Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Landscape Photos!

Okay so I am a little behind on blogging about my photography class. As usual I'm always behind when it comes to blogging. Anyways I love, love, love, love this class. It is by far the best class I have taken in college. My teacher is great, and I am learning so much about both my new camera and adobe photoshop. Our first assignment was random photos, which I posted on a previous blog, and our next assignment was landscapes. So here are a few landscape shots that I took....

An old store by my house.

A view from my mom's front steps.
The view off from my mom's yard.


A set of office building (or something) across the street from my hairdresser's shop.

Out of the hundreds of shots that I took, these are some of my favorites. Feel free to critique me on any of my shots, because that's how I am going to become a better photographer. All of these shots were shot back in August.
Other Stuff: This week I have to do documentary photography on the election.... I don't have much time to do it, and I don't have a car, so I'm not sure how much I am going to get done!
Liam has 4 teeth now, and for the first time ever, he slept through the night last night!!!!!!
I am doing a "group project" for my Public Speaking Class. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate group projects? They are the suckiest of the sucky. See, I am an overachiever. I like A's. Some might find that strange, BUT I've always been a little geeky like that. When I get stuck in group projects, I end up doing all the work. Why? Because people don't want to put the effort into getting anything done. I end up doing all the work, so that I can ensure that I get an A. So if there are any teachers reading this, quit with the group projects already. If a project is important to you, make it a choice between a group or an individual. That way I don't have to work twice as hard being the "responsible" one.
Okay, I think that's all for now!



Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Scrap Paper Give Away

And the winner is...... Sarah! Thanks to all of you for playing, and I hope to have some more stuff cleared out soon!!!


Well last night I realized that I could no longer shut my filing cabinet door. Not only could I not shut the drawer, but I could no longer get file folders back into it. Why, you might ask, because I have a ton of scrap paper that I am never going to use. I dislike throwing away things that are still usable, because at the heart of it all I am a tree-hugging mo-fo. So... the solution... I am hosting a give away!!! Since I keep hearing that one person's trash is another person's treasure, I would like to send my "trash" to your house, so that you can "treasure" it. LOL!

Here are some pictures of the scrap pile. Here are some pictures of my scrap pile. If you would like to be entered just post a comment to this blog (please leave me your email address or some way of getting in contact with you, if you win!), On Oct. 22, I will have hubby draw a name from the hat, and voila! Bear in mind a couple of things. I can't afford to ship internationally, so I am sorry for that. BUT, if you live in Canada feel free to leave a comment, and play. I am going to the Post Office on Wednesday, and I will check what Shipping charges are for Canada. If they are not to high, I will gladly send this off! Another thing, I will draw on the 22nd, but depending on the status of our financial situation, it could take me a full week before I get it mailed off (gotta wait on that payday!) Good luck to everyone, and somebody please, please, take this paper off of my hands!!!!

I am slowly cleaning out my scrapbooking stash, so check back to see if I am having any more give aways!

Most paper scraps are apprx. 4x6 or 8x8!


Monday, October 13, 2008

Palin = Hitler

Palin = Hitler
Well I had a long angry blog about why I believe that Palin is the devil, but unfortunately I lost it. Here's my shortened version.

1. She abuses her power. She has been found guilty for using her position as governor to try and get her brother-in-law fired. There is no speculation or rumors. She has been found guilty. I love that! Every good, moral Christain should strive to be like her. So instead of being punished for her abuse of power, we should elect her Vice President. Actions speak louder than words. Heaven forbid, she should read my blog. I mean it's only freedom of speech, but it is against Palin. She would be absolutely perfect for Cuba.

2. Palin sees no gray. Abortion is wrong, even in rape and incest cases. Killing is wrong. I mean, she is Christain, the bible says, "thou shalt not kill" right. Every 12 year old girl who was raped by a family member and ends up pregnant shouldn't have a choice. Palin should make that choice for her. This coming from the woman who proudly shows a picture of her "field stripping" a moose. This coming from a woman who has stated that we should go to war with Russia. I guess, Palin is the one who gets to decide whose life is precious, huh? Sounds a lot like Hitler to me.

3. Palin used tax payer money to visit churches. While I realize that most people are cool with this, it is wrong. This woman has her own damn money. If Palin were Muslim, and using tax payer dollars to visit mosques, the American people would be up in arms. Why should she get to use our hard earned money to visit church? Do you know how many people work Sundays, so that their families can make it? Shouldn't they be able to go to church? Nope, they should just pay so Palin can go.

4. Palin thinks that creationism should be taught in public schools. Again, I realize that I am in the minority here, but this is EXTREMELY WRONG. There is a reason that our founding fathers wanted separation between church and state. They had been persecuted, because of their religion. How fair is it to people who don't believe in creationism? Why should it be taught? She wants to take away freedom of religion from people. What if she were Hindu? Would you want public schools teaching your child how the world was created according to the Hindu religion? What about the kids in public schools that are Hindu, Islamic, or Jewish? Does their freedom of religion not matter? Next, she'll want to take away freedom of speech....

5. Do you know that Palin has a child with special needs? Really, you didn't??? Well, she mentions it every time she opens her mouth. I am not downing any mother who has a child with special needs, I can't even imagine what it is like, because I haven't been there. I am sick of Palin exploiting her child to win sympathy votes. Don't let that woman empathize with you. She
has no idea what everyday Americans struggle with. While we are struggling to pay our power bill, to save up money for retirement (hell do you know where your 401K money is?), to support our families, Palin is using tax payer dollars to go to church. This woman has the money to make sure her children have the best medical care, the best education, and the best lives. She doesn't know what it is like for us everyday Americans, and she doesn't care as long as she has enough of our money to support her life style.

In conclusion, Palin is the most hypocritical person I have ever seen. Life is only sacred when she deems it. Religion is only okay, if it is her religion. A person's quality of life is only important as long as that person agrees with the things that she believes in. If McCain dies, this tyrant who only sees things "her way" will be President of the United States. I feel for any American who doesn't agree with Palin, on any issue. There are going to be a lot of Americans getting fired, or worse.

Hitler felt the same way as Palin. He felt that a certain people were "superior" to everyone else. He felt that a different religion was wrong. He felt that he had the power to decide whose life was important and whose life wasn't. They're really not that different, those two.

Palin = Hitler

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Wow, Time Flies!

Has it really been a month since I last posted? I cannot believe that. Things have been hectic, and I have been using much of my spare time to take part in challenges at scrapbook.com. Challenges like the Flylady Challenge are helping me to keep my house clean. The October Photohunt Challenge are helping me with my photography. I've been having a great time with all of it, so I can't complain!

My digital photography teacher gave us a really tough assignment last week. We were to do "street photography," and take pictures of people in public places. To some this might seem easy, unfortunately, I have a slight case of anxiety, and a intense fear of confrontations. The thought of taking random pictures of stranger, who might get upset, almost brought on a panic attack. I was so stressed out about it that my teacher set up a scenario in which I was photographing a girl in the class, while she came at me angrily. It didn't work. I just wanted to run! So the quality of my work this week will most likely be horrible. I am going to spend tomorrow editing them and then add them on to this blog.

Liam has cut his 3rd tooth as of two days ago (top, left, front tooth). He seemed to take it pretty well, I didn't even know that he was teething until I started seeing the white. He is also getting very vocal. He has been able to say syllables like ma, da, and ba for a while, but just recently he's really getting to where he can carry on a conversation. He is full of energy and smiles, while we are at home. Whenever we take him anywhere he either has a meltdown, or is really quiet. Not that I can blame him. It is overwhelming to babies when a million women (took him to a baby shower at my job today) come toward you at a time. Even to a baby who is a male! Most people are understanding, but sometimes I think it hurts their feelings. We took him to my S-I-L's house the other night (she's pregnant, so she's a little hormonal anyways), and he didn't want to play with anybody. He cried if daddy or mommy didn't have him. I think she got a little upset, but she didn't say anything. Fortunately, if someone comes to our house, he is extremely happy and cuddly. I just think he feels out of his element sometimes. Right now he is in love with a HUGE tickle-me-elmo, it is great! I think he wants Elmo to be his girlfriend. Either that or he just wants to eat that red fur. I keep finding it in his mouth!

On to other things on my mind. So I know we have all been aware of the crazy politics going on this year. It's in the news, on billboards, in our face all the time. I am ready for the election to be over!!! I hate campaign time. I hate the slurs, lies, and utter bullshit, all for a vote. Don't get me wrong I plan to vote, and I am neither Democrat or Republican, because both are extreme ideals. I am very middle of the road in my politics. (For the record, I am voting for Obama this year.)

Bottom line is I am sick of all politicians. They come on tv and make promises to the American people. "If you vote, I will... buy you a house, fix your car, make your life better, bring your dead cat back to life, change the world..." And once they are in office they do absolutely nothing unless it benefits themselves (George W. Bush, for example (a little bitter about this guy)). All of the senators and congressmen will vote on raises for themselves, and a retirement plan that guaruntees that they will make what they are making now when they retire. They vote to give money to companies that need it (didn't realize a spa week was a necessity, but then I do know what it feels like to be really poor). I am just so damn bitter toward the whole process.

Here's my idea, eliminate all of the congressmen and senators (have 2 people from each state to represent the state, if need be) these two people will not get an extravagant amount of money. Turn America into a true democracy (we are currently a republic, because we use representatives), and enable all of the American people to vote. Everyone. So anytime a bill shows up for approval, someone has to explain it to the American people, show the pitfalls and benefits, and then we all log into http://www.unitedstates.org/ (or something) and say "yay" or "nay."
This will take money away from all the corrupt politicians (who don't even bother to show up and vote half the time), and it will give us the power to make our own educated decisions. That way when something goes wrong, we can blame ourselves.

Another idea. Legalize marijuana. Use the money from growing marijuana (after costs and such) to fund healthcare. Take the profits that cigarette companies are making, and make them pay for quitting aids for the American public (everyone wants everyone to quit smoking, but insurance won't cover it (no idea why), and the quitting aids are expensive.

Another idea. We should have the ability to vote (each and every American) to kick somebody out of office at a moment's notice. i.e. Palin tries to use her power to get someone she doesn't like fired, well, guess who's fired now. or.... a mayor decides to take a month long vacation to Europe on our dime, take your ass back home, cause you're fired. Politicians work for us. WE PAY THEIR SALARY. Sadly enough, they have forgotten that. So if they are supposed to have our best interests and they don't, not only are they fired, they should have to serve jail time. I, say, throw the damn book at them. I am tired of their promises. I am tired of their lies. Why in the hell can a politician do what they want with no recourse. And I'm not talking we'll take it to the courts and blah, blah, blah. We will see their income, we will scrutinize their morals, and WE will fire them if we have to. We put them in office, why the hell can't we kick them out?

Okay, I'm sorry for ranting, but I have had to get this off of my chest for some time now. I have had it with our corrupt government!