Photo Feedback: Friday Night at the Horse Show

I have a problem. I have piles of photographs and no one to critique them. Some of the photos are funky, and some of them have flopped.

If I post them, do you think you could critique them? I don't care what qualifications you have (or don't have), because everything helps! Maybe it is the content, or the lighting, or whatever. If you would change it, I want to know.

Of course, if you think it is the best thing you've ever seen and you would pay millions and millions of dollars just to hang it in your home, don't hesitate to give me a shout. Hey, it's going to happen. I'm amazing.

And finally, if you are like me, and want something constructive shoot me a photo and we'll get it up here (with due credit and links, of course).

First up, I have a couple of shots I took at a horse show last weekend. I really liked them, but they seemed to have flopped.

Too bad.

Ideas?






And finally, everyone's favourite:



If you want to see the other five shots I really liked, check out my Flickr page. Do you have a photography website or Flickr page? Let me know where!

Creating criticism,

L

Music Monday: You Know Amy's Good

It is a sad day that a girl riddled with as much talent as Amy Winehouse dies, only to be remember as an addict.

Everyone of us will die. Some of us will be junkies, but only a special few can sing like Winehouse could.

Let's remember the talent, not the shortcomings. Because let's face it people, we all have our faults and our addictions (I'm partial to milk chocolate).

Here is one of my favourites, You Know I'm No Good, by Ms. Amy Winehouse:



Do you lament the loss? Do you believe in the Forever 27 Curse? Did you know the club of chance existed?

Tell me why (and remember, karma is a bitch)!

Singing (Amy's) Swan Song,

L

Music Monday: You're Unbelievable

Today's track is for my peeps. They are 100% unbelievable. Grooooooooaaaaaan!

Granted, today's song may have used before is known for its profanity. Before I explain, take a quick little listen to EMF's Unbelievable:



The video is less than thrilling, I know. But, did you hear that? Take a closer listen to the chorus - there is a background vocal that can be vaguely heard saying, "What the fuck was that?"

Now typically, this would require strict editing before any type of radio play proceeded. However, these lyrics were never edited (probably because they were considered incoherent background vocals). Now you know better, you are armed for pissing off only the most prominent prudes with your newfound musical knowledge.

Considering the sheer amount of air time Unbelievable has received since its release, and the amount of times the f-bomb is dropped in this specific song, this track is likely responsible for the most profanity ever heard over radio.

Not enough? You want more?

Well, know that according to the song on the B-side of the Unbelievable single was a song called "EMF" (a self-titled track). This song included the chorus: "E! Ecstasy! M! Motherfucker, motherfucker! F! From us to you…"

What would their mother think? I can tell you, mine would not be impressed.

Now that I've mentioned my Mother, here's a fun fact about me: when I was in university I rarely studied in the library. When I did I would do the natural thing - scope out a chair close to a cute boy. I'd set up my song, wait to catch his eye and then I'd push play.

Who needs poetry when you've got a ready-to-go, an "unbelievable" if you will, catchline?

To try my little trick, know that my sweet spot is right around 1:17. A note to catch his attention, and wham bam thank you ma'am!

Starting to get saucy,

L

Melting and Mushy

Today, my intriguing Internet friends, this song is for you.

After your lovely response to my return, I couldn't help but send you all a shout out. Partially because you are all so damn cute, but mainly because you make me feel so damn good.

You see, this year I have made a conscious effort to discuss the things (about me) that make me feel extremely ill-at-ease. My hopes were that all this "talk therapy" would ease my insecurities while reducing some of the stigma some of my nearest-and-dearest felt about some of the problems plaguing my own person.

It seems, that like my attempted giveaway, I have only succeeded in falling flat on my face.

That's okay - because you know what? I can laugh about it now. Six months ago, that wouldn't have happened.

I attribute a major part of my small success to you, my beautiful blogging buddies.

You guys ROCK. MY. WORLD.

Thanks people. Your comments, emails and good old fashioned tongue-in-cheek movement (and I mean that in all seriousness) really mean a lot.

You really make me smile; I hope I can do the same for you.

Now for the music. Keep reading, we aren't done yet.

Watch Your Tongue, Newfoundland!

In other news.... I caught Newf saying "whatevs" today.

I told him if he keeps that up he is going to have to eat the at the table with the rest of the sixteen year old girls.

Let's just say, he didn't like that. I had to make my own lunch. It was delicious: peanut butter on whole wheat.

Serves me right, I suppose.

Do you have any throwback sayings? I'm a big proponent of "eh". What can I say, I'm a proud Canadian.

Getting saucy with the spouse,

L

Emphasizing the Employed

Well boys and girls, I guess I better drop the bomb.

I got a job.

Yep, that's right - this lady will no longer be living a life of leisure. I'm a working girl now.

Well, two weeks from now. Then I'll be the biggest bad ass employee you've ever seen. That's right, a big bad ass who bikes to work and vomits when faced with the prospect of public interaction.

I only got sick twice this morning. It could've been worse - once I got so nervous on a pet-themed photo shoot I graced a garbage can with the remnants of my lunch. I missed, slightly, but no worries, a lovely retriever took care of it.

I got some really good pictures of him and his owner was happy, so I called it a wash.

Thank goodness the majority of my new position is telephone based. Otherwise, it could get messy. I've worked the phones before, I know what they are about and I'm pretty darn good at what I do.

I'm paid to be happy. Let's just say I'm good with a mute button and even better with a flipped finger thumbs up.

I'm so cool. Like really, blistering and completely bitching cool.

Actually, I am. Do you know anyone else with paper puke bags decorated with glitter?

A life in the day of Linnie.

What do you think of me now? Is the glitter too much?

Faintly flippant,

L

The Parentals Have Crossed Over

Today The Parentals found land. That means that my retired parents have successfully just sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on a 38 foot boat. .

It only took them twenty-four days. Rumour has it, they ran out of liquor around the fourteen day mark. Let's just say they've been drifting for awhile.

You can read all about it on my Dad's blog, Benners Adrift, if you are so inclined.

Way to go Parentals.

Happy my parents rock (and the ocean didn't rock them),

L

Music Monday: Sunscreen and Schmich

Today's track is technically a musical single, but features a lot of talking. Released by Baz Luhrmann, on the album Something for Everybody this is a piece that I try to listen to every couple of months. I never, ever get nostalgic while doing so. Ever. I'm not that old yet.

The speech at the basis of the song is widely rumoured to have originated from an MIT commencement speech, given by a gentleman by the name of Kurt Vonnegut. The fiction filled tale was so convincing that Mr. Luhrmann himself was frantically searching for Vonnegut as to secure permission to record the speech.

In fact, the speech was published as a column in the Chicago Tribune on June 1, 1997. Written by Mary Schmich, it was introduced as the commencement speech she would give, if ever asked to do so.

Despite publishing a follow-up piece on August 3, 1997, credit is rarely attributed correctly to Ms. Schmich.

So here it is, my friends, Everbody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen). Consider picking up the album (if you can find it). I love it, but haven't had much luck replacing the copy I lost. It is probably hiding in some Disney vault somewhere. Damn those dwarves (I speak to the Snow White version, I've always thought they were a little shady).

So, how about it - are you fanatic about sunscreen? Do you rock the tanned look? Personally, I'm whiter than a bowl of vanilla ice cream. I tend to burn quickly (my record is fifteen minutes for a burn received in North Carolina a month or so ago).

Screening the sun (through tinted windows),

L

It's a Gaggle....Of Geese

I know that it isn't Wednesday, but I'm feeling a little dangerous and wanted to break back into this blogging with something a little droll.

The Newf snapped and sent me this picture on his way home from work. We were still in Toronto at the time.

Something about this straggling gaggle just seemed fitting. They look like my kind of geese - the feisty, flapped, Canadian kind.

Giggling at the gaggle,

L

*Note: Let it be known you should not approach Canadian geese - they can get a little nasty. When I get a goose (and I will get a goose) it will be of the white garden variety. I will feed it toast from the window and give it a good Dutch name. I promise.