Project 365 and Me

When I first learned about Project 365 escapes me, I just know I loved the idea from the moment I read about it.

It intrigued me, it scared me, it excited me.

The little voice inside said to not start another project for fear of needing to give up on it or worse yet, not complete it.  I feared the inability to dream up interesting photos day after day.  But, the little voice inside issuing the challenge won over little voice scared it.

I have read many, many posts about frustrations related to Project 365.  That perspective remains very foreign to me.

I love Project 365!

Am I perfect with it? No.

Do I struggle on some days for inspiration? Of course.


The camera has become a fifth appendage, I feel naked without it. By taking photos everyday, my philosophy about photography has changed. My pre-365 self was too focused on shooting the "special" moments, so much so, that I was more concerned about taking photos than participating in the moments. The pressure I put on myself as family historian, needed to capture it all and all the time, is gone. I've evolved.

I now realize that all moments are special ones. I have developed a confidence in myself and confidence in my photography skills, knowing I will capture moments well. I'll take the time to shoot my photos but also I'll also stop shooting to experience and enjoy the life, not just photograph it.

My photography skills have improved. The love of the capture keeps me on my toes. My subconscious must work on the project, too. When an interesting image appears in front of me, my first thought is "Wow, that would make a great photo of the day!"

My goal is to have a book printed of all my 2011 Project 365 photos.  Each week, the seven daily photos are grouped onto a digital scrapbook page.  While I adore some of my daily Project 365 photos, others are just okay.  Like people, power exists in my groupings of photographs. I do not plan a photo from one day to another. I do not pick a weekly color nor idea to photograph.  Somehow, a magical transformation occurs in combining a week of photos. The colors come together. The photos blend well. I am never disappointed with how the collection comes together.

Project 365 motivates me on those days when I am down or sick of the dead of winter.  It has been the kick in the pants I need to get up and out. The desire to continue the project, the desire to get a good shot has motivated me to just move.  Even after going out in the subzero temperatures, I am happy to have been out and about when I would not have gone otherwise.  I have been places and done things I never would have, like asking a stranger about his ice boat or walking out to the middle of a frozen lake to stomp my initials in the snow.  That motivation and those experiences are priceless. 

The biggest gift Project 365 has given me is that of community.

By gaining confidence in my skills, my fears of sharing my photography lessened. I began to share more and more; first with my friends and then, with strangers.

My closest friends joined in the Project 365 challenge on January 1, 2011.  We share our images daily via a Facebook group. Many of the ladies did not know each other when they started. Those who were strangers then are now tried and true friends. We share more than photos, we share the support of friendship, joys, sorrows, opinions, and a love for each other.

The world became smaller for me. I joined online communities such as Capture your 365  and Flickr. I have connected with women from all over the world and become acquainted with women I consider friends, despite never meeting them in person. In my heart, I know when we do meet, we'll get along as if we'd known each other forever.

Project 365 is a blessing.

So, on my Day 162, I am glad I did not listen to that little voice. I am happy to have taken the leap into Project 365!

For the People, By the People

I am a mom. I like to show my children rather than tell them about life. 

When we heard a protest over legislative changes was being organized in Michigan's State Capitol on Wednesday, March 16th, we decided to attend.  Our goal was to show the kids about government and the legislative process.  What I wanted to show them and what we learned are sadly drastically different. 

We knew Governor Walker in Wisconsin has received so much press coverage lately on the sweeping changes he has made there.  We learned our newly-elected Michigan Governor Snyder appears to have successfully made those sweeping changes to our state.

 

This is the background information on the legislation that was quickly signed into law on March 16th.  As simply as I can describe it, the legislative changes do the follow among other things:

1. "Balance the state's budget" by taxing pensions and increasing income taxes on the poor and senior citizens.  The changes also provide for corporate tax cuts of $1.7 billion.  The combination of the tax increases and cuts result in a zero percent change in the overall budget.
2. Provide for the take over of local governments when the state determines the locality is no longer fiscally sound. Local elected officials' leadership is negated for an unlimited amount of time while the state puts a emergency manager in charge of the local government.  Once the state determines the local is back to being financially stable, the elected officials would complete the remainder of their terms.
3. With a state take-over, all contracts made with the locality can be canceled and the work re-bid.
4. Collective bargaining is nullified.
5. When the state determines school districts are not financially sound, they can take over the district and decide to consolidate it with others.  Teachers and others are being forced to re-bid for their own jobs.

We took a charter bus to Lansing, courtesy of Michael Moore*. The kids were taken out of school.  We toured the Capitol Building, saw a protest in action, viewed lots of signs, mingled with lots of people, met with our State Representative, taught the kids about the legislative process and so on.

Looking back on the day, the kids learned so much more out of our field trip than they would have learned in school.

They saw the rooms where legislation is debated, they saw the governor’s office, they heard that our representative would not meet with us because he was too busy but was in his office when we stopped by, they listened to our representative as he evaded or could not answer questions, they noticed he was more interested in giving them maple syrup than listening to our concerns, they heard lots of opinions, they saw non-violent protesting, they heard people voice their opinions loudly and clearly from the Rotunda, they felt the floor shake as protesters stomped their feet and yell, "This is what Democracy sounds like", they heard the security guards tell us that the representatives were not in session when they clearly were, they saw strangers come together and discuss how to voice their opinions in the hopes of influencing those who represent them. 

What I describe is simply our experience. I expected it to be different. 

My opinions are mine.  Yours are yours.  But the government is for and by the people.  It is for us.  We should not be afraid of it.  Find out what is happening. Educate your children.  Voice your opinion.  Remind the legislators that they work for us.  

 * A big thank you goes to Michael Moore.  He personally chartered buses so people from around the state could attend the rally. Over the years, I have come full circle on my opinion of Mr. Moore.  I may not always agree with his perspective but the man is brilliant. He lives what he believes. He is not afraid to voice his opinion. He does good work for humanity. He is an inspiration. 

Connect

I changed my strategy. Instead of paying attention to my New Year's resolutions, I chose to go with One Little Word.

For lots of reasons, I chose "connect" as my one little word.  Ali Edwards says one little word can change your life and take you to places that you do not expect.

I woke up this morning and learned of the earthquake in Japan. I felt numb. Am not sure why but I did. Maybe it's the distance, maybe it's because I can't wrap my mind around the devastation, maybe it's because I feel helpless.

As the day wore on, my planned quiet day became hectic. Somewhere along the way, I was confronted with a business decision. It's been one that has been bouncing around in my head for a while.  One that is a risk.

I made the decision. I decided I was no longer going to partner with another business.

Is it financially sound?  That remains to be seen.

But some things are clear.  I stood up for what it right. I stood up against a bully. I stood up against poor business practices and immoral ways. I stood up for myself.

I feel better. I feel lighter. I feel I did the right thing. I connected with my true self.

Later in the day, I heard a radio show discussing the earthquake. The host discussed her belief  that prayers and positive thoughts can connect to affect the world. That belief spoke to me.

In reflecting on the day, I am amazed at how my one little word remained forefront in my mind and shaped my life.  For that, I am thankful.

Say Thank You to our Troops

Saw the lovely idea of helping this child thank 180,000 soldiers on Ali Edwards' blog today.  I'm in!

Happy Paczki Day!

I am all into tradition.

In the true Polish tradition, I have had a paczki (pronounced punch-key) every Tuesday before Ash Wednesday for as long as I can remember.

Paczki look like jelly doughnuts but are made from especially rich dough containing eggs, fats, sugar and sometimes milk. They feature a variety of fruit and creme fillings and can be glazed, or covered with granulated or powdered sugar. Pączki have been known in Poland at least since the Middle Ages. Pączki were made to use up all the lard, sugar, eggs and fruit in the house as their consumption was forbidden during Lent due to the Catholic fasting practices. 

In younger years, my aunt would drive into Hamtramck, a Polish section of Detroit, to purchase authentic paczki.  She still makes her annual trek. Since moving north, I have to resort to regular bakery's attempt to reproduce a paczki. These paczki are good but just don't taste like the authentic ones.

This photo was taken in our village's bakery. The bakery opened specially for today and only sells paczki. One thousand people reside in our town. The bakery will sell thousands of paczki today.

My family will enjoy paczki today. My hope is my grandchildren and great grandchildren will enjoy paczkis and appreciate ethnic custom it represents.

(P.S. I am a bit disappointed with the focus on this shot ... but it's the best I could do in a crowded bakery!)

Check This Out - "Capture Your 365"

My photography heroine, Katrina Kennedy, just announced the Grand Opening of her Capture Your 365 website.

I can’t say enough about Katrina.  She is an inspiration, a mentor, a friend.

I am thrilled for her, and thrilled for all of us.  What a wonderful gift she is giving us. 

Join in!  You’ll be better for it.  I Promise. 

Ten on Tuesday - 3.1.11

1. Hallelujah, it's March. Am appreciating the blue March skies.
2. My cold is finally gone. Took care of a week's worth of to-do items yesterday and can feel it today.
3. The basketball season ends Thursday. Boohoo.
4. Charlie Sheen - enough already. Makes me crazy to see the exploitation. Where is the help he needs?
5. Saturday night alone but in with the Girls - what fun was that!
6. I agree with Michael Moore. Hope "King's Speech" producers don't edit the F word to change the rating to PG13. The use of the language was integral to the film.
7. LOAD211 complete. Loved it until about Day 26. Appears that under 50 of the 250 people actually did a layout every day.
8. Entered my first photo contest. No prizes awarded. No chance of winning. But it's something I never thought I would do. Go me.
9. Cathie convinced me to rethink and take action when I had long given up.
10. Have to get my butt moving and go make cupcakes for the bus ride this afternoon. The joys of motherhood.

I Heart Faces: Anything but a Face

There is a first time for everything. Enjoy!