wind blows deeply

I took a gorgeous drive through the countryside this afternoon. People often judge the prairies, especially Saskatchewan, for being too monotonous. I fear it is due to their solitary experience of driving the TransCanada through Regina. Other than a little excitement around the Cypress Hills (and truly, one doesn't ever see the full extent of that area from the highway), the drive along this stretch of twinned asphalt can be admittedly quite dull.

Visitors never see the forests just north of Saskatoon. The enormous pristine lakes of the upper reached. The lush and winding Qu'Appelle Valley. And that's where I went today.

Highway 6 between Regina and Southey was a breath-taking series of moments. The valley was full of lush green following recent rains. Golden sunlight hit bluffs and sloughs, illuminating them against a curtain of deep grey clouds -- threatening to release their precious hold at any moment.

These very clouds, hanging so low, dared to stray mere inches above the ground. Almost as if I could reach out and take hold of these rich bundles of fleece. And once again this week, the boundary between earth and sky was nearly indistinguishable.

And home I returned; soul filled with recollections of the sheer extravagance of God's creation.

The concept:
1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Using only the first page of results, and pick one image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

The questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food? right now?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite colour?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favourite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favourite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. What is one word that describes you?
12. What is your flickr name?

(Visit flickr to view the photo credits.)

Dear God is a global project for people around the world to share their innermost hopes - and fears - through prayer.

It doesn’t matter what your version of God is … Jesus, Allah, Buddha or simply a spiritual universal energy...

Share your prayers here and help us create hope one prayer at a time. Simply send us your personal letter to your God and/or a picture that sums up your message visually. (Dear God will source a picture if you don’t have one).

Apparently spending three hours taking photos around the lake in the afternoon can result in a sunburn.

I will eventually get around to posting photos.

I'm thinking about getting a MacBook. Probably Pro.
I like digital photography. I'll probably be doing more and maybe even learn all those nifty features on my S3IS. Maybe even get a digital SLR one day.

The question I have relates to photo editing: Photoshop vs. Aperture? One vs. the other vs. both? Suggestions solicited.

I currently have 1093 photographs posted on flickr. It took me all of today to sort through my hard drive and choose the ones that told a story or captured the moment. Someday I hope to be able to combine the story in the moment and infuse it with beauty. Someday I will learn how to use my camera. In the meantime, I have sorted through the mass of them, picked my favourites and will endeavor to figure out what I might be doing right.

It was possibly the last nice Saturday of the year. It was decided that a photo safari disguised as a walk along the creek would be perfectly appropriate. Not that one couldn't venture out on a balmy minus 30 degree afternoon with light flurries for some photo ops. An hour and a half later, a mere dozen photos to show for the travels. You'll notice I venture from still life into the realm of animals; a dog and some muskrat made the cut, geese were left unpublished. One day I may actually tackle people. (view photos)
So I ponder, why still life and not people? I self-analyse. A few short moments of introspection reveals what you have already been cognisant of: I adapt to my environment. I put others before myself.
I misspoke a line during a wedding toast recently. I said 'she puts herself before others.' The truth is, she does. She takes care of herself so that she can take care of others. I do not quite have that balance figured out yet. It was perhaps the best misspeak I have uttered.
How does that affect my photography? I adapt to my subject. And it is easier for me to manipulate the composition of a photo when void of a human subject. People add a complexity that I do not think I am ready to tackle just yet.

I should have logged into my Flickr account earlier. Last year, while on a long and somewhat painful hike through Gatineau Park, I took a picture of a frog/toad. Apparently it was good enough to be considered to be included in for the Ottawa Schmap Guide. An excerpt from my letter, dated September 13...

I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has been short-listed for inclusion in the third edition of our Schmap Ottawa Guide, to be published later this month.

While we offer no payment for publication, many photographers are pleased to submit their photos, as Schmap Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and are free of charge to readers. Photos are published at a maximum width of 150 pixels, are clearly attributed, and link to high-resolution originals at Flickr.

Our submission deadline is Sunday, September 16. If you happen to be reading this message after this date, please still click on the link above (our Schmap Guides are updated frequently - photos submitted after this deadline will be considered for later releases).

Since I missed the deadline, perhaps it will show up in future publications. Who knows? Not nearly as cool as Crys' shot on the cover of a Japanese book but cool nonetheless. I didn't even think it was that good of a photo. It's blurry, not well lit but the framing is ok I guess.

On another note, my Thanksgiving pics are finally up as well.

A few months ago, I posted the link to Garth and Danielle's engagement photos. Since most everyone did not make the trek to sunny California, here's a link to the wedding photos if you'd care to have a peek. (Photos were taken by Cale Livingston.)

I've finally figured out how to get the photos off my cell. I realize that they are of rather poor quality, but I wasn't about to risk my shiny new camera being confiscated. Some of them can be found here: The Rolling Stones - October 6, 2006 and then there's the absolutely fantastic 12 second video clip:

I've finally selected 92 of the nearly 500 photos from my recent trip to DC ... feel free to browse past a few here. Hightlights: DC by night, the Capitol at sunset, albino squirrels, a rather large turkey club sandwich, and (of course) endless museums.

This is the story of how I cooked this year's Thanksgiving dinner for myself. It comes with photos (of course). To begin, click here.

The window (in my office) after installing the previously mentioned 2" faux wood blind and drilling through the PVC window sill.

Despite my best efforts, I could not find any DIY info regarding installing blinds with an inside mount to PVC windows on the internet. Aparently no one asks these questions.

My window folks said I could do it without voiding the warranty, but if anything happened to my windows which they deemed to be due to the installation of said blinds, the warranty would not cover it. Some help that is.

Alas, I must go and stare at my blinds.

The window before I set out to install some marvelous 2" faux wood blinds.

There was some hesistation before I drilled through the gleaming white PVC window sill. But I did it anyway.

Argh - flickr didn't post my text.
Basically what I had written said ... this is the view from my office at home. Blue skies, fluffy clouds, rich green poplar trees, and golden afternoon sunshine. It's the perfect distraction from trying to work.
While the office is wonderful, I have had a few "issues" with my condo. My bathroom sink started to leak. The cap at the bottom of the trap was cracked. Minor issue. Easily fixed.
Other issues. Not sure if drilling through PVC window sills voids warranty. Haven't heard back from builder yet. I would really like to put blinds inside the window frame (as opposed to outside). Curtains are up in some locations. The privacy is nice. Cover on sewer drain thing in basement is missing. Patio screen door doesn't slide well. I think the wheels aren't in the tracks.
Aside from the condo, Eleanor is also making funny noises. I think the brakes (a strange creaking noise ... perhaps the braking mechanism rather than the brake pads), the exhaust system (funny sound on accelerating - not really from the muffler) and the steering (sort of squeeky/creaky). Hopefully this will be covered by the extended warranty. The appointment is on Thursday.
More to come.

I had a reverse potluck (aka informal dinner party) and pool party on Saturday. The photos are now available for your viewing pleasure.

Yesterday I spent the day with Kathy and Ang and Ang's kids, Emily & Elim. Those kids are nuts. We took them to the park where the grass had just been cut, so there is all this loose grass lying around. We had an amazing grass throwing games, and Elim was laughing his head off. This wonderful laugh of pure joy.
More pictures at flickr.

It's what you've all been waiting for ... the photos. I'm sure there are many stories to tell, and perhaps I'll even get to blogging them. In the meantime, here are the links to selected photos...

Day 1 - March 21 ... Bus tour of London - Hyde Park, Palaces, Parliament, Changing of the guard, Trafalgar Square
Day 2 - March 22 ... Imperial War Museum; British Museum & more
Day 3 - March 23 ... Stonehenge; Salisbury Cathedral; the city of Bath and the Roman baths
Day 4 - March 24 ... Oxford; Stratford (Home of Shakespeare & Ann Hathaway's Cottage)
Day 5 - March 25 ... Madame Tussaud's; Dinner with George; Tower of London
Day 6 - March 26 ... the Ferry to Calais, France; Dieppe
Day 7 - March 27 ... Juno Beach; Mont St. Michel; our first taste of Paris driving
Day 8 - March 28 ... Bus tour of Paris & the Eiffel Tower
Day 9 - March 29 ... Louis XIV Chateau of Versailles;
Day 10 - March 30 ... Notre Dame Bell Tower (so many steps!), Le Louvre (Mona Lisa - she's bigger than I thought)
Day 11 - March 31 ... Chateau Fontaineblue

New Years Photos ... it's taken me a while to get them this far, but they are here. Apparently flickr is slowing down these days, so more photos may appear over time.

PS - My list of links is updated as well.

in case you haven't figured it out, the links are as follows:
my pics from crys & wade's wedding
caro's pics from the wedding
an assortment of my other pics

It has been a crazy week - busy in spurts and nice and laid back at other moments. Caro has already posted a bit on the wedding and has photos up as well. A few personal notes regarding yesterday's wedding...
I really couldn't have done much of anything without Caroline & Sally - you guys were such an incredible help ... planning showers, organizing the dresses, keeping Crys calm and the overall stress to a minumum. The guys were great as well - driving us everywhere, getting coffee to sustain us, loading/unloading/reloading, and generally just making us gals feel like princesses.
And Crys & Wade - you two truly are a beautiful couple and God provided a magnificent day for you. I am honoured to have been a part of this day. Enjoy the next few weeks and I'll see you at the reception.
PS - Click the photo for more wedding highlights.

The last of the apartment hunt photos are posted here

This guy came to look at my apartment this evening and it sounds fairly promising that he'll take it. (He's got the landlady's number.) He kept implying it was too good to be true - clean, spacious, cheap.

So now I have to figure out which apartment is for me. I'm personally leaning towards #2. But I'm going to call that landlady back to see if there is one similar but on the 2nd level (?safety). Does anyone know if the fireplaces get cold/drafty in the winter?

I'm also stressed about getting my car licensed in MB. I have to get it safetied sometime during this crazy busy week since my SK plates expire on Friday. I have a feeling I may need to replace the brakes cuz they are getting quite squeally. So it looks like I'll have to miss grand rounds on Wednesday (and the topic looked quite exciting actually) since I'll have to take the bus to work after dropping my car off. Arg, so much money will be spent this week on boring, yet somewhat essential, little things that quickly become large expensive things.

Oh well, things will be just fine. And there are only 25 days of residency left!

here's your chance to have a say. i'm planning on moving to be closer to work. i've been to look at a few places already, and will be to a few more on monday.
of course, i took my camera along to help me remember, and now you can have a say in where i move.
follow the link below to have a look and then come back to comment on your top pick(s). remeber that a couple more will be posted on monday. (but do comment before then too.)
http://photos.yahoo.com/apartmenthunt04
p.s. each "album" is a different apartment, click on one to read the general description then click on the individual photos to read further descriptions

On Sunday I was at my buddy Alex's bridal shower. Here's the pictures (click to enlarge) if you missed it...
If you want better quality pics, let me know and I'll email them to you.

Janice (one of the other pharmacy residents) and I headed out to Festival du Voyageur tonight.
Check out the pics I took with my brand-spanking-new digital camera ... here. (I took them down cuz it's been taking to long to get them to load ... I could fix that, but just follow the link - k?

This is something of the chair I'd like to get at some point in my life. Something big and comfy to curl up in with a good book and a large double-double.

Photo from BeHOME