Giving up 2012 / Remembering worth 2013

January 1, 2013 by Angela Leese

2012 was the year of giving up…and not in a I-will-no-longer-eat-fast-food sort of way. In a I-can’t-commit-to-anything sort of way. I was restless and unfocused and, overall, uninspired. At some point in the year I started then later gave up on scrapbooking, wearing makeup, photography, writing a memoir, cross stitch, knitting, crochet, blogging, sewing, running, watching the X-Files, embroidery. Only thing I really stuck to was reading (three cheers for the Kindle) and dying my hair (though partly because of the appointments made in advance).

I felt not good enough. My photos weren’t as great as those of others on Flickr or Instagram, especially because I wasn’t willing to dress up in a funny costume and never figured out how to clone myself with software. My current life had no excitement to blog about and my past was too boring to write about even within the confines of the notebooks that no one ever sees. My cross stitch was mundane; my attempts at a TARDIS embroidery untidy. My knitting (except socks, everyone always love their handknit socks) was unwanted. My attempts at cooking, bland. My attempts to mentor the students at FIRST, ineffective. My job search did go well at first because my suit didn’t fit properly (not because a great job was waiting for my within my own company – where I wore jeans to my interview). The only thing I could do correctly was eat, it seemed. Oh, and fall asleep reading. Totally mastered that this year.

So..what will be different in 2013? I’ll learn not to care. Okay, still care about important things like doing my absolute best at work and not dressing like a slob and making sure the bathrooms are clean when guests come over. But, not to care about things which are creative.

My friend Heather once told me that you can’t possibly fail at creativity. And, you know what, she’s right. No one dies if your embroidery is crooked or your photos is a bit blurry (call it “artsy”) or your mac-n-cheese is a bit runny.

Because, for the 100th time, all of my creative (and running, ’cause, you know, there’s that, too) efforts are worth it. Because, greater than that, I’m worth it. My time, my energy, my effort, my stash of craft supplies – all worth it.

What I’ve Been Up To

March 20, 2012 by Angela Leese

I’m still here, just busy with work and life. This’ll be a photo-less post, partly because I’m too lazy to dig through Flickr to find relevant photos, partly because I really don’t have that many. Maybe next week I’ll get back into the swing of things with posts with actual photos in them. Who am I kidding, it’ll probably be another month or two before I write another blog post with something that’s not just like “here’s my latest scrapbooking pages.”

So, what have I been doing? Well, working, knitting, scrapping, improving the house, enjoying the weather, planning vacation, and reading. Mostly working and reading (ok, and sleeping and eating but no one wants to hear about that).

Working

Don’t worry, no boring details. Just know that work is busy and while it’s sometimes overwhelming, I’m enjoying my current project.

Knitting

Ok, so I haven’t knit a single stitch in about three weeks but before that, I knit a shawl/scarf and about 2″ on a colorwork hat.

The shawl/scarf was Different Lines using bright blue and bright orange Neighborhood Fibre Co Studio Sock that I originally purchased to make the Steven West mystery shawl. It turned out HUGE and rather scarf-like due to how I blocked it. Of course, I forgot to really take photos of it once I gave it to the recipient (Anne, my Phi Rho big sister).

The colorwork hat actually isn’t one of the patterns I was trying to choose between a few months ago. It’s called Latvian Hat and I’m using Neighborhood Fibre Co in a white colorway that’s named, appropriately, after what Matt tells me is a very, er, racially non-diverse part of Baltimore and Miss Babs in Lilacs. Even though the pattern starts at the crown and gets larger, it’s still very slow to work a single round and the pattern requires rather a lot of conentration. It’s also at an awkward stage where it’s a bit too small to work on two needles comfortable but too large for only one. I put it aside once work got busy enough that I was only making myself more frustrated trying to work on it in the evening hours.

Scrapping

Despite not taking a whole bunch of photos lately, I have been keeping up with making at least one scrapbooking page a week. Some weeks, they’re rather unimpressive but it’s about recording what’s gone on, not always having a gorgeous page. I am going to try and pick up my picture-taking so it’s not quite so sad when I open up the week’s folder of photos and see only two in there. I’ll post pages from weeks 5 to I think we’re on 11 later this week. I also still need to finish the last few pages from our last Europe trip. I think maybe two need words then they’ll be done. Oh, and finally print some of these off, likely starting with Europe pages.

Improving the House

Nothing involving power tools or anything but quite an impressive list of small projects:

Hanging photos everywhere (my friend Lead provided opinions on good locales)
Installing a door sweep and fixing the screen on the porch door (Matt did most of this)
Picking out and trying a paint color for our bedroom (liked the color, will paint the whole thing starting this week)
Buying a new hanging birdfeeder – the old one had old feed permanantly stuck in it
Cleaning up the leaves / sticks / acorns / randomly strewn bricks in the backyard (Matt did most of the work here but I helped with some pickup and moving of stuff to be picked up to the curb)

Enjoying the weather

Despite being mid-March, it’s been in the high 70s almost every day the last week or so, with mostly clear skies on top of it. We’ve already grilled out twice (burgers then chicken) and enjoyed several evenings of reading on the porch after work. I keep waiting for the weather report to talk about a return to colder temperatures but it’s supposed to remain warm at least for a few more days. Anyone know if this may mean I can get my hands on some good and not very expensive steamed crabs earlier this year than normal? The wait until Memorial Day may be the end of me. Ok, not really. I’m just impatient.

Planning vacation

Matt and I started a few weeks ago thinking about taking a summer vacation and where we wanted to go and all that. After lots of thinking and looking around, we decided we’re going to head to Ireland for 10 days in May.

Reading

Ever since Matt got me a Kindle about a month ago, I have been reading like a crazy person. I think the first book I read on it was an Agatha Christie book, quickly followed by memoirs, dystopian novellas, more Agatha Christie, two books about WWII with a time travel theme, and, most recently, a thriller. I won’t go into all of the details but you can check out what I’ve read on Good Reads.

So…what’s up with you all?

Year in Review (2011 Edition)

December 31, 2011 by Angela Leese

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

December 26, 2011 by Angela Leese

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.

Thanksgiving: A review in photos

November 24, 2011 by Angela Leese

Interestingness

November 9, 2011 by Angela Leese

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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?

Today shall be known as Awesome Day

November 6, 2011 by Angela Leese

Today was a great day.

I slept in until what is now known as 7:30.

I got all of my digital scrapbooking supplies organized and made it through four days worth of editing of my Europe photos to be scrapped.

The church service had an excellent sermon and communion.

A friend I knew at UF and haven’t seen since 2005 grabbed my attention after the service.

Sunday School was filled with people our age and at the same point on their lives (and this week was a good discussion on the purpose of prophecy).

Everyone from SS went and got burgers together.

I got through editing the rest of my Europe photos.

I kept Matt company while he canned veal stock and made dinner.

We watched lots of DVRed cooking shows.

Dinner of gnocchi.

Finished the first sleeve on my sweater.

Watched Ravens/Steelers football.

Yeah, it was an awesome day.

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

June 3, 2011 by Angela Leese

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.

Macro May: A Summary (Sort of)

May 27, 2011 by Angela Leese

(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.

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

Now what?

May 23, 2011 by Angela Leese

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

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.

needles & vectors

Category Archives: Photography