Last week, as I was coming off of my Klaus-ish mood, I decided to take a little break and wander over to the University of St. Thomas.  I hadn't been there in about 2-1/2 years, but I remembered that my last experience walking the labyrinth there was very peaceful, and peaceful was something that I was definitely in the mood for.  Happily, it didn't disappoint.

Just as I was leaving the house, however, on an impulse I grabbed the Hasselblad, hoping to try out the Fujicolor Pro 400H film at the university grounds, to see if I liked it better than the Kodak Portra (if you remember, I felt that the Kodak was stifling the imbuing of my spirit, or something).  I have to admit, I was a little nervous as I waited for the film to be processed:  if I didn't like the result, it meant that I was doing something technically wrong, as opposed to the hopefully-easy fix of simply switching film.

I'm thrilled to report that I'm thrilled with this film.

I just love it.  In full-on sunlight, this film seems to capture truer colour than the Kodak Portra does, so that I didn't need to do much post-camera processing; as a result, these images feel far more "me" than the previous Hassie images, while still maintaining the vibe that marks it as unmistakably film, instead of digital.

This has been such a good lesson, by the way:  I've learned that when it comes to film photography, finding the right film is almost as important using the right lens or the right camera settings.  It's all a part of creating the art.  Before embarking on this experiment, I think I would've thought that film was just film, and it was just a matter of getting a decent quality -- but it's not just about quality, it turns out.  It's about how the film communicates colour and light and shadow and contrast, and whether or not it does it in a way that satisfies the photographer and what he or she is trying to convey.  So to be clear, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Kodak Portra -- in fact, it's probably perfect for another photographer, one who feels that it helps convey her art as she intends.  But for me, the Fujicolor film comes closer to allowing me to make that conveyance in a way that feels authentic.  It helps me communicate more accurately. 

I hope that makes sense?

Anyway, I digress.  After wandering around the grounds of the chapel and the labyrinth, I decided to stop by one of my favourite coffeehouses, to see how the film did in dimmer, indoor light.

It would've been nice to have his face in focus, instead of the back of her head, but oh, well.  Next time.

I love this photo.  Love.

People, I'm just so happy.  The colour feels just so rich and lush.  This is exactly what I was hoping for.

My second roll of the Fujifilm is currently at the processor's, and on that roll I shot more everyday stuff, so we'll see how it turns out.  But I'm feeling really energized about this film and taking more images with the Hassie.  Now it's all about tweaking technique.

Which is totally the fun part.

(In other unrelated news, I was busy over at Babble.com this week!  First, I talked about my new attitude with exercise.  Then, I got sick.  But as always, I was still very, very grateful -- and there was lots of evidence to this effect.)

And with that, have an amazing weekend, everyone.

Song:  More than words by Extreme

So yesterday, I shared with you a list of things I can't do, even though I should know how.  Today, I share the list of things I can totally do ... for no reason whatsoever:

1.  I've already mentioned this, but it bears repeating: I know all the words to Copacobana.  I don't know why, I have no idea when i actually memorized the song (I don't have any junior high memories of being able to sing it) and I've never had the opportunity to use this skill.  But I know that song, by gum.

2.  I can juggle.  It was on my life list, and even though i'm no pro, I can now do it.  For what reason, I have no idea.

3.  I can say the alphabet backwards relatively quickly.  Several years ago, I decided I wanted to know how to do this.  I do not know why.

4.  I know Act I, Scene I of Macbeth by heart.  I went to the sort of high school that made you memorize these things.  For some reason, I never forgot this particular exercise.  I have no use for this information.

See?  Totally useless.

(Still pretty cool, right?)

What about you -- any hidden talents that serve no real purpose?

Song:  World spins madly on by The Weepies

Since we're starting a brand new month today, all-clean-slate and all, I feel the need to come clean about my woeful inability to do the following:

1.  Make a decent cup of coffee.  Honey, I have tried. I've even followed recipes.  I cannot do it.  At all.

2.  Set my own alarm clock.  The damned thing completely confounds me.  If I have to reset it, I get Marcus to do it.  Or I rely on my iPhone alarm.  I know how to set my iPhone.

3.  Make an omelet.  It always turns into scrambled eggs.

4.  French braid.  Alex has the perfect head of hair to do it, too. 

5.  Frost a cake.  I can't do this and make it look like anything you'd want to eat.  Give me a poured glaze any day. Or powdered sugar! I can sift powdered sugar.

6.  Paint a wall.  Ask Marcus.  I am the Streak Master.  He always has to come back after me to make it all look right.

7.  Run.  At all.  Which is weird, because I can walk really fast -- as fast as a lot of joggers -- for an extended amount of time.  But as soon as I kick it up to a slow jog, my heart beats out of control, and I can't catch my breath and it's just very, very ugly.  I've always been like this, too.  Personal trainers stare at me in disbelief.  It's a bit shocking.  (An aside:  if you'd like to see my latest relationship with working out, click here.)

I have made peace with all of these things (even though I'm sure that Marcus would love if I would set my own alarm clock or made my own damned cup of coffee).  On the positive side, I can cook Trini food like a champ, hem a pair of trousers, and know all the words to Copacabana.  So, you know, there's at least that.

Song:  Son of a preacher man, as performed by Deni Hines.  You were afraid I was going to feature Barry Manilow, weren't you?  Never fear, kumquats, I might make you listen to me sing him at karaoke, but I'd never do that to you here on the site.

Incidentally, an AMAZING acapella version of "Son of a Preacher Man" is performed by Deni on my playlist this month.  Also, if you like the image above, it's this month's desktop wallpaper. 

Have a great February, everybody.

Still buried, friends, so in lieu of a proper post, I thought I'd share with you a list of beautiful things I've come across recently.

1.  Shop decor.  The abstract mobile above is hanging from the ceiling at a Free People store here in Houston.  Isn't it sort of glorious?  (An aside:  I can't help but wonder if the term "vegan leather" is really a nicer, more politically-correct term for "pleather," am I right?)

2.  The recipe for pesto.   Tell me the video below doesn't make you want to run into your kitchen, grab one of those rocking-knife-thingies and get to work:

3.  A thousand words.  This video is an oldie, but a goodie, exploring what happens when you take the opportunity to connect with someone.  And look, it features that cool actor from Saturday Night Live!

4.  A turntable that plays slabs of wood.  Consider this the song of the day:  this turntable takes the grooves from the rings of tree trunks, and translates them to piano.  Haunting, man.

Enjoy, friends.  Hope to come up for air tomorrow.

Seriously, it's the end of January already?

This month has flown by.  I have been positively embroiled in all sorts of very awesome plans for the site, and some writing projects, as well.  I cannot wait to share them all with you, in good time. For now, though, instead of my usual posts, I thought should at least give you a heads-up as to what's to come:

I'm in the middle of a huge redesign of the site.  I think I've finally outgrown this one, so I'm working once again with my insanely talented designer, Krystyn Heide (who expressed considerable dismay that I hadn't called her sooner).  We've been putting in long days and weekends, with her doing all of the design work and managing all the coding and technical stuff, and me reprocessing hundreds of photos for the new gallery formats that will be featured.  It's still going to take a couple of weeks more before it's ready to go, but I'm based on what I've seen so far, I think it will be well worth the wait.

Secondly, I know many of you have been asking about when the next Path Finder session will be:  my plan is to have it soon after the site redesign, probably early March.  If you've signed up for early notification, I promise I've received your email, and you'll be the first to know firm dates.

Thirdly, the second gratitude.2012 newsletter will be going out on February 1st.  I'm so proud of this little newsletter, and would love for you to join me, so if you haven't already and it sounds like your cup of tea, please consider signing up.

Fourthly, I would be remiss if I didn't let you know that Alex took the image above.  I needed a photograph of my hands and a camera for the new site, and Marcus was out on one of his epic rides with no sign of returning before the light dipped below the horizon, so I asked Alex to use my camera and take a shot for me.  And God bless her, I took care of all the settings, and she snapped away.  This was her first shot.  I think she's trying to work me out of a job, don't you?

With that, thanks for your patience, friends.  Tomorrow I'll return you to your regularly scheduled Chookooloonks.

Song: Superstition by Stevie Wonder

While I was in Salt Lake City, I was happily able to spend a few minutes chatting with my sweet friend, Justin Hackworth (who, incidentally, took my bio photograph for the inside flap of my book).  At one point I interrupted him:

"Justin, you know what?" I said.  "I just need to tell you something I've been meaning to tell you for a while.  I really love your work. Your images are so simple, so pure and so beautiful -- they're really just breathtaking."

He smiled his usual quiet smile.  "Thank you," he said simply.

"Seriously," I insisted.  "I've tried to photograph just like you, and I can't."

"Well, actually," he said, "there is a theory that says a photographer imbues something into his photograph when he shoots.  That there's a reason that you can't identically copy another photographer's work.  You could never shoot like me, and I could never shoot like you, even if we tried."

"In fact," he continued, becoming more animated, "I read an article once, where someone was visiting Ansel Adams, and Ansel took a shot -- and then the person used Ansel's camera and took the identical shot, and processed it identically.  And even though, at a glance, the photograph looked the same, if you stared at it long enough, it immediately became clear to anyone which of the photos was taken by Ansel, and which wasn't." *

"You know, I totally believe that," I said.  "I've tried it with other photographers -- taken photographs of the same subject side-by-side with them.  I'm not sure what it is, but you definitely can tell the difference, even when our camera settings were exactly the same."

* * * * * * *

In the interest of continuing to share with you my learning curve in using this camera, these are the thoughts that ran through my head when I pulled the images above up on my computer, in the order in which I thought them:

1.  Oh good, they came out fine.

2.  Of course, it's really difficult to screw up photographs when you have subjects as lovely as these.

3.  The things I wanted in focus are in focus (more or less), and vertical lines are vertical and horizontal lines are horizontal.  Score.

4.  I think I'm finally getting the hang of this camera!

5.  I'm still a bit dissatisfied.

It might seem silly, I suppose, that I wouldn't be fully happy yet, especially since I consider the images technically fine.  But the truth, I think, is related to the discussion I had with Justin:  I don't quite feel that a part of myself -- the part which expresses how I felt during that moment in time when I took the shots -- is accurately expressed in these photos.  This might sound like metaphysical hooey, but regardless, something still doesn't feel quite right.  My "imbued spirit" isn't translating, or something.  It could be, of course, that I'm not used to shooting film, having shot digitally for the past decade; but honestly, I don't think that's it.  I do think however, it has something to do with the type of film I'm using.

I mentioned when sharing roll #2 that I wasn't sure I was a fan of the film I've been using (Kodak Portra), and I think I still feel this way:  the colours (despite what their website shows) feel muted, flat.  As is probably apparent by scrolling through the archives of my site, I'm more of a vibrant-pop-of-colour kind of girl, and try as I might on Photoshop, I can't get the images to show the sort of vibrancy I'd like, without seriously skewing the feel of the image. The best way I can describe it is like this:  it's like taking a shot with your Instagram app on your iPhone, and you want to process it using the Lomo-Fi filter, but for some reason it's broken, and the only one that's working is Toaster.

(Okay, maybe that wasn't the best description.  But those of you who use Instagram on iPhones probably get my point.)

Anyway, the upshot is this:  for roll #5 (currently being processed), I tried a new film: Fujicolor Pro 400H film, which people tell me is known for colour vibrancy.  Hopefully I'll have some good images to share with you next week, and I can tell you if the images feel more "me."  Fingers crossed.  And ultimately, please know that, regardless of my muted, flattened imbued spirit, I'm having a WHALE of a time using this camera.  Seriously, it's like having a brand new toy to play with, and it's so much fun.

(In other completely unrelated news, as always, I'm sharing the things I'm grateful for this week over at Bliss Your Heart. Oh! And I'm trying to figure out how to drink more water -- any tips?)

And after all that crazy talk, have a great weekend, everyone.

*  If you're interested, the article to which Justin was referring can be downloaded in PDF form by clicking here.  It's a really great read.

Song:  Colors by Amos Lee

... are sort of perfect for finding awesome on the web.  Here's some of the lovely photographic inspiration I've found over the last very rainy 48 hours (grab a cup of tea or coffee and settle in, this is some good stuff):

JR.  I love anonymous street artist JR, and even though I've known of his work for a long time now, I finally found his website, a place where I predict I'll be lurking a lot going forward.  If you're unfamiliar with his work, check out:

Women Are Heroes, a portrait of women in the 21st century ...

Bande Annonce Women Are Heroes by womenareheroes

... and Face2Face, his project in Israel/Palestine.

FACE 2 FACE trailer by JR and Marco by JR

Moment Junkie.  I'm not someone who cries very easily at photographs; however, I apparently will make an exception for this site.  Gabby Blair is responsible for this discovery, where special (and many unexpected) moments at weddings around the world are captured.  Oof.  I double dog dare you to scroll through the archives and remain stoic.  I triple dog dare you.

Creating Time Capsules.  I've mentioned my friend Xanthe Berkeley's work before:  in addition to her own beautiful site, she's 1/2 of the two brilliant minds behind one of my favourite blogs, London vs. Paris.  Well, darlings, that's not all she does -- take a look at this beautiful video time capsule she did, capturing her 2011, below:

Isn't that gorgeous?  But even more exciting, Xanthe is launching her first online course, Creating Time Capsules, where she's going to be teaching her methods and techniques to help you create your own time capsules with your imagery.  I've already signed up for the class, which begins Monday, February 20th.  I. cannot. wait.

And finally (and even though this is not something I found in the last 48 hours), if you haven't signed up for gratitude.2012 yet, please go give it a gander.  It might be just the thing to guarantee something good happens every month.  And of course, I'd love to have you.  The next newsletter goes out February 1st.

Song:  I can't stand the rain by Ann Peebles

So. Have you heard the latest about Eastman Kodak?

Yesterday, I came across this CNN article about Kodak's recent bankruptcy.  It's a great, though somewhat depressing read about Kodak in particular, and the evolution of personal photography in general, but it was the following passage that caught my eye:

Amateurs, of course, have been indulging in digital for years. Processing film takes money and -- perhaps more importantly -- time. Now everything can be transferred from a camera to a computer as quickly as popping in a USB drive. Anticipation is as long gone from the process as Fotomat booths.

"My kids' relationship to photography is completely different," says Saab. "They think you take pictures with a phone." And prints? Almost never.

The last part of this excerpt almost made me weep openly.

Since I began journaling a few years ago, I try to print my favourite photographs -- just cheaply, uploading them online to a local drugstore and picking up 4"x6" prints an hour later -- and stick them randomly in the pages of my journal.  My goal was to keep this practice up weekly, but I don't do it nearly as often as I'd like; sometimes months go by before I print any photos.  Still, it occurred to me one day about a year ago that for all of the negative environmental press that paper gets, it's the only media that is guaranteed to still be accessible 50 years from now (for example, when's the last time you downloaded a photograph from a floppy disk?).  Printed photographs might be the only real way to save them, you know?  And that CNN piece agrees:

Indeed, there's an impermanence to it all now. As one commenter to the Atlantic story pointed out, "The pictures last, even if the cameras didn't: I have family photographs from the 19th century. I (wonder) if, in 100 years, people will have the digital images from the late 20th? 'Oh, yeah, they were on that computer that died and we never got the files off of it.' "

So I was wondering:  do you guys ever print your photographs?  Do your kids ever want cameras as gifts, or do they just go straight to the smartphones with cameras in them?  Do you keep photo albums? I mean, not scrapbooks, necessarily, but just straight-up albums, full of nothing but photographs, like in the olden days?  To own a camera, does a person have to actually be "into photography," rather than simply wanting to take the occasional snapshot or party pic?  And if we're not printing photographs, and we're just opening our images to a fate of drifting off into the oblivion of old computers and crashed hard drives, what's the real reason we take photographs at all?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Song:  Kodachrome by Paul Simon

So I have this Dark Side.

Marcus and my friend Maile call this side of me "Klaus" -- the one they say is the "anti-Chookooloonks."  They take this side of me in good humour (I think), despite the fact that this is the part of me that is irritable with the entire world.  It's the one who gets angry with the television anytime a politician crosses the screen, or a negative bit of media crosses my path, or someone cuts me off on the road.  Klaus is curmudgeonly.  Klaus is misanthropic. 

Klaus is not cute.

Last week, Klaus was raging.  Everything was getting under my skin.  I had all these projects that were going and I knew I should be excited about them, but I couldn't help it -- the news and the media were taking over my life so that I couldn't enjoy my own projects, and there was this angry pall that was just hanging over everything.  Everybody who crossed my path was on my last nerve.  By the time I got on the flight to Salt Lake City, I was starting to irritate me.

And then I landed.

I mentioned last week that Salt Lake City feels like taking a great big deep breath, and the same can be said of the Altitude Design Summit.  I don't know how Gabby & her team do it, but they put on the most chill, inspiring conference out there.  I stayed in an awesome hotel (shown above), I met great people, I hung out with old friends, and by the time I was on the flight back to Houston, I didn't even mind the two-hour delay on the runway because of snow and de-icing.  I was a different woman.

And now, I'm back home, my to-do list is shockingly long, and I'm completely buried.  And yet? Now I'm excited about my projects.  It's like being round all those creative people gave me a brand new, fresh perspective.  I can't wait to tackle my work.

Amazing what a change of scenery can do.

* * * * * * *

And now, to business:

First, according to Random.org, the winner of the awesome 16"x20" print artist Kal Barteski created from my words, "wildly convinced you're uncommonly beautiful," along with a signed copy of The Beauty of Different is Cathy Walters, who said "love the poster! love the message! :) Thanks for the chance to win."  Congratulations, Cathy!  Please check your inbox for an email from me getting all your mailing deets.  (And everyone else: the prints are a limited run and going to go quickly, so if you'd like one, please preorder now!)

Secondly, if the thought of getting a bit of monthly photo inspiration, along with a bit of photography instruction while you help change the world is something that appeals to you, please take a look at gratitude.2012, and consider subscribing.  If you sign up now, you'll be just in time for the February newsletter.  I'd love to have you.  (And I promise, Klaus is nowhere to be found.)

Song:  Rolling in the deep by Adele

Isn't it beautiful?

This 16"x20" print you see above is a result of a truly awesome collaboration with rockstar artist Kal Barteski.  It all started when one of my favourite online photographers, Rachel James, suggested that I create a poster for Chookooloonks.  I thought it was a stellar idea, and since I've been using the phrase "wildly convinced you're uncommonly beautiful" as my tagline on Twitter since 2010 (and will also be doing so on my soon-to-be-revealed new site design), the timing was perfect. A few quick phone calls with Kal, and she whipped up the amazing design above.  I was able to see the first run of the prints while I was in Salt Lake City last week, and it is seriously beyond any expectations I had.  They are just stunning, and I'm so grateful.  Best news?  The limited run is available for preorder, and based on the reaction we received at the Alt Summit, they will go fast.  Click here to preorder one for yourself!

But even better ...

I snagged one from Kal while I was there, and I'd love to give it away.  So leave a comment saying whatever you'd like below, and I'll pick one commenter at random to receive a numbered print from this first run, along with a signed copy of The Beauty of Different, inscribed to whomever you'd like.  It doesn't matter where in the world you're located, either -- this is a message that needs to spread worldwide. 

 * * * * * * *

Speaking of "uncommonly beautiful," here are the uncommonly beautiful faces I was thrilled to photograph in Salt Lake City:

Heather, politico extraordinaire behind Poliogue and No Pasa Nada.

Holly, English Rose and resident Shakespeare of Nothing But Bonfires.

 Jordan, creative mind and event planner behind Oh Happy Day!

Leslie, the joy-filled, generous photographer of Lights and Letters.

Mae, the sweet soul Here in this House.

Meghan, talented photographer of Life Refocused.

Jennifer, the lovely, gentle interior designer of Dec-a-Porter.

Thanks to all of you lovelies for sharing your spirits with me -- it was a true pleasure to spend time with each of you.

(Don't forget to leave a comment!)

(Also -- have you signed up for gratitude.2012 yet? There's still time before the February 1st newsletter goes out -- click here to register!)

Update:  The winner has been picked!  Thanks to all of you who participated.  Of course, if you still want a print, they are available for preorder now -- and I suspect they're going to go fast, so hurry!

Song: Beautiful as performed by The Lemonheads