August 31, 2010- Day 62

I couldn't pass this up. Well actually I did pass this up. I had to turn around to take the picture! I saw it as I came to a stop sign and circled back. I love old cars, buildings, whatever!

August 30, 2010- Day 61

Can you tell what this is?  Thanks again Kim for help. I was frustrated today and couldn't find anything interesting. I took a drive and came home empty handed.  Kim suggested my idea for the picture below. I  went for the macro shot in a candy dish.  My picture today is...... gum!!!

August 29, 2010- Day 60

I've read on a few blogs that around Day 60 of the 365 project people tend to get tired.  I'm not tired of taking pictures, I was just tired today. It was a nice lazy Sunday which included a great family dinner.  Thanks Aunt Carole for the amazing mini muffins! 

August 28, 2010- Day 59

Today was a busy day.  I went for a run in Forest Park with Kim. Then we went to the History Museum to see Vatican Splendors.  It was amazing. I highly recommend it! If they allowed photography I would have taken a picture of my favorite work of art by Michelangelo, La Pietà. After the museum we headed downtown for some errands. These beautiful glass flowers had water pouring on them from above and they were lit from below.  I want one!

August 27, 2010- Day 58

I knew I wanted a fence picture and I knew where the fence was, I just had to get to it. So today was the day.  As I talked to my friend, Sarah, I was getting a few shots in. What can I say? I'm so used to multitasking at work, I can't help it! I had trouble deciding which picture to use. I also had a close up that I really liked but I decided to use something different today.  It was so peaceful and quiet there. For the first time today I felt relaxed.

August 25, 2010- Day 57

Today was a super long day. I was fresh out of ideas by the time I left work at 7. I called Kim who again offered me a suggestion.  Go to a track or something. So I headed to my old alma mater and took to the track. I never was a runner in high school. Now though, I like a good run every once in a while. I can't wait to do the Halloween run this year!  Thanks Ber!!!! 

August 25, 2010- Day 56

THANKS KIMBERLY for the idea. It's been a long day. I came home from work, relaxed a little too long, and didn't plan out my picture for today. I tried a few things but they didn't work. Kim suggested my keyboard. Yes, I have a keyboard. My sisters joke I'm trying to be Alicia Keys (my fav artist!!) but I still have no idea how to play it! See those white things? I labeled the keys about 3 years ago. That is as far as I got.

August 24, 2010- Day 55

What a beautiful sky today! As the sun was starting to set I grabbed my camera and took a few pics.

August 23, 2010- Day 54

I read a while back that I can use my 50mm lens as a macro lens. I tried it out and with a little time and patience I was able to get the image in focus. This was my dad's fortune from yummy Chinese. My fortune was to long, "Your magnetic personality will draw people to you this month."  Either way I like both of them!

August 22, 2010- Day 53

It's all about angles. That's what Tyra says on ANTM. For those of you who aren't addicted to TV like I am, that stands for America's Next Top Model.  Tyra always advised her models to learn their angles.  I think photography is very similar.  I'm trying to learn angles.

August 21, 2010- Day 52

Anyone watch Big Brother on CBS?  The show's motto is "Expect the Unexpected".  I feel like that should be my motto!  Today I went to Jefferson Barracks Cemetery with Kim. I wanted to attempt to capture the vast array of tombstones there. I wasn't getting what I wanted, just getting frustrated. Kim and I were leaving when we came upon a few deer. She stopped, I slowly got out of the car, and walked towards them quietly.  They watched me as they ate.  As my camera was clicking away noisily, they noticed and glanced up at me.  Doesn't he look like he's trying to tell me something, kind of like he's just been caught?

August 20, 2010- Day 51

I don't know whether to thank the STL police or be mad at them. After happy hour with some friends Kim went with me to Forest Park.  As we were driving down Kingshighway we noticed a lot of police. In Forest Park there were more police with flashing lights and a police van with a light shining into a pond. We knew something was up but kept driving. With sirens in the background I nervously got my shot below at the Welcome Center. We come home to find out suspects were on the loose in the park and their SUV was submerged in the pond. UHH thanks STL cops for letting us drive in the park with suspects running free. No warning or anything! I am thankful that I got my shot today, safely I might add.

August 19, 2010- Day 50

I don't know why but when I was taking the picture I felt like I was going to get caught doing something wrong. I felt rushed and I wasn't even near this place. I was actually positioned on top of a hill in a neighborhood. I was on a unfinished street with a ton of empty lots. I want to practice night photography. Everything is so still and quite. I like it. This was a 25 second exposure at f22.  I can't wait to try more like this. Stay tuned!

August 18, 2010- Day 49

I miss my grandma. It's only been a couple of months since she passed. Sometimes it feels like longer. I miss her laughter and hugs. I miss talking to her and hearing her stories. I'm sad to know she won't be here when I get married and have kids. This year will be the year of 1st's. I've already had my first birthday without her, 1st Fourth of July. Her birthday has also passed. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be hard. Even though she wasn't well last year, she was here. I want to forget when she was sick and those last days. I wish those awful memories would disappear.  Below here is a rose from her casket. It's been hanging in my room since May 10th, the day of the funeral. I miss you Grandma more then words can describe! 

August 17, 2010- Day 48

I was content taking a picture of some amazing cupcakes when my dad called me to check out this spider. Gross, I thought. After some trial & error my dad and I worked out a system. He held the flashlight at the right angle and I snapped away. This spider is huge and it's web extends from the chimney to the deck. The web's circumference is about 3 to 4 feet! I liked this first picture. You can see with the right leg that he is building the web. My dad liked the second picture. He said it looks like it has an alien head. Which one is your fav?

August 16, 2010- Day 47

When I was younger I loved reading. My dad would take my sisters and I to the library and we would check out as many books as possible. I loved being able to escape into another world. I remember one summer reading all the Little House on the Prairie books. How times have changed, now I go for boring books about business and resumes.

August 15, 2010- Day 46

My dad always said, "I know when it's time for you to go back to school." Then he'd show me these. Once they bloomed it was time to head back to Mizzou. Aww. Sometimes I miss college. 

August 14, 2010- Day 45

Rule #1- When going to a concert venue, research the largest lens they allow. Rule #2- Have you friends help sneak in your camera and lens. Rule #3- When asked by security how big your lens is, lie and tell them a number under the size of the largest lens that they allow. Thank you Kim for helping me lie & Crista & Maria for sneaking in my camera and lens! I was able to keep shooting at the BLACK EYED PEAS concert because I followed the rules listed above. The concert was amazing!!! It was high energy, fun, and a great show. We danced and sang the whole night. "I got a feelin...WOOO WHOO!!!!

August 13, 2010- Day 44

I had great time at the Cardinals game. Thanks Dad for the tickets! Kim, Manny, Melody, Maliyah, and I went.  I had a great time even though it was pretty hot. The Cardinals played against the awful, terrible, sucky Cubs. Of course the Cards won!!! What did you expect? Cubs SUCK!! It was an awesome game. I think Maliyah had a great time too. Isn't she the cutest Cardinals fan ever?

August 12, 2010- Day 43

 Taking pictures at night isn't easy. I know I have a flash and all but I think I prefer daylight! 

August 11, 2010- Day 42

I went driving for my picture tonight and found my inspiration while driving. I highly recommend NOT trying this at home or in a moving vehicle. I simply set my camera on my dashboard and took pics with while driving. Yes, while driving. Trust me I was careful, however when before I pulled up to a stoplight I had luckily already pulled my camera down. Good timing because there was a cop next to me!

August 10, 2010- Day 41

Yeah! Happy hour today with Tarisa & Kim. Cold beer was so good today! Have I mentioned how 270 at rush hour completely sucks!?!  I was happy to make it to Friday's!

August 9, 2010- Day 40

What a beautiful sunset today. On the way to the grocery store I saw my photo opportunity. I don't know about you but I don't want summer to end! I love beautiful sunsets and warm summer nights!

August 8, 2010- Day 39

I wanted to mix it up a bit today and try something different. Shooting indoors can be tricky. I want to work on it more in the future. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be!

August 7, 2010- Day 38

 I feel so relaxed. I can hear the water softly flowing over the rocks and birds chirping. It is so peaceful here early in the morning. This was the beginning of a beautiful day of sitting in the water with a drink in hand, tunes on the radio, and friends & family providing great conversation.

August 6, 2010- Day 37

Hey all! Had a nice trip to the river this weekend. The water is crystal clear and cold! It was nice to get sun, have a drink, and just relax! I also wanted to capture the beauty of this river. Hopefully I was able to come close!

August 5, 2010- Day 36

I can't believe I got these shots today!!! That's right I was there at the premiere in Chesterfield for the new movie, The Other Guys starring Will Ferrell & Mark Wahlberg!!!! It all started off a little rocky when I stepped up close to the fence to get in a good spot for the pictures. I heard this old woman loudly say, "Well we'll just step in front of her." She kept going with it til finally I looked at her and said, "I did not shove your daughter out of the way, I stepped into this open space. There is plenty of room here for everyone. I don't see what the problem is." As her jaw dropped, I turned around and waited for Mark & Will! Shout out to the lovely ladies chatted with me!! Mark Wahlberg & Will Ferrell were literally a foot from me. I am completely star struck.

August 4, 2010- Day 35

Go Dad! My dad had his last softball game tonight. He has been playing ball for years and he told me last night that this would be his last game. Somehow I don't believe him because he loves the game and he is good!  See my picture proves it. Look at that catch!

August 3, 2010- Day 34

I don't know about you but for me it feels like there are never enough hours in the day. I think I manage my time well but somehow I am always up late working on something. The picture below is how I feel a lot of the time, no pun intended.

August 2, 2010- Day 33

This is in the park that I frequent on my lunch breaks. When it's not to hot I grab my blanket and have a "picnic' lunch. Read, eat lunch, and enjoy my free hour from work!

August 1, 2010- Day 32

Today was a challenge. I wanted something different. I drove around looking for something specific. When I didn't find it I headed home. It's funny how things work out. I took a detour and came across a flooded field. Standing in the water I saw this beautiful white bird. I slowly approached, focused my lens, and the bird took off. It wasn't the shot I originally planned but then again, I love that I got action.