tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4435984998425751722024-03-13T00:52:31.971-04:00Kel ClicksKelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-29055685922921524722013-01-31T19:56:00.001-05:002013-01-31T19:56:26.033-05:00I'm MovingWell, I've managed to wear out my welcome on two separate photo-sharing sites.<br />
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It first happened here when I was given my eviction notice that stated I'd filled up my photo bucket to capacity. Couldn't post no more. Well, I could post text, but no photos. I'm funny though, I think a photo blog done in words only would be very tiring. 1,000 words per photo and all.<br />
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Not a huge hurdle when you've got an IT guy in the house. It went unnoticed. Did you notice? I bet you didn't notice. He gave me the workaround of adding my photos to Flickr and just linking to them in my blog post. Worked like a charm, even if butt pains were involved.<br />
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But... like the photo-holic that I am, I hadn't cleared my probationary period before I got a similar notice from Flickr. Too many photos. (Yeah, like there is such a thing.) Their method of dealing with it is to allow you to continue to post photos, but they delete your oldest in a first-in-first-out method. Enablers.<br />
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So.... I'm on the move. I'm heading over to a hosting site called Zenfolio, where I'll have unlimited storage of my photos on both a web-site and blog feed.<br />
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Here's the link to the blog.<br />
http://kelclicks.chiodifamily.com/blog<br />
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The website, where you can see a slide show of some of my fave photos set to a jazzy tune. Clunky at this point, but I'm working on it. You can get from one to the other with the links.<br />
<br />http://kelclicks.chiodifamily.com/<br />
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Anyone who subscribed to this blog (Heeelllooooo? Is anybody out there?) can do so on the new one, obviously. There's an RSS feed button and an email subscribe option when you click into any particular blog post.<br />
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So, there you have it. Hope to see you in my new, beautifully wide-open digs.<br />
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<br />Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-62643190936221733742013-01-26T23:58:00.001-05:002013-01-27T14:36:18.418-05:00P52/Week 4:"My Daily Routine""My Daily Routine" is the theme for this week's Project 52.<br />
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One load of laundry, a made bed and a cup of tea all were taken into consideration for my subject this week, but none of them would have been as cute at this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8418842564/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P52/Week 4:"My Daily Routine" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/Week 4:"My Daily Routine"" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8418842564_1c5c6627ef_b.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
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I can't tell you how happy it makes my heart to hear them play. They
work hard and it shows. So, I very happily chose listening to their
musical routine as the featured, photographed part of 'My Daily Routine'. (Sorry to all of those of you who would've loved to see my laundry baskets.)<br />
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My little musicians are working particularly hard on the score for a high school musical they'll be playing in. It's very different from anything they've done so far, since they'll be part of an orchestra and only playing a very distinct part of the music. (Explained by a musical nobody, so please excuse me.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8418141699/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nico with music WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Nico with music WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8514/8418141699_01d94a63a8_b.jpg" width="427" /> </a></div>
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This I do know: It's all rhythm, which is Nico's forte, so while it's new and challenging for Nico, it's at times overwhelming for Enzo, who usually plays melody.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8419237008/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Enzo laying WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Enzo laying WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8419237008_599779086e_b.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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In exasperation yesterday while they were practicing, Enzo blurted out, "I can't believe I'm doing this for free!"<br />
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Grandma and I just about rolled over laughing... The jaded outlook of a child professional musician.<br />
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But, wonderful big brother that he is, Nico takes the time to turn around and help Enzo figure out the chord formations and Enzo plugs away. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8419237080/" title="both looking at music WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="both looking at music WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8469/8419237080_793be5a388_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I can't wait to see how proud they are of themselves when it's all said and done and they've managed to get in there and play with the high school orchestra like the true professionals that they are.<br />
<br />Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-38957259873722626392013-01-21T21:05:00.002-05:002013-01-21T21:05:46.939-05:00A Visit with Baby MilaI made another visit to the hospital to see my new great niece, Mila yesterday. Now that she's out of the incubator she gets to be held a lot more, so I wanted to make sure the new parents had lots of not-from-a-cell-phone photos of this amazing time.<br />
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This one had to be the catch of the day:<br />
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I'm so happy to have gotten it. I can't imagine a more perfect first family portrait. It makes me so happy, except that it makes me sad that I don't have a similar photo of my family. But, I think I'll just choose to be happy for them and link it up for my Sweet Shot this week.</div>
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<a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/category/project52/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday with Kent Weakley" class="alignnone size-full" height="125" src="http://kentweakley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/P52logo125.jpg" title="P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday with Kent Weakley" width="125" /></a></div>
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You didn't think you were going to get away with looking at only one photo when a baby's involved, though? Did you?<br />
Needless to say, I got lots more. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8404283856/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="family kiss BW WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="family kiss BW WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8404283856_241e2e469e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8403187951/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="family tight WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="family tight WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/8403187951_e2a9d5a875_b.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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I got some one-on-one's with mom and dad, too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8403189057/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jen holding Mila WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Jen holding Mila WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8403189057_c7122bfb98_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8403189209/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jen holding Mila portrait BW WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Jen holding Mila portrait BW WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8495/8403189209_988a3b1663_b.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
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Dad got busy taking care of her needs:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8404282404/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jason over Mila smile WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Jason over Mila smile WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8404282404_6abdcdd4ee_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I captured this sequence while he wrapped her back into her blanket.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8404282520/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jason blanketing sequence WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Jason blanketing sequence WM" height="191" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8190/8404282520_6ffce839a5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While I was there, Grandma and Grandpa showed up and then Aunt Kacie and Uncle Ryan. We had to take turns seeing her since there are only 4 guests allowed in her little area.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8404283478/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Grandma and Grandpa with Mila WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Grandma and Grandpa with Mila WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8503/8404283478_7be2df4f92_b.jpg" width="431" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8404282752/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Grandpa and Mila WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Grandpa and Mila WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8404282752_2ca6bae3d1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8403190165/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Grandma and Mila WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Grandma and Mila WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8403190165_7fe11cd43a_b.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8404281762/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Kacie with Mila WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Kacie with Mila WM" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8404281762_18fbbf3a3b_b.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8404280652/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Ryan and Mila WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Ryan and Mila WM" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/8404280652_43a845cec9_b.jpg" width="267" /></a>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8404281838/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Kacie and Ryan hiccups WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Kacie and Ryan hiccups WM" height="441" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8051/8404281838_4a8e49acc9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mila had the hiccups, which got a big reaction from these two. Cute and cuter.</td></tr>
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Ok, I have more, but I'll leave it at that lest I tire your scrolling muscles. Maybe I'll post a few Mila portraits tomorrow.Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-55660519481247226642013-01-20T12:36:00.000-05:002013-01-20T12:42:08.826-05:00Game DayN.O.T.H.I.N.G. makes Enzo happier than when we're all playing a game together. We all love games, but, my Enzo knows how to make it happen. Love him for that.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8399193670/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="group WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="group WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8399193670_020d9b77de_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The game he wanted to play is not a simple one. There are characters to choose, monsters to fight, encounters to maneuver, a castle to map, treasure to find and more monsters to fight.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8399192050/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="overview mid game WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="overview mid game WM" height="442" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8399192050_2a8896e5be_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The good news is that it's a cooperative game and we all help each other along the way. (You are free to read that as: the boys and Jt help Grandma and me figure out what to do on our turns.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8399192522/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nico helps Grandma WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Nico helps Grandma WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8399192522_a18ee8e371_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The game has many missions, but the one we chose ("The Howling Hag") is one that's been played twice before and lost. We were never going to play another mission until we beat this one. And so we set out on our adventure.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8399194396/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="E N rolling die WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="E N rolling die WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8514/8399194396_8dc606a61c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was Wulfgar, human barbarian. So me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8399193858/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="figure WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="figure WM" height="438" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8399193858_8cfe8065aa_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8398109955/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="contemplating moves WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="contemplating moves WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8398109955_1355f978c1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8399195650/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="box on head WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="box on head WM" height="395" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8330/8399195650_6166f70713_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8398108145/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jt Enzo reading WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Jt Enzo reading WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8398108145_b9682a82ba_b.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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And, guess what? We did it... we beat that Howling Hag right back into the netherworld from whence she came. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8399191330/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="we won WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="we won WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8399191330_28dcc13423_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a good day.<br />
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Linking up with Simple Things Sunday.<br />
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Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-21956920639760294092013-01-18T20:11:00.000-05:002013-01-18T20:11:48.671-05:00Assignment WorkI got a photo assignment today. Jt needed a photo.<br />
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He wanted a picture of his guitar so that he can have it as the wallpaper on his iPhone.<br />
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He's not a complicated man.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8393992680/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Tilt WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Tilt WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8393992680_acf11b342a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8392906349/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="overhead WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="overhead WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/8392906349_a313468b3b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I took those two knowing he'd want to be able to see the whole (mostly whole... I wanted it to be interesting) thing.<br />
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But, while I was taking these, I started to wonder whether he had given me this assignment today knowing I was needing something fun to do. I was having such a great time rearranging the guitar, trying to get it into the right light but without getting my own reflection on it. (Don't look too hard, please.)<br />
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I also had a lot of fun looking at it from lots of angles and finding a few that were interesting.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8392906889/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="curve and knobs WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="curve and knobs WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8514/8392906889_572f67917e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8393993456/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="bridge WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="bridge WM" height="434" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8393993456_f4ab88314d_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mission accomplished. He's got his phone all fancied out and can now see his guitar even when he can't be with his guitar. LOL<br />
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Thanks for the reason to play, Jt. <3<br />
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<br />Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-71696779247736987482013-01-15T16:23:00.000-05:002013-01-15T16:23:17.216-05:00P52/Week 3: "Pieces of Me"All these things I've been reading about putting together a photography portfolio have taught me nothing if they've not taught me that all of my photos should have a cohesive feel. That someone could look at my work and fill in the blank of "Kel is a __(name any genre here)__ photographer."<br />
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That I should be a portrait photographer. Or a lifestyle photographer. Or a wildlife photographer.<br />
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Aaaaaannnndddd, sure, maybe I can occasionally venture into the wilds of street photography and even a few (kitchen) studio setups. But, I'd also like to be much better at landscapes and creative composite images. I want to do it all. WAAAA!<br />
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So, when I took this photo of myself for the P52 "Pieces of Me" entry....<br />
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I realized it shows how I feel about this photographic journey I'm on. I don't want to pick just one... I want to be good at them all!<br />
(And maybe I should add fine art photographer to my wannabe list.)<br />
<br />Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-34190897008588299652013-01-15T12:16:00.001-05:002013-01-15T14:31:17.973-05:00More BirdsCouldn't resist adding a few more bird portraits to my list. I've become quite addicted to seeing not only what we can see and identify, but also whose picture I can nab while they're there. As Moose Peterson, wildlife photographer, says, "They get food, I get a picture. That's the deal."<br />
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It's like a video game that I can't stop playing. If
anyone notices me buying so much bird food that I can no longer feed my
family, you have my right to intervene.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8384327510/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="downy woodpecker WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="downy woodpecker WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8384327510_a054e8247a_b.jpg" width="429" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downy Woodpecker</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="downy landing on feeder WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8383242985_a2948c6394_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="445" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downy Woodpecker coming in for a landing</td></tr>
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... and where there's bird food, there are squirrels... and this guy was totally posing for me. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8384327348/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="squirrel pose WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="squirrel pose WM" height="448" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8384327348_025be5e106_b.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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Linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesday..
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<a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/category/project52/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday with Kent Weakley" class="alignnone size-full" height="125" src="http://kentweakley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/P52logo125.jpg" title="P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday with Kent Weakley" width="125" /></a></div>
Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-17585468917665799702013-01-13T15:34:00.002-05:002013-01-13T15:34:09.540-05:00Simple Things That Weren't Always So SimpleOne of the 'simple-things' signs that your boy is growing up, that only a mom would recognize or acknowledge... painting model figurines.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8374455569/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Painting WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Painting WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8374455569_74743fc0f5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It wasn't that long ago that I never would have imagined Nico having the patience or interest in choosing to put together precision model figures from his favorite books and then paint them. I mean... the gluing, the waiting, the painting, the switching of colors, more waiting, the adjusting of glue and paint... just wasn't really something I'd have ever suggested to Nico. He's done lots of crafts, but it's never about the process, it's always just the finished product that he wanted. </div>
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But, as moms we learn... when they're ready, they let us know.</div>
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And he was ready. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8375530040/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="painting back WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="painting back WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8375530040_453729e68b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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He bought the figures with his own money. He waited for them to come in the mail. He glued what he needed to glue. He waited for it to dry. He bought the paint with his own money. And he painted with that teeny-tiny brush. He took his time. He made sure each one was inspected under a magnifying lens. He made corrrections and he waited for more drying. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8374455885/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Close up painting WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Close up painting WM" height="441" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8374455885_7e5e2420fa_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a boy who has always loved making the characters from his favorite books come to life, whether it was toilet-paper roll characters, costumes or just drawing them as best he could and cutting them out and gluing them to clothes pins. So, there's no surprise there. Boy loves his books. But, the meticulous detail and patience that was required for these figures went way beyond anything he's done before. </div>
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And, I'm so proud of him. Best part: He's got this to show for it...</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8376989815/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="finished figs WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="finished figs WM" height="432" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8376989815_122c3f4bfa_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's the simple things that make me realize he's growing up.</div>
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<a href="http://www.simpleasthatblog.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/sts_button_final-1.jpg" /></a></div>
Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-9615422401239952262013-01-12T20:17:00.000-05:002013-01-12T20:17:55.047-05:00Introducing Mila KayLook who I got to meet today.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8373999173/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Mila facing BW by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Mila facing BW" height="460" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/8373999173_8f52431ca5_b.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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My <i>GREAT NIECE!</i> So very sweet and tiny and...need I say it?... cute! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8373999021/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Through the opening by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Through the opening" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8238/8373999021_d3b92d563a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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She made her appearance 6 weeks earlier than expected, so she's got to do a little time in the incubator. But, she's doing wonderfully. Lungs have developed and she's eating on her own.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8373999305/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Mila close up by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Mila close up" height="443" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8373999305_e64029048e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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She's making me a proud *great* aunt already.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8375075312/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="full scene by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="full scene" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8375075312_54e6f44185_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8374000157/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jason hands by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Jason hands" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8374000157_6d031572d8_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and yes, everything was in place and accounted for...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8373998897/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Toes by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Toes" height="473" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8514/8373998897_181f52949c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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She's perfect!<br />
<br />Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-63129558445299402642013-01-08T10:46:00.002-05:002013-01-08T10:46:50.269-05:00Tweet Shot TuesdayI've been having quite the time for the last few months capturing bird photos via a well-stocked feeder. It's like a game, or like hunting, I suppose. But, without the mess.<br />
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Nico has been enjoying helping me to identify any species that we didn't previously know and because of that I know there are many more birds out there which I haven't managed to get a good poses out of yet. So the fun continues.<br />
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Here is what is probably my favorite so far of a Tufted Titmouse eating suet at the feeder...<br />
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<img alt="titmouse WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8360641591_06e3446044_b.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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So I'm putting it up for my Sweet Shot this week.</div>
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<a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/category/project52/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday with Kent Weakley" class="alignnone size-full" height="250" src="http://kentweakley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/P52logo250.jpg" title="P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday with Kent Weakley" width="250" /></a></div>
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Here are some of my other favorites:<br />
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Female Cardinal
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8360641907/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Cardinal - female WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Cardinal - female WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8360641907_f0ecdb1737_b.jpg" width="463" /></a></div>
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...and her mate...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8360641837/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="cardinal WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="cardinal WM" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8360641837_97db2145b1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Black-Capped Chickadee:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8360641783/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="chickadee WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="chickadee WM" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8328/8360641783_e69ffd13f7_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A Song Swallow, who cleans up the mess left by the others at the feeder:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8360641677/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Dunno WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Dunno WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8356/8360641677_456ff58265_b.jpg" width="586" /></a></div>
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The White-Breasted Nuthatch, who walks face-down on trees (and logs):<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8361703124/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="White Breasted Nuthatch WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="White Breasted Nuthatch WM" height="621" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8361703124_f8e3cec221_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and just for good measure and variety... and because I put a handful of birdseed and peanuts on this stump, which is very near my patio<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8360641679/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="squirrel WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="squirrel WM" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8090/8360641679_5df53e848b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-87085379018750369122013-01-06T15:03:00.000-05:002013-01-06T17:59:53.292-05:00P52/Week 2: "Fresh"The P52 theme this week is "Fresh." Anyone who knows me will not be surprised at my quick turnaround time on this one. 'Bread Woman' that I am. So only one thought came to mind, as opposed to my many last week, but I knew if I did it right, it would be good.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8355865530/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P52/Week 2: "Fresh" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/Week 2: "Fresh"" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8355865530_00b74513ed_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not claiming great originality or artistic license here, but I really wanted to see if I could make my very-homemade-looking bread look appealing and, of course, fresh. And (excuse me while I polish my nails on my lapel) I think I did. It's exactly what I was going for, which is always a good result.
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Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-72767258813930582812013-01-06T10:24:00.000-05:002013-01-06T10:24:05.867-05:00Simple Things Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8350444817/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nico reading WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Nico reading WM" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8350444817_6a16a0ab06_b.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
Just one of the fabulous scenes happening around my house on any given day...<br />
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Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-66791169911404645012013-01-05T14:27:00.000-05:002013-01-05T16:40:17.800-05:00P52/ Week 1: "Time"I'm off and running with the new year P52. The theme is time and I can only hope that for the following 51 weeks I have as many ideas as I did with this one. I took a few, tried a few more and couldn't even get to others that I thought up.<br />
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But, ultimately, this is what I came up with:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8343794649/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P52/Week 1: "Time" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/Week 1: "Time"" height="434" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8224/8343794649_7c34f80f24_b.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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As planned, I didn't write anything under my entry over on Flickr. But, I like the way this made me think about time.... Short term vs. long term; Geologic time; Seasons; and of course, the golden hour. :-)</div>
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Here are two others that I considered submitting:</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8350928556/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Purple watch WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Purple watch WM" height="416" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8350928556_d7b2b669bc_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8349867973/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nico timing glue WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Nico timing glue WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8096/8349867973_de3b9e9bbd_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first felt more like an exercise in Photoshop to me since it's two
photos (Nico's watch cropped and Christmas tree) together with effects
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In the second Nico was waiting the allotted time until the glue was dry on his model figures. I liked the storytelling feel to it, but felt like maybe it was more about 'waiting' rather than 'time'. I know... I'm thinking too much about this.</div>
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I chose the rock layers for
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Thanks to my ever-willing creative team, Jt, Nico and Enzo, for idea generation, photo execution and entry decisions (not necessarily in that order). </div>
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Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-47942884015387872222013-01-02T18:50:00.000-05:002013-01-02T18:50:15.380-05:00Photo Goals for 2013I may not be the resolution type in any other aspect of my life, but I find that with the new year, definitely comes new goals with my photography. I thought writing them out here might help me to not only... ahem... remember them, but also to give me a bit of a checklist each week.<br />
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So I guess the best way to start is to qualify what I liked about this past year. I finished the Project 52, taking a photo each week with a given theme. It became difficult at times, especially the more cloudy and/or ambiguous the themes got. How exactly do you capture "euphoria" in a given week? But, it challenged me and kept me shooting and a few of my photos were featured, so yay, for positive feedback and motivation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/7171189713/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P52/Week 23: "Seasons" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/Week 23: "Seasons"" height="422" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7171189713_3f16178747_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo was featured in June with the theme "Seasons," on the My Four Hens Blog</td></tr>
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The other photo challenges I participated in weren't quite as regular, so I'll be sorting through those and deciding which are keepers.<br />
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So here goes... My list of goals:<br />
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<b>1.</b> I plan to <b>participate in this year's Project 52</b> again, but with the added challenge of trying to fit the theme without using words. I want the photos to speak for themselves. I'll probably still write something here on the blog, this is <i>me </i>we're talking about, but I hope they'll pass the test without an explanation and will not write much on the Flickr site to explain them.<br />
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<b>2.</b> I <i>think</i> my photography has improved this year, but that may have a
lot to do with my new camera. So, in its honor I'll be shooting a lot
more. I'll participate in <b>other weekly challenges</b>, including DPS's challenge, which is much more technically-based, Sweet Shot Tuesday, which is just a nice way to post a favorite photo based on nothing except the fact that I like it, and a few others, e.g. Simple Things Sunday as I feel inclined (not overcommitting.)<br />
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<b>3. Get myself in more photos.</b> My ever-attentive husband heard me talking about this goal and put a remote control for my camera in my stocking this year. So, no excuses, good or bad, I know my kids will want to see me in photos. Here was my first New Year's Eve effort:<br />
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<img alt="Family on couch" height="413" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8339836272_5581cdc8bf_b.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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(Note to self: You're not going to get away with boring couch poses all year! I know, it's better than nothing, but, Get creative! Sheesh.)</div>
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<b>4.</b> <b>Create a strong portfolio.</b> Strong as in: universally powerful (not just dreamy because they're of my kids). I'm told by the experts I should have an ever evolving portfolio of 24 or so photos, so I'll aim for that. As the photo above attests, I don't consider this blog my portfolio in that sense, because "I'll post anything!" Gadzooks. Additionally, I guess part of this resolution is to decide where I want my portfolio to live. Working on that.</div>
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Ok, so just to undo the taste that last photo left, here's one that I might consider portfolio-worthy:</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8339893842/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="still life with butter nut ink WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="still life with butter nut ink WM" height="423" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8339893842_e0a75c69cb_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
(You didn't think it would be one you haven't seen already, did you?)<br />
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<b>5. Learn More. </b>When I first subscribed to Kelby Training, I was watching a video per week on all sorts of topics. By the end of the year I couldn't fit it in as well, but "I RESOLVE" to get back to that once-per-week schedule. There's so much there to learn. Some of my topics of interest are white balance, better use of flash and lighting set ups and photoshop topics.<br />
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<b>6. Print More.</b> By the end of 2012, I had decided that I needed to make use of all of these photos I have filling up my hard drives (yes, plural). I printed a handful of my fall favorites and decorated my mantle with the intention of changing it with the seasons. So, I'll be working on that. I also intended to make lots of Christmas gifts with photos and managed to make a few, which were well received. Lots more ideas though, so I'll be aiming to do more.<br />
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Well, there are lots more resolutions I could make. I have a loooooong way to go, but it's good to have a starting point. <br />
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<br />Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-24451093324072159932013-01-02T12:26:00.001-05:002013-01-02T12:26:49.976-05:00Snowy Sweet Shot TuesdayAnother year means lots more Tuesdays. I'll forgive myself when I look back at this and notice it's posted on a Wednesday since I'd rather have more images even if they're misnomers.<br />
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Looking through the many images that I took of the boys sledding, this one stood out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8338924164/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Enzo looks back WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Enzo looks back WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8338924164_e43fa0c6f1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just a random look back at me and Bam... Look what I got.<br />
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<a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/category/project52/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday with Kent Weakley" class="alignnone size-full" height="250" src="http://kentweakley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/P52logo250.jpg" title="P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday with Kent Weakley" width="250" /></a></div>
Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-58041400796150497392012-12-31T23:19:00.000-05:002012-12-31T23:19:44.742-05:00See you next yearI got a chance to take some photos today... and to edit them. I'm definitely enjoying this holiday time with so little obligation or outside-the-house events. I think you can see the relaxed feeling that we all have in these photos of the boys.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8332525630/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Pritz with Nico BW WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Pritz with Nico BW WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8332525630_76c432f27b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8332525754/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Enzo iPod BW WM by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Enzo iPod BW WM" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8332525754_837bb7ed45_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nico is not feeling well, so I think that made the activity level what it was to a certain extent, but we've definitely been taking it easy this break.</div>
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So nice.</div>
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Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!</div>
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Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-18975500611439162822012-12-30T13:06:00.002-05:002012-12-30T13:06:29.578-05:00P52/Week 52: "Celebration"Did you catch that? Week 52 of 52. Done and done. Well, sorta. As a I start this post, I'm not really sure what I'm going to choose for my 'Celebration' theme. Which only means there's lots of room for improvement and I should start all over again next week, right?<br />
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..... (talk amongst yourselves, while I look).... <br />
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I'm back.<br />
I went instinctively to my folder labeled 'Christmas' but, found nothing worthy there. (More room for improvement. ahem.) Then thought about the fun the boys had out in the snow yesterday.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8326802330/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P52/Week 52: "Celebration" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/Week 52: "Celebration"" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8364/8326802330_e5c01762c4_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And, whoop, there it is. That boy knows how to celebrate the small gifts in life. </div>
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Onward to 2013 and another P52....</div>
Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-84028416747357905992012-12-23T17:54:00.000-05:002012-12-23T17:54:33.957-05:00P52/Week 51: "Red or Gold"Well, I'm almost there. Week 51 of 52. So excited.<br />
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I've already decided I'll be doing it again in the new year, along with some other new challenges.<br />
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This week's theme is Red or Gold. Mine is mostly gold, but thanks to Nico... a touch of red made it's way into the photo.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8302056754/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P52/ Week 51: "Red or Gold" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/ Week 51: "Red or Gold"" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8302056754_108c3ded49_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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Merry Christmas! Looking forward to big chunks of family time. Wishing the same for you.</div>
Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-46196408996845243562012-12-19T15:00:00.001-05:002012-12-19T15:06:37.471-05:00DaydreamerI decided this Christmas to try to use my photography in as many gifts as I could think of. I'm here to say I managed better than I imagined and feeling a bit like when I close my eyes I'm going to see the Photoshop menu etched on the inside of my eyelids.<br />
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I'm so happy with the gifts I managed to create, but when you add to it the Christmas card "Idea and execution gap," as I call it; the many calls and emails I received for "Can you send me the _______ photo you took at _________" for other photo-gift givers; and the general feeling of "What have I forgotten?" I'm a little bleary-eyed.<br />
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But.... what do I do when I get a few moments of free-time me-time? You guessed it... I come looking at the photos I've taken recently hoping to find something that intrigues me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8287987321/" title="Daydreamer by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Daydreamer" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8357/8287987321_11b3e59457_b.jpg" width="640" /> </a><br />
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And this was the one. Maybe because he looks like he hasn't a care in the world that looks so appealing. LOL Or maybe, as always, it's just his cuteness. You decide. <br />
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<br />Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-30456070337327942402012-12-10T20:31:00.003-05:002012-12-10T20:31:58.632-05:00P52 Catch UpOk, I didn't come this far into my Project 52 to let it all go to pot. So here are my catch up posts, including a tremendously early one for this week, on each week's theme:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Week 46</b></span> was all about <b><span style="font-size: large;">"Out and About."</span></b> I took this photo while the boys were involved in a "class" about creek health, where they'll take samples of the water and do various chemical tests each month to provide an accurate and on-going picture of this creek's water health to a PA university.<br />
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<img alt="P52/Week 46: "Out and About"" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8263097542_c7ce5533d9_b.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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This photo looks a bit different than those I took in the summer of the boys at the stream, but it is December after all. He couldn't resist the urge to at least feel the water, if he couldn't de-shoe and wade in.</div>
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The next theme in our way-back machine is <b><span style="font-size: large;">"Thankful"</span></b> for <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Week 47</b></span>. I don't find it cliche to say that family tops my thankful list every time. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8263094404/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P52/Week 47: "Thankful" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/Week 47: "Thankful"" height="1024" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8263094404_bae156e1af_b.jpg" width="513" /></a></div>
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I'm thankful that I've got so much of it, that when we get together, we can't fit in one room, nor one table and not even one frame (sorry Jt and Nico). I'm also thankful that regardless of the mistakes I make, they still allow me to be official photographer.</div>
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On to <b><span style="font-size: large;">"Tradition"</span></b> (Sung in the most Fiddler on the Roof voice I can muster) for <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Week 48</b></span>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8262030239/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P52/Week 48: "Tradition" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/Week 48: "Tradition"" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8262030239_f82a25220a_b.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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This one speaks for itself, I 'spose, with the hidden tradition of me being disappointed in the photos I take for the tree-decorating event. Ah, what would year end be without a burgeoning set of resolutions.</div>
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(I do like this photo, but it and the one of the dog are the only ones I care for of the many I took.)</div>
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And... last, but not last, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Week 49</b></span> brings me to <span style="font-size: large;">"Indoors"</span> which puts to use these photos I grabbed of the boys one night last week. Just doin' what they do.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8263106908/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P52/Week 49: "Indoors" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/Week 49: "Indoors"" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8263106908_952d880461_b.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Only 3 weeks left! Wowza. I think I might pull it off. Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-36452603635428652792012-12-04T20:26:00.000-05:002012-12-04T20:26:05.819-05:00Nose to Nose, these cute foesJust playing around with the new flash this weekend, while everyone in the house tried to go about their business and not notice. Hoping I'll tire out soon. But, when I'm rewarded with images like this and I can't be expected to stop.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8245181769/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nose to Nose photo by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Nose to Nose photo" height="365" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8245181769_7975c1f1ab_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-37637933063543894722012-12-04T20:22:00.000-05:002012-12-04T22:11:02.935-05:00The MomentThe boys had their first in a monthly Creek Biology class today. It was quite a treat when, as soon as we walked over to the creek, the teacher noticed this guy:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8246226150/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Great Blue Heron by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Great Blue Heron" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8246226150_030ec37e0a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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I was very glad to have my camera with me. He stood still for a great swath of time, seemingly waiting for his prey to pass by. But, then he made a few motions and plucked something from the water. </div>
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I came home with a whole lotta frames full of this guy, but this stands out, not only because of his gesture, but, for the observant among us, there's a wee bit o' humor there too. Happy hunting.</div>
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<a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/category/sweet-shot-tuesday/" title="Add your photo to Sweet Shot Tuesday @ PEbyKW.com">
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<a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/category/sweet-shot-tuesday/" title="Add your photo to Sweet Shot Tuesday @ PEbyKW.com"><img alt="Sweet Shot Tuesday with Kent Weakley" border="0" height="100" outline="0" src="http://kentweakley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SSTbanner300.jpg" title="Add your photo to Sweet Shot Tuesday @ PEbyKW.com" width="300" /></a></div>
Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-92079745256290116602012-11-30T18:19:00.000-05:002012-11-30T18:20:34.824-05:00For Christine....He's a NaturalWell, Christine, here they are. I know I told you I'd have these done by the end of the weekend, but, well, I couldn't wait. So, I went through them in between Spelling and Anatomy. During Math, but before Argument and after Writing.<br />
I'll feel justified in only having one eye on the boys' work today if you love them as much as I do.<br />
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Here are the Headshots:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8232642673/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Headshot Newsboy cap by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Headshot Newsboy cap" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8232642673_ceb5e8fafb_b.jpg" width="427" /> </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Headshot Red Sweater" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8233706052_3291171c75_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="427" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy cuteness, Batman!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8232642489/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Headshot side light BW by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Headshot side light BW" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8232642489_9ed2b48151_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8233705844/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Headshot Stripes by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Headshot Stripes" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8233705844_5d3510bbcc_b.jpg" width="427" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8232642319/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Headshot Wall from above BW by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Headshot Wall from above BW" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8232642319_2cc192d308_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8232642263/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Headshot winter hat BW by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Headshot winter hat BW" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8487/8232642263_8d8aa6da01_b.jpg" width="427" /> </a></div>
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I know there are six photos there and you only need five, but, you'll have to narrow it down, because I couldn't. I'd have to agree in exponents on your "photogenic" description of him. As long as 'photogenic' includes the words 'really, really cute' in it's definition.</div>
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On to the Full Body Shots:</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8233706666/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Full Body Leaning on Shed by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Full Body Leaning on Shed" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8233706666_5b8dfe2f4d_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8233706800/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Full Body Legs apart by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Full Body Legs apart" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8481/8233706800_14edfaae2e_b.jpg" width="427" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8233706594/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Full Body Climbing Ladder by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Full Body Climbing Ladder" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/8233706594_fb1187f69c_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8232642867/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Full Body Casual by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Full Body Casual" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8232642867_f9a5866273_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the way he's holding his fingers in this. </td></tr>
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... And now for some "Personality!" (Boy's got it)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8232642093/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Personality Cape on Slide by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Personality Cape on Slide" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8232642093_1038c86b21_b.jpg" width="427" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8233705442/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Personality Climber by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Personality Climber" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8233705442_277057f4aa_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8233704628/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Personality Soccer ball pose by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Personality Soccer ball pose" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8233704628_a57d5ebeeb_b.jpg" width="427" /> </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Personality Rock Climb wave" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8232641475_5cc60ac484_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="427" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So perfect</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Personality eyebrow raised" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8232641911_3b75e06613_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha Ha! Now that's talent!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8233704824/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Personality sliding by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Personality sliding" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8233704824_fba9ae974f_b.jpg" width="427" /> </a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nico and Enzo wanted to know how he did this!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8233705060/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Personality reading by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Personality reading" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8233705060_2d386af008_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8233704504/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Personality swinging by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Personality swinging" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8233704504_246d0d3517_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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...and what's sure to be his favorite:</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8232641765/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Personality Jumping in cape by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="Personality Jumping in cape" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8232641765_a65c8f6d8e_b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
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So, there they are. Let me know what you think! </div>
Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-58525978189872584412012-11-18T14:25:00.000-05:002012-11-30T16:39:43.210-05:00P52/Week 46: "Something Old Something New"<i>I've committed myself to participating in a photography project called
Project 52, where each week there's a challenge to take a
photo with a particular theme and enter it on the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/m4h/" target="_blank">group Flickr site</a>.</i> <br />
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I seem to have interpreted the theme of "Something Old, Something New" to mean "Before and After." But, whatever.<br />
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I've been wanting to do this for a while. I took the photo on the left of the boys last year, early in 2011. I thought it was pretty good (shaking head), but as soon as it was printed, I could see it wasn't. The biggest crime is that the banjo heads are brighter than their faces. I won't bother to list all of the other problems with it. I trust you to see the crap that it is.<br />
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So, I've been wanting to try this again just to prove that I could. And so I did.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42917088@N02/8195702355/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P52/Week 46: "Something Old Something New" by kchiodi, on Flickr"><img alt="P52/Week 46: "Something Old Something New"" height="473" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8490/8195702355_6b9cd6c5f8_b.jpg" width="640" /></a>I had lots of problems, not the least of which is that the boys are so much bigger now, I had trouble getting them far back enough in our confined space and still fit them in the frame. They're sitting on the coffee table and I was perched on the couch head pushed back against the window as far as it would go. But, that may have helped to not allow the banjos to seem so bright and to keep focus more on their faces.<br />
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There's lots more that's better about it, but, again, I'll trust you to compare so that I don't have to call myself names in public. :-) Let's just say I'm happy I managed to redeem myself, however marginally.<br />
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Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-443598499842575172.post-70977226780547904692012-11-14T18:53:00.000-05:002012-11-14T18:53:49.583-05:00... Another Nail BiterSo sorry for all the drama. I know you've all been waiting on pins and needles to know whether I'd manage to make our "Leaf Pictures" tradition happen this year. Ahhh, welcome, relief, we got 'em in.<br />
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Sure the thermometer read 40 degrees. Sure <a href="http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2012/11/13/the-trees-with-leaves-are/" target="_blank">the only color left on the trees was yellow from the Norway Maples</a> and maybe a hint of red from I-don't-know-whats because Kate St. John hasn't done a blog post on that. Sure, we should have been making the food for the boys' Spanish class party tomorrow....<br />
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But, daggumit, a woman needs peace of mind knowing she's done what she must and I tonight I will rest easily knowing I have these to document what my children looked like in front of a bunch of colorful trees in 2012:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnSl0F32kr0ULPu3yUujQFGSg1ULmMDxy4Go4X8FyUD-4NJJDZ8PpnCD9jBvgW_6cpyT6M9BYtZs615j-PQtzw09PlbET6RFfBsnVgKl7WSxom5gW0sImGKrmqFqw9FEhXaBXjZbrkxk/s1600/fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnSl0F32kr0ULPu3yUujQFGSg1ULmMDxy4Go4X8FyUD-4NJJDZ8PpnCD9jBvgW_6cpyT6M9BYtZs615j-PQtzw09PlbET6RFfBsnVgKl7WSxom5gW0sImGKrmqFqw9FEhXaBXjZbrkxk/s640/fence.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHHsUp7m071DMV6H3ukD5trj7sgPWWAmDFEWnMbBGjCaO_i0GcHLX1dTUaLjKc7r5KJ6WvyH5iCTPe7E9v6Z3QWtubYb7jAblEZsfZ_uONpsr4gnHfqj_GYyGXANCaiamhHsWNx0Yn8s/s1600/Enzo+The+Look.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHHsUp7m071DMV6H3ukD5trj7sgPWWAmDFEWnMbBGjCaO_i0GcHLX1dTUaLjKc7r5KJ6WvyH5iCTPe7E9v6Z3QWtubYb7jAblEZsfZ_uONpsr4gnHfqj_GYyGXANCaiamhHsWNx0Yn8s/s640/Enzo+The+Look.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTZyv11RW6tk4z7BKTFylGl8gTQU-epVpK4XyYIJqODRlDgJWmn-vj-p6eKmpjWiyubb601zsvIc8SZrKwNX5UFlkdnHHt-UGabxw_4tL-fQpgYHnWs0ujDOcJAURzwo82CqetzWwlf0/s1600/Nico+in+yellow+and+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTZyv11RW6tk4z7BKTFylGl8gTQU-epVpK4XyYIJqODRlDgJWmn-vj-p6eKmpjWiyubb601zsvIc8SZrKwNX5UFlkdnHHt-UGabxw_4tL-fQpgYHnWs0ujDOcJAURzwo82CqetzWwlf0/s640/Nico+in+yellow+and+green.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br />Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05346300326099487340noreply@blogger.com0