Finally!

After much anticipation, deliberation, supplication and procrastination, I was able to meet with the bride and groom to deliver their slideshow and wedding images....there really wasn't any supplication or procrastination, but I just got on a roll with the "ation" words. 

I couldn't help myself.

Please forgive me.

Since the newly espoused have now feasted their eyes upon the images and video, you, the general public, get to see them.

I'm sorry if this makes you feel unworthy, but I'm just trying to keep you humble.

You must watch this video.  I'm so proud of it (speaking of humble...). 

I was able to include video of the vows and little snippets throughout because of the recent acquisition of my new camera.  Have I mentioned that I love this camera?

I love it.

I'll be uploading all of the images here under "J+J Wedding" as soon as this is posted but don't get your knickers in a twist if they aren't on there right away as it will take some time for them to load.

Please feel free to shout out any ideas of what you'd like video of for the next wedding which happens to be this Saturday. 

Just keep it clean.  This is a family blog.

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Yet another attempt...

at shooting a live performance.

This is actually attempt number three, if you're keeping count.

I'd like to think I'm improving in this avenue of shooting, but sadly,  I'm just not sure that's the case.

Regardless, it certainly is fun.

These fine fellows were actually part of my very first attempt at live performance photography this past December.

You remember The Rum Drum Ramblers, don't you?

They are amazing.  So fun to watch (and shoot).   I knew we had to go back when I found out they were going to be at Bauhauss Kaffee again.

Our night actually started with a trip to the restaurant 12 West in Farmington.  

It was wonderful. 

Simply wonderful.

I've already mentioned that I'm not a music critic.  I should inform you that I'm also not a food critic.

In fact, in the past I only ever ordered cheeseburgers and Dr.Pepper (or some variation thereof) at fine dining establishments until my husband and I were married (14 years ago) and he forced me to start trying fanciful dishes like stuffed mushrooms, lobster tails and lamb and drinks like Italian Soda and Amaretto Sours.

I blame him for my weight gain... and my savings account deficiency.

Just set all that information aside and dwell on the thought that, despite my ignorance in the culinary field,  I know that my tastebuds were rejoicing when I ate my meal last night.

If my tastebuds are happy, then I'm happy.

I highly recommend that you dine there if given the chance.  Those of you who, like me, are financially "aware"...be warned that it may be a little more pricey than what you're used to ($15-25 per entree).  Very, very worth it, but I'm just giving you the facts.

The facts of my opinion, that is.  What's "pricey" for me, might quite possibly be pocket change for you...and if so...good for you.

Good for you.

However, if you aren't independently wealthy, you can't blame me if you eat there and then end up washing the dishes. 

It's all about keeping you informed.

After we indulged in the decadent foods at 12 West we made our way over to Bauhaus Kaffee for the evenings' entertainment.

It smelled so wonderful in this place.

Like coffee, of course, but they were also serving some wonderful smelling (and looking) German food on this particular night.

Now, don't judge me and my eating habits.  I didn't eat TWO meals.  I'm just informing you that it must have been good food because I was craving it after having already stuffed myself before our arrival.

And what is it about the smell of coffee?

It's so wonderful.  And I don't even drink the stuff.

Gasp!  Why am I blogging about a coffee shop if I don't even drink coffee?

Because I could breathe it in all day.  It's so earthy.  That may not sound like the correct description of coffee aroma but that's what I think of when I smell it.

Earth.

Mmmm.

I just haven't aquired a taste for it.

Yet.

It's not just the coffee though...this place  is just great with its brick walls, wood floors and artwork.

The wood floors are particularly wonderful when the RDR's are keeping the beat while stomping them.

This place is just so cozy and yummy.

Then add in The Rum Drum Ramblers and you've got a  wonderful evening.

Very wonderful.

Here's a snippet of their performance.  Please excuse the quality as I'm a beginner at using my camera for video.

I really wish I had taken video of a song with the harmonica because this guy plays harmonica like nobody's business.  I'll remember that for next time.

You're thinking, "What a fun-filled evening!", right?

Well, this isn't even all of it!

There's another band, The Two Man Gentlemen Band, that I have to make a separate post about because I didn't want to cram it all on this one.

To Be Continued...

Why I shouldn't be allowed to babysit...

...

This was only a 20 minute babysitting session,

and I was able to put "make-up" on her...

take pictures of her making faces like this...

and teach her how to compose an email.

Imagine what I could do if I had her all day!

The possibilities are endless.

*Disclaimer--I cannot be held accountable for the quality of these pictures due to the hysterical laughter that was occurring while I took them.  I also apologize for my nasal tone voice in the video.  It's why I prefer the written word.
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Bette Davis!

Yep, that's who she reminds me of.

A young Bette Davis.

I hope that's taken as the compliment I intended it to be.

I realized it when I saw this shot.  My sister said, "She has a very vintage look".  I agreed and then I saw the Bette Davis in her.

I think it's the eyes.  Do you see it in the eyes?

I did not take these pictures by the way. In case you were wondering.  wink,wink

If I had used some Hollywood style lighting you would really see the resemblance.

But I didn't, so you'll have to use your imagination.

Now, thanks to this post...

I'll be singing this all day.

I apologize ahead of time to those who happen to be around me at the time.

You can see the rest of their session here under "L+M"

And don't forget to comment.  If they get 10 comments they get a free 5x7.

♪She's got Bette Davis eyes...♫
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Quickly...

These videos give away much about the identity and whereabouts of "Merna" and "B-dog" but I just had to share them.

Hopefully there aren't any freakazoid-kidnapper-detectives viewing the blog.



And if they are, maybe they're afraid of monkeys.



Up next:  M+L=engagement pictures.
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A musical experience...

and perhaps my longest blog post ever.

I have a lot of pictures and alot to say.

So what's new?

I arrived here...

on Friday night despite the treacherous, snow covered roads.  I was alone but armed with my camera and an empty stomach, hoping for good food and musical entertainment worthy of photographing.

Happily, I received both.

I had a yummy chicken quesadilla for a fiver.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.

And then I was entertained by three different bands.  Also for a fiver. 

What a bargain!

First up was "Yetisburg". 

You can find out more about them here.

I have to admit...I wasn't sure I was going to like any of the bands that were scheduled to play.  Though I like music in general, I just didn't think that these three bands in particular were my "style" (as if I know what "style" even is).

I was wrong.

Thankfully.

They were great.

I've said before that I'm not a music critic and I couldn't tell you the difference between pop, rock, or soul, but I can tell you this...

I was tapping my foot, bobbing my head, and smiling, so...

they must have been good.

Right?

Right.

(It's possible that I may have also been shaking my butt a little bit, but I won't admit to that entirely).

Just look at the emotion in these shots. It's hard not to like music when the artists are so involved in it.

And let me tell you...these guys were involved in it.

Sadly, I couldn't find any of their tracks to listen to online but I think they're currently looking for a recording studio.  Maybe they'll have something up soon. 

Until then, you can check the above link to view their upcoming schedule and they'll be back at Nate & Aly J's on the 20th of this month. 

The next perfomer was "Magic Cyclops".

You can see his site here or here.

I'm not sure what I enjoyed most..

His rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart",

or the fact that most of the kids present weren't getting his humour.

I think it was the latter, simply because I had felt a little aged upon my arrival and the realization that these weren't bands that were necessarily geared towards people my age.  Magic's production was a little bit of sweet vindication for me.

 There's something about this shot that should alert you to the fact that he's not actually playing the drums.

Great performance, Magic Cyclops and I totally dig your glasses!

The last band to perform (but definitely not the least) was "International Espionage".

How amazing is this shot?  I will admit that it was total coincidence that I got the drummers arms up in the air, since I couldn't even see the drummer most of the time.

But still...I got it.  So there.

These guys were so much fun.

Not just because they were energetic,

and bouncy,

and had lights on their heads...

(Oh.  I think he's looking at me!)

and a fog machine,

but because they were wearing black, tight, spy outfits.

And pulled it off quite amazingly.

That takes a certain kind of person.

Obviously a lot of the shots that I took were experimental as this is only the second time I've ever shot a live performance of any kind,

but it's so much fun to mix my love of photogaphy with my love of music,

and I think they've come out quite nicely, though not everyone will be smitten with them.

Particularly these last two...not everyone will get it. 

Whatever "it" is.

A lot of their shots reminded me of comic books so I thought I'd try to portray that in one of the edits.

I'm not sure I hit the mark, but it was worth a try.

And this one.  Let me just explain this.  Though maybe it's not a good photograph if it needs explaining.

shrug.

I'll explain anyway.

I did this intentionally...the low angled, blurred out shot.  However I wasn't sure at the time why I was doing it.  It just seemed like the right thing to do.

So I did it.

Then I loaded it up to edit it.

 And the first thing that came to mind was that this image is what it must look like through the eyes of  someone who's just coming around from being knocked unconscious by wicked international spies wearing tight, black bodysuits and red head lights.

Provided those spies are wielding musical instruments instead of weapons, but you get the point, right?

I thought so.

At any rate, you can see their upcoming schedule and listen to a few of their songs here.

I highly recommend seeing them perform.  Great stuff.

Thanks to Tim and Kerry at Unique Ink for bringing yet more great entertainment to our little ol' Fredericktown.

Next time you can come see for youself instead of reading about it later on my blog.
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