Sidewalk Vignette

I love to walk through my neighborhood, strolling up and down the little narrow streets.  Some are cobblestone, others paved, all with character and history and at night, each holds it's own little side show.  I suppose you might need a particular eye to enjoy or notice them, but even after over 20 years residing in Soho, it is a rare week I don't pass by something which makes me gasp.

Bird Boy

I've always been able to fly in my dreams.  It's come in handy whenever I needed to get somewhere fast, or (usually) to get away from bad people who wanted to harm me or worse.  Sometimes when I couldn't get up enough momentum, they'd hang on my feet, trying to pull me back down to the ground.  In such cases, I'd usually wake up, then, or the dream would simply fade to black.  As a child, I used to fantasize about being able to have this flying skill I had in my dreams.  There were so many times it would have come in handy.  :)  I've been doodling some Bird Boys, and Bird Girls lately; they have the skill, so they're able to walk around free of the silly fears which plagued my young school days.

We Have A Winner!

According to the drawing of our 27 entrants, Random.org has chosen #25.  That would mean Dava, aka Treasures From Hawaii.  Dava is also a Fan over at the sMacVision Facebook Fan Page as well, so that means she's won both prints.  Congratulations, Dava, and oh gosh, I'm so not good at this.  I wish I could give everyone a print.... thank you all for trying.  I will do this as often as I can, so don't feel it's a lost cause.  Next time there will be more than one giveaway (which some of you recall I've done in the past.)  That's much more fun, isn't it?  But let's not steal Dava's day away from her, either.... winning two things is something we all deserve, right?!!  Congratulations to you!!  :)

Facebook Fan Page Giveaways!

One lucky Facebook Fan Page fan will receive a print of "Ghost Bed" which is roughly an 8-inch square polaroid image printed on a standard A4 sized archival matte-finished photo paper.  To enter, one must be a Fan of sMacVision on Facebook (link on the right if you aren't one already) and leave a comment to this post.  That's all!

But wait!  What if I don't want to become a fan?  What if I just want to win something with no strings attached, you ask?  Well, I have something for you, too!  Non-fans will be entered *along* with fans for the runner-up drawing for a print of "Legs", a 5x7 inch photographic print with a slight border.

So, to clarify.  By commenting to this post you are entering to be in a drawing for "Legs", and if you happen to be a Facebook Fan Page fan of sMacVision (link on the right) you will also be entered for the drawing for "Ghostbed" as well.  Fans can win two items, non-fans one.  Winners drawn January 18, 2010 at 11pm EST.  Let the games begin!

As the World Flickrs: sMacshot!!

Ann's Camera Case, originally uploaded by sMacshot.

My sister's camera case. For one of her cameras. Just one. The large format one with the radioactive lens (apparently such things were not of large concern back when it was made.)

This is how I feel these days. Sitting alone on a rock, just waiting it out... I've been sick. Very little voice to speak of. It will pass. I've got strong immunities. They're inside doin' the windmill fist thing, taking names and passing out beatings. They'll end up winning. Do every (rare) time I've felt this bad. :)

Winter Storm 2009 (Da-NAH!!)

Well.  That's what the news splash screen had up all day yesterday as it gave the play by play.  (Without the 'Da-NAH' part.)  And though it snowed steadily all day long, the result was below expectation, I think.  Less than a foot.  I'd say 8 inches in the city.  Certainly not worthy of such news coverage, at least here in Manhattan, but the viewers like drama, right?  Not sure what the actual measure ended up being, but when I went out this evening to get some groceries in the neighborhood the sidewalks were mostly shoveled, and streets pretty clear, too.  I came upon an ice sculpture randomly set out on the metal dock of a loft building, and lots of pretty holiday shop windows.  Forgive the photo quality; it was windy and dark, so shutter speed was slow, and I was moving.  Sharpness is not the best, but you get the picture.  I'm happy it will be a White Christmas for me.  Those are the best ones.

3 Strikes, You're Out... errr... You're Warhol!!

Last night I was decanting some gesso into a small jar so that I didn't have to haul out my big can everytime I needed a little. It got a somewhat messy and goopy down the sides of the jar and I saw a nice Polaroid opportunity, so set about fetching my SX-70, a closeup lens, and my tripod. The image I wanted would nearly fill the frame and have good detail, with dreamy depth of field.

 Strike One: The first image zips outta that camera as I accidentally click the button while merely intending to focus! (jeepers!)

Strike Two: my next exposure came out with bizarre streaks and a blank patch where no film emulsion existed. (Hey, it's expired film, what d'ya expect?)

Strike Three: My third one got stuck in the camera. (Oh for the love of Pete!)

So I put the camera away. I was not about to waste more film on this idea. Let it go. But wait! Photoshop... I can drag some sort of image out of bachelorette number 2, you know. Let's see what we get, shall we?

Ahhh yes. Now we have something.  Pop Gesso. 
 Amen.