a tree hugger post

I'm considering entering this local photography contest - the subject being the local "greenways". Entries aren't due until May, so I thought I could get out anytime the weather and my schedule permit, take a bunch of photographs, and actually have a decent sized pool to choose from.

Today was day one of the expedition. I chose a park really close to home. It's winter, but sunny with no snow or frost or anything. I wasn't expecting a great photo, since everywhere I looked it was brown: the trees, the remaining leaves covering the mud, and of course, the river.

I spent some time wandering along what may or may not be an actual trail, climbing over fallen trees in the "path", jumping around mini-ravines. It was actually quite fun.

Until I found the first subject for my photos. In a little cluster of trees along the river's bank there was a sort of dam formed. In the water there was an old basketball, a boot, and an empy cottage cheese container. It made me sad, but I shot a few images at different angles and with different settings, figuring I may decide to use art as a commentary on how we treat our environment.

I proceeded along, eventually finding my way back to an actual trail. Unfortunately, along the way I kept coming across little clumps of trash. Not just a couple beer bottles, but a shopping cart, random pieces of clothing, and various empty food containers to name a few.

Sometimes I'm optimistic about the future relationship between humankind and the earth. There are companies and people who are trying to make a difference. Maybe I'll actually see America use a different energy source in my lifetime.

Today I was saddened by the fact we still have people who can't even differentiate between a trash can and a river.

Edited to add: Here's where I'm keeping my pics

creative clock ticking

I sketched some stuff last night, the first art I've done in a couple of years. I went through a phase in elementary - jr. high school where I wanted to be an artist, especially comic strip type art. I stopped taking art classes after my freshman year of high school, just because I ran out of time for them. And eventually I got away from drawing (I was never that great at painting). Every once in awhile I get this weird creative burst and I have to go draw/paint/create some for art. It's almost a physical need. I had a bit of talent when I was younger and now I wish I had stuck with it a little more.

My photography habit slowed once it started getting cold out, but I'm still seeing interesting shots/places/people to photograph all of the time. And I have my camera with me at least 75% of the time, ready to capture whatever moves me.

And of course there's the music.

I've felt more creative than usual the past ~ 6 months or so. There's some internal need, a driving force, that requires I go create something all the time. While it's kind of cool to have that fuel going, it also means I lose interest in anything else I'm supposed to be doing - especially work-related and volunteer-related stuff. I get super-focused on creating or playing and can't waste energy on anything else.

Is this what it feels like when a woman's biological clock is ticking? Her need is to bring another person to the earth, to procreate. I've never wanted children, still don't, certain I never will. But I have a definite and never-ending need to bring something - art or music - to humanity, to create.

no new stories

I'm one of those people who reads a lot - I reread books, I have a new book read every week... I like to read. (This week was My Sister's Keeper).

I'm also a bit of a movie geek.

Lately I've read books and watched movies with "twists", with things I'm not supposed to expect... and every time I expect exactly what happens in the end. It's so painfully obvious. And also, seemingly, the only way the story can go.

I think there are a limited number of stories people can tell, and they just keep finding ways to retell them. It's probably related to Carl Jung's archetype ideas or something. Kind of like how so many widespread religions and cultures share similar stories, like The Great Flood.

When was the last time you read or saw something truly original? The root stories are all the same.

Good vs. Evil.
Unrequited Love.
Forbidden Love.
Coming of Age Tales.
Struggle Against Oppressors (see #1).
Man vs. Machines/Man vs. Technology/Man vs. The Future.

All I'm saying is I want some new stories.

carded... and other news from the week

I had been feeling oogy the past week, so I didn't spend much time on the internets. So here's my past week and a half or so in review:

My cell phone, sitting innocently on the desk, slid off and smashed into the floor, sending the battery flying in an opposite direction of the rest of it. Since I've dropped my phone (on concrete, in puddles, etc.) approximately 681 times before, I didn't think much of it. Until I turned it on and the screen was a black hole. So since there was no display, I couldn't call anybody. And of course I never write anyone's number down. So I have a new cell phone, it's kinda of fancy with a camera and all that, but hardly any phone numbers in it.

Last Sunday copy_princess and I were feeling adventerous and went to a meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, a.k.a. Quaker church. These are the people who are very plain and advocate peace and tolerance. Their worship involves everyone sitting in silence, meditating or praying or etc. If anyone feels led to speak, they get up and address the group.

The meeting we were at no one spoke. For an hour and 15 minutes. I had a hard time focusing. And I tried to peek at copy_princess' watch. She was also trying to look at it and be subtle, but it was twisted funny and wasn't working for her. Finally the clerk stood and shook someone's hand, and we all shook hands and said hello. Then we went around the room and everyone introduced themselves, mostly just saying their name, but some talking about their week. It's a pretty interesting religion, and of course we have to go back and hear someone actually speak at a meeting.

Also on our Tour de Churches 2006 is the Universal Church (I haven't attended yet, but copy_princess has), a Buddhist Temple, and a progressive Methodist church. I also want to attend the Catholic church that has a mass in German. We're looking for other options, too. Yep, we're geeks, and exploring religion and other faiths is fun!

Tuesday I turned 29 and am only mildly freaking out about the fact this is my last year in my "twenty-somethings". Copy_princess took me out for a yummy dinner and we watched the finally new episode of House MD. (I already told you - we're absolute geeks).

Wednesday night we made some valentines. I've got a few more to make. Silver Turtle Boyfriend freaked out when he saw the explosion of scrapbooking papers, vellums, cardstocks, stickers, and tools all over our living room floor.

The weekend was spent with some good friends involved in an organization I volunteer with. Friday night we were picking up snacks and beverages and sundries for the weekend. I also had some cold/flu syrup. So when the register beeped at the clerk I figured it was because the sale price wasn't coming up. Until she looked at me and said, "Can I see your ID?". That's right - I was carded for Robotussin.

I spent last night watching more of the Olympics than I've watched in my entire life combined. And now I'm really interested in watching more of it, especially snowboarding.

I'm feeling much better today, so I expect to have slightly more interesting posts now.

happy

A little something that brightened my morning:

Target supports contraception after all. Also note, Walgreens has taken the same stance.

The best way to prevent abortions? Education about and access to reliable forms of birth control.