happy new year.

It's not that I don't feel he got what he deserved. I just think it's disgusting when people celebrate someone's death. Death is death regardless of the circumstances.

Back From Ky............

...........we had a lovely visit. We all were spoiled, especially Xander. The weather was fantastic for the most part. We were able to visit with everyone and Xander even has several new words: one being baby bull! It's cute. It's good to be home and getting ready for next year.

More Xander!

Memories.....

Remember when he was this big? He was so sweet.

Should I Feel Bad?

I kind of feel bad about putting a t.v in Xander's room:

We gave in and brought the small t.v into Xander's room. Weak, I know. We thought it would remedy the fact that Cars plays 24 hours a day in the living room, and he doesn't even watch it half the time! Unfortunately, now Cars plays in the living room and Bob The Builder takes turns with Thomas The Tank Engine playing in his room. Again, he doesn't even watch it! He just wants it on. This pic is from the first nite he had the t.v in his room. Believe me, the facination peetered out.

I don't feel bad at all that Tony's sister had her baby and I feel nothing. Could care less:

I might try to fake excitement for Tony's sake, but that's just not me. He can be excited all he wants. I seriously don't care. I felt a twinge of uncomfortableness, but it passed when I remembered that, well.....................doesn't matter.


Somedays my heart feels like a cold lump of coal. I love those days!!!!!!!!

Toledo, Spain - Panorama

Toledo, Spain - Panorama
Originally uploaded by chrisjfry.

This photo was posted by one of my Flickr contacts. I thought it was a beautiful photo and I thought the sentiment was beautiful as well. Just wanted to share. Thanks to Chris for letting me post this.Must, must,must view this large!

Thank you.

I know I said I was to busy to post until after Christmas, and so far this makes the second since that comment, but this is important. I promise.
Today I was on my way to pick up Xander. He was with Tony at the job site where they are currently working. Well, the car ran out of gas. Not the most brilliant of moments for me, but I've moved on.
I was not far from a gas station. So, I walked there and obtained a gas can and some gas....of course. A gentleman asked me if I needed a ride and I declined. Not because he seemed creepy, but because I read the news.
On my walk back to the car, and let me remind you it was bitter cold, a young woman about my age pulls up and offers me a ride. I gladly accepted even though I was not far from the car. We chatted briefly about strangers and she and I agreed that being approached by a woman when in a situation like I was in is far less threatening than being approached by a man.
After a two minute drive she drops me at my car. I said thank you and she said your welcome.
As I stood pouring the gas into my car a white truck pulled up behind me. An older gentleman was in his work truck and he did not get out of the vehicle, but motioned to see if I was in need of assistance. I motioned no, but he stayed there at the side of the road, in his truck, until I pulled away. He was making sure I wasn't hit buy a car.Considering I was smack dab in the middle of an exit I would say that was a very nice thing to do.
I am writing this because today was one of few where my hope for humanity glows a little brighter. Quite frankly, most of the time I am ashamed to be a human being. Today gave me a rare glimpse into the genuinely kind hearts fo people that do exsist. Their gestures were simple, but greatly appreciated.

Just Gawjus Darlin...........

Does anyone know how to spell georgeous/gorgeous/gorjus/gawjus/etc.......... the dictionary says it's spelled gorgeous. So, why do I think it's spelled georgeous? I think the dictionary is wrong. Stupid Websters. How many other words have they spelled wrong, huh? Makes you wonder doesn't it?

AHHH! Finals.

Yep. It's the end of the semester and I'm running around like a crazy woman. Xander has deleted a paper I am working on.....twice. Aside from that things are great! My laser hair removal is going well. In case you think that's too much information I am only saying so to let anyone who is curious know that laser hair removal is fantastic. Considering I am as hairy as a monkey I think that I am a good source to sing the praises of laser hair removal. It is rather painful, but the treatments are quick. Ok. I'm done.
I probably won't post again until after christmas.

Oh Really?!

Who would have guessed? The media a propagandizing tool?! I am so shocked. (didn't you hear me hit the floor?)

Thought I'd post a pic of Xander. Since that's all you really care to see anyhow:)

*

I was sitting on the couch last nite with my camera. Discussing the projects we should work on and singing eachothers praises when we decided to play with the shutter speed in low light. I thought this one was neat and my camera thinks we definately need to explore this slow shutter speed thing more in depth.

I'm A Wretched Procrastinator.

Not sure what I was trying to accomplish here, but I scared the baby with this one. We were looking at pictures, mostly of him. I would ask who it was and he would say "me, me". Cute. Then this one came up and I asked who it was. He covered his face, whimpered, and buried his face in my shoulder. Kinda funny.
I didn't like this shot at first, but now that I have terrified my child I think I was looking for something else.Something not scary, but scary works!
So, why am I posting this nonsense. Because I should be working on my term paper, but I am a wretched procrastinator.

Funny Picture.

I can't think of who this reminds me of, but the hairdo had to be shared with the world. Ha! I feel like the camera should just be permanently attached to my face. It would save some time. I was able to hang out with Xander and do some fun things today for a bit. And when I say a bit I mean a bit. There are , of course, more pics in photobuck
et:)

It's 3 a.m

It's 3 in the morning. I've spent the past 6 and a half hours taking pictures.

Of myself. For another project. I'm getting really tired of looking at me. I never really like looking at me to begin with and having to look at myself over and over again for 6 hours knowing there is only going to be more fun filled Erica hours to come in the dark room only adds to my disgust.

One person should not be forced to stare at themselves for such a long period of time. It's unhealthy. I'm starting to see things....blemishes, scars, stretch marks, hair,etc...that I know will never be noticed by anyone but me. And maybe someone else who decides staring at me for 6 hours is amusing, but I highly doubt I'll ever come across that person. At any rate......No one else may ever notice my new found faults, but I know they are there. Just like dust bunnies and dog food under the fridge, and it will annoy me just as much.

Speaking of annoying me. After 6 hours the above picture is all I got that was worth anything. So... let's see that makes this particular photograph worth $300 if I were charging by the hour.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was nice and quiet this year. Mom cooked and the rest of us ate like piglets. There are some more pictures in photobucket. Check them out, especially if you'd like to see Xander's latest boo-boo.

Trudging...

Gilligan was the focus of all the love yesterday.

Sweet Condemnation!!

Well now, one would not expect that having your house condemned would be a good thing. Today is the exception. Turns out yesterday someone, somehow called the police department and consequently the fire department came to the house in Ypsilanti. Cited as a fire hazard are the following;

1. 9 people living in the house that were not on the lease. Which means there were 11 people living in a 3 bedroom house.
2. Excessive number of pets and pet excrement.
3. Uncleanlyness to the level of creating a fire hazard.
4. Holes in the walls (which the lovely tenants puched through themselves to run cables) with exposed wires.
5. A room in the basement with no eggress window.(this is not a room, but a cubby hole for the utility box that, yes, someone was sleeping in.)

The Fire Department, who are now on the top of my favorite people list, consequently told everyone that was in the house at the time they inspected to take their pets and whatever they could carry and leave the premises. The house is now padlocked and inaccesible to anyone but Tony and the Fire Department!!

Tony had filed eviction papers expecting it to take months to actually evict them. In the meantime they were having a great time trashing the place even more. It's been a nightmare. Finally it's over. Sweet Condemnation!

Oh Me Miha..Oh Me Miha.

The holidays are fast approaching. I'm not sure I'll even notice them this year. Do to the fact that my head is in a pretty good spin right now and I can't see it stopping until closer to 2008. At any rate...me Miha sent me the most wise email today. I thought I would share it with you, oh internet. Here is what me Miha has to say about the end of this semester and the coming holiday break.

"I have come this far and I will finish. Come hell or high water I will rest when this is over. I will roll in the snow capped hills and fall on my butt trying to ski. I will have white knuckles from holding on to the rail to hard on the ice-rink and I will do a belly flop on a snow-tube. I will sit on Santa's lap and wish for something, then go buy it myself so that my wishes will come true this holiday season. I will lose my voice singing Christmas carols. I will send everybody and their mother a card for Christmas and I will make a Christmas tree and have little presents underneath. I will host a Holiday Salsa Night and snuggle between my flannel sheets and then ....then if I'm tired and exhaused....I won't care, because then I'll feel as though I've lived and my sleep will be peaceful."


ps-the image is of Rachel. She is winter.

Ceremonious Burning of the Pinhole Camera.

I made this pinhole camera out of an oatmeal can for a project in class. I must add that I seriously disliked my pinhole camera not all pinhole camera's. Actually some people make pinhole camera's out of pretty nifty stuff and take some awesome pictures with them. I am sticking to my 35mm for now.
At any rate

I decided to use the ceremonious burning of my pinhole camera in my new assignment. Which is to capture time. These are some pics I took with my digital. I'm planning on making a collage with my black and white prints and coloring in the flames. Should be nifty.

Photo's Playing at the Park.

Xander and I went to the park this afternoon. A place we had not been in a while do to how cold it has been. I got lucky and was able to get quite a few good shots of him. The ones that are blurry are suppose to be. Which means they're good because it was intentional.Whereas if the blurryness had been a mistake, the shots would have been considered crap. Make sense right?:) Ask my photography instructor...I don't get it either.

If you'd like to view them just go to photobucket!

Just When I Thought I Was Smart...

I'm not sure if anyone recalls the time when I sent my brand new zoom lens back to the manufacturer because I was sure it was broken, and it ended up that I had left a wide angle adapter on it. Yep. That was a moment of brilliance that I want to remember for eternity. Alas, that moment has passed and a false sense of security convinced me I was smart again. Until yesterday that is.
You see the negatives for all of my projects have been horribly underexposed.(keep in mind I've never used a manual film camera) I was nearly brought to tears after developing the roll that I shot of Rachel and found that not only was it underexposed, but more often than not there wasn't even an image to be seen. I put away my camera for a few days and mulled over what the problem could be.
Was it me? Was I a terrible photographer that should run screaming away from anything to do with photography?Maybe.
Was it the camera? Was it broken?No.
Had I bought a bad batch of film?Unlikely.
Was the light meter broken? Yes. That had to be it!
So, yesterday I sat down with my very patient and kind instructor to discuss the problems I was having. Within 30 seconds it dawned on me what I had been doing wrong.
The first thing I asked was for her to check my light meter and make sure it was working since I had decided that had to be the problem. It just couldn't be that I was a blundering idiot. Turns out that I was wrong. My light meter works fine. Here's what I was doing wrong:
My SLR camera is aperature priority(the aperature works like the iris of your eye). Which means that it is my responsibility to decide which aperature setting I'm going to use and then the light meter suggest the shutter speed. Makes sense and I knew that but for some reason I wasn't using that knowledge.
I, being smart and stuff, was not changing the aperature. I had it in my head that the light meter suggested the shutter speed and then the aperature was to be set accordingly. Which means that I was taking all of my pictures as f/22 and anywhere from 1/1 to 1/4 and even at the bulb setting. Which means that the aperature was the smallest it could possibly be letting in very little light. I was confused as to why the camera was metering every situation similarly, but took the pictures anyway.
Live and learn, right?

Anyhow, the pictures I have posted I took with my digital camers. Hence, why they are visible. Xander is constantly climbing on Delilah. She has saintly patience with him. He loves every minute of it!

Halloween Dragon!

I'm still waiting on more pictures..don't ask....just enjoy them as they come.:)

My 100th Post..and on Halloween!!

Rachel was kind enough to model for my photography project. I think I wore her out. I haven't developed the film yet, but I did take a few shots with my digital camera during the session. I didn't have it on the tri-pod so they are a bit blurry. I wanted to post them now because I realized that Rachel looks like my aunt Tammy.
This is a revvelation because forever people have said she looks like her fathers mother or her fathers sister..which would have been enough of a compliment if it were true, but I never saw it. I could never figure out who she looked like. Until I saw these pictures and I realized she looks like our Mom's sister Tammy! Rachels nose is turned up, but she still looks so much like her.
Check out the rest of the pictures in photobucket..you'll see. Keep in mind the picture I have posted of my aunt is the only one I have digitally. It's not the best and I hope she doesn't strangle me for posting it, but just look at the facial structure and compare it with Rachel's.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

There are more photos in photobucket. And.........there will be even more after Xander has gone trick-or-treating both later today and this coming tuesday. Which is the official day of Halloween. As of now there are a few pictures from our Halloween party. There will be more of those once Irena sends me the pics from her camera.
Fun was had by all...except for poor Irene-Marie. She was brave enough to come over despite her allergies to dogs. Consequently her visit was short lived, but she and Jimmy were able to come to the comedy show with us! Which was bloody hilarious. Pop and Politics with Jimmy Pardo at the Comedy Showcase.
Everyone looked awesome! It's great to hang out with people who don't take themselves to seriously!!

I will post Xander's Halloween adventures as they unfold.

Happy Halloween!!!

Normally putting foot in mouth is not a pleasant experience, but I must concede that in this case it tastes pretty good. My long standing views on post-modern art evolving into beautiful experiences that have given me the much needed confidence to work in a style I once thought was foolish. I am blissfully learning that a piece of art(be it painting, sculpture, photography, etc...) does not necessarily need to portray something that any viewer will grasp as a specific subject or concept. Rather, the works can take on a meaning wholly inherent to the individual viewers experiences. It can mean different things to different people.

It seems obvious that our world is ever exspanding. There are no general experiences that will create a multipurpose reaction from the general public because each individual has their own reality effected by their enviornment and upbringing. So, while and artist may create something that has specific meaning to them it is meant to translate to a broader audience based on the audiences reaction to it. Not in just knowing what exactly it is that your seeing, but relating it to your own experiences and thoughts.

I feel as if I've had this knowledge, this whole other world, hanging above my head my entire life and only now have I taken the time to look up and see that it is there for me to have.

The picture I've included is by Francesca Woodman. As of yet I have never seen images so raw. Raw with emotion and a beautiful mind. She commited suicide when she was 22.

Lastly I want to add that I am still having considerable trouble grasping (for lack of a better word) seriously abstract and minimalist works. I let you know when that epiphany hits.

Couldn't you just eat him!!?? This is one of my favorite pictures of Xander. His GrandDaddy took this while visiting us for Xander's first birthday. I love his expression, his giant brown eyes, and those chubby little cheeks!!Oooooh! He's so cute.

Happy Candy!

Thanks to Jill for the picture of this precious little doggie!! Love it!!
She's like happy candy:)

Sweet! An Invisibility Cloak!

I thought this little article discussing recent breakthroughs in Invisibility Cloaks ( yes, that's what I said) was pretty amazing. The pros of having a cloak of invisibility are fantastic; ranging from hiding objects to protecting entire cities from earthquakes! Can't wait to see where they take this new technology.
Of course my innate pessimism can't help but wonder how this possibly, eventually, will be used to do something nasty and destructive.
At any rate...I wish that I had one now. I would throw it over Tony's rental house in Ypsilanti and rid the world of a disgusting eye sore. You know the kind of house I'm talking about. The kind that needs to be painted. The kind that is in desperate need of some decent landscaping. You know...The kind that have tenants that throw their dead cats into a iron bathtub in the back yard and have weeks of garbage on the back porch and have 4 dogs instead of the agreed upon 1 and several cats, birds, lizards, fish and I swear I think I saw a monkey, but I may have been hallucinating from the miasma of animal excrement,body odor, beer, smoke and general funk that oozes through and out of that horrid place. You know...That kind of house.

Photography 101.

I finally finished my very first photography project, so no more will you be seeing an overabundance of my self portraits. The images seemed to be a hit during critique, but for their content only. My technical skills are still lacking. After tearing my first roll of film and then subsequently exposing the entire roll to daylight I was sure nothing else could go wrong. Right. I love how delusional I can be sometimes.
The second roll of film made its way to the dark room and even went so far as to be developed......with an unsufficient amount of chemicals.
Still, I managed to use several of the images to print. Albeit with some serious filter use and much trial, error, burning and dodging. Of course during the printing process the chemicals expired and I was not aware of this considering it was the very first time I ever printed and secondly because it wasn't my responsibility to keep up with the chemicals. There is a lab assistant to do that and answer all of our novice questions.
At any rate...despite the technical problems I am rather happy with the content of my photographs. I recieved the highest of compliments during critique when my instructor and other class mates compared this image of me in the tub to Gustav Klimpt's painting style. Wow! was I ever flattered.
If you are unfamiliar with Gustav Klimpt please check this out. He is my favorite painter ever.

:( it's snowing.

Xander slept the entire nite in the bed with Tony. In case this seems irrelevent to you remember that we sleep in the same room, but in different beds. Xander usually sleeps in the bed with me. I am sad.

I'm Too Sexy For My Blog....

....Just when I was trying so hard not to take a cheesy picture of myself for my project..... Let us all have a laugh at my expense so I can feel like a valid photographer again.

I got nothin.......

I have nothing intelligent to say today. Days past and upcoming are debatable as well. Still, here are some brief thoughts that I have had this week. Brief in explanation and brief in their existence in my head.

The 2/3 of the Parthenon frieze taken by Lord Elgin in 1806 should stay in England. They were bought, however shady the deal may seem by today's standards, and since most people realize there is no legal precedent for returning the marbles it is only a bit whiny to claim that Britain is under "moral" obligation to return said works. But, hey if one insists on pursuing that argument I would suggest that the entire United States of America gear up for some serious changes because that would mean we should give the American Indians their land back.

Brava to Ms. Magazine and their campaign to promote the right to choose. Next week the magazine will publish and issue that contains the names of thousands of women who have had an abortion and were willing to put their names out there to support the right to choose. Brave women.

I love dogs in clothes. I don't care how stupid it may seem to others I think it's down right adorable. So there.

Happy Birthday Grandmother and Daddy!!!(Please don't dis-own me.)

Yesterday was my Grandmother and Daddy's birthday. I am a horrible terrible granddaughter/daughter because I kind of forgot to call them. In my defense I knew it was their birthday, but I was at school all day...literally. I would have used my cell, but don't own one. I was going to buy a calling card...didn't bring enough cash with me. Tony said I should have used $.50 and called him to call them, but I didn't think of that. I did however call them both first thing this morning. Hopefully I won't be dis-owned.

I love you both very, very much! Happy Happy Birthday to You. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

@ Grannies

Did I ever mention that I love my digital camera? My Canon Rebel 30D.....it's a beautiful thing.
As you may or may not know I am taking my first photography class this semester. It is a B&W film class.....they will all be B&W film classes for my undergraduate. It's not so much the B&W part that is bothersome, in fact I rather enjoy the simplicity of B&W images. It is the film part that is driving me bloody crazy!!
I thought I was going to need therapy before I shot my first roll of film. There is a grand amount of comfort and security in using the digital camera as opposed to this spiteful little piece of machinery that uses film. It takes a great deal of patience and finesse and as my instructor keeps telling me, lots and lots of practice so take lots and lots of pictures.
That is what I've been doing. I think I've gotten...maybe..two decent shots.
You must be thinking.." Is this seriously all you have to worry about?"
Yes. Yes it is. It has consumed me. I dream of photography. It constantly preoccupies my thoughts for most of the day. If I can't figure out how to get the images in my head onto film I am going to go nuts.
You may be saying to yourself..."So what. You get good images with your digital camera, so go with that."
Yes. Good images. Not GREAT images. Besides....it's just about the challenge at this point, and knowing that using film can create awesome things. Not that the film does all the work!!



p.s
These pics are from the other day @ Grannies. Xander had the best time playing in the leaves and getting tractor rides from Poppy. (these are digital of course..there are more in photobucket if you feel the need.)

What????

As I posted a few weeks ago I had a wedding to photograph and all went ok. What I didn't mention was that I was not happy with the photos. I was not happy at all. I seriously expected these poor people to be in tears over the lack of good images to capture their special moment. Well...To my surprise they were not just happy with the whole lot of them but ecstatic.
Who would've guessed?

Here is the groom and his Grandmother. If I had to pick one (and I mean if I had to pick one) this would be my favorite. Not exactly a pleasing back ground or angle, but at least it isn't too cluttered and you can clearly see two people! I think it is a sweet moment.

The other two are of their youngest son and their oldest. They were the most serious kids I've ever encountered, so I am quite surprised I caught them smiling. It seemed as if they had a third eye that watched me at all times, so most of the images of them capture their sad/serious faces.

Dead Seagulls Rejected from Heaven.

A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him,grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"



........I so cannot wait until Xander is old enough to ask me these kinds of questions.

Happy Birthday Miha!!!!!!!!!!!

This was a great birthday celebration! So much fun that even Tony was dancing. Don't believe me? Check out Photobucket.

Ok..I just realized that I have no pictures of him actually dancing. You'll just have to take my word for it.

The Amazing Xander and His Ever Expanding Vocabulary.

His first word was Doggy. Then Mama, which seems to be synonymous with joy, sadness, hunger, contentment and anger. This and That, Daddy, Gee (granny), Pop (poppy), Sis (rachel), Uncle Barry (i didn't actually hear that myself), More, Want Some,I'm going, I did, and a sleu of jibber jabber that I can dechipher, but nothing that can be put into writing.

Lately he has been really interested in body parts. Now..while he has always enjoyed pointing out his mouth, eyes, ears, elbows etc...I think it was just a game to him. Recently he has been pointing to new body parts on myself and Tony and then pointing to his own. These new body parts include but are not limited to places I have told him are private. I give him the clinical names and tell him they are mommy's/daddy's private area. I thought that was the end of that.

Last nite we were in bed trying to sleep. Xander wasn't excited about that idea so he was playing with his baby Tad and telling me all kinds of stories. Then he looked at me and said "boobooboobies"
"What?" I asked.
"mama boobies"
I'm sorry but I couldn't help but crack up laughing. This of course was bad, very bad. Then he poked at them and said "mama boobies! ha ha ha". Then he looks at Tony and says "mama boobies!"

Now I'm afraid to tell you that this is more than likely going to be his new word. How do I know this you ask? Because it was the first thing he said this morning before he even go out of the bed, and he said "mama boobies!" several times on the way to daycare and even made sure that the ladies at daycare where aware that I have not just any old boobies, but "mama boobies". I'm sure they didn't know that.

Before I get any "Oh Erica" emails let me say that I am making an attempt to turn this around, but he just doesn't think Tony's boobies are as interesting.

Pointless. But Fun!

Sound like me?

"Of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritable and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self-confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood, loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner."

This may or may not hold true, but the part that frightened me is "..,loves only once,..".
This freaked me out! Those three words have been echoing in my head for days.
Maybe that is because I have thought this for quite some time and to actually see it in writing referencing me, regardless of how trivial and silly the source is, was disturbing.

Maybe it could mean I love sushi only once (disgusting stuff..but I must try everything once) or that I will love retirement only once. Who knows. It really is a vague statement isn't it?


Click Here To See Yours.

What Do You Remember?

The 5th anniversary of 9/11. It has been long enough that the popular question seems to be "What do you remember?". Understandably.I suppose we should not forget. In the midst of the sorrow for those lives lost and lives damaged, the unbiased patriotism and what seems to me a very narrow side of the emotional impact of 9/11, there is something I want to say.

In no way am I trying to disregard anyone else's experience or downplay the tradgedy that our country endured. I'm simply going to give you (my dear internet) my thoughts, emotions and memories of 9/11 and the aftermath.

I woke up that morning and did something uncharecteristic. I turned on the television. Before I had coffee or even went to the bathroom I turned on the television. It was relatively early. I think around 9 or so. The first image that came on the screen was of the first tower that was hit. The smoke billowed toward the sky. It took me a minute to realize what had happened. Then I just sat there in my pajamas, without my coffee or bathroom break, with tears slowly streaming down my face. A million thoughts ran through my head. I don't know how long I sat there in disbelief.
Hayan came home with his friend Louie. He came in so quietly and sat down next to me. The three of us sat and watched the events unfold in silence.

The enormity of what happened hit me in waves, like most of my intense emotional experiences do.

I felt sorrow for those who lost their lives. I felt the kind of grief one has when you are helpless to help those in need.

I felt proud of the rescue workers and every other person who risked their lives to help in anyway they could.

Then the inevitable happened. The backlash. The hatred. The ignorance.

I began to feel fear for Hayan and others that I cared about when I heard of a young arabic girl who was severly beaten on the campus of Henry Ford Community College. The fear and disgust was pretty well set in when I went to Kentucky to visit my family and drove by a mosque that had been burned to the ground.

Then I felt hopeless and weak as co-workers, friends and strangers berated me with nasty remarks filled with hatred. Ignorent hatred.

I'm not sure what I feel now. I'm not sure what I think either. I suppose I'm an idealist and that doesn't sit well with most people. I don't judge individuals based on their ethnic or religous background. The diversity that we are so priveledged to have in this country and the access to knowledge should not be taken for granted.

The world is a giant place and goes far beyond our little back yards. If we can just take a moment to look past the end of our nose and see what's going on. Know that it is happening to people, not those two dimensional figures on the television, but actual people. Realize that just because they have an odd accent or eat food you have never heard of or worship a god your not familiar with or have customs that just seem odd does not mean they have less of a right to speak their minds or live on this planet than you do.

If we (meaning humanity in general) could stop being so damn judgemental and greedy and instead focus our energies on creating governments and policies that benefit humanity instead of just one or two humans then the world would be one step in the right direction.

Alas, this is not human nature so I for one am not to optimistic. I think I have ended on a tangent so let's call it a day, shall we?

At The UAW Pic-Nic...

He had so much fun! I was busy painting faces....badly I might add (poor kids) while Xander was riding pony's, sliding down giant inflatable slides, crawling through mazes, eating cookies and having an all around good time. His little cheeks were red and dirty. His hands were freezing and his diaper was full. All of this and he still cried as we walked away. Fun Times.


There are a few more pics on photobucket if you'd like.

Dance, Dance.

I just have to post this before I forget, because my memory is not the best. Especially when I am in school.

After spending the afternoon photographing a wedding(which went pretty well) myself, Tony and Xander went to Toledo for the Greek Festival. It was entertaining. There were dancers and musicians and beer. So of course it was great because there was beer:)

The most amusing part was Xander. He seems to be my source of amusement lately, but I digress.

He was not content at sitting a few feet from the stage, oh no. He found his way right up near the stage next to the ginourmous speakers (i'm not to sure how good it was for his ears,but?) and proceeded to dance the night away.

He was so cute I almost couldn't stand it. Eventually he became to tired and sat down, covered his legs and watched the dancers until the music stopped. I never would have guessed he would enjoy that as much as he did.

I do have some video of him dancing in the front yard.....I'll have to post that sometime soon. Sorry I can't post it right now.I am off to the union pic-nic. Please enjoy this new picuture of Xander until I can get the video going.

Waiting Patiently..as patiently as DeeDee waits for squirrels.

For once I've gotten lucky when it comes to anything to do with EMU. All but one of my classes are being taught by lecturers or guest lecturers which means they are not in the union that is striking as so are able to cross the picket lines. In all reality they are obligated by contract to cross the picket lines and teach class. History of Modern Art is waiting patiently to be taught and I am anxious to get started.
It is my understanding that the Administration issued an ultimatum to the Union and Faculty that said if they had not accepted their offer by 10p.m last tuesday then they would walk away from the negotiating table. Which they did, literally. Even though they were in the midst of negotiation and from what I can tell the union believed there would have been an agreement had the Admin. not walked away. So now I guess there is talk about going to court and such, but from what I can tell there is no way that the faculty can be forced back to work since they and the union where still willing to negotiate. I guess we'll see. I'm trying to keep up but am unfamiliar with this sort of thing so if you are horribly curious as to what's going on please check out these sites that are much more informative than I can be.
Steven Krause (great blog, great forum for this issue)
Union site (very informative)
EMU site (not so informative and quite frankly it seems to exxagerate)


On a more personal note, I have a wedding to photgraph tomorrow. This will be a new experience for me so I am nervous and excited. I hope all goes well.

Speaking of photography. I am really excited about my photography class this semester. It will be my first time developing my own film and working in the dark room. My instructor seems equally concerned with subject and message as she is technique so I think I will be learning a great deal.

GO! FACULTY!

Classes start today. I am curious to see how this will go. EMU faculty have been striking since September1. I have been keeping up on this mainly because I can't believe how the administration is behaving. I feel like they are use to getting their way (ahhem..the new student union) and now that the faculty are not backing down they(the admin) are behaving like juveniles. At any rate...I guess I'll keep up on my experiences here. If any one is interested further in the story check out here, and here. It is amazing how assinine the admin. sounds after reading the union site and Krause's blog!

I am beginning to think that I made a huge mistake coming back to EMU. It has been nothing but a hassle and a disappointment so far. I am to overwhelmed with disgust and frustration to say anything constructive. So I took Xander to Fort Wayne over the weekend.

It was a great distraction and a learning experience. We were the only visitor there on Sunday.Which was sad, but good for us! We got to ride in the golf cart and our tour guide showed us some "extra" stuff that normally wouldn't have been accessible.
We spent today in Detroit as well. We joined Mom, Clint and Rachel in the Labor Day Parade. We paraded for ourselves it seemed, but fun anyhow.

Check out photobucket if you feel like it.

Regret Is A Waste Of Time?

There are few things in life that I regret. Unfortunately this morning I did something I regret fully. I have never been visited by a Jehovah's witness. I have longed for their company pretty much my entire life. Each time I return home and find their informative brochures I kick myself for leaving the house. This morning I finally had my chance to expand my knowledge base and I blew it. I Blew IT!!
Anyone has known me for more than 5 minutes is acutely aware of my inability to function in the mornings without coffee. Well, they woke me up and as I stumbled to the door, tripping over my barking dogs and my own feet I was already irritated at having to be awake. I opened the door as far as the chain would allow and mumbled some greeting. Of course her first statement was
" Are you a bible reader?"
First of all this is a complicated question to ask me even when I am fully conscience and ready for debate. It just irritated me more since I was neither. I closed the door and before I even got back in bed I realized what I had done.The chance that I missed. I ran back to the front door and opened it in hopes I could still catch them dejected and walking away, but no. They were gone. Gone like my hopes and dreams of becoming a Solid Gold dancer.
So now I write this sad and regretful for letting the one thing that may have amused me fully slip through my fingers.
Sad.

Miha and I picked the perfect day to go canoing. A little muggy, but otherwise mild. The water was little low, so we ended up getting stuck. Which worked out fine the first time, here in the pic. We just took a break and had a snack. This jam was easy to get out of, the next one wasn't. The current picked up and we found ourselves jammed up on the rcoks. Luckily I didn't have to get out and get myself all wet, there was a nice gentlman at the bank who waded in and pushed us on. There was a part of me that was kind of irritated that he didn't just leave us alone and let us do it ourselves, but I was in no mood to spoil the mood. No need to let out my inner feminist when I can do just as well with my inner girly girl.
At any rate..it was nice.
We returned from Cedar Point last nite and I am exhausted. It rained. We didn't get there until noon and I kept getting sick after every ride. Which I only rode two. I might have gotten sick on more rides, but they were closed due to the weather.Although we did look pretty schnazzy in our matching green ponchos and Tony won a giant stuffed dog. Which almost ended up staying at Cedar Point because we took the car instead of the Suburban.
I am exhusted. Xander is too. He slept until 11 and so did I.

Days without binky........1.5