I'm lucky and get two finals at 7am this week. Joy.
But if they were all like the one I just had, it was worth it.
"I never dated a Nathan, I'm really bad with names."-Annie
"Well, all of the guys I dated were named Adam."-Tricia
"....Hahahahahaha! It's like the old woman that names her dog the same thing every time it dies and has to get another one!"-Sarah
Then, minutes later The Final Countdown starts blaring from the speakers as the last student gets up to turn in their test.
Almost instantaneously and without any hesitation, Greg gets on the stage dancing and mouthing the words to the empty seats before us.
Awkward:
-a girl broke her wrist on the "new and improved" zipline
-Sadie (my 2 year old niece) sat on the floor and would yell "stop bugging me" even though I was at the table in the other room.
-I smelled weird this week. I hate that.
-We were an hour late to Ben Petersen's premiere...and it was over when we got there.
-We caught the mouse in a trap :( but it was taking a long time to die so Dave teared up as he killed it and after that, I realized how easy it would for him to hit my head with a rock...
Awesome:
-I got accepted to go to China....but need to figure out if I should go
-We won our tournament games!
-My new camera came in the mail! (Strong smell of cigarette smoke though. I'll figure it out with kitty litter or somethin.)
-I had a lot of candy to give out on the last day of class to strangers!
-I got dad to sit down long enough to watch The Artist and I knew he would love it! (PS I've been really into watching the cheesy yet magical Christmas movies....oh the horror)
-Sonia came over during her dinner break at her dream job. I've missed her so.
-During volleyball, everybody joined in as we clapped after each play. We were imitating fancy tennis matches.
-The Noorlanders are coming for Christmas! I can hardly wait.
-The Nicholaus didn't deliver to the wrong door this year! But he was robbed, so the amount of candy took a hit.
I believe in (and am slightly addicted to) Christmas parties!
Though we've had a chance to glimpse at each other's lives, we're all still half strangers.
They stood there and said, "I guess I might never see you guys again."
Alyssa hugged all the guys as I stood there awkwardly trying not to cross any boundaries.
Then, we all wished each other good lives, turned away and walked forward.
That's how I want to remember saying goodbye to college.
At first, I didn't know why I was doing this until I realized that seeing my name at the bottom of Megan's page brought me so much joy. So I'm doing this for Megan, not because I get sucked into silly friends surveys (although I did have an addicting habit when I was 14 and am truly sorry to those of you who I constantly asked to fill out questionnaires.)
The Liebster Award.
here are the rules:
>> list 5 things about yourself
>> answer 11 questions your nominee made for you (I made my questions your questions btw)
>> choose your own 11 favorite blogs to nominate
1. My full name is Elizabeth Anne Richards Fesler. It's just a title and a signifier, the unoriginality of my name doesn't represent my free soul. That second last name can be blamed on a lovely man named David, who has quite possibly changed my life more than any other. I ADORE the man.
2. I shoot people. In hopes of becoming a philanthropist. Intrigued? Go here.
3. My feet are best bare. This can give you a hint at why skinny dipping is my favorite guilty pleasure. I yearn to feel the earth beneath me, the air within me and the water succumb me.
4. I have faith in mankind. This is something that can be a disadvantage at times but I have an odd tendency to love people the moment I meet them. I can see the savages of war but I am also not blind to hope.
5.I have a mole where Marilyn Monroe had one. Except my mole is real. Boom, take that.
1. What is your favorite animal and what does that say about you?
I have two: Horses and Elephants. I like the mystery, their deep souls, huge hearts yet I am a flight when it comes to flight vs fight so we have that in common. I talk my love for them here and here.
2. What is your first memory?
I was in a bright orange dress that I was very fond of. My dog and I were on the living room floor and I had my mothers bright red lipstick in my hand. After decorating both my face and my dog's face with it, I continued on using it as an art brush to paint our heating vents and walls. I can only imagine the repercussions.
3. who has made the biggest impact on who you are today?
My mother is the one who taught me to love cameras. Ever since I can remember, she documented every little thing we did, it was a form of love from her. One time, she let me use her camera when I was three and I took a picture of my mother and father. I keep that picture framed in my house to remind me where I've been and how I've come to where I am now.
My dad and husband are pretty great too. I just focused on a different aspect of who I am.
4. if you could be any celebrity, who would you be and why?
Blake Lively. She seems more...real.
5. what is your favorite holiday?
4th of July or April Fools. I love the warmth, the family and the laughing.
6. what is a movie you have cried in?
Of course several movies impact you and all of us cry in them more than we'd like to admit but some of the most transcendental films that sparked my catharsis have been: Seven Pounds, Tuesdays with Morrie, Life is Beautiful, The Help, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (you can ask me about this one later,) Pursuit of Happyness and UP-seriously, if you haven't watched these 6 minutes your life is not complete
7. Who/what has inspired you?
Michelangelo dedicated his art to bring people closer to God and has impacted people for centuries.
Joan of Arc did what she felt was right no matter what the consequence was.
Mother Teresa found love in a suffering world.
Film theoriticians such as Kracauer, Balaz, Bazin and all those who believed that the depiction of reality has so much potential.
This list could go on for months. I have a creativity board if you need some more inspiration in your life.
8. where is the best vacation location?
Vacations are not the best. The people are.
My ideal idea of traveling is to places where you meet the people, learn the culture and experience the world from their perspective.
9. what goals do you have for the next year?
Oh boy, you shouldn't have asked this question. I will be going to Africa in January to film a documentary, then I have a choice at several cross roads. Each opportunity seems too good to pass up, so I guess the question is: India, China, Elephants or Babies?
10. what were you like in high school?
I learned to run. I gave the impression that I let a lot of people in but in reality, I was more closed than others realized. Despite that, I also learned to care deeply about my friends and still would do anything for them.
11. what makes you happy?
Simple things. Day to day, the things you'd overlook if you weren't observant. The do-gooders, the people who help you pick up your books when they fell out, the people who open the door when your hands are full, the people who leave places better than they found them.
Your turn
<----------------------------<<
Jennie B.
Ashley F. Amanda G. Jena B. Rachel J. Lauren M. Sarah B. Bryndi C. Nate R. Chantel O. Jessica C.
AWKWARD:
-I left my tweezers in South Dakota so my eyebrows look similar to caterpillars
-I cried in front of the class I teach. I felt like I was throwing up my soul. In a good way?
-The band Com Truise is what I imagine tripping to be in song form.
-Erika was teaching me how to be better in confrontations and the conversation got so intense that I cried and left the room (uh....I obviously don't feel comfortable confronting people)
-I called someone a jerk and then he hit me in the face...with a ball
-I won't allow Dave to watch the last New Girl episode because he is already too baby hungry
-I have a huge hole in my pants
AWESOME:
"You can't describe the taste of salt, people have to experience it for themselves."-Student in my 102 Section
-We have a shotlist for Africa
-The new and improved zipline is almost ready (this time, with a brake on it)
-We beat our record score in volleyball class
-I love it when I see people I know, walking to class, in the grocery story....you name it!
-Sister Felix is back from Arizona
-My lucky shirt from the South Dakota goodwill gave me magical powers
-Mousercizing with Goosie is the best way to dance yourself to sleep
-There was no need to scrape the windows this morning
On Thanksgiving we were galavanting around, being mischievous and such when we saw some thing odd on the roof of his father's car.
It looked something like a frozen piece of clothing. After Dave acknowledged it...he was extremely confused because not only was it underwear but it was HIS underwear. After our inquiries, we noticed the silence of Seth (something quite unusual for the man) and the confession poured. It was simple, he forgot.
So from what I understood, it had been on there since the lodge, clinging on for hundreds of miles (lucky ) and it was like sword and the stone for the boys to try and pry it off. They lost interest and we left our inlaws a present.
I made long lists of what I was grateful for that day but one thing that kept popping up in my mind to share with the world is:
I am so grateful that my husband has frozen underwear stuck to the roof of his parent's car.
While driving away from our safe haven in the middle of what seems like nowhere, we blasted MoTab and watched as several flocks of geese flew overhead. There was a magical sensation of peace to the experience. Leaving is always hard but for some reason, the birds flying with us gave us strength to move forward.
'It will about kill me when they move.
You know, you wake up not feeling very well,
And then you see that little Ava walking towards you like an orangutan...
You can't help but smile at those bright eyes.'
-Uncle Gary
Now that I've had my spout about not using gadgets TOO much. . . you should know that if you want a fancy camera-Kracauer (a film theorist) once believed that cinematography holds the power to unleash reality's most precious moments.
Nikon vs. Canon
Honestly, they both have their perks and their downfalls. Nikon's image quality is pristine yet they don't come out with models as often. Nikon's are heavier but cheaper. The only reason I work with Canon more is because I'm used to Canon and more familiar with it's workflow. If you're interested in the Nikon, I hear great things about the D7000.
Video Cred: Kelsie Moore, Kristin Todd, Jessica Cooper and Jesse Myrick
As for Cameras, they do what you tell them to. So you can buy the fanciest model out there but you will still be limiting it's possibilities if you only shoot it in automatic. I always shoot in manual, no matter what, the picture is ALWAYS better when I shoot it in manual. Some photographers shoot in Av (aperture priority) and it gives the photo a slightly different feel. I shoot in manual because I like being in control of every aspect of the photo/film.
If you want something nice but don't need a professional camera. I suggest the T3i. It's on sale and it gives exceptional quality for the price. Here's a fellow film student photo example (Stephen V Nelson amazes me with his work on the T3i)
For the inbetweeners, I suggest the 7D. Again, it's cheaper than it has ever been in the past and the camera doesn't disappoint. It has a lot more options for ISO and I've used it for my grandmother capstone as well as the Kiva New Orleans piece. You can look below if you forgot what that looks like. You can see more examples at Lauren Merkley's blog here.
For those with the aspirations of becoming professional we have the 5D mark ii, 5D mark iii and the 1D X. It is just depending on how much money you want to spend but always remember that they come out with so many models that the price for cameras will constantly be dropping. If you want to know what specifically is different between all of these cameras you can go to snapsort.com and compare them. Examples of these camera's are Abby Alger Photography and DevinSuperTramp's Youtube channel (5D mark ii for him)
Honestly, the lens makes just as much of a difference as the body. If you are going to buy one of the following cameras, I suggest getting at least the 50mm lens to go with it instead of the kit lens. Professional photographers use the 24-70mm lens although it doesn't have Image Stabilization so if you're a video-grapher I'd suggest the 24-105mm instead. If you're interested in sports or wildlife photography, they suggest the 70-200mm lens. Always try and get the lowest possible f-stop because then it will look better even when it's darker so that's the difference between a 35mm 2.0 and the 35mm 1.4. Know whether it's wide-angle (which will distort faces but have gorgeous landscape) or prime.
Doodads that get in the way--applies to most individuals.
My experience in particular has gone from loving these such tools, to loathing them, to just plain confusion.
There's only so many: people to text, games until boredom, socializing sites to stalk..etc
Confusion sunk in at about 6:11 yesterday eve when my camera was attached to my eye socket
Is my camera coming between my loved ones and I?
The thought disgusted me.
Camera attends most family gatherings but instead of dancing or eating the cake I'm "capturing" the rest of my family doing it.
November 6, 2012
I write a lot of posts that don't surface but this one I thought could be beneficial. Since this thought from the summer, Hairy Chest has a very specific duty of taking away my camera when it has gone too far. Now, I may have missed some moments to take a picture but man, I sure loved experiencing them myself.
Step away from your gadget today, empower yourself.
With help from the Peery Foundation and the Ballard Center at BYU
Faculty Mentors: Thomas Lefler, Brad Barber and Todd Manwaring
Kiva Collaborators: Beth Kuenstler and Jason Riggs
Corporate Liason: Jason Brown
Co-Producer/Co-Director: Jennie Mangum Brown
Co-Producer/Co-Director/2nd Camera: Lizi Richards Fesler
Director of Photography: Lauren Merkley
Editor/Sound: Katie Ercanbrack
Comper: Spencer Russell
Featuring: Angelica and Roman Rivera and their construction company Colmex.
Special Thanks to:
Kiva
Goodwork Neetwork
ASI Federal Union
Visa
Mary Lou Fulton
Matt Flannery
Premal Shaw
Esailama and Tyrone's Bissap Breeze
Pamela at Kiva City New Orleans
Mignon at ASI Credit Union
Adele at Goodwork Network
