Perfectly Macrolicious Sunday

It was just about a perfect day.
I got to talk to Curtis.
I took a great nap.
I had leftovers from a yummy dinner I cooked last night.
I got a pretty pink pedicure
I saw and purchased a new jacket at Chico's at a major discount.
I caught up with my friend, Alicia.
I got six loads of laundry done.
The only bad part is that I had to drink three-day old coffee (that's the max I go in old coffee, I swear) this morning.

It's my turn to meet my end of the challenge I have with Copper Diem Amy, so here are my picture experiments while trying to take macro shots.  They're all out in my Flickr stream.  Since the inspiration is the ABS Challenge painting, I decided to go dig for some beads that could turn into something good.  Lo' and behold, I have the PERFECT Lisa New lampwork focal.  I'm so excited!  Anyway, here are my shots...



These are my favorite out of about 20 shots.  Normally I'd have to take a lot more, but in the process of manipulating the camera and little tripod around, I was starting to get pissed because I dropped the camera on the floor twice.  Nothing broken or damaged, but I had to take a break and then the sun went down and my light source went out. 




I can't wait to put this whole bit together. I was reading the latest Belle Armoire Jewelry and have lots of idea.

The Magic Number: 77.5

What does that mean?  I passed my fitness test!

In almost nineteen years of service, I have never been confident that I'll pass.  Most years I can manage it--and some of it was easy because I was a triathloning skinny lieutenant--but I've had some pretty down moments.  Yesterday's was actually a re-test because I didn't pass 90 days ago.  Sure, I know I should be healthier.  Sure, I know I should go to the gym more.  Sure, I know that exercise is fun.  haaaaaaaaaa  Okay, I'm still trying to believe that one. 

There are plenty of professional consquences to being a chunk--you'd think that would be motivation enough to go to the gym.  But, instead I stress about it and almost cry as I slowly finish my mile and a half.  Get a visual on that one, it's sort of funny.

But, it's a new year and as I turn forty (seriously?)...I'm going to attempt to stay focused on being healthy.  My trainer who's a wonderful AF SNCO, has been a great help and motivation--he even ran with me yesterday and literally yelled at me when I whined that I wanted to walk.  In the last 90 days I lost nine pounds and two inches on my waist with his help.  Whoo hoo.  Plus, last weekend I got into size 12 jeans.  I almost cried. So, we'll see how it goes.

If you're not in the AF and wonder how you'd measure up, here's a link to the charts with the latest standards .
You've got:
 - One minute of push-ups
 - One minute of sit-ups
 - Your waist circumference
 - A mile and a half run.
And it's all based on your age group. 

Yes, if you look at the charts you'll see I only passed by two points, but that's still a pass and I'm happy...and two inches skinnier in my size 12 jeans.

Coast to Coast Challenge with Amy F.

The other day when I posted about my new camera I got lots of great comments and encouragement--thanks!  One note, though, from Amy F. at Copper Diem got me thinking...she said that she's been so focused on her day job and making jewelry that she's let her photography fun fall by the wayside.  So, I asked if she'd be interested in a little challenge so we could work with each other to learn, practice, and be inspired.  I heard back from her today that we're on!

The plan:  use the Art Bead Scene January challenge color scheme for inspiration--there's purple buried in there, so it'll be a great way to find interesting and exciting color combinations.

We're going to focus on macro shots--these are really up-close pictures.  Bead and jewelry shots will be a certainty, but food, flowers, and other organic subjects are also going to be big players.  I think some textiles and textures will be fun, too.

Since we still both have to work and make jewelry, we're shooting for a weekly post to share.  Plus, we're going to use flickr to share--once there's pics in there, I'll hook up the links.

It's going to be hard without a macro lens.  Amy's lucky enough to have one--she saved up for it and, to quote her, "LOVES to pieces!"  I'm going to focus on my aperture adjustments and my baby Rebel's standard macro setting.

Here's another shot of the palette from the ABS post.  I love that the purple is called "strikemaster." 

If you want to play along, feel free...nothing super-organized, just leave comments to share posts!

Raptor Leaf

Driving onto base the other day, as I handed my ID card to the security guard, an F-22 Raptor took off just to the left of the gate where the runway ends.  It was really loud and really cool.  I was distracted as I drove through and watched for the other jets taking off behind the first.  I managed not to crunch into the car in front of me, but the sound of jets is an awesome way to start the morning--even though I wasn't really looking forward to taking my bed-headed self to the gym.

I had a great workout, but realized that I left my towel in the car.  Luckily I realized that fact before I took off all my clothes--that's happened a few times before and putting sweaty clothes back on isn't really that pleasant.  Well, as I walked out to the car, I looked down and saw a little leaf on the ground that looked just like a jet!  It was a little Raptor Leaf!  Luckily my Rebel Baby was in the car because I was taking it to work to document the tearing up of cubicles (in a good way).  So, there I was...on the ground trying to get an artfully macro shot of this leaf that looks like a plane.  I was probably at it for about five minutes before I realized that I really needed to get the towel and actually get dressed and go to work.

If you're not really thrilled with the Raptor Leaf, here's an actual F-22 pic...just for comparison.  Try not to get too excited, they're only worth about $150M each.  Compare that to my leaf which is priceless!  haaaaaaaaaa

Colour Spark

New year, new idea.  Well, I've had many, many ideas in the last couple of days, but haven't done much of anything other than spend quality couch time.  Apparently I have to write things down on a list with little squares on them to check off as I get them done.  I put some notecards in my purse to be ready in case of inspiration. 

But, on a bit of follow-through, I'm going to attempt to follow a little blogging theme this year.  I want to learn more about color, which I pronounce in some weird way as "keller" so I'm going to pick a color to focus on each month.  I like the exotic extra vowel in the word "colour" so that's the option I'm going with...an extra "u" with lazy diction.   Since I settled in with this pretty purple background, that's how it's going to start. 

Purple...there are tons more ways to express that color, but I don't want to waste all that verbiage in the first "Colour Spark" post.  Here's what I'm thinking...color combinations that use purple, other artists that feature purple, art beads in purple...mind you, it won't be purple every day, but I'm excited to have a little focus.

Here's my first installation.  This little optical treat came out of a pile of memory wire rings that I cut up to make wine-glass charms.  My mom gave me a big pile of them with a cute random assortment of beads for Christmas.  Now I'm all obsessed with making my own and coming up with a class to teach over at Bead Haven.  I had a huge bunch of ring-sized memory wire and was actually able to find it in my bead room.  I sat in front of the TV watching Modern Family (thanks to my friend, Brandee), cutting single wire loops, and then turning little loops on one end of each of them.  It was a good way to spend the afternoon...now I have about a hundred loops...and about a hundred pictures of piles of loops!  haaaaaaaaaaaaa

I just had a little karmic reinforcement...on Modern Family they're on vacation in Maui and Cameron and Mitchell are going to the lavender farm.  It's not as funny as Big Bang Theory, but close!  haaaaaaaaa

Workspace/Couch Management

I didn't realize quite what a disaster of creativity I created yesterday until I stepped out of the middle of it.  So, of course, I had to catch a picture of all those things required for me to be productive...

- photography books (multiple, with stickie notes)

- laptop (old, but functional, with lots of cat hair buried in the keys)

- four blankets and numerous pillows (in case a napping feeling comes on)

- water bottle and coffee cup are both there on the table (hydrating and dehydrating is a wonderful cycle)

- laptop webcam (in case Curtis is on Skype)

- TV remotes (because I have to switch between CNN, HGTV, and cooking channels)

- sleeping cat (because a project isn't complete without cat hair all over the place)

If I keep everything near or on the couch, I never have to leave it!  Perfect!

Wink in the New Year

My big guy, Brando, has been hanging out with me this morning on the first day of 2011.  He's been listening to me discuss potential goals and resolutions with myself and has actually decided just to roll over and fall asleep because it's not that interesting of a conversation.  haaaaaaaaaa

Big Boy Brando lost an eye in 2010, but he's looking forward to lots of naps and brushing in 2011!

I took Baby Rebel on a Picnik this morning along with my one-eyed sweetie and we had quite a little adventure.  It was a good way to start opening up the creative paths in my mind and start thinking about goals and objectives for 2011.

I'm going to floss my teeth more.  I resolve to do it every year and have actually gotten better.  I think it's because I have been turning more and more into my mother and she always has a piece of floss handy just in case.  Now I have a super-sized package of the finest minty floss with me in my purse, too.

There's probably something more important than flossing that should be a part of the plan...

I'm going to get to know my husband even more.  We only spent about two weeks together in 2010, so it's going to be an adventure when he gets back in less than 45 days.  We may or may not be living in the same city--that's one of the great things about assignments, you just don't know.  But, if things go as we expect, there'll only be a three-hour drive between us.  That's much better than a 9.5 hour time difference halfway around the globe!  Heck, we could even end up living in the same town...keep your fingers crossed.

I'm going to think more.  I'm going to make more.  I'm going to write more.  I'm going to talk to my friends more.  I'm going to sweat more.  I'm going to read more.  All of these things seem reasonable, right?  I think so...on that note, I'm going to finish this writing and go work out and read a magazine at the same time.  How about that for multi-tasking?  Whoo hoo!

Winks and love for the new year from me and my kitty boys...Brando, Frankie, and Curtis, the Night Cat.