Focus Optional

I finally had the two disposable cameras I had developed. Shots from when I was at school, during my internship and at home. The boys had fun too. Because you can’t see the picture on the back of the camera after you’ve taken it. (And figuring out where to put your fingers gets super tricky.)

Also got a Pentax from one of the teachers at the school that I have finally bought film for and will have developed the next time I’m in the city. It’s a bit of a learning curve, but I’m having so much fun with it, so who cares if there’s a finger smudging out a face or two?

Things I’m Loving:

+ A Working Girl Can’t Win by Deborah Garrison – Bought it at the thrift store when I was home for Christmas and did a quick read through then. Just re-read it and absolutely loved it.

+ Burn. – A photography journal curated by Magnum photographer David Alan Harvey.

+ Coconut Water – Don’t laugh. I can’t buy this in town. So I go to the city and hunt down a couple of decent cans. (And the stuff at Starbucks is just…no. No.) Thank goodness for one stop London Drugs!

+ Wise Words – Sometimes the Dr. is as true as it gets.

Pajama Days & To-Do Lists

It’s one of those days today. You know the ones. Where it’s been raining since last night and the wind keeps mounting. Where the only thing you really want to do is stay in your pajamas and drink hot chocolate and read. In bed. 

It was also one of those days with a list. Where things were written down and nodded at and told, “You will be crossed off.” (Which is why this blog post is happening close to midnight. Because it wasn’t on the list and so it didn’t have to be crossed off.)

But! But then the list was finished and all the things were crossed off (except for phoning that one place because on Wednesdays they’re closed in the afternoon, apparently.). And I still hadn’t written a blog post. However, I was in my pajamas, catching up on reading my issues of Popular Photography and scribbling down names of photographers to check out and drinking hot chocolate. So, you know, all in all, not bad. 

As I was brushing my teeth I went, “D’oh!” and scurried to my computer, searching for something to post. And then I found these. 

Welcome to my cousin’s house. Where I’ve spent the last two weekends. I’ve always known I wanted a yellow kitchen, ever since we painted the kitchen in house number 4 ‘Spanish Moon’ and house number 5 was just some soft, buttery yellow. But now I also know I want a world map on my kitchen wall. Preferably one that’s hung straight. 

Things I’m Loving:

+  12 Boardgames Pitched As Movies – I’d watch Jenga and I have a feeling that Guess Who really wouldn’t be that far off…

+  Colourblock Toe Ballet Flats – I have a pair of black penny loafers I’m going to do this too. As soon as I get the paint and some nice weather. 

+ Strawberry Ice – This is up there on my summer ‘will dos’ along with freezing coffee into ice cubes and putting them in a glass of cold (lactose free) milk. 

+ Observatory – this picture by Brian Ferry. Because it reminds me of Taiwan last summer and when we went to the mountains for the weekend. And I had never been that high up but the sun set and I couldn’t stop taking pictures and there were all these little huts on the sides (literally, the sides. You always hear that and think it can’t be true but it is.). The sun was setting and everything just got kind of hazy and I knew that, while I might not want to go back, I was just really glad I was there. So yes, that picture. 

Weekend Round Up

1.) Pumpkin torte that my mother made. Pretty sure I had a solid four pieces.

2.) Our family makes homemade pizza like nobody’s business. The size of cookie sheets and all of the toppings.

3. & 4.) The view from my hammock this weekend.

5.) Yellow shoes for the spring.

6.) Delicious rice in an awesome bag.

My mother and I babysat my cousin’s kids for the weekend and the weather was sunny with wind and afforded some quality hammock time. Then my Victoria Day laziness went from sleeping in to a massage to a  Zoomba workout (with a side of yes, still sorting through boxes), which I’m going to count as a win.

Things I’m Loving:

+ What is next for women’s soccer? – The WPS officially finished last Friday, sadly, and this article talks about what the future looks like for the sport.

+ 6 Portrait Lighting Patterns Every Photographer Should Know – A fantastically thorough piece on lighting and the steps on how to have that kind of lighting for your portraits. Definitely something I’ve bookmarked.

Roller Derbies & Being the Best

I always seem to remember about blogging at the most inopportune times. When I’m working, just before a football match starts, just before bed as I’m drifting off to sleep. And of course, I always say to myself, “Later, later,” or, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” and now look at me. It’s been exactly a week since my last blog post. Because I’m lazy like that. (Seriously, I’m pushing it with this one right now as I’m supposed to pick my sister up in twenty minutes. Oh boy.

A couple of things happened though, which was really cool. First: last Saturday my friend Meghan and I (the girl with the skateboard in my last post) went to our first roller derby! It was actually really fun once we got into it and sort of figured it out. (She commented that we should have watched Whip It before going.) I just grabbed my camera on my way out of the house, so no long lens, but, I was really glad I went and even with the few photos I got. 

As well, the second issue of Planet S came out yesterday! While you can see the Lifestyle bit I did, you’ll actually have to get your hands on the issue to see all the photos/profiles/ads that I did for it. So, if you’re in the Saskatoon area, pick up a copy! It turned out really great and I’m really proud of all the pieces that I had included in it. 

Michael Eva won Best Bartender for this year. He works at Amigo’s Cantina and was loads of fun to interview. 

Adam Taylor won Best Barista from his job at Museo. Guys, he worked in Sweden as a barista for a year. That alone should more than impressive. 

So yes, if you’re in the area, pick up a copy. I’m thinking I might take photos of some of the published stuff for those of you who can’t, because I’m nice like that. (And I like to show off.)

Things I’m Loving: 

+ Envoy of Belfast – Let’s just say my wallet is so thankful it’s broke because it would quickly get there if I had any money. 

+ Charity Tickets – If you’re a Canadian Men’s National Team fan but can’t get to any of the games this summer, you can send a kid to a game instead. Since I won’t be able to go, definitely something I’m going to do. 

+ How To… –  A list of ten things you’ll never know if you might need. From how to sharpen a disposable razor to testing a car alternator to surviving in quick sand or being buried alive to hacking an alarm clock, they’ve got you covered. (Let’s hope you won’t need all of those at any point in time!)

+ Milk Tea Boba – Things I miss from Taiwan last summer: bubble tea. I haven’t had it since I left, mostly because if you’re not in the BIG centres, it’s really not the easiest thing to find. Making my own while I’m at home this summer is probably the closest I’ll get, so this will definitely come in handy!

Sun & Skateboards

Saskatoon doesn’t look like this anymore. Actually, it’s cold and windy and has been threatening to rain for the last two (three?) days. I thought spring was on its way the other day when my friend Meghan and I went out, her with her skateboard, me with my camera.

The great thing about someone who isn’t used to you having your camera out is that they aren’t sick (yet) of you taking their picture. I’m sure it’ll wear off, but, until it does, I’m going to use it to my advantage like nobody’s business.

Things I’m Loving:

+ Boys Will Hire Boys – “The media is male and getting maler.” An interesting article (with extra links to numbers and graphs) that shows how the number of women in media is declining and how men are more inclined to hire other men for a job that a women is possibly more qualified to do.

+ Spring Playlist by Kinfolk Mag – I have a ridiculous love for Kinfolk. I really do. I have their first two issues and can’t wait to order their third. It’s really no surprise that they can not only put together beautiful magazines, they can also create a wonderful playlist.

+ Smoked Tuna Quinoa Kedgeree – Anthology Mag was doing a recipe-a-week deal for the last five weeks and this one caught my eye like nobody’s business. Not only do I love food (obviously) but I seriously love seafood. And fresh fish? I’d eat it all the time if I could. So, this is on my list of things to make as soon as possible. But until then, I’ll just stare at the beautiful photography.

+ Women United Football Club – If you’re a female fan of the MLS, then head on over. Snagged from their front page: “In America and abroad, MLS has scores of female soccer fans, but there is little in the way of communities or reporting to serve them. We’re changing that in 2012. This is a place where women of all ages who are MLS fans can meet, mingle and blog about their thoughts. Join us as we get to experience the thrills and spills of pro soccer in a whole new way!”  Yeah, that’s something I can definitely get behind.