Being a celebrity is hard y'all.
Well not really, but I got a minute taste of celebrity last night. Oh, and by that I don't mean that I saw someone famous and licked their face like a puppy (although there are a bunch of special and noteworthy exceptions that I would break the 'no lick' rule for, but I digress...)
Morgan was out with a bunch his workmates last night so I had a night out with Mikey (The Lovely Ex) and another friend Dave for a session of recreational beverages at the Green Park Hotel. During the course of the evening I noticed a man looking at me quite frequently, then towards the end of the evening he came over and asked me if my name was Andrew. He introduced himself, and amusingly (and apt for this blog) his name was Andrew also. As I was wracking my memory for a context to where I might know him from, and why I didn't recognise him, he filled me in.
A blog reader, who recognised me from this blog.
Happily, I can report that he confirmed what I always suspected about you all. You are sweeter, funnier and downright better looking than your average blog audience.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Dancing Shoes
Dancing Shoes
Originally uploaded by Other Andrew.
Is this a look that would work for me, do you think?
I mean, the sensible heel isn't too much of a challenge and the tights would both keep out the winter chill, and disguise my hairy, hairy legs. Just a thought.
(Japanese teenager I snapped in Central Station last Monday while out with Morgan, Bodhi and Quintessential 60's Girl. When I was taking her pic she even gave me the classic "V" peace sign, even though I was shooting only her shoes. She was very cute.)
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Prognosis Good: Not Dead
Sorry, it wasn't my plan to have a mini hiatus but that's what the past week morphed into. Thursday night through to last night was a blur of starting a new job, preparing for Lama Zopa Rinpoche's visit, the actual visit and then tidying up afterwards. With some time off for good behaviour to meet a real life Flickr buddy (and frequent TOA commentor) the stunningly lovely Quintessential 60's Girl.
So, again sorry.
Now it's your turn to tell me that:
a) you still love me despite my neglect,
b) that, actually, the disdain was kind of a turn on, thank you for asking,
c) you, um, hadn't noticed I was even gone, or
d) well, anything really. Wa'ssup?
So, again sorry.
Now it's your turn to tell me that:
a) you still love me despite my neglect,
b) that, actually, the disdain was kind of a turn on, thank you for asking,
c) you, um, hadn't noticed I was even gone, or
d) well, anything really. Wa'ssup?
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Rendezvous With Lama
It's late and I'm tired, after a long day of work at the new job (good), attending the opening of the new centre (very good) and getting to meet Lama Zopa Rinpoche and receive a blessing (excellent). Then I had to stay back and pack up the bookshop for the event tomorrow night (kind of sucked), but that only took a little of the gloss off the day. Suffice to say that things seem a bit less blah from where I sit right now.
Tomorrow will be kind of long but exciting. After a full day at the new job I'm off to hear an evening of teachings with Lama. Apparently he always teaches until he feels he has said everything that needs to be said, and it's not out of the question for him to talk until the small hours of the morning if he feels the need! It's scheduled to finish at 9pm, but in reality we could still be there at midnight or later. He's an amazing teacher though, so provided I can stay awake it should be a perfect opportunity to hear some excellent teachings. A rare opportunity.
I took some pics at the opening of the centre today, which I'll post soon. For now I'm watching he rest of the Amazing Race finale and then off to bed. Nighty night.
Tomorrow will be kind of long but exciting. After a full day at the new job I'm off to hear an evening of teachings with Lama. Apparently he always teaches until he feels he has said everything that needs to be said, and it's not out of the question for him to talk until the small hours of the morning if he feels the need! It's scheduled to finish at 9pm, but in reality we could still be there at midnight or later. He's an amazing teacher though, so provided I can stay awake it should be a perfect opportunity to hear some excellent teachings. A rare opportunity.
I took some pics at the opening of the centre today, which I'll post soon. For now I'm watching he rest of the Amazing Race finale and then off to bed. Nighty night.
Geekarama At Wagamama
Last night was the 22nd mid-week Sydney Photobloggers Flickr meet. As usual there were drinks, food, photos and loads of laughs.
We started and ended the evening at the bars of King St Wharf, first James Squire's and then Cargo Bar. Morgan captured some great shots from both bars.
Highlight of the evening for me was definately dinner at Wagamama. I love the food there, and it's so much more fun with 15 of your favourite geeks along for the ride.
Oh, and big news of the night is that there are now three romances amongst the photo geeks! Who ever said photography was a solitary pursuit?
We started and ended the evening at the bars of King St Wharf, first James Squire's and then Cargo Bar. Morgan captured some great shots from both bars.
Highlight of the evening for me was definately dinner at Wagamama. I love the food there, and it's so much more fun with 15 of your favourite geeks along for the ride.
Oh, and big news of the night is that there are now three romances amongst the photo geeks! Who ever said photography was a solitary pursuit?
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Blah Dee Blah
It's been cold and raining here for about 4 days solid now. Oh sure, those of you who spend months a year shovelling your driveways are thinking "And, so what?", but 4 days of solid rain with just tiny breaks of not raining is taking its toll. I already posted about not really feeling ready for Winter, about really enjoying Summer this year. This rain has ushered in a mini dose of the blahs. Just a mini one.
Stress is playing a part maybe. While everywhere else seems damp, coincidentally work has dried up this week. Next week will be better I'm sure. IT WILL, RIGHT? It will. You know what, while I'm being honest I might as well add this thought, I fucked up. A year of great income and how I managed not to save money is beyond me. OK, I did clear some debt, but really not as much as I could or should have. I don't want to go back to that job, even with the money, because although it started ok it was a pretty toxic environment from around the start of the year onwards. Good riddance.
Morgan and I are still good, great in fact, but we're at that three month danger zone. The one were you start renegotiating things, where excitement starts to get tinged with reality. Maybe you spend a little less time telling each other how fabulous they are and start reacting to little perceived negatives. Do you know what I mean? It's not a bad time, but it's a noticeable change and that needs to be treated with care. It's the time when all the little stories we all make up constantly about why someone says or does something, or doesn't do something, what they are thinking or what their motivation is, are potentially dangerous.
I've been really busy at the Buddhist centre this week, and the next four or five days will be very busy too as we are hosting our spiritual head Lama Zopa Rinpoche and a few hundred students for a series of events. The bookshop I'll be running is expected to be busy. Frantic, no doubt.
So, the blahs. In some ways I think it's a bit of a standard response for me when things seem a bit too much. Parts shut own. The lights in the unused wing get turned off and the furniture covers are thrown over for the duration. I'm not depressed, I'm certain I'm not, it's far short of a visit from the Black Dog. Moody is maybe a better description.
This too shall pass. A successfull event over the weekend, some work next week, a few kind words and a bit of blue sky will fix it. Oh, and maybe a cupcake.
[Updated: Ok, if you write it, they will come. The work thing is sorted for the next six weeks now, I just got a call from my agency. Bad news, they wanted me to start tomorow which completely throws my plans for setting up the bookshop at the event on Friday into disarray. Cripes. I managed to negotiate a half day tomorrow, which lets me attend the official opening of the centre, but I need to be there all day on Friday. Crap. I'm grateful for the work, but c'mon people your timing sucks.]
Stress is playing a part maybe. While everywhere else seems damp, coincidentally work has dried up this week. Next week will be better I'm sure. IT WILL, RIGHT? It will. You know what, while I'm being honest I might as well add this thought, I fucked up. A year of great income and how I managed not to save money is beyond me. OK, I did clear some debt, but really not as much as I could or should have. I don't want to go back to that job, even with the money, because although it started ok it was a pretty toxic environment from around the start of the year onwards. Good riddance.
Morgan and I are still good, great in fact, but we're at that three month danger zone. The one were you start renegotiating things, where excitement starts to get tinged with reality. Maybe you spend a little less time telling each other how fabulous they are and start reacting to little perceived negatives. Do you know what I mean? It's not a bad time, but it's a noticeable change and that needs to be treated with care. It's the time when all the little stories we all make up constantly about why someone says or does something, or doesn't do something, what they are thinking or what their motivation is, are potentially dangerous.
I've been really busy at the Buddhist centre this week, and the next four or five days will be very busy too as we are hosting our spiritual head Lama Zopa Rinpoche and a few hundred students for a series of events. The bookshop I'll be running is expected to be busy. Frantic, no doubt.
So, the blahs. In some ways I think it's a bit of a standard response for me when things seem a bit too much. Parts shut own. The lights in the unused wing get turned off and the furniture covers are thrown over for the duration. I'm not depressed, I'm certain I'm not, it's far short of a visit from the Black Dog. Moody is maybe a better description.
This too shall pass. A successfull event over the weekend, some work next week, a few kind words and a bit of blue sky will fix it. Oh, and maybe a cupcake.
[Updated: Ok, if you write it, they will come. The work thing is sorted for the next six weeks now, I just got a call from my agency. Bad news, they wanted me to start tomorow which completely throws my plans for setting up the bookshop at the event on Friday into disarray. Cripes. I managed to negotiate a half day tomorrow, which lets me attend the official opening of the centre, but I need to be there all day on Friday. Crap. I'm grateful for the work, but c'mon people your timing sucks.]
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
A New Home
The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity. Tonight the spiritual head of my Buddhist tradition Lama Zopa Rinpoche arrives in Sydney to give a series of teachings and to officially open our new centre.
The paint is still drying, and my permanent bookshop fixtures haven't been built yet, but the centre is 95% finished and boy does it look impressive!
Light, bright and airy, yet the touches of earthy accent colours and all the traditional Tibetan art make the centre feel like a real modern Buddhist centre. It's stunning.
The facilities are a huge leap forward from our old centre. Where we used to crowd anywhere up to 30 people in our old gompa (meditiation room), a room that was not much larger than a big bedroom, now we have a massive purpose built space.
Thursday night were are expecting a few hundred people to come for the opening ceremony and some teachings wih Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Then once the place is full and buzzing with students it'll feel like we're really in our new home.
[Click the pics for a trip to Flickr and the full size versions with descriptions. All my photos from the new centre are tagged Vajrayana Institute.]
The paint is still drying, and my permanent bookshop fixtures haven't been built yet, but the centre is 95% finished and boy does it look impressive!
Light, bright and airy, yet the touches of earthy accent colours and all the traditional Tibetan art make the centre feel like a real modern Buddhist centre. It's stunning.
The facilities are a huge leap forward from our old centre. Where we used to crowd anywhere up to 30 people in our old gompa (meditiation room), a room that was not much larger than a big bedroom, now we have a massive purpose built space.
Thursday night were are expecting a few hundred people to come for the opening ceremony and some teachings wih Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Then once the place is full and buzzing with students it'll feel like we're really in our new home.
[Click the pics for a trip to Flickr and the full size versions with descriptions. All my photos from the new centre are tagged Vajrayana Institute.]
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Search Engine Surprises
A check of my stats this afternoon showed that I scored surprisingly well on some very interesting search requests...
So, (a) there are some very disappointed folks out there, who expected hot lust pics of a trashy Jeremy Sheffield's foreskin and got something like cupcakes instead and b) there are strange, strange people out there and c) it seems there's a strange person in here, or at least Google thinks so.
- "a go go" chandler friends "the one"
- jerry springer episode he's mine all mine
- gay Jeremy Sheffield
- porn
- questions and answers on dem dry bones
- klimt word association
- lust pics
- foreskin
So, (a) there are some very disappointed folks out there, who expected hot lust pics of a trashy Jeremy Sheffield's foreskin and got something like cupcakes instead and b) there are strange, strange people out there and c) it seems there's a strange person in here, or at least Google thinks so.
On How To Be Pop-ular
Cupcakes are the answer.
That's right, my top 3 most popular and most interesting pictures in Flickr are cupcakes. Cupcakes. Not artsy fartsy botanical shots, but pretty cupcakes.
I infer no plaigarism, but others have also gone down the 'cupcakes road' recently. Hell, there's a whole cupcakes community out there.
Don't get me wrong, I also infer no criticism here. I mean I love to eat the little buggers, but if I'd known this was such a sure fire way to popularity I would have spent my entire High School years in the kitchen. Just sayin'.
[Michael honey, the title of this post is a Wicked shout-out just for you! I'm buying the soundtrack his weekend. Original cast, natch.]
That's right, my top 3 most popular and most interesting pictures in Flickr are cupcakes. Cupcakes. Not artsy fartsy botanical shots, but pretty cupcakes.
I infer no plaigarism, but others have also gone down the 'cupcakes road' recently. Hell, there's a whole cupcakes community out there.
Don't get me wrong, I also infer no criticism here. I mean I love to eat the little buggers, but if I'd known this was such a sure fire way to popularity I would have spent my entire High School years in the kitchen. Just sayin'.
[Michael honey, the title of this post is a Wicked shout-out just for you! I'm buying the soundtrack his weekend. Original cast, natch.]
Friday, June 02, 2006
Accidentally Closeted
Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you didn't engineer, but find it hard to extricate yourself out of? Last week I mentioned my 'partner' to a work colleague here at my temp job, but then later in the conversation he mentioned 'my girlfriend' and it sort of passed me by without me really clocking it. A few sentences later I was like oh, wait on... but the moment had passed, and a nun had joined the conversation*, and well I let it slide. Now he's getting all hetero on me, mentioning my girlfriend all the time and pointing out women to me in magazines.
I mean, is he blind and deaf? Or just dumb?
* True, I'm currently working in a Catholic hospital.
I mean, is he blind and deaf? Or just dumb?
* True, I'm currently working in a Catholic hospital.
The Winter Of Our Discontent
Shhh, don't tell anyone but I'm engaging in a prohibited activity, using The Internetz at my current workplace. Last day here, so whatevs... I'm so kinda Devil-may-care, don't you think?
Despite the title of this post, it's not a whine. Not really. I will not be covering myself in ashes or tearing at my hair, I mean ME intentionally MESS MY HAIR? Never. Going. To. Happen.
I digress. You see, it's officially the second day of Winter here. I'm not happy. Normally I like the changing of the seasons, but I'm not ready for it this year. I'm not emotionally prepared. I haven't made peace with the concepts of 'cold' or 'wet', yet.
(Small reality check. Let's face it the changes in seasons here in Sydney are really not that dramatic. There will be no snow shoes required this Winter, for example.)
I've enjoyed the Summer and early parts of Autumn this year, relished having lost weight and being able to rock out in warm weather clothes without feeling blobby and uncomfortable. I've just about lived in my favourite pair of Esprit shorts. In my Book of Memories this summer is forever stamped with meeting Morgan, fun photography outings, day trips in the car and long strolls into work with a camera in hand.
This Winter feels more uncertain. Work is up in the air, for example. Much of what was great about Summer will be still be great in Winter though, Morgan and photography outings just two examples. The difference is largely point of view. Seasonally Affective Disorder.
It's hard to keep the sunny outlook, when it isn't.
Despite the title of this post, it's not a whine. Not really. I will not be covering myself in ashes or tearing at my hair, I mean ME intentionally MESS MY HAIR? Never. Going. To. Happen.
I digress. You see, it's officially the second day of Winter here. I'm not happy. Normally I like the changing of the seasons, but I'm not ready for it this year. I'm not emotionally prepared. I haven't made peace with the concepts of 'cold' or 'wet', yet.
(Small reality check. Let's face it the changes in seasons here in Sydney are really not that dramatic. There will be no snow shoes required this Winter, for example.)
I've enjoyed the Summer and early parts of Autumn this year, relished having lost weight and being able to rock out in warm weather clothes without feeling blobby and uncomfortable. I've just about lived in my favourite pair of Esprit shorts. In my Book of Memories this summer is forever stamped with meeting Morgan, fun photography outings, day trips in the car and long strolls into work with a camera in hand.
This Winter feels more uncertain. Work is up in the air, for example. Much of what was great about Summer will be still be great in Winter though, Morgan and photography outings just two examples. The difference is largely point of view. Seasonally Affective Disorder.
It's hard to keep the sunny outlook, when it isn't.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Times Have Changed
I saw this faded old ad the other day...
...and was actually quite shocked and had to do a double-take.
I mean, I initially thought it said Salem: The shortest route to emphysema.
...and was actually quite shocked and had to do a double-take.
I mean, I initially thought it said Salem: The shortest route to emphysema.
Uncertainty
It turns out that life has many uncertainties. Some things, like (oooooh let me see) telephone connections for example, are a lot less certain than one would think. Three weeks of staying at Morgan's house, and an unhealthy dash of poor attention to detail, resulted in the home phone being cut off. Temporarily. I paid the bill, I rang them up, I walked the fine line between being arch, snooty, obsequious and contrite, all the right things.
Except, and because this is my life we are examining here, the phone is still off. I assumed there was a problem with the reconnection issue, but it turns out there's a fault on the line. A coincidental fault. It stretches my credulity, but I'm prepared to take their word for it.
Mostly.
Except, and because this is my life we are examining here, the phone is still off. I assumed there was a problem with the reconnection issue, but it turns out there's a fault on the line. A coincidental fault. It stretches my credulity, but I'm prepared to take their word for it.
Mostly.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
The Art Of Stating The Obvious
Right up until that point...
...I wasn't sure what it was.
A bit of Newtown oddness, seen out having breakfast with Morgan yesterday.
...I wasn't sure what it was.
A bit of Newtown oddness, seen out having breakfast with Morgan yesterday.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Send Me An Angel
Remember way back when, when I was extolling the virtues and confessing my dirty, dirty thoughts about certain young Mr Foster?
HOLY. CRAP. Baby gone growed up good.
Oh, and when he spreads 'em. Hold. Me. Back.
The boy and I saw the latest X-Men film last night. Lots of fun, not as emotionally involving as the other two IMHO, but you can't fault the action. I won't spoiler it, but let's just say that there is the hissy fit meltdown of all time! I wish I had those powers when I took on Fitness Last...
Sadly, nowhere near enough air time for the delicious Mr Foster. Maybe I have a thing for pretty boy angels... because there is the whole Mr John Phillip Law obsession too. Now where did I put that Barbarella DVD?
HOLY. CRAP. Baby gone growed up good.
Oh, and when he spreads 'em. Hold. Me. Back.
The boy and I saw the latest X-Men film last night. Lots of fun, not as emotionally involving as the other two IMHO, but you can't fault the action. I won't spoiler it, but let's just say that there is the hissy fit meltdown of all time! I wish I had those powers when I took on Fitness Last...
Sadly, nowhere near enough air time for the delicious Mr Foster. Maybe I have a thing for pretty boy angels... because there is the whole Mr John Phillip Law obsession too. Now where did I put that Barbarella DVD?
Friday, May 26, 2006
Making A Scene
I had to throw a full on consumer hissy fit yesterday. The reason? I was trying to cancel my gym membership. I haven't really used it in ages, and the payments were being deducted from my account each month without me bothering to darken their door.
I belonged to a nationally popular chain (actually an international chain) who I'll give the fictional name FITNESS LAST to. Nice gyms, cute backpack freebies, terrible corporate cancellation policy.
They did not want to give me up. The staff had been instructed to do everything they could not to give me the required form. "Oh, we'll have to get one of our customer care relationship managers (or whatever it was) to discuss it with you. Can we have your email address?" Um, no, just give me the form, acually. The girls behind the counter were nice enough, even rolling their eyes at how evasive they were instructed to be, but the entire episode came off as really bad and borderline dishonest.
This is a gym people, not a cult. It's time to let me go...
Oh and the kicker. They take 4 weeks to cancel your membership, so they can screw at least one more payment out of you. Bastards.
I belonged to a nationally popular chain (actually an international chain) who I'll give the fictional name FITNESS LAST to. Nice gyms, cute backpack freebies, terrible corporate cancellation policy.
They did not want to give me up. The staff had been instructed to do everything they could not to give me the required form. "Oh, we'll have to get one of our customer care relationship managers (or whatever it was) to discuss it with you. Can we have your email address?" Um, no, just give me the form, acually. The girls behind the counter were nice enough, even rolling their eyes at how evasive they were instructed to be, but the entire episode came off as really bad and borderline dishonest.
This is a gym people, not a cult. It's time to let me go...
Oh and the kicker. They take 4 weeks to cancel your membership, so they can screw at least one more payment out of you. Bastards.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Douze Pointes!
Ok, it's Wednesday and here I am recapping Sunday night!? I feel a burning sense of shame, if it's any consolation... does that help? Oh, you're harsh.
Anyhoo, Eurovision is too good/bad to not give at least a passing comment to. This year I went to a party held by one of my Flickrazzi friends Kate (aka The Department). Dress was "Eurotrash", a style that some took to surprisingly well.
There was nummy nums Greek food, a big screen, scoring cards, drinks, children, pets... all the required ingredients for a hoot of an evening. And a hoot it was!
The show was a bit so so this year I thought. The Finnish winners "Lordi" were fun, eccentric and a breath of weird air. Apart from that, um, a bit ordinary. I expected more campness but lots of the acts seemed quite tame. It all peaked for me with the Estonian drag flight attendants of a few years back. Thankfully some of the acts at least had the good grace to be bad *cough*France*cough* to spice things up, and Terry Wogan was deliciously bitchy and spot on with his scoring predictions (neighbours voting for each other).
Maybe next year there'll be drag queens. Pray there are drag queens.
Anyhoo, Eurovision is too good/bad to not give at least a passing comment to. This year I went to a party held by one of my Flickrazzi friends Kate (aka The Department). Dress was "Eurotrash", a style that some took to surprisingly well.
There was nummy nums Greek food, a big screen, scoring cards, drinks, children, pets... all the required ingredients for a hoot of an evening. And a hoot it was!
The show was a bit so so this year I thought. The Finnish winners "Lordi" were fun, eccentric and a breath of weird air. Apart from that, um, a bit ordinary. I expected more campness but lots of the acts seemed quite tame. It all peaked for me with the Estonian drag flight attendants of a few years back. Thankfully some of the acts at least had the good grace to be bad *cough*France*cough* to spice things up, and Terry Wogan was deliciously bitchy and spot on with his scoring predictions (neighbours voting for each other).
Maybe next year there'll be drag queens. Pray there are drag queens.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Happy Birthday Two Me.
Holy crap. I missed my own birthday!
On Saturday the 20th of May, the same day I was running around with a camera in my hand thinking "It's 10.15 on a Saturday morning, in the business district, how the hell am I going to get a photo to represent lust?..." my blog was quietly turning 2. It was a good weekend to turn 2 so it would seem. (MG, I knew we were sistas, but I had no idea we were that similar.)
Two. Years. Twenty two thousand page views. 746 entries. Who knows how many thousands of comments. Many thousands of laughs from the things you guys have written in the comments. New friends, internet crushes, new obsessions... it's been a rich experience. Not the least of which, in fact the most of which, is the boyfriend.
Life has been a little complicated of late. Dividing my time between two residences, Morgan's and mine, not having daytime internet access and all the distractions that come with changing jobs and starting a relationship. It's all put a bit of a dampener on my blogging just recently. I'm still loving it and not bored with it.
Two years later, that's like a miracle. :)
On Saturday the 20th of May, the same day I was running around with a camera in my hand thinking "It's 10.15 on a Saturday morning, in the business district, how the hell am I going to get a photo to represent lust?..." my blog was quietly turning 2. It was a good weekend to turn 2 so it would seem. (MG, I knew we were sistas, but I had no idea we were that similar.)
Two. Years. Twenty two thousand page views. 746 entries. Who knows how many thousands of comments. Many thousands of laughs from the things you guys have written in the comments. New friends, internet crushes, new obsessions... it's been a rich experience. Not the least of which, in fact the most of which, is the boyfriend.
Life has been a little complicated of late. Dividing my time between two residences, Morgan's and mine, not having daytime internet access and all the distractions that come with changing jobs and starting a relationship. It's all put a bit of a dampener on my blogging just recently. I'm still loving it and not bored with it.
Two years later, that's like a miracle. :)
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Sinner
Oh. My. God. Yesterday was fun!
The theme of the challenges turned out to be portraits representing The 7 Deadly Sins. 7 photos total. We had 7 locations spread around the Sydney CBD, and by the end of the day we had to submit 1 photo representing each sin, also being a photo from each location, and at least 1 photo from each team member (teams were 5 people). It was hard but an excellent way to push me out of my comfort zone.
Firstly, I'm shy about shooting people, especially strangers. Also, I tend to just shoot interesting things I see when I see them, and trying to fill an assignment feels very alien. Then imagine having a half hour to trim 5 enthusiastic photographer's pics down to just 7 photos in total, making sure we got each sin and each location. We tried to get enough coverage within the 4 hour race time to have lots to use, but as you can imagine, sometimes you had to be prepared to let a favourite be passed over if someone else has a better pic, or we already had a pic for that location.
Two of my pics made the final 7, Greed and Lust. [Click the pics below for a larger view.]
GREED
After checking with her boss, this young lady working at a jewellery stall in Paddy's Market let us all snap shots of her and her bling.
LUST
A candid pic of a woman sitting on the lawn at the Botanic Gardens with the word SEX in the background (part of an advertisement for the SEX + DEATH exhibition on at the Gardens, plant sex and death that is). I thought this was my 'get' of the day and my team liked it, but it didn't score so well unfortunately.
My much loved pic for Pride was culled due to having too many on the theme and location.
PRIDE
This was my first pic where I approached a bunch of strangers and asked for them to pose. A dad and his two sons were walking along by Central Station cradling these shiny mufflers like they were precious babies. They were quite happy to pose, proud of the fact that they were both getting new motorbikes.
Half way through the event we got an SMS to say that if we could make it to Martin Place in the CBD within half an hour, there was an additional challenge with extra points in the offing. We made it in time, and the challenge was to shoot a pic representing The Last Supper in a MacDonalds....
What a hoot. We only had a small bit of trouble when a guard in Central Station told us off for taking picturs (security issues apparently), and most people got into the spirit of it. Even MacDonalds didn't raise a fuss. I got to know the members of my team better, who had been chosen at random, and pushed the boundaries of my comfort zone.
Afterwards we had the presentations of the photos (each team had a laptop) on monitors for all to see and score, lots of laughs, some drinks, the handing out of excellent prizes given by sponsors, the wrap up and yet more laughs.
Oh, and we came 3rd - which was not too shabby.
My other pics from the day are here, and everyone else's (including the final submissions) are in this group.
A huge thanks to he organisers, and the corporate sponsors that came on board and donated prizes! We all had a blast.
The theme of the challenges turned out to be portraits representing The 7 Deadly Sins. 7 photos total. We had 7 locations spread around the Sydney CBD, and by the end of the day we had to submit 1 photo representing each sin, also being a photo from each location, and at least 1 photo from each team member (teams were 5 people). It was hard but an excellent way to push me out of my comfort zone.
Firstly, I'm shy about shooting people, especially strangers. Also, I tend to just shoot interesting things I see when I see them, and trying to fill an assignment feels very alien. Then imagine having a half hour to trim 5 enthusiastic photographer's pics down to just 7 photos in total, making sure we got each sin and each location. We tried to get enough coverage within the 4 hour race time to have lots to use, but as you can imagine, sometimes you had to be prepared to let a favourite be passed over if someone else has a better pic, or we already had a pic for that location.
Two of my pics made the final 7, Greed and Lust. [Click the pics below for a larger view.]
GREED
After checking with her boss, this young lady working at a jewellery stall in Paddy's Market let us all snap shots of her and her bling.
LUST
A candid pic of a woman sitting on the lawn at the Botanic Gardens with the word SEX in the background (part of an advertisement for the SEX + DEATH exhibition on at the Gardens, plant sex and death that is). I thought this was my 'get' of the day and my team liked it, but it didn't score so well unfortunately.
My much loved pic for Pride was culled due to having too many on the theme and location.
PRIDE
This was my first pic where I approached a bunch of strangers and asked for them to pose. A dad and his two sons were walking along by Central Station cradling these shiny mufflers like they were precious babies. They were quite happy to pose, proud of the fact that they were both getting new motorbikes.
Half way through the event we got an SMS to say that if we could make it to Martin Place in the CBD within half an hour, there was an additional challenge with extra points in the offing. We made it in time, and the challenge was to shoot a pic representing The Last Supper in a MacDonalds....
What a hoot. We only had a small bit of trouble when a guard in Central Station told us off for taking picturs (security issues apparently), and most people got into the spirit of it. Even MacDonalds didn't raise a fuss. I got to know the members of my team better, who had been chosen at random, and pushed the boundaries of my comfort zone.
Afterwards we had the presentations of the photos (each team had a laptop) on monitors for all to see and score, lots of laughs, some drinks, the handing out of excellent prizes given by sponsors, the wrap up and yet more laughs.
Oh, and we came 3rd - which was not too shabby.
My other pics from the day are here, and everyone else's (including the final submissions) are in this group.
A huge thanks to he organisers, and the corporate sponsors that came on board and donated prizes! We all had a blast.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Can I have Your Points Please?
Ok, I'm watching the Eurovision finalists - the semi-finals to pick the last 10 contestants for the big night on Sunday.
Song three has just started, and so far it hasn't disappointed. Bulgaria had a back-up singer who looked like a drag queen with a bleached blonde goatee.
Oh, sweet, sweet Eurovision. Ich liebe dich!!
[Updated: Oh. My. God. Belgium has cute dancing boys in black leather corsets! As Morgan just said, "Europe looks like a very alien place right now". Word.]
Song three has just started, and so far it hasn't disappointed. Bulgaria had a back-up singer who looked like a drag queen with a bleached blonde goatee.
Oh, sweet, sweet Eurovision. Ich liebe dich!!
[Updated: Oh. My. God. Belgium has cute dancing boys in black leather corsets! As Morgan just said, "Europe looks like a very alien place right now". Word.]
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