Life Affairs

It's been a long time since I tried my hand at a scrapbook contest, but the other day I came across a contest at 'The Little Shabby Box' and just had to give it a try. The best part of it is that I can now send the cards to my swap partner. I sure hope she likes them. The contest was fun and I enjoyed twisting the sketches provided in order to come up with a nice design for my cards.


I also want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Black Friday!!!

So I've come to the realization that I'm terrible at keeping up with posting stuff. And sadly, if this keeps up I'm gonna lose my bet. So from here on out, the goal is once a week, at least.

Yesterday while making dinner, I realized I haven't been doing any of the small things I used to do. It's too easy to get caught up in life and forget about the little things. These are the things that maybe get done everyday (like someones taking out the trash) or hardly at all (like sending someone a letter), but these things are all equally important. So try to say thank you to your husbands for mowing the lawn, or your wives for making dinner.  Tell them what a great job it was. Because we all like a little praise once in a while. 
And make something ordinary a little bit more extrodinary. When making cookies, make the ones so and so likes. Or send a friend an e-greeting just because. 
 Last night I made pizza for my family. And since my brother was having a bum day, I added his name (which I cut out of pepperoni) to his anti-veggie slice. It brightened his day and was hardly any extra work on my part. But cheering someone up is, in my oppinon, well worth any amount of work.

Last Saturday, I for the first time, visited Portland's Famous Underground. Though sadly I didn't see, feel, or sense a single lingering spirit, I did get to hear a lot about Portland's history. I learned about the White Slavers and just how much trafficing in persons Portland was actually doing.  I got to see and walk in areas of Portland that many have not.  I got to breath in the dust and dirt of the floor and try to weave in and out of spiderwebs. I got to trip over dirt and rocks and try not to hit my head on hanging pipes. I got to try to listen to the tour guide while other members of our tour were trying to scare eachother and fake encounters. And while all of that may not seem amusing, I actually enjoyed my trip. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, that I am planning on venturing back down to the underground, but without the tour this time.  The underground is dug out solely by volunteers. Less people means more chances to see what others swear to have seen, right.  And while I am not a believer of supernatural photography, I would at least like the chance to expirement myself. ^-~
For anyone who has not gone, I would recommend doing so. The history alone, is very worth it.  As for the underground itself, it truely is.....like several connected basements.  Sorry if this ruins the "magic" for you, but that honestly is what it is. It's a maze of connecting basements. Unfortunately many have been concreted up or lost under 3 levels or more of dirt. So most of them are not visible or open to view. But with the help of more volunteers, we may be able to restore Portland's Underground to the dark and mysterious place it's supposed to be.

 This one turned out with a red glow, but there weren't any red lights around. Explain that.


Post 5 of 6 months

Last week I had the joy of photographing one of Portland's great BMX riders, David Joy.  David amazed me with trick after trick. He went from grinding rails and fences to wall taps to even riding veritcally up a tree.  Check him out on myspace-you wont be disappointed!
http://www.myspace.com/davidjoyisquality








Post 4 of 6 months

This last weekend, I took a road trip to eastern Oregon to attend a wedding. The day was perfect and I got some great shots! The bride was so happy it was really easy to capture her mood throughout the day. 


post 3 of 6 months

Past the Multnohma Falls area and past the John Day Dam, just a little farther up,
you will come to a rest stop. If you have no need of stopping, then please, let me give you one. Or rather about 20+ reasons. At this rest stop are the cutest, fuzziest and most friendly squirells you may ever meet. No these lilttle guys aren't pets or an attraction, they are wild animals who obviously dont mind a hand out. So be sure to bring some fruit, granola, raisins, etc with you because you are in for a treat.




Post 2 of my 6 months

 I created this account last week after a conversation with some friends. The coversation went like this-
me: Blogging isnt hard, its just like writting in a journal or an e-mail. How hard is that?
Friend A: I didn't know you blogged....
me: I dont. 
Friend B: Then you cant say you know how hard it is. It might be like writting in your journal, but that journal is open to the entire web world. You have to be careful what you write. You cant just write anything. If you did, people might think you're wierd or crazy.
Me: uhh...writting a blog is wierd and when have people ever called me anything but those two words...?
FA: You're not crazy....
Me: Thanks...
FB: Why dont you start a blog? Then you'll see how hard it is to come up with suitable things to write about.
FA: Yeah, thats a great idea!
Me: ..........
FB: I don't think you could do it.
Me ...I can blog. Its not that hard.
FB: Wanna bet?! I bet you wont make it 6 months, let alone a month.
Me:...I'll take that bet.

So here we are. 
Day 1; post 1 of my 6 month blog bet.
Wish me luck.