MIA
Sorry for being MIA. I’m in Colorado visiting friends and having a blast skiing. Still reading everyone. I can’t wait to get back and publish some posts I’ve been writing. Plus I have to do a New Years post, my goals for 2011 post, and Colorado trip.
Miss You all!
Tuesday Photo Challenges
I absolutely adore light! I love flare! I love 5 pm on any given day because of the golden light it produces. I was taking a picture of my new drumset when the sun was just STREAMING through the window. Sun is LOVE and BEAUTY!
Also for the Touch Up Tuesday and Shutter Love, my last year’s Bubbles Photo. Do you know how FREAKING hard it is to shoot bubble self portraits??? It was probably one of the most challenging self-portraits I have ever done and that’s considering I’ve done blowing fans ( that’s tough too), Avatar/Na’vi, jump and clone self portraits. And I still have to say bubbles is a bitch when you’re shooting yourself, because of all the multitasking you have to do with the remote and blowing bubbles at the same time. This was the only accpetable shot out of hundreds. I didn’t help that I look like a moron blowing bubbles. haha!
SOOC
What I did was some split toning in Lightroom ( yellow on highlights and blue on shadows), brightened it up, upped saturation, added some clarity, and touched up the background to look slightly darker with the brush tool.
AFTER
I also loved this shot below so much that I combined the two, and I think it really improves both the photos.
The Final Product. I hate how when I post bigger photos, they go way outside of the area where they have to be. So I am forced to post small ones. I will be redesigning the template even more to fit larger photos, since this is turning into more of a photography blog than I thought.
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My first Drumset
Some people don’t know this about me, but I used to be a huge fan of a game called Rockband. If you have teenage kids, you know what it is, or if you’re a teenager at heart yourself, you will most likely know what it is, as well.
For those who are neither, it’s a “rhythm” game that simulates a rock band experience. You have a little 4 tom drum set, a fake guitar with 5 colored buttons and a similar bass, and a microphone.
When I first bought it, my German friend Felicitas was visiting, so her and I were the first ones to try it out and I have to say she was a great sport. We customized our characters to look like ourselves and went to town learning the ropes of Rockbanding. The way I ended up being the drummer was because after poor attempts of both my husband and Felicitas to keep up with the beat, I turned out to be the better of the three at learning the drums fast. And that’s where I stayed for the next year. I was quite good at drums, I have to say. It was sort of a natural thing for me. My arms just moved without my brain processing what I am supposed to do.
We had a blast learning the game that first day. We played from 4pm to 4 am non stop except for bathroom breaks, and the next morning, as I open my eyes at 10 am, I see Felicitas standing in my bedroom doorway, disheveled looking and tired from the lack of sleep. She looks at me with the look of a mad woman and asks “Do you want to play?”
I just close my eyes and nod not having the energy to utter a word.
And that was my introduction to Rockband. We spent the rest of her vacation here in Florida, locked up in my movie room playing Rockband and the last three days shooting a fake music video for our fake rock band that we named Sexy Zombie.
So that being said ( and shown), about a year later, I’m still a big fan of Rockband, and I am really good at my 4 tom drums, however the time has come to buy a REAL LIFE drumset.
What prompted me to do that is the release of Rockband 3, that is designed in a way where you can hook up real MIDI instruments to it and play the real drum/guitar/keyboard parts of any song you choose. You can also go into training mode and learn to play an instrument or a specific song if you’re already proficient. It’s basically a kick ass learning tool. They have also improved vocals, where besides it being more precise, you get pitch correction, vocal reduction and a pitch guide ( which is a life savior, if you’ve ever tried singing with one).
So I am super duper excited to finally play the real drums. I have relatively decent skills from months of playing rockband and now I’m moving onto the real thing.
The day the the drums arrived from Amazon.com, DH was out on an appointment and I had to wait for him to get home to assemble it.
Our movie/game room: I set the drums up in the movie room where we play video games and watch movie, since I’ll be playing the drums along with Rockband 3 pretty often.
My 7.1 surround sound system, iPod dock, Wii, PS3 and 4 microphones.
I won’t be posting any videos of me playing until I get better at it and get all the right cables to hook it up to my sound system properly. But I’m sure some time in the future you will see me drumming away on here :)
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Linking up with:
Playing with the cats and pussies.
I spent half the day today watching this amazing man Jim live and play in a real lion’s den. This guy, who owns (???) a wildlife refuge and rehabilitates wild animals that were injured or are unwanted, is running out of money and is holding sort of an unconventional ”fundraiser”. He will spend the whole month of January living, sleeping and playing in a cage with two 250 pound lions, 1 year old Ed and 2 year old Lea. This man is amazing , because he has such a rapport going with the animals. He plays with them, feeds them, wrestles with them, pats them on the back, kisses them all over their face and mouth. It’s really adorable to watch. He’s doing a live video stream for the whole month while he’s in the cage for people to watch and hopefully donate money. His teenage daughter Chelsey brings him food and helps around the refuge, feeding other animals. She’s not allowed in the cage with the lions because they’re too big now. But up until recently she was caring for them too. Little Ed is really missing her. So this evening I actually saw him feeding the lions. The cats were roaring and growling waiting for food. It’s such a sight, so humbling! I recommend you go and watch them play on his website, where you can also donate some money. The lions love him to death and it’s just adorable to see them interact. An article and a TV spot about it here.{this picture is not of the lions mentioned above}
Also, we assembled my new drum set and I’ve been killing it playing along to Green Day’s “21 Guns” and Pink’s “Who Knew”, solely because they’re the easiest songs to play to and I semi-knew the beat from my Rock Band drums days. Pretty cool I gotta tell you, pretty cool!
Aside from lion watching and drum playing, I started my new exercise program (in addition to my daily pilates), designed specifically to increase strength and endurance of the muscles necessary for pregnancy, labor and recovery. I did a fitness test to see where my muscles are at and everything was above par ( abs, lower back, upper back, shoulders, legs, thighs, arms), except for ankles (whaaaat?) and PC muscles ( the figure eight that encompasses your urethra,vagina and anus- excuse my bluntness). In order to have strong PC muscles, that would be very beneficial in labor and recovery, you’d have to be able to “hold” it for at least 10 seconds. I’ve never done kegels before and I guess it shows. The good news is that the muscle is easy to train. So there I go, squeezing my vageygey any chance I get.
…….
It was kind of funny, because DH and I were working out and while he was doing some man arm exercises, I stood on my hands and knees and started doing my kegels. After a while, I look at him with a smirk and ask: “Hey, do you know what I am doing?”, cuz really it didn’t look like I was doing anything besides standing on my hands and knees. How would he know that I am working my vagina muscles??? :)
And he goes:” Squeezing IT?”
We both burst out laughing! I guess there will be a lot more grosser things we’ll be going through during pregnancy than my husband “guessing” that I’m working out his favorite part of my body.
…….
Ok, here’s a test for ya’ll fit ladies out there. Apparently I have weak (-er?) ankles, the punishment for which will be me tripping and spraying my ankles when I get as big as a hippopotamus on fast food. I want to know if it’s just my weak spot or if it’s really something most of us seem to have in an underdeveloped state ( my hubby couldn’t do it either). Would you all please squat for me? No, I won’t make you squeeze your lady parts. We’re talking about ankles here. Squat if you can and then sit in the squatting position for at least 15 seconds while ( and THIS IS KEY!) making sure that your HEELS are flat on the floor. So, you cannot be on your toes! That doesn’t count. Only flat on your heels for 15 seconds. Can anyone do it? Anyone?
If you can, I envy your flexible strong ankles
For those who are interested ( whether you are or are not planning on having a baby in the next year or two), I will attempt to post a scan of the pre-pregnancy strength and flexibility test. I wish I had read this book, like, a year ago, and now I’d be walking around with a strong crotch that could suffocate an elephant and ankles that allow me to sit in a squatting position for hours….you know…in case I have to take a dump in the middle of the road and I’m experiencing some pregnancy induced “blockage”.
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Stylish Blogger Award
Also today I got my first Blog Award. Yay for it! I received it from the beautiful Ambrosia Clark . Thank you, darling!
7 Things about me ( I almost feel like it’s a Miley song)
1. I play drums and I’m kind of good at it ( ha! That’s a recent discovery and I am still not very good from the skills standpoint, a beginner, but I am working on it)
2. I don’t eat meat. At all. Evah!
3. I hate doing dishes and scrubing bathrooms. I’d rather fold and iron clothes for hours than do the “dirty work”
4.I’m super good with computer and any kind of technology. I can figure out anything electronic
5. I have a nude and topless shots ( modelling shots, NOT like the trashy glamour stuff that some people shoot. YUCK!)
7. I am a huge overachiever and perfectionist, but not OCD or anything like that. Things just come easy for me.
I am passing this award to:
(see, this is tough, because most people I read have already gotten the award)
1. 7x7xMommy
2. Angel Perry
3. The Bobby Pin
4. Miss Ashley in Mississippi
5. Love (cubed)
6. The Tales of Two Taylors
7. {Shutter} Mama
I am going to stop at 7 awards for three reasons: 1. I really don’t read THAT many blogs, 2. Half the blogs I read got the award this week and the other half a while ago, 3. And I mean 15???? Really? Is it a bit crazy and makes it less special?
So here we go! 7 beautiful, fun-to-read ladies!
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Please don’t forget to VOTE daily!
Today in a few words
Today:
I realized how much more energized I feel when I go to bed before 11pm. My mood and my energy are UP!
I got a few bad news and a few good news. But nothing major. Just work stuff.
Made an amazing grilled bean artichoke cheese whole wheat tortilla
Started a post about healthy eating and meat. It’s going to be HUUUUUGE
Finally received my long awaited electronic drum set! It’s 50 pounds in the box and I do not want to assemble it until hubby gets home. So much better when I just watch him work hehe :)
Now I am super excited about playing drums tonight! Are you happy for me?
I spent all day dying from cramps. Thanks Aunt Flow! Feeling better today but still sucks.
It’s been raining all day which is very unusual for South Florida winters, but I’m happy for the rain. That means I don’t have to go out and water my flower beds. I’m lazy :)
What have you all been up to today?
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Hoping around!
Memories, Dreams and Reflections
Memories Dreams and Reflections 2010
This is my last photo list post. There have been too many already. I am going to write a lot more from now on. But I just couldn’t miss Ashley’s MDR project. So here we go.
- Me!
OK, I have a ton of pictures of myself. Not because I love myself ( not that I don’t). I have a ton of pictures from the modeling days, but aside from that I used to be sort of a self portraiture “artist”. That’s how I got into photography. I was my own test subject because…well, we don’t have kids, hubby doesn’t like being photographed and everyone else is just to hard to nail down on short notice. So I’d do 365 Self-portrait projects, and other team projects focused on self portraiture on Flickr, and that kind of stuck. I normally use a tripod and remote and set everything up myself. So for this, I wanted to use a more “normal” photo. Just a mirrored selfie while brushing my teeth LOL.
- I Love You - My goofy crazy hubby
- Still Laughing… - My girlfriend and I were hanging out by a bar on Collins Ave in Miami, having fun and laughing when we were approached by a bunch of guys who were having a bachelor party. They wanted us to pose with them for a picture to make their wives/girlfriends jealous. We couldn’t say no!
- Winter Wonderland - that’s a toughie. It doesn’t snow in South Florida, so winter wonderland as a concept just doesn’t exist. But I do have a snowman that I put out every Christmas that is the closest to that description
- Birthday - I’m a huge fan of bubble baths. So on an evening of my birthday i had a special rose petal bubble bath worked up for me by the hubby
- Friends - I have A LOT of friends. Or more like a lot of groups of friends. I have friends in Russia, I have friends in Italy, friends all over the US, friends in Turkey, friends in Switzerland, friends in NYC and friends in Miami, friends all over the country. I didn’t have one picture that would contain all those friends. So I decided to post the latest picture I had. These gorgeous girlies were with me for our New year celebration ( post coming up).
- I Was Inspired… - Avatar, the best movie of all times… I think I was actually inspired by one of the people in our Flickr community. Na’vi ROCK! I cannot post the before photo For Touch Up Tuesday since it was taken topless ( I was hoping to cover my boobs with the pattern..didn’t work out, so I drew a bra), but here’s a tutorial on how to make one of your own. It’ very much time consuming, but well worth it.
- Spring Fever - again no real seasons in Florida, but i think this photo taken at Universal represents Spring.
- Travel or Vacation - Ecuador. Our 7th anniversary trip. It was an amazing trip. I had been there twice before, but it was a first time for my husband. We had so much fun there and I am definitely going back with some girlfriends very soon
- Summer Days - That’s what they look like for me.
- A Day In My Life - This was relatively easy. I had done this photo for a Flick project. I had to take 1 photo every hour for 12 hours. And this is what I got. It pretty much represents most my days when I take it easy: party,brushing teeth, sleeping, waking up, computer time,bathroom (lol),waiting for hubby to get ready ( he’s the slowest person on earth), going to the pool, swimming, getting some work done, studying spanish, and a movie/show
I Heart Faces: Best Face of 2010
For I heart Faces Contest
Happy Birthday, America!
This photo was taken for the July 4th celebration of our country’s birthday in 2010. Self portrait, done as all other photos: with tripod and remote.
It probably doesn’t really stand a chance with all those cute kids’ faces (OMG, are all bloggers mother? lol), but I just really want to share this photo with you guys.
2010 in Review
Before I launch into my New Year’s goals and wishes post, I’d like to look back onto 2010 in review and will be linking up with my own 2010 Recap Linky Party (open till January 6th, 2011). Feel free to follow suit and grab the 2010 Recap button:
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It’s a lot of fun seeing how fabulous your year REALLY was!
The year started fantastic for me and ended…well… blah. What that means for my next year, I have no idea, but here is a RECAP:
1. My first big accomplishment of 2010 was cleaning out and organizing our closets. The amount of clothes that was piled up on the floor was unimaginable-a foot or two of wrinkled,bunched up fabric ( actually here’s the picture so that you didn’t have to imagine it). It took me more than a week to get it in shape, but I can say this now: I have never kept my closet as organized as I have this year. So here’s to organization and less messines!
2. Spanish: I finally got the determination to pick up Spanish again. I have a strong love for languages, but, like everyone, never have time to do much about it. Back in school and college, I used to love to study. So this time around, I had promised myself that I will devote 1 hour each day to studying Spanish. It helped that we had planned a trip to Ecuador ( my 3rd trip) and I justreally wanted to communicate withthe wonderful help at the house and people out in the town. My husband isn’t really a language person. However, after about a month or two of helping him study (i can be a really good teacher) he turned into quite a student ( just shows you what determination can do even to people who claim they can’t do something). In addition to books, we would watch episodes of ” Sos Mi Vida” with Natalia that I had ordered from some site that made pirated copies ( lol… that was the only way to get that show). We’d also speak to each other in Spanish ( DH grew up in Puerto Rico so he had a base as well).
By the end of the year we slacked off a bit, but not for the lack of desire but more for the madness that we call work during the holidays. I’m very proud of having been able to be so disciplined to study a seemingly unnecessary subject daily.
Year End Recap 2010 {*Photo Linky*}
There are very few things that I love more than lists, recaps and plans. But New Year’s Resolutions are lame. Plans for the upcoming year do not need to be “resolutions”. No matter how “resolved” we are, life interferes. So I believe there’s no way to progress until you’ve reviewed your past events and achievements, lessons and struggles.
I choose to concentrate on the little “happinesses” that, depsite of how hard it seems, are right there to be discovered. That being said, when I think back to 2010 I remember nothing but hard work and stress, but when I go to my photos tagged with 2010 I find so many fun memories and events. My point is we only remember either negative emotions or most recent events ( the last few months were pretty stressful and full of work for me).
So I want you all to take the time to look back at your photos throughout the year and share them with us.
It can be a just a few photos from your favorite events, or a photo for each month of 2010. Take your time- the linky will be open for a week, so you’re free to post well into 2011 :)
Re-live the joys of 2010!
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