Shutterbug

I recently got a camera that will be more than I need. Ever. But I have been practicing with it and am enjoying an amateur shutterbug status. Here are some shots captured today.

Two Pots

Desperate Times

Afternoon Sun

Check out the cute ones of the boy here.

Shuffle Up

I have been tagged by Claudia's post as to what popped up on her iPod when she switched to the random party shuffle mode. Well, here's what came up on mine:

1. Lose Yourself - Eminem
2. We Are One Body - Sophie B. Hawkins
3. Hella Good - No Doubt
4. If I Could Be Where You Are - Enya
5. Wildflowers - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
6. Take Me Out to the Ballgame - Ronnie Neuman
7. So Alive - Ryan Adams
8. Desafinado - George Michael
9. A Room at the Heartbreak Hotel - u2
10. Firecracker - Ryan Adams
11. How Do You Keep Love Alive - Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
12. New Orleans Insturmental No. 1 - R.E.M.
13. No Myth - Michael Penn
14. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
15. Under Pressure - Queen with David Bowie

Give Me a Boost...

I am a major products junkie - skin, nails, makeup - all that kind of stuff. My hair, however, has always been neglected. Don't feel too bad, though. I think my hair is one of my stronger features. I regularly get it cut and highlighted, but have never been big on mousse or gel, just a quick spray. See, my hair - lovely as it is - is super fine and super thick (read: HEAVY). Quite frankly, I never bought into the marketing or packaging of hair products that lift and volumize and bouffant and all that. PHOOEY, I thought.

Or so I thought...

On a mere whim, perhaps it was the 111 degree temperature yesterday that rendered my reasoning nil, but I splurged on a fancy hair product. Root Boost by TIGI - Catwalk claims to be a "spray for texture, lift and style support for all types of hair." It should be noted that 'all types of hair' reads to me like 'one size fits all'. It'll fitya, but we ain't gonna say how well.

But what really intrigued me in my heat-induced dementia was the second claim:

Precision application allows you maximum design control.

TIGI is telling me that not only will I be able to lift my hair, but I will be able to design it with my very own precision application process. For a mere 12 bucks, I could be a graphic designer of hair.

I was totally seduced. Mesmorized. SOLD. I couldn't wait to wake up on Monday to shower, towel dry my hair and begin my masterpiece.

Now, I am a simple hair girl. No fancy updos, twists, curls or even french braiding. So of course after shaking well and then spraying directly onto my head, I realized I had erred. Fortunately, the moussie-like texture caught me and I quickly recovered and applied a small amount in my hand and worked it into my scalp prior to blowing dry.

I have no photographic proof (yet) but I assure you this Root Boost met its claim and then some. AND it kept my roots boosted all day long and allowed me a cute poofy ponytail at the end of my 12 hour work day. I am thrilled. I am buying this stuff by the case so that my weighted down roots can forever be boosted.

You are welcome.

But seriously, you don't have to thank me. I mean really, who am I to keep a secret like this under wraps? We should all be so fortunate to have access to all the tools of the trade. And, I - Lara - am a giver.

My Most Inspiring Movies

Cynthia has challenged us to list our most inspiring movies; this after watching the AFI's 100 most inspiring movies. She has been perplexed on what makes a movie inspiring and is wondering what it means to others. Truth be told, it will be very different for all because inspiring can and does mean very different things. Just take dictionary.com's take on inspiring.

INSPIRING

1. To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.
2. To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: hymns that inspire the congregation; an artist who was inspired by Impressionism.
3. To stimulate to action; motivate: a sales force that was inspired by the prospect of a bonus.
4. To affect or touch: The falling leaves inspired her with sadness.
5. To draw forth; elicit or arouse: a teacher who inspired admiration and respect.
6. To be the cause or source of; bring about: an invention that inspired many imitations.
7. To draw in (air) by inhaling.

So, with this many meanings, our choices will likely be very different.

Here are some of mine:

American Beauty - Not in the traditionally inspiring way, but the acting, directing and total movie was an inspired effort during a time when it's really hard to find a great movie. I loved the part with the bag blowing in the wind and the neighbor saying that there really is beauty in everything. I totally believe that. You just might have to squint your eyes to see it. But it's there.

The Breakfast Club - We all may be different on the outside, but most of us have a shared desire to fit in and belong somewhere.

Field of Dreams - If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Ray reconnecting with his father was inspiring.

Forrst Gump - Persistence pays off.

Mad Hot Ballroom - Everyone deserves the same opportunity, regardless. And when you give people opportunities (especially children) you will be amazed by the results.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Always be willing to ask questions; always challenge if you are concerned. I feel like I do this with Emerson's health care, but I can't say it was BECAUSE of this movie.

Parenthood - Families come in all shapes, sizes and personalities and sometimes the craziness of family is the best part. Family can and should always have your back.

A River Runs Through It - First and foremost, the scenery is inspiring - breathtakingly beautiful it instills a sense of calm. The movie also shows the tale of two brothers each on their own path each making mistakes in life and that through those mistakes they grow.

Say Anything - I think almost every straight girl (even the Diane Courts of the world) wanted to go find their LLoyd Dobbler. Also coming of age tale highlighting that we all learn our parents are people too - they are mortal and make mistakes.

My Inquiring (albeit tired) Mind Wants to Know...

Does Sean Lennon ever smile? Has he ever been happy - even for a moment - in his life? Every picture I have ever seen of him, he looks miserable. We really don't even know if he has teeth. Really, we don't.

Why is it that you get the coupon for a free 8 x 10 from Shutterfly if you just spend $25 by June 20th, when in the past two weeks you have spent over $200 at Shutterfly.

That's it. My mind isn't super curious right now. Mostly tired and those were two things that popped into it. Just now. Really randomly.

Dance and Sing/Get Up and Do Your Thing

Madonna had us dancin' and singin' and gettin' up and doin' our thing! Fortunately, Deejah and I were in the first row of our balcony level, though, and we didn't have to stand unless we wanted to!

Madge, or for you Kabbalah fans - Esther, rocked the hizzouse. At 47 years old the girl can still kick it AND in a white unitard. That's right. It appears the only fat this girl has is her breast tissue and that big ol bank account.

Fans were not disappointed by the 20 track set, which was primarily comprised of songs from her newest cd, Confessions...Mixing with a few tracks from Ray of Light and a skoch of old school tunes (Live to Tell, Erotica, Lucky Star, to name some).

Madonna and her uber-fit dancers put on a show to envy all shows. The performers were taught, the choreography was tight and the evening was titillating!

I would go again and again.

Vacation Recap

Vacation is over and it's time to get back into the swing of things.

This past week has been a real gem. Emerson and I traveled to Green Country to visit my dad, stepmom and other close family (brother, sis-in-law, aunt and cousins). It was the second time that Emerson had been there and he just had a grand old time.

The week was a leisurely one with a good mix of fun. Swimming, reading, napping and picture taking topped the agenda most days with some good food thrown in there too. Fortunately, tantrums were low on the list of Emerson's To-do's save the one he threw at the University Bookstore (right across from Gamma Lynn's office). As we ignored Emerson (in hopes of diffusing the rants) he looked up at Gamma Lynn' s assistant Johnnie and whimpered, "Help me." Nice way of making the family look good, Emerson!

Following are just a few of my favorite pics. You can get more at Emerson's blog (see right for link).

Soaking Up the Rays

Playing with Uncle Marsh

GO TEAM!

Picture Perfect with Gma Lynn

Handsome Boy

Papa's Love

Flower Power