Filed under Photography

Year in Review (2011 Edition)

I was going to make this a post about how I did or didn’t meet my goals for last year then realized I never made any. Sure, I wanted to graduate but, really, was that ever in doubt? (Oh, I hope not.) So, again this year, a year in review.

January: Attempted, yet again, to blog daily which became weekly which became only when I felt guilty that I hadn’t blogged in awhile. Visited the National Building Museum. Started working with the TJ FIRST team. Mostly focused on coding my senior design project. Started a new job.

February: FIRST season concluded and senior design continued. Tried skiing for the first time.

March: Attended the St. Patrick’s parade in Old Town. DC FIRST regional held. Midterms and a big senior design deadline consumed my life. Spring break was spent working and doing school work. Attended Steph’s baby shower.

April: Life consumed by school projects, tests. etc. Traveled to West Point to attend a design competition (and really wished they didn’t have a rule about no AC before 1 may).

May: Wrapped up my last undergraduate semester. Graduated Suma Cum Laude. Celebrated Matt’s grandmother’s 90th birthday. Went to a color theory workshop with Ms Babs.

June: Started first full-time job (and it’s not so fun commute). Started looking at houses. Got back into sewing by making a few handbags (and failed at making myself a skirt).

July: Brutally hot month. Went to more open houses and house tours. Attended the first annual Bontrager cousins reunion in DE. Started digital scrapbooking five years of marriage.

August: Put a bid on a house, counterbid accepted, home inspection, mortgage application, and everything else invovled with buying a house. Felt not nearly as poor as expected at the end of the process. Really started my new job (assignment received). Started a quilt for the first time in four years.

September: Moved into the new house. Held a housewarming party with friends, family, and neighbhors.

October: Spent two and a half week exploring Spain, France, and Italy. Spent the rest of the month starting a new project at work and recovering from being away for so long.

November: Had Thanksgiving at our place, this time with Matt’s parents, Jesse’s family, Alison, and Lucy. Attended the DE reception for Caleb and Karen. Finished making a sweater for myself that actually fit.

December: Enjoyed a realitively warm December. Parents and brother visit for Christmas. Had first year of decorating our own house for Christmas (but settled for just a tree and some lights on a front window).

Udvar-Hazy

It’s been forever since I blogged or scrapbooked or knit or sewed, even. Okay, not forever. Like 10 days. Still, it seems like an eternity since I actually did anything at all creative. Last week was filled with long days at work. Thursday, my brother, Rob, got into town (though he was local for work earlier in the week). Saturday, my parents arrived. Yesterday was Christmas and all the craziness that comes with presents and stockings and massive quantities of sugar and food plus not being able to, you know, actually go anywhere all day. Today – today we were happy to get out of the house and do something.

So, after more than three years of begging Matt, we finally went. For once, it wasn’t too warm or too cold and wasn’t even crowded, despite being the day after a holiday that most people have off from work. It was everything I wanted: a giant hanger filled with dozens and dozens of airplanes plus missiles, satellites, hot air balloon baskets, and related objects.

I didn’t take notes so I can’t detail what’s in each photo so, yeah, what follows is lots and lots of pictures.

Dulles Annex 021

Dulles Annex 020

Dulles Annex 011

Dulls Annex 019

Dulles Annex 018

Dulles Annex 017

Dulles Annex 015

Dulles Annex 016

Dulles Annex 014

Dulles Annex 013

Dulles Annex 012

Dulles Annex 010

Dulles Annex 009

Dulles Annex 008

Dulles Annex 007

Dulles Annex 006

Dulles Annex 005

Dulles Annex 004

Dulles Annex 003

Dulles Annex 002

Dulles Annex 001

Interestingness

Flickr, the website I use for all of my photo storage (and for the social side, too, of course) ranks photos by what it calls interestingness. It’s a secret algorithm people are constantly trying to figure out. It takes into account the number of views, comments, and favorites. You can actually see your top 20 most interesting photos. I look at this every now and then because, usually, it makes me laugh. Those photos I took a long time to frame, to get just right? Not a one is on the list. Crappy camera phone shot? Yep, it’s on there. Just proves there really isn’t a rhyme or reason to it all, even if Flickr claims their is. [To find your own, sign in, click on the "You" tab, then (once the page loads), you'll find a link to "Popular" right above your photostream.]

So, in the style of that one old guy who has a late night show, my top 20 Flickr photos, sorted by interestingnes…

Number 20: “Yeah, that didn’t work”

8 April / Day 8 - Yeah, that didn't work

To play along with a theme one day, I attempted to take a photo of myself holding a piece of paper with words that someone told me (a la Somebody Once Told Me. I picked my phrase (“You have very blue eyes!”), aimed the camera at my face, and hoped for the best. This photo series (which I combined into a single shot) was the result.

Why people probably like it: 1) I posted it to a group all about people being silly and 2) people can relate to trying hard to get that excellent photo and failing miserably.

Number 19: “Civic Duty”

108/365 Civic Duty

Taken on Election Day 2008, I was very excited to vote and find out who won. The photo was taken in response, again, to a photo challenge regarding the “I voted” stickers. The photo was taken on my phone and very blurry but it really embodies how excited I was that day.

Why people probably like it: it was the presidental election of 2008, a lot of people probably felt the same invigoration. Why my photo, specifically? I have no idea. It’s really a horrible shot.

Number 18: “Column”

Column

Finally, a shot I’m actually proud to have on this list. It was taken at the Getty Villa, one of my favorite places in the LA area.

Why people probably like it: I like to think it’s popular because it’s a good photo but it’s more likely because people were looking for photos of the Villa or a column, in general.

Number 17: “Tomatoes”

Tomatoes

I snapped this photo one random Sunday at the Long Beach Farmer’s Market. The market was always crowded and, to get over my hatred of crowds, I’d often bring my camera and snap photos of the food and people there.

Why people probably like it: It’s a photo of tomatoes. It’s actually in focus, has correct coloring, and looks mighty tasty.

Number 16: “Upward”

Upward

Taken at the other Getty, the Getty Museum in Malibu. This stairway is between two of the buildings.

Why people probably like it: Pretty building, decent photo

Number 15: “Hot with a capital H”

028/365 Hot with a capital H

Taken on a very hot summer day when we lived in California (and only had portable air conditioners).

Why people probably like it: I don’t even want to know as it’s mostly a photo of my legs and feet

Number 14: “Commute”

28 Jan - Commute

Taken on a random day last January, during my commute home from work via the Metro. Makes me miss having that time everyday to sit and knit (or crochet).

Why people probably like it: I have no idea whatsoever.

Number 13: “Freedom”

124/365 Freedom

A photo of a credit card I cancelled because they wanted to charge me a fee to use it. Sure, there were benefits in the form of frequent flyer miles (which got us to Italy for free in 2008) but it wasn’t worth the fee.

Why people probably like it: The feeling of being free of credit (or even just a fee-charging credit card) is pretty universal.

Number 12: “Not a hat”

024/365 Not-a-Hat

This was probably the very first time I stuck partially-complete knitting on my head and took a photo of it. I still remember setting up my tripod in the living room of our apartment in Long Beach and taking dozens of photos.

Why people probably like it: Again with the every loves a giant dork theory

Number 11: “The Block”

The Block

A random sidewalk at a random suburban mall in Orange County. I have no idea why I even decided to take this photo.

Why people probably like it: Is the Mall at Orange really that popular?

Number 10: “TV Knitting”

Day 003 - TV Knitting

Me, sitting and knitting and watching TV on my laptop. This photo really makes me miss that orange shirt!

Why people probably like it: Knitting content?

Number 9: “Will Draw for Food”

Will Draw for Food

Photo of a poster advertising a club at CSULB. I remember getting to school really early and finding this illustration on a poster right near what is known as “the gap” – a tiny space between a set of columns people always squeeze through because it’s “easier” than walking around the columns altogether.

Why people probably like it: Unique drawing? Search for the phrase “will draw for food”?

Number 8: “Arroz con Pollo”

april 26

A photo of a dish that neither looks good nor tasted amazingly good. Taken when we still lived in Long Beach.

Why people probably like it: Searching for photos of the finished dish.

Number 7: “Knitting on the Metro”

Day 012 - Knitting on the Metro

Another metro crafting photo, this one with a purse-eyed view.

Why people probably like it: My only guess is knitting content

Number 6: “Swingers”

swingers

We went to this retro restaurant in Santa Monica after a fiber festival. I remember the food was only decent, the waitresses were very retro-trendy, and that everyone else overpaid such that I, the person who only had a credit card, didn’t actually have to pay anything (and the waitresses got like a 30% tip).

Why people probably like it: My guess is they weren’t searching for a sign from a restaurant..

Number 5: “Strawberry Tattoo”

may 13

This woman, appropriately, sold strawberries at the Long Beach Farmer’s Market. I finally got up the nerve to take a photo of her amazing tattoos.

Why people probably like it: People often go looking for ideas of tattoos.

Number 4: “Knitter’s Contents”

Knitter's Contents

My example of how a Trader Joe’s wine storage bag can be used, instead, to store half-knitted projects. This photo amuses me because I never finished a single one of the projects shown in it. I actually gave away the bright turquoise silk you see.

Why people probably like it: I posted this idea all over the place.

Number 3: “Red Scarf Progress”

Red Scarf Progress

One of my very first knitting projects, a scarf for Matt that I never finished. I don’t even know why, other than boredom.

Why people probably like it: I guess they like to laugh at a knitter’s first project. Also, it’s not a bad photo.

Number 2: “Humanese Cuisine”

humanese cuisine

Matt and I thought this sign was a spelling error but, as you can see in the comments, apparently the spelling was on purpose. Still a little weird if you ask me. I know the restaurant was in the same plaza of some amazing restaurant deep in Orange County but I can’t, for the life of me, remember what that other restaurant was.

Why people probably like it: I have no idea what you’d even search for to find it.

Number 1: “New Year, New Notebook”

New Year, New Notebook

A photo of my ritual of buying a new notebook on the first of each year.

Why people probably like it: Maybe I’m not the only one with this crazy ritual?

So, what of your photos is popular yet you have no idea why?

List 2: Things you are good at [30 Days of Lists]

What am I not good at?

Shush, I can hear you all laughing from here. Stop it.

In all seriousness, things I am good at:

  • Knitting lace shawls and socks
  • Making funny faces
  • Taking photos of my cats
  • Eating (you know it’s true if you’ve ever shared a meal with me)
  • Getting freaked out about things that don’t matter
  • Keeping perfectly calm with regards to things that do matter
  • Making lists, especially to do lists that get ignored
  • Cleaning toilets
  • Getting work done on time despite much procrastination

This was a really hard topic. No one wants to brag and I’m just starting my career so it’s not like I have any work-related things to mention. Plus, I tend to think I’m bad at everything (imagine that). But, still, I did manage to write the list.

Today’s unrelated photo: the street signs near where we had dinner last night. The location isn’t worth mentioning as it was pretty “eh,” overall.

Street

Macro May: A Summary (Sort of)

(A sort of summary because, well, it’s on the 27th. I still have a few days to actually, you know, really participate. I’ll do another post if I have a whole bunch more photos at the “real” end of the month.)

I know it seems like I forgot about Macro May entirely. Other than shots which happen to be macros that were taken for other purposes (mostly to document knitting WIP progress), I really haven’t done a ton of macro shots.

But, I really have no excuse. The first week of the month, I was busy finishing up my senior design project. The second week was spent taking finals and being terrified that something would prevent me from graduation. Last week was preparing for and enjoying my parents’ visit and graduation. This week, well, it’s my next to last week at my current job so I’m busy wrapping everything up (and doing lots of thinking about sewing outside of work).

The thing is, Matt bought me an amazing macro lens as a graduation gift. It’s a Sigma 50 mm f/2.8 macro lens (on Amazon here). It’s amazing. You can focus less than a foot away. It’s crazy! I’ve had the lens on my camera since I got it and have brought my camera everywhere I could and, still, very few photos to show for it.

Up Close

O Wool

Other side of fortune

Circle Skirt Calculations

Confetti

Ollie's existential face

Slow progress

Again with the Flowers

New Lens

Though no one said you can only take macro shots in May…

Now what?

I’m now a college graduate. I knew I’d say that someday but it’s so strange to finally do so.

Hat

I spent eight years studying, working on projects, taking exams, and attending classes (and worrying about all of this in my downtime).

But now? Now I have loads of free time. And, of course, my mind is full of ideas of things I want to do more of, do again, or start doing.

  • Knitting: Obviously, I already do a lot of this. But I have big, specific goals for what I want to do. I want to knit colorwork mittens for everyone I know. I want to knit lace shawls for anyone who wants one. I want to make things for the children of friends, family, and coworkers. I want to maybe, someday, knit myself a sweater that fits and makes me feel great about my body (but doesn’t make it sweat like a pig every single time I wear it).
  • Sewing: I have a machine. I know basic construction. My husband’s boss got me a gift certificate to an excellent sewing shop for graduation. Heck, I even have a few friends who, I am sure, would be happy to share their fabric stash with me. And, well, I miss sewing, I really do. Even if my machine can’t be fixed (the tension cannot be adjusted correctly, no matter what I or my mother-in-law have done), I can still sew again. May even get back into quilting. Or just stick with making little bags and fun skirts and..
  • Running: I miss it. Even the agony of having to tell myself “just two more miles” and the possibility of having to do physical therapy. I don’t think I’ll ever run a half marathon or even train for one but this area is full of fun 5k, 10k and 10 mile races. I wasn’t built to be a runner but I really do enjoy it. And can you imagine the fun of going running when I’m in Europe in the fall? Talk about a great way to see a city!
  • Writing: Journaling, specifically. Actually writing down my thoughts on paper. I miss it even more than I miss sewing and running. I’ve been journaling since fourth grade, why did I stop?
  • Reading: I admitted to Jocelyn the other day that I haven’t really read anything in a long time. Sure, I read dozens of blogs and news websites and food magazines, but when was the last time I actually read a real, live book? We even have the Kindle. And the public libraries near here are great. And I’m pretty sure the DC public library will give cards to non-residents, as will Fairfax County.
  • Photography: Matt got me an amazing lens (which I must blog about later) for graduation. It’s an amazing macro lens, great for both super close up shots and the intimate portraits I love to take. And, well, it’s summer in the DC area. Perfect time and place for photography.
  • Cooking: I want to get more into cooking, not to the level that Matt is, but at least to the point where I can make us dinner once a week without freaking out halfway through. I know, generally, what I’m doing, just have to develop an intuition for it like Matt has.
  • Blogging: Both here and on Two Yolks, the food blog I made Matt start but that he hasn’t written in for almost a year. I have the great camera, he’s still cooking awesome (and pretty!) food. No excuses. There will be more food blogging (and more blogging here, like I said in a recent post). Hopefully blog both places once a week, even if it’s just a few photos with short descriptions. (Like the post I’ve already got in draft form on Two Yolks, just need to polish it a bit and press Publish.)

So, now what?

The rest of my life can start.

Silent Sunday

I said far too much about my boring life yesterday so, instead, I give you a (semi) silent Sunday, brought to you by dinner with Matt’s dad’s extended family.

Sterling's usual smile

Mary, pre-tiara

Esther

Girl and her grandpa

George

Amy

Tish, soon to be Trish, RN

Matt, Mary, Trish, and Amy

Day in the Life: 14 May, 2011

Last night, before I went to bed, I stuck a post-it on my computer reading, simply, “blog.” And, while I’ve got a few posts already started, I decided to forget about them entirely and, instead, write something related to what’s going on in my life right now.

There’s a meme that I first saw wayyyy back when I blogged on Live Journal: A Day in the Life. Essentially, you take photos throughout your day, then go back later and write short captions about what’s going on. And the blogging group on Ravelry reminded me of this meme and I figured, hey, I should do that today.

So, today, you’ll see what it’s like to, you know, be me – without the Ally McBeal-like internal monologue (though I have never imagined my office filled with water or a dancing baby).

6:50 am – I’m not someone who sleeps in but, usually, I am not awake by now. But Matt was up, realized it’s sunny out, and decided today was the day to smoke all of the meat for my graduation party next weekend. I attempted to sleep in, didn’t work.

DiTL: early morning

Instead, I decided it was a great time to soak the shawl I want to block later.

DiTL: soaking

7:15 am – Pulled the shawl out of its water bath and spent far longer than normal pining it out. Last time I blocked this shawl, it did not turn out well. Hoping for a much better turn-out this time. I have a feeling the edging stitches are far too tight to get the blocking I want but hoping it will be somewhat ok when complete.

DiTL: Just out of water bath

DiTL: Blocking the corner

At some point – pulled the shawl off the bed. Blocking success!

DiTL: Post-Blocking

10:39 am: Watched some home improvement shows on PBS while finishing knitting Foliage. All started some laundry.

DiTL: Finishing the shawl

DiTL: Laundry

12:30 pm: Lunch (not pictured because I ate it too fast) then more TV watching and knitting. I couldn’t decide what I wanted to knit. I fiddled around with leftover silk lace first then decided it was better to go back to working on a different project I started earlier.

DiTL: New project

DiTL: More knitting

1: 15 pm: Attempted making paper roses. Only wound up upset with a mess of magazine spirals.

DiTL: Papercrafts

2:30 pm: Was starting to go stir crazy. Went shopping. Bought a pair of shorts and a purple and white checkered shirt.

DiTL: Shopping

After shopping, more bad TV watching and knitting. And lots of checking my grades over and over again to see if my senior project grade was posted.

6:45 pm – Dinner of some of the pork Matt had smoked. Yeah, no photo of this, either.

(After dinner all I did was knit more and catch up on Bones. And now I’m off to bed.)

Keyboard

I get this feeling that I’m famous for only one thing in my WIP photos: my keyboard in the background.

Here’s the thing: I’m lazy. I tend to snap photos of whatever I’m working on wherever I happen to be. And I usually feel like taking photos of what I’m working on when I’m at a computer where I can take the photo off my camera, fix it a little, and post to Flickr. So, my keyboard winds up in many of my shots.

And I wind up with something like this: yet another set of WIP pics taken by pushing my keyboard back, placing the WIP over it, rolling back far enough in my chair so the item will be just far enough away for my 50mm/F1.8 to focus on it, and snapping a few quick pics.

Flourish 002

Flourish 001

But, you know what, at least I’ll be famous for something…

[It's a newish pattern called Flourish that you can download via Rav here. Yarn is Sanguine Gryphon Bugga in a colorway that starts with Orange and ends in the name of a bug. I lost the tag the day I bought the yarn. I'm so responsible.]

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