Category: Photography

Art, Crankypantsing, Photography

Bad Advertising, FedEx Sucks, and Arting Update

Shelly

Baby

You know that Progressive insurance commercial, that asks “If we’re this helpful while you’re shopping for insurance, imagine how helpful we’ll be when you need us.” That makes absolutely no sense, so I call bullshit. Any company is going to do whatever they can to make themselves look good to prospective customers. After they’ve hooked you, they don’t have much incentive to go out of their way to be helpful.

And while I’m being cranky, FedEx has climbed to the top of my corporate shit list. I ordered something on August 1. It was supposedly shipped on August 2. After a few days, I checked the tracking info, and found that the package had been placed on the truck, then apparently it warped into an alternate dimension. I figured it would show up eventually, and forgot about it. A couple of days ago, I received a postcard from FedEx–dated August 8!–stating that they needed additional delivery directions. Now, first, it took them a week to figure out they couldn’t find my place? I don’t think so. Second, why on earth did it take two weeks for the stupid postcard to get to me? That part of the problem may be the fault of the USPS. Delivery around these parts has gotten a bit random lately. However, FedEx should have provided better tracking info, and they should have informed me sooner that there was an issue. (And, no, they didn’t try to call, even though they had my phone number. If they had, it would’ve shown up on my caller ID. Hrmf!)

So, I called FedEx, as the postcard directed, and was told that the package has been returned to the vendor. I am not amused.

Now for an arting update: I’m working on a large-ish painting/assemblage something-or-other, using a wood panel as a support. I haven’t worked much on wood, so this should be entertaining. Whether that’s entertaining in the fun sense, or in the train-wreck sense, remains to be seen. If I don’t mention it again, you’ll know it did not end well.

In Art porn news, the new Dick Blick uber-catalog came today. Two copies of it, in fact, though one of them was, for some inexplicable reason, placed in my neighbor’s mailbox. I’d really like to know what the new mailwoman is smoking and/or drinking. I’ve taken to checking all three mailboxes, because my mail is regularly strewn between them. Serenity now!

(Photo: Baby circa 1920, another “yard sale box-o-junk” find)

Pets, Photography

Pandora

Shelly

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Pandora will be 18 this spring. That’s apparently the equivalent of 78 human years. She’s starting to show her age, too. She can’t jump as well as she used to. She doesn’t understand why, though, so she keeps trying to launch herself onto the kitchen counter. I’ve placed “steps” at strategic points around the house, to make it easier for her to reach her favorite spots. She doesn’t always use them, though. I wince every time I hear her fall, but I can’t make her stop trying to climb. She’s always been a climber. When she was younger, she would’ve swung from the chandelier if I’d had one. I’ve found her on top of the fridge, above the false ceiling, on top of floor lamps, bookcases, and cupboards. I’ve even seen her walk the shower curtain rod, like it was a tightrope. I think she might’ve climbed Everest if she’d known it existed.

She’s also getting clumsy. Wherever she goes, she knocks things over. Not a night goes by that I don’t wake up to the sound of something or other crashing to the floor, a victim of Pandora’s late night wanderings. It’s exasperating, but what do you do? Pick up the mess and try not to think about it, I guess. The bigger problem is that her clumsiness makes it more difficult for her to get out from underfoot. She also cannot react as quickly as she used to. I’m worried that I’m going to step on her one of these days, because she’s constantly underfoot. I’ve taken to picking her up and placing her in a safe place, to keep her out of harm’s way.

She also sleeps a lot more now. Not that it’s easy to notice when a cat is sleeping more, but she does, and more heavily, too. She’s got a new favorite sun spot, and spends most of the day basking there. She often rolls over on her side, with one or more paws up in the air. Of course, it’s impossible to resist taking a picture when that happens.

And, yes, her fur is just as soft and silky as it looks.

Crankypantsing, Pets, Photography

Useless Animals

Shelly

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Pandora

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Harriet

Before I got in the shower this morning, I left my clothes for the day–which included a black shirt–in a pile on my bed. Would anyone like to guess which useless animal decided to lie on them? Hint: Not the black one, because that would have been too easy. The worst part is actually that the hair in question has itty bitty barbs on it, so it weaves into fabric and is nearly impossible to brush off. It has to be removed hair by hair. If, that is, one removes it at all. I seem to be lacking that particular brand of motivation, so the hairs are staying right where they were shed.

Crankypantsing, Photography

The dragonfly forever passes like splintered diamond

Shelly

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White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)

One of things I’m going to miss about living in the country is the abundance of wildlife. Of course, it’s also one of the things I won’t miss. Butterflies and dragonflies and big, fat bumblebees are all very nice, but raccoons tumbling across my roof at 2am is something I could happily live without. I also won’t miss ‘possums getting into the trash. And then there is the mowing. Dear lord, the mowing. That I won’t miss one little bit.

Instant Review: The Good Life (UK) / Good Neighbors (US)

This was another Netflix find. It’s a 28 episode series produced by the BBC in the mid-70s, about a suburban couple who quit the rat race in order to live self sufficiently. Their neighbors are exasperated (who wants pigs, goats, and chickens next door?), but are generally good sports. I’m finished with the first set of discs, and so far, it’s been thoroughly delightful.

The humor is smart, and, most interestingly to me, the main characters seem to actually like each other. I guess I’ve gotten so used to shows like Raymond or King of Queens, where the characters don’t like each other (and who can blame them, since most of them are pretty awful people?), that I kept waiting for the Goods to tear into each other. They don’t, though. Even when they’re making jabs at each other, it’s not mean. It seems to be more of an “I know you and we’re sharing an inside joke” sort of humor, instead of “I know you and I’m going take advantage of it to score a point off you.” Very nice!

Instant Review: Ragweed

I cannot unrecommend it enough.

Photography

Pearl Crescent

Shelly

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Pearl Crescent

This little butterfly has seen better days. It had rained pretty hard earlier in the afternoon, and the sky was still overcast. It was prime butterfly photographing conditions, because they were all spreading their little wings, trying to warm themselves in the non-existent sunlight.

I had a heck of a time identifying him, because I assumed he was some variety of fritillary. I finally stumbled upon a most excellent on-line moth and butterfly identification guide, Butterflies and Moths of North America, published by Montana State University. You can search by location, and most entries seem to have photos to supplement the written descriptions. Another good resource for getting insect and spider photos identified is Bug Guide.

Once I finally identified this little guy, I realized I’d had the exact same mis-identification problem last year (almost exactly a year ago, in fact!), with another Pearl Crescent. Duh!

Crankypantsing, Photography

Friday Report

Shelly

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We had a glorious sunset Wednesday evening. The sky was deep aquamarine with pinky-orange clouds. It was absolutely stunning. It didn’t last long, though. In the half minute it took me to run indoors and grab my camera, the colors were already fading.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Weather Report: It looks like it’s going to start raining any minute. O ick.

Road Report: They are finally starting to pave 17th street. Yesterday morning, as I went to work, the street zamboni was out. Only, instead of cleaning the street, it was parked right smack dab in the center of the Walnut & 17th intersection, with no one in it. I realize it was ass-early in the morning, and that things are pretty quiet with the students on break, but still, that’s no reason to park maintenance equipment in the middle of the freaking intersection. For added entertainment value, the Pepsi bottling company is on that intersection, and their trucks were having trouble pulling out and around the zamboni. Wheee!

Asshole Driver Report: I was behind an articulated logging truck this ayem. Good, good fun, that was. I was careful to stay well clear of him, which, of course, meant that the asswagon behind me was attached to my bumper. I just love it when people tailgate so closely that I can’t even see their headlights. Grrr. Also, too, additionally, as well, I have noticed that, since plastering the back of my car with all manner of pinko leftiness, folks slow down and crane their necks to look at the crazy person whenever I make a turn. Who knew that driving could be a form of performance art?

Big Brother Report: What is wrong with those people? They haven’t got a brain between the lot of them, and there isn’t a sympathetic one in the bunch. I can usually find someone I can talk myself into supporting, but this season, they all suck. I found it amusing last week, when Janelle nominated Erika for eviction, ostensibly on the grounds that she “despised” Erika’s “under the radar” style of game play. Well, they are all, with the possible exception of James (who is loathsome for other reasons) playing safe games. So far, none of them have been forced to do anything to rock the boat or to exceed their comfort zones. But, I’ll give George credit. He put James up for eviction. I didn’t think he’d have the guts, or, frankly, the brains, to do that.

Mary, Our Lady of the Chocolates Mary, Our Lady of the Chocolates

Virgin Mary Report: The Blessed Mother’s visage has turned up in a lump of chocolate (via CBS).

Sky Report: Nothing of note locally, because it’s too cloudy to matter, but if you live relatively northish or southish, keep an eye (or two!) out for aurorae. There is a coronal mass ejection headed toward Earth, which could result in aurora-producing geomagnetic storms either tonight or tomorrow. We don’t usually get aurorae this far south, but it can and does, occasionally, happen. More info is available at SpaceWeather.com. Be sure to check out the sunspot gallery, while you’re there.

Photography

Every night I tell myself, I am the cosmos

Shelly

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I don’t know why I’m so fascinated by these Cosmos flowers. There’s something about the contrast of the egg-yolky centers (appropriate, as that’s where the ovaries are located) with the purple petals. This one was starting to show a bit of early evening shadowing, which helped accentuate the slight ridging along the length of the petals. You can also see a faint scattering of pollen. The bees and butterflies had already paid this blossom a visit.

Speaking of the cosmos, members of the International Astronomical Union are expected to determine that there are 12 planets. Pluto, whose planetary designation has long been challenged, will hopefully remain a planet, along with his brother, Charon. Ceres could be elevated from asteroid to planet, as well. The inclusion of the catchy 2003 UB313 (popularly known as Xena) would bring the number of planets to 12.

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles may soon need a little tweaking.

Photography

Happy Birthday, Andy!

Shelly

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Bumblebee on Joe Pye

First: Happy Birthday, Andy! And, Happy Ides of August to everyone else.

It’s a shpadoinkle day in the neighborhood, with bright blue skies, puffy, little clouds, and soft, warm breezes. The humidity has gone down, too, thankfully. It was thoroughly disgusting yesterday, raining on and off all day with a heavy mist that never cleared. August in Indiana is for those who wear gills.

Of course, since it was humid yesterday, I decided to prime two boards for painting. It took forever for the primer to dry, so I didn’t get around to doing any actual painting yesterday. We’ll see if I get to it today. It’s looking good, though! I’m thinking they’ll be abstracts, because I’ve been wanting to do some sloppy, drippy work. They’re kind of large, though, and I don’t have a good space to work on big, messy projects.

I’m really hoping that, when I get around to moving, I can find a place with decent studio space. I was assuming that a small, two-bedroom house would be sufficient, but now I’m reconsidering. It may be that a one-bedroom house with an attached garage would be better. That way, I could use the garage as work space. I just don’t know. Waffle, waffle, waffle…

Pets, Photography

Woobie Love

Shelly

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Harriet isn’t a huge fan of toys. She loves her red ball and she’s got plenty of bones for chewing, but other than that, she prefers to play with me. She does enjoy an occasional woobie, though. Usually, she quickly guts them and removes the squeakers. Woobies don’t last very long. Until now, that is.

I picked up a new woobie a few days ago. Harriet has yet to even tear it. She’s been playing with it on and off, and has had a few silly games of toss-the-woobie, but so far, she hasn’t de-squeakered it, or even torn it open. Mostly, she’s been using it as a pillow.