deviantART: by:AuroraCoda

Photography

~AuroraCoda — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:00:34 PDT

Coming home again...
Like finding a lost memory...
I'm finding my photography again...

Ode

Sepia

See these places, these faces I've known
Avenues and streets and dusty roads
The boulevard of my afternoons
Faded into a soft photograph
Tinted a tinge of melancholy
And maps and stones and crumbling ruins
But I remember Halloween ghosts
Birthdays and school days and sunny days
Friends and smiles and tears and laughter
Parks and picnics, school bells and church bells
Candles and city lights and porch lights
In the twilight of autumn sunset
Red and gold leaves fallen to the ground
From a tree with words carved long ago -
We were here....

Courage and Conviction

~AuroraCoda — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:41:45 PST

ÂIf you only do what you know you can do- you never do very much.Â

Ladies and Gentlemen... wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT.

The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.

I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are NOT as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Waiting to ...

~AuroraCoda — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:19:06 PST

I was going to say exhale, but really....I'm breathing quite fine. Hmmm....perhaps waiting to sneeze? Nope, that's not it. Ok, Ok, how about this....Waiting to have some free time in which to take more pictures and spend more time on here? Too long!

But you get the point!

Work/Life: It's been mad busy at my work and I'm still helping to take care of my friend whenever I can. Driving him to school and physical therapy now, so the count down is on. The only problem is that he will need a second surgery on his ankle and that may cause a relapse. I hope not. For him! For HIM! (Ok, so maybe a little for me too! )

Photography: I got some good news today from a friend and hope to be learning more about photography and the business aspect of it from him. He's a fabulous photographer and I am in awe of his talent. You should check his site out if you have the chance, I'll be apprenticing under him.

Bumatay Studio

Abraxas Bridge: I also got the chance to go see a friend of mine and his band play at the Cat Club in Hollywood. Joe has always been an excellent friend and supporter of my photography (poor guy had to read about a million emails from me when some engagement shots of mine turned out blueÂ.hehe, sorry Joe). Both Benny and Joe are inspirational, talented and eclectic artists. Plus, their quirky senses of humor shine in some of the videosÂ they put out! (Add them on Myspace to find out what I mean!)

They already have one album out and itÂs available on ITUNES. Visit Abraxas Bridge at:

Abraxas Bridge on Myspace

Abraxas Bridge Home Page

DO IT NOW PEOPLEÂ..DO IT NOOOOOW!

THE POLICE: omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg. IÂm going to EVERY SINGLE SHOW PEOPLE!! Haha. I wish! Seriously, you can bet if they play anywhere near the Pacific coast line, IÂll be there.

Peace, Love, Light to you all!

Amanda

I was back...but POOF I'm gone again!

~AuroraCoda — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:32:05 PST

Yes, Yes, Yes....

That is correct. I was back for all of 1 day. I got to take Christmas pictures of family. That was it. Nothing artistic or that I felt anyone would care about other than my family and friends. So I posted them on my Myspace page and left it at that.

Now it's back to the grindstone, where my nose will be for the next month.

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.....no picture taking for me for a while.

But I will try to come on here and keep up to date with you all.

Happy New Year!!!!

(Somebody's gotta have one....bleh). LOL

Work Sucks...bring on the Vacation!

~AuroraCoda — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 02:58:30 PST

I am presently having a love/hate relationship with my job.

I love it and I hate all the hours that it's requiring of me right now.

I go to work early and come home late. I barely have time to eat and do a few meager chores and take care of other obligations before it's time for bed (or what SHOULD be time for bed, hence the time that I am writing this journal).

I have time off for Christmas and to be honest, I'm looking forward more to the time off than the actual holiday.

So, as soon as I have a brain in which to operate with and some spare time, I'll be back on here....looking at art and hopefully posting my own as well.

OH! And I also promise to write you all very soon. ~A

Deviant Art Show!!! =)

~AuroraCoda — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:55:40 PST

Hello all my lovelies!!
I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the 30 artists who will have their work showcased at an upcoming show with DeviantArt. (As well as my good friend Tim Greek (Sandwhirl here on DA), who was chosen for his outstanding talent and incredible eye).

deviantART Presents: BT and THOMAS DOLBY in a SONIC DUEL FOR VIRTUAL SUPREMECY NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2006

Be there at 6:30 to catch Tim and my work! Be there or beeee square! hehe

The show will be at House of Blues Anaheim @ 1530 S. Disneyland Dr. Anaheim, CA 92802 on Tuesday, November 28, 2006.

Doors open to the Public at 7pm! But the show with my artwork is at 6:30 people!!! The only catch is that it is a bit pricey: Ticket Prices are: $18.50 - $22.00.

Please know that I wish each and everyone one of you could be there with me for this occassion, but if you can't attend...I know that you will be there with me in heart and spirit!

To see the pieces that I've chosen to be shown, please visit my Myspace page at the following addy:

[link]

Peace Light and Joy to you all!

The Hospital Stay and the Wedding Pictures

~AuroraCoda — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 21:22:51 PST

Well, I was gone for a while (again) but this time it wasn't due to loss or a busy life. It was due to being sick and stuck in the hospital with the pin sticker people (whomever comes at me with a needle...look out).

I was in for almost 40 hours, got admitted because they thought I had an Appendicitis and it turned out to be an acute case of viral gastroenteritis. YAY for me and all the pain I experienced! Yay for morphine which makes me sick. Yay for all the bruised on my arms and the weight I lost. YAY.

This stay kept me from a lot of things, two party's, a movie and dinner with friends, a trip to see Stephen King in person (damnit) and worst of all...working on the Wedding Pictures of my friends Jason and Tasha.

But (!!!!), this weekend I felt loads better and was finally able to finish them.

Soooo, the massive upload now is all the Wedding Shots that I felt were the best and the ones that I was able to work on before saying..."Yeah, that's good, I'm done".

I hope you all enjoy them! I know I enjoyed the day!

How Crazy Am I?

~AuroraCoda — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:07:39 PDT

I have officially declared myself insane.

I'm sure Tim doesn't agree, thank god for his upbeat demeanor. I know exactly what he would say to me right now.

"We're great photographer's and can DO this!".

And in my heart I believe him. I know that my skills as a photographer have gone way beyond even my wildest imagination (and I have a BIG imagination), howsoever that may be....my mind is where the problem lies.

My mind keeps whispering those evil little thoughts of inadequacy.

I know these thoughts are only formations of my own fear of failure and rejection of my artistic expression....however....they are there. For better or worse.

For Better or Worse. I'll be hearing those words on Saturday as Tim and I take pictures of two very dear friends who are trusting us to take pictures of a very important day in their life. I trust Tim wholeheartedly....but do I trust MYSELF?

This is my first wedding. Of course I'm going to be nervous. Of course I'm going to be scared. Of course this is probably causing some of my insomnia. And I hate to say it....but I wish it were Saturday right now...at this very moment. I would be at my friends house, watching some inane comedy, drinking iced tea and smoking. Trying to put this day behind me and just relax. Let the pictures set for a day.

But no...here I sit, Tuesday night at midnight...writing a journal about my own insecurities and bearing witness to all that would see that I am afraid.

But....aren't we all?

Love, Light, Beauty, Joy, and Art to you all!

Amanda

PS: Wish me luck huh?

Insomnia

~AuroraCoda — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 23:56:17 PDT

Tired and Unable to Sleep.

This is my new motto.

I hate my insomnia. I mean, I consider myself lucky that it comes and goes...usually depending on how stressed I am.

But LIFE is about stress and how well you deal with it...and me allowing insomnia to be a part of my life due to my stress just shows how well I am NOT dealing with stress and for that matter life.

In sleep, our dreaming mind works out our issues. If I can't dream, than I am internalizing my problems constantly during the day. Fretting over them. Playing a little game of Catch 22 because if I'm suffering from insomnia than my internalizing isn't working which means that I'm not going to sleep which means I'm not going to dream which means that my problems aren't resolved or accepted which means that I'm A COMPLETE AND UTTER MESS.

Yay for me.

haha

Ok, off to try and sleep again. I actually took a way too long nap when I got home because I was too exhausted from not sleeping and now I'm not tired and my nap wasn't long enough to make up for almost 5 days of little sleep.

Enough. Enough whining. Done now.

Broken Moods

~AuroraCoda — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 19:46:11 PDT

Listening to: Cary Brothers
Reading: Imajica

It's been a long, long week.

An even worse weekend.

I helped my best girl Sarah move this weekend, and wound up squashing her fingers under an entertainment system when we released the damn thing at the wrong time.

Saturday night was actually fantastic. My friend Sam told Sarah and I about the most fantastic resturaunt, it's called Orange Hill and my god....it was the most beautiful place I've been to. Romantic and scenic and full of delights. A true feast for the eyes everywhere you looked. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera but Sam promises a return trip.

We had appetizer's inside and then drinks out on a patio around a fire pit. What a lovely evening.

Sunday, Sam, Sarah and I all headed out to the Queen Mary where Sam taught us the art of getting in for free. You go to the bar. LOL.

I DID remember my camera for sunday (mainly because Sam reminded me) and I'm so glad I did. We were only able to stay for a few hours, but it was an intense experience. I've never been on a ship before, even with my fascination with the Titanic. We plan on going back again this Saturday to spend more time and perhaps take a tour.

I do have some pictures from that day and will post them tonight.

Other than that, it's been a rather emotionally difficult and hard time. I was very much hurt and dissapointed this week, and it came from a corner I never thought possible. I suppose life always hides these little surprises from you, that it likes to spring them on you at the least expected time.

Lamentation...

Another Weekend

~AuroraCoda — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 23:41:53 PDT

Mood: Reflective
Listening to: Abraxas Bridge
Reading: Imajica

Well, another weekend come and gone.

I've been sick with walking pneumonia for a little over three weeks now. Unfortunately, I went to the Dr. too far into it and they didn't want to give me antibiotics. So I'm having to just ride this one out.

Unfortunately, it has also made me weak and tired most of the time, which prevented me from coming on here more often. I promise to catch up with you all very soon, I know my inbox is overflowing and I really need to take a look at everything you have spent so much time and energy on.

I did feel somewhat better this weekend, so I took advantage of that to take out my Boomstick and see what kind of damage I could do.

I hope you all enjoy what I posted this weekend, mostly though, I'm looking forward to going through your gallery's!

Have a great week all!

The Secret Life of Daydreams

~AuroraCoda — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 22:35:33 PDT

Mood: Reflective
Listening to: P&P
Reading: Leaves of Grass

A few friends and I had planned on going to the Santa Monica Pier this weekend. I had never been there and was quite excited, but alas Life had her own ideas and so did my work. I had to work this entire weekend so going to Santa Monica was out of the question.

We did wind up making a trip down to Little Corona Del Mar, which with it's tide pools and abundant life, is one of my favorite places outside of Virginia.

I've always loved the Ocean, even though I didn't grow up near it, it was almost as if I could hear it calling to me. So now I go as often as possible, day or night. Although, I must confess, night is my favorite.

I love the night sky, the constellations watching over me, the canvas of stars, the quiet and solitude. So going to the beach and sitting by the Ocean at night is more than likely one of the most cathartic things I can possibly do.

Now that I have my IPOD, I go and sit on the sand and listen to the water mix with the sound of my music. I feel the wind sweep over me, the smell of salt and things so old that we as humans have forgotten their meaning.....I sit there and I become one with myself. More in tune.

These are my shots from a serene day with good friends and alot of laughter. My next trip will be to the beach at night, just me, my tri-pod and camera and see what the God's allow me to capture.

Comes and Goes

~AuroraCoda — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:18:25 PDT

Mood: Content
Listening to: P&P
Reading: Wicked
Watching: The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Over my long vacation I had a great many good times and hearty laughs. My friends Sam and Tim went with me on a night excursion into the unknown, where we braved streets at 2am on a Monday morning and were nearly killed by a rampaging horde of spiders.

I also took the advice of a friend of mine and bought some music off of Itunes. I found the most lovely, inspired music and wanted to share it with you all.

Normally, I prefer action/horror/drama/comedy movies to actual 'chick flicks' but being a girl I do sometimes get in the mood to torture myself with a real tear jerker. I watched Pride and Prejudice this last weekend, the newest one, which originally I hadn't really liked that much but had bought on principle. After watching it again, I realized that I liked it much more than I had thought and had fallen in love with the soundtrack. It inspires me, drives me, speaks to the hidden recesses of my soul. There is a song for every mood and has the power to transport you into that feeling, to ensnare the senses.

So I recommend the soundtrack is what I'm saying. I listened to it while working on the pictures from our Sunday night trip.

Good travels all!

Vacation Baby!

~AuroraCoda — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 12:31:39 PDT

Mood: Content
Listening to: Muse
Reading: Siddhartha

So I'm at the tail end of a lovely 4 day holiday! YAY for me!

I took two days off from work to just chill and relax this weekend with my friends, take some pictures, write some poetry, eat some grilled BBQ, try and not drown in a friends pool after one too many jello shots and basically just laze about.

I posted some pictures up today of the storm we had...I took them all during the storm...walking around with a big ass umbrella. lol

Hope all is well with everyone.

Peace!

A

Devious Journal Entry

~AuroraCoda — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 22:51:09 PDT

Mood: Content
Listening to: Blondie
Reading: Imajica

I finally got the chance to retake the engagement photo's of my friends Tasha and Jason.

This time...

a) They were not blue
b) They were in focus
c) I did not screw up

I hope you all enjoy the pictures I posted. I'm very happy with them.

Experience

~AuroraCoda — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 20:40:10 PDT

Mood: Content
Listening to: Balance - Abraxas Bridge
Reading: Talisman

Starting off friday morning by going into work late, a long lunch with the boss and getting to leave from work early was only the beginning of an absolute stunning weekend.

I spent Saturday with my good friends Sarah, Sam and Alex at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary and then today I spent 7 hours just working my way through the pictures that I've taken in the past two weeks. So I lay them out before you here.

I also finally got to meet a friend on Saturday who I'd been talking to for a year. An amazing musician, with a voice that resonates with absolute power and depth, Joe is an incredible and complicated individual. Full of life and passion and intellect. He is able to focus all of this into song after song. I was lucky enough to hear some of the new pieces they are working on and found I love this CD even more than the last if that is at all possible.

The moment you have a chance, go to his site and check out the music.

[link] Abraxas Bridge on Myspace

[link] Abraxas Bridge Official Site

Delighted I'm Sure!

~AuroraCoda — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 10:48:34 PDT

Mood: Content
Listening to: Become - Goo Goo Dolls

I had the most amazing weekend. It was the perfect combination of perfection and anxiety, delight and dejection, hot and cold.

Friday, I honestly didnt really do that much, at least not that I can remember. I got home from work, did some chores and laid down for a nap around 8pm (thinking I would sleep about 20 minutes or so) and didnt wake up until nearly 5am. That actually worked out very nicely though. I had several people whom I needed to send responses too (poor souls) and then I had to take my Durango in for an oil change, differential work, tire rotation and fluid/filter check. That took 2 hours of my time and here where the weekend started getting a little spotty.

I had taken a book with me that I had never read before. It was an advanced copy (meaning that it free, the publisher was trying to get a feel for the response of the public). I had gotten it a year ago and forgotten about it, so decided to give it whirl while waiting for Fandango to get her work done.

Now, Im a lover of all things written. I think of my books as my children, as pieces of history, pieces of art expressed through words. I revere books. I adore books.

That being said.let me just tell you, this bookWild Animuswas CRAP! I made it through 4 chapters and half of the last chapter (as I skipped to see if the end was just as horrid as the beginning and I NEVER do that). The book took place in the early 70s, on the Berkley campus and as seen through the eyes of a 21 year old student called Sam. Sam is the quintessential pot smoking, acid dropping, living in his dreams student at the beginning.until he meets Lindy during a tear gas raid of a protest. They immediately fall in love, drop acid together, have sex and then float on the Molten Heart of the earth, seeking higher and higher ground in order to feel free from societys bounds. Ok, thats kinda cool, a little rash, but hey..it was the 70s so I suppose I can dig that. However, in the second chapter, Sam decides to have Lindy move in with himafter two days, alienates all his friends, stops going to school and begins to study a particular breed of wild Rams. He and Lindy have decided that the Ram is the defining factor of freedom, wisdom and enlightenment. They collect bugs and twigs and skins, decorating Sams small cottage with these things and talking in code. They emote, and express themselves through the feelings of this old Ram that is on the cover of a wilderness magazine. They say things like He goes higher and He is one and all kinds of other nonsense. And slowly ALL their dialogue is likes this, weird and intense and supposedly cool for acid dropping pot heads because to talk like this means that they are above it all man. They are dropping the shackles of society. Blah Blah Blah. They eventually leave and run to Washington state where Lindy becomes a waitress to support Sam so that he can change his name to Ransom, learn to mountain climb like a wild Ram, wear the skins of a Ram and talk in more code speak with dropping only half an acid tab to unhinge a bit. I was sitting at a table reading this sewage and I did something that I have never done in my life, when I was called that my car was ready.I closed the book, stood up, and left. I left that book sitting right there on the table. Exposed to the elements and whatever bird poop that came its way.

Then, I went and got my car clean and it was pretty and shiny and I was happy again with the scent of fresh pine needles tingling my nose.

I spent Saturday in Riverside at a friends family BBQ and laughed harder and more than I have for months. I got drunk off a Smirnoff cooler! LOL I ate a polish sausage for the first time! It was a great day, albeit HOT!

That night, the winds of change hit again when I realized that I couldnt find a CD that I wanted to upload into my new IPOD. Its a friends band CD and he made it for me, and signed it for me, and sent it to me scott free and I had LOST it! So now, I have to explain to him that I have dorked it up and ask for another.

Sunday dawned cloudy but the day wound up being gorgeous! I spent it at the Getty, relaxing and enjoying all the art and architecture that that amazing place had to offer. There were several paintings that I just stood or sat in front of and felt the inspiration soaking into my skin, permeating my every limb. What joy! It was a fabulous day, albeit HOT!!!!

And now, here I am, its Monday and time...

Frustrations and Vexations

~AuroraCoda — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 13:57:07 PDT

Mood: Different
Listening to: Apocalypse Please
Watching: Kill Bill

So I know that most of you have noticed my slight absence here on Deviant. I've tried to keep up with the deviations that come my way in the last few weeks, but to be honest, my inspiration lately has flown the coop.

It all started with those Engagement Photo's that I was going to take for friends of mine. Well, we got there, they were gorgeous, the surroundings stunning, my camera working, a new battery and tripod ready to go, and I was tired. I had made myself so nervous, that I hadn't slept well the night before. Either way, I checked my camera, the lens's, the tripod, set the exposure and shutter speed and we were off. The pictures that were showing on my LCD were stunning and I was getting pretty proud of myself....

Until I got home.

I took over 500 pictures that day and wasn't happy with one of them. Want to know why? I forgot to reset my white balance and film speed. Normally not a huge deal, however the last time I had used my camera was indoors, in poor lightly, for people in action. Needless to say, my white balance was on tungsten the whole time and the film speed at between 800 and 1600. How's that for a bowl full of happiness?

Allow me to say that I broke down. I made the biggest mistake of all by showing them to my perfectionist, the truth is best even if it hurts, Ex-Fiance. He liked my composition, said I had a good eye and then spent an hour on how bad the pics were because of this that and the other. I cried again. I called my mom and cried. I call my best friend and proclaimed I was done with photography.

The next day was better, but I had really and truly lost my muse. I lost the desire and inspiration to take any more pictures at that point. I've been in that funk for weeks now.

Well, thankfully my friends are GREAT friends and even though they really liked the pics I did take (and managed to fix on PS) they are willing to spend a day letting me re-take the pics.

Thank.....God.....

Well, since I was so ashamed of myself, I didn't post them here or to my Gallery, but here are two of them. These are the not touched up or worked in PS, so please ...... I already know what I did wrong ...... go easy, k?

BB truly is the King

~AuroraCoda — Sat, 27 May 2006 18:29:31 PDT

Mood: Happy
Listening to: BB King
Watching: X-Men

For years now I have been a fan of greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and BB King. I had always thought I had missed my chances of seeing Ella and Billie preform but maybe...just MAYBE I might be lucky enough to be in the presence of the great BB King.

Thursday night that wish/dream/hope was granted. I went with a couple of guy friends from work. We left at 4pm and got to Cabazon (waaay out in the desert) around 6pm. We stood in line for an hour and a 15 mins and then went inside the crowded club to stand for another 5 hours (we had standing room only tickets). My feat were killing me, I was tired and hot and hungry and would do it all over again to see just 10 minutes of that man play Lucille.

Very often in this life we are graced with the chance to be in the face of genius, of a talent so rare it's often forgotten about. BB King is just such a one.

Thank you for the inspiration BB.

Messed Up DA?

~AuroraCoda — Mon, 22 May 2006 19:44:12 PDT

Listening to: Five For Fighting
Watching: Divine Secrets

Sooo yeah.

While having a very deep and intellectual conversation about Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with Cad-Monkey yesterday, I was also working on a few more pictures that I had taken on the fatefull "Mandy gets fried crispy" weekend.

I think they turned out pretty good. These were all of Zoe and the best part was that they were taken at times when she didn't know I was around. She gets a little self concious when she knows I'm taking her picture, but when she feels more comfortable or has no idea of what's going on....well, she's sheer poetry in motion.

After fixing them up, I started uploading them onto DA but didn't bother to check them. Afterwards I realized that none of the new ones had uploaded properly.

So, I had one left and decided to wait until DA was fixed before submitting it. I have done so now AND fixed the other pictures.

So....please be so kind as to peruse the Zoe pics again.

On another note...I'm happy to say that I have a date this weekend! YAY for me! He's a great guy, a Programmer at my company, smart, funny (really funny) and cute. We have alot in common so we'll see how that goes! Wish me luck! hehe

Here's an off the wall question for you all....(bows to Kaysireth for coming up with it as a topic):

Do you have a nickname for you camera? If so, what is it? I call mine BOOMstick (from Evil Dead...remember?).

My Birthday Wish

~AuroraCoda — Sat, 20 May 2006 18:02:03 PDT

Mood: Worn Out
Listening to: Absolution
Watching: Indiana Jones

YAY

My birthday was on the 18th and I'm proud to report that I spent it either soaking in a cold bath, putting on steriod/antibacterial cream or laying down. YAY for 2nd degree burns and forgetting to put sun block lotion on my chest and feet!

Seriously, I did have a fairly nice birthday. Alot of my friends either called or decorated my desk at work, some posted Happy Birthday's on my Myspace account, other's sent me Email cards (a few sent snail mail!!!). I got presents from my parents and aunt and my ex (can you believe that?).

Actually, my ex was the one designated to help take care of me this past week and I must say he put up with my whining and bullshit rather nicely.

"Do we have any more Ibuprofen?"
"Can I please have some water?"
"It FRIGGEN hurts THAT'S why!!!"
"I'm sooorrrrryyyy, can you please bring me some tissues?"
"Put another movie in ok?"
"Is there anything to eat?"
"Hello? Are you listening to me? I know you can hear me!!!"

Poor guy had finals this week but he was able to study around the time that I slept, which was quite alot. I also helped him by quizing him during my periods of lucidness.

The doctor made me take off most of this week. I went back to work on my birthday (nice gift huh?) wearing bandages on my feet and sandals.

Anyway....I'm feeling a little better now. Atleast I'm not in as much pain, it's all mostly itching and wanting to scratch and not being able to and trying to ignore it and the itching is driving me absolutely MAD I tell YOU! hehe

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

OH! PS!!!!

I'll be taking my friends engagement pictures on Memorial Day (May 29th) so look for those shots that day! Wish me luck!

~Amanda

=My-Art-Club

Burned

~AuroraCoda — Mon, 15 May 2006 16:38:10 PDT

Mood: In Pain
Listening to: Chopin
Watching: Goonies

Ok, just a real quick notation here cause I can't really stand sitting at my desk for too long.

Lesson for the day, if you're fair skinned and haven't been out in the sun for a while, make sure you use LOTS of suntan lotion.

I used it, I put it on my face, my arms, legs and my back. I forgot my chest and the tops of my feet. Now, thanks to that great god Helios, I have second degree burns on my chest and the tops of my feet. Let's not forget the blisters. Lots of them.

So, I'm on pain medication, am home for most of this week and taking tea baths to help with the heat. yay.

Lesson for the day, don't go outside unless your covered from head to toe...literally.

I'll be gone for a few days while I heal. I will make sure to respond to you all as soon as I can. In the meanwhile, thank you so much for the comments I have seen so far. You all know how much I appreciate it.

Have a happy unsunburned day.

=My-Art-Club

Gorgeous Day at the Beach

~AuroraCoda — Mon, 08 May 2006 01:17:49 PDT

Listening to: Five For Fighting
Watching: Breakfast Club

What a great and glorious day at the beach today. Don't ask me to tell you where it was cause all I know is that I drove past Crystal Cove and Laguna, went under a bridge and made a right. hehe

I met my friend Kim and her daughter Zoe there and they were kind enough to let me take picture after picture after picture. Kim knows how frustrated I've been with my portrait work so she volunteered herself and Zoe as my own personal models. How cool is that?

I'll be meeting them again next weekend and I need to do some research on exposure settings for when your at the beach. The ones I took today didn't really turn out too badly, but some were too dark. I know it was because the sun was in the camera's sites and I was taking pictures from that angle...not good, but hey, I got up late and therefore we went late ok?

So next weekend I'm going to see if I can talk them into meeting me down there early with a PROMISE to be ON TIME! haha

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend, what's left of it that is.

Thanks for visiting and have a GREAT week!

=My-Art-Club

Devious Journal Entry

~AuroraCoda — Tue, 02 May 2006 16:28:50 PDT

Listening to: Sting
Watching: Crash

So, I'm not going to write much here, because honestly I'm worn out. Physically and Emotionally.

I work for a large mortgage company in southern California. I work in the IT department as Analyst. The company I work for is much more than a place to go to work, we are all family there. Even though it's huge, we are still all family.

Today, my company, being hit because of the economy, had to lay off more people than I care to mention. Most of them were my close family and friends, people that I've worked with for years. I was one of the few people sparred.

How do you deal with that kind of survivor's guilt? I know it's one day at a time. I know they will find other work. I'm glad I still have a job. It doesn't change the fact that they will be missed in my daily life.

You know, if you think about it.....most of us spend more time with our co-workers than we do our own families.

Well, that's all I have for now. I didn't get a chance to take any pictures this weekend as I had to work. ha. Guess that was a little slice of job security huh?

I hope to go out with my co-workers this weekend. We're all talking about going to the beach, getting drunk, eating hot dogs, playing whatever the boys can come up with and singing until we're all hoarse.

Love to all.

Amanda

I Joined!

~AuroraCoda — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 12:14:25 PDT

Listening to: HP Soundtrack
Reading: Psychology
Watching: King Kong

I finally became a member of DA! I decided to join after a friend of mine at work wanted to buy one of my pictures as a print. I bought the print package and then thought why not just join DA as well? They have offered me so much, friendship, guidance, support....why not support DA?

So now I am an officail member with all the bells and whistles.

I also joined the Unknown Prints club to help get not only my own work more visible but other's as well. Now I can submit my friends picks there, people that I think need more recognition.

I'll be going with a friend of mine to the Los Angeles Arboretum tomorrow for the day so expect to have some shots from that. My wish is that I can use what I've learned here and apply it to my shots tomorrow. I'm interested to see how they will compare to the shots I took at the Huntington Library. To visit or see more about the LA Arboretum, here's the [link]

Well, now that I've spent too much time doing this, I have to run to complete my Psychology homework. Have an excellent day and great weekend all!

PS: I watched King Kong this weekend. Just a note, while the movie is visually stunning and some of the acting is actually quite good, if you have a tender heart....watch this with a box of tissues. I was expecting a good action movie, but found that with the action, I was seeing and feeling the emotions of Kong. Needless to say, I cried at the end. Why does humanity have such a fascination with spectacles such as that? Ah well, that is a debate for another time.

Night Has Arrived

~AuroraCoda — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 01:05:05 PDT

Wow.....

So how long have I been bugging several of you (you know who you are) on how to color change eyes or get night pictures that come out stunning instead of all black or a "something" pic with too much gross smoggy looking yellow's.

That time has come and your patience and training has finally started to make it through my thick skulled brain.

I sat in front of my new computer tonight for 5 hours determined to do something. That got me the new pics of my neices eye (she wanted green eyes) and then after that I was inspired to try the night pics too and viola!

I am not one hundred percent happy with them, but looking back on my other stuff, they are so more improved (gothma666 kept telling me that it would improve and I despared oooohhh how I despared).

Anyway, it's one in the morning and I have to be up for a grueling day at work. (Also, I can't even remember how to spell words I use everyday - a sure sign the brain has shut down temporarily).

Good Night all and thanks for EVERYTHING!!!!

Mandy

I'm an Auntie!! Again!

~AuroraCoda — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 23:34:59 PDT

My Dad and Stepmom came to California from Virginia for a five day stay at one of my stepbrother's house in Coronado (he's a Lt. Col in the Marines) this past weekend. I was able to go down on Saturday afternoon to spend the weekend with them.

A little background may be in order here as without it, this story may get a little confusing.

My father has two children by his first wife, my brother Mark and I. He married my stepmom about 10 years ago and she brought to the family three sons; Troy, Greg (the marine) and David (the youngest and who also lives in San Diego). Troy has two children and lives in MN, Greg has two children (his youngest son was lost in a car accident and they have since adopted the sweetest young girl). David has three children by his first marriage and when he married Brandy she brought two more children to the fold.

So....on with my little tale. My stepmom has always wanted to be there for the birth of one of the grandchildren but never could due to distance/time issues. So this weekend when she came in, and David and the very pregnant Brandy were visiting at my brother Greg's house, she kept whispering to Brandy's belly "Hello there little grandson, don't you want to come out and visit Grandma?".

I suppose he did as Brandy went into labor Sunday morning around 3am and had Kyle at 5:08am. He's such a beautiful little boy and just looking at him reminds me how much I want children (all in due course...of course hehe).

I was also lucky enough to be the official photographer for the weekend. Weak as my skills still are, but I've managed to get some very good shots and am posting them here.

I hope everyone enjoys them! Cheers all!

Sick of being Sick

~AuroraCoda — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 16:16:36 PST

So yeah, uh huh, righto.....

I had all these nifty plans for this past weekend.

I was going to go and take pictures around different areas, like the Brea Park and maybe go to Crystal Cove and possibly up to the Mountains to get in a bit of hiking/picture taking/snowball throwing at anyone who happens to meander too close, buuuuut no!

Nope! Nada! No getting to go for me. No sir. Uh uh, I was fortunate enough to be sick alllllllll day Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and am still sick today! YAY.

I had to take off work Thursday and Friday and pretty much stayed on the couch or in the bathroom most of the whole four days.

Let me tell you, this Flu, whatever is, is the worst I've had in a long time. I ran a fever so high on Friday I was actually considering getting a friend to take me to the emergency room, but thankfully a bath full of cold water and some aspirin brought the fever down and kept it down. (sigh)

So am making tentative plans with a friend to do something this sunday. He'll drive me around so I can reserve my energy (driving in California is considered a form of exercise). Please Please PLEASE let this cold be gone by then. Jeez.

My Parents are also flying in at the end of April for a quick visit with me and my step brothers and I'm excited about that. Even though I just saw them at Christmas, I went for far too long without seeing my Dad and now I want to see him as often as possible. We may all be planning a family vacation in the Bahamas or on a cruise for next summer! The only problem is that I'll be the only single child on this little vacate if things stay the way they are and that sucks let me tell ya:

"Go with Aunty Mandy so Mommy and Daddy can sun bathe/dance/have a quiet dinner/laugh about how crazy Aunty Mandy will be after a few hours with all you!".

I'm thinking of hiring a BF for that little vacation if I don't have one by then!.

Well, I hope you all are staying safe, sane and ILLNESS FREE! Take care and I hope to get something new up sometime soon.

Satisfaction

~AuroraCoda — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 10:32:32 PST

Alrighty, so Ive finally found the time to upload most of the pictures that Ive been meaning to upload for the past 6 months. I have a few left (especially ones for Nanaii) of my friend/ex fiancé Kevin and a few other random pictures Ive taken recently. When Im done Ill be posting those.

Plus, Im really going to try and stay on top of photos I take and upload them as I take them/manipulate them. I plan on going on another excursion this weekend and see what new thing I can find to take pictures of. I plan on going to a park in Brea (my favorite, called Tri City Park) and take some nature shots there. There is the most gorgeous pond there and usually around this time there are Canadian Geese. Not the nicest but I like the way the look. I know for sure that there will be a ton of ducks I can take pictures of so well see what I come up with.

Im also going to try and drive out to a town called Norco and see if I can get some pictures of horse and riders. Norco is a town dedicated to horses, they even have hitching posts at the stores and encourage people to ride horses rather than drive. I love going out there as I miss being around horses.

Im also going to try and stop by the local photographers shop so I can drool/obsess/dream over the new stuff I want. I need to buy a polarizer and look into a macro lense.

Next on my list of things to do is to clean out my crappy computer in the hopes that I can get the memory back up above a respectful amount and then try running my CS again. Im also going to try and install my scanner and see if I can scan in some older stuff. Drawings and things of that nature.

So, with all that being said, thanks to all for being patient in waiting so long for me to post new stuff. Thanks to all who came and commented on my work. Thanks to all for being such inspirational artists!

Have a great day and see ya all soon!

Confusion

~AuroraCoda — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 13:10:42 PST

So, after a long time of being on DeviantArt and not really uploading much of anything, I finally had some serious down time today and took the opportunity to upload about a gazillion photos.

The thing is, after posting for a while, I realized that I had a few new comments which I always look forward to in the hope that someone will give me their take on my work. Maybe help me see something that I could be doing differently. I don't really take my work as being anything other than a beginner. Someone who needs to learn.

Don't get me wrong, there are a few photos that I'm very proud of, but I in no way think myself a photographic genius and don't think I've betrayed myself as such.

But one of these comments, well, it took me by surprise. I don't know whether it's a compliment or not, however I am going to go out on a limb here and say it's not. Someone called me a camwhore. What exactly is that? Let's go look it up.....

Ok, so I went on the Internet and I found the following: Define your word ... nude photos complete with visible sex acts.

I don't seem to have any pictures with that so perhaps the person either doesn't know the real meaning of the word or just likes making snide comments to people he doesn't even know.

Either way, I appreciate critique good and bad, but keep your negative, nasty comments to yourself.

Inspiration Burns!

~AuroraCoda — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 15:49:59 PST

So I finally had the time and the inclination to work in Photoshop last night!

I took some of the stock photos that I had of myself, opened them up with good ole' Elements 2 (cuz I'm poor and can't afford to upgrade my computer so I can run my CS).

I spent about 4 hours playing with everything that I could. At times I was inspired. Other times I was ready to tear my hair out until I learned about the linking tool in the layer's pallette. Most of the time I was confused but curious as well. It was a night just CHOCK full of fun emotions let me tell ya!

So, yeah, here are the photos I've been meaning to put up. Please Please Please just critique the heck outta these! I would love the good, but need the "You should try this" or the "Have you checked out Photoshop for Dummies?".

Anyway, thank you so much for taking the time to look over my newest stuff. Maybe someday I can get someone willing to pose for me and you'll stop seeing so many photos of myself. However, right now I'm my only willing participant so you guys are just gonna have to suck it up!

A sigh for little time

~AuroraCoda — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 14:28:50 PST

So I've got about 100 different pictures that I would like to post on here and just never can seem to find the time. Unfortunately when I do have the time to work on my photography, my computer is unavailable for one reason or another. So very frustrating!

I took some time out this weekend to just drive around to several different places and take pictures of things that I see every day and take for granted in their beauty. At one point, I went to the top of the parking garage at my work to take pictures of the Crystal Cathedral. On my way back down, I noticed the surreal emptiness of the garage itself. I also noticed that it had its own beauty. There were straight lines (the marker lines, the concrete); there were odd shaped shadows (from the fence and the light off the trees from outside the garage) and the cold orange glow of the night lights. I stopped my car and took pictures inside there as well. Some of them turned out really well.

I also took some much needed computer time and tried to learn more about Photoshop. Ive had the program for a year now and never really used it for artistic work other than fixing the color and balance on my photos. Im now more than ever interested in going further, adding layers and textures and reshaping my pictures into something that they were not but had potential to be, mainly because of my constant perusal here on Deviant. So many people here inspire me to BE better, to try harder, and to DO more.

So, Ive decided to dedicate at least an hour each day in trying to organize my pictures in an attempt to have them lined up and decided on to upload to Deviant (I wish there was a tool that would allow multiple uploads). I also hope to work more this weekend with Photoshop and maybe create a piece of art that I wouldnt be ashamed of having on here. Well see.

Hoping that you are all well.

The Birds Have It!

~AuroraCoda — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 10:48:18 PST

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!

This is actually my second year single for Valentines after being in a relationship for 9 years. I must say, that while yes, it can be a little depressing, it can also be wonderful and beautiful.

What I try to remember is that Valentines is a day for Love. It doesn't have to be Romantic Love either. It's just the love you have in you're heart for everyone.

So, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Valentines and many more to come!

And for some Valentine's day fun, here's a new and interesting take on Valentine's Day!

Birds and Love
Europeans also believe that Feb. 14th is the day when birds begin to choose their mates. Chaucer, Shakespeare, and numerous other poets mention the tradition in their work. In accordance with the tradition, it is believed that a young girl will be able to tell what type of man she will marry based upon the first bird that she sees on Valentine's Day. The birds, and their associations, include:

Blackbird : A Clergyman or Priest
Robin Redbreast : Sailor or Nautical man
Goldfinch (or any yellow bird) : A rich man
Sparrow : A farmer or country gentleman
Bluebird : A happy man
Crossbill : An argumentative man
Dove : A good man
Woodpecker : No husband

I live in S. Cally so the only birds we usually see are either Hawks or Crows. I haven't seen a damn one yet today! LOL