Memphis Botanic Gardens

I find myself in a Lensbaby kind of mood today. Speaking of which, they have a really fun web site...you should check it out. Their photo gallery is great. If you're in the market for one, their optic comparison gallery is very handy.

Dixon Gallery and Gardens

Here are some random pix of the front area of the Dixon (they were actually closed when I was there) using a newish lens. If the parking lot looks like this, I really must go back and check out the "real" garden!

Library of Congress Photos

The LOC just created a great Flickr set entitled FSA/OWI Favorites with the following blurb.  Check it out.

"FSA/OWI Favorites” features 10 of the most frequently requested photos plus 15 staff selections to introduce you to the vast archive of about 170,000 negatives and 107,000 prints of life in America during the Great Depression and World War II.

Go to the FSA/OWI Collection in the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog (PPOC) at LOC to explore more of these amazing photos by gifted photographers who worked with 35mm and large format sheet film. The digital resolution for most images is admittedly low, since the scanning was done in the mid-1990s.

High School Photo

So, I tried to subtly color correct a photo that I scanned for my mother-in-law. Before and after in that order.

Better? Worse? Bleh?

SNL Jeopardy Video

I can't resist uploading this too!

Key West 2009

Here are some pictures of a recent trip to Key West. On the surface, the trip's purpose was to celebrate my cousin Emily's graduation from college (but, really, we'll take any excuse for a fun beach trip).

SNL Immigrant Tale with JT

Hilarious!!!

National Stationery Show

As I type this blog entry, the National Stationery Show is underway in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. I really really really wish I were there.

Really.

For a play-by-play of some stuff going on at the show now, check out what the folks at Design*Sponge have been nice enough to post for the rest of us NOT in New York right now:

Design*Sponge's vote for best in show

Some stuff from Old School Stationers and Sycamore Street Press

A few more of their favorites from the show

If you happen to be in New York today or tomorrow, here are a few of the things you may see if you stop by.  I know I'd sneak in if I had the chance!

From the super talented folks at Wiley Valentine:

I think my favorite out of the bunch is the "Sorry I've been an ass" donkey card and envelope.  Hilarious!

And some yummy new stuff from Smock:

The Peabody Tree

Night before last there was a huge storm that raged in Memphis while I was asleep.  I did not hear about this on the news or radio...my only indications are (1) my parent's electricity went out and (2) a HUGE tree down the street fell overnight.  The work that goes into cutting down and removing such a massive tree is amazing; the crew that came to the rescue worked all day and most of it is still there.

Summer Book List

I recently changed my status update on Facebook to a book recommendation for the summer, and it occurred to me to expand that update to a list on my blog.  So, here we are.  Most of these are books that I have read before and am recommending:

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin. I recommend the audiobook version.  Steve Martin narrates it himself, and I cannot stress how much that adds to the experience of the book.  

Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler.  Since I have not yet read this, it is on my list for this summer (meaning next week when I'm on the beach in Key West).  Based on the following book, however, I am confident it will be a rockin' good time.

My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands by Chelsea Handler.  I was kind of a fan of her show before reading this book.  As of today (I just finished it a couple of hours ago) I am an official rabid fan.

I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley.  Hilarious!

Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer.  Speaking of rabid fans, I am totally obsessed by this series.  I also heartily recommend downloading the soundtrack...it's fabulous.

On Photography by Susan Sontag.  I recently wrote a blog entry about this book.  It's not light reading, but for anyone interested in photography, it's pretty much mandatory.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer.  I'm confessing on the front end that the only reason I read this book recently is my utter devotion to the Twilight series.  It started a tad slow, but ended up being a really good read overall.  

I totally got mentioned on my favorite blog

Perhaps not by name.  But, still, I'm on there and I'm WAY excited about it.

The other day the Go Fug Yourself gals posted a picture of Mischa Barton and said something like, "She reminds me of someone here but I can't place who."  Of course, I immediately emailed them with the answer - Paulina Porizkova - with a photo of Paulina to boot. 

Their response can be viewed on a post from yesterday.  

YES!

My life is complete.  

Mongo knitting needles

Witness, if you dare, the largest knitting needles on Earth! Unbelievable.

I'm in the market for one of those fab poufs, in case anyone was curious and/or in desperate need to give me a gift.