Testing new waters

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I love photography. I take a lot of pics of landscapes and still-lifes and statues and monuments. Today I experimented with something new: portraiture. A girlfriend of mine from work wanted some pics of her and her daughter for Christmas cards as well as Christmas gifts. She likes my other photography and asked if I could help her out. I warned her that I've never done this type of photography before, but I would give it my best shot.

The weather was beautiful today, and I pretty happy with my first attempt at portraiture. The most important thing is that my girlfriend loved them (if tears are any indication!) and she's happy. Here are a few of my favorites from today's shoot.

As always, feedback is welcome!

Virginia travels

After an exciting three days in Virginia, I've added a few sample photos to my photography page. And, as always, a few teasers to whet your appetite.

I can't wait to get to NOLA to take some more!

Saying goodbye to fall

The weather has finally turned and winter has arrived. My bouquet of fall flowers has followed suit and has started to fade. I managed to snap a few fall-esqu pics before I have to send them to their final resting place. Here is a teaser. The rest can be found on my photo page. 

A new decor

Inspired by Ms. Math (who was redesigning her blog today), I changed the decor of my digital home. I was growing tired of the pink and felt something more autumn-esque would be nice. While lemons don't exactly scream "FALL!" I do like them. I think they look warm and happy and fresh. I do like the yellow and the green though.

What are your thoughts? Are you feeling the new color scheme, or do you prefer the old pink?

What a coincidence!!

After my prospectus was approved, I ordered a used textbook that my committee recommended to help me during the next stage of this arduous (Kiki!! :-P) process. The book was ordered from Barnes and Noble and shipped from an independent used-textbook clearinghouse in Columbia, Missouri. When I opened the package, I took a good look at the book to make sure it wasn't too used. When I flipped it over, the label from the original bookstore was still on the back. It was from Mando Books!! The bookstore that I used all through my undergrad and Masters! How funny is that?!

Denied. Denied. Denied. APPROVED!

Actually, throw a few more "denied" in there and you'll get the real picture. I've submitted my dissertation prospectus more times than I can count, and each time it has been denied. Well, today, it was finally approved! Over a year later and more tears and tantrums than I'd like to admit to. But it's accepted, and it should be a weight off my shoulders.

But it's not. I'm not trying to sound like a brat or anything, but I was expecting it to feel more like relief. It doesn't. It's more like the feeling when you are walking up a really steep hill and you see the top. When you reach the top and turn the corner, you see that there is actually a MUCH bigger hill ahead of you that is twice as steep. It's more overwhelming and daunting than relieving.

But at least I'm one step closer to being Dr. MaryBeth, PhD. For now I'll just have to settle for MaryBeth, ABD. Better some letters than no letters, right?

My immune system on strike

It's happening.

Last week was the ear and the TMJ.

This week it is a spontaneous head cold that has left me dripping and sniffing and red-nosed and watery-eyed and tired.

I'm sure it is just the end-of-trimester stress, but it's getting old. Maybe I need an injection of Vitamin C or something ....

Halloween? No, thank you. Pass.

Reader Warning: Judgmental Language below

I normally love holidays. L-O-V-E holidays. Any excuse to be festive and fun, I'm there.  With one exception: Halloween.  I never really enjoyed the holiday, even when I was younger. Now that I'm older, it's just flat out annoying.

As a teen and as an adult I've never been big on how girls and women approach Halloween. For most of the female species (and, yes, we are a total separate species!), Halloween is National Dress Like a Ho Day. Normal costumes -- superheroes, witches, pirates, cops, you name it -- are suddenly only appropriate when they are preceded by "sexy." Huh? Why is it okay for girls and women to dress is such inappropriate clothing on Halloween? I completely understand the whole bit about Halloween being about exploring your wild side and alter ego. But is your wild side a really a ho? Because that's what so many girls and women dress like on Halloween. Not all, mind you, and I am thankful to the small minority. But still, I just don't get it.

I love seeing my students dress up in creative costumes, and I love the pics of my friends babies in adorable getups. But when it comes to trick or treating, I turn off my lights and pretend I'm not home. I find the whole holiday annoying and I really want nothing to do with it.

Does this mean I am turning into a scrooge?