9.52 Standard Winter Wear

Not a conventional self portrait, I'll admit.  But, it's a pretty accurate picture of me when it's cold outside.  I hate nothing more than being cold. Truly.  Many of you have heard me say this... If I'm hot, I may be crabby or uncomfortable but I can function. However, if I'm cold, the only thing I can think about is when I can get warm again.  I could be in the middle of the most amazing thing ever and all I want to do it get warm.  So, white, fluffy boot slippers are my favorite when it's cold outside.  Happily, I'll be able to put these away for the year very, very soon. But, they are my best friend when needed!

And now, onward to warmer weather!

8.52 My handsome date

Every year, at our elementary school, there is a Daddy Daughter Dance.  So my son and I take that opportunity to have our own date.  I believe we started going out in first grade.   We choose a different restaurant every year and make sure to get dressed up.  I love these nights.  This year, we met up with Peyton's Dad from Tommy, David Schlumpf, for dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, followed by going to see West Side Story at Drury Lane Theatre. (Thanks to the Paramount Theatre for the show tickets!) What a fun night! An extra bonus with a friend AND a show!

With Middle School less than one year away, the last school Daddy Daughter Dance has happened for our house. So, we'll just have to find a reason to head out, just him and I, in future years. That's a tradition I'll love to keep going!

7.52 Tommy Tommy Tommy

So, yeah. I'm a tad bit behind on this project.  I chose 52 self portraits as I knew it would be challenging. However, it's a bit more challenging than I anticipated. Since I need to use a tripod for almost all of the shots, I can't be as spontaneous with my camera. So, I'm behind but I'm catching up.

My original idea for this particular week's post was to do it in front of the Paramount Theatre.  However, the weather was miserable and I kept not being able to fit it into my schedule. And then, rehearsals started for the next show and I can only imagine what all of the actors would have thought had they seen me out there taking photos of myself in front of the theatre. Ha!  It makes me giggle a bit, actually.

So, this was option 2. Something to represent the final week of Peyton's run in The Who's Tommy!  I can't say enough good things about the entire experience and everyone involved in it. We were so very, very fortunate to be a part of such a special show and cast.  I asked Peyton's Mom (Mrs. Walker in Tommy, Hillary Marren, who we simply adore) to help me get a poster signed with everyone in the cast prior to the final show. She was able to round up most of the actors before the end of the run.  I surprised him with it right before the cast party and then set it out on the bar during the party for anyone who hadn't yet had a chance to sign it.  What a joy to see all the special notes written to my little guy! There were some pretty cool relationships formed during those 8 weeks.

This is a group of people he'll never forget.  

While there will be other shows, there won't be anything quite like the first one.

What a ride!

6.52 My furballs

Anyone who knows me, knows I love cats. A lot.  In fact, I'd be okay with coming back as a cat in my next life. Ha!  I currently have 2 furballs.  We adopted them this past July when they were about 3 months old.  They came as Simon and Garfunkel.  While pretty cute as a pair, Garfunkel as a name on it's own is kind of a mouthful.  On that first night, he jumped up into bed, snuggled right up into me as close as he could get and presented me with his new name - Spooner. That's him below in the photo. He is so full of personality and is the snuggliest cat I've ever known. Simon kept his name as it seemed to fit him (and the kids wouldn't agree to anything else I suggested).  I'll be sure he makes an appearance in this project too.  The kitties also seem to understand that coming to live with us meant photos would be taken of them...frequently....as in, almost every day.  My munchkins could not possibly love the fur boys any more if they tried.  

So thankful for my kitties!  They bring so much joy and love into our home!

A touch of tap

My little guy just finished up his first professional theater gig in the production of The Who's Tommy at the Paramount Theatre!  Forty shows later and it's over.  It went by so fast, so so fast.  An amazing experience all around.  He was surrounded by some unbelievably talented people, one of whom has mad tapping skills! Laura Savage was the lead in 42nd Street a few years back at this same theater and I remember being blown away by her dancing. Fast forward 2 years, now my son is in a show with her. How cool is that?!  Once they knew they were both tappers, a plan was made to tap together before the end of the run.  So, just in the nick of time, they met up in-between a two show day and tapped for about a half an hour.  I was lucky enough to get permission to hang out with them for a bit and capture some of the moments with my camera!

Thanks for adding yet another super cool experience into this whole Tommy ride!  Here's to hoping you are in another show together in the future.  

Best of luck on your next adventure, Laura, wherever it takes you.

5.52 Straight

When I was little, my hair was straight and blond.  That's clearly not the case anymore. At the age of twelve, I was up in Canada spending a couple of weeks with my grandparents. My grandma took me to get a haircut. I remember telling the stylist I wanted it cut in a bob and then permed.  She got through the haircut part and then refused to perm my hair.  When we asked why, she spun me around in the chair, handed me a mirror and showed me the back of my head which was now full of curls.  What a surprise! We had no idea.

When it comes to hair, so many people want what they don't have.  I'll admit for a long time, I did wish my hair was straight. But, that was because there was one particular style I wanted to try and it would never have worked with my hair type.  Oh well. I got over it, moved on and grew to love my curls.  At this point, thank goodness I have curls as my skills in styling hair are severely lacking.  Most days, it takes me about 3 minutes to get my hair done.

When I was in my early 20's, I ended up finding a hair stylist who showed me how to straighten my hair with just a dryer and a roll brush.  It was awesome! Suddenly, I had the best of both worlds.  And while I don't do it very often anymore, it is fun to straighten my hair every once in awhile just for fun and for a different look.

I also wish my hair was red, but that's a whole different blog post!  :) 

At the Start

It's been a busy January for me with requests for new head shots.  I love that kind of session! I've done them for realtors, dancers, dating sites, business people and most recently, this budding actor! He's headed off to college next year and will be majoring in musical theater! Auditions for various schools are this weekend, so he needed to start with a headshot.  We got together last weekend and had a session.  Though it was cold, we had some gorgeous winter light to work with. He was such a trooper taking his jacket on and off for the photos and braving the less than tropical temperatures.

This last shot is one I didn't show him in his final gallery as it clearly would not be one he would use.  However, I still love it!  An in-between moment of laughter. If I'm having fun, then everyone else should be too!

And that's a wrap!  

Best of luck on Sunday.  

We look forward to seeing you on stage soon!