Racing for the Cure - 12 years cancer-free!

This weekend, I'll be doing Race for the Cure with my mom, a survivor of 12 years. This will be our 4th year, and we'll be joined by my Aunt Bobette and cousin Suzy. (It's also the ONE day a year I wear pink.)

I'm so proud of my mom and grateful for the doctors and medicine and technology that were around then so I can have her here now. This research is SO important.

Here's to many more years of racing and many more memories together!

9 years!

10 years!

11 years!

Cheeseburger Chowder

On February 1, 2011, I trekked to Smokey Row in my Nanook of the North hat to get coffee and cheeseburger chowder. Blizzards are kind of fun when you don't have to drive in them.

New Direction for 2011

More frequency.
More photos.
Less commentary.
Less obsessing.


We'll see how it goes!

Epitome of Summer

So I completely failed at the DAILY part of this photo project... But I'm not going to give up all together. From now on, I'm going to try to do at the very least a WEEKLY photo. If I have inspiration in between, I'll share those photos, too.

This one is from an Iowa Cubs game on a beautiful Saturday evening in Des Moines. Can you think of a picture that represents a good 'ole summer evening any better? I think I've mentioned it once or twice... but I love the city I live in. (Click on the photo to enlarge and get the full effect of the panorama.)

Census 2010

Sorry for my absence in posts lately... I've been crazy busy with work and life.

There's been lots going on, but nothing I've felt compelled to blog about.

Until now.

This is probably one of the most exciting things that's happened to me of late...

the 2010 Census.

It's not that the census is the most exciting thing of all time. It's just that I feel that I'm participating in history or doing my civic duty. The census is only taken once a decade, and this is my first chance to fill it out.

Last week, we got a letter from the Census Bureau, and I thought it was the actual census. Nope. It was a letter warning us that we were going to receive the real deal in a week or so. I was so excited that I warned my roomie to not even THINK about filling out the Census, because I was doing it.

The act of filling out the census wasn't even that exciting... I answered a few basic questions, and I was done. Whoop-dee-doo... Oh well... civic duty and all that, right?

On a final note, I think the Census 2010 commercials have been very good. I've heard a good one on the radio about towns not having enough teachers and stoplights. I've also seen some good ones on TV. I think they evoke a sense of responsibility... at least they did for me!

January 19 - Side-tracked

About the photo:

On my way back to Des Moines today, I was again noticing the pretty surroundings. It wasn't as foggy today as it was yesterday, and since there was also more daylight and it was less dangerous than taking pictures WHILE driving, I said "what the hay?" and decided to stop for a photo adventure.

I pulled onto a side road right before Atlantic, Iowa, and got out of my car to take a few photos. I started with the tree you see below on the right. The ice hanging on it was beautiful! Then I moved up the road a little and took a few more shots. The one below on the left is one I thought was funny and ironic because it shows the dirty snow that's never shown in pictures, but always comes with this weather!

Assessment:

• Color: Or lack thereof... I love the whiteness of this picture.
• Contrast: The branches against the white sky are really cool!
• Horizon: The fence on the horizon line is kind of eerie.
• Composition: Of course... the rule of thirds!

January 18 - Snowstorm

About the photo:

Okay, so I know it's bad to try to take pictures while driving in a snowstorm.... BUT it was so pretty, and I just couldn't resist. This photo was taken on my drive to my hometown, Clarinda, on MLK, Jr. Day. The roads weren't really too bad (so don't yell at me too much), but there was quite a bit of fog, and it made my surroundings looks so magical. I took these with my small Canon PowerShot, and because I was focusing on the road, I didn't even really look at the camera while I shot the picture. This shot was my favorite of about 15 that I took.

Assessment:

• Composition: I love the composition of this picture. The passenger-side door kind of acts as a frame, and I really like the reflection you see in the mirror. The main focus of the photo is in the center of the image, but I like how the ground acts as an anchor and the tree limbs extend up, almost vanishing into the foggy sky.
• Color: I enjoy that this photo is almost monochrome in a blueish-gray shade.