blast from da past...again

another loverly post from my time in France...I know I'm a bit obsessed but come on it's France for pete's sake ;)

Enjoy. Cheers.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

I was extremely excited about visiting the Loire Valley—who doesn’t like castles. My excitement was increased when our tour guide turned out to be the most wonderfully entertaining and one of the most knowledgeable women in the Loire Valley. She was just perfect for our group.

I loved that she told us about the people of the castles and châteaux, because when you simply hear about the buildings or the furniture or the artwork your mind begins to run together but when you hear about the people that is when the stories come alive.

Me and Chambord castle.

The people and the history of Europe have always fascinated me. I particularly love imagining life as it would have been for the people of the middle Ages, and it was awesome to hear about some of the very people that have always interested me—Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. With this background of people and history I was able to really appreciate the castles more. I was able to imagine all of the work and the life that was conducted in these huge homes.

My favorite castle was probably Chambord—Francois I huge hunting lodge. I loved it because of its grandeur and the intricate design that you could look at forever but held a certain harmony that pleased your eye at the same time. The winding stairs were particularly wonderful (however I do not see how plays were held on them).

Chambord castle

The entire Loire Valley holds a sort of mystery and amazing since of the past it just makes your heart come alive with imagination and the beauty pleases your senses and leaves you breath taken.

I <3 the Loire Valley.

Chateau de Chaumont

From the Past...

I've technically been blogging since the spring of 2008. That's a little over three years, which is strange to think.

Anyways.

My original blog was meant primarily for my friends and family to read while I was studying abroad in France during my sophomore year in college. It's fun for me to go back from time to time and read some entries from my travels...one stuck out to me recently so I thought I would share. {also this is my attempt to make more blog posts on this blog...even if it is a recycled post...shhhh}

Sunday, May 11, 2008

When I read on our calendar that we were going to Giverny I had no initial excitement or extreme interest, because I had no idea what or even where Giverny was. When I found out that it would the place of Monet’s gardens I was very pleased: I like Monet it would be nice to see the garden’s that he painted so often.

If I had only known in that moment—when we walked up to Monet’s house you could not help but fall in love with everything around you.



The colors of the flowers were magnificent, and as our tour guide told us, were very particularly planted by Monet. He mixed certain warm and cool colors together to create a feeling or to draw your eyes in a certain way. Monet would love to see how the light played off of the different mixtures of color—it was just amazing to hear all of the specific detail he placed in his garden.
When we crossed the road toward the Japanese water garden my mind was still on the rows and rows of flowers back at the house, but when we came upon the water and the weeping willows my heart was stolen again.

Monet really knew how to capture the imagination through natural beauty. He saw how humanity grows and can really live through nature. He was a little eccentric (a little more than most) but his genius has left the world with beautiful works of art and with a garden restored to its original beauty to again tempt the public as it had tempted him.


My best friend/roommate Anna and me in Monet's garden...obviously having too much fun.

'I'm here to take photos...'

Event photographs or party pictures make up a lot of the content in the magazine I work for...we're essentially a socialite, city magazine, etc. And a part of my job is going to said events and snapping those coveted "party pics" of the attendees.

Sometimes people runaway from me...no joke. I guess they don't want their photo in one of the city's most read magazines but whatever. Other people squeal when I tell them I'm from Soiree magazine. If I had to choose I prefer the squealers to the runners...at least they will talk to me.

But the weird thing I have found about being an event photographer (or event photog as they say in the biz) is that you're essentially a stalker.

I am paid to stalk people.

I wait on the edge of the event ready to pounce on the next honoree or "in-the-know" person who walks by...I know who's who and I wait for my photo subjects to appear just like a lion waits for it's prey! It's not really that dramatic, but pretending it is makes going to tons of events more interesting from my perspective at least...

So as a photo stalker does that mean am I the equivalent of a paid assassin in the social world? Perhaps, because, seemingly, your social status could very well depend on whether or not you were seen at a certain event...and who has the power to permanently ("permanently") capture your presence? We'll that would be me.

Nice to meet you. Please don't run away from me.

Until the next party...look for me...I'll be lurking in the shadows or out in the open scrambling to get 30 photos so I can leave and go home ;)

the Buried Life

i am a poetry fan. i would not say i am obsessed or that i am an expert in the poetry genre BUT i do enjoy reading and writing poetry.

one of my favorite poems, which i discovered in college, is by English poet Matthew Arnold. I love this poem because it suggests that as humans we have a depth of emotion and thought that sometimes we do not even know exists. He talks about how in the most unassuming moments, in the times where we are most surrounded, distracted that we soon discover an inexplicable well of emotion, knowledge, whatever in ourselves. We suddenly identify with others or received a clarity about life we had not experienced before.

that at least is what i get out of the poem. But see that's what i love about poetry in the first place--you may read this. love it. but get a completely different message from it. {kind of like scripture...but that's another post}

here is an excerpt from "The Buried Life." If you have time you should read the whole thing BUT for now enjoy this snippet.


The Buried Life
By: Matthew Arnold


But often, in the world's most crowded streets,
But often, in the din of strife,
There rises an unspeakable desire
After the knowledge of our buried life;
A thirst to spend our fire and restless force
In tracking out our true, original course;
A longing to inquire
Into the mystery of this heart which beats
So wild, so deep in us--to know
Whence our lives come and where they go.

And many a man in his own breast then delves,
But deep enough, alas! none ever mines.
And we have been on many thousand lines,
And we have shown, on each, spirit and power;
But hardly have we, for one little hour,
Been on our own line, have we been ourselves--
Hardly had skill to utter one of all
The nameless feelings that course through our breast,
But they course on for ever unexpress'd.

And long we try in vain to speak and act
Our hidden self, and what we say and do
Is eloquent, is well--but 'tis not true!
And then we will no more be rack'd
With inward striving, and demand
Of all the thousand nothings of the hour

Their stupefying power;
Ah yes, and they benumb us at our call!
Yet still, from time to time, vague and forlorn,
From the soul's subterranean depth upborne
As from an infinitely distant land,
Come airs, and floating echoes, and convey
A melancholy into all our day.
Only--but this is rare--
When a belov'ed hand is laid in ours,
When, jaded with the rush and glare
Of the interminable hours,
Our eyes can in another's eyes read clear,
When our world-deafen'd ear
Is by the tones of a loved voice caress'd--
A bolt is shot back somewhere in our breast,
And a lost pulse of feeling stirs again.

The eye sinks inward, and the heart lies plain,
And what we mean, we say, and what we would, we know.
A man becomes aware of his life's flow,
And hears its winding murmur; and he sees
The meadows where it glides, the sun, the breeze.

the Golden Globes

my dear friend noel author of the absolutely hilarious blog passion tea lemonade, has inspired me to comment on the recent 'Golden Globe' awards.

hosting the show was the genius creator of 'the office', Ricky Gervais. it was his second year to host the globes and he did a great job...although the dozens of people he openly criticized and made fun of probably do not agree with me...i, however, enjoyed his gut wrenching, jaw dropping honesty...while it crossed the line, actually it jumped about 10 feet passed the line, it was a refreshing commentary on the stars of Hollywood and how many of them live their lives...

{Via}

and while the shocked looks on the faces of the audience made me a little apprehensive in my outward joy of Ricky's job as host, his comment, 'oh come on you knew what you were getting yourself into (loosely quoted)'i heartily agreed and felt comfortable to express my joy at his joking. the globes higher ups knew what Ricky was capable of and they endorsed his hosting abilities so i will endorse them as well!

well enough about Ricky. he was really only on air for a total of 7 minutes the entire show...

{Via}

Natalie Portman got some flack for her 'nasty' acceptance speech...while it was a bit weird that she thanked her fiance for impregnating her so she could continue the life line of her family, she did not confess that she had magical sexual powers that when used would ensure the success of an actress' career...*cough* Robert Downey Jr....

{Via}

there were several shots of Brad and Angie throughout the night. awwww. don't care.

{Via}

I'm over Brad and Angelina. they're in love. they have a dozen kids. they travel the world. good for them. i don't want to see them every other shot: Angie putting on lip gloss. Angie adjusting brad's tie. Brad and Angie cuddling. i want to watch the golden globes not the Bradgelina Entertainment Hour.

Steve Carrell is the bomb. {how will 'the office' go on!?} and Tina fey is my idol. enough said.

{Via : this is not from this year globes...but look how cute they are :) }

just a few more thoughts and I'm done with my rant and rave...

why in the heck was the 'star' of 'easy A' nominated for a golden golbe for acting...i do not understand. now i have not seen the movie, however i think it is safe to say that 'easy A' will not go down in history as a great commentary on our society or will it be said that it was a wonderful contribution to the world of film.

{Via}

i know that 'the social network' was the major 'winner' of the night: it received the GG for the director, original score, and best picture...i haven't see it...but i have seen 'Inception' and i feel like 'Inception' GOT THE SHAFT!


{Via}

did the the Hollywood Foreign Film Association even see 'Inception?' i don't think they did...

If you agree, disagree, or would simply like to add your own comments about the Golden Globes PLEASE don't hesitate to continue this lovely 'speech' my friend noel started.

*cue music*

scribbler