La! La! La!

family x-mas portrait?

This is a very important image, because it consists of 5 adults and 4 species of animals, 5 if you include the humans involved. I have always considered myself a good photographer but I would never consider doing it professionally, simply because I do not like to take posed pictures. I am moody and like to take unique pictures, but a friend asked me to take a family picture of with her animals for a Christmas card, I was reluctant at first simply because I do not really have professional equipment and because I really can't get into it when I have to rely on posing but, I agreed and this is the end result it looks simple but this picture is a miracle. I had it in my mind that I was going to take a family picture, you know,husband, wife a horse and a dog, but when they picked me up and I shared the back seat with a cat, a rabbit and a very phsycotic little dog; I was quickly thinking how, in the world was I going to get them all to sit still for even 1 nanosecond to take get a respecting family picture worthy of representing the Christmas spirit? I started to sweat which led to hypothermic conditions; not fun. We got to the farm where the horse was housed, and I met my friend's daughter, son, son in-law, and two other dogs, I immidiately felt the tell-tale signs of stress creeping upon my body. It was a freezing cold and over-cast day, the surroundings were beautiful but the situation was MAD! (all the names have been changed to protect the innocent). All at once I was amidst pure chaos. I walked around taking random pictures hoping that I might, in the end be able to piece something together that resembled a Christmas card. Each individual animal had its own personality, to say the least, my favorite was the beagle, because she/he was quiet, cooperative and lay-back. The rabbit said little but I am not sure that rabbits utter any sort of sounds so I do not know if this was personality or just plain, the way it is. He/she seemed mellow and introspective as if to say (what the hell?). The cat a beautiful and very fat cat with the biggest blue eyes was in a quandary, he uttered these deep guttural meowing sounds and appropriately clawed into his master's shoulder, so as to say (what the hell?). Dog number one, a small headed, big bodied Chiguagua-mix was the equivalent of someone on methenphetamines, coffee and a large energy drink; he/she was in a frenzy of energy and ugly. She was always in motion, barking her shrill bark with her body moving in every direction and her eyes protruding with each bark. Dog number two was the beagle I mentioned earlier, calm, cooperative and so happy about wearing antlers (seriously, like that is a whole other animal, what the hell?) but she took it well. The third dog, a puppy, black lab (I think), was doing what puppies do, jump, yelp, and basically flutter with joy and energy; she/he posed a big challenge because I could not see where I was going to get it to sit for even one nanosecond at the same time the others would sit still. The horse was full of energy, he/she wanted to go out and trot and eat hay and maybe even whinny, but no, hell no, "I am going to wear a Santa hat, and pose with all these other animals and maybe even be expected to smile" (not enough carrots in the world for this, what the hell?). I have to reiterate, that it was freezing, and all the humans were wearing white thin shirts, a Santa hat and slacks and nothing else. I have to say that aside from the incredible experience, and comedy of events, the matriarch my friend in charge of this ordeal, had tenacity shown by her untiring event of trying to keep hats and antlers on all the creatures; including her family and by keeping her vicious unpredictable tea cup size Chiguagua, from biting the other animals (it did not work, somewhere between shoots she/he managed to grab the horses lip with her little needle sharp teeth and tear a piece of horse lip off). I took several pictures that with her permission I will post on face book, because they do tell the story of chaos and perseverance. I am one damn good photographer and feel lucky to have had this crazy holiday experience; thank you Jane (not her real name). Will I do this again, I will make sure to ask what type of creatures are involved next time. Merry Christmas! (no animals were hurt in the taking of this picture, well, ok, the horse was but not by me).

some family members!

These are just some pictures of my kids. Dylon with fish is Tim's son

At the top is Nataly and Art, her husband

Savannah, Travi's fiancee and Armani my 4 legged grand-son

Travis and his Cat Resin

Chris and his girlfriend Carolyn

Rachel and her husband Paul.

I was trying to think of a title for this post and I just can't seem to come up with one. It has been a while since I have taken the time to post anything, I think it is because I have been busy with my schedule. I changed from nights to evenings and I was hating that, so I had the opportunity to change from evenings to days and I am not too happy about that either which leads me to believe that I am just not happy. I know that I am ready for a change in jobs but for some reason I have not been able to get a different job, so that leads me to believe that the right thing will come about when I am really more receptive. I am taking a class in public health, it is quite interesting and has opened some doors or at least it has shown me some closed doors and I am thinking of opening them to see inside. I am getting together with our local director of public health to see if I can volunteer or maybe even get a job in this department. I would very much like to be part of my community by finding out what ails it and if there is a way I can help the people in it. I know that as a job, public health does not really pay well, but maybe a part-time job or even just volunteer some time might be good. I still have not started my big project for my Masters, I have just not been in the right mood, but I really have to consider starting since procrastinating in this area would be a bad thing, hmmmm...well I am thinking and I will make a commitment to set some times to start; this week. Tim is out of a job, that does not help my mood, since any little bit of money helps, but I guess I just have to let it be, it is not for the lack of his trying. Nataly is 33 years old as of yesterday, so happy to see my girl growing up, I wish her the best because aside from being my baby girl; she is awesome.

The boys seem to be doing fine, Travis is engaged, that makes me very happy. Chris is just working hard on his comedy and Rachel got married in September; it was a great wedding, in the rain. The dogs are just dogs, I hate my cats, they drive me nuts and my froggie just keeps on trucking. OK, sun is out, I must go and take a long walk in the fresh air. I am stewing because I just got paid and even though I was able to catch up with my mortgage payment; it left me penniless and I mean, nada, maybe 25 dollars to play with, shit! But my bills are paid and that does make me feel like I am working for something; not sure what but something.

The picture was taken on Sunset Beach, Tim and I were out for a walk, and I saw these men ocean fishing, so serene to watch them; I just love it.

angry horses

Why is it that Merry-Go-Round horses look so angry? has anyone ever wondered that? Their job is seemingly easy, they get to go around in circles while happy beautiful children ride on them....I mean, its not like they are a scary ride with the intent to scare the shit out of little kids, they are not the fast ride that causes all to up-chuck their cotton candy and ice-cream...They certainly are not the ride that turns you upside down and threatens your life, so then why the hostile faces? Surely it must get a little boring going round and round and round, but much of the time they are just sitting there. It seems as if they were frozen in a moment where there was much angst in their lives, but what? I don't mean to propose that I know the lives of Carousal horses, I do not know where they hang out on their off season but I can't imagine it to be any worse than hanging out in the ER, and you don't see us ER staff walking around with this face....no you don't so shut up.....we might look frustrated, because we are...we deal with lots of idiots. We might look tense, after all we are responsible for saving bodies, but you don't see anyone looking this intense while at work...what up horsies? talk to me....

This picture taken at the Clatsop County Fair...

Death

Death is just something that seems so scary, we all know we are going to die but few of us are willing to face it when it nears. You would think that we would be happy to escort a loved one to that final road yet we find it so difficult and painful, can't we just live with the beautiful memories when our loved one is gone? I am talking about someone that knows they are dying and have the time to clean house and say good-bye. My husband's step dad has a very short time to live and we are experiencing the hospice way of escorting someone you love, out on to their final destination........It is amazing and strange to participate in this journey. I will miss him very much because he has been a gentleman, soft spoken, witty and kind but I have fond moments that I will be able to resurface when I miss him and want to feel him near me! So to you wonderful man, I dedicate this saxophone tune, make it what ever song you want and may your journey be peaceful....I simply do not know what else to say!

I took this photo at the Sunday Market in Astoria Oregon...

Fasssssssssssst Foooooooooooood!

I am a full blooded American and would feel a certain disloyalty to my country if I denied allegiance to the fast-food industry; simply said, I love all fast food, Yes, there have been studies that fast food fed to monkeys, causes them to gain weight due to the trans-fat commonly found in fast food, but I do not McCare, monkeys should be eating bananas not hamburgers. I even heard or read somewhere that some people are suing certain fast-food restaurants such as McDonalds and Wendy’s, for making them fat, again I do not McCare, anything eaten in careless abandon is going to promote a few extra pounds. Fast-food restaurants provide quick service, good prices and delicious food, fast-food restaurants are a fixture in American culture, they give us the “Happy Meal” with a surprise toy and provide us with drumsticks that are finger-licking-good and fast-food comes in different flavors and textures, thick or thin crust. Who can resist the smiling face of a red-haired clown or the cute accent of a chihuahua or the handsome face of the Kernel that share our home through our wide screen televisions, day after day, luring us out of our “couch potato coma” to run out and purchase our daily intake. Critics say that the fast-food industry has caused ill effects on American life; I say that allegation is McCrazy, how can any meal claiming to be happy, cause ill effects? Fast-food restaurants are a Suburbia legend strategically placing themselves in busy places such as, highways, malls and other convenient easy access areas. Another plus to eating fast food; you can do it in the comfort of your cozy pink flying-pig pajamas, because with fast-food comes the comfort of the, drive-through service,and eventually you even manage to learn to love the math illiterate employees with their greasy skin and bad acne and after a few drive-thrus you learn to decipher the bad cutting out words on the microphone while you place your order;it actually becomes a second language. Fast-food restaurants offer the busy consumer a quick meal on their way home from work, school, or the gym they offer to sate your appetite on the way to the opera or on the way to pick up the dog from the groomers. The variety of fast-food available is only limited by your imagination your appetite and how much time you have, to eat. I love fast-food and all that it has to offer, excuse me, “yes, I would like a hamburger with pickles and mayo, hold the lettuce, a large fry and a strawberry malt.” Not that what you order matters since getting what you order is not always an option, but isn't that what Americans thrive on, the element of surprise? Ahh, but that will not deter me from eating at my favorite fast-food restaurants, no siree.