tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80330673930016031312024-03-13T09:11:38.482-07:00The Big UglyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger362125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-43624666796951166612017-03-17T07:57:00.001-07:002023-06-29T03:48:40.452-07:00Spring Break (#2)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqkiUIgWlAg/WMvqADphHNI/AAAAAAAAbko/tvUK9zdhOgQIPML9CfdNMgohaI5dND4mgCLcB/s1600/DSC00008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqkiUIgWlAg/WMvqADphHNI/AAAAAAAAbko/tvUK9zdhOgQIPML9CfdNMgohaI5dND4mgCLcB/s640/DSC00008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
(All pics. snapped on 3/11/17 - using a Sony Cybershot and <i>barely</i> edited with iPhoto)<br />
<br />
Soooooo...YEAH! It's been a<i>while</i> (gross understatement) since I posted any new pics. - more than a year to be exact! I killed my camera right around this time last year, and only just got its replacement when my kids brought one down for me at Christmastime...the other problem though, is that my laptop has now also kicked the bucket - so even though I've been <i>able</i> to take new self-snaps, I haven't...since there would be no way for me to upload, edit, and post them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1GPwpBfHHs/WMvp6L5T8ZI/AAAAAAAAbkk/1RlxkSzem20UnBQxtyhzowPDMFzbADhkQCLcB/s1600/DSC00027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1GPwpBfHHs/WMvp6L5T8ZI/AAAAAAAAbkk/1RlxkSzem20UnBQxtyhzowPDMFzbADhkQCLcB/s640/DSC00027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
But, a little ray of sunshine shone down on me the other day when one of my neighbors asked me if I would go out with her and another friend to scout out some cool spots on the island where we could both take some new pictures of ourselves. Naturally, I answered with an enthusiastic, "YES!!!" And so last Saturday, I charged up my newest cheap camera, and set out with my pals to see if we could get anything worthwhile.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dOjpdvtWdU/WMvqOHhiJZI/AAAAAAAAbks/fESL9wknjOge2yOfHYlrmmH0oT_SrwbpACLcB/s1600/DSC00041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dOjpdvtWdU/WMvqOHhiJZI/AAAAAAAAbks/fESL9wknjOge2yOfHYlrmmH0oT_SrwbpACLcB/s640/DSC00041.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
Not gonna lie, I was definitely rusty...my body felt far less agile, flexible, and strong...my poses were entirely unoriginal, I just wasn't feeling as though I was producing anything cutting edge or new. However, the venues in which my girlfriends and I found ourselves, were phenomenal - providing some of the best natural light in which I've ever shot. (I only edited the pics. in this post by doing a teensy bit of cropping, and straightening - chest tout!) Additionally, it felt fully fantastic to finally be darting between camera and pose again - I guess I haven't let myself realize how much I've been missing my former obsession with dash photography.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2xMd71YkGQ/WMvqb3wjVMI/AAAAAAAAbkw/yR3DlGNI_rs9yjyCzT5nocUzXGKZKmh7wCLcB/s1600/DSC00037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2xMd71YkGQ/WMvqb3wjVMI/AAAAAAAAbkw/yR3DlGNI_rs9yjyCzT5nocUzXGKZKmh7wCLcB/s640/DSC00037.JPG" width="432" /></a></div>
<br />
Right, so I came home with a bunch of new self-portraits - YAY! Sadly though, I had no way of dealing with them...awwwwwww. That <i>is</i>, until! My youngest daughter arrived at my house this past Sunday, to spend a week here on Anguilla with me for her spring break...and lo and behold, the child had brought along her laptop - SCORE!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCowXqFN-Ac/WMvrFMjNYkI/AAAAAAAAblE/9w7dTM512AUQ0QzlehOQIlXFSyt7epEzwCLcB/s1600/DSC00049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCowXqFN-Ac/WMvrFMjNYkI/AAAAAAAAblE/9w7dTM512AUQ0QzlehOQIlXFSyt7epEzwCLcB/s640/DSC00049.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
She very sweetly allowed me to upload my new pics. to her laptop, but because we've been basically non-stop action since she and her schoolmate reached - I am only <i>just</i> now finding a spare minute to share some with you - my dear, neglected readers. Who knows when I'll ever be able to post a next, new set - but we'll worry about that later. Right now, I'm just ecstatic to actually have <i>something</i> to post on The Big Ugly!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-397KMF9O9xc/WMvrC6btjbI/AAAAAAAAblA/bKuw4eKc4LUtMnL37Ywx-HJc7dUllwh8wCLcB/s1600/DSC00072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-397KMF9O9xc/WMvrC6btjbI/AAAAAAAAblA/bKuw4eKc4LUtMnL37Ywx-HJc7dUllwh8wCLcB/s640/DSC00072.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And now, if you'll kindly excuse me - there are two little girls here who are eager to get out of this darned shack, so that we can go spend yet another wonderful day of their spring break together here in paradise...<br />
<br />
Hope to see you all again soooooon!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span id="goog_775054379"></span><span id="goog_775054380"></span><br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-14759695683459987402016-02-23T07:58:00.000-08:002016-02-23T08:00:57.692-08:00Jungle Gym<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QX1MbM4FePQ/VsxTfcHEZBI/AAAAAAAAbUw/f_kzWZuDq-A/s1600/IMG_5159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QX1MbM4FePQ/VsxTfcHEZBI/AAAAAAAAbUw/f_kzWZuDq-A/s640/IMG_5159.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(All pics. snapped on 2/22/16, using a Sony Cybershot, and edited with Instagram filters and iPhoto)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, so several of my friends lately have told me that I look like I've "put on a little", or that I've gotten "ticker" (thicker)…and although after ardently expressing my chagrin with such unpleasant news, they tried comforting me by asserting that for <i>me</i>, filling out a bit is definitely a <i>good</i> thing…I'm afraid that I must beg to differ. After all, I am a terribly vain, hyper-self-critical woman, who plasters naked pictures all over the derned internet - the last thing in this world I want to do is to get to a point where I feel embarrassed about the way that I look in my pics.. I have to admit though, even before my friends remarked on my newly softened edges, I'd already noticed that my tummy <i>has</i> become noticeably pudgier, additionally I'm showing early signs of growing a dreaded spare tire, and my upper thighs and hips have definitely taken on a much curvier shape than I care to acknowledge (ugh). My booty, oddly enough - is still as deflated and droopy as ever, go figure.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_0j3rY6ej8/VsxjMkgxp0I/AAAAAAAAbYk/h-VkZO92ePo/s1600/IMG_5166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_0j3rY6ej8/VsxjMkgxp0I/AAAAAAAAbYk/h-VkZO92ePo/s640/IMG_5166.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
So anyway, what does all of this mean? Welp, I think it's time that I face the brutal reality that I've finally reached an age (forty fuckin' seven, goddamnit) where I can't get away with simply keeping my food (carb) intake at a modicum in order to try and stay thin…looks like I'm gonna havta come up with some sort of regular exercise regimen (dag).<br />
<br />
I'm perennially short on cash these days, so I'm reluctant to spend what little I have on a gym membership. That being said, dipping into my grocery fund in order to sign up at a gym might well be money more wisely spent…<br />
<br />
I decided that yesterday was <i>not</i> gonna be a day for rash spending, however. And so instead of blowing money that I don't really have at a fitness facility - I busted my flabby ass by taking a heap of self-portraits in the bush, without spending even one precious dime.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rs-TxO5m9o/Vsxp7JtfsUI/AAAAAAAAbZs/Lp0XKF5vs2c/s1600/IMG_5181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rs-TxO5m9o/Vsxp7JtfsUI/AAAAAAAAbZs/Lp0XKF5vs2c/s640/IMG_5181.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By the time I finally got home, fed (only allowed myself to have a tin of sausages mashed up with mayonnaise), and bathed - I was plum tuckered out. (Those tree swinging pics. kicked my <i>butt</i>! <i>And</i> ripped gaping, weeping holes into the palms of my hands. Yuck.) I was too tired to even do much with the day's pics. - which was actually fine, because I was just so happy to be exhausted from honest to goodness physical exertion for the first time in recent memory.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-6009916314556080082016-02-20T03:12:00.000-08:002016-02-20T03:14:22.836-08:00The Empress' New Clothes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d88ukVBxk-0/VshBug_HoQI/AAAAAAAAbUU/n99IAJOdwlk/s1600/IMG_4967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d88ukVBxk-0/VshBug_HoQI/AAAAAAAAbUU/n99IAJOdwlk/s640/IMG_4967.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(All pics. snapped on 2/19/16, using a Sony Cybershot, and edited with Instagram filters)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0gxZ5TMZJM/VsfdkObEP0I/AAAAAAAAbT4/XvWOBiQCPho/s1600/IMG_4969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0gxZ5TMZJM/VsfdkObEP0I/AAAAAAAAbT4/XvWOBiQCPho/s640/IMG_4969.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My tan lines got so intense this week, once I went out believing that I was wearing a white bikini...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2iwBpmARfo/VsfdXbgRBvI/AAAAAAAAbTs/LA68OKXuYzs/s1600/IMG_4965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2iwBpmARfo/VsfdXbgRBvI/AAAAAAAAbTs/LA68OKXuYzs/s640/IMG_4965.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
…it didn't take me long though, to realize I wasn't.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
:)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-49183724266246138752016-02-11T10:39:00.001-08:002016-02-11T10:39:59.933-08:00Caught...Between a Rock and a Hard Place<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6L4xk9AxEw/VrzCIx0lSoI/AAAAAAAAbS8/DeVnxGT1-0g/s1600/IMG_4730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6L4xk9AxEw/VrzCIx0lSoI/AAAAAAAAbS8/DeVnxGT1-0g/s640/IMG_4730.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k11ahNGqXt8/VrzB_bnaEhI/AAAAAAAAbS4/DEpJd6-cbqw/s1600/IMG_4729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k11ahNGqXt8/VrzB_bnaEhI/AAAAAAAAbS4/DEpJd6-cbqw/s640/IMG_4729.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8YCpcSkFiE/VrzBjT8LapI/AAAAAAAAbSk/y1w1F1QhXdU/s1600/IMG_4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8YCpcSkFiE/VrzBjT8LapI/AAAAAAAAbSk/y1w1F1QhXdU/s640/IMG_4711.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4lHEUSVJEZI/VrzBjveHTHI/AAAAAAAAbSo/t8Wb0ZoyOrg/s1600/IMG_4713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4lHEUSVJEZI/VrzBjveHTHI/AAAAAAAAbSo/t8Wb0ZoyOrg/s640/IMG_4713.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qWqcogWO_U/VrzB7F7NtaI/AAAAAAAAbS0/0JFw3mzv4Kg/s1600/IMG_4728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qWqcogWO_U/VrzB7F7NtaI/AAAAAAAAbS0/0JFw3mzv4Kg/s640/IMG_4728.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(All pics. snapped on 2/10/16, using a Sony Cybershot, and edited with Instagram filters)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not a bad place to spend the afternoon shooting, eh? (Well, except for the fact that I did shred certain parts of my body while scurrying in and out of, and up onto and down from - all of those rough and jagged rocks). All of the fun ended abruptly however, when after having taken about 1 1/2 hours worth of pics., I looked up to see someone standing on the high rock above me - watching me with a confused look on his face…he asked, "What are you doing?" "Taking pictures", I replied. The expression on his face did not change…at all. He was still clearly very perplexed...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not sure just <i>how</i> long the dude had been witnessing my antics, but the instant that <i>I</i> noticed <i>him</i> - I threw on my coverup, gathered my gear, and hurriedly skedaddled on outta there. <i>Lord</i> does that sort of thing freak me out...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-67025690679703336692016-01-26T17:28:00.000-08:002016-01-26T22:06:42.417-08:00Please Do Not Disturb<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07Xen_QN9JA/VqgQlD-JjmI/AAAAAAAAbSA/npDyxNqty3Y/s1600/IMG_4182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07Xen_QN9JA/VqgQlD-JjmI/AAAAAAAAbSA/npDyxNqty3Y/s640/IMG_4182.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(All pics. snapped on 1/26/16, using a Sony Cybershot, and edited with Instagram filters)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I discovered this abandoned villa a couple of weeks ago, and the very <i>instant</i> that I laid eyes on it - I knew that I'd found the venue in which I would stage my next set of selfpics. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went back over there today, with the intention of leisurely snapping photo after photo, until all of my camera batteries were spent - having arrived at the location mistakenly believing that I couldn't possibly be interrupted by a single living soul. I mean, it's not exactly like it's hidden away or anything, but it's more that there's so much other, <i>better</i> stuff nearby - that I just couldn't picture anyone suddenly paying any attention to the dissolving structure, making it that much easier for me to get comfortable with the afternoon's plan of indulging my artistic impulses by shooting a <i>heap</i> of nude self-portraits.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM8FDiBqC3s/VqgQgqhOQ8I/AAAAAAAAbRw/MVjoNQm5Hss/s1600/IMG_4183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM8FDiBqC3s/VqgQgqhOQ8I/AAAAAAAAbRw/MVjoNQm5Hss/s640/IMG_4183.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That was not to be the case though, unfortunately…while in about the 7th second of the 4th picture that I snapped on top of the ledge seen above (I was actually standing up and looking through the hole in the roof), I saw a man walking down a path that went along one side of the villa…and I was pretty flippin' sure that <i>he</i> saw me <i>too</i>. I jumped down in a quick, and put on my jeans and t-shirt, and waited for him to come up inside the building. Luckily, he never did. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once my jitters had died down, I snapped a couple more pics. in the groovy 70's(?) era bathroom, but then decided it might be best if I moved to another area to shoot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6FaZx7TaZJ8/VqgQgmkRKqI/AAAAAAAAbR0/dcv7z0QcqLA/s1600/IMG_4179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6FaZx7TaZJ8/VqgQgmkRKqI/AAAAAAAAbR0/dcv7z0QcqLA/s640/IMG_4179.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The light pouring into this hallway was superb, so I wasn't all that upset about having to change my focus from shooting in the bathroom - to the villa's entrance…that was until (just after the shutter clicked on this ^, the very first frame) I was dive-bombed by a swarm of jack spaniards, and subsequently stung on my ear lobe, my jaw, and my elbow. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was like, "Oh, hell no - fuck <i>that</i> shit!" Those suckers are <i><b>hate</b></i>ful - <i>and</i> I was NAKED!!! So, after only 16 minutes of shooting, and a paltry 15 frames (two of which were test shots taken in my street clothes) - I was outta there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The End</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-9730306706983316592016-01-07T18:33:00.000-08:002016-01-07T18:36:02.687-08:00Revenge of the Jumbees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAbENZXlqBs/Vo71d-NiMOI/AAAAAAAAbGA/pBAKzr4h0Uo/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAbENZXlqBs/Vo71d-NiMOI/AAAAAAAAbGA/pBAKzr4h0Uo/s640/IMG_3413.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDUx-TZJIes/Vo71WI4WlXI/AAAAAAAAbFw/S9I9om3Xkus/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDUx-TZJIes/Vo71WI4WlXI/AAAAAAAAbFw/S9I9om3Xkus/s640/IMG_3414.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Both pics. snapped on 1/07/16, using a Sony Cybershot and Instagram filters)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went into this shoot (inside of the shipwreck, Pamead) with the (what I considered to be realistic) expectation of snapping at least 100 - 125 images…unfortunately however - that was not to be the case.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After firing off only a coupla frames, my trusty little Cybershot began to freak out - strange settings screens kept popping up on their own, and then they'd switch suddenly to other screens that I'd never even <i>seen</i> before. I kept turning the camera off and on again, in the hopes that I might be able to set the timer for the next shot - and that did work for a short little while…but once I'd captured the 18th frame, the camera went completely haywire, and so I had no choice but to call it quits.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I had to come up with an explanation for <i>why</i> the funny glitch with my camera, I would havta say that I think there may have been spirits inside of that shipwreck that didn't want me in there…I know many of y'all out there are probably shaking your heads, and sucking your teeth - because to you such a thing may sound utterly absurd…but that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This wasn't the <i>first</i> time that something like this has happened to me while I was staging self-portraits in a (possibly haunted?) abandoned place however…to read about the venue that sticks out in my mind the most, please click <a href="http://www.biguglypix.com/2011/09/hauntingly-familiar.html?zx=1702524ab00861ef">here</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm definitely not giving up on someday padding my portfolio with more self-shots made inside of this exquisite disaster piece…I am determined to try and fulfill my goal of capturing at <i>least</i> 82 more self-portraits inside of the Pamead…jumbees, or not.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-73456532105311418152015-12-31T15:14:00.002-08:002015-12-31T18:45:00.961-08:00Spelunker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRjAYkoL0HE/VoWTFjTs01I/AAAAAAAAbD8/6vvwibbidhI/s1600/DSC05071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRjAYkoL0HE/VoWTFjTs01I/AAAAAAAAbD8/6vvwibbidhI/s640/DSC05071.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Found a seabird skeleton in this cave…thought that was pretty neat. I would've carried it back home with me, but it fell apart after shooting with it as a prop for only like 6 frames…blap.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tvgi66eyVyI/VoWrhT-k0nI/AAAAAAAAbFc/hAgdY7TeLUk/s1600/Mail%2BAttachment.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tvgi66eyVyI/VoWrhT-k0nI/AAAAAAAAbFc/hAgdY7TeLUk/s640/Mail%2BAttachment.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7rILbugmyBM/VoWTvZowgxI/AAAAAAAAbEU/3xvFOvmSFhg/s1600/DSC05109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7rILbugmyBM/VoWTvZowgxI/AAAAAAAAbEU/3xvFOvmSFhg/s640/DSC05109.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmctoowIlCE/VoWUCdKReaI/AAAAAAAAbEg/MhCPVEG_vdU/s1600/DSC05135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmctoowIlCE/VoWUCdKReaI/AAAAAAAAbEg/MhCPVEG_vdU/s640/DSC05135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(All pics. snapped on 12/31/15 - using a Sony Cybershot)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My laptop has been acting seriously dumb lately, and one of the things that makes it spaz - is whenever I try to edit my pics. on iPhoto…and because of that, this entire group of photos is unedited, so there ya' go.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even though I've been to this bay a thousand times before, it wasn't until last week when my kids were here with me for Christmastime, that I went inside of the cave that's tucked into the cliff on the north side - for the first time...and I was positively <i>awe</i>struck by its beauty and delicious natural light! I was however utterly disgusted with myself, because like the dumbass that I can be sometimes, I'd forgotten to bring my GoPro with me. I vowed to come back to try and capture its beauty another day…and the more I thought about it, the more I became fixated with the idea of staging a self-portrait shoot there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So. After much hesitation and procrastination, I finally mustered up enough determination to make <i>today </i>the day that this shoot would happen. I packed my shitty little camera inside of six sealed ziploc bags, rode my motorbike over to the lookout, wended my way down the track that leads to the sea, jumped in, and then swam across Little Bay - carrying the makeshift waterproof camera-bag as much over my head as I could keep it for such a long distance. I carefully climbed out of the water - trying to avoid stepping on a dreaded sea shooter (or multiple), scuttled up into the cave, set up my camera on its companion Gorillapod, and let myself get completely lost in my work, <i>and</i> this remarkable venue.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Was truly a magical way to end the year…</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Old Year's Night to YOU - my wonderful readers! I love you all madly, and wish you all the best in 2016!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-459902050421024792015-12-18T09:28:00.000-08:002015-12-18T09:30:52.710-08:00Just What the Doctor Ordered<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_2eR4fvBxk/VnQwzvrbkUI/AAAAAAAAbDA/Sa3jzoA3BJc/s1600/DSC05065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_2eR4fvBxk/VnQwzvrbkUI/AAAAAAAAbDA/Sa3jzoA3BJc/s640/DSC05065.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(I began this shoot feeling basically like this ^...)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQNaln7CMBY/VnQwFoLoPUI/AAAAAAAAbCo/Ym_F3jZafEo/s1600/DSC04970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQNaln7CMBY/VnQwFoLoPUI/AAAAAAAAbCo/Ym_F3jZafEo/s640/DSC04970.jpg" width="564" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvDe5uUrOcs/VnQwj7T-_pI/AAAAAAAAbCw/5soqjHs7CPA/s1600/DSC04983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvDe5uUrOcs/VnQwj7T-_pI/AAAAAAAAbCw/5soqjHs7CPA/s640/DSC04983.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFHWArPZU-Y/VnQwykHPgJI/AAAAAAAAbC4/A8qWy4V2ClE/s1600/DSC05010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFHWArPZU-Y/VnQwykHPgJI/AAAAAAAAbC4/A8qWy4V2ClE/s640/DSC05010.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMvQcgHIJEE/VnQ0QKptEwI/AAAAAAAAbDU/8XNYOWbKxts/s1600/DSC05040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMvQcgHIJEE/VnQ0QKptEwI/AAAAAAAAbDU/8XNYOWbKxts/s640/DSC05040.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(…but by the time I was finished? I felt much more like this…thaaaaaank <i>good</i>ness)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(All pics. snapped on 12/17/15 - using a Sony Cybershot and edited on iPhoto)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Some people in this world really are just so wicked…yes, even people here on this warm, friendly island (well, at least one for sure that I know of) .<br />
<br />
Back when I was living in The States, I became quite adept at shrugging off the negative remarks that folks regularly made about me, and my blogs…remarks that usually only made it to my ears as secondhand information, as most of the people who had such huge problems with my art, and the unorthodox way that I lived my life - were too chickenshit to share their negative opinions <i>of</i> me, <i><b>with</b></i> me directly. For whatever reason though, no matter how scathing, I was always able to let the rhetoric roll right off of the thick skin on my back…those naysayers didn't matter to me, see? So neither did their derisive remarks.<br />
<br />
Long story short, it's just not my nature to give a shit about what people say, or think about me. So this week, when someone here on Anguilla said something directly to me - something that I found to be so mean-spirited, humiliating, and cruel - I was startled by how badly it upset me…like it honestly made me sick to my stomach.<br />
<br />
I couldn't seem to manage to shake off the initial sting of his biting sentiments…matter of fact, the more time that passed, the worse I felt about the whole thing, it sucked pretty bad. But then I thought back to all of those times in the past, when financial woes, or boyfriend troubles, or whatever - got me feeling similarly supremely low…and how sometimes the only way for me snap out of my chagrin - was to go out and stage some new self-portraits. And more times than not, doing so <i>did</i> cheer me up.<br />
<br />
So. Yesterday, I decided that maybe I should implement that same strategy, in order to (hopefully) lift my spirits a bit.<br />
<br />
I left the secluded, somewhat secret spot seen in the selfpics above, feeling about a million times better than I did when I first got there. And I'm happy to say that I'm (mostly) done fretting over the troubling verbal exchange between me and the wicked scunt.<br />
<br />
Before he so quickly switched from being sweet, charming, and polite - to rude, hateful, and mean - he noted that I hadn't posted any new pics. on the blog in a long time…Well? Here ya' go…a new brand set of self-portraits, and a story all about <i><b>you</b></i> to go along. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(P.S. Don't kid yourself, you actually <i>are</i> mean…like, REALLY, <b>REALLY</b> mean)<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-35021937876640361222015-11-23T18:01:00.003-08:002015-11-23T18:29:25.187-08:00What You See, Is What I Got<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byKwW8cb2zo/VlOElKf9c1I/AAAAAAAAbB0/tqmF4VTJq1k/s1600/DSC04859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byKwW8cb2zo/VlOElKf9c1I/AAAAAAAAbB0/tqmF4VTJq1k/s640/DSC04859.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPPLs0V7Ep0/VlOEjw4RTkI/AAAAAAAAbBw/XkyTnB_m0zk/s1600/DSC04882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPPLs0V7Ep0/VlOEjw4RTkI/AAAAAAAAbBw/XkyTnB_m0zk/s640/DSC04882.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETRLCWKV45I/VlOFNhxeJQI/AAAAAAAAbCM/1h94NgrjSiQ/s1600/DSC04889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETRLCWKV45I/VlOFNhxeJQI/AAAAAAAAbCM/1h94NgrjSiQ/s640/DSC04889.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Some seriously bunged-up feet with so many broken toes. Ew.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4f5Lm28HrN0/VlOFM5K_OsI/AAAAAAAAbCI/EJvyTF3WLu4/s1600/DSC04927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4f5Lm28HrN0/VlOFM5K_OsI/AAAAAAAAbCI/EJvyTF3WLu4/s640/DSC04927.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(All pics. snapped on 11/23/15)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Haven't tended to "The Big Ugly" for a good little while, sorry 'bout that…I'm here now though, so hopefully we're all square? K, good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, I'll excuse my absence by blaming it on my couple (or three?)-months-long renewed love of baking, plus some other interference that's prolly not worth mentioning…today however, I woke up to the disquieting realization that because I am currently without trans (my motorbike won't start), and with only a few measly dollars to my name - I haven't the means with which to get my bike fixed, nor do much <i>else</i> for that matter - like buy the ingredients that I need in order to be able to make more sweets. But despite the fact that lately I've been effectively convincing myself that this whole multi-years-long fascination, fixation, obsession (whatever you wanna call it) that I've had with self-portraiture, is borderline pointless - for some odd reason, <i>today</i>, like on <i><b>this…particular...day</b> </i>- I couldn't think of any better way to while away the daylight hours, than by going out on foot, with my humble assemblage of shitty camera gear on my back, in search of a place to shoot some selfpics….</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The footprint of the house in which these pics. were snapped, is minuscule. But it's tininess has become even more diminished by the vegetation that has grown up and in through the floors, doors and windows…and so I felt somewhat limited in my options for finding much creative diversity within this shoot (plus, being as morbidly afraid of stepping on a centipede in these types of environments as I am, kind of squelches my adventurous nature) - again, my sincerest apologies. What <i>was</i> cool about the resultant images though, was that after having uploaded the pics., and then scrutinizing them (per my usual), I realized that the photos needed very little editing (like <i>none </i>actually, in my opinion)<i>…</i>and for the first time ever in the history of "The Big Ugly", I was perfectly content to post photos on here, that hadn't been tampered with at <i>all…</i>and I have to admit, there's something about that that made me feel uncharacteristically proud…so if nothing else, at least I have <i>that</i> going for me right now. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-46682965393460558552015-08-30T15:42:00.000-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.917-08:00Sunday Stroll<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rUAQhPnvaiw/VeN_tdgbMfI/AAAAAAAAbAg/iiOV71rPwtE/s1600/DSC04802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rUAQhPnvaiw/VeN_tdgbMfI/AAAAAAAAbAg/iiOV71rPwtE/s640/DSC04802.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXH3PXZ7jmc/VeN_tobwJ_I/AAAAAAAAbAk/O8ZrPehNbuk/s1600/DSC04814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXH3PXZ7jmc/VeN_tobwJ_I/AAAAAAAAbAk/O8ZrPehNbuk/s640/DSC04814.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVFfpBmdEq4/VeOAqyHA8YI/AAAAAAAAbA8/SCbTRlSasFc/s1600/DSC04848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVFfpBmdEq4/VeOAqyHA8YI/AAAAAAAAbA8/SCbTRlSasFc/s640/DSC04848.jpg" width="514" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 8/30/15)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a positively <i>lovely</i> time this morning, snappin' self-portraits intermittently, while wending my way down the track that leads to one of my favorite spots on this island...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-11335949856768596392015-08-22T17:32:00.002-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.857-08:00That's a Wrap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJcNPP-JUWA/VdkMfzdC1yI/AAAAAAAAa_A/smn4Us4w4bM/s1600/DSC04678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJcNPP-JUWA/VdkMfzdC1yI/AAAAAAAAa_A/smn4Us4w4bM/s640/DSC04678.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oaECs4h1ZiE/VdkMqD7FSHI/AAAAAAAAa_Q/j4DA2q-cg5k/s1600/DSC04690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oaECs4h1ZiE/VdkMqD7FSHI/AAAAAAAAa_Q/j4DA2q-cg5k/s640/DSC04690.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QO6Z3Sfhc5k/VdkMgYlO_6I/AAAAAAAAa_I/aE3p7TC63Bs/s1600/DSC04765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QO6Z3Sfhc5k/VdkMgYlO_6I/AAAAAAAAa_I/aE3p7TC63Bs/s640/DSC04765.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 8/22/15)<br />
<br />
So after looking online for what felt like freaking <i>evah</i> - I <i><b>finally</b></i> found a company who can print my Anguilla images on lightweight cotton voile sarongs, and when my kids came down to visit me last week, they brought me the three prototypes that I ordered and had shipped to their dad's office a few weeks ago. Personally? I think they look fantastic!<br />
<br />
I posted a few different images of these same three wraps on my Facebook page (Lauralyn Brickhouse), and also on my Instagram (@thebigugly)…in the event that you may be interested in seeing other snaps of 'em.<br />
<br />
If you think you might like to have one, please contact me at: brickhouse333@gmail.com - I'll give you all of the details about which images are available, and answer whatever other questions you may have about purchasing one...or <i>more</i> :)<br />
<br />
Muchas Gracias!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-86171287270784623672015-08-12T16:46:00.000-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.940-08:00I "Shutter" to Think...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
…that it's been nearly two. whole. <i>weeks</i> since I staged any new self-portraits...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89-OYuHSVZA/VcvNAjp_BLI/AAAAAAAAa5s/K385A7Fb9zo/s1600/DSC04617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89-OYuHSVZA/VcvNAjp_BLI/AAAAAAAAa5s/K385A7Fb9zo/s640/DSC04617.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dELsM3FSxvI/VcvNBNuazXI/AAAAAAAAa5w/sl-ZfSSlla8/s1600/DSC04627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dELsM3FSxvI/VcvNBNuazXI/AAAAAAAAa5w/sl-ZfSSlla8/s640/DSC04627.jpg" width="562" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iP-45M2_mqs/VcvM-vgEeGI/AAAAAAAAa5k/xUTo2uTz9dk/s1600/DSC04641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iP-45M2_mqs/VcvM-vgEeGI/AAAAAAAAa5k/xUTo2uTz9dk/s640/DSC04641.jpg" width="416" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 8/12/15)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
…but the thing is - last week marked the climax of Carnival, here on Anguilla - and it was sheer mayhem for days (<i>and</i> nights) on end, as usual (not really my thing, to be perfectly honest about it…could it be that I'm getting too <i>old</i> for such highly concentrated and prolonged partyin'? Indeed.) The good news for an anti-socialite like myself however, is that there were sailboat races on 6 out of 8 days during this year's summer festival, plus <i>loads</i> of work to do to get Satellite (the boat on which I've been crew for just over a year now) all set and ready for the very first race and beyond - and then broken back down again, out of the water, and up to her resting spot under the gigantic mahogany tree up here in North Hill (a <i>hell</i> of a lot of work goes into the Anguillian racing boats, y'all probably have no earthly clue). The bad news though, was that I was so busy with the Satellite, that it never even crossed my mind to tackle a new set of selfpics.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Carnival and sailboat racing season are both now over until next year though, so it would stand to reason that there oughtta be enough of a lull in my island activities, to allow me to spend some quality time planning and executing new self-portrait shoots, correct? Not so. For the last two days, I've been deep cleaning my house, while simultaneously trying to sort out an ongoing plumbing problem, and also making numerous trips to the grocery on my motorbike (I can only carry so much at one time) - all of which is in preparation for the arrival of three of my precious children to Anguilla tomorrow afternoon! <b>HOORAY</b>!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The little darlings will be staying here for one week, which (I predict) will seriously impede my ability to squeeze in any quality self-portrait time. This never crossed my mind until late this afternoon, and when it did - I kinda panicked. I thought, "If I don't take some new pics <i>right this instant</i> - three weeks will have passed before I'll have been able to update The Big Ugly". That no bueno.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did nothing to my appearance (I almost never bother with all of the elaborate stage make-up that I so heavily applied, and relied on when I was shooting back in The States), I chose a spot that was super close to home, and once there - I literally spent only about 40 minutes snapping the handful of pics. from which the three seen above were plucked. It was definitely a rush job, but at least I have <i>something</i> to offer…something that will <i>hopefully</i> carry you guys through until I can get my head (and my body) back in the game.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-6373178815791265482015-07-31T11:51:00.001-07:002023-08-04T19:01:23.150-07:00Slashed and Burned<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pksi6BjbJg/Vbu7WUcq0aI/AAAAAAAAa00/0_MM6mOvudI/s1600/DSC04547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pksi6BjbJg/Vbu7WUcq0aI/AAAAAAAAa00/0_MM6mOvudI/s640/DSC04547.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8PmS8V4xk70/Vbu7Y5Tt8EI/AAAAAAAAa1A/I-Co5f1NgGg/s1600/DSC04584.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8PmS8V4xk70/Vbu7Y5Tt8EI/AAAAAAAAa1A/I-Co5f1NgGg/s640/DSC04584.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ypsFmfsaYWA/Vbu7WHXsdNI/AAAAAAAAa0w/Rqiseicnzho/s1600/DSC04604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ypsFmfsaYWA/Vbu7WHXsdNI/AAAAAAAAa0w/Rqiseicnzho/s640/DSC04604.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 7/31/15 - using a Sony Cybershot, and then edited on iPhoto)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well <i>this</i> sure was a fun one! And I really do <i>mean</i> that - I absolutely <i><b>loved</b></i> finally doing this shoot, after trying to psyche myself into it over the last a couple of weeks. And miraculously, I barely even hurt myself while stomping through, and rolling around in the ash, and broken ceramic tiles, and nails, and good knows what else - I only ended up with one deep slice on the top of my left foot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The government water is flowing <i>nicely</i> today too, so after I got back home - I was <i>so</i> stoked to have been able to shower all of the black char and sweat off of my filthy, disgusting body, and out of my brutally teased, nasty rat's nest hair! (Too bad that I clogged the damn shower drain in the process…)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Been a great day already…but now, if you'll kindly excuse me - think I'll go down to the beach and see if I can find even <i>more</i> fun to get into. Happy Friday, everyone!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-2488849636244765812015-07-29T08:30:00.000-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.883-08:00Through the Looking Glass<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCujzCfA_sk/VbjkKu_EnwI/AAAAAAAAayo/WROS-l9zHQw/s1600/DSC04507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCujzCfA_sk/VbjkKu_EnwI/AAAAAAAAayo/WROS-l9zHQw/s640/DSC04507.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DpJjfev3_14/VbjlGDeGcQI/AAAAAAAAayw/cGcWwI59iNg/s1600/DSC04518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DpJjfev3_14/VbjlGDeGcQI/AAAAAAAAayw/cGcWwI59iNg/s640/DSC04518.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 7/28/15 - using a Sony Cybershot, and then edited on iPhoto) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-78663089327632768862015-07-28T11:49:00.000-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.930-08:00Goin' Out on a Limb Here<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6pQ-XLcIxsk/VbfNEPT1EBI/AAAAAAAAax8/9uHG19r8_W4/s1600/DSC04455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6pQ-XLcIxsk/VbfNEPT1EBI/AAAAAAAAax8/9uHG19r8_W4/s640/DSC04455.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MKZgB3Q6A_c/VbgPTSa8AAI/AAAAAAAAayU/_XKhhwixgro/s1600/DSC04468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MKZgB3Q6A_c/VbgPTSa8AAI/AAAAAAAAayU/_XKhhwixgro/s640/DSC04468.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFCCaj0kxZM/VbfNFKpkGgI/AAAAAAAAayE/UUObMc8MFKg/s1600/DSC04464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFCCaj0kxZM/VbfNFKpkGgI/AAAAAAAAayE/UUObMc8MFKg/s640/DSC04464.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 7/28/15 - using a Sony Cybershot, and edited on iPhoto)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
#betterthanaplayground</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-30410495513390175482015-07-24T07:27:00.001-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.888-08:00All Washed Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oakuZU97xCc/VbJJX2BZFgI/AAAAAAAAap8/wdSMMkdxGjw/s1600/DSC04402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oakuZU97xCc/VbJJX2BZFgI/AAAAAAAAap8/wdSMMkdxGjw/s640/DSC04402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 7/22/15, on Sandy Island, Anguilla, BWI - using a Sony Cybershot, and edited on iPhoto)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's one from a different set of self-portraits that I staged the other day on Sandy Island…</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-79927164768682138312015-07-23T05:02:00.000-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.935-08:00Brown Bikini Diaries - "The Birds"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2V7Ovo9jkkc/VbCZRQkah0I/AAAAAAAAaoM/BEPjnK3hSak/s1600/DSC04425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2V7Ovo9jkkc/VbCZRQkah0I/AAAAAAAAaoM/BEPjnK3hSak/s640/DSC04425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
(Snapped on 7/22/15, on Snady Island, Anguilla, BWI - using a Sony Cybershot and edited on iPhoto)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Obviously there are times <i>when</i>, and places <i>where</i> - posing for self-portraits in the nude simply can't work…and since I have almost no costume collection at all here on Anguilla, I've decided to make my teeny tiny brown bikini a fall back ensemble of sorts. I shall wear it not always, but in certain situations when other people are around during my shoots. Hope everyone's cool with that :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thank You <i>sooooooooo</i> very much to the wonderful folks who work on Sandy Island - You Guys are so helpful and generous - I just love you all to pieces for your kindness!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
#seabirds #sandyisland #anguilla #brownbikinidiaries<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-24527509284196224892015-07-15T18:13:00.000-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.878-08:00Up Against the Wall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsVv95cBsTw/Vab6FLCTCUI/AAAAAAAAajU/hHI76iGjSwI/s1600/DSC04329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsVv95cBsTw/Vab6FLCTCUI/AAAAAAAAajU/hHI76iGjSwI/s640/DSC04329.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLPmnDMe-s8/Vab6s9bSZnI/AAAAAAAAajs/wOiT4tvgcZ0/s1600/DSC04340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLPmnDMe-s8/Vab6s9bSZnI/AAAAAAAAajs/wOiT4tvgcZ0/s640/DSC04340.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDK6qvXx01E/VacEOMUuuII/AAAAAAAAakU/WV6rvd_rQ6M/s1600/DSC04349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDK6qvXx01E/VacEOMUuuII/AAAAAAAAakU/WV6rvd_rQ6M/s640/DSC04349.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsLjgYUzoro/Vab6ywCaJPI/AAAAAAAAaj0/RdBBnQ0XlSQ/s1600/DSC04374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsLjgYUzoro/Vab6ywCaJPI/AAAAAAAAaj0/RdBBnQ0XlSQ/s640/DSC04374.jpg" width="506" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 7/15/15 - using a Sony Cybershot, and then edited with iPhoto)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
#skulkin<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-22928850993189647972015-07-10T19:25:00.001-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.872-08:00Brown Bikini Diaries - "Welcome to Paradise"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pu3xCqV07Zc/VZ8gB7JqnMI/AAAAAAAAaXU/x3U0klgxm0o/s1600/DSC04275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pu3xCqV07Zc/VZ8gB7JqnMI/AAAAAAAAaXU/x3U0klgxm0o/s640/DSC04275.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(All pics. snapped on 7/07/15 - using a Sony Cybershot and edited on iPhoto)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today marks the one year anniversary of when I came to Anguilla last summer with a plan: to stay on island (for just over a month), in order to try and determine if it might be possible for me to live here long term. After crashing at The Anguilla Great House for the first six days of what turned out to be a phenomenal extended vacation, I moved into and began renting a small, frame house in my most <i>favorite</i> village on the island - North Hill…and for as much as I always enjoyed visiting Anguilla as a tourist, back when I was still married and my kids were wee little - I can't even express to you how much <i>more</i> I loved living life here as a "local".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNkxn9tpBw4/VZ8gZleKNAI/AAAAAAAAaX0/YdKS_PASpIg/s1600/DSC04295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNkxn9tpBw4/VZ8gZleKNAI/AAAAAAAAaX0/YdKS_PASpIg/s640/DSC04295.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ever since first visiting Anguilla back in 1999 (I think?), I have maintained that the island is bar none - the best place on the planet. But after being afforded the privilege of immersing myself in the culture of the island, while simultaneously forming some of the truest friendships that I've known in my life - I very quickly realized that Anguilla <i>is </i>the place where I genuinely am supposed to be…the place on this earth where I am the happiest, where I'm stimulated artistically by my environment, where I feel sincerely embraced by her warm, friendly people...a place where (for the first time ever) I feel that I actually do belong. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My decision to try and make a permanent move to Anguilla, was based not only on the fact that I adore the island and her people (<i>and</i> because I made a pact with myself to <i>never</i> put myself through another miserably cold winter <b><i>ever</i></b> again), but also because I am not exactly what one might consider to be a patriotic citizen of The United States. The reasons for my deep-seated dislike of virtually everything "American" - are too abundant to waste time itemizing on here. Suffice it to say, I do not like The U.S. (with a passion). Besides being completely offended by the commercialism, negativity, excessive gluttony, greed, ignorance, complacency, uppityness (shall I go on?), I also never felt entirely comfortable in any of the many different environments in which I tried (in vain) to find some semblance of contentment during the 45 years that I lived in Virginia (specifically)…I've spent the better majority of my life feeling like a social reject - a fish out of water, so to speak.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So here it is. One year after I got it in my head that I was gonna havta try and make a go of island life here on my favorite rock, and I can honestly say that it is absolutely one of the very best decisions that I've ever made. I was fortunate enough to have been able to buy the little wooden house in North Hill, and even though it is the <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">smallest</span></i> house that I've ever lived in (600 sq. ft.), it is absolutely my all-time <i>favorite</i>, you have no idea (I did the inside over, and it's super cute now, plus I just love being up here in North Hill!) And on top of <i>that</i>, I am stimulated daily, by the endless supreme beauty of this place - be it in the turquoise water that surrounds the island, or simply the island itself. As an artist who makes the majority of my work using a camera, I am never without plentiful and interesting photo opportunities. Praise be. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I literally have only two total gripes in regards to living here on Anguilla…<i>two</i> - that's <i>it</i>! And neither of them grate on me the way that shit used to annoy the <i>feck</i> outta me so badly, back when I was living in The States. The first thing is a fairly recent problem, but I must say - in the last few weeks? It has definitely gotten much worse. The government water is shut off, for the better part of each week now. Meaning: on most days - I cannot do laundry, scrub the floor, fill my kettle, wash dishes, take a shower, flush the toilet - ya' check? But whatever. I can manage. The second thing though, is a somewhat bigger problem…and although I now fully understand why it is the way that it is - it still makes it terribly difficult to get by. As a person who is not a native of Anguilla, I am not able to get a work permit that will allow me to have a normal job here. That is, I am never going to be hired by a restaurant, or hotel, or even a fishing boat - because all of the jobs that those types of businesses provide, need to be made available to folks who are <i>from</i> Anguilla. And after coming to grips with that whole premise, I realized that it does make perfect sense, and also that I would never <i>want </i>to take a job away from an Anguillian, I simply couldn't do that in good conscience. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So. I've had to try and be creative while trying to figure out how on earth I'm going to generate some income in order to continue living on this island that I love so much - and naturally it occurred to me that my photography might possibly be the best logical means to that end. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I moved all of my belongings down here, I packed a brand spanking new Epson Stylus Pro 7900 printer into the container along with everything else, knowing that I would want to be able to make fine art, archival prints of my work no matter what else was going on in my world. So I <i>am</i> able to make, and have <i>made</i> some seriously gorgeous prints of my images. Here's the thing though. For years I've shared a whole lot of my pictures on the internet, and so people have grown accustomed to being able to enjoy them for free. And maybe they poach 'em, maybe they even print them out, who knows. I've always ascertained though, that unless the print is signed by the artist - then it has no real value, other than aesthetic. Lately I've seen several of my pictures turn up on other people's IG and FB feeds, without any photo creds to me at all - and that's fine. I'm just glad that people like 'em enough to want to share them with their friends. But after an acquaintance of mine who lives on Anguilla part-time, messaged me to ask for the original image file of a picture that I'd taken of him kite surfing (one of many that I shared with him on FB), because he wanted to make an oversized print of it to hang in his house, plus his mother wanted to have it printed on a blanket via Shutterfly - I was like…"Tha fuck?!" Even after explaining to him that I don't typically "give my images away", as <i>selling</i> my photos it is the only livelihood that I have at the moment - he essentially poo-pooed the very idea that he should pay me to make him a print of the image in question, saying something to the snarky effect of, "Oh, so that's how you make the big bucks then, huh?" (And since I've heard nothing from him following our conversation, I have only to believe that he went ahead and stole the image anyway, printed it himself, <i>and</i> made the blanket for his mom. Nice. Feels eerily similar to the shit that musicians have to deal with in regards to theft of their songs) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The guy's sarcastic dismissal of the very idea that I might make my living as an artist, not to mention the lack of respect for the value that I personally place on my work, along with the tremendous amount of effort that goes into producing it, left me thinking that I've been something of a chump for all of these years that I've been (virtually) giving my images away. Why should, or why <i>would </i>anyone bother to pay me, the artist - for a print of one of my photos, when chances are - they can simply pluck it off of whatever site it is that they found it on, and do whatever the hell they want with it after that, right? Right.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1GrPWGIDAE/VZ8g_Kf5y2I/AAAAAAAAaYk/Xfbzbu1ahls/s1600/DSC04309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1GrPWGIDAE/VZ8g_Kf5y2I/AAAAAAAAaYk/Xfbzbu1ahls/s640/DSC04309.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is by far the longest blog entry that I've written in a long while, and so I guess I should probably get to the long and the short of what it is that I'm trying to say already…which is this: I am so utterly grateful to be living here on Anguilla now - even without pipe water, and a job. I am also still very much in love with taking pictures, every day actually…and I have no real desire to stop sharing them with the rest of the world, simply because I have begun to suspect that my photos are most likely being stolen off of the net. I do hope however, that anyone who has an ounce of respect for artists who take pride in what they do, put forth an enormous amount of effort to create (but sadly - may still be struggling financially), <i>and</i> whose work they do happen to appreciate - might consider doing the right thing by supporting such artists…by buying their work, and turning other people on to it so that they might in turn choose to help the artist, as well.<br />
<br />
I have prints listed for sale on <a href="http://www.artorca.com/catalogsearch/result/index?dir=asc&order=price&q=Lauralyn+Brickhouse">artorca.com</a>, or if you'd like to contact me directly about a particular image that you might be interested in having me print, sign, date, and number for you (all of my self-portraits are 1 of 1, and my non-self-portrait pics. are 1 of 5), please don't hesitate to email me at: <a href="mailto:lb@onepoundgallery.com">lb@onepoundgallery.com</a><br />
<br />
Just think...both of the only two complaints that I have about living on Anguilla, could easily be solved if enough people decide to buy prints from me…I'd essentially have figured out a way to be gainfully employed, <i>plus</i> if I make <i>enough</i> money - I might eventually be able to buy a water collection tank so I that I can ultimately wean myself off of the Water Corporation tit - <i>woot</i>!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-42738336167855973082015-06-30T15:47:00.000-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.903-08:00Photobombed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OC2vfUWcSCs/VZMZRfwpumI/AAAAAAAAaNw/etKl3cdIvbM/s1600/DSC04241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OC2vfUWcSCs/VZMZRfwpumI/AAAAAAAAaNw/etKl3cdIvbM/s640/DSC04241.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Snapped on June 30, 2015 - using a Sony Cybershot, and edited on iPhoto) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not sure why I end up with dogs in so many of the self-portraits that I take on this island...I do kinda like it though. It's like the little curs add humor, and this sort of sweetness to images that would've been far more grim, otherwise. Thanks Pups!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
#spike<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-41721531572264687852015-06-29T17:42:00.000-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.898-08:00Ms. Liberty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qyy2wvC7bz4/VZEOU3xDpxI/AAAAAAAAaNU/YUF1XTotRz0/s1600/DSC04161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qyy2wvC7bz4/VZEOU3xDpxI/AAAAAAAAaNU/YUF1XTotRz0/s640/DSC04161.jpg" width="564" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 6/24/15 - using a Sony Cybershot, and edited on iPhoto)<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-18006988160017431552015-06-24T17:05:00.001-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.867-08:00Thinly Veiled<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zu78rtMHrSc/VYtCNraF71I/AAAAAAAAaGU/cnnFqW12D6U/s1600/IMG_9176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zu78rtMHrSc/VYtCNraF71I/AAAAAAAAaGU/cnnFqW12D6U/s640/IMG_9176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 6/24/15 - using a Sony Cybershot and Instagram filters)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
#seafan #bikinitop #dinghy #rockybeach #anguilla</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-90538287671216729352015-06-17T20:44:00.001-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.951-08:00Greetings from the White House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g2PHBIwIUec/VYI5Rjyl50I/AAAAAAAAZ1M/nbYQxSwO3-o/s1600/DSC04121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g2PHBIwIUec/VYI5Rjyl50I/AAAAAAAAZ1M/nbYQxSwO3-o/s640/DSC04121.jpg" width="572" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 6/17/15 - using a Sony Cybershot, and edited on iPhoto)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-31140572414098432742015-06-09T17:20:00.000-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.893-08:00Turban Exploration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuAtOBSTSkM/VXd8pmzoDoI/AAAAAAAAZt4/coJr4vANbGA/s1600/DSC03954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuAtOBSTSkM/VXd8pmzoDoI/AAAAAAAAZt4/coJr4vANbGA/s640/DSC03954.jpg" width="514" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLV2CMRa3FQ/VXd8yia2lSI/AAAAAAAAZuA/k9VWdnXvGnA/s1600/DSC04003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLV2CMRa3FQ/VXd8yia2lSI/AAAAAAAAZuA/k9VWdnXvGnA/s640/DSC04003.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdhVopPVwz0/VXd8nFnmq_I/AAAAAAAAZt0/vrGDVLPzDtA/s1600/DSC03983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdhVopPVwz0/VXd8nFnmq_I/AAAAAAAAZt0/vrGDVLPzDtA/s640/DSC03983.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Re143pVcZg/VXd9UYojEvI/AAAAAAAAZuQ/1epFt_M7jUI/s1600/DSC04053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Re143pVcZg/VXd9UYojEvI/AAAAAAAAZuQ/1epFt_M7jUI/s640/DSC04053.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(All pics. snapped on 6/09/15 - using a Sony Cybershot, and edited on iPhoto)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033067393001603131.post-43426227465381598932015-06-05T15:26:00.001-07:002015-11-12T15:13:02.912-08:00Forever Looking Over My Shoulder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZVXqr5g9fM/VXDGF6aHOKI/AAAAAAAAZek/wEZ49M-JyJU/s1600/DSC03919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZVXqr5g9fM/VXDGF6aHOKI/AAAAAAAAZek/wEZ49M-JyJU/s640/DSC03919.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Snapped on 6/04/15 - using a Sony Cybershot, and edited on iPhoto)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2