“The righteous perishes, and no one takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away while no one considers that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” –Isaiah 57:1-2
“I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
“When you stand at the edge of the cliff, jump to fly, not to fall.”
I think it’s appropriate to pull out photos of my EuroGirls and I outside the Buckingham Palace in London last summer, where William & Kate tied the knot today. Can I be a princess and live in a palace, too? Thanks!
The nurses were watching me so I was too afraid to take out my camera and capture YOU in this battle. It stayed hidden in my bag while I fought off the strongest urges to pull it out and take ONE photo. Just one. I’d look so inappropriate. I’d look so disrespectful. I’d look like a cold-hearted, stupid girl. Except it’s not like that. All I really want to do is document this moment so that when you’re better, you can look back and tell a brave story. After all, that’s what I love about taking photos – the documentation of events in life, big and small. I’d document your battle and then eventually, your victory, too.
Even though I followed the rules and etiquette around heavy events like these and kept my camera in my bag, and even though it’s not a photo of your brave self in the intensive care room hooked up to just about every drug possible, I discretely pulled out my iPhone and quickly sneaked this shot on the way out. It’s not even close to the right photo, but it’s better than nothing. Taken today, blogged about today, the same day you were taken into intensive care. That’s a good start, I think.
My gut tells me that you’re going to make it with flying colours. You’ve done this many times before. I’m not worried. And I’m especially not worried because God is with you no matter what happens. That alone, is enough for a peace of mind.
Why can’t I get a high from the gym like everyone else? Could I possibly be hardwired to hate exercise? I feel good after a workout but the whole thing is mostly torturous. The treadmill bores me to death – 20 minutes is the most that I can handle and it has nothing to do with stamina, but has everything to do with losing my mind if I stayed on any longer. I’m giving classes a shot and I pray to God that it’s less torturous.
I can never get close enough to a squirrel to get a good capture. This is the closest I’ve ever gotten with my 50mm. They’re just so fast! No matter how quietly you creep up on them, they hit the ground running when you’re still several metres away.
I was in a taxi cab en route to our office in downtown Winnipeg when I first saw this candy factory. After work, I walked the city for advertising inspiration and made it a point to pass by the candy factory for quick photos. Turns out there were multiple candy factories actually.
“Perhaps royal people everywhere should apologize for the years of pretending they were somehow chosen by a higher power to rule, enslave and colonize. Instead of holding a deja vu wedding – a strange costly neurosis ($150,000,000) – playing out on the world’s psyche, they could just admit they aren’t any closer to the top. They can’t pull some strings where it matters. But what do I know being common folk… Your Peasant, Reg”
Reg for Regina Spektor. Her status full of truth appeared on my Facebook feed and basically, she’s an angel. If you’ve never heard her music, start now. Ok, it’s a unique sound, different from today’s junk. So you may hate it, but I love it.
The weatherman forecasted rain and gloom on Saturday (yesterday), but when we were pleasantly surprised with the sun, I made sure that I spent the entire day outside and buried my face in the sunlight. I am inspired by sunlight and all I want to do is take pictures. It is especially perfect when it’s nearly setting and it hits your face and hair a certain way to give the perfect glow, and you’re squinting to see because it’s so bright that it’s blinding.
I hear the ice cream truck outside my window. Although we have a full week of rain coming up, have faith, because our sunshiney days are still coming. It’s just taking a little longer this year.
“Golden retrievers are not bred to be guard dogs, and considering the size of their hearts and their irrepressible joy in life, they are less likely to bite than to bark, less likely to bark than to lick a hand in greeting. In spite of their size, they think they are lap dogs, and in spite of being dogs, they think they are also human, and nearly every human they meet is judged to have the potential to be a boon companion who might, at any moment, cry, “Let’s go!” and lead them on a great adventure.” –Dean Koontz
I’m hitting plateaus a lot faster than I used to. I need new photoshoot locations. I need photoshoot buddies that will get up and go with me whenever, wherever. I need to go on my trip in August now (and then go again in August). I need a road trip. I need to move somewhere. I need money. I need time. I need something new. I need to exercise. I need the hot summer sun beaming on my skin. I need to take a course. I need to keep learning. I need to feel progress. I need to move forward. I need to reach that next milestone. I need to be closer to God. I need to take dance lessons. I need to go sky diving. I need to go zip lining. I need to ride a hot air balloon. I need to take some GOOD pictures because they’re lacking lately. I need to trespass into someone’s farmland and take a photo. I need to start a business with a good team. I need a dutch bike. One that fits little people like me.
