blue

essence nailpolish #38

It's not that I particularly love blue as a color. Actually, I really don't. And yet I seem to buy totally random colors that are probably not what a woman my age would wear *lol*.

The Rival de Loop (left) took 3 layers and it still looks stupid. I'm not even going to post a shot. *lol*

so cute

Present from my mom, because she knows how much I love to read and that London is my most favorite city.

excuse my absence

But I have a new toy. An iMac. And I spent the last days (and am still on it), making the switch from Windows to the Mac.

new book: Year of the forest

Year of the Forest by Jennifer Renner | Make Your Own Book

Since we have the International Year of the Forests, I thought I'd make one dedicated to 'my' forest. The book is available via Blurb. Just click on the link. There you can decide whether you want a soft or a hard cover, premium paper or the standard paper (Standard is good quality, but premium is a lot better if you ask me).

Da 2011 das Internationale Jahr der Wälder ist, hab ich mich mal drangesetzt und ein Buch über 'meinen' Wald gemacht. Das Buch kann über Blurb bezogen werden, einfach auf den Link klicken. Da könnt ihr euch dann aussuchen, ob ihr lieber ein Softcover wollt oder ein Hardcover, Premiumpapier oder doch das Normale. Ganz wie ihr wollt.

this is made of win

Georga Takei (you know, Sulu from Star Trek) takes on the Tennessee Legislature and its "Don't Say Gay" bill, in the way only George Takei can!

A bill now pending in Tennessee would prohibit teachers in that state from discussing homosexuality in the classroom. The so-called "don't say gay" law is premised on the misguided belief that, by not talking about gay people, they can simply make us disappear.

George is here to tell Tennessee, and all the LGBT youth and teachers who would be affected by this law, that he is here for you. In fact, he is lending his name to the cause. Any time you need to say the word "gay," you can simply say "Takei."

You can buy T-shirts and other items that say "It's OK to be Takei", to wear and display with pride and to show Tennessee and the world that you're against censorship and bigotry....

All the proceeds from the sales of these items will be donated to charity. Have a TAKEI old time!

This man wins! Forward it to everyone, even when you do not live in the US, because intolerance has to stop.

Richard Castle: Naked Heat

Naked Heat by Richard Castle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Premise: Richard Castle lives in my reality.
-> The second installment of the series, featuring Nikki Heat, a homicide detective, and Jameson Rook, journalist, as the main characters, shows that Castle managed to get to know his characters more. Not just is the story more complex, involving several suspects and murders, but the characters also feel more rounded and human. I enjoyed Naked Heat more than his predecessor and am looking forward to the next chapter Heat Rises. Castle must have done his research.


Metalayer:
You can clearly see how the fictional Richard Castle is writing fanfiction about himself and Beckett, drawing from those murder cases he investigated with her. Also that duck-tape scene with Alexis made an appearance in the novel. I love how consistent it is and how it really ties in with the series. I can also imagine that Beckett might be weirded out a bit at the end bit and how domestic Rook/Heat get, being hers and Castles alter egos basically. I am however hoping very much that she rather gets to see it as what it is (namely him being in love with her). Anyway.

Also, any book referring to Firefly makes me happy. And the story did grab me and entertained me a lot more than the first one.



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baby swan

one of the little one's was riding mommy's (?) back and toppled off. As it lay wriggling on its back, trying to get on its feet, daddy (?) hurried over to see if it was okay. So adorable!!

China Miéville: Perdito Street Station

Perdido Street Station by China Miéville

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


2 stars seem so little and unfair given the complexity of the universe/world that is created in the novel. But that is exactly what my issue is. At first I was almost compelled. I wanted to soak in every detail about the city, its horrors and wonders and inhabitants. But after reaching the climax with the very!evil!antagonists and finding out that that climax seemed to last for 100 pages or more... I just couldn't do it. I didn't want all the detail, it was too much and I just wanted a quicker pace. I wanted to get to the solution and not toil through 100 more pages of information. So I gave up and only cross-read a couple of pages and the last few printed in italic.

I admire Miéville's ability to envision that world. And the story is good, it lures you in and all, but in the end... less would have been a bit more for me. Also, I failed to be scared or horrified by the very!evil!antagonists, maybe because of the whole city being so lethal. Everyone basically was an enemy. The good didn't stick out enough (which is good because it means the characters aren't flat) and maybe I felt that I'd give up anyways, were I to live there. Horror lurked behind every corner so why would the very!evil!antagonists be more horrible?

There is probably more to be said but I just end with the fact, that I am looking forward to another book of Miéville's. This one however in the second half didn't live up to the way it started.



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Movie tip: Legend of the Guardians (LEgende der Wächter)

I watched it last night and it is SO GOOD! It is beautiful, the visuals (slow motion and the 'use' of light) are breathtaking (screw Avatar) and the story is grim (not for kids) and funny and sweet and I love it.

Also the trailer uses 30 Seconds to Mars' "Kings and Queens", what could be more appropriate :-)

If you have Blu-Ray, I'd suggest to go for it, because the details need the HQ

photoshoot: Patrizia

Saturday I had a wonderful shoot with Patrizia. I have tons of pics that I love and I thought I'd share them with you.

Letzten Samstag hatte ich mit Patrizia ein Fotoshooting. Ich bin total begeistert. Die Fotos sind super geworden und ich kann mich gar nicht entscheiden, welche ich posten soll.

 playing a bit with color and leaving my usual vintage-y style

Richard Castle: Heat Wave

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


okay, trying to voice what I thought and how I approached it.

First off: brilliant marketing idea.

Second: I love the meta layer of a fictional character publishing a book (in my reality) which is inspired by the woman he is in love with (yup I'm a shipper, your argument is invalid). So I tried to read it as such, which proved to be difficult. Whenever I heard his voice (or that of Nathan) as the narrator's voice, I was fine. I could happily picture him typing away and having a ball at writing page 105 (well, d'uh). So I liked the insight it gives into him and how he perceives Kate Beckett (mystery maybe, but you have her figured out more than you give yourself credit for, Rick). I give it a thumbs up.

Now. All that meta out of the way, the story itself, without KB and RC attached to it, was okay. I'm not one to read crime, I get bored and lose interest. I don't even watch the show for the crime factor. I'm always interested in characters. And I have to say, don't like Nikki Heat. I really like Beckett (though I want to slap some sense into her sometimes) but Heat... nah. Too bitchy, trying too hard. But that is okay, she can develop. Anyway. Confusing myself here. The plot was good, it is an easy read and I was done in 24 hours.

You like crime? Or Castle you can go for it.



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I heart...

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110405.html

... the Astronomy Picture of The day. Not just because I am in love with the universe, but also because it shares facts, photos of Earth like the above and stunning shots of the universe, stars, nebulas, galaxies. And basically time. (I think that is one major fact that keeps my interest, that we don't know how a galaxy looks like right now because when the light reaches us, it's already an image of the past it shows. Anyway.) It's pretty and informative.

... while we're at the topic. I heart to get some perspective

http://inspiration1.tumblr.com/post/5061602074

... Macro photography. And I especially love this article. Look at this example:

...  Ally McBeal. Remember the show? I am Ally. Totally. I could relate so much to her back then. So I have a quote:

“Maybe I’ll share my life with somebody… maybe not. But the truth is, when I think back of my loneliest moments, there was usually somebody sitting there next to me.”

—	Ally Mcbeal

Inspire me: Sketching

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreajoseph/4126490038/in/faves-whollyafool/

I write in my journal, daily. However, I never manage to sit down and express my stuff visually, which is strange, since images is what I live for.

Thank God there are people who are immensely talented. Such as the person, who drew the image above. You can find her more work of her on her blog. I suggest a look, since her work is breathtaking.

I also quite frequently browse the LJ community jr__nal because they have tons of inspirational journal excerpts as well.

You can also head over to Fuck Yeah Moleskines or Art Jorunaling on Tumblr. 

http://mamiee.livejournal.com/

Not journal related is the blog Urban Sketchers and it tempts me to leave the camera at home and bring a Moleskine instead.

Do you draw, doodle or even keep a written journal?

Timelapse video = awesome

Timelapse - The City Limits from Dominic on Vimeo.

when in doubt...

shopping. Skinny jeans and shoes bought at Zara.

Height of heel: 11 cms./ 4,33 inches. Perfect.

All the world's a ... movie: Oktomat

I recently bought the Oktomat. I never really wanted a multi-lense camera but then I just couldn't resist. I shot my first film in 2 hours. I also asked for cross.processing but somehow, the colors look normal to me. Hm. Anyway. Examples?

I had imagined the images would move from top left to lower right... seems not

trying out stuff

static object? Weird camera moves.

static camera? Weird self-portrait jumping around on public street like crazy person.

Wedding: Anne-Marie und Werner

Yesterday's wedding was beautiful. The weather was sunny and warm, the bride and groom so happy. I'm grateful I was a part of this special occasion.

Die Hochzeit war wunderschön. Die Braut und der Bräutigam strahlten mit der Sonne um die wette und ich bin sehr dankbar, an diesem besonderen Tag dabei gewesen zu sein.

 

a colorful life

shopping.. or trying on clothes

an evening out

the neighbour's cat

my feet... I was hoping the tat was visible...

Cross-process

I thought I'd leave you some shots of the same wedding location I am shooting at today. This time shot with the Diana Mini and cross-processed. Therefore the weird colors. Also, the same issue with the winder as always. But hey: fun and ultimate freedom lead to chaos and surprise. It's all good.

Family Portrait

I was booked to take family portraits. The was also 2-year-old Paul who is simply adorable. But I do not post photos of kids on principle, because Paul couldn't decide whether he wanted to be on the web or not. So I only show you those three.
Tomorrow shooting. I'm excited!

Ich war für ein Familienshooting gebucht. Zur Familie gehört auch der zweijährige Paul, aber da ich Kinder prinzipiell nicht ins Netz stelle, weil die Kleinen vielleicht gar nicht ins Netz gestellt werden wollen, zeig ich euch nur mal diese drei Beispielfotos.
 Und morgen gehts zum Hochzeitsshoot. Ich freu mich schon!