Week Forty-Seven: The Facts of Life

This week's episode brought to you by the makers of Trivial Pursuit. The top butterfly flight speed is 12 miles per hour. Some moths can fly 25 miles per hour. And people wonder why I'm afraid of moths. Demented little insects that can flutter dementedly faster than I can easily move myself are something to be feared.

Day 1 (323): 27th of October
Africa is bigger than the United States, China, India, Spain, France, and several other countries combined. But as they say, mo' landmass, mo' problems. Carney Park was burning tonight.

Great photo from Pozzuoli. Had to borrow glad rags for a Ball.

Day 2 (324): 28th of October
The Mongolian navy consists of seven people and one boat. Happy Tuesday.

This one came out great. I love the unplanned shots that just seem to work.

Day 3 (325): 29th of October
In ancient Rome, when a man testified in court he would swear on his testicles. I don't think we've come all that far. Science wonders why humans only use a small portion of their brains. I think it's a sample size problem. too many men were studied, and it is well known that little thinking is done with the brain. Ohh pretty. I miss my Mini.

Ahhh, the joys of commuting at dusk.

Day 4 (326): 30th of October
The United States has never lost a war in which mules were used. It turns out that going to sleep at 2230 and waking at 0230 to listen to Game Seven of the World Series leaves one rather less than alert during the day. Despite my elation at the win for the Giants (even years are the thing), I needed two cups of tea, two cups of coffee, and half a bag of chocolate covered espresso beans to reach a level of cognizance that met the minimum requirement to do my job. Also was asked several times if I was sick, several times if I was upset about something, and a couple of kind souls informed me that I looked rather tired. So kind of these random individuals to look out for my health and inform me of my apparent condition. I call this "Sun through rainy windshield."

And this is "Moon plus star." I'm nothing if not creative.

Day 5 (327): 31st of October
The past-tense of the word “dare” is “durst.” I think that means the past-tense of "fare" should be "furst." If only because of the confusion it would cause. If the Internet cannot use the right form of "there" or "their," just imagine. Read a great article this morning extolling the virtues of ghosting. It was music to my eyes. Many a time have I been chided for buggering off from a party without saying anything. That was the plan for tonight's party. A couple hours, a couple beers, a couple hellos and I'd be gone. Haha. Best laid plans. Foiled by that A-hole Alan Keilborn Holl. Ah well. Fun regardless. And I think I've satisfied my social appearance quota for at least six months. Here is a cool photo of the moon in the afternoon.

And the sun in the sundown time.

Day 6 (328): 1st of November
It is forbidden for aircraft to fly over the Taj Mahal. Another day, another set of glad rags. The Marines really know how to put on a party. Great grub. Great tunes. Almost enough to distract a person from those she tries to avoid but who end up everywhere. And when one's defenses are down thanks to the Mother of All Hangovers, distractions are welcome. Gosh I'm a grump.

And apparently Hangover Photos look just like Day Before Hangover Photos.

Seriously. Get a new muse, Rodeo.

OK, something that isn't just like the the crap from yesterday.

Day 7 (329): 2nd of November
Cats sleep 16 to 18 hours a day. I believe it, as there is one draped across my person as I type. It is truly remarkable how a human brain works. Particularly when combined with those pesky things called emotions. Someone whose presence used to elicit a smile and positive thoughts can become someone whose presence brings out nothing but urges to simultaneously flee and cause bodily harm and make snarky comments. Really wish I were better at things like saying and doing the right thing, or saying slash doing anything. Nope, when confronted by a complex situation, I usually follow the example of the great Br'er Rabbit. And that typically ends up with me laughing because it's the only thing that makes sense. Any rate, enough of that nonsense. Here is the view from my hotel this morning. Such a lovely morning.

A duck’s quack doesn’t echo, and no one knows why. Just proves that ducks are really aliens.
Your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end. All the better for wagging.

Week Eight: Don't Toy With Me

Had big plans for a shape-themed week, but as is my femaley and bloggery prerogative, I changed my mind when I got home. Have always been envious of those who take neat pictures of toys, and avoid the look of an eBay listing. Should probably provide a surgeon general's warning about the dork level associated with the toys below, but it seems a bit redundant. I will attempt to make the photos themselves not too lame, as a compensation. Will certainly wave the nerd flag, as well as the "I'm thirty but still have toys" flag. I have grownup toys as well (motorbike, nice camera, laptop, truck, money), but am not above kicking it with my bobbleheads and misc fan-related merchandise. One must have a modicum of shame in order to be snobbish about such things.

Day 1 (50): 27th of January
There are days when the world sneaks up behind a person and secretly drains the oomph right out. Not nice. And it seems always on those days there are all the meetings in all the different places. Found myself leaning against the railings on a stair and was not sure how long I'd been there. Enough whinging, though.  This I like to call "Tools of a good man's trade." That name came to me just as I hit the pickle button. Do wish either or both of these really did their fictional jobs. How brilliant would that be. If only we had more good men like the ones that wield these tools.

 A Black and White, for good measure, and for to get my skills with same improved.

This is all rather silly, but ah well. Somehow this edit made me sad. Amazing how changing the light balance and saturation can have that effect.

Day 2 (51): 28th of January
Recently several of my photos have won awards on Pixoto (a photo site wherein photographers vote on each others' work). Two that have been raking in appreciation for day, week, month, and year awards are sadly pics of my cats, but two pics from this 365 Project have done quite well as well, and one of my faves from the year just got a top 20% for 2013. Pondering how to take it (still learning to accept praise, OK?) but am working on the being flattered part. Nowhere near being a "good" photographer, but must be doing at least a few things right, at least part of the time. Note to self: sort out what that is. Setting scenes is something I need to do rather better, and that is part of the motivation / inspiration for the below. Somewhat recently I received the two items in the photos, and had a moment of insanity that resulted in the scenario you will witness. Took a few tries to get decent focus and light, and even tried the dreaded fisheye lens (a project for later). A scary twist on childhood icons (Pac-Man, PEZ, and Muppets). Poor guy... didn't see this happening. He just offered the nice yellow face a PEZ...

And really, there was nothing he could do... Pacman does have an insatiable appetite (it has been decades and he still chases pills / pill-shaped things).

Day 3 (52): 29th of January
Only a couple days into this theme and I am doing rather a lot of head scratching (though that may be related to elsewheres in my life). Am pondering how far to take it, and whether I will get anything out of it, skills-wise. Also may run a bit out of material. Thought I had more of my silly things here in Italy, but most apparently were either victims of the Great Goods Grab of 2012 or are in storage in Fallon, NV. Hmmmmm. The below set up is a bit of a re-attack on a previous shot. I'd originally wanted to do it outside, but by the time I got home it was dark and a bit miserable outside (and I was soon for beddie by). Thus, the in of doors, but there may be another attempt to take the toys outside. For now, shot one is Rainbow Dash attempting to mediate what could become a bad situation of "exterminate" vs "delete." Fingers crossed...

This is the schoolyard shot, with the Daleks gossiping about the Cyberman's new friend...SO uncool. We've all been on one side of this or the other...

Day 4 (53): 30th of January
Odd energy sort of a day. Lots of strange vibes everywhere I went. Sometimes wish I weren't such an emotion sponge. Must be because I bottle my own, so the Universe feels the need to affect me somehow... Naw. People just need to learn to keep it to themselves unless it serves a purpose. Hmmm. Yes. That sounds right. Excessive moodiness / miserygutsness is never necessary. Ah well. Moving on. Keeping things to the point, the below represents what it was like being a Mini driver. Particularly when in traffic with Large Vehicles. Like a nightmarish version of the Italian Job. With TIE Interceptors.

This was not the traffic they were looking for.

Day 5 (54): 31st of January
Sometimes the demands and expectations levied on a person are so obscure(d) that a body could simply not know they are there, never you mind what they are. This can complicate the task of satisfying same. My my. What a load of whinging. Should be ashamed of myself. Sorry about that. Here's a photo instead. I must've put these goggly eyes on nearly every surface within the house, but this is the least crap shot of the bunch. Nothing like goggly eyes and an excessive black and white edit to make a normal clothes cupboard look like something from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

Day 6 (55): 1st of February
W/ends that follow crap weeks are often, through no fault of their own, the victims of bad moods. Poor things. They just want to help. What we have below is my attempt to change up the backdrop and totally muddle all sorts of fictional characters. And play with light and focus a bit. In this case, I'm not sure that Toothless is on board with training against the Hulk. There are limits... not that the Doctor knows what those are...

Once again. Poor Toothless seems unsure about this... Hulk just wants to ride the dragon (not like that, mind you... although...). And sorry about the funny shadows. The light trick was not so good this time.

Day 7 (56): 2nd of February
The day of the Superb Owl. Am on the fence about who I care to win. Love my NFC, and I'd love for my Niners to have lost the Playoffs to the team that eventually won. However, it is hard to root for the Seasquawks... Ah well. We'll see. Game doesn't even come on here until midnight and change. And I have prep for the week to do and do not get the late start that everyone else is allowed. So, photos. Legos are brilliant. Therefore the following. A clone trooper just out on his rounds. First the snails. Insert joke here...

Come on! Of all the times to spring an ambush.Do you see the blaster?

That dealt with, a little misunderstanding about a chest full of gold... and a huge looming orange feline in the background...

Do we really need to involve the cops? I wasn't trying to steal anything!

And to top it all off... speeding? Really? How fast do you think this thing goes? Of course I have permits for the weapons...Lemmie just see...

In summation, this was an interesting experiment. As usual, some shots came out pretty great, and others not so much. In a week where my experiences can only be described with melodramatic terms (and as such I will spare you the gory details), I suppose such can only be expected. If my writing back in the day reflected my moods, it only follows that my photos would do the same. Better luck next week, no? Here's hoping. 

Week One: iRodeo

Firstly, so far, so good on actually taking at least one photo a day for the first week. So I suppose that means only 51 more of these. Right. Not a problem. I can do this. Perfectly simple.

Secondly, the going in game plan is to at least attempt to lump each week into a theme or category. Cannot promise that will last or always work. Am who I am and sometimes my natural state of being perfectly random will manifest. That said, here's to a game plan.

Thirdly, and more important than the above disclaimers, below is the product of the first seven days. As I've never been any good at mobile photos, I thought that would be an interesting way to begin. It admittedly also gave me an excuse to start simply, generally photographing things in my house.

Day 1: 9th of December (aka my birthday)
Almost failed right out the gate here, as I'd not taken a single photo until I was in bed, ready to sleep. What is a girl to do, but find something within arm's reach. First I tried a shot of two of my bed companions posed to look arty, but it just looked silly. Partly because a floppy rabbit in a calico dress looks odd next to a blue penguin wearing a santa hat.
Plan B was no surprise to anyone who knows me. I saw that it was after 2300 by checking the time on my TARDIS alarm clock. Thus was born this photo:

It then became this after a bit of post-production:

Day 2: 10th of December
Doing a bit of (much needed) tidying up, I went to toss my leather jacket on the back of the sofa, ostensibly to be put in the coat cupboard later. As I was in motion at the time, I completely missed the sofa, and it landed in a heap on the floor. The obvious next step was to stop tidying and find my neat hat, set it artistically on aforementioned heap of jacket and snap snap snap.

And again with the post. Sepia is fun:

Day 3: 11th of December
How to explain this without sounding absurd. Nope. Forget it. by the end of this year, I'll sound more than absurd on more than one occasion, so may as well just go. Was having tea and biscuits for supper (yes, supper) and decided it might look neat to pile up a bunch of biscuits next to some candles I keep on the kitchen table. The biscuits were very textury and oaty and nobbly and fruity, and the candles are, well, not. Hmmm. Maybe fruity, but not in the same way.

And, sorry, gratuitous editing:

Day 4: 12th of December
Had been held hostage at work by leadership that didn't want to give feedback on a task, and allowing me to close it out and be rid of it. Finally gave up when I hit the beenatworkelevenhours mark, and left in order to go home and change for a much-needed "girls night." The girls night turned out to be a long-planned surprise party which was so flattering and amazing and I didn't behave properly at it and was v bad at socialising with guests, but I spent most of the night gobsmacked that it was happening. One day I'll be better at handling that sort of thing. Maybe. Ah yes, to the photo. I've not been a real "take piccies of everything I eat" person, but this was too good not to shoot. Mouth starts watering again just looking at it and remembering...

Day 5: 13th of December (Friday the 13th...)
Stand by for nerdyness. In another fit of realising I'd almost gone off without taking a picture, I again grabbed things close at hand (downstairs this time). Thus another TARDIS. This time a USB port thingy. And Yoda. And a pineapple-shaped cookie jar (no cookies inside). So yes - I mashup-ed Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Psych. Judge away. Things're liable to get weirder before they get normaler.

Oh, yeah. Then I did this. With a mini TARDIS and a backdrop of Yoda's house. Sorry.

Day 6: 14th of December
I like Minis. Not the new ones, mind you, as they've gone all Large. I miss driving one. Mine was so nice. And Mini. I also like old photos of places. So it makes sense to put my little toy Mini in front of a photo of Old London. Juxtaposing things is fun. So is the word Juxtapose.

And a non-blurry one.

Day 7: 15th of December (Huzzah! A whole week!)
I'm a dog person. Just to put that out there. Really though, I'm an animal person, and don't do well with no four-leggedy beasties with whom I can chat and cuddle and generally co-exist. Cannot have a dog out here in Italy, as my schedule makes it not fair to the dog. Thus when I moved in last year and was met by tiny new kittens and their mum, all shivering noisily outside my door, I caved in short order. They are still strays, and live outside, but I feed and cuddle and such. They're still v much cats, though, so I'm not fooled into thinking they actually care about me, but I can pretend with the best of them. It's a use-use relationship, really. Here's one.

And the other.

A Closing Remark: Still struggling with iPhone pics. But maybe getting better-ish (?). These 365 Projects are supposed to be revealing as well as exercise-y, and I forsee this being more or less in that realm. Here's to Getting Better-ish. Here's also to Being Thirty.