Messy blur

Posting this specially for Outnumbered two to one

The blur makes my kitchen look less messy.

Excercise: World Race

Check out this t-shirt for the world race. Not sure if you can tell but there is a list of countries that are participating in the race. Someone very creative turned it into a picture of a man running. How freaking amazing is that?

Important Note: Just because I am posting information about the race, don't assume that I like to exercise. I'd rather cheer for them on the sidelines:)

Yeah!

We made it! Congratulations everyone!

One entire month of blogging daily for Nablopomo.

Thank you for reading my blog and posting comments. That is what makes the experience so special. I also found some very cool blogs that I will continue to visit them.

Good luck to everyone who participates in September!

Sleep

I spent the day in bed today. Wanted to take a cat nap but ended up sleeping for about 7 hours. That is not a cat nap. I feel good though. My body just needed that. And, I could sleep some more now.


I woke up because we had company. We watched the longhorns play football. It was fun. Matthew McConaughey was there at the game. So was his beautiful girlfriend and son Levi. His first longhorn game.

Welcome to the longhorn world little one! The girlfriend looked fantastic. She had one of those baby slings and was working it.

Tomorrow is the human race in Austin. It is a 6 mile race that folks run at the same time all over the world. Austin is one of the 4 cities that has been selected. My husband is going to run it. Matthew M. is going to run it. And so will Lance Armstrong.

I think I may go down there. If only I can catch up on some sleep!

Purse

Here is a cool purse I have. I love the bead work and the mirrors. I have to say that I rarely use it. I tend to cram too much stuff in my purse.

Happy Friday everyone! 2 more days to go?

I promise I'll come up with something better tomorrow morning.

Maybe

Maybe he'll call me
maybe he won't
maybe i'll see him
maybe i won't
maybe i love him
maybe i don't
maybe he loves me
maybe he don't
maybe i'll think of him
maybe i won't
maybe he'll think of me
maybe he won't
maybe oh maybe
maybe my baby...

Blur

Embrace the blur!

Before I had a digital auto-focus camera, I spent years trying to take pictures with perfect focus. Crystal clear.

But now I have a nice digital camera with auto-focus. I can close my eyes and take photos. The results are perfect.

So I 've been playing around. Being a little rebellious. I'm making some mistakes but it is fun to experiment. I've even been thinking about buying a lens called lensbabies which gives you a lot more control to blurring.

I've taken some blurry pictures on purpose or accidentally and am using them on my blog. So far, no nasty comments.

What do you think? Hate the blur? Use it occasionally? Never use it?

August NabloPoMo

Congratulations to all my fellow NabloPoMo bloggers. We are almost there!

This was the first time I attempted this and had a great time! I saw some amazing blogs and must say that I am addicted to so many now. My list of daily blogs to visit increases daily.

I am not going to tag anyone but I had some questions. Feel free to comment or let me know if you answer these in your blog. My answers are in italics.

How many times have you participated in NabloPoMo before?

Never.


Did you blog daily this month?

Yes. It was touch and go though.

Are you planning on doing this in September?

Nope. I'd like to write often without the deadline pressure. Stir up the creative juices a bit.

Are you planning on doing this in November?

You bet!

Did you make new blogger friends?

Tons. I also read a ton of blogs that I wouldn't under normal circumstances. There are so many funny, talented and prolific people out there. It is amazing!


What time of the day do you blog?


Early in the morning or late at night on weekdays. Anytime on weekends.

Are you proud of your content this month?

Yes and no. Some days, writing a blog was just stretching it! See my post today I want an eclair or something like that. I had list of stories that I wanted to write. But for some reason, I wrote what I wrote. Everyday.

I am really glad to have all this content on my blog. I would never have done it without NabloPoMo.

The fact that someone, even if it was one person, read my blog and posted a comment was simply astounding and humbling. I was jumping up and down when the first person posted a comment. This group is so welcoming and kind. Ok, so I am rambling but it is my blog.

What did you learn about this experience?

I can come up with some creative excuses for not writing
I can come up with a lame blog just so I write that day
I need some down time so I can really think about my story

No matter what you plan to write, sometimes writing just happens. Let it be.
Be creative and flexible. Some of the photos I did took me by complete surprise. Some were good and some were bad.

Lastly and most importantly:

Embrace the blur!

Vote for me!

Scriber's Web for President!


http://www.thelopezfamilyonline.com/play.php?first=Scriber's&last=Web



Hilarious!

Almost Done!

6 more days left for the August bloggers!

I don't think I want to do it in September. How about you?

Eclairs

Today is certainly a chocolate éclairs day!

Eat chocolate and be merry.

Vinca

Vinca in my backyard.

Birdie Speaks!

Hi,

My name is Birdie now. And here is my dismal life...

I used to be famous once.

Paris Hilton loved me. She smiled and laughed a lot.





Posh loved me too but she never smiled.





I used to be a model.





I was exhibited in every museum. Everyone loved me!





And then everything crashed around me.





So here I am today.





But at least I am the apple of his eye!





Note from Birdie's typist: A huge thanks to Photofunia for the images and blogger Coffee Slut for introducing this site to me. Also thanks to Jodi for helping me find Coffee Slut.

Here is a link to the typists' version of the story.

If you post something using this, let me know so I can check it out!

Happy Weekend!

I took this photo on an island near cancun.

Today I am:

Shooting some photos
Getting a haircut
Working on a Utata Project

Old Fashioned

Little boy at work. You can take one of the tongas to go to Taj Mahal in Agra.

This week's theme for Photo Friday is Old Fashioned. Here is a little boy who earns a living being a Tonga boy.

Public Speech

Did you know that Public Speech is one the most feared thing? It ranks higher than the fear of airplanes and snakes.


Who knew?

Some people are good at it and some people are not. Well... I suck at it. Sheer panic sets in. I sweat, I hyperventilate, I shake, I get hot flashes, I get chills. And this is all before the speech begins. Once I start, I forget things. I see all those eyes staring at me. I can have slides, notes, etc. But all is see is a blur. I fumble through it and after it is done, I feel drained. Like I just delivered a baby.

At least with delivering a baby, you can take certain drugs or epidural. Not so with this.

So I decided to take class to improve my skills. It was a great class. I had to give 3-4 speeches all together in 2 days. The first one, I prepared with a partner. I told him that I would blank out when I was speaking and he told me that he would give me a clue. I did blank out a couple of times. And he would say "Camera", "Joke", etc. I would remember and be on track again.

After the speech, the instructor gave me some pointers on handling the fear. He said, "If you lose your chain of thought, just tell the audience that you forgot what you were going to say. The audience will not care."

I got a little better after each speech.

The second day, I had to give a speech that I had prepared in the morning. He video taped it. I told the instructor to use the "thinning filter" because the camera always adds 10 pounds. He assured me he would.

I was still nervous but I made it OK. I cracked a couple of jokes. When I had a technical glitch, instead of panicking, I laughed and fixed it. Everyone laughed and loved the speech.

Then came the hard part. In a smaller group, we watched the video. I expected the worst. But much to my amazement, I looked totally in control. There were very little visible signs of nervousness. I totally faked it! I wasn't perfect. I should have smiled more or laughed more. I looked so serious. Even when I was cracking jokes.

I was so relieved! I know that I have to practice some more but I cannot believe how much progress I made in 2 days.

I went home, happy but exhausted.

And poured myself this...

Hot seat...

I survived!

Dealing with a very queasy stomach though. I can tell you that I am done for the day.

See you tomorrow.

Meanwhile, here is a photo I took. It is not me but I feel like that.

Two things

1. Bad clouds yesterday and thunderstorms. No damage though.

2. Attended first day of the public speaking class. It was a good class but it was tough! I am terrified of speaking in front of a crowd. I had to give a speech this morning and it was bad. Everyone was very nice to me. But it was scary.

I did learn a ton of techniques though. Tomorrow, I will have to give 2 speeches. One of them is going to be recorded on a video. The instructor will then review it with me and provide constructive comments.

I don't know what I am worried about more. The speech or the fact that the camera adds at least 10 pounds!

Keeping fingers crossed:)

Cool Van

I am in training all day today. It is pouring out there. Here is a cool picture of a van I saw in New Orleans. I want a van just like that and travel around the world.

Stay dry!

Icy Rain

Joy
Beauty
Peace
Harmony
Serenity
Happiness
Honing of senses
and the sheer joy
of nature's marveling beauty.

All captured in a sheer moment
by a few drops
of icy rain
in the middle of a hot summer.

Sunday

I wish I was here on this hot day!

Outdoors

We live only to discover beauty. All else is a form of waiting.

Khalil Gibran

Portrait

I long for eternity because there I will meet my unwritten poems and my unpainted pictures.

Khalil Gibran

HOOT

HOOT: Husband Out Of Town

List of things that went wrong while my husband was Out of Town:

Day 1: A baby gecko mysteriously appears in my kitchen sink. I scream, grab a broom and knock on all the neighbor's houses. No one answers. I come home, chug some wine and slam my broom around. The gecko gets trapped in the broom, I scream and run to my backyard. I hurl the broom on to my patio and slam the door. The gecko dashes to the wilderness. I scream. I chug some more wine.

Day 2: In the middle of the night, I hear a thundering noise in my kitchen. I grab a kitchen knife that I keep at my bedside, turn on all the lights and dash downstairs screaming and shouting. Turn on all the lights in the kitchen. The automatic ice machine in my fridge broke and was venomously spitting out ice. At me. I turn off the icemaker. I cuss at the fridge and clean up. No sleep that night.

Day 3: Da flat tire.

Day 4: It is 8:30 in the morning and there are lots of flies mysteriously clinging to the ceiling in my house. Very eerie. Must make some more friends today and move in with them until the husband comes back.

Da Flat

Yep. I got a flat tire. Fortunately it happened in the parking lot of a resort instead of middle of nowhere. So don't feel bad for me at all. I was so glad that it happened where it did.

And I find it ironic that just recently I blogged about how I would never ever change a tire.

Well I didn't. I called AAA and they came and fixed it while I was attending my meeting. It took me 2 hours to get home but all ended well.

Craving

I have a very long day ahead today. Going out of town to attend an all day meeting. Then probably having dinner with my friend who is visiting from Australia.

Here is a photo I took for my Utata project. For those who don't know, I am working on a photo-story. I have to shoot something that reflects craving. How in the world do I do that? If you have suggestions, let me know. I'll work on the story this weekend. The content is all in my head and I am very excited about it. Writing is easy.... taking pictures is not. Even with my new camera.

This one is not going to make it in the story.

Waiting for Fall

It's been a long week. My kiddos wrapped up their summer and moved on to embrace the fall. No fall for us in Texas though.

I can't wait for the weekend. I am working on some projects which are fun, fun, fun. You will hear more about it in the coming weeks. I spent this evening taking photographs of a friend this evening. It was fun. Some of it I'm saving for the competition this month. Some, I'll post this weekend. Right now, there is not an iota of funniness in me.

I have to drive about 150 miles of commute tomorrow. Wish me luck!

More tagging

Ok fellow bloggers.

I got tagged and now so are you... Since I visit your blog daily, I thought you might be game for this.


The Chosen ones:

1. Carol's Little World


2. Jesse Luna


3. My Life on the Net


4. Moosh in Indy


5. Mommy from Midwest


6. Moody Blue
   

Tagged!

I've been tagged by mrsbear.

Since I am new to the blogging world and this is the first time I've ever been tagged, I'll try my best. Let me know if I miss something. I was tagged to post 6 unspetacular quirks about me.


Here goes:

Six unspectacular things about me


First you post the rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks you possess.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Now the LIST:


1. I love to shop at bargain stores. You will never find anything in my closet over dollars.

2. I never realized how many black clothes I owned until the rod in my closet broke. There was a pool of black on the floor. Black, black, and black.

3. I'd really like to be a vegetarian. I am obsessed with being a vegetarian. When I go to restaurants, the first thing I ask is for is the vegetarian menu. I never order anything from there though. I've tried it for years but always fail within a few days. I don't think I can ever give up bacon or shrimp. Or a good steak. Ribs? Oye...

4. I hate driving. On weekends, I always find new innovative ways of getting my husband to drive me around the town. "Hey, so you want to spend quality some time together at the mall?"

5. I hate my hair. I really wish Britney could have pulled off the shaved head as the latest style trend.

6. I am a total introvert and a home body. I'd rather stay at home reading a book than going out. For some reason, my friends think I am a social butterfly.

I will have to think about the 6 bloggers I can tag. I am really new to this world and will have to come up with some names. Will post it tomorrow morning!

Thanks for tagging me:)

Olympics

It seems like most folks are busy watching the Olympics. I try to catch up with it also.

My two favorite events are beach volleyball and men's SOCCER.

Did I say that soccer is hot, hot hot! Watching the guys go up and down the field for almost an hour and a half is just amazing. The stamina that they have is unmatching.

I can't think of any other sport that is so strenuous for such a long time. I love to watch soocer.

If you are reading Cristiano Ronaldo, call me!

Slow day

Overall very slow day today. Everyone is busy watching the Olympics.

I watched the opening show and was riveted watching the American gymnasts. Send positive thoughts their way. They need them. The top two contenders have injuries.

This picture reminds me of the situation they are in. Trying and trying to reach the skies.

Infidelity

Murkiness and Hot Topic

I don't understand why politicians self-destruct themselves. In some countries (France) infidelity can be overlooked in a politician. Not here in US. So then why do it? A single act can destroy a lifelong career. How hard is it to restrain? Can't you just keep it in your pants?


Surely you must know that you will lose everything you have worked for your entire life. The love and respect of your wife and your family. Granted that a politician's wife is supposed to stand by her man during the press conference. But why? What about your political career? And your credibility with the people?

All gone in a nanosecond.

Do they think that the truth will never come out? They'll never be caught? Well hello... the entire world is watching your every move.

Behave! And follow simple rules if you want to lead the people.

Oye!

Rough

8.8.8

I am working on the Flickr 8.8.8 project and the Utata project today.

It's going to be a hot day for outdoor shooting but oh well.

And I can no longer blame my camera for bad pictures.

Hot New Camera

Check out my hot new camera! It's a Nikon D60.

Love it!

Time to play now:)

Hot Camera!

I may get a new digital camera today. There are so many good ones out there! It is hard to make a decision. I am a cancerian so it is always hard for me to make decisions. And then I am impatient. So there is all this turmoil going on in my head.

Oh my poor head!

Will keep you posted.

Hot Questions

I am confused.

Why do people who claim to love us, love to make us feel bad about ourselves?

They can be your family, your friends, or even coworkers.

Here is a list questions:

• Q: Do you know that you've gained a lot of weight? I am just saying in case you did not notice.
• A: Oh wow thanks! Now I know why I could not zip up those pants for 3 years!
• Q: Are you using any moisturizer? Your face has so many wrinkles!
• A: Umm...
  
• Q: Are you planning on getting plastic surgery? You look old.
• A: Well I may have aged since we met 25 years ago.
• Q: Is that your real hair or a bad wig?
• A: Actually, an alien rabbit landed on my head today and wants to live there for a few weeks.
• Q: Is this what you are going to wear to the party?
• A: Nope. I am taking it all off before we leave.
  
• Q: Are you pregnant or is that gas?
• A: Burp!

How about you? Anyone ever asked you tacky questions?

Blog Generator

Holy Cow! This was so much fun! I came across an automatic blog generator and had to play around with it. Here it goes...

***************************************


Holy Blog Of Doom, Batman! I just got a bajillion whiny emails saying I have not updated this since Paris Hilton was in jail... You would not believe how hard it is being waited on hand and foot and generally lounging around. Jealous much? Don't be, it was very painful..

I am swilling chardonnay with discovering time doesn't stand still, playing The Sims, just generally being of great concern to various lawyers I met recently, my day is filled with fluorescent light from the first cockadoodledoo from the rooster to reef break. I am not being a whinging Pom or anything. life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.

I swear on the bones of my ancestors I will update you with my nefarious activities as soon as I get a chance. Peace! The Piccaninnies say I have to!.

http://www.aussiebloggers.com.au/blogpost.html

Hot Summer Nights

On hot summer nights, I like to grab a cool drink and sit on my patio. I like to turn the little lights on and of course some citronella candles. Sometimes my husband joins me, and sometimes he doesn't.

• I like to look at the stars and imagine the aliens watching the earth people.
• I reflect on my life and smile.
• I think of stories I could write.
• I make plans for the next day.
• I make strategic decisions about my life.
• I day dream about Brad.
  

This lasts for about 30 seconds and I dash indoors. As I frantically scratch at the mosquito bites, I ask my husband:

"Can you please pass the benadryl and crank up the AC?"


Surviving Texas Summer is not easy.

The Banyan tree

banyan
Originally uploaded by Scriber's Web

When it was very hot, I used to sit under a banyan tree and ponder about the world.

Now, as I gained wisdom with age, I just crank up the Air Conditioner and watch TV.

Have I made progress or actually regressed? Don't really know.

Waiting for some relief. Might have to do the rain dance.

Oops

Can't post any images right now.

To bad because I have some stories to tell. But I need an image. Does anyone know what if blogger is down right now? I tried various browsers but can't upload an image.

He Sees

He sees life
in black and white
and never gray.

I see life in technicolors
with hues if silver and gold.

Mid-life crisis

Most men are hit by mid-life crisis. Some take it to the extremes. A shiny red convertible car, a new younger woman or something like that.

Meet my husband's girlfriend:






She flew into our back yard a few years ago. We did not want to capture her but she was landing on dogs and playing with cats. Obviously, she could not survive in the wilderness. So my neighbors caught her and I brought her home.

We called her birdie because we were looking for the owners of the bird and did not want to get emotionally attached to it.

Today, we still call her birdie. And she loves my husband. She thinks she is his girlfriend. She makes me look like I am very low maintainence. My husband has to sit right in front of her or else she throws a temper tantrum.

She hates me with a vengence. I am the other woman. I am the one who makes him disappear. When he goes on business trips, she throws vicious tantrums at me. Grabs her water bowl with her beak and throws it at me. Bites me. Chirps harshly at me.

She never bites him. She coos for him and sings for him.

If my husband leaves the room, she chirps and chirps.

If my husband and I sit down to eat dinner or talk, she chirps and chirps.

She is so jealous of me.

Some days, I ask my husband, "Why couldn't you be like other guys and get a young hot mistress? How am I supposed to compete with a bird?"

And Birdie goes CHIRP! CHIRP! CHIRP!

Sky

The Skies in Florida.

Hot Beauty

When summers are so hot that you can see the water evaporating.

This month, I am participating in Nablopomo. This web site is dedicated to bloggers who commit to blog every single day for a month. This month's theme is HOT! I don't promise that I'll stick to the theme but I'll try.

I'm also working on a Utata project this month. I've got something exciting planned for that. I'm excited!

Spike Heel

and my five inch spike heel
rammed
into his groin
at first I saw a flash of surprise
then pain
and more pain as he doubled over
i smiled and said
life is short
get over it
and walked out
slamming the door behind me.

___________________________________________________________________


I have a confession to make. I write angry poems. Whenever I get really angry at someone, but I can’t really do anything about it, I slam them with poetry. I ram my five inch spike heel into them, I pour coffee on them. I do all kinds of deliciously wicked things to them. It is simply fabulous!

Don’t get me wrong. I am not a violent person. I’ve never really done anything violent in my life. These are just my fantasies that I conjure up into a poem. And the people I write about deserve this. These are people who know how to sexually harass women at work but know how not to get caught. Because there are no witnesses. They know how to play with HR. You are helpless. No one would believe you. Not even your close friends.

It helps me deal with them. For some reason or the other, I can’t really confront them about the issues. So I fantasize about them. The poems are cheesy, corny and utterly void of any literary value. In fact, they take up literary space. But I cling to them. They are my emotional crutches.

I use my muse to vent out. It is cathartic.

Be careful how you treat people. You never know which one is a closet writer. And who will write a tell all novel featuring you.