It’s better than a mass e-mail

Something told me, some notion in the back of my mind even as I was typing the words “photo a day,” that in fact taking and uploading a new photo everyday was a little ambitious. I certainly have a wealth of already-taken photos stretching back five years, but that’s not entirely what I had in mind. I guess my days aren’t always that visual and lately I have been consumed by work (which is good, kind of, since my first several weeks were a bit on the slow side getting started).

I took the camera out on a walk with my dog the other morning, intending to take pictures of vibrant flowers and still uncut grass, wet evil pollen clinging to the edges of the sidewalk and caking around the bases of trees, and of course, my sweet pup in all her sweet morning sun glory. But, every time I pushed the shoot button down, the camera malfunctioned. I’m talking complete and total destruction. The screen would either display a concerning array of white and black lines or shut off entirely.

Nice. And typical. This is the story of my life with technology, even the most banal of technology like a freaking digi cam or the television. More often than not, my frustrations stem from some change my husband has made to said technology with the intensions of making it better (and to be fair, in the end, it usually is better). In my house, you can’t just turn on the stereo and pop in a CD or push play on the iTunes. You have to push various buttons located on different machines on different floors of the house. Similar story when you want to watch television. First push this button, then the ON button, unless you want to watch a recorded program, in which case you push the other button first.

It reminds of the commands we used to have for doing tricks and unlocking secret floors when playing Nintendo. Back, back, front, right, right, A, B, A, B, B, right, left. And viola, you’ve skipped ahead nine levels and rescued the princess.

But I never know the secret combination. Or my husband has told me and I forgot, or it changed when he tweaked it more, or surely it was working a second ago so why isn’t it working for you?

It’s the story of my life. Most couples fight about money, right? Well, we fight about technology. It always has to turn into something, usually because I feel so frustrated and belittled when I can’t get some simple gadget to work. I think it also has to do with the fact that in many arenas, I think my husband is smarter than me. This is a guy that builds computer applications in his free time. He sees a problem and finds a solution. He writes codes to make cameras, and televisions and stereo systems perform beyond their originally intended functions, and it all just makes me want to scream.

So my point is I don’t have an original photo from the other morning. Or this morning for that matter. But don’t give up me yet, dear reader(s). I assure you, photos will be posted with more frequency. Just as soon as I figure out how to work the camera.

Reflecting on yesterday’s events, I didn’t really think much jumped out that was visually stimulating enough to shoot and post. Then I wished I had my camera poised and ready when my friend came over to borrow a dress for a wedding. Turns out, I have a ton of party dresses. Who knew? (Besides my friend, and my husband, and well, most other folks who have either gotten a look at my closet or stopped by to borrow something for  a wedding.)

I guess I didn’t realize it, but I have quite the habit of buying party dresses. Like the emerald green one from Forever 21 that is nearly-offensively short but a color green with shiny satin edging I couldn’t pass up. Or perhaps the white one with brown stripes with tule under the skirt. Then there’s the black and white polka dot dress with the tag still on (I bought that while shopping alone and knew I needed a second opinion.)

Anyway, the dresses were amassing. And really, I don’t go to that many parties and I don’t wear that many dresses. Most of the dresses have been  worn but between weddings and rehearsal dinners, they just hang there. That’s not to say for the few that are far more casual and begging to be worn on a regular day but are neglected in favor of the same jeans and tank top.

So we spread out all the dresses on my bed and it was a colorful smattering of texture certainly worthy for a photo. But it didn’t even cross my mind. I was more consumed with the relief that one dress I thought was far too small still fits (God bless spandex) and the thought that I might just institute a new dress-wearing phase. It started well yesterday, as I donned one during the day and a different one for a dinner out.

Alas, I will leave you with a few images of our beach trip last weekend to Assateague Island. No, we didn’t see a single pony (for which I considered asking for my money back), but we did narrowly escape a deal-breaking thunderstorm, and I managed to severely sunburn my ears.

This is my husband running after the birds. I attribute the burst of ridiculousness and energy to the ocean, or what my friend calls “the negative ions” from the ocean air, which can cure all, and perhaps make you a wee nuts.

Sausages for dinner, of course.

Washed up blowfish, gross, I know. But cool detail and I got to use the macro setting which I am currently obsessed with.

I know, I know. I haven’t written in a while. Stop nagging me. How about a “hey, welcome back”? Or a “how pleasant to see you here. I can’t wait to see what you’ve got for us!” That would be better.

I am starting something new on this blog. I have decided to post a photo a day (or I will certainly aim for daily, but we’ll see how it goes). There will likely be some kind of writing with it, but I am getting into my new camera these days and thought that would get me back to posting here.

So let’s begin. This inaugural post will feature two photos, one from yesterday and one from today, because I couldn’t resist this scene last night of my sweet husband and my sweet pup curled up on the couch together watching Lost. Both are their sweetest at this time of day.

I had to include both shots because I couldn’t decide which one was better and I am still playing around with the settings on my camera. I’ll save you the washed out shot with the flash where Bean just looks plain pissed.

And then today’s entry is a look at these delicious roasted peas we bought last weekend on our way back from Assateague Island.

They taste crunchy and green with a bit of salt and oil. Perfect. And summery. Mmm peas. Apparently there was a time in my life when I hated peas, and in fact I recall seeing a photo of me as a wee child wearing a half of a serving of mashed peas, with the other half splattered all over my mother and her kitchen. Sorry ’bout that, Mom. Not sure I was too into peas as a baby, but I assure you, I have grown to love them frozen, cooked and roasted.