Update - War and Pieces

Earlier, I posted some pics of a project I am working on for my Sociology Class this semester. The class is Peace and Conflict Studies and we can choose our own final project (much better than just writing a boring old paper....I do plenty of that already...lol).

Anyway, I decided to do an art piece that would depict the ways that both war and peace are seen and how the two can intertwine and be connected.

This project from beginning to end has lasted almost 14 weeks so far (from conception to it's near completed state, and of course, I haven't worked on it every single day, but a few hours here and a few there.) I am getting really excited about the progress, and with the encouragement of a very incredible lady, I am going to post the updates as I go....

I won't post the finished product though, that will be unveiled in April (or December 14th if you are in my SOC class). Just an F.Y.I., I do accept some forms of bribery in regards to viewing the finished project.

Without further adieu, here is War and Pieces: The progress....

The WOW Factor

Today has been the first weekend day I have had off work so far this semester. Not that I am complaining, but it would be nice to have a weekend off once in awhile. I guess I can't say much since I am requesting a four day weekend for Thanksgiving. It will be nice to spend some time with family and friends, since I don't get to see people too often during the semester.

I have also come to the conclusion of where I would like to do my volunteer work for my religion class this semester. I really want to volunteer for a place called the Beach House. It was opened in 1921, and it is Toledo's oldest shelter for homeless women and children. It has, since that time, become a shelter for single fathers and families as well. It sounds like an amazing place for people to get a brand new lease on life. I am hoping they will be able to work with me. If you would like to find out more about The Beach House please go to :
http://www.beachhousetoledo.org/   or visit them on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Beach-House-Family-Shelter/144369802533?v=wall

On a super cool note, I went out to WoodChucks last night to celebrate my dear friend's last night bar tending and wanted to get some pictures of karaoke night....Not wanting to possibly damage my nice, new camera, I took my old point and shoot. Today when I went to look at the pictures from last night I discovered that there were also pictures I took at the Wood County Fair earlier this summer. I completely forgot they were even on my camera.  I was so wow'd by it that I am posting some of the pics and edits that I did.
 
All-in-all, it's been a productive schoolwork day as well as letting me have a little time to relax (and nurse a hangover).
I hope you enjoy.
Until next time....

Lovin' the Nightlife

I had a little bit of free time this evening after the sun made its descent across the western sky. With it being Veteran's Day, the I-280 bridge was lit up to resemble the American Flag. Luckily it wasn't too cold.


I am having so much fun with my camera....I love it. Here are some shots that I took this evening.

The last photo was kinda of a crap-shoot...I was trying to take it at a stoplight, but then the light turned green and the vehicle was moving as I tried to take a picture. While people may say it looks ridiculous, I say....I like it! I like the way the camera focuses on the one way sign and the pedestrian sign, but everything else is blurry and moving....
Enjoy the night!

Feeling Festively Feisty

The other day, I went out with my camera and took about 500 pictures. It was a gorgeous, sunny, autumn day. While I wish that every single one of them were good...I know better. It was a breezy day, and I am still pretty new with my camera since I don't get to get out very often to enjoy it. I would probably say there were about 50 really good/interesting photographs. On my way home, I stopped at Parker's Pumpkin Patch. It is a small locally owned pumpkin patch that, of all things, sells pumpkins for Halloween. I spoke with the owner, Jim. His family has been running it now for 5 years. He is saving the proceeds for his son Parker's college fund. I thought that was really awesome!
Jim was very happy to let me take pictures of his pumpkins. I took at least 50 more pictures at the patch. Then I bought some pumpkins and soy candles (yes, there were more than just pumpkins at the pumpkin patch). When I got home, I took several different pictures of pumpkin collages. There are pumpkin pictures everywhere.

Today, I am sharing a creation that I made called Pumpkintini Anyone? I hope that you enjoy. If you would like to find out more about Parker's Pumpkin Patch please visit them on Facebook.

Now to find the time to get around editing all the pictures I took...lol.

Stick a fork in me

That's how I feel lately...just stick a fork in me. I'm done. I am just so wiped out this semester and it's only half over. I am working way to many hours to be able to keep up with my school work, but until my boss hires someone else, I'm stuck. I can never get caught up, and I am to the point where I am just gonna say screw it and do something for myself today.

It is a gorgeous autumn day, not too cold, sunshine. I left work early. I was going to go and get a flu shot, but they stopped giving them at noon.

So I have decided it is a day of me and my camera. As soon as I finish my blog, I am out the door. I can't wait.

I just wanted to mention my final project for my Sociology class. It was my choice of what I wanted to submit. I didn't really feel like writing a paper. I write plenty of those everyday. I could earn my certificate as a conflict negotiator....ok, sounds interesting, but still more reading AND a test. I decided to do a print on canvas. I am really excited about it so far. I have about 32 hours into it so far and it is only part done.

I began in photoshop and created the collage you see here.....

It is called "War and Peaces". The title was inspired by my very dear friend Hope. She truly is witty and inspirational.

It is still a work in progress as I mentioned before. When I am done with it, it will be a mixed media masterpiece (I hope)...lol. I will keep you posted on the progress.

Enjoy the day,
Blessed Be

Prayer for Peace Day 2010

   Today, my prayer for peace is not only for people all over the world but right here in America as well. It has been said that peace is not just the absence of war, but also the love we have for others. Today, my hope is that all people, instead of fearing someone because they are different; seek instead to understand why there are differences. Love your neighbor does not just mean the people close to you, but all people. Everyone is a neighbor in some way. Erase the hate within ourselves and we can begin to mend the rift that continues even in this day and age to separate us. I know that I am just one person and I may not be able to change the world, but if I can just reach one person and make a difference for one person, then it can begin to spread. This is my prayer today, my prayer for peace. This is what I hope for on Peace Day 2010. What will you pray for?

   This is a Photoshop creation I did in my Web Imaging class several semesters ago. I think it is a perfect fit for today because when one person looks up at night and sees the moon, someone very different could look up and see a planet.  This will hopefully help you to see that we all have differences which make us unique. As humans, we need to learn to respect those differences. It has to start someone, and I hope it starts today.

Only a few more hours away....

International Day of Peace and Global Ceasefire...Please watch the video.

September 21, 2010 is a very special day all over the world. It is the International Day of Peace and a day of global ceasefire. Established by the United Nations in 1981, and first celebrated the following year and every year after, it is a day where anyone can make a difference....

Whether you light a candle at noon, meditate, say a prayer, or do something more involved, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

It is a vital day for people that live in areas ravaged by the atrocities of war. It is a day where emergency crews are able to deliver much needed supplies and medicine without fear of being killed.

If you are interested in learning more about this crucial day, please visit:

www.internationaldayofpeace.org
www.peaceoneday.org
http://www.amillionminutesforpeace.org/

There are millions of ways that you can show your support and help in hopes that one day, we can live in a world where there is peace.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi

9.12.10

I am impressed to see that I actually have followers. That is very cool. Thanks. I guess I don't really need to update from my last post, since my followers were at the gallery and already know the outcome...lol.

I'm not sure how much I will be able to update, or what actual content for updating I will have in the upcoming weeks...school and work consume all of my time.

Sometimes I feel like I don't have any time to breathe...let alone everything else. Though, I find a few moments every now and again to try out the new camera....I love it so much.

Here are a few shots I have taken so far...

Spider that was on the bathroom wall....eeeeeeek!

Here it is again...Definitely not Charlotte!

Gotta love Mother Nature and her sense of humor.

Just in case you didn't catch it the first time...

Some side views...

Now for the best part....wait for it...wait for it....

Nature gettin' funky...This is how carrots are really made....

But it isn't over yet....

Bow-Chica-Wa-Wow...

Debut

On Friday, I made my debut at J & J Gallery. What an experience. I was so nervous the entire week leading up to it. I got so see some of the entries before they were hung, and suddenly I thought to myself, "What am I doing? I must be crazy. I can't do this....but then I got some great advice from my friend Haithe...she said that we are always more critical of our work than we realize. She told me that everything was going to be just fine and that I had nothing to worry about. It was incredible to see my two pieces hanging on the wall...my stuff hanging in an art gallery...wow. It was amazing. It was a juried artshow, and I am still waiting to find out who won, as soon as I know, I will update. I want to also take this time to thank my family and friends that made it out to the opening to support me. Thank you so much. All of you are so very wonderful.

Here are the pieces that I submitted. They are on display until the end of September (in fact the final artwalk for Toledo is September 23rd with an after party at the gallery) at J & J Gallery. 909 Jefferson Ave. Friend them on Facebook or visit their website.  All the art is for sale so please stop by to look, buy, or both...lol.

Green With Envy

Dandelion In Disarray

Buen Viaje

Today, I said farewell to a beloved companion. I know that there are some people that will not understand what I am about to say,  and to them I will say fuck you, stop reading. I am not holding a gun to any one's head and I don't care what other people think. I don't write blogs for anyone else but me. For me, a blog is my journal...my story...my life...my thoughts. My rants, ravings, and sometime realities...

Anyway, today I said goodbye to a beloved cat. In 1997 right after I married my (now ex) husband, he brought me home a cute little fuzzy kitten. My ex told me that he was a Siamese, but as he grew older it was obvious he was mixed with something else.

He was an ornery little ball of fur, but I loved him dearly. I named him Oscar (one of my favorite names). Several months later I rescued a playmate for him. The two of them were hellions in their younger years.

After 6 months of being married, I moved back home. My parents came to Ft. Riley and took me and the cats in tow back home to Ohio (long story which I will not go into at this time). I didn't think Oscar was going to make it off the base. He didn't like being in a cage and decided to be very vocal about it. He yowled all the way from Kansas to Ohio.

Abridged version, my ex and I reconciled and I was moving to Germany with him. During this period of time my father, who dislikes cats, grew very attached to Oscar and my mother grew quite fond of Satan. I knew that they had a chance at a perfect life where they were, so...I let them stay with my parents when I moved.

My parents spoil the cats rotten. They want for nothing and have seen more love than I could have hoped for.

Today, after several months of various illnesses, Oscar's battles were over. In the end he was diagnosed with a massive tumor on his stomach which the vet was certain it was cancerous. In his demeanor, it was apparent that he was very ill and was suffering and there was only one choice to make.

It is never easy to have to make a choice like that. Many people don't understand that pet's have become family to us...they are the children we could (or can) never have.

I will miss him dearly, but I know that he is in a better place and is no longer in any pain.

So I write this blog...in loving memory.

Oscar

1997 - 2010

Good journey my friend. I will see you again someday.

Buen Viaje mi amigo

Constants.....

There are a few things that shall remain constant in my life right now it seems....

1. I shall always abhor the subject of mathmatics. Though I had two professors that actually made it seem easy to understand, it will reamin...this semester...disliked.

2. For two years now, I have missed the GAF (German-American Festival for you non-Toledoans out there). Both times I have been sick. I am sensing that I am not meant to go to the GAF, and as a dear friend of mine pointed out today, it seems there could be a conspiracy. Who knows? What I do know: I missed seeing Polka Flloyd perform today and I was looking forward to it.

3. I am destined to reamin single. I just don't get where all the good, decent men are hiding...and I am tired of looking. Perhaps, the reason is so that I may continue dating jerks and can continue with my blog "The Faux Pas of Dating".

Perhaps I am just in a funk because my birthday is coming up in a week and I am afraid to say that at 33 this isn't where I expected my life to be. I guess I always thought things would have gone much differently and when I see friends or people that are younger than me as being happy and successful, I get a bit envious. I shouldn't be, I know...it's not their fault. They knew what they wanted from life, grabbed the bull by the horns, and took charge. Part of the problem for me was, I wasn't really sure what I wanted. I went with the flow and made some bad choices. When it was my turn to grab the horns, I got knocked to the ground.  I admit that I am on the right track now in most areas and getting back up has been a very slow going process, but it happens a little more each day.

In two more years I plan to start a new career that will take me the rest of the way in my life, I have wonderful hobbies to fill my time with, hobbies that I would love to make more than hobbies someday. I have some incredible friends that love and support me. I am so greatful for that and they all know who they are. The only thing missing is that special someone to share it all with. I am missing that special someone that sees all of me and still wants to be with me. That special someone has to be out there that loves both the good and the bad parts of me....but I am so tired of looking, tired of searching. A friend of mine told me it was when you stop searching that it happens...well that hasn't happened either. I am great at helping my friends meet their significants....when is it my turn? Or am I being selfish?

So am I suppose to be content with being alone? And how in the hell do you find your other half in a world that is so big? Or even worse, what if you found that special someone once, but due to things outside your control, the two of you were no longer together? Are you suppose to settle for mediocre at that point?  I guess I don't know the etiquette for things like this....

I am sorry that I have gone off on so many tangents, but all of this has been bubbling up inside for awhile and I needed to let it out.Thanks for letting me vent.

I remain, as always,

Yours
P.S. The two pics I am posting tonight are grouped in my favorites...enjoy.