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Perspective Series: Looking Up

I've been on a photography roll lately.  I wanted to do a series of posts on perspectives.  My favorite challenge of photography is finding that perspective that tells the story you may not see right away.  The first one is looking up...

All these photos were taken in Athens last year.  I did not post many photos from our trip & really should have.  I have some beautiful shots - not to mention silly ones of the boys.  They were bored to death of all the "old stuff".  (Note: the photos without captions are because I can't find my notes on the names of the actual places.  Sad!)

Acropolis

 My favorite shot of the Acropolis 

Acropolis

Acropolis - notice the scaffolding on the side - there was some major work going on while we were there

Acropolis

I have a fascination with looking up & shooting a picture.  What do you see when you look up?

I'll have more pictures "looking up" in Kuwait.

Home Sweet Home

Kuwait, see you in a few weeks

goodbye NY

Allie & alpaca sharing a kiss

does this really need a caption?

B picking blueberries

J picking blueberries

blueberries at Homestead Farm

blackberries not quite ripe

running outside enjoying the scenery

running outside enjoying the scenery

The trip started off a bit rocky as we missed our connecting flight but it was great to be home in the states, even if it was the wrong state!  For the most part I was able to fight off the jet lag.  It seemed to be easier - thank goodness since our trip is not too long this time around.

So I started this post a few days after arriving & now it's the night before we leave.  There are  such bittersweet emotions of not wanting to leave but wanting to get back to "normal" life.  I'll post some more when I get a chance.  I know it's been awhile & I need to get back into the swing of blog things.  I have so much to share as we squished as much as we could in the less than 3 weeks we had.

I'm Going There, Again!

Well the dust settled after my last post.  I still get upset when I think about it though.  I've been absolutely crazy prepping for the holidays personally & professionally so I haven't been keeping up as well on my blog class.  I've vowed to set aside 1 hour each day to get caught up.  

I found this gem of a store in Athens.
The frame is option 1 to mark my photos.  I love that my name & the copyright is attached to the picture.

So this is one of the changes I'm working on.  I'm adding a frame with my title, copyright & name as part of the picture.  I'm playing with ideas as to how to mark my photos.  I was using a watermark in the corner of all my photos.  The frame idea may work with my jewelry pictures but I'm not sure I need it for my photographs. I'm not selling them, well, not right now anyways.  

Some WIP's for the upcoming holiday bazaars.  How you do deal with the issue of protecting your photographs?

This class has done so much to update my blog and then some.  It's getting there but there is still a lot to be done.  I have a new header & background.  The sidebar & about me page is getting revamped.  I have a new title!  Talk about giant steps - that's what's been great about the class.  Along with the updates, it's been helping me along the journey of where do I want to go with my art.  I've been considering who I am as a blogger & artist.  How do these moves affect me & my art?  Where am I going with all this photography?

What am I Gonna Post Next?

My current assignment for Blog Triage Class is a list of 20 things to blog about.  I Love lists!  They make me happy.  So here goes:

The Erechtheum

My favorite picture I took at the Acropolis

The pictures above are from my current trip in Athens - having a ball of course taking pictures.

1. Before & After:  I am constantly saving inspiration, tutorials, ideas from the web.  I should show the inspiration & how my finished piece turned out.
2. Post step by step a piece of jewelry from start to finish.
3. List all the places I've lived & my favorite photo.
4. New supplies
5. Weekly post of my work table
6. Inspiration a day + Photo
7. Review my extensive jewelry making/beading book library
8. Sharing art with my kids
9. Show merchandising/table set up for shows
10. Write about best practices for shows & ask about other's experiences

Okay, for now I could eek out 10 things can commit to posting about, all topics I'd love to do.  What's on your list?

Athens 10K - One Day Later

I've had to let some time pass before I posted to the blog.  What my blog readers don't know is that I've been training to run in my first 10K.  The event was held here in Athens along with the marathon & commemorated the 2,500 anniversary of the original marathon from Marathon to Athens.

So I ran the race & I finished - kind of.  Yes I finished the race but technically I didn't get to finish it.  I was over the allotted 90 minutes so I didn't get to run into the stadium & have my final time recorded.  I would have loved to do this.  Confession time: I didn't realize I'd have a time limit.  I found this out 3 hours before the race.  I would have to run what my next goal was, 15 minute miles & I'm not there yet.  These little legs don't move so fast!

Start line for the 10K.  We were a little crowded & inched up to the start line.  My friends that ran the marathon took 20 minutes to get to the start!

The finish at the stadium

There were so many emotions running through my head as I was running (walking).  I knew I wasn't going to finish in time.  As soon as I let go of that I was able to enjoy the race.  I found a groove & was able to have a couple of laps that were personal bests for me.  I thought about how lucky I was to be here in this amazing city celebrating a monumental anniversary.  I took some pictures along the way (of course).  I reminded myself that I was actually here doing what I set out to do.  I was also wearing my semi-fitted running pants without scaring anyone, including myself.

The 6k mark & the turnaround point at the arch

A little tiny spec of the moon

The streets of Athens

hospital - medical help anyone?

Getting lapped by the masses.  The front runner of the 10K passed me at the 1.2 mile race mark.  I got to cheer them on.

a Greek guard

 When I got home I was kinda bummed again.  It was a bittersweet moment.  I was having a hard time celebrating my accomplishments because I had it stuck in my head that I did not have an official finish.  Then all the facebook comments from family & friends started coming in.  Thanks everyone for reminding me that I accomplished my goal. 

The course

So yes, I ran & completed a 10k.   I started from not working out at all to running & training in 8 months.  When I got home & downloaded my run I realized I am really close to that 15 minute mile goal.  I've already got the next big one planned - the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  I mean, come on, can it fit me more to a tee?

LizNoel, Colleen, Rick & Linda

A big shout out to my friends in the Kuwait contingency that ran the marathon & completed it (pictured above & all smiles before the start).  What an inspiration!  They said the hills were killer.  Also to Colleen's daughters who completed the 10K in the 90 minutes.  Amazing!
Thanks to LizNoel who turned me from spectator & tourist on this trip to runner.  I think I'm hooked!  And to my husband who encourages me & sometimes has to pull me along kicking & screaming.  You always challenge me & sometimes know my limits better than I do.

Arab Fund Building

Welcome

Tile work by front door

Photo of Atrium & Bridge

Table in the Mamluk Room

Looking up in the Atrium - Antique piece on the right

The Tunesian Room - I loved the vibe in this room

The Damascene room

A spiral staircase with inlaid wood & a gorgeous lighting fixture.  I couldn't do this justice.

Detail of a massive door.

In love with all the lighting in this place.  This one was no exception.

The view up from the Atrium floor

The fountain in the Atrium

My favorite piece of art in the building

It's hard to decide where to begin writing about the Arab Fund Building because there was so much to see & digest in the 2 1/2 hour tour.  This massive building is impressive from the moment you walk through the giant doors that greet you.

Each room we toured was decorated in it's own motif.  All of the rooms have a particular shape or pattern that is carried through out the designs in the lighting fixtures, furniture, & rugs.   Throughout the building are impressive collections of antiques & artwork created by local artists.  The smallest detail does not go unlooked.  In many of the rooms, great care is taken to hide electrical cords, vents & storage areas.  Some highlights include:

 

•  The library with its spiral staircase made of inlaid wood leading up to one of the many beautiful chandeliers.
• The atrium area, which was just massive.  It included tapestries, chandeliers, more antique furniture pieces & a beautiful view of the rooms with glass walls & intricate wood carved paneling.  There was a small fountain in the middle surrounded by trees & birdcages complete with birds.  Here we were served refreshments during the tour.
• One of my favorite rooms (Mamluk Room)  was completely full of wood carved wall panels, book cases & included the entire ceiling.  The massive table has inlaid mother of pearl shell.  We were told this room is a favorite meeting room for the British embassy.  Some of the wall panels could be moved to fully expose the windows, otherwise light shines though the carvings.
• One of the first rooms we toured on the first floor had some very intricately designed brass tables with Arabic sayings.  The sign on top that says "No Smoking" also matches. 
• The doors to every room is an absolutely stunning work of art.
• What tour takes you to the parking garage?  Yes, even the garage here is impressive & impeccable.  

My "I was there" photo.

For Locals:

They offer tours for small groups so get some of your friends together & go. There is no charge for the tour which includes refreshments & a double DVD set with pictures of the rooms & the artwork. Our tour guide knew so much about the building & its history. He shared his knowledge freely & answered all questions. This is a must see for anyone interested in arts & history, but should be on anyone's list that visits Kuwait.