21. Eeek!
To make a short story long, I decided to take a photograph while tying my shoes on the way to the gym (to achieve my three resolutions... see? I'd come full circle eventually!). It was much more difficult than anticipated. Note to self: I should add Buy a Tri-Pod to my list. I'll leave the other resolutions for a later post.

Another note to self: Time to repaint my nails!

Temptation

I have the ability to say no. I've done it before, not that often but I've done it.
"Would you like to see Halloween 3?"
"No." See? It's simple.
"Feel like playing Parcheesi?"
"No." I've got the hang of it now! (Honestly, the answer would be different if it were Clue or Scrabble. Just saying...)
"Want a piece of cake?"
"Nnnnn... nnnn... nnnyeahhh!"
Wait! What happened to that strength? What happened to my ability to say that simple, two-letter word? Put chocolate in front of me and I crumble. I'm a sucker for all things sweet. I know there are others like me out there. I can't be the only one!
Tonight posed such a dilemma. There were birthdays at the Inn. A cake was purchased. A cake was cut and offered to the staff... a chocolaty, moist, decadent cake. (I'm so distraught I'm using passive voice! Mr. Hohne would be ashamed.) At first, I said, "No thanks." Then, "Really, that's ok thank you." And, "Fine, just one bite." Finally, "Please take this away!"
Honestly, I wasn't that bad. I never had a full piece, just three eentsy, weentsy bites. But the cake stared me down every time I walked through the kitchen. It would catch me off-guard, out of the corner of my eye. Suddenly, I was a gunslinger, staring down the barrel of the cake's gun as a tumbleweed bounded before us. And so, I gave it the boot. In the trash it went, but not before I could take a picture of the temptation we all dealt with tonight. Stupid simple carbohydrates! Grrr...

Seeing the mess the cake became, it's not as appetizing. But trust me, it stared me down! "No, cake, NO!"

How-To Cocoa

As a little before-bed treat, I mixed myself some hot cocoa. I documented the process for all to see (just in case you were wondering how to create such a concoction... I know it's tough! haha). Basically this proves that January needs some livening up!

Powder, boil, pour, mix... yummmm :)

Oops-a-Daisy

The original post: It was bound to happen. I sign into my blog. I realize that I need a new photo for today, also noting that no such photo was taken. I begin the hunt for my camera. I have the scene set. I can't find my camera. I check bags, pockets, countertops, and beyond. Nothing. There is only one place it could be... the car. Although I am dedicated to this blog and resolution, I am not willing to sacrifice my extremities to frost bite in the 10 degree weather outside. So, my camera waits for me in the car. Tomorrow I will post two photos. Scout's honor. Ergo, goodnight!

I'm playing catch up. While doing the dishes, I photographed the running water and played around with my simple editing software to tweak the photo (I do have PhotoShop but opted for the easy way out again... for shame!).

The photograph belongs in a newspaper from the 1800s... minus the fact that it exhibits modern-day plumbing. Either that or it may be found in the reenactment portion of a crime show... the water did it!

Luna

This week is beginning like the rest. Nothing extraordinary. Nothing fabulous. Gym, shower, work, eat, sleep, gym, shower, work, yadda yadda yadda. I'm sure this year has more in store, but it's early yet. One can't have too much excitement all at once, what would that leave for the rest of the year? With that being said, here is a picture of my cat. I decided to mess around with the editing software that came with my camera. It's no PhotoShop, but it did the trick for the time being.

Painterly-style Luna with glowing eyes

Arctic Chill

January is proving to be a bitterly cold month. I asked for winter and certainly got it. We've had snow on the ground since the middle of December and with temperatures staying in the low 20s (on a balmy day!) it won't be going anywhere. I've started noticing the beauty in every bit of the snow, even the tire tracks. Yes, may seem a stretch... but go with me on this one.

Sign of Nature in the tire's path... crushed

Baking Machine

Tonight is Jeremy's birthday party. In his honor, I baked. (Let's face it, I bake in everyone's honor!) It turned out to be the perfect opportunity to present a before and after shot while baking. I consider myself a decent baker; however, I got cocky. The cookie gods (there must be cookie gods!) saw fit to bring me back to Earth. Plain and simple, I did not give the balls of dough enough personal space. To see what I'm talking about, see the "after." At least they're still delicious!

Before: Scooping the dough (I highly recommend a melon-baller... works like a charm!)

After: Square cookies... good grief!

More Staff Fun

Today was uneventful. I began with the usual oatmeal and half a grapefruit, followed by in depth checking of Facebook, then a rousing round of dish-washing, a trip to the Y (actually the highlight of today, I'm addicted!), all culminating in a shower to prepare for another night at the Inn. What I'm getting at is there wasn't much warranting a photo. The staff party on Wednesday night was so much fun, however, that I thought I'd share just one more picture.

One of the bands that rocked the house. I was on bass, Derek was on lead guitar, Zanna was on drums, and Carla completed the fab quad with mad skills on vocals. Feel free to mock as much as you see fit...

Self-Portrait

I must admit, I didn't take any photos today. Instead, I opted to publish one I took over the weekend. I believe it qualifies as a self-portrait. It seems to capture me fairly well... first, because I'm acting slightly stupid [the fact I took the picture at all proves this (also my tongue is sticking out... classy)] and second because I was baking, which as most of you know is a favorite hobby of mine. If anyone has any baking requests I am more than happy to fulfill them!

Staff Debauchery

This evening was the first annual Kinsale Inn Staff Holiday Party. Starting at the Inn, we ate, drank, and (let's face it) were merry. We made a few bands while playing Rock Band... on the big screen... which was electrifying... or terrifyingly bad... eh, we'll go with electrifying! From there, we all finagled our way to Wonder Bowl in New Bedford, where we will probably never be invited again. That's a bit of an exaggeration; it wasn't bad, but I'm sure the people in the nearby lanes would argue. We wore our wonderful, flourescent shoes proudly and bowled the night away, loudly cheering on every strike, gutter ball, and whipeout coworkers managed. I took plenty of photos, but I'll stick to one tonight. Enjoy!

Jeremy and Samantha performing their pre-bowl routine... imagine a couple of bobbing Oompaloompas and you get the general picture

Bitchin'

Tuesday nights are Stitch 'n' Bitch nights. A handful of work friends gather to stitch (basically do any form of crafty activity... the majority knit), drink wine, and bitch. Tonight, Amy played hostess for the first said night of 2010. We watched non-stop episodes of Friends, munched delicious treats, and discussed everything under the sun (mainly our frustrating love lives!). Samantha wrapped up the night with a Tarot card reading for everyone. That was a first! Here are two representative photos of this Tuesday; Amy's apartment is still festively decorated :)

Treats, Friends, and tree!

Lots 'o yarn... soon to become Lots 'o mittens

Hi Ho Hi Ho

... it's always off to work I go. So my camera came with me. To the bar. It had a few drinks. Met some new people. Made some bad decisions. Ok, those last few things aren't possible, but I did take some photos at the Inn. So here goes! Happy Monday, everyone.

Snow

I promise I didn't forget to post. I simply ran out of time. So I am taking this opportunity to upload two photos. Hopefully you enjoy them both. They capture portions of this wintry weekend. It has been snowing for days and is supposed to continue through tomorrow. Snow, therefore, seemed an appropriate theme today.

snow catapulting past the windshield as I drove past a Christmas-lit house Saturday night

crazy lights as I drove past another illuminated home in Rochester

The First of Hopefully Many: January 1st

Happy New Year, all! Every year, once the ball has dropped, people rack their brains for resolutions. This year is no different. One of my (many) resolutions is to create a photo blog which captures 2010 in 365 images (ambitious? yes... likely to happen everyday? no... worth a shot anyway? absolutely).

With that, I say... Welcome to 2010 and what will hopefully be an entertaining photo collection!

I'm already cheating. I didn't take this photo in 2010. I know, I'm a horrible person. Honestly, though, it's too beautiful not to include. On December 27, 2009, I left work and headed for the grocery store. In all the hustle and bustle, I lost track of time and cashed out quickly, packed my goodies into the car, and sped off down the highway. Suddenly, the sky before me was a warm sea of color and an idea crossed my mind. Ned's Point would be the perfect place to watch the sunset. I quickly veered off the Mattapoisett exit and headed towards the lighthouse, praying I would make it before the colors faded. Clearly, I made it. Also, note the lights looped around the lighthouse's railing... I love them.