climbing to the sky

I got to shoot photos and videos of our bridge inspectors yesterday climbing and inspecting Denver's Millennium Bridge. It was thrilling and amazing watching them climb the long cables and hang out on the top of the bridge mast. All the passersby on the pedestrian bridge were pretty thrilled too, especially the little boys. Although one boy's mom was not thrilled when I pointed the climbers out to her son: She gasped when she saw them high in the sky and said to her boy, "Don't ever do that!" Hee.

It was a beautiful day to be outside, and I think I got some wonderful shots. Wish I could do that (and the video editing) all the time for my job!

back from a fantasyland

We took a fun vacation last week to Orlando. Who knew there would be such a beautiful replica of Hogwarts there? Universal really did a great job with the Wizarding World. Walking through Hogsmeade, drinking a butterbeer, going on the Forbidden Journey with Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and doing the Dragon Challenge - awesome rollercoaster! - all of the Wizarding World experiences were fantastic.

Oh, and Walt Disney World was pretty great too. Especially loved Rockin' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios. And we also really enjoyed Mission: Space at Epcot. Tried it the easy way first, and it was a little too bland. Then we decided that the next day we would opt for the deadly "orange" version of the ride where it spins you so fast you feel the Gs like you are really taking off. Awesome.

We all four got along pretty well most of the time too, especially for spending almost every moment together for a full week. It was definitely the kind of vacation from which you need a vacation, though! So glad to be home!

still posting, still not much to say.

I like this photo because of the sweet bokeh in the background. It was really hard to get the camera to focus on that sad skinny little dying flower, but I like how it turned out when it finally did.

Hope this picture is worth 1000 words, because I don't have much left to say. I did write my 750 at 750words.com this morning, which is a totally awesome site.

day 2

This is more camera play from the other day...lying in the grass. The grass is still green, but the fallen leaves are golden. I love this time of year.

camera play

I am still learning the ins and outs of my Nikon D60. I like the small depth of field in this shot. I really need to shoot more photos.

like / no like

I like this time of year when I'm feeling all organize-y and self-improvement-y. I don't like that I haven't been sleeping very well and that I have awakened the last couple days with one eye so puffy that when I look down I can see my own face.

I like that I have work again (yay for not getting laid off! yay for earning money!) I don't like that I have so much trouble fitting in creative pursuits and working out when I am working any appreciable amount.
I like that I have video evidence of playing the piano with my daughter. I don't like that all I can see when I look at the video my hubby posted on FB (not the one that photo is taken from) are the weird and unattractive faces I make when I play the piano and the most horrific double-chin I have ever seen. Now on display for all my friends (and work colleagues, and old boyfriends, and so on...) to see. Argh.

So, in the spirit of my self-improvement-y feeling, how do I solve these "dislikes"? Well, I really need to get over worrying about what I look like, especially when my image gets put out there for all to see. It's just life. I'm living it, flab and weird faces and all. If I really, really try to fit in the exercise, I will sleep better and be less puffy. And maybe improve the double-chin, too.
Off to go work out now!

starting to get there

I am finally starting to actually do some things I want to do. It's really too bad that I can only do that when I am not working. Or hardly working. I have to scrounge and scrape for hours at work anymore...think I am coming to the end of this pretty sweet gig. I worked 8 hours this week -- woo. Better than nothing, but it's kind of a bummer to be on the payroll and still have to beg for work. I am meeting with some people at another company next week, so we will see how that pans out. I need to finish updating my resume. I really would rather be doing another kind of work, so I am slowly exploring what kinds of options I might have. I really want to write more, and edit web writing rather than manage proposals. I am freakin' sick of proposals.

The good news: I have been playing the piano for like an hour every day. I got recruited to perform a duet with my daughter of a little swingy jazz tune for an ensemble event put on by the music teachers' association, and I really enjoyed it! We performed at the cafe of the fancy new Whole Foods, and then we performed it at the event last Saturday. We both made little mistakes and both felt kind of like it wasn't as good as we could have been, but then we got the marks from the judge, and they were glowing reviews! She praised our excellent jazz technique and swing rhythm and our technical wonderfulness. And she commented on what a fun thing it was for a mother and daughter to do together. It sure was.