Sunflower Halved Hypersaturated

Sunflower Halved Hypersaturated
Yes this is a real sunflower I took this shot a couple of summers ago in the garden outside my work window

Monday, July 28, 2008

Monday Blues

Monday really seems like it came around way too fast this time. I feel like it should be Saturday morning and I'm just waking up! Guess I have to suck it up for the next 5 days...oh well.

I'm so excited about shark week..I don't think you understand how great it is...all sharks...24/7...for a whole week...totally amazing! I wasn't even a fan of sharks, I prefer dolphins, but shark week changed my perspective. They are truly amazing and nothing like the monsters they have been depicted as. Of course different species have differing levels of aggression and certain things that trigger aggressive behavior, but for the most part they move about just like any other animal in the wild. If you have some spare time, check it out!

You know there is a holiday everyday and today is National Chocolate Milk Day. I thought it was cute especially since I was on a chocolate milk kick a few months ago! Where and what ever you do today....make sure you get a glass of chocolate moo cow to enjoy!

Have a Great Day!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Duh-Nah Duh-Nah Duh-Nah

It is one of my most favorite times of the year and it starts today on the Discovery Channel:

SHARK WEEK

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Concept: LEMON

At our office cookout, well it wasn't a cookout this time around we were at a restaurant at the country club, regardless I got a slight inspiration from my water glass. So I staged it and took the shot.

I like it because to me it represents fresh (lemon), refreshing (lemon and water), how hot it was outside (glass half empty) and just simplicity at its best! After uploading the image to my photobucket account I had the opportunity to manipulate it even further.



The different views of this image that I created got me thinking in a broader context. Do we think about all of the faces we wear daily? People pleasing is not something I'm into and for the most part I am consistently the same with everyone. I learned the valuable lesson of people categorizing from a friend. And when I say categorizing it is just to state that people show you who they really are and what they are really about early on. It is us, the receivers, who choose not to receive a hundred percent of the information being presented to us completely. It took me a while to get that statement and actually be able to apply it in my dealings with others, however it is the best thing that I could have ever done. I go to sleep not tossing and turning because I did not express myself as I wished, but with a clear conscience and ready for the next task in life.

I now pose the question to you, are you tired of trying to portray yourself in a variety of different lights, whether it's to keep the peace with family and friends or trying to get that new promotion at work? Have you thought about how much that wears you out? Trying to maintain a persona that is not your own...what a strenuous task. Like the lemons in the slide show we all have the chance when meeting someone with no knowledge of our background to present ourselves as being better, bigger, richer, smarter and so on than we really are, but who are we really fooling. Clearly at first you may think it is the other person, but the one who truly suffers is you. It's almost as if you become a shell of your true self by trying to hide behind this "perfect" image of what you think others will like you for. And yet we wander why so many people do not know a true friend!

What, may I ask, is wrong with the original image? The person you truly are? If someone fails to accept you as you are, are they really worth spending time and energy trying to convince otherwise?

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

95 Degrees and Rising

I feel like a stranger on my own blog...haven't been on here in ages, well I guess 16 days isn't exactly ages, but it's been a while...

I don't know how many of you have been enjoying this heat and humidity, but I can tell you for a fact I have not! I find it to be extremely gross, sticky and stifling...bring on the snow I'm ready for winter. I guess I have a few things to discuss...

~I have decided that in preparation for my stay-cation next week, I tentatively made plans for the rest of the year to lead me to an action packed summer 2009. We live way to close to DC not to take advantage of all the activities that abound. So friends, and yes this means you, you may be receiving random phone calls from me to participate in some of these events. I have already secured a friend for sailing class but if your interested drop me a line. Other things I have lined up, which are not just limited to summer, Westminster Dog Show in NYC, glass making class, swimming lessons (of course before the sailing class!), trip to Great Falls and the Alleghenies, hot air balloon ride and some other things as well, but as you can tell it's going to be fun and exciting!!!

~~I don't know how else to put this so I'm just going to say it in the most tactful manner that I can...People, please please please and please make sure you do your own research on the candidates running for president. I have heard people repeating so many strange and outlandish comments...makes me wonder have we as a society truly gotten this dependent on word of mouth and this lazy that we can not find information for ourselves. Of course it is easier to depend on what you hear as fact, but it is also an irresponsible way of informing yourself. Rumor mills run crazy and most people hear it, repeat it and before long some major news outlet is reporting on it as if it fact. Educate yourself...take the time to hear the whole story, otherwise keep it to yourself!

~~~The Olympics starts in a couple of weeks, I'm interested to see what will happen. Also, I've read where China has taken steps to rid Beijing of the intense smog that is present. I wonder if these restrictions will last after the Olympics are over? Hopefully someone is noticing they can smell the roses without coughing up a lung!

Have a great Day!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Holiday?

Let me first start by saying Happy Birthday America! If it had not been for the brave men of the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, America as we know it today would not exist! (No intentional rhyming!) While we celebrated with cookouts and other such events, I hope you took time to recognize, appreciate and say a prayer for our service men and women who have and continue to put their lives on the line so that we may enjoy ours. Independence Day means a lot to not only fellow Americans, but people around the globe. May we continue to celebrate many more!

So on to my eventful weekend...Thursday the lovely water pipe leading from our house to the WSSC connecting pipe decided to call it quits. There was a trinkle of water coming out of the cover, but nothing too terrible. WSSC came out said the leak was on our end so basically we have to cut the driveway and have the pipe replaced. So later on that evening what use to be a trinkle had then turned into a flowing fountain with six peaks. Needless to say water pressure inside the house was low but still do able. The plumber came out but can't do anything until Tuesday. That was fine and all until it rained Friday and the water completely stopped in the house. How depressing a holiday weekend none the less and no stinkin water. We ended up at a hotel and that is where we will reside until the water returns to the house. The street looks as though a river runs through it at the moment.

On top of all of that I tripped on Saturday and have done something to my ankle. It hurts when I go down the stairs, but other than that it's not swollen or anything so I'm going to see how it does the next day or so. I would hate to have to go back to the doctor considering I have been there twice already. Hopefully it is fine (fingers crossed) and the pain will subside.

In the midst of all the drama I did manage to hang out with friends, have a few laughs and a few drinks so the weekend was not a total wash (bad pun)...I actually wish it were a little longer. I may have some really big good news to share, but for now I'll keep it under wraps not really trying to speak it out of existence, but it's something that I am a little hesitant on stepping into, however I'm sure it will be GREAT and it's just my nerves getting the best of me!!!!

And....Happy Birthday KB!!! I wish you many more!

Have a great Monday!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Can you believe it is July already and we are already halfway through our goal exercise?!? How exciting is it to know that half of the battle has already been conquered! I promised myself not to type a novel like last time so don't worry you won't have to set aside too much time to read this! Now on to business...

Depending on how you have split your goals for the year, you may have a few items that are completely finished and others that are well on their way. I applaud your accomplishments and encourage you to use this midpoint as a time to reflect on the goals you have completed, the ones that are in progress, and the ones that may be taking a little longer than anticipated. Use this as your lessons learned for future endeavors as only you know the time you have to commit and time that you are willing to commit.

My stranglers that still have yet to begin...what are you waiting for? Time is passing and will continue to pass because as you know time waits for no man. What's holding you back? Why not today, why not now? So often we get wrapped up in the planning stages of ideas and thoughts that we never take the first step to completion. I want you to look at those plans that you are making and decide today what it is that you want to complete by the end of the year. Make a move today that will benefit your tomorrow. If you need assistance find a buddy with the same goal and encourage each other. Keep a log of how many times you actually do something that contributes to your goal. If you feel as though your mini goals are still way to cumbersome, cut it in half again and again and again until you do not feel overwhelmed. You can do it!!!

As always, wishing you great progress!