My 30th Birthday – again!

by Lucky Red Hen on May 29, 2009

Yay! I’ve made it through another birthday (you should be reading that with the same sarcasm that I’m intending) and getting older (now I’m feeling a little grumpy and less sarcastic).

The BEST part (here’s where I stop being sarcastic and grumpy and instead be completely sincere) about having my birthday (especially if it’s during the week so I can spread out the celebration over 9 days — p.s. What’s with all my parenthasis obsession?) is making an excuse to see my friends and get in some extra squeezies!

I LOVE squeezies!
Especially the little bit longer than
you think a squeeze should be kind ;)
They are even better when
you wag your tail (trust me, try it)!

So this birthday week (my bday was yesterday, Thursday the 28th, mark that on your calendar for NEXT year) started last Saturday with a BBQ at our place with some photographer friend families (no pictures… ironic, no?) Monday we had some area friends (mostly friends from church, but not all) here for a BBQ (mmm… Cowboy Salsa and Elisa’s homemade Oreo’s were a hit), Tuesday we had family over for a BBQ and Wednesday Amanda had me and some girlfriends over for Ponderosa Banana Cake (hot out of the oven, very impressive).

Thursday, yesterday, my actual birthDAY, I awoke to a freshly made omelet, hugs n’ kisses from my kidlets (Piper’s peepers were barely opened as she layed in bed and said, “Happy Birthday, mommy.” — ugh, die) and a Harley Davidson gift bag! The gift was a surprise because we combined my Mother’s Day gift with birthday (so I thought), but I was HAPPILY surprised with plug-in heated riding gloves :) Even though the weather is nice right now, it’s not always (welcome to the NW) and my hands are the first to get chilly. Eventually I’ll get the rest of the plug-in warming gear (jacket, pants and, I hope, socks) and extend my riding season.

I had several good choices for the day: Taco Thursday Ride at 3, photography meeting at 6:30 or Quilting Group at 7. Ben came home early and I went R I D I N G and it was JUST RIGHT :) I left at 3, met up with 2 bikers in Redmond (Tad and Dan), met up with 6 more in West Seattle at Endolyne Joe’s (Tim, Pat, Big K, DeAnn, Mark, Beth), 2 more at a park (Matt & Sheena, with Tiger Lucy with her pink thong on back) then 10 more in Tacoma for $1 Tacos at The Cliffhouse. We rode along the coast, went around a couple round-abouts 2 or 3 times while cars waited (only one car got a little ticked) with the last stop at DQ for some birthday dessert (substituting pecans for peanuts), thanks Mark, and joyous singing of the traditional birthday song!

Wanna know something weird and kinda disturbing? If you don’t, then don’t continue reading this paragraph and move on to the next instead. When you ride, you should stay hydrated so I kept guzzling water with my tacos. I pottied at the restaurant before we left. About 30 minutes later when we stopped in Point Defiance Park along the 5 Mile Drive I went into the forest for another potty break (no bathrooms, great, I hope I didn’t get a tick, ESPECIALLY down THERE; thanks, K, for keeping guard). Then at the golf course on the ocean where we stopped for a group photo, I had to go AGAIN and the public bathrooms were locked (so I went over a berm out of eyesight)! Mind you, stripping down with leather chaps, jeans and a hefty belt ain’t so graceful). Even went again after dessert (but at least there was indoor plumbing that time). What the HECK?!? Typing the story makes me need to go again…

Alright, I’m back.

So I left home at 3pm and rolled back in at 11pm. A full day of romping across the coastline with other biker enthusiasts in the PERFECT weather (not too hot, not too cold). The views were magnificent… Mt. Rainier, the Puget Sound, downtown Seattle, the ocean, quaint neighborhoods with meticulously trimmed hedges and blooming foliage of all shapes, colors and smells (oh! the smells while riding — except when we dropped into Tacoma, then there were patches of STINKY STANK). The NW on a beautiful day is a treat!

Here are some pics of birthday friends at Amanda’s and some of our ride yesterday (I’ve noted the one’s that I borrowed from Pat’s camera).







The following image needs an explanation. Lisa gave me a bag of her old jewelry to tear apart and remake into something fun, so Amanda thought it’d be hilarious to put them all on me at once and take a picture of me looking like Mr. T. Not the most flattering, sure, but my waist looks good (I promise, no photoshop) so I couldn’t resist :)

From Pat’s camera of us picking up Matt & Sheena.
I’m kinda in the middle by myself (4th person from right).
From Pat’s camera of Mt. Rainier.
From Pat’s camera riding through Point Defiance Park.
From Pat’s camera when we were stuck in traffic.
From Pat’s camera (is that Tacoma Narrows Bridge?)

I’m sure I was saying something funny and that’s
why some heads are aimed my direction ;p

Tana’s hubby, Scott, my riding buddy :)
I’m showing you how helmet hair and riding does NOT
make me look very attractive, and I’m happy with that
because riding with cool, down to earth people ROCKS!

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My Lisa and Uncle Eli

by Lucky Red Hen on May 26, 2009

My title is a little misleading. Lisa really isn’t “mine” and “Uncle Eli” really isn’t an uncle… yet.

But for all intents and purposes, My Lisa is what I call my BFF. And since there are so many Lisa’s, I needed to differentiate her from all the others: Lisa N is my eyeglass shop owner friend, Lisa B is my brother-in-law’s girlfriend (who is also my friend) and Elisa is my friend who goes by Lisa but her birth given name is Elisa (pronounced uh-lee-suh, not ee-lee-suh) and I just couldn’t name her Lisa W (because double-ya doesn’t flow off the tongue as easily as Ehn or Bee). My life is so complicated, eh?

Then there’s Uncle Eli, or Uncle Blockhead to Piper. Aunt Lisa (that’s what we call My Lisa to my kids) took Piper with her to work one day and introduced her to Eli. Somehow it was decided that Piper could lovingly call Eli “Blockhead” and that’s all she can remember, no matter how many times we try to explain that his real name is Eli. So since there’s an Aunt Lisa I figure that he’d be Uncle Eli (or Uncle Blockhead if Piper prefers) when they got married… of which they ARE getting married ;)

Here are some pics I took of them last week in Kirkland, WA…























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Can I Have Your Number? You Tube video

by Lucky Red Hen on May 21, 2009

This is one of my all-time favorite You Tube video clips. It’s from Madd TV about a guy who’s attracted to a girl in a movie theater.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTFZyl7hfBw&hl=en&fs=1]

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Bridal Hair and Make-Up at Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue, WA

by Lucky Red Hen on May 14, 2009

Can you BELIEVE it?!? I’m aaaallliiiiivvvveeee :) Sorry about my lack of blog updates. I’d like to explain how busy I’ve been or blame some random act of God for my absence, but that’d be lying… and I don’t lie (at least I try not to). I do have a reason, not an excuse. Facebook (FB) has taken over (a little Twitter on the side, but only to update my FB status and the handful of friends who only Twitter and not FB). That place has sucked me in and won’t spit me out, I tell ya! Now that I have FB on my iPhone (which is another thing I cannot seem to live without), it’s almost constant contact (which reminds me of the movie, Contact, with Matthew McConaughey (yum!) and Jodie Foster). Anywho, I realize not everyone is on FB (or they’re not in my “friends” list), so I need to neglect the blog no longer. Besides, I always have something to say (don’t I?) My hair and make-up friend, Rachel Williams, is launching her bridal business soon and needed some images to prove her point. That’s where I come in. Since having children, my hair hasn’t been quite the same. I’ve been a slave to coloring (darker on the bottom, wish Fire Engine Red would work permanently but it doesn’t yet, and blonde highlights above) so we worked out a little barter. Wee! Her friend, Emelienne (ah-me-lee-ann), was our fantastic model. She’s not a professional model, but she certainly could be! She was such a sport in the cold weather with barely anything on and was up for anything I wanted. Luckily I didn’t have to tell her exactly where to put her hand, shoulder, hip, etc. everytime. Yay! I’d love to take her picture anytime :) P.S. The sun was going down and affected the light I had to work with. It was really fun to think on my feet and adjust my settings quickly as the clouds would cover the sunshine then move out of the way and shine again… like an amusement park ride (except I don’t go on rides because I get motion sick). These were taken at Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue, WA. 

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My March Trip to Utah and Friendly (and not so friendly) Flight Mates

by Lucky Red Hen on March 10, 2009

Sometimes when I’m on a flight, I don’t mind talking to my flight mates (if I say “mates,” do I sound as cool as an Australian?)

Like the time last Friday on my way to SLC.
This is Heather (a nurse for kids with cancer) and Ryan (helps people in Mortgage crisis). We ROCKED the First Class section on our Southwest flight (which is the first row on the left; didn’t cha know?) If only every person on the flight was as cool as us (if only).

Doh, like the time eons ago (my early 20’s feels like eons)…

There was a drunk and dirty man ranting and raving in the terminal prior to boarding. An off-duty policeman offered to let them rearrange seating so he could assist, but the plane was full and we were about to board.

I take my seat at the window, an old man took his aisle seat and, of course, the drunk and dirty man sat in the middle! What to do, oh, what to do?!

I did the only thing I could get away with… I played deaf.

Not that I know how to sign, beyond the alphabet that Annette and I would use across the room during band class, but I CAN not talk (hard to believe, I’m sure)!

Sticking my nose into a magazine worked for only a few minutes before he started in on me about how absurd it was that they weren’t serving alcohol soon enough (he was set with his miniature bottles, stashed so carefully in his carry-on) and that they wouldn’t let him smoke in the “can.” I pretended not to notice him talking until he biffed me on the arm to claim my attention. Acting startled, I turned his direction and shook my head while pointing at my ears, motioning to him that I couldn’t hear. He seemed puzzled as he asked with slow-moving lips, “Y o u c a n ‘ t h e a r m e ?” I repeated my earlier response; a shake of my head while pointing at my ears. He “hmph’d” then turned to the old man and started in on him.

When it came time for drink orders, I handed the stewardess a piece of paper that said, “Coke, please” and smiled as I nodded my head asking for confirmation that they understood. Drunk and dirty dude blurted to her that I was deaf as the wide-eyed stewardess nodded back to me.

When the flight landed, drunk and dirty dude shot up out of his seat and shoved his way off the plane, exclaiming obnoxiously about how badly he needed a smoke. Suffering through the flight as well, the other passengers let him pass. Upon my approach to exit the plane, the stewardess that brought my Coke motioned toward me as she told the others standing there that I was deaf, pointing to her ear. Slowly she said, “T h a n k s f o r f l y i n g w i t h u s !” Smiling, I replied, “Thank YOU!” As her face froze in shock, I explained that I faked that I was deaf because of drunk and dirty dude.
Some of the labies at our 3 hour Carrabba’s luncheon on Saturday…
(l-r back: RCola, Azucar, Suedonym, NitzWould, yours truly, b., Compulsive Writer, Geo
l-r front: formerly phread, Sister Pottymouth (holding her baby), Gerb, LoDown, pFlower (holding Twisted’s baby), Tiffany Twisted (by the way, my arse isn’t as big as it looks – it’s actually quite cute thankyouverymuch)
Carrabba’s proprietor, and my buddy, Clay Drinkwater
(trust me when I say it pays to know the owner)

Then I stopped by Provo to hang with this fella, Jared Smith (a.k.a. my lil’ bro), and help him get ready for his date with Angela (incidentally, we met a couple years ago when he was a waiter at Carrabba’s – that’s how I roll… does it MATTER where/how you meet a friend?). Man, I look fabulous in this picture, ifIdosaysomyself.

Retired UT County Sheriff, and my Harley Davidson riding instructor, Lance McDaniel (a.k.a. my family – that guy knows how to make me cry at the drop of a dime – I’m such a baby). He runs the service department at the Lindon, UT Harley Davidson, and I ALWAYS stop by to say HI when I’m in town (I didn’t even do any shopping this time, darnit). By the way, he really IS smiling, even though you can’t tell with the facial hair in the way!

Then some more hot South UT County momma’s got together with me for Cafe Rio in Lehi and gabbing. l-r is Tiffany, Linda, Cathy, Anita, yours truly and Amy. It was FREEZING as the camera was on timer, and nobody likes this picture of them – but I DO because they’re my friends :)

One of my boys, Jared Wardell, who’s going to Spain for a couple years :)
Jared W’s brother, Corey, who’s a magnificent (hetero) dancer.
Whenever I’m over there, he claims he’s my favorite in the family.
I usually humor him and agree (he really IS great, of course,
even though I stopped paying him by the hour for yard work
and started paying him by the job instead).
Beautiful Joy, with other peeps on the couch.

My old neighbor kid, Chris Weaver, who used to do yard work and other odd jobs for us when we lived there (he’s worth every penny – hard worker and amazing person) and the man of the hour, Jared (again). We were giggling all afternoon! Banana woman :)
…in between giggles.
Jared and Corey’s sister, Jen, and I before the next picture.
Jen and I AFTER the previous pose.

Oh. My. Goodness. THIS fella is very special to me and he married a SUPER sweet girl and have a super cute daughter with a son on the way! This day was his BIRTHDAY, so I’m glad I was in town to wish him happy happy in person! I heart you, SCHLOPPY!
Dedicated readers will remember this hunk, Colby, my fav.

But have you seen Colby’s super sweet little brother Myles? Here he is, in all his glory. WHAT. A. SWEETIE! I’m not sure where their sisters were at this moment, because I should’ve gotten a pic with those gorgeous girls too (beautiful family).And the piece de resistence (say that with your best Fronsh accent), Miss CJane and The Chief!
What’s weird about this pic is that I almost don’t want to post it for fear it makes me look like a CJane blog stalker. So I guess I need to preface the pic with the proof that we’re ACTUAL friends, pre-fame (she hates when I say that because she doesn’t really feel like she is and I really shouldn’t have to feel like I have to prove myself). “Happy favorite birthday, my sweet.” Keep The Chief away from me next time because I seriously don’t think I can resist taking a juicy bite out of that lil’ fella. MmMmMm!

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My Kids – September 2008

by Lucky Red Hen on February 26, 2009

My kids bring me much joy.

They bring me much sorrow, stress, anxiety, impatience and pain in my backside too.

But these pictures remind me of the sweethearts they can be (posing for mom on a regular basis is a lot for kids who’d rather be playing video games or jumping around on the playground).

I had my buddies lenses (thanks, Ryan!) to see which one I want to add to my wish list (which is the Canon 50mm f1.2, in case you’ve got $400 over a grand burning a hole in your pocket – I’ll love you forever… promise).


















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WPPI 09 – Las Vegas, baby!

by Lucky Red Hen on February 20, 2009

Phew!
I’m back from Vegas but my body is behaving like it hasn’t left.
Five days of late nights (interpreted as early mornings, like 4am early mornings), walking miles and miles and miles… to and from the conference center, the drinking water drought (I’m deathly afraid of the disease-ridden water fountains, the bottled water started at $3 and waitresses and bartenders looked at me like I was a cyclopse when I asked for a water), cigarette-saturated breathing air (cough cough hack choke) and trying to dance like I was still 25 :p
Last year‘s smoke inhalation didn’t seem as bad as this time. And I didn’t get over to my favorite restaurant, Mon Amie Gabi, like I wanted to (it’s a taxi ride from our hotel). I didn’t do any shooting this year either, even though I brought my pro camera. And I certainly didn’t arrive in Vegas the way I did last time either (too cold and far)! But I did see some of my friends this time that I did last time :)
With all that misery, I can’t wait to go back to be inspired, learn-ed (gotta say it like you see it… learn Ed), networked (I love knowing other great photographers from around the world) and reconnected with friends (and meeting new one’s)! Fingers crossed for next year (when it’s NOT on Valentine’s Day weekend… geez!)
Laurel McConnell & DJ Karl:
They’re from Seattle. Laurel kept me plugged
in to the goings-on (and we kept each other
from falling asleep during presentation). And
Karl, what can I say about Karl… he’s infectuous
with his friendly smile and happiness :)

Alison Bates (Nate’s girlfriend – wink):
She and I met at the Jose Villa Mexico ’07 Workshop
and I love her (mostly because she’s Nate’s girlfriend, haha)
Brian Adams; photographer, gentleman
& Edit Team guru (I think that’s his title)
whom I met at my first WPPI trip
(thankfully, because I could dance and not
worry about him expecting more – wink)

Mark Edgington (OSP West in San Louis Obispo ’07) had
me laughing whenever we were in the same room (even
from ACROSS the room) or sitting at the restaurant making
fun of Trevor and his hand gestures (oh, I cried it was so funny).
This pic was taken our last day right before he took off :(

Brian Greenberg of Richard Photo Lab
Look at him pull off that hat with his blue eyes!
I kept calling him “Richard” in Mexico, where we met,
only because it irritated him so much. But, luckily, he
has forgiven me enough to invite me to his swanky party
that had great people and yummy food… thanks, Brian!

My BUDDY’S, Colin Michael (BFAM) and Aimee Cooper
at the cool Peppermill Lounge OFF the strip (like FAR off).

Hey, look! It’s Colin again! My brotha from anotha motha (BFAM)!

This is David Burke (with an E) and my maiden name is
withOUT an E (Burk). Congrat’s on the upcoming baby E :)

Dennis Orchard, amazing photographer and print judge
from England. He’s given me valuable print advice.
I haven’t entered a print competition yet, but might someday.

Ed & Monica Pingol family ;) They were always smiling :D

The hunks who make up Edit Team. Troy Battle on the left
(he’s my kindred spirit – laughed ALL the time), Darren Green
& Brian Adams (again, lucky me). Thanks, guys, for the prize
I won (free editing)! Now I can start shooting again ;)

My neighbors (they’re in Redmond, I’m in Woodinville),
Gerald and Airika Pope at the Trade Show right before I
dragged them over to an impressive album company,
ImageCapsule.com, who has waterproof (hello Seattle)
albums that are sturdy, don’t warp and 3-day turn around!

My friend, Jason Groupp, from NY (could you tell?),
who humors me to no end. He had me going in 2007
at OSP West with a joke about a bus stop. HILARIOUS!

My southern sister, Jeanann Wilkinson, who I met in Mexico
and had lively discussion about one of the 3 taboo’s (religion).
Wish we could’ve hung out more this year :( Next time ;)

Oh, my, gosh! I can’t say enough about this tiny thing. It’s
Jillian Kay of the famous “Dear Silly Lady” fame ;) She may
be small, but she sure does pack a punch! Sure love ya, JK!
Oh, and LOVED your story about the candy necklace :D
Birthday boy, Joel Serrato, at the Venetian restaurant,
Canaletto, for the Richard Photo Lab party.
He makes me laugh with his pursed lips ;)

The godfather of shooting outside the box, John Michael Cooper
of AltF fame. We met awkwardly a couple years ago at OSPW 1.
I ran up to him and gave him a huge hug (he’s not used
to that), and he looked at me like I was crazy. But I’ve
grown on him over the years and he was all ready
this time to accept my neglect to respect his
personal space! Yay, John :D

Here’s another Jon. Jonathan Canlas of Film is Not Dead.
He likes to eat faces. I guess mine is yummy.

Mmm. This is my beautiful friend, Jose Villa.
That’s really all I can say without tearing up over this fella.
DJ Karl Berger, from Seattle. We were all sweaty from
dancing at the Gobee Bag party at the Luxor.

The ever lovely Lacie Hansen who works with Jose Villa.
She shoots, she models, she assists, she rocks ;D
Me with Laurel McConnell. She makes me laugh and
I like being around her. Look at how CUTE she is!
Linda Chaja (chai-ya) and I at the Venetian.
She’s smiling because she likes being near me ;)
Oh geez, this should be at the top (one of the first pics
taken), but it’s tricky to do without losing all my stuff!
Me with Mark Edgington at a restaurant at 330am.
I’m surprised my eyes don’t look worse after laughing
so hard we cried at Trevor Meeks and his hand gestures!

I met Tara Marie at Robin’s mini-session pool side (We Doodle Do
Album Design). She’s sweet and from TEXAS (I heart TX)!
Me and Simone Germaine Sutton on our last day
LOOKING like it’s our last day LOL! Exhausted!
Awe, this is THE sweetest guy at WPPI (no offense to the
other guys, but he’s really so gentle). His landscape images
are unbelievable (really, it’s like I don’t believe they’re real)
and he also has a royalty-free music site that’s great for
websites, slideshows and background music in your studio!
It’s Shawn Reeder and I’m glad I know him :)
Oh. My. Goodness. This is the ever popular (and shrunken
head miniature girl) Roxanne Benton of Pixel 2 Canvas!
We finally got to smooch all over each other after years of
chatting online (sounds creepy, but it isn’t). Their canvas’
ROCK and their DUCKS rock just as much (but not more).
Oh, Roxie, I miss you already (and smooch yo man from me)!
Me with Riley Kimball (A+R Photography in Arizona).
You may remember him from when I went to OSPW 1.
He was a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see him!

Troy Battle (also from Edit Team)… we kept each other laughing!
We know each other from OSP (online photography forum),
so it was fun meeting in person, finally. See ya next time!

Trevor Meeks, of Meeks Digital, who I also know from the
photography forum and OSPW 1. He’s a good sport to put
up with my joking. Great hand gestures, Meeks! :p

Oh my Tomas Flint from Rochacha, NY! I LOVED running into
him in the halls of the MGM Grand (you’re the BEST, Tom).
He won’t read what’s on his belt buckle ;)

OSP peeps: Ed & Monica Pingol, Tim Co., Katie Pangburn
and yours truly at the WPPI 09 Trade Show floor!

Me with the Halberg’s, Tim and Cheryl in the
longest hallway known to man (or woman).

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Family of Eight Portrait, Orem, UT

by Lucky Red Hen on December 8, 2008

(you may click on the picture to view a larger version)

May I just say that I miss my Utah friends more than I realized I would? (“Yes, yes you can since this is your blog,” you say.)

When we moved there 6.5 years ago, we told ourselves that we wouldn’t get attached because we’d be moving back to the NW within two years (never wanted to move there in the first place, but that’s another story).

Well, 2 years turned into five (but I’ve heard similar stories from people who’ve been there 14 years and counting) and I think the extra three years were the nitty-gritty years that solidified my soul to Utah.

Eee ghads, did I just admit that there’s a place in my soul dedicated to Utah (“Yes, yes you did,” you say)?

Yes, yes I did.

There… it’s out in cyberspace for all to witness. Yikes.

Anywho, the family featured in today’s post is absolutely one of the reasons my mind was changed about Utah. My kids are best buds with her kids, and I adore them all (which is surprising for me because I’m famous for not liking kids — they’re just so hard to be around).

(Holding up a glass of bubbling water…) here’s to my Utah friends. I adore you all.

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