While I was sleeping…
When you Google my name, and if my site appears in the results, there’s a cute little message stating that my site may be compromised.
Bloody hell!
Nothing like a little hack job to make you wake up and take back your website.
No more Instagram hate
I’m not ashamed to admit it: Instagram has rekindled my love for photography. For lack of a better comparison — my iPhone has become my Lomo. And if you remember my love affair with my Lomo, then you might understand what I mean.
Personally, I don’t understand the aversion some photographers have for the app. It’s silly really. And completely missing the point. As I said in an interview a couple of years ago, it all boils down to the print and how you get there is up to you. We’re still putting too much emphasis on equipment, and now apps. What a shame.
So. If you use Instagram, you can find me under racheldjames. Tag along if you like. For the Instagram challenged, you can tag along here too.
What’s happening?
Was my last update really in February?!
Much has happened in the last six months: new job, new car, new apartment, Leah and Kevin visiting.
And even though I’m back in Waldorf for the next week because I am one of many without power — all in all, life is good!
Drivers License
For the third time in my life — and the second time in Maryland — I had to go through the nightmarish experience of getting my license.
The Maryland DMV remains terribly inefficient and unnecessarily time consuming.
Letting you in
How will I ever be able to ask those that stand in front of my lens to lower their guard and let me in, if I can’t do so myself?
Pure. Natural. True. That’s what my I want my photographic work to be.
I need to start letting you in.
We’ll see how it goes.
My Saturdays
It’s a sunshiny and blue sky kind of Saturday and I should be out somewhere with the cameras. But green tea, mayo-free Egg Salad on Oatmeal bread I baked yesterday, and tackling a pile of books, magazines, and zines seems like a better way to busy myself this afternoon.
I haven’t spent a single Saturday working or running around doing errands since I got here.
And it’s mighty nice!
It’s all about me
Why did I/we decide to return to the US?
I was trying to write about that even before I left. But I just can’t put it into words. There are so many layers to the story… it’s complicated… it’s personal… it’s complicated. It’s a story best told in person over tea and biscuits or — better yet — port and good cheese.
I’m not purposefully being cryptic. Really. Honestly. I swear.
I suppose it boils down to me and my need for change. And I’m lucky in that I have a husband who says “You need change? Well let’s make that happen.”
Creative, personal, and professional development is what I want.
To move upward and ever forward.
So here I am.
A new year. A new start.
I wrote three sentances in my Moleskine this morning.
- Shoot. Shoot. Shoot.
- Prepare the way for Marcel
- Create a work space that inspires me. (Life List no. 16)
2012 is going to be our year — my year — and I’m so ready!
Life List update: No. 71, “Relocate to the US before 2012″
Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today,
We touched ground on an international runway
Jet propelled back home, from over the seas to the U. S. A.
— Chuck Berry, Back in the U.S.A.
I’m back!
This and that: Mid-august edition
Hi. It’s been a while.
- Via Kinfolk, I discovered Saer Richards, who wrote a bit about my Heinz bike Polaroid.
- Speaking of Heinz, I’m totally addicted to Heinz Sandwich Spread on knäckebröd.
- Paul Giambarba added my “Monsieur Jacques” to his Instant Talent series. Needless to say, I was extremely flattered that he asked me.
- Astrid asked my “Why I shoot Film?“
- I’ve started making my own pasta more regularly now. From tortellini to tagliatelle to lasagna sheets. It’s so easy to do.
- Whitney and Dave live in such a beautiful space.
- Lemon? Ricotta? Rocket? Count me in!
- I love Kinfolk. It’s as if Americans are starting to understand what “gezelligheid” is all about.
- Leica Lens Ring ring? Yes please!
- Three guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage come together is 3 short films Move. Eat. Learn. Inspiring!
Taken with Polaroid
Today, I finally put the finishing touches on a website I’ve been working on for a few months now: Taken with Polaroid
It’s a fairly simple site — as if you could expect anything less from me. The use of News Gothic Std is an ode to the brilliant Polaroid branding by Paul Giambara.
In the months that I’ve been working on the site, it’s been a non-stop walk down memory lane.
I love the evocative nature of photography.
We are What We Choose
When you are 80 years old, and in a quiet moment of reflection narrating for only yourself the most personal version of your life story, the telling that will be most compact and meaningful will be the series of choices you have made. In the end, we are our choices. Build yourself a great story.
Remarks by Jeff Bezos, to the Princeton Class of 2010 Baccalaureate
Five good things, wk. 22
- Whitney’s French Potato Salad (without mayo!)
- Helping our office manager launch her own website
- Peonies on my desk
- Gregory Alan Isakov’s complete discography
- Rolleicord rekindling my photography spark.
Tweet and Link buttons
Marcel suggested that I add Tweet and Link buttons to the post pages, not for myself, but as a way to enhance your experience here.
I’m not entirely convinced, but I’ll give it a try.
Life List update: No. 73, Ride in a hot air balloon
Not to long ago I was a wee bit frustrated with the lack of progress being made with the life list. I know it isn’t a race, but I’ll be 35 this year, and… well… let’s the honest, the clocks-a-tickin’!
Last Sunday, we were having lunch at the new restaurant in town, Gasterij Tijd. The chef, Patrick, enthusiastically told us about the next balloon trip he was taking part in and that the balloon would be taking off in Ravenstein. Marcel mentioned to him that riding in a hot air balloon was on my life list, something about his own fear of heights, and that we’d be there to watch.
The Traveling ‘Olympus’
Right. This year I’m all about trying to making meaningful connections with others. What better way than to use my love of photography to do just that.
Traveling camera’s are nothing new. I’ve taken part in several over years and well… it’s just fun! So I’m looking for eight people to give my point-n-shoot Olympus a home for a few weeks/months. Let’s call it an exercise is low-tech photography.
Being Adventist, part i
As some of you may know, I grew up Adventist. While I don’t actively practice and adhere to many of the fundamental beliefs, there’s no escaping the many positive influences that growing up Adventist has had on my life. For that I will always be grateful.
This morning I got an e-mail from dad. Four short lines:
Ladies,
All God’s children have a home.
Matt
This is one of many reasons I love my parents so much and why I am proud to be their daughter.
As for the movie, I can’t wait for it to come out.
February: what I was into
Here are a few things that caught my eye in February. In no particular order:
Polaroid Day: Black Edition
A few weeks ago, Amanda mentioned that she had been included in a book called Polaroid Day: Black Edition.
Not wanting my Polaroid book collection to be incomplete, I ordered a copy. To say that I’m impressed would be an understatement.
Makes my heart beat faster, a mix
Musically, Marcel and I are pretty much incompatible. There is some overlap when it comes to classic rock, but our tastes are mostly night and day. This can cause frustration when we go for long drives in the car.
Last month, I made an 8track mix and he totally turned his nose up at it. Oh yeah, a challenge was born.
Saturday Bake Day: Artisan Bread
I bake on Saturday’s, you see. I don’t have enough time during the week for proper cooking and baking. Our meals tend to be quick, easy “bowl meals” — lots of rice and pasta. By the time the weekend comes Marcel and I are both craving a little something more.
Live what you love
I know I’m 25-days late with this post. I’m someone who needs to live in the new year a bit before I can talk about resolutions and goals.
I used to be pretty faithful to New Years Resolutions. I always set attainable goals that I could fulfill. But somewhere along the way though, I started giving myself a theme. A theme seems work better for my designer / photographer brain.
So the first page of my 2011 Moleskine reads “Live what you love”. That opens the door for all kinds of possibilities don’t you think?
The “100 Things” Life List
Inspired by Maggie and Karen, early in 2010 I started jotting down my own “100 Things” life list. The first 20 or so came quite easily. By the time I reached 50, I was really struggling. It’s been a great exercise though – writing these things down.
Where I’ve been
Ten months after the initial symptoms began, I’ve been diagnosed with suffering from a rare systemic autoimmune disease. As someone who has always been healthy and leads an active life, you can imagine that I’ve been at my wits end.
Time for Change
A new year, a new format. Of sorts.
Undoubtedly, there will be tweaks here and there over the next few months, but this is the website that I’ve wanted to make for myself for sometime now.
Despite his strong aversion to WordPress, Marcel was kind enough to help me with a PHP query or two that I couldn’t quite wrap my brain around. I’ve come to realize that if you really want to get the most out of WordPress, you have to dive in and get your hands a little dirty.
There isn’t an archive at the moment. I’ll get one going at some point. To achieve what I want involves more PHP wizardry from Marcel. And I’ve used up all my WordPress credits for a little while.
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