I wonder what it might be like to have my youthful beauty back
To feel as though the world were easy, expansive and free
Too quickly fled the times of daydreaming and making up
And now I know my right to stand in defiance was more than justified
I wonder how it would feel, to walk around that track again
To feel as if the evening stars were always on my side
Too quickly all those memories fade and leave an empty nothingness
And now I know my arms reach out, wishing they were wings
I wonder what it might be like to dream on solid clouds again
To make reality stand still, in essence, while I write
Too quickly past the date time sped, racing towards tomorrow
And all the while here I stand, knowing I might find
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Hippos are Coming!
Never fear, the hippo blog will soon be here!
Its been a pretty busy extended weekend, jam-packed with adventure (Bristol Ren Fair, Key Lime Cove, and Six Flags), and surrounded by planning and decision making, so I'm a tad behind on the hippo post, as requested by Tav. BUT, I did some research this evening, and a post is forming, so hang tight, and there should be something pretty fun headed your way soon.
I hope you all had a lovely weekend and are enjoying a glamtastic week so far. Yup, glamtastic. Fictitious word of the day!
Cheerio!
Jen
Its been a pretty busy extended weekend, jam-packed with adventure (Bristol Ren Fair, Key Lime Cove, and Six Flags), and surrounded by planning and decision making, so I'm a tad behind on the hippo post, as requested by Tav. BUT, I did some research this evening, and a post is forming, so hang tight, and there should be something pretty fun headed your way soon.
I hope you all had a lovely weekend and are enjoying a glamtastic week so far. Yup, glamtastic. Fictitious word of the day!
Cheerio!
Jen
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Back to the World of Technology
So as Tavi begins his tour in the land of website testing and I dive headfirst back into finding something suitable and enjoyable to pursue (the shortfall of my trip's fund raising has lead me to take a step back and reconsider things, yet again), I find both of us encountering the joys of techno-land; the mystical universe in which things randomly reboot, auto-saves fail, and the very tools of your trade make it their daily goal to hate you. Yes, techno-land is a fun place. Surprise awaits you there, behind every string of code, around each browser window. It is a miracle so many of us organically sentient beings traverse this space and make it back to tell the tale.
Malfunctions and hiccups aside, it does feel quite nice to be making friends with my computer-savvy side again. I certainly don't claim to be IT Crowd status (although that show is Grrrrreat!), but the niche I have serves me well and after thousands of clams invested in the training that got me there, it is more than nice to be exercising the skill. AND, its something to write about. Working in techno-land always provides great little bits of inspiration for the Steam punk style screen play that I'm (still) writing.
But, writing is still sticky. It doesn't flow from me as it should...mostly from lack of inspiration these days. I feel I need a change, deep down in my soul. I have felt it for quite some time, and those of you who know me personally are no fool to that fact. So until it comes, I'm going to be open to suggestion. Starting now, until...well, we'll see how it goes...I'd like to try writing this blog based upon reader suggestion. You give me a topic...I'll research (or not, if not necessary) and write. Sound good?
Lets give it a go.
Suggestions, please?
-Jen
Malfunctions and hiccups aside, it does feel quite nice to be making friends with my computer-savvy side again. I certainly don't claim to be IT Crowd status (although that show is Grrrrreat!), but the niche I have serves me well and after thousands of clams invested in the training that got me there, it is more than nice to be exercising the skill. AND, its something to write about. Working in techno-land always provides great little bits of inspiration for the Steam punk style screen play that I'm (still) writing.
But, writing is still sticky. It doesn't flow from me as it should...mostly from lack of inspiration these days. I feel I need a change, deep down in my soul. I have felt it for quite some time, and those of you who know me personally are no fool to that fact. So until it comes, I'm going to be open to suggestion. Starting now, until...well, we'll see how it goes...I'd like to try writing this blog based upon reader suggestion. You give me a topic...I'll research (or not, if not necessary) and write. Sound good?
Lets give it a go.
Suggestions, please?
-Jen
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Shiner!
Big news!
Today I received my very first black eye!
What a rebel, eh??
Well, I wish I could say it was all that interesting. IN fact, the culprit was Tavi's elbow, in cohorts with a silverfish. Yes, a silverfish. Those most disturbing wiggly bugs...long and thin and big fans of eating through precious literature and artwork! One was perched on a roll of tissue on our bed, and as we were laying there talking, taking a break from folding clothes, I spotted it out of the corner of my eye.
Naturally, I jumped.
That's where time sped up, Tavi jerked in response, and before I knew it, I saw his elbow flying quickly towards my right eye!
CONTACT! CRASH! LOUD NOISES!!!!!!!!
Ok, so I overreacted and woke poor Andrew up from what may have been a restful slumber (as he is just recently back from camping up north in WI with Mike), and probably scared Tav half to death. But it HURT!
The result is a happy little lump, just above my eyelid and below the far outer crest of my eyebrow. Its hot and bothered, and determined to swell my eye shut, although luckily at this point it isn't retaining much color. In any case, I am somewhat glad to have it around, because it has always been a small aspiration of mine to have a black eye someday, as odd as that might sound. Just for experience value. :)
Guess tonight is my lucky night.
And following such an odd day! Power outages, weird work day, interesting customers, and a handful of project twists and turns. Here's hoping tomorrow will be a tad more mellow, very productive, and not too swollen.
Sorry, Tav, I couldn't NOT write about it. Not after wanting one for this long ;)
Love you...I know you feel really bad. Lets call it Karmic payback for your fun on the porch! xoxox
For the rest of you, sorry about the above mush :)
Have a great night all, and keep your hopes with The Great American Road Trip - Westward Expansion in its last 7 days of funding!
-Jen
Today I received my very first black eye!
What a rebel, eh??
Well, I wish I could say it was all that interesting. IN fact, the culprit was Tavi's elbow, in cohorts with a silverfish. Yes, a silverfish. Those most disturbing wiggly bugs...long and thin and big fans of eating through precious literature and artwork! One was perched on a roll of tissue on our bed, and as we were laying there talking, taking a break from folding clothes, I spotted it out of the corner of my eye.
Naturally, I jumped.
That's where time sped up, Tavi jerked in response, and before I knew it, I saw his elbow flying quickly towards my right eye!
CONTACT! CRASH! LOUD NOISES!!!!!!!!
Ok, so I overreacted and woke poor Andrew up from what may have been a restful slumber (as he is just recently back from camping up north in WI with Mike), and probably scared Tav half to death. But it HURT!
The result is a happy little lump, just above my eyelid and below the far outer crest of my eyebrow. Its hot and bothered, and determined to swell my eye shut, although luckily at this point it isn't retaining much color. In any case, I am somewhat glad to have it around, because it has always been a small aspiration of mine to have a black eye someday, as odd as that might sound. Just for experience value. :)
Guess tonight is my lucky night.
And following such an odd day! Power outages, weird work day, interesting customers, and a handful of project twists and turns. Here's hoping tomorrow will be a tad more mellow, very productive, and not too swollen.
Sorry, Tav, I couldn't NOT write about it. Not after wanting one for this long ;)
Love you...I know you feel really bad. Lets call it Karmic payback for your fun on the porch! xoxox
For the rest of you, sorry about the above mush :)
Have a great night all, and keep your hopes with The Great American Road Trip - Westward Expansion in its last 7 days of funding!
-Jen
Monday, July 26, 2010
In the delicate balance between planning for what may come and juggling the current day to day, I've found a lot of pleasure flipping through old childhood comforts...especially comics.
In light of that, I would like to share a poem with you from one of my all time favorite authors and artists. Although some would argue him simply a man of sketches and cute comics, those who have read even one of his many collections know him to be both wise and witty. So without further delay, the esteemed Bill Watterson:
“I made a big decision a little while ago.
I don’t remember what it was, which prob’ly goes to show
That many times a simple choice can prove to be essential
Even though it often might appear inconsequential.
I must have been distracted when I left my home because
Left or right I’m sure I went. (I wonder which it was!)
Anyway, I never veered: I walked in that direction
Utterly absorbed, it seems, in quiet introspection.
For no reason I can think of, I’ve wandered far astray.
And that is how I got to where I find myself today.”
Reminiscent of another favorite of mine by Robert Frost, which I'm sure most of you have read, this short poem by Watterson pretty well sums up where the past few months of planning this venture have brought me. I began, with no past experience planning such an extensive endeavor entirely on my own, and have pushed through to the present, learning, introspective all the way. The end result, as I find it today, is that I have never been more motivated, more inspired, more moved, to make something wonderful, not just for myself, but for everyone who believes in like ideas and even for those who have no concept of what I'm/we're doing - yet. I thank you all for that drive, as you have sown it into me, each step of the way.
In light of that, I would like to share a poem with you from one of my all time favorite authors and artists. Although some would argue him simply a man of sketches and cute comics, those who have read even one of his many collections know him to be both wise and witty. So without further delay, the esteemed Bill Watterson:
“I made a big decision a little while ago.
I don’t remember what it was, which prob’ly goes to show
That many times a simple choice can prove to be essential
Even though it often might appear inconsequential.
I must have been distracted when I left my home because
Left or right I’m sure I went. (I wonder which it was!)
Anyway, I never veered: I walked in that direction
Utterly absorbed, it seems, in quiet introspection.
For no reason I can think of, I’ve wandered far astray.
And that is how I got to where I find myself today.”
Reminiscent of another favorite of mine by Robert Frost, which I'm sure most of you have read, this short poem by Watterson pretty well sums up where the past few months of planning this venture have brought me. I began, with no past experience planning such an extensive endeavor entirely on my own, and have pushed through to the present, learning, introspective all the way. The end result, as I find it today, is that I have never been more motivated, more inspired, more moved, to make something wonderful, not just for myself, but for everyone who believes in like ideas and even for those who have no concept of what I'm/we're doing - yet. I thank you all for that drive, as you have sown it into me, each step of the way.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Hello all!
http://www.manifestdestinyink.com/documents/DungenessSpit_Photojournalism.pdf
Please let me know what you think!
Thanks!
Jen
After a rather short and encouraging chat with Tavi this evening, I began putting together a small mock-up of what a typical 1 day location section might end up looking like in the completed book. The pages are below, for all of you to take a peek at. Essentially I've taken some quick shots from our recent trip to Washington, and written up a short run through of the destination. Please, keep in mind this is a few weeks after having been at the location, so it is not quite the level of detail that will be included in the book, description or photo-wise, but it should give you a good idea of what I'm aiming for! There is also a higher resolution .pdf available for you to view here:
http://www.manifestdestinyink.com/documents/DungenessSpit_Photojournalism.pdf
Please let me know what you think!
Thanks!
Jen
Monday, June 14, 2010
Whirlwind of activity!
This is brief...I just wanted to tell everyone that my peas have flowered! By god, they are beautiful. Each bud is unique (yes, I am going to gush over them as though they were special snowflakes, in a most anti-Fight Club manner), ranging from soft lavender hues to bright magenta.
Also, I am a busy bee, getting ready to head out of town.
Funding for GART - West continues...still plenty of time to pledge!
And, now as 24 has come and gone, I can very safely say that I think 25 may be one of my busiest years of life yet.
Also, I stumbled on a facebook group yesterday which said something to the effect of, "can we please use Sarah Palin to plug the oil pipe in the Gulf?" Brilliant, I say! Heroism at its best for her, and a solution beyond my suggestion, which is of course to let it all run out so that we are forced to finally consider alternative options. BUT, a Sarah Palin plug would greatly reduce further damage to our ecosystems in that area and world-wide, so I'm all for it. ;)
Also, I am a busy bee, getting ready to head out of town.
Funding for GART - West continues...still plenty of time to pledge!
And, now as 24 has come and gone, I can very safely say that I think 25 may be one of my busiest years of life yet.
Also, I stumbled on a facebook group yesterday which said something to the effect of, "can we please use Sarah Palin to plug the oil pipe in the Gulf?" Brilliant, I say! Heroism at its best for her, and a solution beyond my suggestion, which is of course to let it all run out so that we are forced to finally consider alternative options. BUT, a Sarah Palin plug would greatly reduce further damage to our ecosystems in that area and world-wide, so I'm all for it. ;)
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tuesday Tuesday
Hey!
It's been a busy ride! The past week or so has been jam-packed with party planning, party throwing, birthday celebrating, and projects galore!
I have officially launched my book project, The Great American Road Trip - Westward Expansion, which can be found, in its entirety on Kickstarter.com. Kickstarter is a wonderful website which provides people with a platform upon which to place their projects for funding. It is to projects what ebay is to online markets/stores.
In a nutshell, The Great American Road Trip - Westward Expansion, aims to be a hard copy photojournalism/travel guide book, researched, documented, and created essentially on the road, so as to fully embody its title. The book will specifically detail a series of major natural wonders in Western America, in an effort to spark renewed interest in the preservation and enjoyment of American wilderness. In addition to the major attractions that will be showcased in the National Geographic-style photography of the book, GART - West will offer a unique travel guide to local points of interest in the areas which surround the main highlights.
The entire project encompasses a 6 week road trip, during which I, as writer and photographer, will travel a set route, accompanied by a driver/assistant, to photograph the selected natural attractions and create a running manuscript for the book. Upon completion of the road trip, a month’s time will be set for the editing of the book. Once the editing is complete, the book will be printed/published (this will be done by CL Graphics, Inc. in Crystal Lake, IL) and then marketed.
PLEASE, check out our Kickstarter page for further information and to help support the project. The team and I have all sorts of wonderful incentives to make your donation worthwhile.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1237596120/the-great-american-road-trip-westward-expansion
GART - West aside, I am proud to report that my plants are growing beautifully. I am quite proud, and also consider myself lucky, as I've been blessed with the gift of exceptionally great chives and a classy little tomato plant, supplied by my work buddy, Dave. Dave is nearly a master gardener, and quite frankly, has been a huge inspiration and fantastic source of helpful hints during my foray into deck gardening this year. I would also like to take a moment to thank my landlord, Robin, for although I doubt she will come across my little blog, she has been wonderful about letting my plants take over our railings, and has even offered some space in her garden if I run out of room. Thanks, Robin!
Well, time dwindles, the night grows old, and as I have to work tomorrow, I must bid you all adieu. I leave you with these most recent photos of the gardens, indoor and out...
ciao!
It's been a busy ride! The past week or so has been jam-packed with party planning, party throwing, birthday celebrating, and projects galore!
I have officially launched my book project, The Great American Road Trip - Westward Expansion, which can be found, in its entirety on Kickstarter.com. Kickstarter is a wonderful website which provides people with a platform upon which to place their projects for funding. It is to projects what ebay is to online markets/stores.
In a nutshell, The Great American Road Trip - Westward Expansion, aims to be a hard copy photojournalism/travel guide book, researched, documented, and created essentially on the road, so as to fully embody its title. The book will specifically detail a series of major natural wonders in Western America, in an effort to spark renewed interest in the preservation and enjoyment of American wilderness. In addition to the major attractions that will be showcased in the National Geographic-style photography of the book, GART - West will offer a unique travel guide to local points of interest in the areas which surround the main highlights.
The entire project encompasses a 6 week road trip, during which I, as writer and photographer, will travel a set route, accompanied by a driver/assistant, to photograph the selected natural attractions and create a running manuscript for the book. Upon completion of the road trip, a month’s time will be set for the editing of the book. Once the editing is complete, the book will be printed/published (this will be done by CL Graphics, Inc. in Crystal Lake, IL) and then marketed.
PLEASE, check out our Kickstarter page for further information and to help support the project. The team and I have all sorts of wonderful incentives to make your donation worthwhile.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1237596120/the-great-american-road-trip-westward-expansion
GART - West aside, I am proud to report that my plants are growing beautifully. I am quite proud, and also consider myself lucky, as I've been blessed with the gift of exceptionally great chives and a classy little tomato plant, supplied by my work buddy, Dave. Dave is nearly a master gardener, and quite frankly, has been a huge inspiration and fantastic source of helpful hints during my foray into deck gardening this year. I would also like to take a moment to thank my landlord, Robin, for although I doubt she will come across my little blog, she has been wonderful about letting my plants take over our railings, and has even offered some space in her garden if I run out of room. Thanks, Robin!
Well, time dwindles, the night grows old, and as I have to work tomorrow, I must bid you all adieu. I leave you with these most recent photos of the gardens, indoor and out...
ciao!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Phew! Shopping at mass markets is exhausting!
Ok, so perhaps mass markets isn't the best term. Maybe its more like, "Welcome to Costco, I love you," if you get the reference.
What a daunting day. Party planning is fun, but feeding 50 + people is certainly a task.
This is just a short update...the big bash to celebrate Tav's graduation is tomorrow, 2pm-7:30pm, and I hardly have time to work on my projects right now, but, I did submit to Kickstarter, so officially, MILESTONE 1 of The Great American Road Trip - Westward Expansion, was reached today! More to come on what that is, exactly. I promise, I will stop being vague just as soon as the timing is right and I have a bit more information posted online for ya'll to read!
In the mean time, happy holidays, America. Enjoy the sunshine, as it should be plentiful (thank god!). Drink many refreshing beverages. Eat good food. Wrap yourselves in a blanket of good company, and relax! But above all, go enjoy nature! Its out there, you just have to look!
Peace out,
Jen
Ok, so perhaps mass markets isn't the best term. Maybe its more like, "Welcome to Costco, I love you," if you get the reference.
What a daunting day. Party planning is fun, but feeding 50 + people is certainly a task.
This is just a short update...the big bash to celebrate Tav's graduation is tomorrow, 2pm-7:30pm, and I hardly have time to work on my projects right now, but, I did submit to Kickstarter, so officially, MILESTONE 1 of The Great American Road Trip - Westward Expansion, was reached today! More to come on what that is, exactly. I promise, I will stop being vague just as soon as the timing is right and I have a bit more information posted online for ya'll to read!
In the mean time, happy holidays, America. Enjoy the sunshine, as it should be plentiful (thank god!). Drink many refreshing beverages. Eat good food. Wrap yourselves in a blanket of good company, and relax! But above all, go enjoy nature! Its out there, you just have to look!
Peace out,
Jen
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