I really have made the transition from film to digital grudgingly, kicking and screaming all the way. The whole "molcules vs. pixels" argument is still a hot one for me. I miss film. It was a wonderful, subtle thing. But the ability to "shoot away," eternally flexible ASA and the ease with which things can be edited appears to have won out.
For example, when you have "undesirable" object in your background.
El Guapo was concerned about the riff raff hanging about in the background. I assured him I could make them disappear. I didn't realize how easy that would actually be.
See those big old feet in the white tennis shoes over there?
They belong to him:
Thing Two, Moving Day!
Why, yes! That is my son, Thing Two. He was hanging about at a local park (the furthest one from our house in the city) with a GIRL! A very nice girl, who he has been attempting to hide from us. We like her, as best we can when he has been doing his level best to keep the girl from meeting us... so he ran away as soon as he realized that we were there taking photos (after I kicked him in those big white skis he's got).
What? Are we too weird or something? Are we SO bizarre that he is afraid she will run away if she spends any amount of time with us?
Okay, so we are.
You gotta problem with that?
Prolly not since you haven't clicked "next blog" yet...
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Remember my cute nephew who was making the quiche last spring for that lovely young lady he was dating? Well, they're getting married! And Eclair is in alt. El Guapo's girlfriend has been one of Eclair's besties since she first came to a family dinner 'bout a year ago. We like her, she's just about as crazy as the rest of us.
So we went and took the obligatory "Engagement Photos" the other day, and I thought I would share them with you.
So it looks like we'll be going home to California for a June wedding at the Los Angeles Temple. WOO HOO! Eclair gets to be a flower girl, and she's a wee bit excited.
I'm getting stir crazy and anxious for spring! One day as I was wandering the internet in search of lovliness, I came across this at Craftberry Bush:
See those pretty jars there? Underneath those lovely flowers? I have a couple like those, very expensive Mason jars in antique blue. I live in fear that one of my children will decide to play broom hockey with one and destroy it (because they're destructive like that sometimes...).
Take a closer look at the photo: those are NOT ALL MASON JARS. I investigated. Sure enough, that talented girl Lucy at Craftberry Bush has been making faux vintage glass. But she has no tutorial. So I searched hither and yon and discovered how it's done at Bridal Buzz. And that tutorial is fantastic, made me all brave like I got skillz or something.
You need glass jars, a fan brush, and Vitrea 160 paint and thinner (which I hunted high and low for, went to 5 different places and only found at Michaels). I used turquoise, but have seen similar amazing results on YouTube using other colors. Apparenlty I am the last person to discover this, because while Michaels had 72 jars of every other color, I got the last turquoise.
Look what I made:
They are far from perfect, and have way too many brush marks, but hey! I made a pretty! I used pickle jars, and mason jars, and applesauce jars, and a couple vases.....you get the picture.
So click HERE for the wonderful tutorial, and if you need to borrow my paint, let me know (I estimate that the one jar of paint would make up 47 gajillion glass jars).
Oh! I forgot to tell you where I got the lovely roses in by big blue vase!
My little friend is getting married and we did a bridal photo session. I offered to bring a "dummy" bouquet, and put it in that vase just for you. Congratulations ReBarka! ( I so love messing with people's names! She reads this blog and will be suitably horrified by my misuse of her name.)
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I woke up December 17th, 2010 at 6:30 AM. I knew my car had to be scraped and started if I was not going to be driving an iceberg on wheels to work. 6:45, my friend Sarah sends me a text.
"Provo Tabernacle is burning down."
At first, I was trying to see how that statement worked, Sarah's statements sometimes being non-sequiter. Then my stomach begins to sink.
I ran upstairs and turned on KSL--nothing, just the weather. I go back downstairs and wake up mom, telling her I'm not sure, but I just got a text to telling me what happened. We both run upstairs, and now the news has changed to the traffic--focusing on the closing of the main streets around the Tabernacle. It then went to footage of the Tabernacle.
I started choking up.
I finished getting ready for work, and mom got dressed to head down to take pictures. Throughout the day at work, I discussed it with a lot of people, via text, IM and facebook. Mom shared with me the photos she took when she went down.
After work, I briefly drove downtown and could see all the firetrucks, and the pillar of smoke coming out from the ruins. Seeing the roof gone really...kinda started to make it sink in.
I had a concert, Carols and Confections w/ the Maple Mountain High school that night, so after driving through nightmarish construction traffic, I was there. Every time the rental organ played, my mind turned to the Tabernacle back home that was still burning.
On my way home, I battled the construction again, as well as snow. Mom and the kids met me downtown to look a where things stood. I held it together until I saw one of the pillars that held the balcony up standing free, silhoutted through the window. I walked around the building to the south side with mom, which was where I really lost it.
A light fixture in the doorway of the south side entrance. The heating vent right above it, between the stairs that used to lead to the clock tower. I heard part of the south-east tower stairs collapse. I could see through the melted and broken windows to where the organ should have been to the smoky sky. Flames could still be seen through the windows and busted doors.
Our whole community is heartbroken at the loss of not only a religious meeting place...but for the loss of a piece of HISTORY. This is one of the oldest buildings west of the Mississippi. Older than the SLC tabernacle.
I love that building. I have known that building for as long as I can remember. Growing up, our stake conferences were held there, and I have distinct memories of mom hissing at me and my younger siblings to get way from the balcony before we fell and DIED. I remember trying to slide down the banisters. I remember countless concerts over the years. I remember Screamapillar at the age of three singing, "I am a Child of God" with her little friends at stake conference. I remember the first time I heard the organ play during a dress rehearsal for our annual PHS Masterworks concert. I remember another Masterworks concert, performing a positively DISASTEROUS rendition of "Come Thou Fount."
I have so many memories of that wonderful, sacred building, and it breaks my heart to see it like this. And yet...there is still hope.
The miracle is not the fact that the image of Christ in the Second Coming is preserved. It is what it symbolizes. Christ is always there. He will ALWAYS be there for us, despite what fires of the world will try to destroy us. It cannot destroy Him.
Going back again to the ruins tonight, the fires finally extinguished, there is still a sacredness there, even among the ruins of that wonderful building that was dedicated to the Lord. I have felt it, and even in the face of this tragedy, I have found my faith strengthened. While the physical and monetary loss is great, the Spirit of God remains, and will never leave us.
Tomorrow night I will perform in another dedicated building, the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in SLC. I hope that I can share this testimony of faith and never ending spirit with those who come to see us perform.
While I will miss this building, and it hurts, I find comfort in God, and a true phrase I have written in my journal.
"And this, too, shall pass."
I like to think that with God's help, we can make it through and become better in all ways.
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A picture of mom comforting a woman ended up picked up by the AP, and you can see it on the CBSNews website HERE.
Or the volatile fall and spring where it can be freezing in the morning and blistering in the afternoon.
Really! There are a few advantages!
We have the Mo Tab. Or Mormon Tabernacle Choir. And they are amazing.
Every Sunday morning there is a broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word" that if FREE to attend. Free, I say! Why haven't you been yet? We totally love to go. Get up super early at 7am on a Sunday morning when we don't have to be at church until 11 am, drive for 45 minutes to Salt Lake City........Okay. We don't love that part. Especially when it's snowing. But we do it anyway because it is not to be missed.
I would go every week if it were manageable. But it's not, so it's easier to make the family go with me if I try for a few times each year. Our most recent trip was.....eventful.
The Christmas concerts are always the best! And most crowded. We would need a good plan: right day, leave very early to get a seat, pack snacks. We decided our date a few weeks in advance, making sure everyone would be available. Unless Hubby had an unscheduled meeting that he wasn't told about until the last minute, which he did.
We woke up to snow.
Tons of snow.
I tried to talk them out of it, the children. But Thing One was determined! She shovelled the walk & driveway, dug out the car, and started it early to warm it up. She cheerfully (and not so cheerfully) poked and prodded everyone into motion. She helped Eclair to dress, combed Luke Skywalker's rebellious hair, and packed little bags of cereal for snacks. There was no getting out of this. We were going, as a family. And we began the white knuckle trip to SLC.
We had no idea when we departed how bad it would be. The snow flew thicker the further north we went. They call it "lake effect." I call it horrible. It appeared as though the snowplow drivers were on strike. The normally four lane freeway was lost in the frozen wasteland of white. I followed tire tracks of the other brave souls who proceeded me, hoping that I wouldn't be following someone into the median or off the road altogether. All the way there, I kept muttering "we shoulda stayed home.....we shouldn't be out in this.....we are all gonna die." Each time she heard the muttering, Thing One would flash a brilliant smile my direction, reminding me that this was all her fault and I should shoot her when we got home.
The trip normally takes 45 minutes. On this day, it took 75.
We are supposed to be in our seats by 9:10 am. I dropped the kids at the curb at 9:25. "RUN! You might make it! I'll park, and since there's not a chance I will make it in, I'll meet you in the North Visitors' Center after the broadcast!" And I hurried to park in the underground lot.
The underground lot is quite nice. It's not so cold, and there is no snow. For those of you who may live where there is no snow, you may not be aware of how difficult it is to park when it snows. No one can see the lines. So they park....wherever. Which is really freaking annoying. And annonying. Really annoying. I'm very annoyed by it. Really. It is only made worse by well-meaning plow drivers who create these giant snow mounds while they're clearing the lots - usually the mounds will take up 4-6 parking spaces, making it even harder to find a spot. So, yeah, underground is BLISS.
But underground is usually crowded. Because I think everyone else hates street parking as much as I do. This day was not crowded. Hmmm. Unusual for Christmas at the Mo Tab.....I was able to park right by the elevator. I sprinted. Shuffled, really. Because it was slick I tried to be careful, yet quick. I crossed the street against the light and managed to avoid getting cited for jaywalking. I shuffled even faster - the doors were still open! One of the senior missionaries, a man in his seventies, started running toward me "We'll get you in, Sister, take my arm!" They held the door for me, and I climbed the stairs. Where are my kids? Found them quick. Walking quietly to sit by them as they count down "four, three, two" and the broadcast begins.
This video is a different day/year from when we went, but this song was my favorite:
(I miss Craig Jessop. He's an incredible conductor. He's so exuberant that he once gave himself a nosebleed when he hit himself in the face with his own baton. True story.)
It was great. Some of my absolute favorites, Wilberg arrangements. Spoken word was inspiring. Stupid ungrateful children fell asleep. Or at least dozed a little. But we made it.
I found out why underground was not crowded. Why they held the doors for me. The place was nearly empty, especially compared to normal at Christmastime. Afterward, Bro. Newell got up and thanked everyone for braving the storm to be with them. This is the stuff memories are made of.
Here's the photo:
Sleepy children after an amazing concert.
Can you tell these were taken with my poor cell phone? I wonder what it would have been
like if I had taken the real camera? Maybe something like this?
Much, much better. Hi, Mack Wilberg!
Of course now it's two weeks later, and we're not in the Tabernacle, but the Conference Center.
Which is pretty amazing.
I didn't actually go this time, I'm old and I need my sleep.
Screamapillar and Thing One went.
And it wasn't snowing.
The fountain...
and the lovely waterfall window.
See how lovely it can be? I highly recommend it.
For our sad family trip, we didn't have such great pictures.
And on the way home we stopped at McDonalds to use the bathroom and were accosted by very agressive panhandlers.
But that's another story. For another day. Hopefully one I can forget very soon.
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My OLDER sister (people think I'm older for some insane reason, just making it clear here that she is OLDER than me. OLDER than dirt. Older. Got it? Good. Now don't forget it. I'm younger. SO much younger. I'll never be old.) anyway: my OLDER sister is putting together a present for our wonderful fantastic mother. And she asked me for some pitchers when she was here for Thanksgiving.
Many times.
Many many times.
She called and left messages after she went back home: "Please, when you get a sec, would you email me some pictures?"
and more messages.
and more...
She sent me an email: "Please send pictures!"
And another.
And another.
And she FaceBook message-ed me: "PLEASE!!!! SEND PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
(I do not exaggerate. She used many exclamation points. Because I was ignoring her. 'Cause I'm ornery like that.)
Since I'm a photographer and my kids are SO completely over-photographed, you would think this would be an easy task. But because I'm a photographer and I SO completely over-photograph my kids this is a daunting undertaking.
There are literally 14 gabillion photos on my computer.
Daunting, indeed.
So last night after getting ANOTHER Facebook message, I had to stop playing Mall World and get to work.
Here's what I sent my sister (who asked for my best, mind you):
Luke Skywalker at his 6th grade gratuation.
Screamapillar eatin' a snowcone.
Thing Two Easter morning.
Thing One eatin' a s'more in the woodsen.
And I saved the best for last.
My dear, sweet, little Eclair.
Don't I have lovely adorable offspring? I'll bet everyone out there reading this envies me and my perfectly photogenic children.
Because I'm so amazing I will share all my secrets with you.
Oh, wait. Never mind. I don't have any. But sometimes I just get lucky. I had a wonderful trip recently to a cousin's wedding, and managed some great candids. So I thought I would share.
Aren't I wonderful and generous? Of course.
Let's start here. On the fly, had to document this one:
"CONTEMPLATING THE TOOTHPASTE"
or "THE ANNUAL BRUSHING OF THE TEETH"
starring Luke Skywalker and his brother, Thing Two.
Well? This is the best I could do! The boys are always hiding from me! And a self portrait as well. Fine, fine work I must say.
This is a little better:
"MEETING THE NEWEST COUSIN, JA'EL"
Why, yes, he is a happy baby. Why do you ask? And look how much he loves me.
"NOT SO CANDID ECLAIR"
"Yes, Mommy, I see you with the camera. I will now make a face that makes me look like an old woman."
Thank you, Eclair.
"SAW YOU JUST IN TIME"
She gets mad at me all the time when I post pictures of her looking like this. But this is all I have. BECAUSE SHE IS ALWAYS MAKING A FACE. Doesn't it just make you want to invite her to your wedding? Just so you can have some of that included in your wedding pictures? Thank you Screamapillar. Why can't you be more like your sister? See? She's lovely!
"UNEXPECTED NORMALCY"
Yep. A candid. If she had seen me coming, she would have matched the Screamapillar. I interrupted her talking to someone when she was masquerading as a rational human being.
The sunset light at the reception was fantastic. I recommend sunset. It's a good thing.
"MINE"
Above Eclair & cousin Tiela are hogging the swings because boys wouldn't want to use swings decorated with flowers and ribbons anyway, right?
"SAD HOW THEY CAN'T STAND EACH OTHER"
Wedding candids are the best! You have to be totally on you toes, or you might miss something. Lots of hard work following Mr. & Mrs. Euphoria about. So many wonderful things happen at a wedding, precious moments with grandmas & grandpas, friends & neighbors, little nieces & nephews.....you wouldn't want to miss a moment of it.
"HOW FAST CAN YOU HIT 'DELETE'?"
Unless, or course, you have brothers who are rowdy cowboys. This, you could definitely miss. Permission to scroll down very quickly? Granted.
Just to save you from that image, I give you this one instead:
