Miss Manda's Adventures and Oddities

Diana Mini

2011-05-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

On Easter Sunday I took my Diana Mini out for a spin and burned through a roll of old expired film. Here are a few shots of that lovely afternoon.

The 10 Golden Rules of Lomography:

1. Take your camera everywhere you go.

2. Use it any time -- day and night.

3. Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it.

4. Try the shot from the hip.

5. Approach the objects of your Lomographic desire as close as possible.

6. Don't think.

7. Be fast.

8. You don't have to know beforehand what you captured on film.

9. You don't have to know afterwards either.

10. Don't worry about any rules.

Como Zoo Artists Morning

2010-10-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

Today Como Zoo and Conservatory had another Artists Morning. The sunken garden flower show was just switched over from summer to fall a few days ago, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to check out the new exhibit. I was underwhelmed by the fall flower show, there just wasn't enough variety, and not a whole lot of flowers good for excellent macro shots. I honestly had a better time outside in the drizzling rain taking shots of their enchanted garden, which is slowly dying for the winter. The raindrops were fun to take pictures of. I also took some time to walk around the park, as it was pretty empty on account of the chilly weather and rain.

Annual Halloween Costume Contest

2010-10-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

So today was Petco's annual Pet Halloween Costume Contest. I have gone for the past 3 years, since Fergus was a pup. Every year I try to get better and better costumes, and try if possible to dress the boys and I into costumes creating a theme. This year we went with an Alice in Wonderland theme. It was all sparked off by a visit a few weeks ago to Marshalls. They had this awesome green caterpillar costume. It was a costume I hadn't seen before. I mean, the "hotdog" costume is super cute, but its also way to common... So I bought the caterpillar suit for Fergus. Then I thought, "hmm... maybe he could be the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland..." Then I decided to make Charlie a Mad Hatter/White Rabbit costume, but found a White Rabbit outfit at Target, which eliminated my having to make one : ) Then I looked at several stores trying to decide upon the right Alice costume for myself.

Now you can't see it, but Charlie's costume has a big gold watch on the other side of it. And he had rabbit ears, which I had taken off before I took this shot. We looked awesome. And we took home a first place ribbon. : )

2010-10-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

One week ago I got up as I always do for work: immediately let Fergus and Charlie out to go potty. Ferg can't hold it past like 8:00, even on weekends... Usually once I let them out I go back to change, get ready etc. But not last monday. As soon as I walked back down the hallway and into my room (which had open windows) I smelled it. Skunk. I immediately ran back to the deck door, to get the boys, but alas I was too late. They had both been sprayed. Especially Charlie. So I let work know that I was going to be running late and set to task bathing them and trying to get them smelling fresh and clean. Several gallons of hydrogen peroxide and many cups of backing powder later they smelled better. What a horrible way to start the week! So to end the week they had a trip to the groomers. Now they look like little shaved adorable rats, but they smell lovely. They both were in desperate need of a haircut anyway.

Charlie

Big Yawn for Chuck

Handsome Fergus MacDougal

Gracie, biting her lip, a standard pose.

Now after I typed all this post in I went out to snap these photos to put in. This was the condition I found Fergus in. Filthy. Thank goodness he was wearing this little shirt or he would be needing another bath...

Here are a few photos taken in the last month, that I was just to busy to blog : )

Anderson Cooper : ) My beloved MINI

Sorry

2010-10-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been FAR to long since my last post! Alot has transpired in that time, which has left me with not a whole lot of time left to blog...

My brother got married : )

I moved.

The company I worked for was bought out, so I have been adjusting to the new company.

Okay, well when you write it all down like that it doesn't seem so bad...(but it has been lol!)

My mom took this one of Chrissy and I : )

Trash The Dress- Western Style

2010-08-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight I did another Trash The Dress photo shoot. This one, however, was done western style. The models were all on horseback, adding an element of danger to the shoot, but it was a blast! This was done at the Washington County Fairground. Thanks to all the models.

I love this Palomino Paint's face : )

2010-08-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

For Bailey

2010-08-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human has of picking a relative.

~ Mordecai Siegal

Red Bull Flugtag- St. Paul, MN

2010-08-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

Wow I feel quite a bit behind on my blogging. The past couple weeks have been jam packed!

On July 24th I took the bus from Roseville down the Harriet Island in St. Paul to attend the Red Bull Flugtag event. I met up with 3 other photographers I know. We staked out a nice grassy spot with our lawn chairs that we thought would be okay for viewing. However, once the masses of people started to arrive it became clear we would hardley see anything, much less get any good shots. So we decided to try and inch closer to the action and get spots right along the fence. As hard as we tried we just couldn't get through the last 3 rows of people. Being 4'10'' I know that wasn't going to work for me. Saddened and a bit disappointed that our day was going to be worthless we made our way back out of the crowd. On our way pack to our lawn chairs we spotted a roped off area for "Press and Media". We decided it would be worth a try to get passes, we had nothing to lose. So we found the press tent and entered.
"Here to check-in?" they asked.
"Um... Yeah..." we replied as we signed our release forms.
"What time to you wanna go on the boat?" They asked
"Boat?"
"Yeah the press boat is taking small groups out for a few minutes at a time."
"Awesome. Yeah sign us up!"

And they placed the coveted press passes around our necks like Olympic medals and we walked away. All dazed and shocked at our turn of good fortune.

We made our way down to the riverfront. We were right off the river, on some steps. We had perfect views and were also in the same area as other "VIP" people (ie the contestants after they "flew"). We had coolers of water and red bull to keep us hydrated and energized in the hot sun. At our designated time we jumped on the speedboat and snapped shots like crazy.

What we thought was going to be an awesome fun filled day, that then turned into a complete disappointment, became one of the funnest days photography-wise of my life. Here are a few shots.

This was the crowd of people watching from across the river.

The next three shots are all of the winning and world record setting team "Major Trouble and the Dirty Dixies", piloted by Rachel Norman. This team set the new world record of 207 feet. Pretty impressive.

A random photographer. No idea who he is.

They scooped the flying machines from the water with this backhoe

The next series of shots are all of the team "Favre's Wingmen"

This last shot is a veiw from the boat looking toward the steps that we were shooting from.

Trash the Dress II

2010-07-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

A few more pictures from the Trash the Dress event

Trash the Dress

2010-07-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I dragged my soon to be sister-in-law down to Lakeville to attend the Twin Cities Photography Club's annual Trash the Dress event at Hot Sam's. She was going to be a model and I would be behind the camera of course (i mean camera lenses are so friggin' expensive you would not want to see me in the viewfinder lest they shatter...). I found and purchased a cute wedding dress for $12 at a thrift store and she also brought along her old sailor halloween costume. The event was a blast, which I would have had more time and about 20 arms with cameras to take pictures. One thing I do know for sure: I need to buy more memory cards. Running out twice and having to delete pictures based on how they appear on a tiny screen is such a sad thing. A great shot could have gotten away...

Old Truck

Chrissy and another photographer/model

1950's Bridal Shower

2010-07-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I threw my future sister-in-law a 1950's housewife themed bridal shower. I wanted to do something beyond the typical veggie tray/ boring old games so common at showers.

The Invite:

The Menu:

Ramen noodle salad

Pasta Salad

Jello Molds

Meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting

Frosted sandwich loaf- a real 1950's luncheon staple

Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and rasberry/pecan toping

Vanilla butter cupcakes with colored vanilla frosting

Sorbet punch

Yummy Food and 1950's feel paper products

Fergus waiting for the party to begin

Vanilla Butter Cupcakes

Meatloaf cupcake with mashed potato "frosting"

Frosted Sandwich Loaf, a real 1950's luncheon staple

Me and the bride to be- both in our 1950's best : )

The Games:

We did have the fun and traditional bridal bingo- each guest creating a bingo card based on the items they feel the bride would receive, crossing off as she opens gifts. Keeps people into the present opening, and takes a tiny bit of pressure off the bride to be (people will not simply be starring at her...)

Price Is Right -1950's edition

I was able to find online the average prices for several grocery items, which i then purchased. Guests had to write down what they felt the actual retail value of each item was in the 1950's and today. Closest answer for the 1950's price, while not going over (price is right rules, remember...) would win that item. In case of tie or no correct answer I would go to the current price answers.

The Good Wife Guide

1955 Housekeeping monthly article on how to be a "good wife"

From this I created about 10 questions and had the guests fill in answers- could be what they thought were right based on the article, or their own funny creative modern response. After everyone answered I read the whole article which resulted in many laughs as times have certainly changed... : )

All in all I think it was a fairly fun shower, if nothing else it was certainly original.

July!

2010-07-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

This month is going to be a very busy one for me. Many changes and many events happening.

This past weekend I brought the boys up to my aunt and uncle's farm to meet their new cousin Olive! I have never seen Charlie so instantaneously bond to another animal. He loved her.

Then I was off to Longville to spend the 3rd with my family and also attend an old friend's wedding. Superman ice cream from frosty's was obviously enjoyed... : ) As were sparklers. And my cousin's new Weimaraner Silver.

Then back down to the cities on the 4th to celebrate Fergus's 2nd birthday! And enjoy fireworks in Stillwater.

All in all, a very productive weekend. This coming weekend I am hosting Chrissy's wedding shower. I would type more, however Daisy my cat is lying on my arm so I am typing with one hand. Very slowly.

Sweet Summertime

2010-06-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

Today the sun finally showed its beautiful rays. After what feels like a month of rainy/cloudy days, (except of course while I am at work and the sun shines until I walk out the door...) I was finally able to enjoy a good book, some good tunes and relax in the sun while soaking up the rays. Now you may think I am crazy, but my whole mood and outlook on life brightened once the sun started to hit my skin. Too many dreary days had left me stressed out and feeling more like Eeyore every day. The boys and I took a nice hour long walk on the gateway trail, which left them exhausted! I also took some time to snap a few pictures of the flowers in my garden.

AC360

2010-06-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Check out this link and watch the video from a AC360 a few nights ago. Perfectly said.

Anderson Cooper

Talking about BP's statement that "We care about the small people." Really good stuff.

2010-06-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

"Oil is like catnip for the media." -cnn

Holy cow that is funny. So true, but as a news junkie it is catnip for me too...

Seriously though, this oil leak is a tragic tragic disaster. I went to Alaska when I was a kid, just a few years after the Exxon-Valdez spill. We went to a museum about the spill, and it left a deep impression on me then. It was so sad to see how devastated the animals were. Birds, fish, seals, otters and other amazing creatures covered in oil. Unable to move. Suffocating under the goo.

With this leak I have been scared of the impact. Not only to the economy, the fishermen unable to get their living, the already depressed gulf coast, but for the wildlife. I swam with manatees as a kid on the gulf coast of Florida. What will happen to them? I played on Biloxi and Gulfport's shores. Searched (in vain) for seashells and let the white sand slip between my toes. Now that sand is goopy and black. I love ducks and geese and other web-footed birds. How will the oil affect them? How many will die? How many will survive only to have their habitat and home uninhabitable? I know that the gulf will recover. It always has, and I daresay it always will.

Anderson Cooper Searching for Birds in the Gulf

This spill makes me so sad that I honestly don't even like talking about it. Don't like thinking about it. Everytime I fill my car up with gas I feel horrible, as if my consumer needs are to blame in the fist place.

Its heartbreaking.

Playing around with Picasa

2010-06-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to play around with Picasa a bit and see if I could create some vintage looking images. I was driven to this project while working on a project for my Brother's wedding. The wedding is 1950's inspired and I was asked to take some pictures to help create the feel. Here are a few other pictures that I decided to play around with.

Stillwater Lift Bridge

Me and my brother's fiancée Chrissy

Friend with her adorable pooch

Old advertisement on building in stillwater

My bicycle

Twins Home Opener, Target Field 2010

Chrissy strikes a pose on my Grandpa's old truck

My Brother in his dress blues

I think they turned out quite well, and it was fun trying to create that vintage look.

Como Zoo Artists Morning

2010-05-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

Como Zoo had one if its "Artist Mornings" this weekend and I finally made it to one. They let photographers and painters in 2 hours before the general public arrives and allow the use of tripods and easels. It was nice to be there and able to take photos without scores of people bumping into you, although I love seeing all the people enjoy the zoo. I just spent time playing around with my macro filter. Day by day I am getting better at its use.

May Day!

2010-05-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe may is already here! How fast time seems to fly on by... This past weekend was very nice despite the horrible cold, windy, rainy weather. I felt like I was living in England again!

My little cousin turned 11 so our family celebrated her birthday at Space Aliens. A restaurant with an arcade for the kids. She had a blast.

And since May is upon us, our family tradition of May-Basketing was continued. At 10pm or so my grandma, aunt, and I dressed in black, turned our cell phones to silent and drove to my other Aunt and Uncle's home. We turned the car lights off as we pulled into the drive and then slinked our way to our hiding spots after we had deposited our may basket. Then we called to inform them that they had been hit and that a may basket was waiting for them at the end of the driveway. Once they collected their loot they began searching for us. We called on our cell phones and gave cryptic (wrong) clues as to where we might be hiding. Grandma was caught first. Then my Aunt spied a pair of cat eyes in the dog kennel and knew something was up. Their cats would never go in the dog kennel under normal circumstances. However, Cooper Cat decided to follow me in and get her belly scratched which gave my position away. Several minutes later my aunt was finally found underneath the horse trailer. It was alot of fun and brought back many memories and stories of fun and crazy may-basketing days of prior years when Grandpa was still around. He always went all out.

Then to cap off the weekend I spent ALL day today planting flowers for my grandmother. Her gardens look really nice now and should be much easier for her to take car of this summer while she recoups from the knee surgery she is having. My dogs spent all day playing on the farm with their cousin Gracie (my Aunt's Aussie).

Now if only the weather would change and bring us some nice warm sunshine...

Como Zoo

2010-04-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

Today I had the day off and decided to go to Como to take some more pictures at the Conservatory as starting next monday (my usual day off and usual day to visit the zoo) the Sunken garden will be closed for a week as they change out the flowers for the Summer Show.

Photo Walk

2010-04-24T18:10:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I ventured out on a photowalk with the Twin Cities Photography Group to the Rice Creek Regional Park by the old Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant. It was overcast, but thankfully the rain was held at bay. Unfortunately there weren't very many bird out today, which is what we were hoping to see.

fly

thistle

Burned out wood

pure joy

barbed wire

paw

old tracks

Spring time

2010-04-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

Yay for Spring!

Spring is finally here! Our yard is full of colorful tulip blossoms, the grass is green, the trees are no longer barren. I love the heat of summer, but honestly I do think spring is my favorite season. I love the new growth and rebirth and warm sunshine after a long cold dark winter.

For the past few days I have been going through all of my stuff and getting rid of tons of stuff I just don't need anymore, and organizing those things that I still want to keep. I have a LOT of stuff so this project has been taking me a while, but hopefully once I am done I will feel more organized.

Today I went off to Como Zoo to finally take some shots of the spring flower show in the conservatory, and play around with my new macro 10+ filter.

A few of them turned out okay. The filter is very sensitive to distance to the object. To focus in I had to be up super close and very still. But thats okay. I do love how I was able to get the focus pinpointed in, leaving blurred edges, kinda like my lensbaby. It will take a few more days of practice to get used to the filter, but it was fun to play with.

2010-04-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

So here are a few of the pictures we had taken the other day:

It was a really fun day, I was honestly surprised at how well Fergus did, I was so sure that he would be his usual crazy monster self, but surprisingly a few of his turned out quite nice. Especially the one with the tie.

Catching Up

2010-03-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

Life has been moving right along these past few weeks.

I spent several days in Arizona visiting my parents and enjoying the sunshine. Winter is such a terrible time of the year for me, to go there and soak up the sun was a blessing. I felt amazingly better just after a few hours in the bright sunshine.

Then I turned 25. Quarter of a Century. Kinda hard to believe sometimes. I celebrated by spending a glorious day outside at the MN Zoo with my best friend and then going to see Alice in Wonderland at the Imax, which was pretty amazing. I heart Johnny Depp. Zoos are our favorite place to meet up, spend a day talking and catching up on each others lives and taking pictures.

Then the next day I Spent with my Aunt shopping and then met the rest of my family for dinner. Very low key, but perfect. Ended with a cherry dilly bar. Minus the swirl which was very sad.

Since then I have been pretty busy with work, but throughly enjouying the end of winter and start of spring. It is now light out when I get home which means I have been taking the dogs for nice long walks after work, which we all enjoy. The fresh air feels so good to breathe in.

Today I made 75 mini cupcakes with periwinkle frosting in nice big swirls for my future sister-in-law (she was throwing her cousin a wedding shower and wanted my cupcakes for their dessert).

Then I quickly threw the boys into the tub for a bath and headed out the door to go have our portrait professionally done. Which may seem like a silly thing, but I have always wanted it done, so I used my birthday money to have it done. I am really happy with how the proofs turned out, the prints will be here in about 2 weeks, which is exciting.

Our existing family portrait, this one taken by myself in the backyard with the self timer. It will be lovely to have a nice one.

The joys of being a vet tech

2010-02-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

This past week at work was an interesting one to say the least.

For starters I was not feeling well at all. Coughing, stuffed up, general crummy-ness. Add to that being skewered with a 22g needle and being bit by a cat, and very nearly bit by a dog, and you can bet I was happy for friday evening to come.

My left thumb was impaled by the needle after just drawing up some atropine for a dog doing poorly under anesthesia and the doctor and another tech decided to move the dog pushing the bottle of atropine into my hand where I was attempting to place the cap back on. Through my finger the needle went, but amazingly did not cause to much harm. At first everyone thought I must be joking as I was so calm. Then one of my co-workers remembered that like a year ago when I was bit by a cat I merely lifted my arm as the cat was dangling from my hand. No big deal (the cat seriously had like 3 teeth and barely broke the skin...). Now after the needle incident they joked that I must have no nerve endings.

Then the next day I was bit by a cat waking up from major surgery and having a freak-out. We have excellent pain control for our patients so we don't often have "rough" recoveries. This kitty however seemed to laugh at our drugs and freaked out anyway. After reaching in to restrain her I was bit on my right thumb, not maliciously, she was just striking at everything, she bit through her fluid lines as well. Despite that I continued to scruff her and keep her restrained until we could get her calmed down. It was then that everyone noticed the blood coming from my thumb and were once again swearing that I have no feeling in my hands. I do, believe me it hurts : )

Despite a traumatic week for my thumbs I wouldn't trade my job for anything. : )