Sharin' the Love

(Snapped on 3/08/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

There are three things I've noticed recently, that I do maybe just a leeetle too often while penning the entries for my blogs: 

#1.) Apologize (btw...I'm so sorry that I've neglected Little Pretties, this week) 

#2.) Make Promises (...and because I've been so absent of late - I vow to post at least one photo a day, even if I write next to nothing about it)

#3.) Gush about how much I "love" certain things (OH! And can I just tell you how much I LOVE the old house in these pics.?!)

(Snapped on 3/08/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

 Something I've always known about myself though, is that I tend to do everything in fits and starts...and this especially pertains to my art. One week I might be obsessed with my Holga, the next - I'll go off on an Instagram tangent, but for the last coupla weeks I've been all about self-portraiture. Breaking that down even more - I've been putting most of my energy, into snapping the pics. - and have put very little effort into telling their stories on either of my two photography blogs.

(Snapped on 3/08/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

At this point, I have a surplus of self-portraits...and and at the rate that I've been writing about them - I may never get caught up.

(Snapped on 3/21/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

On Thursday however, I decided to try and make some headway by refraining from taking any new pics., and forcing myself to sit down and scribble about the ones that I already have. I posted a new entry on The Big Ugly, about the self-portraits I staged in the house featured in the photos seen here - and once again, my poor Little Pretties got the shaft. 

(Snapped on 3/08/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

But I've come crawling back to call on Little Pretties - to help echo yet another Big Ugly post.

(Snapped on 3/08/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

I'm gonna let the pictures do the talking about this calamitous monstrosity...

(Snapped on 3/08/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

...cuz that's what Little Pretties is supposed to be about...the pictures. Not the words, so much...and ideally even less aout me.

(Snapped on 3/21/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

I do have to mention however, that out of all the abandoned houses that I've explored and photographed - this house stands alone as the unparalleled benchmark.

(Snapped on 3/08/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

I got weak in the knees the first time I took in its splendor...*sigh*

(Snapped on 3/21/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

Anyway, so...here's what slogging through this post has got me thinking - I shouldn't have to keep apologizing and making promises that I (probably) won't keep, if I can simply make myself do better about sharing the love - between my pictures and my writing, and between The Big Ugly and Little Pretties...(note to self)

Pattern of Activity

(All photos snapped on 4/05/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

Now that my oldest daughter is attending boarding school, just outside of Washington D.C. - I have an excuse to go to the city more often. I've been driving out to watch her lacrosse games on Tuesday afternoons, and I'm hoping to make a habit of leaving home a few hours early - so that I can go into D.C before her games start, and snap pictures of things that I don't get to see out here in my neck o' the woods. 

 But here's the catch - I won't allow myself to leave my house, until I have completed certain tasks that I've laid out for myself that day...such as - posting a new Little Pretties entry, or - getting to a reasonable stopping point on a current Big Ugly post.

Last Tuesday marked the first time that I shirked my duties, and left early anyway.

I justified my impetuousness, by telling myself that - either way I was gonna be productive (right?)...and where's the harm in that? 

I chose Georgetown as my inaugural D.C. photo excursion destination... 

...and I'm just tickled to bits that I did...

I even stumbled upon (fortunately not down) the notorious Exorcist stairs!

There was so much to see and to shoot, that even after 2 + hours - I felt like I'd barely gotten started when it was time for me to depart D.C...

and go on over to my daughter's school...

I relished watching her lacrosse team rack up yet another effortless victory - in their impressive undefeated season, and after dinner together at a local hole-in-the-wall - it was time for me to hug my precious oldest girl - goodbye.

It was a fabulously enjoyable and productive day...and I'd like to think that tomorrow will be too.

Feelin' Sorta...

...today

Seeking a Silo

The lengthy list of everyday, ordinary, humdrum things in this world - to which I am inexplicably attracted - would not be complete without the inclusion of silos.

(Snapped on 10/02/10 - using a Sony Cybershot)

Those of my dear readers out there, who have followed my blogging escapades since waaay back when I wrote candidly about my two years as a ferocious online dater - might feel the uncontrollable urge right about now, to chime in with some wisecrack about phallic symbols.........(well I never!)

(Snapped on 10/20/10 - using a Sony Cybershot)

...but I'd prefer to believe that it's entirely the result of accidentally discovering the panorama feature on my Cybershot...after which I found myself on a perpetual hunt for long and tall subjects to shoot (not to date). Obviously silos, which stand so statuesque and erect (*ehem*) fit tidily into the "tall" category. But it's not uncommon for the pastoral landscapes atop which they sit - to be well-suited for "long" pictures, while I'm at it.

(Snapped on 10/30/10 - using a Sony Cybershot)

Although I'm partial to traditional farm silos, I don't discount the more industrial clusters of stubbier corn cribs and grain bins - like this...

(Snapped on 3/07/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

...and this. 

And unlike some subjects in the frame, even the humblest of silos don't need to try and hog all the attention (buh dum bum)...their contribution to each shot is consistently of equal or greater value than that of their competition.

(Snapped on 3/22/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

For example, I spent just as much time taking snaps of this lovely corrugated, metal structure - as I did snapping pics. of the pig.

(Snapped on 2/10/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

I feel fortunate in that - my immediate geographic surroundings, facilitate feeding my fascination not only with silos - but with farms as a whole, in general (just one more reason to be glad I left the city).

(Snapped on 2/14/11 - using a Sony Cybershot)

Sometimes a silo doesn't flaunt its true beauty. There was little about the facade of this forgotten storehouse, that impressed me upon first sight.

(Snapped on 3/06/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

It wasn't until a few days later, while taking cover in order to give my cameras a break from the rain, that I climbed inside...

(Snapped on 3/06/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

...and looked up...

(Snapped on 3/16/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

This silo however, is stunning...

(Snapped on 3/16/11 - using an iPhone and iPhoto for editing)

...both inside...

(Snapped on 9/25/10 - using a Sony Cybershot)

...and out. 

I've been to this farm many times now, and featured its silo in all sorts of pics. - including self-portraits which I wrote about in this older Big Ugly entry.

(Snapped on 3/12/11 - using a Holga 120)

I have my cameras (and the bond that I've forged with them) entirely to thank for my effortless transformation from online dating junkie - to photography devotee...not to mention loads of pictures of things that I love...and which I shall keep with me forever (unlike all of those online dating guys)

Way Tired

(Snapped on 4/01/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

Today was primarily a self-portrait day (YIP!) but I gotta tell ya' - that shiznit fairly well kicked my sorry arse...

I know it's limp, but this is all the better that I can do here tonight...I haven't a single ounce of energy left to spare...

It's a Sign

(Snapped on 2/01/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

Whenever I see old signs like these, particularly those that are adorned with neon (illuminated or not), I always feel as if I've just been handed a gift, or won some sort of lottery...or something. Naturally, I would never consider driving past without first taking a picture or two...  

(Snapped on 2/01/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

(Snapped on 2/01/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

(Snapped on 3/17/11 - using a Holga 120)

(Snapped on 4/01/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

(Snapped on 4/01/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

(Snapped on 4/01/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

...and is there anything so strange about a person acting on the urge to pay tribute to, or appreciate the beauty of - these endangered American artifacts (or anything else, for that matter) by photographing them for pleasure or posterity's sake? Right. That's exactly what I thought. So tell me then...why is it - that every time I park my car, jump out and take a few pics. within eye-shot of my fellow wo/man - someone inevitably shoots me an evil look - as if I'm a freak for doin' such a thing?

'F'you ask me...people have gotten way too uptight, lately. I mean yeah, it would be one thing if I was defacing or trying to steal the blasted things...but taking a couple of innocent snaps? Is that really worthy of the flippin' hairy eyeball? 

Them folks just need to relax...

On the Prowl

(Snapped on 4/01/11 - using an iPhone and an Instagram filter)

I am not in any way - a "cat" person...but for some reason - this picture, out of the dozens and dozens that I took yesterday - wound up to be my favorite of all.

Maybe I like it because it'll always remind me of a rollicking good time out on the town last night, with one of my besties who came here to visit for the weekend. Or maybe it's because this little kitty was surprisingly outgoing and sweet - so affectionate in fact, that my friend threatened to hide it in her coat so that she could bring it home with us after we were done bar-hopping. But I think I dig it because the nighttime exposure and the Instagram effect I used, gave it an interesting, painterly quality.

But no matter what the reason for liking this photo...I'll still never be a "cat" person...promise.