Tombstones and actors, oh my!

Last night I shot the cast of "Tiptoe Through the Tombstones" for one of the local community theaters (Cascade Theatrical Company). Typically my buddy Jeff does these, but he had a game to referee and asked if I wouldn't mind shooting them for him. I obliged as he has helped me out in a pinch on more than one occasion, and well...that's what friends are for (everyone sing with me!). After talking to the director, I decided to set up outside in front of the theaters' garage door as it definitely had an old, creepy feel to it. The director loved the idea and about 30 minutes later, I was done. The cast told me that was the fastest photo session they'd had. Woohoo!! :o) Jeff is editing them for me as I still need to make room on the computer, plus he knows better what sizes, etc. But, in the meantime please enjoy a few fun ones.

I so wanted to go "play" with this girl after the session. She has striking features and I adored her shawl.

The director had wanted to use large tombstones but apparently had problems finding some that weren't scary (this play is a comedy), so he picked up the baby tombstone seen above. The only direction I gave the actors was to do whatever they wanted to with them...

It soooo made me miss acting, and although I've only been in one play there, it still takes me back. I even got to photograph one of my former cast members which was cool. We hadn't seen each other since "Binky and the Two-Speed Clock" days. I was a Space Panda...that's right...a Space Panda. Maybe if you're lucky I'll dig up a pic and humiliate myself. What else could be more enjoyable than that?! :oD

Porpoises galore

I gotta say, last weekends game against the Panthers was quite good. I'm hopeful that Frerotte will be much better than Fiedler but I still say the Dolphins should've drafted Brees when they had the chance. Sadly there is no game this weekend...sigh... Maybe that's a good thing--gives me a chance to catch up on work.

I just realized that my site is in Dolphins colors. hmmm, maybe that was done on a subconcious level. While I adore my 'Phins, I wasn't exactly thinking of them while I was planning the color scheme...or was I... Naturally I went with a different blue as, I hate to say it, but that aqua and orange is just...well...wrong. DH loves the Dolphins too and would probably sport one of their hats in support, yet since most of them have the signature colors he shies away from them. And he calls himself a fan. pssfffttt My dad bought me a pink Dolphins hat that my daughter has threatened to steal from me. He also got me the wonderful hoodie down below.

I guess I can't say much to my DH as half the time when I'm watching the games I don't recognize the names of the new players. He gets a tad annoyed when I say, "Who's that? I don't recognize him, is he new?" That is usually followed up by the roll of eyes, a sigh, and a "That's XYZ and he's been on the team for years. He's a second string," or some other such tidbit of info that there is no way I could 1.) possible know, 2.) if I did know remember, and 3.) regurgitate it as he does. I know my favorites, Taylor, Thomas, Minor, Chambers, McMichael, Madison, Mare, and Williams (which should be interesting to see how he does when he's finally let loose on the field), but the other guys just don't ring a bell unless I see them often, nor do I feel the need to make sure I know their names. That's not something women are good at. We remember dates, weights, locations, and how uncomfortable certain articles of clothing are, but not football player names and stats. Oh sure, there are the few women out there that have the capacity for all this extra stuff but I am not one of them. And I don't think I ever will be. I'm lucky if I can remember what I had for lunch yesterday (it was a Lean Cuisine meal, btw) and if I start cramming more info like rushing yards, touchdowns, and injuries, I'll blow up.

I do have to say that I was quite impressed with the newcomer, Ronnie Brown. He looks really good. The coaches have two seemingly awesome RB's on the team, as well as Minor. Maybe we'll get to the Playoffs this year?!! I never hold my breath during the season, though. I know better. I've been a loyal Dolphin fan since I was a kid and I understand that loving the Dolphins is loving them through good and bad times...which is more often than the former.

I gotta throw this in though...Frerotte looks a bit like a guy that would freak me out if I met him in a dark alley. I'm sure he's a normal, nice, upstanding guy but damn, his eyes creep me out. And that's how I tend to "judge"people--by their eyes. Not sure if it's the photographer in me or what, but I look at the eyes first whenever I meet people. I mean seriously...look at his eyes. He looks intense--and kinda like (damn I hate to say this too) Ted Bundy. Gus, I haven't decided if I "love" you yet (the season and your arm will determine that) but I gotta know...are you an intense kinda guy? You scare me and yet you're hot. Frightening.

(Pictures above & below are from the Official Miami Dolphins website--link over there ----->)

The killer hoodie my dad got me for the big 29 b-day

More Dead cake

DH said he didn't like the "out of focus words" on the other Dead cake, so I've decided to post this one. He just doesn't get the whole "artistic" side of photography. So without further ado...more Dead cake.

Of course looking at all this cake just makes me want a piece. I have been looking for an excuse to head back down to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for one of the caramel apples--drizzled in chocolate, of course. Granted, they aren't Mike Libs and the Chocolate Factory (formerly known as Libs Candies) which is where I worked for 3 yrs.--my first job at the family candy store--but it's still good. I also need to buy more treats to start working with Kya more. I'm thinking we can hit our favorite pet store, Bend Pet Express, and then RMCF. Yummies for her and yummies for me.

It looks like moving pics over to the server is going to take longer than I had anticipated. But, it will be done and I can get back to some serious work. For the past week or so I've been working with a local author who is a very sweet woman. She is having her first book published and I shot her head shot for the book jacket. It is a book for parents with kiddos that have special needs. Check out her site: Parenting Your Complex Child--a great resource for those who need it. I'm not sure when her book will be out or which picture they will go with, but it's exciting to know that I'll have a little part of me on it--albeit a small one. :o)

Wedding season has come to an end...

Isn't this cake the coolest??

I shot my last wedding this weekend. Total blast! They broke the "law" by having their ceremony on the golf course at a large resort community. It was such a beautiful spot that I couldn't blame them. Plus, one of their neighbors kindly handed out free beer to all the awaiting golfers as a "thank you." I guess some people got mad, which is silly in the grand scheme of things, but the couple felt it was worth it. And who in their right mind would get mad when you have free beer?! I got to bond with Blythe & Jamie during our "5-mins.-at-sunset" photo session (I always steal my couples during a lull in the reception for some fun pics and give them a chance to unwind). We discussed The Dead, Evansville, IN, my history into the realm of becoming a wedding photographer, and many other things. By the end of the night, Blythe had switched into much more comfortable attire and was posing for me. Although I wish I could've played more, it was time for me to go. I swear, if she ever comes down here again I'm stealing her for a session. You hear that, Blythe?!


So now I have tons of editing, a couple of albums, and reprints to get busy on. I can't wait for DH to get home so we can make space on this stinkin' 'puter.

Kya

Kya is our almost 4 mos. old Chinook puppy. She was born June 15, 2005 and came out of Paddlbye Chinooks. Her mom is CH 'PR' Lighthouse's Sandusky Bay, TT CGC--a.k.a. Sanni, and her dad is CH Channahon's Northern Kodiak--a.k.a. Kodiak. Kya's registered name is Paddlbye Richmond Landing (and no, we did not get to choose this name). She is a total crack up. Very sassy, mischievous, and yet loving. We had a Chinook before her...Toli...but unfortunately he died due to complications from a botched neuter (more on him and that later). "Dink-Dink" is what my husband calls her, while I prefer "Punkin' girl." All of us call her "Ky-Ky" at times too. Either way, she is a breed potential and if all goes well she will be bred when she's about 2 or 3. Our kennel name will be "Metolius Chinooks" after Toli...that way all pups coming from our home will have a little piece of him. For now we're just enjoying her and the perils of puppyhood. She starts school next week and will be headed back to the trainer we've used for years. Our trainer, whom I adore, discovered awhile back ago that we both have "Linden" in our names. Linden is her first name and it's my middle name. Gotta love that!

As of now, Kya is sleeping in her crate. She must be going through a growth lull as her appetite has slowed some for the past 2 days. We feed her raw meat and bones (as well as this nasty veggie concoction my husband makes that she usually refuses to eat) and she loves it. Her coat is amazingly shiney which convinced even me that a raw diet really is the "best." I know grains aren't good for dogs, yet I didn't think we'd see that much of a difference. Color me surprised!

Typically she can be found sleeping at my feet, on the futon, or on her bed--which took forever to convince her that it was a nice spot to lay on...not a chew toy. One day, when I have a studio, I plan to bring her with me so she can hang out and greet clients. Chinooks are such people lovers that she'd enjoy it.

Weeee

My first blog. Granted, I still don't know what I'm doing but I figure if I play around with this stuff long enough I'll get it down. Normally I would be working on pictures but as my main computer is full and I have to wait until my husband (the technical genius) can help me move them over to my dedicated server, I shall play with my blog. No way am I attempting to transfer pics by myself. That's just a disaster waiting to happen...and since I like my couples, I won't chance anything. :o)