tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167884662024-03-04T21:52:01.073-08:00Semi-Professional Muse for Hire: Reasonable RatesMaking sense in a world that refuses to, and never has, made sense - not even once, EVERAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.comBlogger462125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-46522557183919978582013-10-31T13:07:00.001-07:002013-10-31T13:09:24.451-07:00Hallowe'en<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/10546601386/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/10546601386_017b465e7e.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/10546601386/">little scarecrow</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/">Bloodlossgirl</a>.</span></div><p>I hope it's safe and enjoyable! <br /><br />Autumn has finally arrived in Clarksville. The leaf colors are blazing, and today we have proper Hallowe'en weather with a forecast containing crazy wind and rain and thunderstorms. There are wet leaves everywhere. I'll probably hunker down and make some cupcakes.<br /><br />Enjoy my little scarecrow. Last Saturday was Clarksville's "Fright on Franklin" event for children of all ages. I spent a good two hours photographing costumes, kids, decorations. It was windy and cold but great fun. This little guy was dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" for a while and it was too cute. <br /><br />I've made a surprising realization - I really like photographing children. Who'd have guessed? I don't mean in a formal portrait way, of course. It doesn't seem to be in my cards to have a passion for anything remotely commercially viable. I mean that I love making candid portraits of children, when they hardly know I'm there. I love the range of expressions they display before they learn how to control the face they show to the world. They are so present and fresh.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-11870762393115297522013-09-07T11:07:00.001-07:002013-09-07T11:08:10.851-07:00Parthenon steps<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/9681234564/" title="Parthenon steps by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/9681234564_9f33aaf41a_c.jpg" width="551" height="800" alt="Parthenon steps"></a><p>
Nashville has a full-scale replica of the Parthenon in one of its parks. No, I don't know why. I drove past it just about every day on the way to work, but never stopped to visit until my friend Lex was visiting this past week. We were walking around the side when this vista was in front of me. A photograph.
There's also a nice duck pond in the park, but I haven't processed those photographs yet. I'm finding myself quite in need of some rest and quiet this weekend.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-12710388798339292802013-09-07T11:02:00.000-07:002013-09-07T11:08:19.238-07:00First show<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/9645969515/" title="Canyon Road show by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/9645969515_e47a676efc_c.jpg" width="571" height="800" alt="Canyon Road show"></a><p>
The above photograph constitutes proof of my first solo photographic show! I was asked (with a week to get it ready) to be the Featured Artist for the month of September at Canyon Road Steakhouse, our new favorite restaurant in Clarksville, TN. With the help of our houseguest and a mad week of ordering prints and finding matting and frames, the show is now up. There are at least 20 photographs of mine hanging in that long hallway at the restaurant. Yee-haw! Not bad for the first couple of weeks of voluntary unemployment.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-19909723981327710702013-08-26T18:34:00.000-07:002013-08-28T08:30:58.222-07:00Hunting for NichesSo, it's been over a year since I posted in this blog. Alas, it's mostly due to being employed and having a long commute. Good news! Now I have neither of those things.
My dear friend Sarah at <a href="http://cloudofsecrets.blogspot.com">Cloud of Secrets</a> suggested, in lieu of photo walks (since we live far away from each other), that we participate in photographic theme challenges. Our first challenge was Hunting for "Niches" (small places, hidden places, special places), and you can view her lovely photographs, and the stories that go with them, <a href="http://cloudofsecrets.blogspot.com/2013/08/hunting-for-niches.html"> here</a>.
It took me a long time to do this assignment, but finally here are my "niches".
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/9601390643/" title="bridge to nowhere by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5537/9601390643_4eb36c0a97.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="bridge to nowhere"></a><p>
Niche #1: the Bridge to Nowhere. This bridge in Clarksville, TN is at the end of the Upland Trail that goes down to the Riverside. This end of the trail is near our house, and it dead-ends at this bridge. At one time they may have had plans (they may still) to extend the bridge and connect it to the park on the other side of the railroad tracks, but for now it ends here in a fence. This spring I noticed the padlock on the fence, with initials secured to it with tape. No doubt, the people who put the padlock on the fence meant to start a place of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_padlocks"> Love padlocks</a>. Now, the initials are gone - I don't know if this is due to the weather or on purpose, but it makes me a little sad. Maybe I should add a padlock of my own.<p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/9604630166/" title="go under the ivy by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/9604630166_e7262424c0.jpg" width="350" height="500" alt="go under the ivy"></a>
<p>Niche #2: Go Under the Ivy. This arbor is in the chapel garden at Silver Bay, NY. It's a place of cool, green peace; a place of quiet contemplation, and I like to walk the path there in the mornings before too many other people are stirring.
<p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/9601393197/" title="rest from your labors by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9601393197_16e95bb349.jpg" width="500" height="327" alt="rest from your labors"></a><p>
Niche #3: Rest From your labors. This corner is also in the Silver Bay chapel garden, a nice bench for reflection. Also, apparently, a temporary storage place for tools (they were there several days running).<p>
Our next assignment is "Dark Entries" - you can guess that two ladies of a gothic bent (You can take the girl out of Goth, but you can't take the Goth out of the girl)will have a fine time with that, as we go into the autumnal and spooky times of year. Stay tuned!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-30818842146142550142012-07-27T14:17:00.001-07:002012-07-27T15:44:43.576-07:00view from couchsachraga (a.k.a. "the dismal wilderness")<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/7658466610/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7658466610_86da195b01.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/7658466610/">view from crouchsachraga (a.k.a. "the dismal wilderness")</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/">Bloodlossgirl</a>.</span></div><p>It's almost the weekend, and I'm dreaming of upstate NY and the Adirondacks High Peaks, as pictured above (Couchsachraga Peak). We'll be there in just a week.<br /><br />In the meantime, I can ship order for prints or photocards through next Wednesday, before our travels begin, or when we return in August.<br /><br /><a href="http://bloodlossgirl.blogspot.com/2012/07/moved-sale-inventory-clearance.html"> Let me know if there are any prints or photocards you'd like to purchase </a> and I'll dispatch them ASAP.<br /><br />Heartfelt thanks to those who have ordered already! Your support means more than you know.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-11264217395000445302012-07-26T17:49:00.001-07:002012-07-26T17:49:14.758-07:00too darn hot<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/7653481410/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7653481410_122c43ef7b.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/7653481410/">too darn hot</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/">Bloodlossgirl</a>.</span></div><p>It's so unpleasantly hot outside, that the dog didn't even want to finish his usual walk today. It was too unpleasant to photograph outside; so I photographed him inside, instead. My roommates, Dr. Nick and Blixa, will find themselves fodder for photographic practice frequently from now on.<br /><br />Also, the dog is a ninja - having carpet means we can't hear him moving around as much anymore. He appears from nowhere.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-5493055550087884362012-07-25T18:01:00.001-07:002012-07-25T18:01:32.620-07:00sensing<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/7647177912/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7139/7647177912_11fbd2c226.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/7647177912/">sensing</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/">Bloodlossgirl</a>.</span></div><p>This is for my friend Miriam, at <a href="http://www.insidespace.blogspot.com/"> Inside Space </a>.<br /><br />I really don't have much more to add.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-58846016860705391592012-07-22T09:30:00.001-07:002012-07-23T14:24:43.899-07:00Moved Sale! Inventory ClearanceI’m not much of one to ask for help, usually I like to be first or second in line to give it. I consider myself a very fortunate person, with a very rich life, who is often cash poor. This is one of those times. I’m moved by the bravery of friends who’ve recently reached out for help to do the same.
<p>I’m living in a new town, without work yet (I had thought I’d be at least teaching water aerobics by now, but that hasn’t worked out), and our house hasn’t sold so we still have two sets of utility bills. I like to hold up my end of things. At the moment, all I’ve got is a masters degree, the fruit of my creative pursuits, and a backlog of photographic prints.</p>
<p>So, if you like my photographs and have a little discretionary income earmarked for arts or entertainment, do consider a purchase.</p>
<p>I have the following items to sell.</p>
<p><b>4 x 6 Photo greeting cards, blank inside</b>; for those of you who like to send cards, or as a gift for a friend of yours who does: I’m offering a set of 5 photocards for $10 each, plus $2.50 shipping. Shipping stays the same even if you buy multiple sets. What a deal!</p>
<p>Here is a link to single sets of 5 cards: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/sets/72157630695087818/">Single sets of five</a>, which includes this photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/4412049253/" title="At the corner of Classic & Modern by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2786/4412049253_b65310dd7f_t.jpg" width="100" height="72" alt="At the corner of Classic & Modern"></a></p>
<p>Here is a link to sets of 5 of which I have two to sell: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/sets/72157630695113846/">Two sets of five</a>, including this photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/5874374582/" title="post office by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5148/5874374582_d58c251811_t.jpg" width="100" height="64" alt="post office"></a></p>
<p>I have three sets of 5 of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6030124224/" title="after the rains by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6181/6030124224_b123b30f66_t.jpg" width="100" height="62" alt="after the rains"></a></p>
<p>If you’d like to mix-and-match and create your own set of 4 or 5, I have some single prints which you can choose from here: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/sets/72157630695208938/">Mix and Match!</a></p>
<p>I have the following sets of 4 photocards for $8 each, plus $2.50 shipping: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/sets/72157630695228266/"> Sets of 4!</a></p>
<p><b>I have 5 x 7 prints for sale also, $5 per print plus $1.50 shipping. Shipping stays the same even if you order multiple prints!</b></p>
<p>Single prints here: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/sets/72157630695357380/">Single 5x7 prints</a></p>
<p>I have two of each of these:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/sets/72157630695380434/">Two 5 x 7 prints</a></p>
<p>The items listed here are what I have in stock, but if there's something else you'd like, a print of something not listed here, I will be happy to make one for you, just let me know what you have in mind. I will also take commissions for $25. If you have a theme, or a subject, or an idea in mind that you would like me to interpret, I will happily do so in the form of a photoessay. You’ll receive 5 x 7 prints (and a special bonus!)</p>
<p>You can pay via paypal, hnjames@gmail.com (please mark as “personal” to avoid fees), or send a check or cash (email hnjames@gmail.com for address!). Please leave me a comment with your order so that I can get it moving as soon as possible, and as ever, feel free to email me if you have ideas for a commission or some photographic work I can do for you.</p>
<p>Thanks so much in advance for your help! I appreciate anything you can do, even if that's just pointing this to someone else who might like some prints.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-61746638942820217422012-05-30T05:51:00.000-07:002012-05-30T06:17:19.173-07:00some girls, some girls, cannot pass a birdbath<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/7301186026/" title="autumn debris by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7077/7301186026_7a2580b97a.jpg" width="500" height="310" alt="autumn debris"></a><br><br>
This is from September, that's how behind I am on making and processing photographs. Le sigh. To post more, I have to make more. I'm slowly rehabilitating this practice.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-27013080506656173522012-03-23T10:16:00.002-07:002012-03-23T10:26:40.227-07:00Everything's coming up Milhouse<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6859680708/" title="What 36 looks like by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/6859680708_0340639c0a.jpg" width="500" height="356" alt="What 36 looks like"></a><br /><br />Things, assorted:<br /><br />1. I had my 36th birthday recently. This is definitely going to be an interesting year, with several chapters in my book of life finishing, and new adventures and opportunities on the way.<br /><br />2. We're officially moving from West Virginia to Tennessee! To the Clarksville/Nashville area. Dr. Nick has taken a job teaching at a great school, Austin Peay State University, and we're pretty excited about this.<br /><br />3. Except we have to sell the house, and we'll miss it, but my downsizing since January is going to save us time and hassle.<br /><br />4. I just found out today that I passed the Proficiency Exam for my Masters program! So I just have to pass my two classes this semester and I'll be graduating in May. Excellent!<br /><br />5. Moving on then. Hopefully this will all mean more time for photography, and more opportunities of all kinds.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-77785577906778032372012-02-19T07:54:00.000-08:002012-02-19T08:00:18.739-08:00Sunday morning in deep waters<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6903090917/" title="i'll come back to you someday by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6903090917_f93a92074b.jpg" width="328" height="500" alt="i'll come back to you someday"></a><br /><br />This photograph has a soundtrack, the wonderful song "Ghost Town" by the Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit:<br /><br /><object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2BKUjnyf8uY?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2BKUjnyf8uY?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><br />Their new album "The Lion's Roar" is fantastic, and I highly recommend checking it out. Sometimes, their voices make me shiver.<br /><br />I'm now in some crazy-busy times - I am taking a Proficiency Exam in order to graduate from my Masters' Program (along with my last two classes), which involves writing two 8-12 page papers in two weeks on two separate topics which I just chose out of 10 possible. No pressure, though, nope.<br /><br />Our attic is empty; yesterday the basement was triaged, and old boxes were bound up for the recycling center. Old furniture goes to the curb on Tuesday evening to be picked over.<br /><br />So I'm in deep waters, but I swim, I'm a swimmer. So I'm keeping on. But I feel somewhat tied with heavy ropes to these particular railroad tracks (by a cackling villain in a top hat twiddling a handlebar moustache). Still, after I'm untied, I'll come back to you someday.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-88477750720961952002012-01-04T17:16:00.000-08:002012-01-04T17:17:30.115-08:00On the fourth day of January ...<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6632014651/" title="in the trees by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6632014651_b5ca6708c7_m.jpg" width="240" height="165" alt="in the trees"></a><br /><br />... I was a bee so busy I missed the light completely. So I rested in yesterday's light, instead.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-3141743729154442052012-01-03T18:42:00.001-08:002012-01-03T18:42:57.527-08:00another snowtograph<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6632010817/" title="brush painting by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6632010817_bd4143a48b_m.jpg" width="240" height="151" alt="brush painting"></a><br /><br />From another snowy day in the neighborhood.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-42119681321584682292012-01-02T18:35:00.000-08:002012-01-02T18:37:16.425-08:00snowtograph<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6624870445/" title="snowtograph by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6624870445_003677934a_m.jpg" width="240" height="143" alt="snowtograph"></a><br /><br />The first snow of the winter - maybe the last?<br /><br />As I went outside, Dr. Nick said "Are you going to make snowtographs?"<br /><br />Yes, I did.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-26453374057277621722012-01-01T18:20:00.000-08:002012-01-01T18:21:20.840-08:00carry on, then<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6616787967/" title="continue by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6616787967_79f2ed1a0b_m.jpg" width="240" height="149" alt="continue"></a><br /><br />Happy New Year!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-81468197581803411452011-10-08T19:49:00.001-07:002011-10-08T19:51:03.470-07:00been a long time since I rock and rolled<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6224599743/" title="monarch by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6224599743_af0e25cd73_m.jpg" width="240" height="162" alt="monarch"></a><br /><br />I'm slightly weirded out by 84 degree F temperatures in October, but I'll take it. It keeps the butterflies around.<br /><br />I have a dj gig coming up in a couple of weeks - the first live in gig in at least 3 years! I'm nervous, but I've been listening to music like mad, and Dr. Nick and I rocked the living room tonight. We have such fun playing music. The dog doesn't like it much, though. Not even the Skinny Puppy, which is supposed to be his favorite band :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-58851445697407130422011-09-03T19:51:00.001-07:002011-09-03T19:51:53.214-07:00You & me<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6111147364/" title="you&me by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6111147364_c7d81f12db_m.jpg" width="240" height="182" alt="you&me"></a>
<br />
<br />You and me won't be unhappy
<br />
<br />(Too hot to go outside, playing with photo booth inside)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-45786741499258733392011-09-02T18:58:00.000-07:002011-09-02T18:59:25.068-07:00So many books<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6107915692/" title="so many books by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6107915692_47de34ba9b_m.jpg" width="168" height="240" alt="so many books"></a>
<br />
<br />So many books, so little timeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-14480206840508019952011-09-01T17:48:00.000-07:002011-09-01T17:49:28.989-07:00Saddle up.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6104325317/" title="saddle up by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6104325317_8342f92307_m.jpg" width="169" height="240" alt="saddle up"></a>
<br />
<br />Saddle up and ride out, cowgirl.
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<br />(contemplating my first live dj gig in over 3 years)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-36888182064991638202011-08-08T17:47:00.000-07:002011-08-08T17:50:19.577-07:00home again, home again<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/6024157856/" title="morning by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6024157856_acc7ebdc29_m.jpg" width="240" height="150" alt="morning"></a>
<br />
<br />We're back home as of today; now begins the re-integration into life. It was an excellent vacation in so many ways, and I'll have many things to blog about. For now, here's a photo of the place I left Saturday morning, and where I'd love to still be: Silver Bay, NY on Lake George in the Adirondacks.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-59287656159636330522011-07-22T07:41:00.000-07:002011-07-22T07:49:02.476-07:00The house at the corner<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/5964289264/" title="The house at the corner by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5964289264_c892641c9b_m.jpg" width="240" height="172" alt="The house at the corner"></a><br /><br />So how's my Y/A novel going? Not so well, maybe. The title of this blog is "Semi-Professional Muse for Hire" because I'm very good at encouraging and inspiring creativity in others. I'm not as good at motivating my own self to sit down and do the work. I read <a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/07/19/25-ways-to-defeat-the-dreaded-writers-block/"> Chuck Wendig's "25 ways to defeat the dreaded writer's block" </a> several times this week. <br /><br />However, I've roused as much of the crew as possible (especially <a href="http://www.yarnberd.com/"> Yarnberd </a> and <a href="http://www.staciearellano.com/"> Metahari </a>) to join me in a <a href="http://fearofwriting.com/blog/2011/07/10k-day-live-while-it%E2%80%99s-happening-%E2%80%93-july-20-and-23/"> Fear of Writing 10K Day </a> tomorrow. Eep. Should be ... fun?<br /><br />Stay tuned.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-86200873517150496562011-07-18T11:40:00.001-07:002011-07-18T11:43:01.138-07:00Waiting for the Muse<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/5931748903/" title="Waiting for the Muse by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5931748903_e150dce736_m.jpg" width="240" height="149" alt="Waiting for the Muse"></a><p>Another from the Ann Arbor set. (You can see all I have so far <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/sets/72157627182091356/"> here.) </a><br /><br />I'm still working my way through my many, many photos from the past couple of months. This one strikes me, though. It's a rather emphatic example, for me, of the creative life. <br /><br />People say it over and over again, in books like "Do the Work" by Stephen Pressfield or "Mugging the Muse" by Holly Lisle, and in countless blogs, but the idea is: you don't wait for the Muse, you get to work, and she meets you there. <br /><br />She usually meets me in the shower or while I'm driving, but those are brief visits: if I go down to the diner and get to work, she usually will hang around. <br /><br />I'm struggling to work, but I'm working. She'll find me with a damn fine cup of coffee and a pencil, or camera, in hand.<br /><br />You may have seen it, but I'm sharing it again - a most excellent graphic representation of some wise words from Ira Glass of This American Life:<br /><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8e4wUJRTHgA/TiDUDc5OY1I/AAAAAAAAAd4/y--tqWHOPis/s576/iraglass.jpg"></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-63131359820918428932011-07-04T06:29:00.000-07:002011-07-05T04:55:52.930-07:00Storm coming<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/5901071896/" title="evelyn by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5901071896_99f8da745b_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="evelyn"></a><br /><br />This is Evelyn. You'll be seeing more of her, soon, since I was practicing portraits with her and her sister this weekend. I couldn't resist that face!<br /><br />We were out at a Lake for a party, and there was weird storm light in the afternoon that provided this sepia atmosphere. I didn't touch up the color in this at all.<br /><br />I've missed the Midwest.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-75415456105010899262011-07-03T13:44:00.000-07:002011-07-03T13:45:12.621-07:00Red hot pokers<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/5898134647/" title="Red hot poker by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5072/5898134647_746904cfeb_m.jpg" width="240" height="167" alt="Red hot poker"></a><br /><br />I don't know what these are really called, but Jillian calls them "red hot pokers". <br /><br />Greetings from Ann Arbor, where it's very hot, but kind of awesome, and we have eaten many delicious foods, swum in a too-warm Midwestern lake, and partied with derby girls.<br /><br />Not to mention, played several rounds of Settlers of Catan. I think another round is starting up now, in fact. Hope you are all having a wonderful Fourth of July weekend if you live in the States; and a generally wonderful summer weekend wherever you may be!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16788466.post-42551109173091241022011-06-27T04:47:00.000-07:002011-06-27T04:48:58.942-07:00Rip it up and start again<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bloodlossgirl/5876278193/" title="i fall to pieces by Bloodlossgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5157/5876278193_da459d7a83_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="i fall to pieces"></a><br /><br />After writing yesterday about Nick tearing up the carpet, I got into the act to help the process move faster. We split up the tasks, so that he was on "slicing and dicing" duty to tear the carpet into rollable strips for easier transport, and I was on staple/nail duty - given the happy task of pulling staples up from the floor with a pliers, and using a hammer & screwdriver combination to pry up the wooden trim nailed into the floorboards along the walls.<br /><br />THIS WAS AWESOME. Nick said it was boring, but I had a great time. I love physical labor - it frees my mind to wander around and play with ideas. Also, I love creative destruction. I love tearing things up. I love making a huge mess and getting filthy. Or, as <a href="http://www.austinkleon.com/2011/03/30/how-to-steal-like-an-artist-and-9-other-things-nobody-told-me/"> Austin Kleon might say </a>, "Creativity is subtraction". I highly recommend a little creative destruction for getting the juices flowing.<br /><br />While we were also moving furniture around to pull up the carpet, we decided to also rid ourselves of some of the heavy, unwieldy furniture. So the bulky gigantic chest of drawers/mirror that a former symphony co-worker gave me for free? Down to the curb. We earned pizza and beer moving that thing. Heavy ornamental screen? Gone. I see that someone picked it up from our curb already this morning. And much joy may they have of these items (or, money).<br /><br />Once you start, though, downsizing gets to be addictive. "Let's throw everything away!" Well, probably not everything, but we're now committed to a campaign of cleaning out the closets and the attic, and taking stock of which furniture items are going to be discarded/put into a yard sale when we (hopefully) move next year. <br /><br />Now, of course, my office is a tremendous mess, since it received the overflow from the bedroom. I'm kind of revved up to throw more stuff away and organize today.<br /><br />A note on the carpet - we found a date sticker on the last strip of it. Feb 14 2007. We bought the house in May of 2007. So the previous owners painted the bedroom and slapped the carpet down over the damaged hardwood. Cheeky.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14159276570157915265noreply@blogger.com0