Archive for May, 2005
facsimile
May 31st
noun ~ *1. an exact copy; 2. a system of transmitting and reproducing graphic matter by means of signals sent over telephone lines
*To enter the sweepstakes, we could fill out the entry form itself or a facsimile of it.
Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar, www.pageaday.com, Workman Publishing
new paths
May 26th
I’ve been a bit lax in writing lately. I think that ever since the whole job debacle happened, I’ve been reticent to say too much, share too much, or be too open.
I think, too, that I went into my protective fetal position and hid there for the last month or so.
I’m out now.
Things are going well.
I’ve gotten a new job at the university. While the pay isn’t as good as I was making, the job also isn’t as stressful. The people are really great. My tuition for grad school is practically free ($25 for up to 9 hours – which is considered full-time for grad students anyway). They are awesome about employees taking off for school. All around, it’s just a really good move for me and I’m thrilled that it has happened.
I graduated from the university with a bachelor’s of English on May 14th. It took me twenty years but it was worth it. I want to have a plaque made up that says, “It doesn’t matter how long the journey takes; it only matters that you took the journey at all.” That is my motto right now.
I have an idea for a book. I want to collaborate with a friend on a book (the friend doesn’t know about this…heh). I think that we both have a similar perspective on this issue and that it could be an eye-opener for a lot of people.
I’m so into my photography right now. I think in terms of framing. I look out a window and think about what it would look like in the lens of a camera. *laugh* Also, I’m actually getting out, specifically for photography, and traveling around the area to take pictures. It is so much fun. I’m having a blast doing it.
My journey is taking a turn now: grad school, new job, and new adventures.
I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
parol
May 26th
noun ~ oral communication
Mrs. Bridesworth and her tenant had an agreement by parol for the monthly rent but no written lease.
Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar, www.pageaday.com, Workman Publishing
mahatma
May 25th
noun ~ 1. a person to be revered for high-mindedness, wisdom, and selflessness; *2. a person of great prestige in a field of endeavor
*Film directors regard Alfred Hitchcock as the mahatma of the suspense thriller and still often borrow his filming techniques.
Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar, www.pageaday.com, Workman Publishing
asperity
May 24th
noun ~ 1. roughness; *2. harshness of manner or of temper
*”I gave at the office,” Roger said with asperity when asked to contribute to the auction.
Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar, www.pageaday.com, Workman Publishing
emulate
May 23rd
verb ~ to strive to equal or excel: imitate
Younger brothers and sisters will often try to emulate the behavior of their older siblings.
Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar, www.pageaday.com, Workman Publishing
impetuous
May 22nd
adjective ~ *1. marked by impulsive vehemence or passion; 2. marked by force and violence of movement or action
*A well-meaning but impetuous young man, Nathan tends to rush into action in the heat of the moment without thinking things through.
Merriam-Webster’s 365 New Words Calendar, www.pageaday.com, Workman Publishing
nuala’s booky tag
May 22nd
lili-g tagged me on this. Being a book lover, this is one I don’t mind doing. lili did classics but I think I’ll just do a random selection (although I have MANY classics in my library).
1. Total number of books I’ve owned: Holy cow. How am I ever to know this? It’s been thousands. I buy and sell books at the used bookstore. I keep the ones I want to read over and over. I currently have a guest room that has 4 8-foot bookcases in it. I have another bookcase in my bedroom and 2 more in my office. I’d say I currently have over 1000 books in my house.
2. Last Book I Bought: Complete Guide to Photography by John Hedgecoe
That sounds kind of boring, doesn’t it? Before that, it was a technical manual for web development. Before that, school books. I have about 10 books that I bought in December that I didn’t have time to read during the semester.
3. Last Book I Read: Hmmm…I usually have a few going at once. These are the last few that I finished:
- A Poem Traveled Down My Arm – Alice Walker
- The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter – Carson McCullers
- Aureole – Carole Maso
- Defiance – Carole Maso
- The Idiot Girls’ Action-Adventure Club – Laurie Notaro
- The God of Small Things – Arundhati Roy (Jonathan gave this to me for Christmas and it’s a beautiful, rich story that I recommend to everyone)
I’m currently reading Sexing the Cherry – Jeanette Winterson
4. Five (or so) Books That Mean Something to Me (or that I simply enjoyed) : Another “Holy cow.” Yikes. Well, here are books that I absolutely love and could read again and again:
- Almost anything by Alice Walker – however, two of her books that literally changed my life are: The Temple of My Familiar (it spoke to me in ways that few books do) and Warrior Marks (I knew about female genital mutilation but I didn’t KNOW about it until I read this book)
- Almost anything by Margaret Atwood but I’m still partial to The Handmaid’s Tale
- Love Medicine – Louise Erdrich
- Peace Like a River – Leif Enger
- Again, almost anything by Barbara Kingsolver but I really loved The Poisonwood Bible
- Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston (I read this years ago before it became trendy or a “made for tv” movie. It’s beautiful.
- The Red Tent – Anita Diamant
- The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis (If you haven’t read these as an adult, now is the time. They will charm you in an entirely different way)
- And so many more…I have to force myself to stop here
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Pick 5 people to tag: I don’t actually expect anyone to respond to this but if they do, the people I’d like to see answer it are:
- ashley – we both love books and words and I know she will enlighten me with her choices.
- jenni – she has such a beautiful outlook on the world and I’d love to know what touches her in that perfect way that books do.
- snowpeanut – she writes for a living. I’d like to know what inspires a writer.
- daisies – her photography and words move me. I’d like to know what moves her.
- carmen – she bares it all in such a beautiful way. I’d like to know the words that give her pause, comfort, or inspiration.
- Ack! That’s five…but I’d like to know so many more: Jim, Michael, Molly, Abhi, and, of course, Jonathan…whose readings are usually passed on to me through deep conversation.
life lessons
May 21st
Someone recently wrote to me and said that he wishes he lived in a place where he could take photographs of giant arrows and colorful ruins and miles and miles of barbed wire.
He lives in London.
I thought about this.
I lived in London and I took over a thousand pictures while there and it still wasn’t enough. I would love to return and shoot London in a totally different way now that my style has changed.
All of the Toronto photographers, whose work I admire greatly, and those who live in Vancouver (Canada seems to be rich with wonderful photographers) and those who live in Britain, Spain, South & Central America, and other places than here…I’ve been jealous of all of them. I’ve seen what they’ve offered and I’ve often sighed and wished I had something like THAT to photograph.
This morning I went out at 5 a.m. to catch the rising sun on the beautiful red stones of Wupatki National Monument. The sun is rising as I drive out. Dakota is sitting in the passenger seat, anxious to see where we’re going.
Nearly 40 miles outside of Flagstaff, we turn into the north entrance of the park. The sun is rising rapidly but there is a beautiful golden glow over the land. The sky is a piercing blue even at that time in the morning. It was still early, 5:30, and there was no one on the road or at the ruin sites.
We pull into Lomaki and I get out to shoot some pictures (I left Dakota in the car because dogs are not allowed on the trails).
The red stones of the ruins are glowing. My breath is taken away.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world. (Heh…musical reference there.) I am lucky. I am surrounded by things that people travel to from around the world to visit. We have the Grand Canyon that usually draws them in. We also have the beautiful mountains, the lakes, the ruins, the red rocks, and so many other things that surround us. Photographers have been coming here for more than a century because it is so picturesque.
One of the reasons I have been trying to take more pictures of diverse things is because I want to share my world with Jonathan. I want him to be able to see the beauty of the desert southwest. It’s not the greens of Vancouver. We don’t have the amazing water. It’s a different kind of beauty. It’s stark. It’s hard to see sometimes. Pay attention, though, and it will jump right out at you.
I give a piece of myself in every photograph that I take. Whether I’m here, at home, taking pictures of the Peaks or a flower or I’m traveling to some other beautiful place, a piece of me is in each photograph. It is telling you a story about me.
If you listen closely, you will hear it.
birth date
May 21st
| Your Birthdate: December 10 |
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Your birth on the 10th day of the month adds a tone of independence and extra energy to your life.
The number 1 energy suggest more executive ability and leadership qualities than you path may have indicated. A birthday on the 10th of any month gives greater will power and self-confidence, and very often a rather original approach. This 1 energy may diminish your ability and desire to handle details, preferring instead to paint with a broad brush. You are sensitive, but your feeling stay somewhat repressed. You have a compelling manner that can be dominating in many situations. |
