More 2009 reflections

These are out of order and some are missing, not to mention late. I'm just dealing with that. I hope you can too. 

December 7 Blog find of the year.

Brian's Blue Hour. His photos and food are very inspiring for vicarious daydreams. I was jealous before of his roof deck in Brooklyn, but now that he's in London for the year, I'm downright drooling with envy.

Runner up is much newer to me but I'm enjoying it oh so much: Bridget Callahan is Your Best Friend. She is so awesome that you wish the title were true so you could drink wine and yell at the tv with her. I first fell for her ANTM and Top Chef reactions/recaps. Then she went and wrote this in response to her drunk friend's worrying about her love life, "There is nothing right or wrong you can do about it. There is no big decision you are going to regret for the rest of your life. Life is a string of meaningful events that with the passage of time become balanced and understandable." Amen.

Thank you, Blue Girl, for pointing me in her direction.

December 9 Challenge. 

Very literally, my yearlong challenge has been my 365 photo-a-day project. Often I have resorted to just documenting the changing seasons in our yard, because I did not always want to cart around my dslr. I actually have enjoyed those moments stalking about our hill, searching for some lovely golden light.

I did not always enjoy the photos I was coming up with - they sometimes felt forced and trite - but I have become so much more at ease with my camera. Where before I was often hesitant to freely take photos, I am now more confident with my camera in my hands.

Comments

[blue girl]

Thanks for the thanks, Claire. Bridget's awesome. She's cool and very poetic. She always makes me want to continue to write. To open my mind up more.

"I did not always enjoy the photos I was coming up with - they sometimes felt forced and trite - but I have become so much more at ease with my camera. Where before I was often hesitant to freely take photos, I am now more confident with my camera in my hands."

Glad to hear that! Although I never would have guess in a gazillion years that you weren't completely comfortable with a camera. I am always in awe of your photography.

[Kathleen Maher]

Thank you for the photographs, Claire Helene.
Don't know how you do it. I was recently telling a handful of "graphic designers" (NYC and environs bristles with them) that I'm not a visual person: I don't have a talented "eye." But for once after whining about my lack of abilities, I thought of the upside. It's that old inarguable, "I know what I like, though," response. Visually, I know not only what I like but what I love.
Wishing you joy this season and far beyond...forever really.

[Claire]

Aw, thanks ladies. You're the best. I'm more comfortable using my camera - especially in public. I think before I started this daily photo thing I was more covert about my hobby. Now I embrace it.

[BF]

thanks, claire. i've enjoyed your project 365! you're almost there...

[Bridget]

Thanks Claire! You're a sweetheart. And forget trite. Trite is like, the new black.