The Guv's Out!

FINALLY. Blago is out.

Now maybe we can get on with the business of fixing the state of Illinois. (A girl can dream, right?!!!!)

Winter Photos

I finally convinced myself to go out in the cold and take some pictures. Let me say: it was very cold! But some good pictures came out nonetheless. See more pictures...

Ahh, the Coldness

Yesterday I convinced my body to go outside for a few brief moments to take some pictures. Let me tell you that when the wind chills are like 30 and 40 below zero those moments are very brief indeed. Even so, I think i got some good ones!

Given how cold it was, you had to really feel sorry for this little bush thing on the left. Just one thing - this picture was actually taken inside where I was nice and warm. Not so for the plant.

The image on the right was taken while outside. I couldn't help but wonder who in the world took the time to carve the battlements in the snow on the wall at the bottom of the photo, especially knowing how could it had to have been. But it gave an interesting photo, nonetheless. And the field beyond is just stunning. And no, the sun did not help warm things up.

The final image on the left was taken at the same place as the prior photo, and it was still just as cold. But I saw this cloud hanging up there in the sky, and it looked sorta lonely. So I just had to take a picture!

As always you can find these images and more in my photo gallery. Take a look...

Ok, Seriously!

Ok, Seriously, It's Cold Outside!

On my way into to work yesterday and today my car registered outside temperatures as low as -26. Add a wind-chill factor on to that, and brrrrrrrrr!

All I know is this: I'm SO ready for winter to be over, and spring to arrive. And hey - by Wednesday next week it might just feel like it - why? The difference in how it feels outside will be roughly SEVENTY degrees. Wow. Break out the shorts!

New Camera!!!!

I stopped by Target last night, and guess what I walked out with? A nice new shiny Canon Rebel XSI (or EOS 450D, as it is otherwise known). Mmmmmmmm, very nice.

And now the fun of learning its quirks and how to get the best pictures out of it begins!

Ghosts in Winter

Check this image out - a recent snow afforded the opportunity to play with a picture of these trees - and then this came out. Too cool! View all images...

Expect the Unexpected

Oy, vey!

This is what greeted me when I started driving this morning. Fun. Not. Most of the roads had yet to be plowed (or plowed well), and the radio commentary was even more fun listening to (i.e., accidents here, there, everywhere!) Of course, none of this had been forecast, so it was as much a surprise to the weather forecasters (even an hour before) as it was to me. But, oh well... that's life in the midwest, right?

Newest Images

The image on the left was actually a mistake - just a "what-if" experiment. A relatively bright lamp was placed behind the bottle, and then I just shot into it. The camera focused on the words at the back and produced this amazing image. I've done nothing else to it, save post it.

On the right was a photo taken a few years back, but the way the animal was looking back at me just struck me. The effect was achieved after a bit of playing around with layers and blends, but I like it. Not to mention that it seems this guy has a rather good bit of attitude - and therefore it is entitled Whatchoo lookin' at?

These two photos were taken about two years ago on one summer's day - apparently one filled with a bit of weather. The rainbow has been enhanced in the image on the far left, and something just struck me about those ominous clouds hanging over this lone farm in the distance. Given that both were taken from a moving vehicle makes them that more amazing (that they even came out!)

As always, if you want to see all the images I've created or photos I've taken, just wander over to my gallery...

It's a New Year...

Wow - it's a new year. It's hard to believe that it's 2009. It's hard to believe that sometime this year I will turn 30. (Oh my!) It's hard to believe that there's an entire year stretching out before me - some of it planned, some of it blank - but all of it ready to be filled with experience.

The year ahead has great potential, I think. No future is written in stone - it is what we make it. I think my "New Year Resolution" is to approach this new year with an attitude of betterment - to enjoy those moments I can - and to not always think thoughts that bring me down. I'm certain I won't always succeed - but with luck, and with God's help, I believe 2009 will be a fantastic year - not just for me, but I pray that it will be for many others.

So, with all that in mind - let's say goodbye to 2008 (but not forget the great memories), and welcome 2009. I'm sure great things are coming...