Ol' Billy Bob

This is ol' Billy Bob. I met him today in Chicago. Quite the interesting character. He said I could take a picture of him if I gave him a dollar. As I gave him a dollar, I started talking with him. I asked him if he knew about slave awareness in the Hershey's company. At first he didn't fully understand, and was saying how they live there [in West Africa] so it isn't that big of a deal. But when i told him that the labor was forced, and people do try to escape, but they are beaten and abused when caught. This seemed to change his view, and quickly changed his stance on the topic. His was the most honest answer I had heard all day. Others that I spoke to about mainly said, "Well, obviously, I don't support slave labor." He used some "French" in his answer, but he was my favorite.

Going into Chicago today wasn't what I expected it to be. It was my first time being there by myself. I actually did get lost for about an hour. Note to self, listen to your own common sense when walking in Chicago, not the GPS :-)

Counter-top

Flower

Thorns

Christmas-time

For me, this image really shows the spirit of Christmas. I know it isn't even close to Christmas and that it was only a couple months ago. But I have always loved Christmas--it is by far my favorite holiday. Christmas in my family means fun traditions, baking and being able to just talk and relax.

Can Christmas come four times a year? I would really enjoy that.

Science Building

Bird?

Used

Pillow

Studio Lighting

Sorry I haven't posted a new picture in awhile.

Nothing picture-worthy has really been happening.

I had a photoshoot with Rebecca tonight. It was the first time using the studio lights. Yeah, I want to be a photographer for the rest of my life. It's the most fun I've had in awhile. If that was my typical Saturday night, I would be overjoyed! (though my typical Saturday night, but that's beside the point :) So, first Rebecca shot me for an hour, and then I took 162 picture of her in the course of an hour :) Good stuff. We were working on our portraits project for photo2. Mine is centered around bringing awareness to slave labor in the chocolate industry. I'll try to post all of the final images on here (in two weeks).

Food on the Brain

Stuffs

So I've heard about this old abandoned factory that is amazing for taking pictures for years now. I remember Robb talking about it freshman year. I think I need to get out there sometime. I think it's in Algonquin. I just need to find someone to go with me, so I actually carry through on my plan. Thought it would be sick to get some pictures for my portrait project in there [Did I just say sick in a positive way? These Chicagoans are changing me....]

Oh, Baranski was saying today that we need to do a photo response to a photograph in the Art Institute. It's free this month! I think I will be doing fun stuff this weekend. Not too much due this next week, (but the week after is finals...yuck) so I need to get this fun photography stuff done before I get too busy. Professor Baranski also said that her class will be learning how to work the light on Wednesday, so I'm going in for half an hour of that class and finally learning the studio lights. [about time] So, this weekend hopefully entails an abandoned toy factory and Chicago. Hope it's nice. Anyone want to join me?

I wish it wasn't Monday.

Well, my roomie (who got engaged last night!) said I need to take a nap if she is going to let me stay up all night [i slept for two hours last night]. So, I'm going to get this nap over with and then get back to my Picasso paper. ugh, how I loathe that man. He was a perverted, disgusting man. Can't I just write a paper on the awesomeness of God instead?

Real Sugar!

Found this popcan sitting by HWAC this weekend. Lovin' the old school design.

Good to know there are some 'real' things in life.

[interesting title here]

This blog is really forcing me to take more pictures. Kind of the point though, I guess. I definitely took more pictures freshman year. I let myself get too busy. :-( I'm not really even involved in anything. My priorities just aren't straight. I spend too much time doing random things and complaining about papers and projects. I always thought that the hardest verse to live out was Philippians 2:14-- "Do everything without complaining or arguing."

So instead of giving you an actual picture tonight, I'm posting a video of one reason why photography is awesome. I recorded it on Friday actually, but the chocolate got first dibs on posting. Yeah, so I'm pretty lame in front of the camera, so don't ever interview me, you know who you are :-) And I'm not sure why I said peace out at the end. I always thought peace was an "in" thing :) Anyway, it isn't edited AT ALL! Pretty impressive right? No, just sheer laziness on my part.

BTW, new blog. I'm trying a "fashion" blog. Oh dear, why did I do that? Oh yeah, femininity is awesome. [http://myattemptsatfashion.blogspot.com]

Edit: femininity is awesome for girls. Sorry, guys, just don't EVER wear v-necks or scarves. An actual winter scarf is fine, but why must you shop at H&M? [end of soapbox]

Cate

Bonus post! :)

I'm so excited about my fair-trade chocolate that you get two posts today! :)

Opening the blessedness that is chocolate...

Smelling the chocolate.....

 Delighting in the chocolate-y goodness that is Peppermint Crunch (Sweet Earth) Chocolate! Yummm! Hope ya'll get the chance to get some too! (And there is no excuse if you go to Judson!)

Ashley

Brittany

Rebecca

Claire

Casting Crowns

From megan erbele photography

Lindner Parking

Steeple

CPO 264

None of my pictures were really that great today. (Sadness) So this is a picture of my cpo. Number 264. Yup, this picture is pure sentimentality to me. It probably has no significance for anyone else. Except for maybe my mom and the couple others who send me letters and such. One of these days I'm going to take a picture of the inside of it. I'm not really sure why I didn't today.

My digital photography class is taking pictures all over campus to hopefully give for advertising the school. So today I brought my camera with me to class. It was pretty awesome. I think I will have to do that more often. Side note: my attachable flash was dead. Thus, chapel = bad pictures. But the cafeteria is always a fun place to get pictures. Maybe I will try socializing more. Oh boy, breaking my own bubble.

Crumpled notes

Self Portrait

Reading the Bible has become so much more important to me in these past three weeks. It is what inspires me to begin the day. It is what I read when I can't sleep at night. It's soothing words help me through everything. God has good ideas. I need to learn to obey Him more than my own selfish thoughts and desires. He tends to be smarter than me. You'd think I'd get it eventually.

Caitlyn

Candle

This is part of my abstract final due on Wednesday. This image is all about seeing the abstract form of the image. Not trying to figure it out, but just appreciating the little detail you can see.