aliceinwalden

adventures in cooking, city exploring, and art museuming.

2010-08-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

This is my little pad, looking in from my private rooftop (that I like to treat like a porch). Some nights, I love just sitting outside with a glass of wine and my guitar. I love summer nights for that very reason. I find refuge in it.

A couple of Saturdays ago, my friend Kristen and I attempted a plan to have ladies night potluck at my place, but we failed at our efforts to organize. Each person who had wanted to come originally had other plans or ended up not feeling well, so we had our own little potluck. I made a scrumptious chickpea curry that I have to brag about here because I started from scratch. It was fun to make, though, and I couldn't complain about how wonderful it made my whole apartment smell.

I recently had the unfortunate experience of having my bike stolen off my own front steps. I have no serial number, but luckily I took this photo in our old apartment because I was so proud to bring out Schwinny from the depths of the back stairway into the light of Spring. I suppose I've learned my lesson to never leave my bike locked up out front of a building (at least in Cincinnati), but now I have the opportunity to scope out a really cool bike on Craigslist or flea market.

My fire escape is spilling over with an abundance of compost, so much so that I had to employ a dinner plate to accommodate for the surplus. I noticed recently that butterflies have taken over the compost, like this guy here. I have to say, I prefer them to flies any day.

I went exploring last Sunday in the city I live in as though it were foreign to me, and it ended up being a blast. I found this skywalk above the square that weaves its way through a deserted building, over Walnut, and ends with a giant window overlooking the square.

I also took a trip to the art museum and didn't even graze the surface of the American art, much less the other regions of the world. But I took solace in the fact that I actually read most of the blurbs next to each piece that I looked at and educated myself a little on the ones that I really loved.

This was the courtyard in the middle of the museum and below is one of my favorites in the entire collection. This is definitely my favorite room, by far, and so it just feels appropriate that the painting lives inside it.

Oh yes, and a deer came out of the woods to munch on museum property shrubbery. Shame on you, deer. It didn't seem to mind how close I got to it for photographs and may have even been posing for me. Either way, it was an adventure-filled weekend that I hope will be a regular occurrence.

Until next time!

-Natalie

a few little corners of life. (and the new apartment)

2010-07-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

Grace means more than gifts. In grace something is transcended, once and for all overcome. Grace happens in spite of something; it happens in spite of separateness and alienation. Grace means that life is once again united with life, self is reconciled with self. Grace means accepting the abandoned one. Grace transforms fate into a meaningful vocation. It transforms guilt to trust and courage. The word grace has something triumphant in it.

- Yrjo Kallinen

I couldn't help being drawn to this quote. Saturday morning, I had the unfortunate realization that by bike had been stolen, lock and all. I was too trusting to think that having in front of my building but locked to my steps would guarantee its safety. But, I have learned my lesson and perhaps I will even get a new one soon enough. And this time, I'll take better care of it and take down the serial number. Oh well. As a result of this terrible beginning to my weekend, Christopher brought me this lovely bouquet that is now perched on my window kitchen table. (I am truly a lucky girl) Today, I think I shall create an array of things, from working on my self-portrait to playing a bit of guitar and ukelele.

And this is the view from my window. My kale seems to be suffering in the heat of the summer, but I suppose I can't blame them after tolerating the 96 degree heat of Friday and Saturday.

I found this (not so) little guy in my bathroom windowsill this morning. He has the most incredible wings, really! I just find some bit of beauty in way he landed so gracefully in my window to die.

Our excursion to a thrift shop in Kentucky. He found himself a ceramic Jesus.

This is some old film from last winter. I have never seen such incredible icicles in my life, so I had to document it. I just love some of the candy colors of the buildings in this city and the pure white of the snow seemed to magnify these colors. In the center is the courtyard of Iris Bookcafe with a snow-buried gnome.

I am finding it easier and easier to make my own adventures in this city and I am surprised to say that I am feeling a little more at home as well. This is Liz Trantanella, my new found adventure buddy. She will be giving birth to a boy in October, so we are finding things to do other than drink. Recently, we plundered the sites of East Fork Lake State Park. Pictures of that are still to come, but I want to go back soon. We found the old solid wooden top of a table floating on the shore and completely water logged. It was way too heavy to take, but perhaps it will still be there when we go back...

all my honesty

Natalie

getaways and lazy days.

2010-07-21T16:26:00.001-07:00

Ah, summer. Classes are easy, days are long, and even amid the hot, sultry and humid days, it's the season to enjoy the beauty of nature. I have had wanderlust lately and Christopher and I recently took a trip up to Yellow Springs, OH for our three year anniversary. I brought my Yashicamat 124, my brand new tent, and a sense of adventure with me. Here's just a snippet of what I took in Yellow Springs, but it's enough to give the gist of it.

I had the privilege of visiting Columbia at the beginning of summer and just recently developed the film for it. I just love the way this film turns out every time. It's so unexpected when you get back a roll of film that turns out as beautiful as these, but I also like that sometimes they don't turn out quite so well. I had an unintentional double exposure on one photo, but it was just perfect. I find it easier and easier to search out these corners and have painstaking curiosity every moment of my day. It's my meditation, my ohm. It's my church service.

I invite you all to take a look at my boyfriend, Christopher's 100 days project. It's so infectious. You just want to join in when you read what he and his friend Dave are doing. And plus, 100 days is a LONG time to do anything, and a feat that they must endure with the help and inspiration of others.

Happy summer, all.

A New Life

2010-06-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

And so, we began our journey together, living together and working together as a pair. We even reorganized our books together.

I began a self-portrait to add to my portfolio, and so far I am pleased with the results. Painting offers me such therapy and repose from the busy world. I am truly blessed to have this outlet as well as photography to hold my sanity.

I got back into the habit of composting. It was almost my way of surrounding myself with green again, but I also just felt so wasteful throwing food down the garbage disposal.

But alas, we had to leave out apartment. Our landlord sold her house and gave us the opportunity to move out. And so the next chapter begins...

This is in Christopher's new neighborhood. Oh, yes, we decided to get our own places. I have never had the wonderful experience of living on my own and he wanted to experience it again before he could not ever again.

Ah, our trip to Columbia was so refreshing. We were graced with the presence of all our old friends and had the pleasure of staying with Luke and Natalie Freeman in their little attic apartment. We witness the marriage of our friends Jill and Chad, and then we were back in Cincinnati.

This is one of the last nights in our Main Street apartment, and I realized that I would not miss it quite as much as I thought I would. I mean, really, three cop cars across the street. What a neighborhood. Oh, Over-the-Rhine, I will miss your cracks, leaks, and crumbling foundation. Your roughness has charm.

And here I am now, in my new apartment near the university, and I love it. I have a view of trees and my own roof to climb out on at night. This is the first of my kale harvest, but at the rate that the birds are devouring my sprouts, I'm not sure how much harvest I will have this year! At any rate, stay tuned for more updates, which I promise I will update more often now!

with curiosity and love,

Natalie

My Sister's Wedding (Reception)

2009-10-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

My sister, Chrystal, recently had her wedding reception after eloping in the Maine mountains. Ah, to elope in the mountains! I support her 100% for not including anyone else in the wedding ceremony. I suppose it's difficult for some to fully support a sibling or family member in eloping instead of having a big wedding, but I truly feel that that is what a marriage is all about. It's an extremely intimate thing that should come with an intimate ceremony. I can't wait until I get to experience it.

But all in all, Rochester is a beautiful city, somewhat resembling Pleasantville, and is equipped with gorgeous trails, quaint houses, friendly neighbors, nearby lakes, and sweet radio stations. It's the kind of place I would want to raise a family if I were to stay in the U.S.

More than anything, this trip made me realize how much I had missed my family since moving to Ohio. As quirky and slightly dysfunctional as they are, I love them dearly and I appreciate where I come from more and more all the time. It's funny how growing up makes you realize just how much like your family you really are, but also that it doesn't bother you so much anymore to know that; I know now that they are intelligent and good-hearted people just trying to live life the best way they can. I really only get to talk to them on the phone now, and traveling is a financial burden in itself. I just wish someone would invent the teleporter already.

The New Place

2009-09-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

This was our fridge for the first 4 days we lived here. It all started when we were moving on Thursday or Friday, we were hot and exhausted and the water wasn't near cold enough out of the tap for us. The only logical thing to do, then, was to fill every glass we had brought over with water and refrigerate all of them. It proved to be really handy for us since we don't have one of those filters. I am proud to say we still have all those glasses in our fridge full of water, and we refill them. I hope it sticks.

Our apartment is slowly but surely coming together. I applied for a shelving position at the library. Oh please, God, let me get that job! I was never meant for Starbucks and you, of all beings, should know that.

This apartment is so inspiring. I never thought some brick walls could do the trick, but it seems to put me at ease. I only wish Christopher didn't have to work so much. Or go to school so much. What am I saying, I have it good. We'll see how the rest pans out.

Chapter 3: Cincinnati

2009-09-10T20:20:00.001-07:00

So, in case you were even curious, chapters 1 and 2 of my life were Springfield and Columbia, both in Missouri. For the first time, I am living out of state, essentially on my own with the gracious encouragement of my wonderful boyfriend, Christopher. We are getting an apartment together soon (pictures to come) and needless to say, I am more than ecstatic. The top 3 photographs were taken in our current, snug apartment on Chase Avenue, where we had an incredible view of the impending storm the other night. The bottom photograph is of the statue on the corner of Clifton and Ludlow.

I feel like this city is growing on me every day I spend here. I'm finding new corners, new people, REAL people, and not just students. That was exactly what I was looking for and I'm so glad I finally found it. And it certainly doesn't hurt that the love of my life is here with me to experience it...

Today, I got hired at Starbucks again. Honestly, it was my last resort, but I'm banking on a job at the bookstore come November. I really want a job at the library downtown, but it seems like the only people they hire have degrees in library science. I just miss being around tons of books at my workplace, even if I can't read them on the job.

Ah, my Yashicamat does wonders.

2009-08-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Let me just say that I really like the first photograph with the mess-up developing in the corner. It makes it tangible and beautiful. I think this will be the camera I take around the world with me.

2009-08-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

2009-08-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

This was the rehearsal dinner, almost as cute as the wedding, where anyone could ride the bikes that were parked at the bed and breakfast that this was held at. Luke and Natalie got the tandem, of course, before someone broke it.

2009-08-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

The colors look so washed out on here, I don't understand, but oh well. This is the last installment of digital photos and the next post if the one I am really excited about. I recently got back the results of my new Yashica Mat TLR, and they are gorgeous. Not to brag, it's honestly just the camera and film that make them so beautiful.

2009-08-19T11:06:00.001-07:00

Hooray wedding! I'll post one more of the digital photos, but I need to put my film photos on here too.

Luke and Natalie's Wedding (cont.)

2009-08-14T14:23:00.001-07:00

Luke and Natalie's Wedding!

2009-08-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

Oh goodness, what an honor it was to photograph Luke Freeman and Natalie Noack's wedding. It was the most beautiful site I have ever seen. Just imagine: tucked in a tiny town made up of dilapidated houses and old mom-and-pop antique stores surrounded by the gorgeous Katy Trail, there lies a wedding of homemade signs, old bikes set out for use by anyone, a tree ornamented with childhood photographs of the bride and groom, and of course a cake decorated with birds and branches. It was relatively easy to get beautiful pictures with a wedding virtually set up for any photographer, so I hope I did a decent enough job for my dear friends. Take a look and see for yourselves.

Balancing Act

2009-04-22T20:31:00.001-07:00

This assignment was actually a bit of a doozy since I guess I just don't know how to do it effectively. Also, I can never find anything interesting going on in Columbia, except this. I hope it will do, it's not technically perfect or anything. The Celtic Arts Association has an Irish jam every Wednesday. It made me want to go buy a mandolin and join them (they were missing one!) because I could never play the bagpipes.

Multiple Flashing the Derby Dames

2009-04-21T10:45:00.001-07:00

Man, this assignment was hectic, but I guess it came together for us not being able to attach the lights to the rafters. I could never be a Derby Dame; they're just too damn tough.

Fill Flash and Balancing

2009-04-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I want to keep doing this. I think I had some sort of photographer's anxiety attack the other day and it kept me from taking a single frame. I am not proud of these pictures either, but I will mention that the tungsten glow of the first shot was entirely intentional. I am having second thoughts about doing photojournalism. If I can't even go out and pick out a good spot and organize my time to take a decent picture, how will I do in the real world? Plus, I think it's safe to say I have very little grasp on the flash. I should have gone to the laundromat like I had originally planned.

This first one is the one I turned in and the last one was not part of the assignment, but I really liked it. It's slightly out of focus, but I can't use it for our roller derby project anyway. Cheers all!

Audio Slideshow/ Multimedia

2009-04-09T16:41:00.000-07:00

The New York Times published this one. I really love the images in it, but I wish there were more pictures of the man and his daughter. I felt almost like I was seeing the same image over and over again, but it did inspire me in a sort of way. I really want to build my own house now out of found objects. Plus, it looks fantastic!

Jaylyn and I in the Studio

2009-04-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

This art is definitely Jaylyn's idea, but I couldn't help to be proud of how they turned out.

They were for a church project to depict our human dependence on material consumption. I hope that didn't tell too much, but I thought it was an excellent idea. We began by shooting her eating money and it turned into this all by itself. Ah, the beauty of art.

Color Correction with a Flash

2009-03-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

I didn't spend enough time on this assignment, I think. It's slightly frustrating but yet relieving to have assignments with very little guidelines. I ended up liking this one the best.

He looks really pale on here. He isn't actually a ghost, I swear! I liked this one too, but our group is probably going to do a story on these kung fu academy boys.

Direct/Bounce Single Flash Assignment

2009-03-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

Flash! Flash!

(Caption) Keerth Keshav and Meredith Green pause on the endnote of a song after an exhausting salsa dance at the Artisan on March 11, 2009. The Latin Dance Club at Mizzou utilizes the space provided by the local coffee shop to host Latin Dance Night every Wednesday, and

encourages novice dancers of all ages to join in on the energy-filled fun.

(Caption) Joel Hernandez (left), Meredith Green, Keerth Keshav, and Angel Tonini dance to the salsa beats playing at the Artisan on March 11, 2009.

My other direct flash option.

2009-03-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here is my interview, ta da! I really, really wish I would have zoomed in more on his face and fill the frame more with him, but the tiny camera display is deceptive! Oh well, at least the light is alright.

Here is my light diagram:

Metal/Glass Assignment: The Itsy-Bitsy Spider

2009-03-05T10:06:00.000-08:00

A small bottle found at Itchy's Flea Market encases a deceased spider and his tiny web, photographed on March 4, 2009.

I've tried to do the lighting diagram using one of the programs, but alas, I am illiterate about that. I originally went to Itchy's looking for some unique-looking piece of glass and stumbled upon this one, which entombed a tiny spider. Calin and I collaboratively tried to create the idea of "trapped", but it ended up looking pretty sinister; more like a Jekyll & Hyde concept. I'm sure an art critic could get more meaning out of it.

The way I lit it was from behind with the strip softbox (vertical) and a black piece of poster board clipped on a stand. It was set up on a piece of foam board on a box... on a table. The effect of holding anything behind glass at enough of a distance, it inverts it, which is what happened to me in this picture. I only wish I could have somehow cleaned the inside of the glass, but the lip was too small. Anyhow, it was fun working on this!

Classmate Portrait: Bharat Choudhary

2009-02-25T21:26:00.000-08:00