August Break - Day 29

The morning glories continue to amaze.

August Break - Day 28

Almost cross eyed.

August Break - Day 27

Recently we've been finding the door to the dishwasher open. Apparently somebody figured out how to open it and has a new spot.

August Break - Day 26

Colonial Beach, VA

August Break - Day 25

The snowman slippers. Something about this pic that I love. Maybe cuz I took it at work in the middle of the day. Maybe cuz my feet are on my desk. Maybe my horizons are expanding and I'm realizing that not every photo has to be some great work of art or something. It can just be what I'm doing at the moment and that seems to give it a special quality of its own.

Anyway, the whole reason I took this photo was that a friend noticed the snowman slippers in my earthquake photo. When I posted it on Facebook she was like, are those snowman slippers? And I told her why there were slippers at my desk and that at any given time someone in the office will be shlepping around in a pair because we all have the snowman slippers. My office is very casual. And I don't mind, I've taken my fair share of advantage of it. In fact the snowman slippers saved the day once when my sandal strap broke and I didn't have any other shoes to wear. And my friend is just tickled by this.

So, today she asked me to send her a pic of the slippers to brighten her day. Later I saw a coworker wearing a pair and got a pic of that to send to my friend. I think it was one of the highlights of her day!

August Break - Day 24

Just an ordinary moment in Lucy Poo's life.

August Break - Day 23

Earthquake aftermath! Yes, we experienced the earthquake today. My office is about 4 miles outside of DC and about 100 mile from the epicenter of the 5.8 earthquake. I was sitting at my desk when this very loud rumbling started and everything was shaking. I thought something very, very big and heavy had been dropped on the floor above me. But the shaking didn't stop. Then when I stood up I felt wobbly and unbalanced as the earth shook and our building swayed. I have a large aloe plant that is unbelievably heavy, Shawn can barely move it, and I thought it was going to topple over. When I noticed that I was like is this an earthquake?

Anyway, other than some books that flew off my shelf which are in the photo above, all is good. And those books probably would have stayed put if I hadn't placed them on the shelf all haphazardly:)

So is there some gratitude for what happened? Of course! First, they closed my building and forced us to leave which meant I got to go take a yoga class this afternoon!

Second, I realized Shawn and I need to set up some sort of emergency preparedness/communication plan. I couldn't get through to him or anyone on my cell for nearly 30 minutes.

And finally, it's time to declutter and organize once and for all. Those haphazardly placed books would have hit me in the head if I had been sitting! And at home, I can't tell what mess might be related to the earthquake cuz all of my areas in the house constantly look like a natural disaster struck!

August Break - Day 22

August Break - Day 21

Today's Morning Glory bloom!

August Break - Day 20

I took this a few weeks ago but had forgotten about it until today when I found it on my card. Was having some fun with bubbles but I was blowing the bubbles and taking the pics at the same time. Gotta get hubby to help me out. Notice the bubble that looks like it has a trail coming off it. That bubble had just started to burst and I happened to catch it!

August Break - Day 19

August Break - Day 18

My bookshelf. Why my bookshelf today? Because the lovely Leslie tagged me in a meme that she made up in Celebration of Reading.

So there's my bookshelf and here are my answers:) And mind you there are books ALL OVER this house. This is just one central spot for me.

1. Do you read for pleasure daily, in spurts, or rarely?

I read for pleasure in spurts. I consider fiction books to be reading for pleasure. And it just so happens I am currently reading a fiction novel for pure pleasure! It had been awhile and this is the second in a series of three. It's the best twist on the Arthur legend, ever. Bernard Cornwell, The Warlord Chronicles. My preference for fiction is some sort of historical fiction that has undertones of mysticism.

More often I read non-fiction stuff for the narcotic effect it has. A page or two before bed and I'm out.

And the graphic design and typography books and magazines are all at work. That stays there.

2. What kind of books and magazines do you like to read?

For fiction see above:) Non-fiction books would be about spiritual matters and yoga, mostly. Magazines I subscribe to are Shutterbug, Yoga Journal, Whole Living and Everyday Food. Once in a while I'll get Shape, Fitness or Oxygen and maybe Real Simple. I like to check out girlie magazines like Glamour or Lucky but they're so not relevant to my lifestyle anymore. Magazines are a great way for me to read without having to read. Lots of pictures, mindless articles, easy to read chunks of info and did I mention lots of pictures?

3. Who are your favorite authors?

Anne Rice, Bernard Cornwell, Wilbur Smith, Lama Surya Das, Judith Hanson Lasiter, Georg Feuerstein.

4. How do you organize your books?

Mostly by subject matter but space is limited around here so if something fits in between something else and that means it's not sitting on the floor, then it goes wherever it goes.

5. Have you made the transition from printed material to e-books?

No, I haven't but hubby has for some stuff. I'm still catching up on printed books he's read (we often share our books) but once I get an iPad that might change.

I believe I'm supposed to tag some others so Kimberly June, Capricious Yogi and Sarah feel free to keep the books rolling:)

August Break - Day 17

In the parking lot at work today.

August Break - Day 16

I've passed by this old pump near Bristow, VA probably 50 times over the last 10 years. Maybe more. Each time saying I'm going to stop and take pics of that one of these days. That day has finally come!

August Break - Day 15

Hot Buttered Elvis!

August Break - Day 14

An old cemetery I stumbled upon leaving Luray this morning.

August Break _ Day 13

From our girls weekend in Luray, VA. A hike, a beautiful sunset and yummy, yummy food.

August Break - Day 12

August Break - Day 11

Last one for at least a few days. Took this with the iPhone Camera+ app. Then boosted the clarity. And whoa! Epic, celestial sky.

August Break - Day 10

Catching up after a busy week and a few days out of town at fun girls weekend.

Yet another amazing evening sky! Every time I think, ok no more, I look up and I'm compelled to capture what I'm seeing.

August Break - Day 9

Corner of King St and Patrick St, Old Town Alexandria, on my way to teach yoga tonight.

August Break - Day 8

Seems I can't get enough sky and cloud pics these days. Does that mean my head is literally in the clouds? I have been feeling a bit ungrounded lately. And I have been day dreaming a bit about things like a bigger house and new, different and exciting work options. But to reach higher you gotta be well grounded. Sounds like I have some root chakra work to do:)

August Break - Day 7

August Break - Day 6

August Break - Day 5

August Break - Day 4

August Break - Day 3

August Break - Day 2

So the thing about the August Break, is there are no rules. Whatever, whenever, without explanation if you want. I like that. But this warrants some explanation because I also have a question.

Here's Sully Erna from the Godsmack show last Saturday. I shot this with my iPhone and this handy dandy little telephoto lens you can attach. Got it from here. And it works way better than the digital zoom from the app I have on the phone.

Anyway, so this is the closest I've gotten to "shooting" a concert. I really would love to shoot a show at a large arena with the BC (Big Camera) but I cannot seem to get a way in. Now that said, I haven't really put my mind to it 100%. And I think when I do that it will happen.

But here is my question ... I have asked two people in the last few months that had press passes at shows how they got them and you would have thought I was asking for President Obama's email login. Jees, what is the big secret? Why all the mystery? These two women were not rude but they were definitely defensive about their press pass and neither really answered how they got it or wanted to share. One of them actually knew my name and when I asked her how she knew me, she skirted the question. Huh? What? Just tell me, you've seen me somewhere or you know so-so that knows me. Jees.

Anyway, I'm the type of person that if I have knowledge I'm open to sharing it. There's plenty of opportunities for everyone. And what you give out comes back to you. So if anyone has tips they are willing to share ... I sure would love to get in somehow to shoot some cool shows.

August Break - Day 1

30 days of Hipstamatic is done:) Now onto the August Break. And it's a Hipstamatic!