Excitement turns to glee which turns to anxiety which turns to questioning which turns to disappointment.

And eventually hopefully turns to relief and joy and fun and adventure... but that is yet to be determined.

I'm just really looking forward to having something to look forward to...

Seriously? It's like I own the world's tiniest puppy. I tried to convince Jon maybe he should freelance as a pet photographer. People pay for crazy things and he does good work.

Plus, Nacho is adorable. This was really his first photo shoot. Fleury gets his picture taken all the time, but Nacho has been too hard to wrangle until recently.

More.

I've been blogged. Fun!

I've also decided airports are perhaps my favorite photo spots. so much going on... people-wise and architecturally.

Anyway, I'm back from my various vacations and had a delightful time. I got to do a lot of relaxing in and around water, frolicking around Walt Disney World, boozing with old friends... all the things I love.

I also borrowed my sisters film camera which should prove to be an interesting adventure, aaaaaannnnd.... may or may not be taking a photography class this coming fall semester. Because... why the hell not, right?

Off to the land of Mickey Mouse and Phi Mu sisters!

I do hate packing more than you can possibly understand though. I have a deep desire to be the jetsetter who can go away for a long weekend with just one carry-on bag, but alas, my neuroses require me to pack for every conceivable possibility. So... I don't travel very lightly, but I am always prepared. And fabulous.

I mean, I am going away for 5 days and I do only have one carry-on sized suitcase, a big ol' LLBean tote/beach bag and my purse. So... it's not all THAT bad. But still... the jetsetter in me shakes her head with disapproval.

Anyway, I'll be back briefly next week before I head up to Ludington for another 5 or so days. Hooray! I'm sure a photo or two will find it's way to flickr while I'm gone since I can upload from my phone, so keep a look out for my adventures. I promised I wouldn't drag my laptop to Orlando, but I can't be expected not to play with my phone... haha

See ya real soon!

So, I was all psyched to explore the inside of this abandoned building (with photo-buddies, of course), until I was told a homeless guy was recently murdered on the property which suddenly made me reevaluate a lot of my photo-safaris.

I don't really think Lansing is all that dangerous, and it's not like I'm skulking around the homeless hideouts all by my cute self in the middle of the night.

Oooh... but today I did see no fewer than 4 (presumably) muskrats along the railroad. I was more worried I might get attacked by one of those than any of the more unsavory characters I saw out enjoying the nice weather.

Bedridden for nearly 24 hours, maybe an hour or two with clear nasal passages. Maybe half an hour with out chills or feverish sweatiness. Sexy.

Fortunately the roomie brought me oj and puffs plus with not so much as a joking protest and i have a vague recollection that he called this morning to cancel our old cable. Good kid.

Also, fortunately, I have had Data here to keep me company. I'm just finishing season 4.

I wonder if I'll sleep tonight?

(photo a la Beth)

So, as most of you know, I've joined the roomie in an attempt to document the year photographically. In no way considering myself a photographer, and having neither the skills, knowledge or tools that the roomie has, I set out to use my Year In Pictures as an extension of my blog. A photo journal of 2008, in essence.

And that's is very much what it started out to be. And in many ways, still is.

But it's become a lot more. I've enjoyed unleashing my inner artist again. She's mostly been stored away since my days as an art student at MSU. Even then, I never had the least bit of interest in photography. Of all the art forms to which I have been drawn... photos were just never on the list.

I still have pretty remedial knowledge, but 139 days later, I think I've learned a lot. For starters, I'm learning how to actually use my camera. I'm learning to predict my roomie's critiques. I'm learning what types of photos garner the interest of others. And, more importantly, I'm learning a lot about myself, and my own aesthetic and what it takes for a photo to catch my breath or make my heart race with glee.

And while I enjoy looking at my pretty pictures, what I have enjoyed most is taking them... and all that goes along with that. Suddenly, on my day off, I can't wait to get out of bed and go for a long solitary walk. I've nearly been late for work on multiple occasions because I couldn't stop snapping shots of the clouds. All day long, no matter where I am or what I am doing, I see the world through different eyes. I'm framing shots and looking at colors. I'm taking pictures in my head.

Anyway, I'm afraid this all sounds a bit cheesy. And I know I have a long way to go if I really wanted to take photography seriously, which I doubt would be the eventual result of all this. I also know I tend to obsess about things and sooner or later lose interest when a shiny new hobby comes along. And as I am typing this I can already hear most of you mocking me in that loving way you do.

But I think you all can stand to see me excited about something every now and then rather than going about my humdrum existence, living day to day, bored and uninspired. So, voila!