Photo double-take

Last fall, we decided to walk through an outdoor art show near our apartment.  The streets were lined with food vendors, local artists trying to sell their prints and creative art and even a guy yelling to promote a Medieval revival "battle" that was going to take place around the corner.  We did not attend the fight ... but we did step into the tent of a local photographer (whose name I never thought to remember at the time).  Looking back, I wish I had. 

Anyway, her work was a myriad of photos taken from trips all over the world -- some near, some far.  They were OK photos, nothing too spectaclar, except for one.  On a canvas about 30 X 40" or so, was a photo of a long rickety pier that was roped off as too dangerous for pedestrians, overlooking a tropical blue ocean, sandy beach and white puffy clouds.  I was blown away.  Not by the beauty, but because I knew I had taken the *exact* same photo from the *exact* same spot not even a month earlier.  I had to ask this woman where this was taken.

It turns out it was true!  She'd stayed at the exact resort we stayed at in Mexico on our honeymoon, only she was there a few years before.  El Dorado Royale.  Talk about a small world.  I stood in nearly the exact same place in the sand to take an identical photo from the same point of view as did the legit photographer.  I (someone who has always dreamed of becoming a photographer someday) was in awe of the situation. 

Her canvas print was for sale for almost $500 that day, and that got me thinking ... why can't I sell my travel photos too?  I personally thought my photo was taken on a nicer day, so the quality was even better than hers ... I had to check out how much it would cost to get a photo blown up to that size canvas.

There is another photo I took in East Hampton on a stormy day at the beach in April.  The beauty of the natural setting on such an ominous day was breathtaking, so I just had to snap a few pictures.  To my surprise they turned out awesome.

My husband chose his favorite, and I had it blown up on and stretched on a canvas to surprise him for Christmas.  Now, my photo is a focal point in our living room -- a conversation piece -- my work!  To think, that photographer in the tent was selling hers for $500, and I had mine blown up and stretched for ... let's just say ... less than that (wink).

The plan for our Hawaii trip is to bring a good camera along to take some great photos.  Maybe some day I'll be able to sell my stuff too.  That'd be a dream come true!  In the meantime, my canvas print is a constant reminder that my dream could be realized some day.  But first I need to travel and actually take the photos ... and that I'm completely fine with!

6 Points From Bronze

We're back from Columbus, and I'm sad to report that a) we didn't even place in the Olympics; b) we brought the cloudy/gloomy weather back with us and; c) we were only 6 points away from earning bronze.  Boo.

That's OK though, we still had a great time dressing up like Team America.  I rocked the Hockey event and my teammates were great at Luge and Speed Skating, and we had lots of fun competing.  I must admit though, my favorite part of the night was walking up the street to Taco Bell at 1am and standing in the drive through line, hoping that someone would order food for us.  A jeep actually came to our rescue!  And thank goodness ... we couldn't stand out there in our cut-off jean shorts much longer in the freezing cold temps. 

The next day we decided to try out a new (old) place for lunch called The Olde Mohawk.  Surprisingly, my French Dip sandwich was super tastey.  It was kind of closer to being a Philly Cheesesteak, but it had the au jous, so that's what really counts!  They had some good beers on tap too.  If you're ever in German Village in Columbus, give it a try.  You won't be disappointed.

Winter AlcohOlympics : U-S-A! U-S-A!

Well folks ... as it turns out, the Winter Olympic games in Vancouver aren't the only sporting event taking place this weekend.  No Sirree, looks like the husband and I will be roadtripping to shiney Columbus, Ohio for a night of brutal AlcohOlympic battle!  Our powerful team of four has claimed good old USA as our country of origin, and although our tolerance is much lower these days, our game experience and courage will prove superior than that of our feeble opponents.

OK, I don't know about all that ... but it will surely be an awesome night of game-playing, costume-wearing and visiting with friends we haven't seen in quite some time!  Also, Columbus probably misses us.  It's been a few months since we've been there, so we're due for a visit. 

When you're watching curling, ice dancing and skiing this weekend on ABC, you can rest assured that I'll be singing along to "I'm a Real American" and chanting "U-S-A!" in between beer chugs and ping pong ball tosses. 

Either that, or hungover from doing all of the those things ...

Happiest States: Hawaii Moves into First Place

Yep, I like happiness ... I can't wait to go to Maui in May!!!!

47. Ohio
sheesh. get me outta here!

Read about it here:
http://www.livescience.com/culture/states-well-being-happy-100216.html

Urgent Flight Update

I received an email today with the subject, "Urgent Flight Change" for our Maui trip in May. Immediately, my heart starts beating a little faster and butterflies takeover my stomach. What if it's cancelled or it's at a time when we can't make it?! I open the message, and they've literally changed our flight arrival time from 4:48 p.m. to 4:49 p.m. Really???

That's a lot of anxiety for a 1 minute change. Thanks for the heads up Expedia, but I hereby give you a 15-minute window in which you are not obligated to inform me that there's an urgent flight change. Thanks!