A Photo A Day [Day 139]

Now that I'm on a roll I'm quite enjoying this week's theme (movie scene) and am sad it's ending tomorrow because I've got lots of great ideas. Here I am as The Other Mother from Coraline. I have buttons for eyes. Wouldn't you like some too?

A Photo A Day [Day 138]

For some reason I always find myself in the mood to re-watch The Third Man at the beginning of each new year, and this one was no exception. With this year's viewing I found myself reaching back into the recesses of my mind for the tiny bit of knowledge I've retained from an interesting college course I took about mysteries in film and literature. It was an online course and, let's be honest, an easy credit since most of the assignments were to do things I already spent most of my spare time doing: read and watch movies. The teacher had us scrounge up obscure old films like Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt and analyze the various camera angles and avant-gard effects employed. Between that and the few shot-by-shot workshops I got to attend with Roger Ebert at our local film festival I thought I'd become quite the film expert. But while watching The Third Man this year I realized how much of its beauty I've missed and I was especially struck by the use of shadows, particularly in a scene where a little boy is chasing the protagonist around the streets of Vienna accusing him of being a murderer. At one point he totters around a corner and an ominous shadow precedes him. Now, I already find children to be terrifying creatures so that shot in particular caught my attention. Here's my recreation of that scene.

Don't worry; I was able to use an action figure in place of a real child so I didn't have to come into contact with any of those scary critters. I know you were concerned for my well being.

A Photo A Day [Day 137]

Further cementing my status in the neighborhood as the resident weirdo, I attempted to recreate the heartwarming scene at the end of "The Shining" where Jack Nicholson mercifully freezes to death. I was hoping this would turn out a little creepier, especially considering the frostbite I no doubt suffered in the process, but I'm more or less happy with the results. Life would be a lot easier with a twin so one of me could be behind the camera to set up these shots perfectly.

And let me just say that I really hope I don't usually look this bad. Very unflattering angle!

Theme: movie scene

Oh, and let me apologize for the lack of baking or crafting posts lately. With the new year I've made an effort to spend more time reading and cut back a little on the sweets. Note that I said "a little." I'm not crazy enough to eliminate them entirely! I'm hoping to limit my baking a bit, perhaps just to the weekends. As for the crafting I'm in a bit of a slump and hope to get back in the swing of things soon. I hope you'll stay tuned for that.

A Photo A Day [Day 136]

(Click for larger photo)

This week's theme (movie scene) is a tough one. I feel like it requires a lot of creative thought, planning, and setup, which I usually don't have time for. Today I got a snow day off of work so I did my best at setting up something cinematic. Didn't turn out quite like I'd hoped but it'll do.

With all the snow we've been getting this winter I'm afraid we'll soon get snowed in and have to resort to cannibalism, à la the movie Alive. Why else do you think I've been fattening up my husband with all of those baked goods?

A Photo A Day [Day 135]

Some would throw this blurry photo right into the bin but I kind of like the spooky effect. That and I think I look best when you've got a few drinks under your belt so here I've saved you the trouble and expense of drinking.

A Photo A Day [Day 134]

Abandoning this week's theme to show you my new Yeti calendar proudly displayed on my desk at work. Do you think my bosses and co-workers will catch on to the fact that I'm a little strange or is this too subtle of a hint?

You too can print out your own free Yeti calendar here:
http://curiositygroup.com/calendarofthemonth

A Photo A Day [Day 133]

For yesterday's photo I had a great idea of getting the cats to play with this Christmas garland and capturing a crisp, clear action shot. Not only did the cats refuse to cooperate and only Loofy showed a modicum of interest, but between the horrible lighting in our cave/house and having to wiggle the garland with my free hand I wasn't able to get the shot I wanted. Maybe one day I'll have a photography assistant and cooperative cats, but I won't hold my breath for either of those.