I'll be taking another hiatus from this blog while I take care of some things. I hope to return soon though. And once spring is in the air I'll be blogging like crazy I'm sure. Spring always gets me cranked up, I'm getting excited just thinking about it. But I need to remind myself to be patient because spring and summer come much later in the mountains, and that's where I prefer to be.
Peace,
Angela
I drove to Mt. Rainier Saturday thinking it was sunny enough to get to see something but it turned out to be quite cloudy. I still had a nice Saturday though, saw a few deer and had lunch at the National Park Inn. The weather Sunday was even worse so I stayed in and messed around with black and white photos. Today, of course, was a sparkling sunshiney day. Much like the day I took this photo.
This is what the mountain should have looked like on Saturday. I guess I'll just have to be patient and wait for summer. Not my greatest strength.
Okay, so now you know what I did with my Sunday. In my defense, I also did 3 loads of laundry.
I'm probably breaking all kinds of copyright laws here, but I made myself a couple of wallpapers with Ansel Adams photos, to use as inspiration. I'm going to share the inspiration here, please don't sue me. Thanks.
Inverted Colors
© 2009 Best's Studio Inc DBA The Ansel Adams Gallery. All rights reserved.
P.S. For the Flickr-challenged, click on the image then select 'All Sizes' then 'Original' size, right click and set as background.
I still haven't done any studying online or otherwise to improve my photography skills. It's much like my tendency to buy something and assemble it or just start using it without reading the directions. I've done little more than glance at the directions for every camera I've ever purchased, and even less for my current camera. I honestly don't know if I do it out of haste, laziness, or maybe I just enjoy the challenge and reward of figuring it out on my own. It's probably a combination of all 3. I don't know what ISO or any of those technical photography terms mean. I'd like to learn someday, but I just haven't gotten around to it.
Regardless, I've been looking over Ansel Adams' photographs recently and have become inspired to do more dabbling in black and white. If you haven't checked out his gallery, I recommend it whether you are into to photography or not, his work is breathtakingly beautiful.
http://www.anseladams.com/ansel_art/AA_slideshow.html
I was looking through some of my photo archives tonight and came across previous shots of Snoqualmie River/Falls and thought I'd compare the water levels to the recent flooding.
Snoqualmie Falls
5/4/08
10/18/08
1/8/09
Flood stage
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
1/18/09
Snoqualmie River
(just downstream from the falls)
10/18/08
1/8/09
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
The river is at the top of the screen. I'm fairly certain that green bridge (center top) is where I was standing looking upstream when I took the previous photo. The power of Mother Nature huh? I feel for the people who live in those houses.
I had more/possibly better shots however approx 400 of my photos were recently corrupted and many of them happened to be taken at Snoqualmie :(
MSNBC.com
Nice.
I'm not feeling very verbose today but happy nonetheless. Did you see our new Commander-in-Chief mess up his oath today? He looked a little more Clark Kent than Superman while being swore in, all that was missing was the nerdy glasses. I laughed and found it endearing. I hope it wasn't a calculated attempt to lower our expectations of him, lol. No, it was genuine and I felt for him, he must have been so very nervous with the whole world watching, I can't even imagine. He seemed to recover though and go on to deliver a nice Inaugural Address. Another person I don't envy these last few weeks is his speech writer, or rather team of. That's a lot of pressure man. I'm going to go finish watching the rest of his speech now. Later Gator.
Okay, so the weekend got off to a rough start but it's Martin Luther King Day and I am SO happy about the National Rally Against Hunger taking place in D.C. today. I would have loved to be there. The fact that my favorite male singer Josh Groban is participating and supporting this cause makes it even better. *heart bubbles* I'm not a really a fan-girl, I am just completely and utterly in love with his voice. I'll see if I can find a photo or some footage of the rally to post this week. I'm also looking forward to the inauguration tomorrow, it's a proud day for the U.S.
Well, the weather turned out pretty okay this weekend. Today there's lots of sun and fog in low-lying areas, which is where I live. The sun was out yesterday too, along with some clouds, fog, and strong gusting winds. I took a long drive through Snoqualmie Pass and back, then to Snoqualmie Falls and North Bend. I saw some really beautiful scenery. The lighting was spectacular as the sun was going down over Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest and sunlight streamed through the misty clouds highlighting the mountains like a heavenly spotlight. I didn't feel like stopping for photos, I just enjoyed the view and tried not to get into an accident on the highway while looking about. I did take a couple photos at Snoqualmie Falls though. This one is my favorite because it demonstrates how windy it was.
Were it not for my tripod I never would have gotten a steady shot. The guy standing next to me nearly had the camera ripped from his hands by a gust of wind. You can also see some tree and log debris at the top of the falls left by the recent surging flood waters. Here's a full shot of the falls
And what it looked like during the flood on January 8th:
ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Amazing huh? Well, that's all for today, I've got laundry to do. Tomorrow it's back to work for me.
Article below as published on the Feeding America website.
A National Rally Against Hunger to be Held on Martin Luther King Day in Washington, DC at the Martin Luther King Library
Chicago, Illinois
January 15, 2009
Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, announced today that on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 19th, at 12:00pm, they will hold a national rally against hunger with Martin Luther King III, David Arquette, and musical performances by Josh Groban and Herbie Hancock. Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks, is a supporting partner of President-elect Obama's and Vice President-elect Biden's "Renew America Together" national day of service that calls on Americans of all ages to participate in community service and help fellow citizens. The national rally against hunger will take place at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library in Washington, DC and benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, a member of Feeding America. The announcement was made today by Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.
The national rally against hunger is an effort to raise awareness of the tragic reality that more than 36 million Americans, including 12 million children, are living on the brink of hunger. At the rally, people will be asked to skip lunch for a day and to donate either the food or the money they would spend on lunch to the Capitol Area Food Bank. Also beginning on Monday, January 19th, Feeding America’s member food banks will be hosting events nationwide urging people help the hungry in their communities by either donating food or funds. The “Renew America Together” initiative begins on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor the legacy of a man who lived his life in service to others. On the eve of the Inauguration, thousands of community service events will take place in Washington and all across the country.
Vicki Escarra said, “Feeding America is pleased to see the incoming Administration’s continued commitment to feeding hungry Americans, and we are honored to have Martin Luther King III, David Arquette, Josh Grobin and Herbie Hancock helping us lead in the fight against hunger. The national rally against hunger will serve as a tribute to hungry Americans and call upon the American public and elected officials to support their food banks in these challenging times of unprecedented need for emergency food assistance.”
“On this most historic of King Holidays, I am honored to stand with Feeding America in the fight against hunger in this country,” said human and civil rights leader Martin Luther King III. “In this time of such grave economic challenge, it is now more important than ever we join hands to ensure that every American be afforded the most basic of needs.”
David Arquette, who chairs Feeding America's Entertainment Council, is particularly moved to take part in the rally against hunger. "My parents instilled in me and my siblings the importance of celebrating Martin Luther King Day. Perhaps that is why I have become involved in service to others--the lessons of my parents and the legacy of Dr. King. It is an incredible honor to have Martin Luther King III join us in ending hunger in America on the day we remember the great service his father gave to our nation,” said Arquette.
One in eight Americans do not always know where they will find their next meal. According to the USDA, there are 36 million people at risk of hunger in the US, 12 million of which are children. In December 2008, Feeding America conducted a survey of 160 food banks nationwide – the results were troubling with food banks reporting a 30 percent increase in demand for emergency food assistance, compared to one year ago.
I was dreaming of sunny, 50+ degree days spent taking road trips here and there, as well as taking hundreds of photos to bore you with. But so far the long weekend is not off to a good start.
I had a doozy of a headache last night so I turned in early, then awoke this morning with a whopping migraine. I took some Excedrin and laid there in misery, feeling like my head would explode from the pressure on my cranium, until eventually the pain must have faded to the point where I fell back asleep, but I don't recall. I woke up a little past noon feeling generally okay. Until I went to take the garbage out and could see my breath in the air but little sun. Ain't no way it was in the 50's. Looks like the mediocre-ologists lied again. You'd think I'd learn not to put stock in what they say by now, but I couldn't help but hope for some nice weather. Things could definitely be worse though. Life is generally good but I need to complain a little cuz that's just me.
Something good came out of today though, I've decided to do something about my declining health. I've been getting more frequent migraines among other issues I've been ignoring and it's time I did something about it. So I spent a few hours today taking steps towards improving my health. I did some online research, ordered some products, and created a 2009 Health Plan for myself. I'm excited to get started and start feeling better. Here's another thing that makes me feel better, a nice photo. (You thought I was gonna say a nice kitty collage. You lucked out this time.)
Sunrise at Reflection Lakes at Mount Rainier
I've been fighting a serious case of cabin fever lately, pining for those summer weekends when I'd be gone from sun-up to sun-down both days, hiking or just tooling around in my car snapping photos. So I've been re-living it by going through a gazillion photos like the one below, take at Paradise at Mt. Rainier.
I just stare longingly at these photos whilst sighing. (And the world's tiniest violin plays just for me)
But since that's not a very healthy weekend pastime activity, I've joined a book club and am looking at joining some other social clubs as well. It's time for me to get out of the house and be social. You know, have conversations with real people instead of just talking to my cat and this blog (AKA myself, no one in their right mind reads this stuff!) Still I continue writing out of enjoyment and in the hopes someone will stumble across it one day, read all the archived posts and say 'That Angela had a lot of spare time on her hands.'
Anyway, what I'm trying to get around to is we are supposed to have decent, somewhat sunny in the 50's weather over the long weekend and I am going to get out and enjoy it. I may even have some brand new photos to post (Non-existant readers everywhere are crossing their fingers and toes.)
That's all for now.
Can you smell it in the air? I do believe that's change brewing.
With the fast-approaching inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th president, there has been so much Obama-mania that it's difficult even for a skeptic like myself not to get swept up in the growing wave of excitement and hero-worship. But I find myself a little divided over this matter, or plainly put, it's like there are two people in my head. And apparently they both speak in run-on sentences. Let's meet them, shall we?
The Reserved, Slightly Jaded Skeptic:
Yes, this inauguration is historic and momentous. It's difficult, if not impossible to put into words what it means to the people of this nation, especially those of African descent. The symbolism is huge but the man, well at the end of the day the man is just a man; a man who happens to be a brilliant politician; a man who happens to be an evocative speaker and charismatic leader; but still, just a man.
Let's face it, the day this country would elect a black president was inevitable, it just happened to be him and happened to be now. Barack Obama, while viewed as a savior by many, has flaws just like you and I, he will make mistakes just like you and I, and we as a nation, battered as we may feel at this moment in time, cannot reasonably expect miracles from him. I, for one, am not willing to place him near the elevations of courageous men like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. just yet. I feel he has something to prove to this country and the world. We need to see more of him in action, we need to see him standing behind his oh-so-eloquent words, we need to see if he has chosen the right people to help him achieve his grand vision... I could go on and on with the specifics of what I believe we need in order to consider him worthy of all the hype, but I think everyone would agree that right now we just need a true leader, period.
The Daydream 'Drama-Queen' Believer:
I generally try to avoid reading the news (or browse it with caution) because of all the doom-and-gloom journalism out there. But today I was jumping and weeping for joy inside but too shocked to make even a facial expression outwardly as I read this:
"Thadeus of Lansing, Mich., asks, 'Is the new administration going to get rid of the "don't ask, don't tell policy?'"
said Gibbs, looking into the camera. "Thadeus, you don't hear a politician give a one-word answer much. But it's, 'Yes.'"
Oh. My. God. FINALLY.
Robert Gibbs is Obama's Press Secretary, which basically means he speaks directly for the president-elect. I can't believe he put it out there in black-and-white, non-retractable words! I can't believe it's happening this quickly! What does he have in store for next week's Inaugural Speech, guarantee of the permanent legalization of gay marriage nationwide? The invention of healthy, nutritious fast-food that helps you lose weight and still tastes like fast-food? (A girl can dream.)
So, is Barack Obama the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Here's one thing I learned about him today, he has guts. He has convictions and he backs them with strong words and fast action. That's something I can't say about the former objects of my admiration, Mr. & Mrs. Clinton. I respect their views and believe they genuinely care for and want better for the American people and for future generations. I believe in the vision they have for this country, but there's no denying their weakness on action and follow-through. I have felt let-down by each of them time and again, until I ultimately just stopped believing in them. It's one thing to have a clear vision and another to have the personal power and aptitude to make it manifest, and Mr Obama seems to possess both. I was thoroughly impressed by his actions today. And although I'm still weary of things too good to be true, I think I'm slowly becoming a believer.
I still think the shrine-like sales kiosk at Borders filled with endless images of Obama in proud, heroic poses on the covers of books, magazines, posters, calendars, etc. is a little too much. Gimme a few months though and ask me again...
Superman? We'll see.
I love b/w photography but as someone with zero photography-related training/education I find it challenging. I've always learned by trial and error until now, but I am going to start getting some tips and pointers off the web to improve my photo-taking and photo-editing skills.
Now that I look at it again, this photo looks a little more Sepia than B&W. I think. I better get to studying!
Although my trusty Weatherbug tells me it's 50 degrees right now, it's been feeling more like 40 lately - with rain and dark cloudy gloominess a-plenty. So I thought to myself - 'Self, why not take a trip back in time to gentler, friendlier weather?' 'Angela, you are a freakin' genius!' I believe was the reply. (Yes, I'm still talking to myself. Maybe the damp and sunless climate is making my brain moldy.) But anyway, here's a pic taken at Sunrise at Mt. Rainier (not literally at sunrise, that's just what they call the area within Mt. Rainier National Park.) 'Like they really care, just post the damn picture already.'
Geez, I can be kinda bossy.
P.S. I know I should be using double quotation marks but I just think singles look better and I use them inappropriately every chance I get. That sounded bad. I'm leaving now.
I don't have much to say at the moment but I wanted to post because I'm in love with this new template <3 <3
I had meant to post more Christmas photos, some from work festivities, etc but never got around to it. My mind has been in sort of a fog lately.
Here's a random photo I'm displaying in full-size splendor, just because I can. 
Hey, I should do a 'photo of the day' type thing on days when I'm not doing a regular blog entry. Good idea Angela, make it so. Forward thrusters engage.
It's just been one of those days. But no worries, I'm only talking to myself in quotes from fictional characters so it doesn't really count.
Wow, I'm impressed I remember any lines from STNY considering I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast this morning.
On second thought, maybe you should worry.
Cheers! Here's to new beginnings, fresh starts, and a new blog template that allows me to post nice big photos!
Woo-hoo!
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