Hi everyone! It's been coming, and it is finally here...with the new year beckoning, it is time to make the blog move to it's fun new home under my main website!
All the archives have been migrated, so while they may also reside here for googley purposes(lol), the new home is where all the action is!
Join me at: http://photosbyelisa.com/blog aka the new :: emswazzu.com
Update your blogspot bookmarks!
xoxo
~Elisa
Tsk, tsk, tsk, I have been so behind on photo projects...
Thankfully, I have had about a week off of real life...aka work, etc...so I made a point to bring my back log with me, and get back to it. I have gone through probably hundreds or thousands of photos over the last week.
One of the most fun was to revisit a couple of photo sessions I did with this aspiring actress/model, Thea! She has the most gorgeous eyes, and firey hair...and it was a great experience for me shooting someone I didn't know and who wasn't on stage...definitely out of my comfort zone!
It was full of challenges: working with someone as a 'model', shooting portrait style versus event, and light light light! Shadows and light are always the challenge...to embrace them, not fight them...
Anywho, with all the time that has passed since these 2 sessions in August & September, I was able to actually revisit the original images and find something new and fresh...which is always fun! I think it was meant to be, that time that has passed. I found things I hadn't expected...
Here are my top 7 in the following linked slideshow from both sessions:
http://photosbyelisa.com/gallery/slideshows/models/thea-2008/
A couple from session two:
And this time I do not lie...Europe and California vacation photos are coming...they are gorgeous...and so fun to look back and remember what fun was had, and all the gorgeous scenery that was captured!
xoxo
~Elisa
Bringing foward the love, because, well, I love me some real tv crack...ergo, I must have more Rock Star!
xoxo
~ems
Originally posted by my friend Cheryl:
TVweek.com just published an article about reality shows that should be renewed, and guess which show is leading the online voting? Rock Star is far in the lead, currently with 79% of the vote!
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/11/adalian_column_no_new_reality.php
If we want the show to come back, we need to show CBS how popular it
is - and the best way to do that is to VOTE, and leave no doubt that
Rock Star is the show most deserving of a time slot in the coming
year.
The current buzz is that Led Zeppelin is considering doing the show.
How do you feel about that? Would you watch? Would it be a smart move
for the band? Do you have a better idea?
However you feel, make your voice heard! Make a comment or two both at
TVweek at the end of the article AND at RockBandLounge.com - every
comment counts!
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/11/adalian_column_no_new_reality.php
http://www.rockbandlounge.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=9829
CBS is listening and we have a platform right now with this poll to
make our voices heard. So please, take the time to go vote and to post
a comment or two. It'll be worth it, when our favorite show comes back
next year. After all, once Brooke Burke wins Dancing with the Stars
she'll need her "regular" job back!
Cheryl Spelts
RockBandLounge.com
The preceding image(blog) was a cool reflection I took with my iPhone in the foyer of the Cirque show in Vegas ~ Beatles Love...
This one, is in the same area, a blur of colors...I would "love" to see this as fabric?
And then, there was the ceiling of the same foyer...I don't know...everything there just really popped for me, all the color and light...
Oh, and if you haven't noticed, I gave the blog a face lift...or would that be an eye lift........don't be scared!!! lol;)
This is a photo, I live blogged from Vegas via my iPhone...I love the color, I love the reflection and composition...and well, it is shot in the foyer of the show, LOVE;)
Who are you? Who am I?
I have had to confront this with myself, specifically of late.
I have had to think whether I define myself or others define me.
Do I define my value, or do you?
Well, after 35 years and counting, I think I can answer this question.
I do.
I have a desire to be desired, loved, liked, admired, valued, depended on, etc as do most people. But...
I cannot let others define me.
I cannot let others value of me, be my value.
I have always preached that if people(friends, etc) do not want to be around me, they shouldn't. I really only want people around me that want to be. Be it 1 person, or 100.
That old cliche, it's really not quantity, it's quailty. I think here it is true.
I value me. And I value people that value me. That value my friendship, that value my heart, that value my loyalty, that value my very being.
There are people that will decide I am not worthy of them. Their prerogative for sure.
But I cannot take any one elses hang ups, issues, opinions unto myself.
I can only be the person I am. Flawed, caring, loyal, sarcastic, smart, flakey, aloof, independent, provacative.
Knowing oneself, valuing oneself is something that is a continuous challenge for me. The confidence in my own value. Not letting anyone else through their attention, or lack there of make me think, I am not worthy. Be it professionally or personally.
Life is not easy. Being true to yourself, at every turn is not easy. Loving yourself, valuing yourself, is not easy.
But it is so important. It is what I need to do, to want to wake up each day. To want to live. To want to love. To want to chase that life that I most want.
My deepest desire, my ever long goal, is to chase my bliss. To be passionate, to be bold, to be myself.
Love life, love you, love me. We are all worth it. Value you.
Greetings my people, lol...
I have not shot any photos in a few weeks...but I will get back to it soon, I think...
I have so many photo projects that are still in process to finish...ie images taken but not fully processed! yikes!
Here is something new here...I am a huge political junkie, though I haven't really blogged about it yet.
I am going to start now...not to go and tell you who to vote for, but just to share some amusement...
I will stipulate I am a flaming liberal, or at least that is how I vote, though according to some recent surveys I have taken, apparently I have some libertarian tendancies...who knew??!?! Be that as it may, I willingly and enthusiastically will be voting Obama/Biden. In my heart it is the only way I can vote. I believe in it passionately.
Anywho, given that, and that I love good snark...it is so easy to find nowadays. The lovely Mrs Sarah Palin is like this golden ticket! Be it the excessively hilariously accurate (barely) impersonations by her doppelganger Tina Fey, or her *may I call you Joe* greetings, and *winks* to the camera, it's like an endless well.
One of the most funny bits of email I have gotten recently on this bit(I only get funny snark, nothing serious---coincidence?!) is this diagram of her debate style...it just cracks my shit up.
I think I am having far too much fun, at America's expense! Say it ain't so!?!?!?!
But in the end, amusements aside...I implore, my friends, my family, my fellow americans to VOTE! Vote because you mean it. Vote because you can. Vote because it matters.
VOTE
xoxo
P.S. Sarah, love the suit!
Do they? Really?
I would counter...
Recently, a friend has made me think. I know, watch out...a random ramble is sure to be forthcoming...lol;)
ok, seriously though...what is normal? Do any of us really want to be, normal?
Why?
Anyway, what inspired me to this, is a friends birthday post...about their life, what they have done, been through, etc. Hasn't been an easy life. But is life supposed to be easy? Kind of like, should we want to be normal?
I would say, no. The most interesting people, I have ever met, are quirky odd people. People that inspire me due to their strengths.
In part, my own parents. They were/are good people. They did not have easy lives.
My father came from a littered bit of a broken home. His own father, well, he never really knew(though they met a few times); he had no love loss for him. This man was more than a bit flawed, and for sure did my grandmother wrong. Following that, a step father, who was more than a bit challenging to their family.
His mother, my grandmother...well she is my hero. She still lives...has seen both my father and her step son pass. Has persevered through 2 earlier marriages, that while they gave her 2 beautiful boys, and a step son, were no joyride. 2 husbands that anyone would have rather not dealt with what she had to battle through. All through that, she worked, she owned her own business, she put bread on the table, and so much more. She finally met my grandfather(the only one I ever knew), my dads step dad, who she has been married to, just shy of 50 years. They have had a wonderful life. But grams, lived through the depression and a couple loser husbands before all that. She triumphed over the first few hands she was dealt before she got her winning hand. She is strong, she is brave, she is more than I could ever hope to be. These were just a few of her challenges...there were many many more. But she is one of those people, that show me that there is no quit in life. I am sure she always dreampt of a white picket fence life. But that is not what life gave her. But it is not matter, you figure it out, and you make it work.
My dad saw how his mother made it through life, and it shaped what he wanted out of life, I think. He wanted a solid home, a family that was valued above all else. He worked and lived for us. We always went on family, non extravagent, vacations, we always ate at the dinner table together, we watched tv together; he pushed both my sister and I constantly to do well in school and follow our potential through to a college education. He was proud of us. He was critical, sure, but it was always with love. I think in someways, he wanted what was "normal". But quite honestly, what we had was so much more. I value that. Not everyone got what we did growing up. I still miss him; but what he gave to us, I will forever be grateful and cherish. He taught me love and commitment. Strength and loyalty. And he taught me, yes, just a bit...about being a smart ass;)
My mother...her story is I think, so fun, interesting, heart wrenching and inspiring. She grew up in an imperfect family. My grandfather(RIP) was no saint(though some would argue). My grandmother(RIP), who grew up more than a bit spoiled, raised a family under conditions and settings and events, I don't think she ever imagined would transpire. On her passing, we read some of the love letters her and my grandfather exchanged in the early days of their courtship. It was so strange reading the prologue to their lifes story. The hearts and flowers and romance of it all. Well, like we all know, life does not end with folks going off into the the sunset, living happily after all. Life is full of both glory and agony. There was much of that in their story. Some truly horrible things, that are too personal to share. But, aside from that...there were times my family worked in the fields, lost their house, were hungry, were left wondering, why? But my mothers mother, this grandmother, was also one of my heros in life, she still is even as she has passed. She triumped over an imperfect husband of more than 50 years, raised 5 children and several foster children in sometimes exceedingly challenging circumstances...she lived to see many many great grandchildren--though she always wanted more more more(sorry grams!). She suffered, she loved, she was there for so many of our family when they needed her most; I can only wish we had all been there for her a bit more.
I think her choices and her life, always guided my mother. My mother who grew up, and I swear partied more than I ever did, through her 20's...lived a fun life following her youth. Who was unafraid. Who also then, had to conquer additional health challenges(in her youth, in her 20's, and ever since a varied slew of challenges physically). Mom was always extremely strong in her beliefs. I think it is in part a result of her being the middle child. She was an observer. She knew what she wanted and what she did not. Always has been that way. Her and dad often clashed as I think they had such strong fundamental personalities. But it is also what kept them together. Their shared value on family. Their love of us, and of each other.
They are my example. They were not normal. I see normal every day. The were extraordinary in many many ways, even as they were imperfect.
I struggle constantly with where I am in life. I often find I am nowhere. What the hell am I doing. Sometimes I think I am far too normal. I go to work, I don't do anything crazy, I just am. I hate drama. But sometimes life needs a little drama.
I am one of those people, perhaps that has had it easy. I never did drugs, rebellion, casual sex, etc etc... Not because I am necessarily above any of it, it was simply never a choice I had to make. Never got offered any of it! Never...seriously. LOL.
I think when I have done some crazy things in recent times, it has been with maturity, and my eyes wide open. I know who I am. I am not reckless, but I hope, I am not normal either. My path is still uncertain. I hope to find where I am going. Who I am will be who I am, when life takes me there.
In the end, people, I believe in Carpe Diem...sieze the day, live your life, it's the only one you got. I am going to live mine. Hopefully, I don't fall asleep along the way...if I do, please...wake me up!!
xoxo
The truth is they are a brand new Guns...or at least the Trees say so...
It is not your 80's Guns...it isn't even your 90's Guns...It's not Guns and Roses...and it's NOT Phil Lewis' Guns...(thank god, no offense)...
The truth, while perhaps in the Trees...is that this iteration of the LA Guns, is a band, of founding member Tracii Guns, with a fresh lead singer, Marty Casey. The most striking thing about this band, is the chemistry that Tracii and Marty have.
Marty, is a talented front guy, that while getting exposure on 2005's Rock Star, has seemingly not yet broken beyond the regional success with his childhood band. But not for lack of charisma or presence. And I know there is plenty out there he has done that I have not been privy to...
I have no idea, if this turn with LAG will push him beyond, but it certainly gives us all a chance to see him spread his wings. He is raw talent, electric, charismatic, and a washboard of ripped abs(seriously, does he crunch them in his sleep?!?!?)
All together the entire band was very interesting...younger(save Tracii) than I had expected...more charismatic as a whole...I honestly expected a bunch of tired songs, performed by old guys, and just not music nor a band that I could get behind. I was hugely SURPRISED! In a good way. Marty leads the whole band, in breathing freshness into material...On top of that, they don't shy away from covering Marty's teevee debuted love in the sky, the truth is there too, song: Trees...I loved their take on it. And they covered one of my favorite Rolling Stones tunes, You Can't Always Get What You Want...LOVED it!
Oh, and Tracii reminds me a little of Keith Richards, lol...that is weird. Not correlating talent or no...but the look and style...Tracii, on his own merits, is a great guitar player...Aside from Marty, he totally steals or at least co-stars the show. And of course, he got to be in that "magical" guitar god light...
In all, thank you to my friends who encouraged me to go. Thank you to Marty, for being as great as I know you are...Thank you Tracii, Jeremy, Big Al, and Chad. Your band is something special. I wish you the very best.
And now, here is a bit of what I saw...
In the last stand of their residency at The Mint I saw the band play July 29th...
I have seen Lukas play 2x previously acoustic...this was my first time seeing him accompanied by the new band...
I was convinced I liked him calm, thoughtful, and focused on his music, and voice. I was never a fan of the drunken frankenstein bit, that frankly was a turn off for me from his Rockstar: Supernova performances on the TV.
But, alas, that may have been just distant memory, because he was both melodic and fun to watch amongst his new bandmates in Stars Down. This band incarnation, is interesting, and you can see they are starting to get that organic band thing going.
I wish them much success. We(my friends and I) got to hang out with the Bass player, German Briseno, after, and hear what it is like being in this band, other bands, and what it is like to choose this life, a musician's life...
I am a big supporter of the creative path in life...I myself struggle with having made the 'safe' decision to work in the business world over pursuing more creative endeavors. And I love music, as a consumer... I respect that the folks that struggle, oft times for years, chasing their dreams, may make it, or may just get by. The pursuit of what is art, and I believe music is art...is a long hard road. Sure there are "rockstars"...but mostly, there are folks that toil day to day, from band to band, dark bar to dark bar, playing their music for whomever will listen...Because they believe. Anywho, I just want to say to German, Lukas, Jon, keep doing what you are doing. Follow your bliss. Dream the dream.
And with that...I sipped my Diet Coke this evening, and snapped a few images from my lovely table right in front...
Seriously...I have sweat soaked through my clothes coming out of this show...and I am not sure any of it's mine! ick!!!! lmao...
With time passing, perhaps, I will just remember it as an orgy w/the Foo's...lol, if only! Up front I was...I can only dream the dream...but the Foo Fighters were fabulous.........and...
Dave Grohl was so hot...I don' t know how to describe it..it's not his fashion sense...perhaps it is the plain guy speak...when he says he is going to play some more good shit for us,lol...or perhaps when we , the masses voiced our preference for FIVE encore songs versus his stories...he thusly tell us "Fuck you!" ...with love, of course...
He promised they would play all night if they could, or until they got kicked out...we got almost 3 hours of constant music...both sides of the arena...pulsing all around...everyone got their fix...
I will say, I may be too OLD for the mosh pit! lol...oy!!!! I was almost freaked out when he said they would play for hours....I honestly didn't know if I could handle it....the writhing throbbing mass of 10k(probably a few of which were all crushing the floor) felt like it was pressed up against me with so much force...oft times, more than 10people were crushed on top of me practically...
And so many crowd surfers surfed them selves right out of the show....as they got spit out from the writhing crowd up front, that was their cue to exit...so weird the surfing....I clearly have not gone to enough of these types of shows...I had never seen it so prevalent...oy indeed!
As to photos, I had a camera packed in my purse that I could never get to...so I satisfied the brief urges via my iPhone...mostly though, I was half rapt by Grohl & Co...half holding on for dear life...
Foo-kin Orgy indeed! Thanks Dave! P.S. he wears grey underwear...lmao, yes I was that close! So, yes, thanks for the Orgy, Dave;)
xoxo
~Elisa
P.S. some more...cross posted on RBL with some fresh thoughts there: http://rockbandlounge.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=7399
Heya folks...yeah, yeah, I know, where are those damn Europe photos!?
Patience my lovelies!
I did want to stop and mention one of the new things I am up to...
I mentioned before, I need to get more involved, volunteer somehow...
Well, I think I found the perfect opportunity to give back to the community and further my current obsession! I am volunteering as the photographer for the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Association - the PNA : http://www.phinneycenter.org
They do cool things for their surrounding community, host neat events, and what they do is full of "life" and that, I think, is what I am about as a photographer...
So keep a lookout...I have just started, so don't have much to show yet, I sent them some of their building exterior shots that they have running on a mini slideshow on their blog: http://phinneycenter.blogspot.com/ ...there will be more, and they have some upcoming things like a beer taste, and a Farmers Market...so I will keep y'alls updated here, to check out new stuff!
Some other stuff image wise too...but we will see how that pans out...
Life otherwise is ok...Foo Fighters this week! squee! might sneak the old p/s into that...we will see...I have general admission tix, so we will see how close I get to that dirty rocker boy David Grohl---yum! ha ha...
Laters my people...
xoxo
~Elisa
They sure did...it was a bright, shiny and a freaking HOT Seattle Sunday...and it was the big Pride Parade day...the featured parade in the few weeks of gay pride celebrations hereabouts...
I am not gay(not that there is anything wrong with it...tm J. Seinfeld, lol), and have never made any effort to check out the festivities...I mean I am totally ok with whatever folks do, have gay friends, etc etc...I have just never bothered to do more than notice that traffic is bad during these times!
Well, lately I have been a bit of an image whore, and any good opportunity to capture some colorful life out and about, and I am there! So...lol...needless to say, this event qualified! The previous weekend (see preceding blog) I had shot from within the Fremont Solstice parade...and this was a clear followup opportunity...I love shooting people...from an event/editorial viewpoint...capturing their passion and joy in life...
I have to say, this was very different, this Pride parade, than I expected, and from the preceding weekend...
First, one of the big call outs I would say is just how political it was...and I don't mean, gay rights perspective, though there is that...
I mean, ALL the big local, I think mostly democrat, politicians were out, with their supporters...and legions of Obama supporters...
And kids...lots of kids...definitely a family feel to the thing...
Lot's of official and varied church support...god is love was definitely a theme...
The obvious, drag queens, the Sisters, and super stereotypical gay imagery accompanied much of the displays...and was easiest to capture via photograph...the camera loves the flamboyant...and I have to admit, these folks are who I knew would get captured well in frame, and they did not disappoint...
But, the formality and grandiousness of size of the event also surprised me a bit...
I guess, it was so much in contrast to the free and arty Solstice bit, that the big floats and police escort kind of threw me...and of course, I was just a spectator here, so shot from the sidelines...
The other bit that pleasantly surprised me, were all the locals that came out to stand with me on the sidelines...many totally straight, and many families...just coming out to see a fun parade, and share in the love...
To me that was mostly what this thing was about...it really wasn't all that showy to me...not excessively flamboyant, as compared to the exhibitionist displays from the preceding weekend(though I did recognize a handful of the same folks turn out in the parade:)...it really was about love, acceptance, diversity, and excitement---the political supporters were effusive, even...it was catchy....
So, without further adieu, I suppose, here are my favorite images from the 2 hours I spent in the scorching sun...
Blog Directory
