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Monday, January 5, 2009

Color Me Grateful

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." ~ Albert Schweitzer

I've just been sitting here, thinking about the last few days and how I've had this tremendous feeling of good things to come and connections being formed in ways that will become more apparent to me later, like things are happening under the surface and I don't quite know what they are yet but they're all good.

Yesterday was just one of those days (and I don't even know if I'll be able to express it fully when I get around to it) where I realized just how lucky I am in every possible way. And it felt really phenomenal.

I am looking through some of the photos I've taken recently and I'm so pleased with them.
And I love giving you guys a gift so I thought maybe it's time for another giveaway. I can't afford to give out the books right now, but I'd love to give out some photos.

***

If you'd like to participate, go to my flickr page. Flip through the categories, pages, whatever you want. Pick an image that you like best, and tell me which one in the comments on this post. Any photo is fair game. (If it's on the blog here-- and it's one of my photos-- or on my Zenfolio website [which isn't as updated as the flickr page, fyi], you can pick that too.) You can have whatever you want.

On this upcoming coming Free Friday, I'll pick one, two or three names, maybe more, depending on the response, and then send you guys your favorite photo.

That'll give me something to look forward to on my next Free Friday, and I can't wait to see what you pick. Thanks for playing.

xoxo

24 comments:

iasa January 5, 2009 at 2:36 PM  

Oh sure choose one, you say. Then I'll pick which hair on my head is my favorite.

I'll be back in a coupla of hours after I've narrowed down the field to a reasonable number.

I really enjoy looking at all of your photographs. I do thank you for sharing them.

Blue Sky Dreaming January 5, 2009 at 3:07 PM  

I am so dizzy...but I have two, I'm sorry scratch one out but I couldn't get any closer to one choice. img5130 because I love the city,worked on McAlister Street, Pablo is a native, your shot was a perfect day and I rarely get to the city anymore and I would love to hold this like one holds a fine coin or pearl. The other was img0327 because you filled the shot with the green of a lifetime, a succulent of all in perfect order! Thank you, I just had fun looking and picking. Mary Ann

Cynthia Pittmann January 5, 2009 at 3:25 PM  

I loved more than these but at least these IMG_6452, (the peek of you);the texture angle and color of2339; and my favorite because of its clarity, softness and symbolic feeling _57692. Too hard to select!

Gabby January 5, 2009 at 3:36 PM  

You are so kind. I would humbly ask to see the one of the magic shop at Pike Market, only because I have such amazingly fond memories of it: http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif.

I didn't know--how could I?--that you had been to St. Chapelle, that blue gem of God's dream. I love that place.

Mr. Berryman January 5, 2009 at 4:54 PM  

First of all, FANTASTIC photos! It took awhile but I looked through all of the albums on your Flickr page. Lots and lots to chose from....but, as a portraitist I am instantly drawn to that category. Secondly, LOVED the photos of Christian...wonderfully creative! And as much as I enjoyed that series the one photo that kept drawing me back was "IMG_6862" in the Red Shoes gallery. The lighting is striking, and though the model is poised I especially liked the fact that the bottom half of her body is slightly blurred (indicating movement towards the viewer) while her top half (the portrait) is sharp and clear. An A+ in my class!!

Char January 5, 2009 at 4:54 PM  

I love going back to explore your stream. I so want to go to Paris.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobaby2/2393205096/in/set-72157604409476758/?addedcomment=1#comment72157612164783511

vsm/whirling dirvish photography January 5, 2009 at 5:05 PM  

6505... because he literally took my breath away. I love the mysterious majesty of cranes. BTW you've got amazing talent, loved more than I can count...

iasa January 5, 2009 at 5:27 PM  

As you might have guessed, I'm a sucker for black and white photos. 9209 really took my fancy.

Guess it will be Lady From Shanghai this weekend.

Barb January 5, 2009 at 5:55 PM  

I've been to your blog a few times (found through Julie - Moments of Perfect Clarity).

Now for your giveaway ... I can't possibly choose one.

I'm simply breathless after going through your photostream. Your pictures are stunning. So if you choose my name .... surprise me.


Again simply beautiful. I'll be back.

Barb
Mammyslove.blogspot

Anonymous January 5, 2009 at 6:31 PM  

I like them all. I think my favorite is the one that has the word look with your shadow. It reminds me of Banksy for some reason. You don't need to give anything to me. I have already received so much in 2009 so far. Peace

-uni

Laura Doyle January 5, 2009 at 7:08 PM  

I'm so moved by your generous spirit...even with your Free Fridays! I think I may have mentioned something to this effect in the past but I love visiting your blog. In a world where nearly everyone I come into contact with on a daily basis (save my husband) is complaining about something, fearful of something, or just downright negative, it is so nice to read that there is someone I know, albeit tenuously, who can feel and draw comfort from the many nuances in the ebb and flow beneath our daily comings and goings. Someone who can shut off the fear switch in the brain and tell us how hopeful you are and how good it feels. That you know there are wondrous things somehow being orchestrated that you can't quite see yet. Very inspiring and infectious. : )

So, without further adieu, my favorite...and it took me awhile...is one from your Me collection. IMG-7456. It's the creative intensity of your gaze as well as the inspired feel of the photograph. For one who doesn't know you personally, it conjures visions of what it might be that you're looking at so keenly...what you see and what you precisely you might be thinking about it. (Coincidentally, it was also taken on my husband's birthday, which he pointed out.)

Good night and good luck with your giveaway!

christina January 5, 2009 at 7:38 PM  

I wouldn't dare: ) Just for the record, they are all my favorites. : )

tim January 5, 2009 at 8:13 PM  

I thought that this would be easy since I am drawn to B&W photos and I immediately thought I'd have to decide from those, but no, as I started looking at all the photos(I had to push my A.D.D. aside) I found that I liked the ones of objects that once were painted in happy, bright colors and that had peeled and weathered with time and had gained an ageless grace.

This actually became a quest of self discovery as well as a visual treat. I wasn't drawn to many photos that included people(that may say something about me), nor the landscapes, nor those that featured the flora. I found that I loved the photos that showed the character within. I began looking intensely at the photos of the older buildings with color. All of a sudden one became my favorite, out of many of the same type, and it is titled "Red light, green light". The Cafe Zoetrope in your Zenfolio. When I looked more closely I saw that it is, or was, a bar as well. I could see myself in that weathered, beaten, but not broken bar sharing a beer with, Ginsberg, Kerouac, Ferlingetti, or perhaps even Kesey.

Sorry to be so windy, but you asked for it. :>)

Tom

Yoli January 5, 2009 at 8:43 PM  

Thank you, thank you for even considering to do this!!! I will greedily put in two requests and should I be one of the lucky ones, then I don't know which one will come my way. First request is the one of Barack Obama with the word "History" printed on top. Here is the image number:IMG_4692 and the second one (I can dream people don't roll your eyes)is the beautiful Egret against a dark background with its little head tucked back. Here is the image: IMG_6505

Anonymous January 5, 2009 at 9:09 PM  

Just wanted to say you are amazing!!

Anonymous January 5, 2009 at 10:10 PM  

I'm not going to play 'cause I'd feel greedy. I already got MY favorite :-)

julochka January 6, 2009 at 1:14 AM  

ok, for one, are you sure you've only been taking pictures since april? because you've got like 2500 pictures on flickr! and that takes a long time to go through.

i've narrowed it to four, which i realize is more than 1, but this way you can pick the one that you think suits me best (since i'm sure i'll win. heehee).

so, here they are:

1) why
2) climate is an angry beast...
3) IMG-4529 (obama wall painting thingie)
4) shy kitten

if you put them on an etsy site, i'll BUY the ones i don't win. :-)

xoxox,
/j

A Cuban In London January 6, 2009 at 7:07 AM  

A couple of comments.

First one, you new header is brilliant.

Second one, this post is smashing. Thanks.

Greetings from London.

Just Jules January 6, 2009 at 4:40 PM  

I have finnnnnally gotten it down to the hydrangea (by tangobaby) it is the one with the green and purple hues. A close second would be the egret #6505. This took me forever to narrow my decision down. Thank you for the visual therapy and for the fun mind challenging blogs.
Jules

Dev January 6, 2009 at 9:41 PM  

Ok, I've got it narrowed down to one finally :) It's Lucky No. 8. There is something just simple and beautiful, yet so vibrant in that picture. Man, you have a lot on there, too! It's all just gorgeous i must say.

La Pianista January 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM  

I can't choose - far too difficult.

If I were mean, I'd order them all. ;)

eunice January 8, 2009 at 3:34 AM  

What can I say? I am taken with your blog and images. I'm fresh to it, recently on mat leave and finding time now to discover new things. I live in Toronto, Canada, but your blog makes me want to go to SF! I especially love your recent pics of the bookstore and the floating books--Magical. Wonderful. Makes you hold your breath a bit. Thanks for sharing it. Since you asked for a choice, I'd have to pick the Why? building image. I'll continue following your blog. You remind me of free days.

MrsMenopausal January 8, 2009 at 9:37 PM  

Great blog. Beautiful photos.
My favorite is "After The Rain." Absolutely gorgeous. The colors, the reflection ...it feels like a glimpse into another dimension.

Relyn Lawson January 10, 2009 at 9:04 AM  

Grade cards and benchmarks were due this week, so I have been mostly absent from friends blogs. I missed this, but wanted to tell you how lovely I think it is. You have found yourself in the middle of Free Fridays and a Staycation instead of Paris, and here you are giving to everyone else. You are my bright and shining light. I love you, TB.