tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91477289392556940822024-02-20T20:34:51.116-06:00Oz Imagesobservations of life through the lensBrighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-2234335649325053542010-08-19T16:25:00.001-05:002010-08-19T16:26:37.379-05:00Virginia is for Lovers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4sKyxZ3peLTC-g1xmWolJCjvxpSPjVRGaHgRfVSS-TGNC49yN5SnGBuADo6RQH-Ykh07i33H54fO-aezs6Pnhc5U23suXGEXd8BcW9_zb07LdyNesnO1KhI-dbviZcxxKymyQowOpsiE/s1600/wedding+blog-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4sKyxZ3peLTC-g1xmWolJCjvxpSPjVRGaHgRfVSS-TGNC49yN5SnGBuADo6RQH-Ykh07i33H54fO-aezs6Pnhc5U23suXGEXd8BcW9_zb07LdyNesnO1KhI-dbviZcxxKymyQowOpsiE/s200/wedding+blog-1.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About a month ago I had the privilege of being able to shoot my first wedding as an assistant photographer with Wendy of Wendylew Photography. To say I was nervous would be the understatement of the year, but it’s amazing how instinct just takes over and you are so in the moment that you just do without thinking. Besides it was too hot to be nervous! Jon & Elisa’s wedding was held outdoors at the beautiful Tarara Winery in Leesburg on a sunny summer day complete with Virginia’s trademark humidity. However, the heat and humidity couldn’t take anything away from this event. Every last detail was perfect and inviting and in most cases hand created by the bride, Elisa. Guests were drawn in by the brightly colored handmade table linens and mismatched plates, with mason jars as glasses and macaroni and cheese on the menu it was a vintage eclectic meets southern hospitality. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQ7c6RuoWo4DYRqYZG5Pq8OPazILRJv3QXiArfQ_p8-GBG0zAqNLaibdAEPQW131y-hAIAmyr8Tu8lsMkA0x9soJYn944om0EOASaSCzQCmuPnj0hHzGboBU6nrPtv5_YpEpXR6dtrtU2/s1600/wedding+blog-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQ7c6RuoWo4DYRqYZG5Pq8OPazILRJv3QXiArfQ_p8-GBG0zAqNLaibdAEPQW131y-hAIAmyr8Tu8lsMkA0x9soJYn944om0EOASaSCzQCmuPnj0hHzGboBU6nrPtv5_YpEpXR6dtrtU2/s320/wedding+blog-5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WiL6-hQMq8vUad4GZ2X2emA2nTHQWlbN1mqEc4w2QlPTnG3XDrjTyesfqmCO10QMFEFpHVkQnB5oRSsdiiIHW0VsxNqPeDTYg_wd8vrno0yAkrcpWVGKNwvq3cbcucqqyWQuGApBzr2D/s1600/wedding+blog-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WiL6-hQMq8vUad4GZ2X2emA2nTHQWlbN1mqEc4w2QlPTnG3XDrjTyesfqmCO10QMFEFpHVkQnB5oRSsdiiIHW0VsxNqPeDTYg_wd8vrno0yAkrcpWVGKNwvq3cbcucqqyWQuGApBzr2D/s320/wedding+blog-13.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-Fmp3-AM5LCVYFwPpGTYxKMuVIn7dwq2GSJHbFYO3wPG_IzDcM35kLVLheA8ScFAguKbd89IgSSsaQqWz9I9nqG_rxUwT7Kbc3Np3x9tFnoMcfFt0j4BaJtlNVSO-42vJUahSivM3XwY/s1600/wedding+blog-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-Fmp3-AM5LCVYFwPpGTYxKMuVIn7dwq2GSJHbFYO3wPG_IzDcM35kLVLheA8ScFAguKbd89IgSSsaQqWz9I9nqG_rxUwT7Kbc3Np3x9tFnoMcfFt0j4BaJtlNVSO-42vJUahSivM3XwY/s320/wedding+blog-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tent softly lit by glowing lanterns was full of so much love, happiness and genuine affection it was impossible not to be affected by it. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The camaraderie between relatives, friends and strangers alike was incredible – it was clear that everyone was beyond thrilled to be at this winery on this night celebrating these two people. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48LyI2PCr4l95ZNr9sjV6XRY_XUdWAwRWyvLUwWBVafyUKfbeoyJzA0oj8gQzC790w9FORUdY3RwzbRZE6wkI1InwJV0JCmuQWlWawGGxPH9qObnmsuUraKuSIj_s2viiYU5dKiHq2DKl/s1600/wedding+blog-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48LyI2PCr4l95ZNr9sjV6XRY_XUdWAwRWyvLUwWBVafyUKfbeoyJzA0oj8gQzC790w9FORUdY3RwzbRZE6wkI1InwJV0JCmuQWlWawGGxPH9qObnmsuUraKuSIj_s2viiYU5dKiHq2DKl/s200/wedding+blog-11.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIZ6myDiOG-cu2FrhzoscyuRhp7sGuX_efKdqEgWN-5eohOfnXSFbtHwT079ap81IQ-3FAcMktW2wZHEIN5x0Q8cowL6JUbmbATIbLhtqp-BptB9ew5BJ85vrggZJuEN-cXa4rtFCymK_/s1600/wedding+blog-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIZ6myDiOG-cu2FrhzoscyuRhp7sGuX_efKdqEgWN-5eohOfnXSFbtHwT079ap81IQ-3FAcMktW2wZHEIN5x0Q8cowL6JUbmbATIbLhtqp-BptB9ew5BJ85vrggZJuEN-cXa4rtFCymK_/s200/wedding+blog-9.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqB_AugAHx_-EB3G0cVUYsZwNA3CutVCYx8oCyN-zvtJmUumZom7A7E1hWaBRwnUTl3Ywh16DDNNyA3TKncP1lt7cQWkCtQ5eIgKYOzy75FC9wy74ZhT1JBUEo4vkBsAyl0y-uRTRbS6G/s1600/wedding+blog-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqB_AugAHx_-EB3G0cVUYsZwNA3CutVCYx8oCyN-zvtJmUumZom7A7E1hWaBRwnUTl3Ywh16DDNNyA3TKncP1lt7cQWkCtQ5eIgKYOzy75FC9wy74ZhT1JBUEo4vkBsAyl0y-uRTRbS6G/s200/wedding+blog-12.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the bride and groom? They couldn’t take their eyes off of each other all night.</span></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8_7WiUc5Cntk0spYzuk8d5rqmp1a2Iz8bsbJxJv8Nc28r1GAz78vcdqU62MNXlGJbUwaiSRmbdayw25blbEWE34KHGFtO1jfuJERLjWRR6sxrO_X-DIpJA-iwU18cw3Rq9WizsEOMamX/s1600/wedding+blog-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8_7WiUc5Cntk0spYzuk8d5rqmp1a2Iz8bsbJxJv8Nc28r1GAz78vcdqU62MNXlGJbUwaiSRmbdayw25blbEWE34KHGFtO1jfuJERLjWRR6sxrO_X-DIpJA-iwU18cw3Rq9WizsEOMamX/s320/wedding+blog-7.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel truly honored to been able to be a part of this amazing couple’s special day and to have contributed something concrete that will help them to look back and remember the day that all of their friends and family came together to celebrate their love for each other. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I worked harder on this day than I ever have in my life, but the payoff was worth it, emotionally and creatively. I’m truly grateful for this experience and the opportunity I had to observe, to learn and to take gorgeous photographs. Wendy was amazing in giving me tips and feedback as went along and I feel so much more confident after only one wedding. I have another one coming up this weekend, and while I’m nervous, nervousness is definitely overshadowed by excitement. I’m also looking forward to correcting the one major mistake I made last time; whatever you do don’t wear a lined skirt! </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6zTCLK-fiqz5_fWJDGTNwkSHFjrk4vDD3F7kOgn86206SOrTYhQgObYaetgZjvmSgP5D2JwP2KP9LCh7qqWuJBvYxadMALOqoCuTjvELWqdNWplq59j8pUL-bTApFR3ZmX3xhvoclDz-/s1600/wedding+blog-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6zTCLK-fiqz5_fWJDGTNwkSHFjrk4vDD3F7kOgn86206SOrTYhQgObYaetgZjvmSgP5D2JwP2KP9LCh7qqWuJBvYxadMALOqoCuTjvELWqdNWplq59j8pUL-bTApFR3ZmX3xhvoclDz-/s320/wedding+blog-4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh2u876uB4MOWFGCH6BBcOLzO_qBdD1HO-ZjFYGIXDGCCWp-IfvtPAVYAR-Ii2Ytay5pKxbAxtRvBewS5-0nYI6wrbjOClx69pfru6FUheBswZFOx3cgNFYE0I4DWUB8iEpn9BbjxucuF/s1600/wedding+blog-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh2u876uB4MOWFGCH6BBcOLzO_qBdD1HO-ZjFYGIXDGCCWp-IfvtPAVYAR-Ii2Ytay5pKxbAxtRvBewS5-0nYI6wrbjOClx69pfru6FUheBswZFOx3cgNFYE0I4DWUB8iEpn9BbjxucuF/s320/wedding+blog-8.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ly3RSvvFBg-S_ss5VqwxVoysIKncq8cb6RUm8VV6Jje_ijBE7MMlA3lOM2lK5zfbs58g2_KFNg_qoekkZblDYaVOLRadI1PVvfdBMmXs-t_vwi4Rh37OnN8A45Ru1j91G0S17628n07s/s320/wedding+blog-14.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 164px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2729px; visibility: hidden;" width="64" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2WB-yLdT4OiMvSfr7Kmzf9HM3fHqWGUfTUGWr0ljIPwASxyNzLQIRmKiww3Oj_vAb2GI_vS8OMo29_arFcyiRxJhjGuokEoKlsu8JlxBqg1lC6aRwrOtYbZwH4LqhU6m4PeuBeDEgAgZ/s1600/wedding+blog-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2WB-yLdT4OiMvSfr7Kmzf9HM3fHqWGUfTUGWr0ljIPwASxyNzLQIRmKiww3Oj_vAb2GI_vS8OMo29_arFcyiRxJhjGuokEoKlsu8JlxBqg1lC6aRwrOtYbZwH4LqhU6m4PeuBeDEgAgZ/s320/wedding+blog-16.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ly3RSvvFBg-S_ss5VqwxVoysIKncq8cb6RUm8VV6Jje_ijBE7MMlA3lOM2lK5zfbs58g2_KFNg_qoekkZblDYaVOLRadI1PVvfdBMmXs-t_vwi4Rh37OnN8A45Ru1j91G0S17628n07s/s1600/wedding+blog-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ly3RSvvFBg-S_ss5VqwxVoysIKncq8cb6RUm8VV6Jje_ijBE7MMlA3lOM2lK5zfbs58g2_KFNg_qoekkZblDYaVOLRadI1PVvfdBMmXs-t_vwi4Rh37OnN8A45Ru1j91G0S17628n07s/s320/wedding+blog-14.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-24101798063624858052010-08-03T09:42:00.002-05:002010-08-03T09:47:30.632-05:0013.1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3yuIkeNc0LnwClvrf6T9e2LZxWrMtHBl94wQ2_sB1WWC4mWjp8qf45gtRcepXQeV4sIBfaIs8YdFtXaO5uOQrBEozN2NvLzAcAycPNUwNYYC_CIO12_3-5yhZ2-NPMlFrtIUUH49Wvpb/s1600/half-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3yuIkeNc0LnwClvrf6T9e2LZxWrMtHBl94wQ2_sB1WWC4mWjp8qf45gtRcepXQeV4sIBfaIs8YdFtXaO5uOQrBEozN2NvLzAcAycPNUwNYYC_CIO12_3-5yhZ2-NPMlFrtIUUH49Wvpb/s320/half-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sunday, I participated in and completed my first half marathon, the Rock and Rock Half Marathon in Chicago! I ran on behalf of PAWS Chicago and raised $670 towards their efforts to make Chicago a no kill city. They are a great organization and I just wish I could take all the dogs’ home with me whenever I visit there.</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2eN56V2Q_HIFoH8QT62fC1RpUvpVf4kUhAmHYMOnazS1gWRZCpXwrralsceWMC7ZlJwx-HKOr-fVVERmdQ9oKkbn-1W-UzYHGk2CBkJErdlSRNF5LdE6HqK6rvhZn06T-8tWsEKjtzRs/s1600/rnr-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2eN56V2Q_HIFoH8QT62fC1RpUvpVf4kUhAmHYMOnazS1gWRZCpXwrralsceWMC7ZlJwx-HKOr-fVVERmdQ9oKkbn-1W-UzYHGk2CBkJErdlSRNF5LdE6HqK6rvhZn06T-8tWsEKjtzRs/s320/rnr-12.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve always loved running, but I honestly never thought I could complete a half and now that I have I think I am officially addicted to races and am seriously considering running a full. It was an amazing physical accomplishment, two days later and I’m still feeling strong, like an ancient warrior or something. My goal was to run the entire distance and I did, I finished in 2h15, 5 min slower than my goal time, but 5 min faster than I thought I would actually finish in! The race itself is almost a blur now in my memory; I remember the cheering and trying to take in my surroundings. My playlist was perfect, Mr. Blue Sky was number 3 on the list and got me into a great rhythm, beyond the fact that it started just as I was emerging from beneath an underpass and just as I heard the lyric, “The sun is shining in the sky…” the sun literally flared in my vision! My favorite sign on the track was, “You are all really good at exercise.” Eye of the Tiger came on just when I needed a boost the most, the surroundings were parking lots and vacant lots, a dreary long stretch, people were starting to slow or walk which made me want to as well. And that I think is my true achievement of the day, I was able to run the distance because I trained for it, but I was able to keep going because I kept strong mentally. Anytime I was feeling tired or wanted to walk I pushed myself forward, I think most of the race is a blur because I was really in my head, telling myself to stay comfortable, pace yourself, if you walk now it’s an hour left versus thirty minutes and how long do you really want to be out here. I’d tell myself “If you make it to mile ten, you can walk 1 min” But I’d get there and say “Well, now it’s just three miles left, you can run that” It was quite the dialogue I had going with myself. It felt good to push myself to do exactly what I knew I was capable of, it felt hard, but it felt doable. It felt so good to race down the final chute, concentrating on passing people one by one and then throwing my hands up to cross the finish line at 13.1 miles!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2QwAtxg7MkeNrUu0lLItxHaUV6EM5RYPTM-PxGJA0r98FMSA9EMeY3J0FbiClB8LQK6Q8F9-U_8MncQcpQvIMKzbRveOLElaaPz-UNEZ0HyheIoq6y0AXuPI4KMjEI63hIlvBExonpbd/s1600/rnr-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2QwAtxg7MkeNrUu0lLItxHaUV6EM5RYPTM-PxGJA0r98FMSA9EMeY3J0FbiClB8LQK6Q8F9-U_8MncQcpQvIMKzbRveOLElaaPz-UNEZ0HyheIoq6y0AXuPI4KMjEI63hIlvBExonpbd/s320/rnr-6.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It felt great, but sad too – I signed up for this race almost six months ago and have had an incredible amount of support from friends and family along the way. I’ve been training since May and because of my training schedule I did runs in Seattle, Alaska, Canada, Texas and Virginia and saw each place from an entirely different prospective – as a runner.</span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up – a 12K Trail run in Palatine, IL Sat Aug 7th – and yes, I am crazy! But I'm loving the bling, the t-shirts and the glory that come with racing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbLco0-OLUrzmRwZ3BCwaBip-YtCE6LVyOKkNoPjqLO6AdFQAl_1_0sKDj7DaJkDBO5sOup9S9Aqw_Y_euJGMEfcw7lr662eDWPsFZO0OmQ0c5NuvzPf3_l9lN0VWc3yZ3khCC4DO7wpr/s1600/rnr-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbLco0-OLUrzmRwZ3BCwaBip-YtCE6LVyOKkNoPjqLO6AdFQAl_1_0sKDj7DaJkDBO5sOup9S9Aqw_Y_euJGMEfcw7lr662eDWPsFZO0OmQ0c5NuvzPf3_l9lN0VWc3yZ3khCC4DO7wpr/s320/rnr-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-81501027608851000202010-07-29T09:51:00.000-05:002010-07-29T09:51:08.846-05:00Fruit Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SUT2p4QQffksqhzUKoxnqwJtBLd8dDryPK_MOxWkoX8tjmnLqbBNFiGwTce7R8B9r6Yl9EimXPnk3gEXaA_3J4qKkZ6lirJSsbclpGY6yD1wDVLAAwT4YV0XNGSsPihejfyXktzn98jg/s1600/899360758_darkroom+show-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SUT2p4QQffksqhzUKoxnqwJtBLd8dDryPK_MOxWkoX8tjmnLqbBNFiGwTce7R8B9r6Yl9EimXPnk3gEXaA_3J4qKkZ6lirJSsbclpGY6yD1wDVLAAwT4YV0XNGSsPihejfyXktzn98jg/s320/899360758_darkroom+show-10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have not really posted in awhile, I have been insanely busy, so busy that I feel like I'm missing the summer! It's been amazing though, I've spent time with friends both old and new, traveled, had the opportunity to be a second shooter for the first time, trained for my first Half Marathon which I will complete this Sunday, and topping it all off I'm getting over a summer cold that my body decided was just the thing to slow my over scheduled self down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here's a little filler post about what might be one of the greatest stores ever, Daiso in Seattle. It's basically a Dollar General Japanese style and it is fantastic! An absolute treasure trove of some of the weirdest "I must own this right now and have it in my life" items ever, including the mat pictured above, a deterrent I assume for cats on the counter. I am just enamored with the name and that picture of the poor little teary kitten, it's just so straightforward! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mom got really annoyed with my husband and I because we could not stop laughing at the notebooks they had for sale with little sayings on the front, something definitely is lost in translation. If you are ever in Seattle you have to check this place out, you will not be sorry you did, and now I leave with this inspirational poem that graces the cover of my new idea notebook:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk47LN3TKZJO9R6c_6glgW_nm0UpRukM19_DZA40tq4LvyM39BHqpPGb-S0GwnjeeA4ZjF0MR2wQ4Ju7Jdwhz_e-dW8iwfvZ9MK3-TfVkWrS8Ompw4-U0kskPknTcT06CeZxjObswgMoYM/s1600/4304979579_25ea9eb760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk47LN3TKZJO9R6c_6glgW_nm0UpRukM19_DZA40tq4LvyM39BHqpPGb-S0GwnjeeA4ZjF0MR2wQ4Ju7Jdwhz_e-dW8iwfvZ9MK3-TfVkWrS8Ompw4-U0kskPknTcT06CeZxjObswgMoYM/s320/4304979579_25ea9eb760.jpg" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fruit Train</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to the country of the fruit</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you see in the fruit?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a train that carries your dream</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I truly hope you all have a train of fruit of your own that carries your dreams! :)</span></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-17977508886659899792010-07-18T17:05:00.000-05:002010-07-18T17:05:12.827-05:00Flutterby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIrdhq19wE6KpYgONEm5tvuQJEMBG3pIU3AWPLWneuYoP2xfxWhtWHj8OKO8UG-aXZBMa29kaTWxpFErUws8GcyZwE2wxQwqtZowsI84789YKLm7DJ7GANZHqkYdjWazq0_61doQLogH9/s1600/butterfly-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIrdhq19wE6KpYgONEm5tvuQJEMBG3pIU3AWPLWneuYoP2xfxWhtWHj8OKO8UG-aXZBMa29kaTWxpFErUws8GcyZwE2wxQwqtZowsI84789YKLm7DJ7GANZHqkYdjWazq0_61doQLogH9/s320/butterfly-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I have never seen a butterfly like this up close before, there were so many of them! The secret is to plant Zinnias. Someday I will have a garden of my own, I will plant zinnias, they will not die, and the butterflies will come!Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-55538072513510911372010-07-13T11:51:00.003-05:002010-07-14T11:42:39.546-05:00Vive Le France!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Ll4iI5yAXB9izbXZWUxm9dgBfPI9gujKk58JDbque_AW54z8gykGXuT8gVnNKSnuQNbVyBezGSO5ib3WiUdFw2XVlsT1BDsksEFosaSHPELpvBO-9xyOWglSURKfkCI7DhiTabReBI_/s1600/933277583_vVuwh-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Ll4iI5yAXB9izbXZWUxm9dgBfPI9gujKk58JDbque_AW54z8gykGXuT8gVnNKSnuQNbVyBezGSO5ib3WiUdFw2XVlsT1BDsksEFosaSHPELpvBO-9xyOWglSURKfkCI7DhiTabReBI_/s320/933277583_vVuwh-M.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm back baby! After rest, lots of icing and some cross training I was able to get back into my training schedule and run the Bastille Day 5K as planned. They moved the location from <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Greektown</span> to Lincoln Park and it was a great course along the lakefront with some wonderful cooling rain for good measure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I always forget how much I love races until I'm at one, there is just such a feeling of excitement and anticipation, like, "Let's do this bitches, yeah!" This year I was able to drag a friend along for the ride and induct her into the wonderful world of racing, and she liked it, didn't end up hating me and cursing my name. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Becau</span><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">se</span> it really is a great feeling, running in a group of like minded individuals and really pushing yourself to see what you can do. And there's bagels at the end. Nothing tastes better than those bagels at the end of a race, unless it's the beer! I went out intending to beat my time from last year and I was quite proud of myself -- I ran it in 27:41, knocking a full 1:11 seconds off last years time and I finished 812, which meant I was faster than 1,200 other people, which is pretty <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">fricken</span> cool :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My half marathon is only 31/2 weeks away, but I'm ready, bring on the bagels! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">.... And the Beer!</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k1r0lwCfAzoRiV4p50lHxsZWEmYvsgIhYyKDd_uIjMogK5RSGFsWplQrSRuIa2675oFF7CvH6d4dD8kpvBIuHwdtwmMSEFsrT2BBPXpJDTKztJBIY34FT3Wbb0-XP69r8z3XGFDN2JBs/s1600/232323232%7Ffp53838_nu=3288_393_793_WSNRCG=3375_;_794335nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k1r0lwCfAzoRiV4p50lHxsZWEmYvsgIhYyKDd_uIjMogK5RSGFsWplQrSRuIa2675oFF7CvH6d4dD8kpvBIuHwdtwmMSEFsrT2BBPXpJDTKztJBIY34FT3Wbb0-XP69r8z3XGFDN2JBs/s200/232323232%7Ffp53838_nu=3288_393_793_WSNRCG=3375_;_794335nu0mrj.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-28730088433720148692010-07-02T10:19:00.002-05:002010-07-03T14:16:11.439-05:00Mr & Mrs Place!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaPn5XTG9qbJn0xsYj2SZ8xIWNmyU3IMHHcZ16tw5xkIPO7sr2I05b2x5rdwPKe5kZ8_VqzH9l58WTVLObaUAuwhSWMmC76dHDzpqlajDyEBG6k2I_V0TFPhWX8m_hjUxeOU_rKXP3P0K/s1600/37372_462351425760_505195760_6367004_3038151_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaPn5XTG9qbJn0xsYj2SZ8xIWNmyU3IMHHcZ16tw5xkIPO7sr2I05b2x5rdwPKe5kZ8_VqzH9l58WTVLObaUAuwhSWMmC76dHDzpqlajDyEBG6k2I_V0TFPhWX8m_hjUxeOU_rKXP3P0K/s320/37372_462351425760_505195760_6367004_3038151_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjssKuRNfiv04OEWZHxCWH1LUoE6jOLd0V37Jutagx6kaljz4fTb6TQgBWTXIkA1LjfbzQBVfKkzgAA2c1Juz9VwH0nxQXm4EaIe5-8CI8LLOVZVAnQChLnmRB_3QT7XwV-thFg9Knc-Lb/s1600/36345_462166590760_505195760_6362525_4610221_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjssKuRNfiv04OEWZHxCWH1LUoE6jOLd0V37Jutagx6kaljz4fTb6TQgBWTXIkA1LjfbzQBVfKkzgAA2c1Juz9VwH0nxQXm4EaIe5-8CI8LLOVZVAnQChLnmRB_3QT7XwV-thFg9Knc-Lb/s200/36345_462166590760_505195760_6362525_4610221_n.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91Xku9IvNDqEomzpjKs2emAh5c4B1ByH_abWbEIHt7R6d4yrneOa4aiju9XDUPpxRtsqVWAzx49P00-Cw3vqetMQy55Ky8glvtkmclpIFjrQCPb1AjXVJ4Xfwb03GzpWJlq5Rvi6SNXTl/s1600/36345_462166585760_505195760_6362524_3797108_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91Xku9IvNDqEomzpjKs2emAh5c4B1ByH_abWbEIHt7R6d4yrneOa4aiju9XDUPpxRtsqVWAzx49P00-Cw3vqetMQy55Ky8glvtkmclpIFjrQCPb1AjXVJ4Xfwb03GzpWJlq5Rvi6SNXTl/s200/36345_462166585760_505195760_6362524_3797108_n.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEeyyue9nj00B0xROMm4fGkS3c7oW4U06RrtqqMDmjARBDNfnOfGoiFOhQWEK_sCgP_rRHnJ212q7S-Cq6AjpKLE6odNZw0yY6WAEiqmP4v_c51HZARVPd4yjB-mvcwNvKGOcSQuzSFQS/s1600/37372_462351360760_505195760_6366991_2511166_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEeyyue9nj00B0xROMm4fGkS3c7oW4U06RrtqqMDmjARBDNfnOfGoiFOhQWEK_sCgP_rRHnJ212q7S-Cq6AjpKLE6odNZw0yY6WAEiqmP4v_c51HZARVPd4yjB-mvcwNvKGOcSQuzSFQS/s320/37372_462351360760_505195760_6366991_2511166_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzYg7efqQI51ZJvTdtwsf31O6sb-VXPpgKynWKPrkLflMCw3jiqmimYffrj8Ve5DMqnrd5OcCLONFy4JzYuX-acrY1dyp7Q6GV1nC7iU-QfrlyOaNKw7q1KwXJheUU6E197NtVlQ3H1gW/s1600/36345_462166700760_505195760_6362546_960923_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzYg7efqQI51ZJvTdtwsf31O6sb-VXPpgKynWKPrkLflMCw3jiqmimYffrj8Ve5DMqnrd5OcCLONFy4JzYuX-acrY1dyp7Q6GV1nC7iU-QfrlyOaNKw7q1KwXJheUU6E197NtVlQ3H1gW/s320/36345_462166700760_505195760_6362546_960923_n.jpg" /></a>William and Katie met at The Library. No, not the quiet building filled with books and well behaved people studying and learning, but a bar in downtown Ft Worth where Katie was enjoying a girls night out being generally charming and Will was after a cross country flight being generally drunk and obnoxious.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Boy approaches girl with pilot swagger and the now infamous pick up line, "I'm an apprentice of awesomeness". Girl encourages boy by taking his number so he'll hang around and thus continue to entertain the girls who I don't think were laughing with him. Boy insists he'll call the next day, at 5pm. Girl tells Mom who scoffs that he'll actually call and a bet is made. Boy does call, Mom loses bet and Girl agrees to coffee. And the rest is history!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Sunday June 27th Katie and Will tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at The White Chapel in Hurst, TX. It was a beautiful day in a gorgeous location decorated to the nines, but I don't think the bride and groom had eyes for anything but each other. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was an amazing wedding filled with cake, champagne, dancing, car decorating and a group of drunk military men reenacting the serenade scene from Top gun. </div><br />
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Congratulations to the happy couple, I am so glad I got to be a part of their special day, thrilled for my baby brother and grateful to have such a wonderful new sister in law who is the perfect match for him!<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCR66K2ewUbj-htqccJfsBrT3PaxfpaxGtPfkTOcO5IFINzOVMnv-14hJJnfwHubF1Sj7bFwXuqY7PYqiSCobajpeO81Jy-klT6I-flb9XcaPSwJvkiNpvpn3zCh6HYvRqsbkCuBJcHVl/s1600/36345_462166770760_505195760_6362560_6162995_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCR66K2ewUbj-htqccJfsBrT3PaxfpaxGtPfkTOcO5IFINzOVMnv-14hJJnfwHubF1Sj7bFwXuqY7PYqiSCobajpeO81Jy-klT6I-flb9XcaPSwJvkiNpvpn3zCh6HYvRqsbkCuBJcHVl/s320/36345_462166770760_505195760_6362560_6162995_n.jpg" /></a></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-88659625298925710702010-06-30T20:51:00.002-05:002010-06-30T20:55:33.785-05:00Sidelined<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMWm4UJDKyGFB8FJY2Xzi-OdKIGFgVD2pZtQ0k9Ayx2cY-f9Tveyw53I8Jdm-85Cjr6Wo_jreMdrAhCGoMvmdnWKqZ3UzLzK5I0xFBwsyZRlDj8Aku1lOCAhpre7aTb1aecHQE_aIeS2l/s1600/misc-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMWm4UJDKyGFB8FJY2Xzi-OdKIGFgVD2pZtQ0k9Ayx2cY-f9Tveyw53I8Jdm-85Cjr6Wo_jreMdrAhCGoMvmdnWKqZ3UzLzK5I0xFBwsyZRlDj8Aku1lOCAhpre7aTb1aecHQE_aIeS2l/s320/misc-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I recently got back into running after being away from it for almost twelve years, partly because I started to have all sorts of issues with my feet and knees. When it comes to running, as much as I love it, I'm a mess! I have plantar fascitis, flat feet, bad knees, but I love running and so I'm sticking with it. I have been training for the Rock N Roll Half Marathon Aug 1st and am only 4 weeks out now and I'm starting to get worried. On my 7 mile long run (longest distance ever for me!) 12 days ago I ended feeling amazing, physically and mentally! After an hour though I couldn't walk and was laid up with immense pain the rest of the weekend. After a week of rest, icing, and ibuprofen I ran an easy three miler with my brother (Hi Joe!) and ended up with the pain again!<br />
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I feel like the goldilocks of running shoes -- I had too little support and then too much. I'm hoping my new shoes are just enough and will get me through the rest of this training and my goal of completing my first half marathon. No matter what though, even if I have to walk, I'm going to finish it. For the puppehs and kittehs!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://pawschicago.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=342429&u=342429-262802418">PAWS Fundraising Page</a></span>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-64546478802896927842010-06-21T09:36:00.003-05:002010-06-21T09:38:55.652-05:00The Hangover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxq5J0MG4MECTOOm6hQFmhvqvrwPaBU6RO80aM4MwPV6BLSBc0i6UNM3GHtg-hF51zsaTKD-qE-PxFXF-R3OjGSyw59TF5oGRzMgAfnC64a42h0_evLdsBe31l5-B9NW-MvtBM56sfdR3/s1600/Bad+Day-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxq5J0MG4MECTOOm6hQFmhvqvrwPaBU6RO80aM4MwPV6BLSBc0i6UNM3GHtg-hF51zsaTKD-qE-PxFXF-R3OjGSyw59TF5oGRzMgAfnC64a42h0_evLdsBe31l5-B9NW-MvtBM56sfdR3/s320/Bad+Day-4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I had the great opportunity to take a Detachable Flash class with <a href="http://www.shanemorgan.com/">Shane Morgan</a>, a very successful commercial photographer in Chicago and just a great source of knowledge for things <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">photographical</span> and technological. In fact, I have him to blame for my new Mac Book Pro, but what a great decision that was! I am a PC no more, I had no idea is was possible to feel anything but frustration and anger toward a computer. I am a total Mac <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">fangirl</span> now, once you go Mac you never go back! I am so glad I attended this class, despite my Saturday hangover, nothing a Starbucks breakfast sandwich and gallons of water couldn't fix!<br />
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The basis of the class was using the flash off camera by setting it up on a stand with an umbrella to bounce the light back evenly onto the subject from the side, rather than harshly straight on. Brilliant, I am in love with this concept, especially since it involves the use of pocket wizards. Pocket Wizards are this nifty <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">lil</span> device that you attach to the camera and the light and the "talk" to each other. You click the shutter with the pocket wizard on your camera and the light goes off at the same time, so so cool. Me <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">likey</span>, me <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">wanty</span>. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I really felt like I learned so much in this class, not only about using a flash and all that comes with that, but about the business side as well. I find it all fascinating and am eating it all up as I slowly ease myself into this and work on getting myself to a real jumping off point. It felt fantastic to be able to ask questions and get answers, so often it seems that other photographers don't really want to give up their "secrets". But come on, I am not a threat to this man's livelihood and I'm glad to have gotten a chance to pick the brain of someone with so much experience.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The culmination of the weekend was putting into practice everything that we'd learned. We each chose a spot in the building and set up our own photo shoot. There is an incredible rush at coming up with a concept, setting up the lighting and have it all turn out exactly as you'd pictured it in your head, it's an amazing feeling of "I did that!" My location was the creepy old soda machine on the fourth floor, I used blue gel over the flash to make the light cooler (temperature wise and style wise) and had an amazing model (Thank you <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Alaina</span>!). I chose a lower perspective to get the dingy wood floor and the ladders in the background in for some interesting texture. I was going for a rough night feel, a little edgy, a little gritty and slightly paparazzi-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">ish</span>. Lindsay <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Lohan</span>, you are an inspiration to us all! And voila, the results!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsA6D2FrDIbgz3p_gqjSfIRgkrOoaMbd0SPTxhhMboViQlzznqx1_eL1wJp5hx2S0C3CGjY2PedJ_JnOUG8JDySVzs9jvTAph6sgr_D4uXlobEdc8Z6cI1pCd0u9BWTouyTfg_YKV9yhja/s1600/Bad+Day-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsA6D2FrDIbgz3p_gqjSfIRgkrOoaMbd0SPTxhhMboViQlzznqx1_eL1wJp5hx2S0C3CGjY2PedJ_JnOUG8JDySVzs9jvTAph6sgr_D4uXlobEdc8Z6cI1pCd0u9BWTouyTfg_YKV9yhja/s400/Bad+Day-2.jpg" width="231" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPp-CM2TZUdXEDpRcCWP-nMMQe7rOeBh0ezN5d56hBSAslDmgCmx7ND-Es9qhX01JP12_zfGmx4jrYcbowlc4ALRt-DHgLcTEhsIVVKLT0KJQJDiHWZwv0Fcr45zFyc5uF07TtM0NNoes/s1600/Bad+Day-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPp-CM2TZUdXEDpRcCWP-nMMQe7rOeBh0ezN5d56hBSAslDmgCmx7ND-Es9qhX01JP12_zfGmx4jrYcbowlc4ALRt-DHgLcTEhsIVVKLT0KJQJDiHWZwv0Fcr45zFyc5uF07TtM0NNoes/s400/Bad+Day-7.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-31243373958811306952010-06-01T15:41:00.007-05:002010-06-21T08:23:39.366-05:00Untamed Wilderness<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVkGwHDmrg3iF7kRMmjxeZhWXIFbQxlBwacnI4qDGawqbSGqGUKLiUCR0Z_fF6uzJ5wyFFdrjtUCueSYjELLAplcV2zr9dQE0BoUzsZnmogvw5Dj5e1k_qwpa_rd_jTXegnd51SXvAH3p/s1600/885791033_9BW2w-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVkGwHDmrg3iF7kRMmjxeZhWXIFbQxlBwacnI4qDGawqbSGqGUKLiUCR0Z_fF6uzJ5wyFFdrjtUCueSYjELLAplcV2zr9dQE0BoUzsZnmogvw5Dj5e1k_qwpa_rd_jTXegnd51SXvAH3p/s320/885791033_9BW2w-M.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It has been forever since I've posted anything and this one won't be too long. We just got back from an Alaskan Cruise that truly was the trip of a lifetime! The weather was perfect and we got some far off glimpses of bald eagles and whales and some close up glimpses of Alaskan <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Huskie</span> pups. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have never seen such amazing scenery, it didn't look real, it was truly another world. I had a great time with my family and have great memories standing on my parents balcony tossing lenses back and forth with my sister taking photo after photo. I can't wait to go back someday!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6tXmIZqXkBx5tkdLmpeZ7oEmHtZgqMdFoSkSFRxHtM7VDiQIbblbcuYCuAtbRvbnGN3lfITlNztWA-gQ-Tr73anE7yW-NV_HcAIzMuPqGZqIql68zDraYz8De4DCEdDEmt0XllNvS5V9/s1600/885666623_alaska+(155+of+435).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6tXmIZqXkBx5tkdLmpeZ7oEmHtZgqMdFoSkSFRxHtM7VDiQIbblbcuYCuAtbRvbnGN3lfITlNztWA-gQ-Tr73anE7yW-NV_HcAIzMuPqGZqIql68zDraYz8De4DCEdDEmt0XllNvS5V9/s320/885666623_alaska+(155+of+435).jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2AB8QIkXmHe8GVp5Tw1JbkLxbtd4n5NyMR6Z9nJpQipXhRMSIUkDVK3r8W6us50fCM7JfYoh5ZCZ4xLWU3ZEEwuoEZcJ2-5LLHzP81_bX_9PKNP2gaIa4dspO5BBKJPXjNA4Q21DMSgo/s1600/887428061_alaska+(249+of+470).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2AB8QIkXmHe8GVp5Tw1JbkLxbtd4n5NyMR6Z9nJpQipXhRMSIUkDVK3r8W6us50fCM7JfYoh5ZCZ4xLWU3ZEEwuoEZcJ2-5LLHzP81_bX_9PKNP2gaIa4dspO5BBKJPXjNA4Q21DMSgo/s320/887428061_alaska+(249+of+470).jpg" /></a></div></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-74640703193606045502010-05-05T12:50:00.000-05:002010-05-05T12:50:08.845-05:00Industrial Revolution<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl8t-cBPJApZnjOjMhO5P2V0NfeSucdvFMFRiISXG3F2repODggWt-lz3d4AKfGDru0oeCOns79GPLy3ijs4E7xRXUtkyCo-S0U-rGBqJVMiJlYCZu8aiXyI4P3xCwvqVR96Uk92t0HN_/s1600/5-4-10+Family+Walk+(33+of+43).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl8t-cBPJApZnjOjMhO5P2V0NfeSucdvFMFRiISXG3F2repODggWt-lz3d4AKfGDru0oeCOns79GPLy3ijs4E7xRXUtkyCo-S0U-rGBqJVMiJlYCZu8aiXyI4P3xCwvqVR96Uk92t0HN_/s320/5-4-10+Family+Walk+(33+of+43).jpg" tt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIe-_qh282pkWZkImrt_LZZ2WQsEI0dAVW87bYri7wnNA4FyLoTioO64h7T5PkmNm7TJlxEktfBshQMY3o3bH0b_iwy-V2T7_41InD4IRh45LTNbW8xpzQLQ9ODcA3oYMfhQ7osIkD6jT2/s1600/5-4-10+Family+Walk+(37+of+43).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIe-_qh282pkWZkImrt_LZZ2WQsEI0dAVW87bYri7wnNA4FyLoTioO64h7T5PkmNm7TJlxEktfBshQMY3o3bH0b_iwy-V2T7_41InD4IRh45LTNbW8xpzQLQ9ODcA3oYMfhQ7osIkD6jT2/s320/5-4-10+Family+Walk+(37+of+43).jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am very into the "beauty in unexpected places" aspect of photography. Particularly when it comes to rusty metal, interesting hardware, abandoned doors etc. I'm so glad that Spring has finally come to Chicago because it means more frequent walks with Thomas and Oz. We get a little workout and so does my Nikon. I find that since photography has become a bigger slice in the pie that is my life, I am far more observant. I see details that I might not have, and tend to see everything in terms of what kind of photograph would that make. Although that has it's downsides, it's not healthy to live life solely through a viewfinder, it does have it's rewards. When you can walk down a hidden alley and see the beauty in a series of twisty pipes, that is pretty cool. Even better if it inspires others to pay more attention to the hidden beauty around them.</span></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-74909308741548498422010-04-15T09:26:00.001-05:002010-04-15T09:27:07.732-05:00I'm the King of the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiCkDkIaqflayuRdfLGvnnvjQatae6pWfIymzjD7vAWMx52HSqaqfNdHXQO7_dpokfktPollKjOWx684P5HLn1pV8eMzflKAK2wbTLL2xOp1vCAgk85jRVV2a8xR_7MGD8yCva5uJXioG/s1600/P1022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiCkDkIaqflayuRdfLGvnnvjQatae6pWfIymzjD7vAWMx52HSqaqfNdHXQO7_dpokfktPollKjOWx684P5HLn1pV8eMzflKAK2wbTLL2xOp1vCAgk85jRVV2a8xR_7MGD8yCva5uJXioG/s320/P1022.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div>So, I am officially working on starting a photography brand -- I wanted to have a clear foundation in place to go from, and yes it is named after my dog. If being inspired by your dog is good enough for Indiana Jones, it's good enough for me! Let's all take a moment to picture Harrison Ford cracking that whip...yum! Oz is just a huge source of constant amusement to me and my husband and I wanted to immortalize him a little bit. I'm sure kids will come later but right now he definitely owns that role. <br />
That and the role of King of Everything! Oz cannot conceive of a world that does not revolve around him and his comfort. Hence his little adventure last week. Thomas let him off his leash after a walk to run up the back stairs to the apartment and he stopped at our neighbors door which was open to take advantage of the Spring breeze, stepped inside, sniffed the cat and just trotted on in like he owned the place, checking everything out, and being a general pain when Thomas tried to call him to come out of there! Like, "Hang on, I'm checking out my new spot!" Oz, if you still had balls, they would be made of brass my friend!Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-18139977691866557012010-04-14T10:54:00.002-05:002010-04-14T12:41:25.585-05:00Dancer in the Dark<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hSuehFa8oQG9PkzRTLF26f-hggfG9fGNloameyWzMxuORg0Pl7tmqUBoad1q9EW8ygOhTfewWgnQg6im1CmjC_mQ8vYIOAfnrTCfEqPaw_Go46R5ID9UxePctlu0vHwF6rl_iaYOnZ-m/s1600/04-09-2010+Dancer+(94+of+130).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hSuehFa8oQG9PkzRTLF26f-hggfG9fGNloameyWzMxuORg0Pl7tmqUBoad1q9EW8ygOhTfewWgnQg6im1CmjC_mQ8vYIOAfnrTCfEqPaw_Go46R5ID9UxePctlu0vHwF6rl_iaYOnZ-m/s320/04-09-2010+Dancer+(94+of+130).jpg" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf913oI7NpHwlpfIlDE1jKLSF4ed0ItO_JHYAIKaZNy05igNiCv2l-UNaeBCMWaxZXfF4VwFgGmFdUrE3M7BSWYcl_V6TujZn-FSwybpKJaeu05VA86PiD-NeP2Ip42LIWbsmESCvh3-T/s320/04-09-2010+Dancer+(57+of+130).jpg" wt="true" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG1O5HbK1j3BWW3HQjW0wl04APjC3Ts03xI98z6kIBq5fyTSOAOhPyyy2dUXAyUGT8mLlv3HwT54yFx5EMEiVrQ8bUg4WX4i9SNKyGB8sw6EjmmuEBhaybyN1WudaLNztnaVu-IIsxzOd/s1600/04-09-2010+Dancer+(87+of+130).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG1O5HbK1j3BWW3HQjW0wl04APjC3Ts03xI98z6kIBq5fyTSOAOhPyyy2dUXAyUGT8mLlv3HwT54yFx5EMEiVrQ8bUg4WX4i9SNKyGB8sw6EjmmuEBhaybyN1WudaLNztnaVu-IIsxzOd/s320/04-09-2010+Dancer+(87+of+130).jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVGS1BHJAZ22N-gxSd4RHq5YS0rSEn-GV2lxgblEAri9j7sCH3-mWLFXl_ikDEwI4zyTpX9cdCh4xoYapJCmgEkd3nWD55VDcaCIDN-jbbgJUQ6yChSwB0RV8nC7n0YQl_YNS-7eLvgBg/s1600/04-09-2010+Dancer+(78+of+130).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVGS1BHJAZ22N-gxSd4RHq5YS0rSEn-GV2lxgblEAri9j7sCH3-mWLFXl_ikDEwI4zyTpX9cdCh4xoYapJCmgEkd3nWD55VDcaCIDN-jbbgJUQ6yChSwB0RV8nC7n0YQl_YNS-7eLvgBg/s320/04-09-2010+Dancer+(78+of+130).jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was fortunate enough to be invited by DeAwna, a friend of mine and very talented photographer to take part in a photoshoot she was setting up in the studio. She, myself and the equally talented Alaina were able to photograph the amazing Lauren, a Dancer and Pilates Instructor. Lauren had already been there for hours when I arrived but she was tireless and fearless, up for anything (even dancing with a rubber chicken!) and had great creative instincts. It was great to be in a room with two other photographers, able to play off each others ideas, offer suggestions and see how someone else worked. To simply observe was a learning experience in and of itself. I am glad I got to shoot though, once I started watching my fingers were just itching to get their hands on a camera and start clicking away! There is something truly satisfying about shooting in a studio with the lights preset, there is nothing to worry about except the composition of the shot. You are able to truly focus on the subject and what you want the photograph to look like. I do need to trust myself more, and be confident in my choices and clear about what I'm looking for. For the most part though -- too easy, drill sargeant, too easy!</span></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-15168886963670435032010-04-11T09:58:00.002-05:002010-04-11T10:07:53.541-05:00Neighborhood Pride<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIag8HaG936CAElKOyvJlbnstKasGewpAtuVhMlJCFnI61IIc2U-7YbGG2d5R2f31jgtj9o1ecTVKvemC7mMSETEqd4g9O5afB3ewLDusRoqh-4kgsn012XcmpXkdJTS33Djdf47VuVJx/s1600/04-10-2010+Beach+Walk+(11+of+55).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458896693655364722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIag8HaG936CAElKOyvJlbnstKasGewpAtuVhMlJCFnI61IIc2U-7YbGG2d5R2f31jgtj9o1ecTVKvemC7mMSETEqd4g9O5afB3ewLDusRoqh-4kgsn012XcmpXkdJTS33Djdf47VuVJx/s400/04-10-2010+Beach+Walk+(11+of+55).jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>I love the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">neighborhood</span> I live in! We've thought of moving, but we just can't tear ourselves away -- especially being practically right on the lake. There is nothing to beat living by the water, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">don't think</span> I ever could. The only thing we were lacking was a convenient Dog Park. Well thanks to a 49<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Ward vote on funding for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">neighborhood</span> projects we are going to get one. It's just one more thing to make this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">neighborhood</span> great and it feels really good to have voted and to see it succeed. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here and hopefully we'll have the park by next year, I know Oz hopes so too!</div></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-52405914326413079002010-04-08T10:03:00.012-05:002010-04-08T12:55:40.323-05:00Storytime<div align="left">I took these photos all in a row and I love how they unintentionally tell a little story, it makes me smile every time I look at these photos in sequence. That is the point anyway right, to tell a story through photos, to bring out emotions and preserve memories, to show things as they were, as you saw them in that moment. My current emotional state however, can best be described as burnt out! I think I've been starting to stress out about taking photos and I'm forgetting to enjoy it. So no more worries, and to modify a quote from my favorite TV Show, "Whatever happens, happens!" Back to having fun for me! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"><strong>Imz gunna eatz u!</strong></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457785320064080130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMC7D-d6bzojwY_uRCncsaT02gMRsyLRWHUXh3G5MGHi84UtTcKc0505vJjflbbtGYXoCZ9Ptq3B41vRwWPXJTfWcq8DwXUPoOI_saskN63fqXvK2rTixM-j5XqmguZGMeSSCMLgAE-8kS/s400/P1083.jpg" /></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"><strong>What?</strong></span></div><div align="center"></div><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457784212096877826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjMVfMT7_6Lc0pXdb3sSt2zKAs0oK8PcS5RpopFpfzMr8Ws4ndOp2RBbXBqENjeSxMpM0ScAHiWaQW7i66xBhctCdg9Ttg0I03ze-OZsQBhVUl8hr8bsHkdHf9H9PN2bXz2Wy7Eni5VGH/s400/P1084.jpg" /></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Only kiddin, Imz gunna lickz u!</span><br /></strong></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457783657468190610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpf-Q8r8jv1czP_J6nU0eyBM2cV277cDM6ucOHTMUTmi8uyuGgJVF4EEdGViYHCFW6q27acnIKFoky57pycxAd_Xdf3CQgXmGgkcAfJUxU7nB7SGzOJQb0cmc14DthV3t4QUYX_EIbNgQ/s400/Pick7.jpg" /></span>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-68509707550377782942010-04-05T15:21:00.000-05:002010-04-05T15:30:26.594-05:00Robots Invade Chicago!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI2jItoUAZcdpjByM5tF7F-WdjCLqUyByKsuufWEY8NpxeATlyntZiwss8aRPwrvu7d1bteeSvkWpyZEAO53SgoR09TUIVP19-5SFc_3a_ZyefVzWTh4yGD-7DYpakVud-Nqdr_aAroH-/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456753354501919266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI2jItoUAZcdpjByM5tF7F-WdjCLqUyByKsuufWEY8NpxeATlyntZiwss8aRPwrvu7d1bteeSvkWpyZEAO53SgoR09TUIVP19-5SFc_3a_ZyefVzWTh4yGD-7DYpakVud-Nqdr_aAroH-/s320/DSC_0010.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ja_OK3w1dg_SxcEImNFZg8K_6CZGHxs6Td4XioQn0wvaCvW4-lOHEb82W1WjBUhr0bYZxqmZh-oGZleiKveQC4-bJ4TrjhlVrsvvK2dXeDJmjyNuO9pR8tmoVICgEQkj-kvRNQB-D8Ig/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456752932246769186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ja_OK3w1dg_SxcEImNFZg8K_6CZGHxs6Td4XioQn0wvaCvW4-lOHEb82W1WjBUhr0bYZxqmZh-oGZleiKveQC4-bJ4TrjhlVrsvvK2dXeDJmjyNuO9pR8tmoVICgEQkj-kvRNQB-D8Ig/s320/DSC_0001.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK1t5SpUgBQNn4WYjPqlrr1fOOnFZOeg3zAZyCZSSL7cRk-_1ljaPQzKri4SswO2JtHDcdGRbZjM2cuf3brd2arTV0M9N6f0CVv1mOnUjO9SpRqzjBISk249DH7NkMWBzoG8L_mmuI2_6/s1600/Pick29.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456752532100022770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK1t5SpUgBQNn4WYjPqlrr1fOOnFZOeg3zAZyCZSSL7cRk-_1ljaPQzKri4SswO2JtHDcdGRbZjM2cuf3brd2arTV0M9N6f0CVv1mOnUjO9SpRqzjBISk249DH7NkMWBzoG8L_mmuI2_6/s320/Pick29.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>A few months ago I started seeing these random robots appear in various crosswalks in Downtown Chicago. I thought it must be road workers screwing around or warnings of an impending robot attack, but after doing a little digging it seems there is an anonymous artist called "Stikman" behind all this and so far he has made his mark on LA and DC as well. I just think they are so cool and every time I spot a new one I feel like I've discovered a little hidden treasure in this already awesome city. So, keep an eye out, robots could be headed to your city next!</div></div></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-32841681919263350542010-03-31T10:42:00.000-05:002010-03-31T11:31:27.937-05:00Sir Ozenpoops<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUEnYmDT4G9_8rmPhxrP9LJBsJdzp4VCKiW4xgvTyNq6xgECbYiiv1EEE0Rk29j1et5FS42oBFYZf2OUAWceiThIpnbD4s4y1zjaRX_35FVpzeuEG1-qKMXdaddoIXAtLbobayVU_Rr71/s1600/ry=480.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454836086898588802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUEnYmDT4G9_8rmPhxrP9LJBsJdzp4VCKiW4xgvTyNq6xgECbYiiv1EEE0Rk29j1et5FS42oBFYZf2OUAWceiThIpnbD4s4y1zjaRX_35FVpzeuEG1-qKMXdaddoIXAtLbobayVU_Rr71/s320/ry=480.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp3B4D9p1J22WUN0I8lCsqpDOguxmDR5fiIteVeyNTrJM-Fn-Nnn5SdoLFJPnxx3QReKRnz_l4R5uN3KXaCQGV-2PuOzd3Z6CeG26Ly-f0lFHEfxMy6q9zVGcJXWr6QhPOITilqQEArn2/s1600/oz2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454835782864855874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp3B4D9p1J22WUN0I8lCsqpDOguxmDR5fiIteVeyNTrJM-Fn-Nnn5SdoLFJPnxx3QReKRnz_l4R5uN3KXaCQGV-2PuOzd3Z6CeG26Ly-f0lFHEfxMy6q9zVGcJXWr6QhPOITilqQEArn2/s320/oz2.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCrrWRnlbLAt_fByalTJzzWMbbqzCBx_6wvHGmvieXXuq69f1aLW-ie3iXSqf8oa1Ut3ISncDzEikhoC0cFxIUhrvyv3oMaJ4xIwQNNemXKOGMdeac6VS6-E8G5jpQJgPt-cz9qXxVrZB/s1600/oz6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 216px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454835694074312002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCrrWRnlbLAt_fByalTJzzWMbbqzCBx_6wvHGmvieXXuq69f1aLW-ie3iXSqf8oa1Ut3ISncDzEikhoC0cFxIUhrvyv3oMaJ4xIwQNNemXKOGMdeac6VS6-E8G5jpQJgPt-cz9qXxVrZB/s320/oz6.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>They say that you should write what you know, well I love to photograph what I know -- namely my family, but I've discovered that my dog is a much more willing participant. Dangling a jar of peanut butter in front of my husband's face just does not have the same effect as it does on Oz!</div><br /><div>Thanks to a multitude of treats and peanut butter and with the help of my husband playing the part of Photography Assistant I was able to get Oz to sit stand, look left, look right etc. It was great, I loved learning what works and what doesn't to get the results I want and learned even more about what I could have done to better manipulate the light and use the light I had more effectively. </div><br /><div>This assignment was great practice, I could definitely see Pet Photography becoming a niche I wouldn't mind be settled in. As sort of a win-win scenario I'm currently offering pet portrait sessions, an hour long session with ten high resolution images on disk for $25. All proceeds go to benefit PAWS Chicago on whose behalf I will be running the Chicago Rock N Roll Half Marathon in August!</div><br /><div></div><a href="http://pawschicago.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=342429&lis=0&kntae342429=1E72D4358A124989AC8DF6D31B6D8A97&supId=262802418">PAWS Fundraising Page</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-22047593096883295762010-03-22T09:30:00.000-05:002010-03-23T08:45:29.537-05:00Seeing the Light<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoS2HMYePzNj9yf-YDBr3qrRdDPrtiMLtzJLJKXJDJqmjrRaERY4kJ9LhD2AluDV4mLVBoh33i-SArWJ3hIru97eTwOcWk4Wjeh8ZiktC3gBvXcgJSwR5N20QOXV-KGArtyT3k_Jz09QC/s1600-h/3-14-10+Portraits-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451470700099916162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoS2HMYePzNj9yf-YDBr3qrRdDPrtiMLtzJLJKXJDJqmjrRaERY4kJ9LhD2AluDV4mLVBoh33i-SArWJ3hIru97eTwOcWk4Wjeh8ZiktC3gBvXcgJSwR5N20QOXV-KGArtyT3k_Jz09QC/s320/3-14-10+Portraits-1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">With photography, beyond equipment, beyond settings, beyond composition, it ultimately comes down to one thing. Light. How you use it, how you don't, every photograph is how you were able to use light, to manipulate it, even to create it. There are tricks when it comes to natural light, ways to move and position your subject to take full advantage. However, in a studio setting you really are in charge and the possibilities for what you can create are endless and really freaking cool! It really is amazing that with two lights, a sheet and a person you can create a photograph that looks like a painting.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">I've found that with creative pursuits I tend to get in my own way a lot, it's hard for me to trust my instincts and get out of my head, that was my main roadblock with acting. With photography though, as soon as I am behind the camera I just let go and let instinct take over. I am so fully in the moment that I don't have time to over think it, I have time only to do, and try, and experiment. It feels fantastic! I'm 28 years old today, and while I feel like life is flying by, it's good to know that I'm still learning, still growing, and that it's never too late for something new!</span><br /></div></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 224px; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451469697270175938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil9HohuTLwkBTfV70GCkWVrWx-tg6Ul_8aG-90eCKZt5lR_V3VzuV121TeMWwtou3b5ClMyo89-KavuSzcAN2L1GKlzwV5osSmXD6jH6tfjArpW4IdjFtDLyM9xlAtnUiSfudR_iw7Wti/s320/bday-1.jpg" /><br /></p><div align="left"></div></div></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-53019625888733567472010-03-08T16:34:00.000-06:002010-03-23T08:45:48.219-05:00Ice Queen<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5wErbD76cwk7PTN_2LUen_YpRUpKUbvOTFy6tTX3mz7LyBhikp-9GnEk8LOWuNuJ4kpXENTx_Ij8ymaeCH28q-x5ENPhzrK0Fr6xoDmwvqCz_6pW3QkL-0CnXvcatL66hIiJRynjvC8P/s1600-h/26921_399667220760_505195760_5387768_3046411_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446401599867691810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5wErbD76cwk7PTN_2LUen_YpRUpKUbvOTFy6tTX3mz7LyBhikp-9GnEk8LOWuNuJ4kpXENTx_Ij8ymaeCH28q-x5ENPhzrK0Fr6xoDmwvqCz_6pW3QkL-0CnXvcatL66hIiJRynjvC8P/s320/26921_399667220760_505195760_5387768_3046411_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The Assignment: photograph a bride and add in a little whimsy! I was able to con a friend of mine into signing on for the photo shoot, despite the chilly weather and the fact that her dress was strapless! We had a great time though and got some amazing shots, helped in no small part by the fact that she is gorgeous and a natural in front of the camera. It was my first time doing something like this and I loved it. All my nerves vanished once I started shooting and my mind just clicked along seeing possibilities in everything. It was an incredible feeling and if poor Keysha hadn't been turning into an icicle I could have shot all afternoon! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">In the end I think my favorite photos involved a cool pair of metal steps we discovered on the beach, and the contrast of the coat and scarf over her gown. You just never know what's going to yield the most interesting results. And of course, it wouldn't be a post with out Oz sticking his nose in there somewhere! </span></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDUYJp_d3KXRFZaC0ShFARwaTQ4_pHRzYLFrRLSxvEA_Ijr1JRQ7YsZL2pv8iZAK67RcZzptIQsdoSFo_5KtV34_lKzNF31snG-3DAN-JXDarzadFJwOowG907GaZOeohyphenhyphenMqi-PS9PrhN/s1600-h/26921_399667220760_505195760_5387768_3046411_n.jpg"></a></p></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446396928370863330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACqNmCUP-84yPp99p17_la6e1GLYJdl2XQDnQ6JkcpEzlP25DwXOLI_aDMfY6ilqzOpGF7F9vjGJhd3QVuPS2P5S5DdqLwoikpFzI1NNtdqvaco2YkohcRLHM7BE8CmlqV_nkKgr7c0qM/s320/26921_399666795760_505195760_5387731_7509434_n.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446396849283049634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT0ai-X37nacMZSXWFsrp21GpjUwCrJBpv0nHDYCMF5OweeW1kHDsJXN0BtjTPQH9yh5PsTAQ1hC-KJZvHIYhr_JNV4OxnG0aIK72ujGpG2iok3cEpkOsAdikuZDxMbBSNyao6jQEeQL_/s320/26921_399667275760_505195760_5387773_6440153_n.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446397006440768834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSowEFD7UV0abTuyL6Vt-9z1zH3UxAJ61ldBL3UWnbAZALf1jhCChkD4ao9iR6JhnYuDSTOKblpzJGTeX80Q-mCqCF7klzLGDICY6eZRrv_ijMFFWsVYfGV7xU-CQnVfKWG1GGjFuV0hS/s320/26921_399667155760_505195760_5387762_5861186_n.jpg" /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDUYJp_d3KXRFZaC0ShFARwaTQ4_pHRzYLFrRLSxvEA_Ijr1JRQ7YsZL2pv8iZAK67RcZzptIQsdoSFo_5KtV34_lKzNF31snG-3DAN-JXDarzadFJwOowG907GaZOeohyphenhyphenMqi-PS9PrhN/s1600-h/26921_399667220760_505195760_5387768_3046411_n.jpg"></a></p>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147728939255694082.post-12782935822790797942010-03-05T09:37:00.001-06:002010-06-21T15:54:50.516-05:00Kick Start<span style="font-family: arial;">I work in an office, in a cubicle really, and even though I have great windows with an excellent view of Union Station with plenty of sunshine, it's still a cubicle. I started my job as a temp and got hired permanently for being so awesome, and there really is a lot that's great about it. All the coffee I can drink, walking distance to a gym, smack dab in the middle of the city, but what started as a great way to have Insurance and a paycheck that facilitated travel and figure out what I wanted to do with my life as I drifted away from Acting began to leach all creative thinking from my brain.<br />
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I knew I needed to kick start the creative part of my brain that's been taking it entirely too easy. I have always loved taking photos, of anything and everything, I love having that tangible reminder of moments in my life, and photos (especially in the age of digital!) take up way less space than a collection of snow globes. I got myself a Nikon D3000 DSLR starter camera and classes at the Chicago Photography Academy and now I am loving life! I'm thinking creatively, I'm surprising myself, I'm being pushed out of my comfort zone and feeling sick to my stomach over assignments and I'm loving every minute of it.<br />
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I plan to use this blog to share my work as I learn and improve and get myself deeper into this Photography business. I think it's love and it's getting pretty serious!<br />
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I'll leave you with a photo of my adorable pup Oz and the namesake for this blog.</span><br />
<div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpn0Xi98A18VtfuKBj-7LefKsuLUCdIbjZmTlxiLwX8KRjKOF2RiayTdb_pIjIeCTLj6_f3u4iUBGpxaK9uJz0EUq1wlSp6_rYrf0GnG05w3cOSJJ0vLl6KyaC5fNtQLHEGho5iW9T8pr/s1600-h/Misc-8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445177046465048082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpn0Xi98A18VtfuKBj-7LefKsuLUCdIbjZmTlxiLwX8KRjKOF2RiayTdb_pIjIeCTLj6_f3u4iUBGpxaK9uJz0EUq1wlSp6_rYrf0GnG05w3cOSJJ0vLl6KyaC5fNtQLHEGho5iW9T8pr/s320/Misc-8.jpg" style="float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></div>Brighidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973551991194910686noreply@blogger.com1