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Wonder Woman Underoos

2011-02-13T06:37:00.001-06:00

Wonder Woman Underoos, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

This is me about the same age Annika is now, a little over 2. Apples don't fall far from the tree. ;)

Annika age 2

2011-01-27T17:10:00.001-06:00

Annika age 2, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

January 2011

Annika age 2

2011-01-27T17:08:00.001-06:00

Annika age 2, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

My little girl, January 2011

On Capt O.P. Honors being relieved of command of the USS Enterprise

2011-01-05T08:28:00.002-06:00

Here's my thing. No one who has had a job in the US in the last 30 years, military or civilian, can ignore the endless diversity training sessions in which it's been made abundantly clear that Honors' behavior on those videos isn't appropriate in the workplace. Or did the rules not apply to him?

And as for it being "funny", this is a country in which "Two and a Half Men" is the most popular comedy on TV. (At what point is it insulting for the "half a man" to still be classified as such? Don't get me started on dubious question of Charlie Sheen as sex symbol. Barf.) Either way, it's full of similar "humor" such as that of Owen Honors. Our standards for "funny" are clearly subjective at best. But we weren't paying Honors to be funny. We were paying him to be the XO of that ship. And he was fired, as any other leader should be for such a profound lack of good judgement.

Honors arrogantly tells his audience, "You will be offended." He knew what he was doing was wrong, and he took pains to protect his immediate supervisors as further proof. But he decided it was more important to be "funny" than to follow the rules. It also shows a subversive disregard for the changes in the culture around him. This type of leadership is no longer welcome in our culture. Captain Honors (and those of his ilk) should be relieved of their duties, and will not be missed.

Forward Motion

2011-01-04T16:38:00.002-06:00

"If Mercury is retrograde, I don't even get out of bed."

More accurately, I might as well not get out of bed. Fortunately, it began forward progress on 12.30.

Susan Miller's horoscopes, best ever. See link to the right.

NaNoWriMo-round the corner

2010-10-11T21:38:00.002-05:00

I'm trying to get ahead. I fear as usual that my good intentions will be all that I'm left with at the end of November. And yet, I'm looking to November and thinking of the National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. 50,000 words in 30 days. Can't start till November 1. Must get to 50k by November 30. Every year I want to do it, and I never get very far.

So, step 1. Between now and Halloween, I need to brainstorm topics and form some outlines. I need to get back into the idea of writing as well. I used to write. I don't much anymore. But, that's the point of doing NaNoWriMo.

Wait - - - I need to break this down. How many pages is 50,000 words? According to the website, 175 pages. Ok. Divide that by 30 days. That's less than 6 pages a day. I can do that.

Time to do some research. I feel like I need to understand the framework: how to structure chapters and characters and themes, etc. when writing a novel?

It's just 1 month. I can do this.

CapriSun & Bubbles

2010-09-28T19:34:00.001-05:00

2010-06-27 Annika on Porch at Bayside 837, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Summertime. It's over now, but here are some pictures from just a month ago, during our glorious vacation to the coast of Maine. I need to shoot for fall. But for now, here's summer . . . .

Annika on Porch at Bayside

2010-09-28T19:32:00.001-05:00

2010-06-27 Annika on Porch at Bayside 792 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

She's into gathering leaves. Late August 2010

Purple Sky and Boulder

2010-09-28T19:30:00.001-05:00

2010-08-28 Sunrise at Bayside 889 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Facing back up toward the cottages from the low tide mudflat at sunrise, late August 2010 at Bayside, Northport, Maine. You can see the moon behind the trees!

Raft at Sunrise, Bayside

2010-09-28T19:26:00.001-05:00

2010-08-28 Sunrise at Bayside 892, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

I think the shadows in the foreground and middleground need some dodging, but I love these purple skies.

Sunrise at Bayside

2010-09-28T19:25:00.001-05:00

2010-08-28 Sunrise at Bayside 888, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Penobscot Bay at Bayside Cottages, Northport, Maine. Late August 2010

Graffiti on the Wharf Shelter

2010-09-28T19:24:00.001-05:00

2010-09-02 Summer Maine Ohio 903, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Northport, Maine. Late August 2010

Work Area

2010-09-28T19:23:00.001-05:00

2010-09-02 Summer Maine Ohio 951, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

at Young's Lobster Pound, Belfast, Maine. Late August 2010

Sunset at Belfast Harbor

2010-09-28T19:22:00.001-05:00

2010-09-02 Summer Maine Ohio 933 A Belfast Harbor, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

from Young's Lobster Pound, late August 2010

Juice & Bubbles

2010-09-27T23:50:00.001-05:00

2010-06-27 Annika on Porch at Bayside 838, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

August 2010 in Northport, Maine

the August that was

2010-08-28T15:18:00.002-05:00

. . . . I just realized it's been a month since I posted anything. Part of the reason is that my personal news updates that used to appear here on Icon have been shunted to Facebook. So what I haven't posted here is that my father had a heart attack back in June. He went in for quadruple bypass surgery at the beginning of August and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. He got out last Friday, and the Archers left Saturday for a week in Northport, Maine on the shores of Penobscot Bay.

As always, Maine restored me. And it gave me lots of opportunities to see old friends and take lots of photos. We got home this morning in a record FOUR hours, thanks to running into absolutely zero southbound delays. Northbound I-95 was backed up from the Maine border, through the ENTIRE length of NH, and into Massachusetts. Those poor souls must have waited 2 hours at least. Anyway, I'll be processing and posting photos soon.

The best news of all as August winds down is that Dad is doing well, improving more each day.

Expressive

2010-07-26T22:05:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Gorgeous lighting, and a chattering baby.

On the Swift!

2010-07-26T07:44:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Annika and me, taken by Amity, on Sunday, July 25, 2010 on the Swift River in Mexico, Maine.

Big Girl!

2010-07-26T07:37:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Annika did a great job sitting on a thick book at the table during meal times.

Annika in Orange Dress

2010-07-26T07:36:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

At Amity's, with the ubiquitous Douglas the Seagull.

Jessica & Annika

2010-07-24T18:59:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Photo by Auntie Amity, by the Androscoggin River, Dixfield.

Swinging!

2010-07-24T18:58:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

She holds on tight.

Striped Dress

2010-07-24T18:57:00.003-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Explaining

2010-07-24T18:57:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Talking

2010-07-24T18:56:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

She has a lot to say.

Annika . . .

2010-07-24T18:54:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

playing in the knoll by the river.

Chalk in Hands

2010-07-24T18:53:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

. . . . looking philosophical.

Proud Mama

2010-07-24T18:52:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

She's quite a girl, my Annika

Worn Out . . . .

2010-07-24T18:51:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Watching Caillou . . .

Annika in Auntie's Kitchen

2010-07-24T18:50:00.001-05:00

sweet sweet july, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Great light. And it was a happy day. :)

6 shots of Kiki via Skype

2010-07-24T18:16:00.001-05:00

6 shots of Kiki via Skype, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Original photos by Beane. Screenshot and offspring by Beagan.

The Yard, the Garden, and me

2010-07-22T23:24:00.001-05:00

skype portaits, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Amity and I have a tradition of photographing our computer screens during our Skype video chats.In the background is my garden, which as literally quadrupled in size in the past 2 weeks since this photo. You can also see the potted herbs and stone wall, the patio and walkway. Still working on grass, and the fence will be done before long.

Chicken Soup

2010-07-22T23:21:00.001-05:00

skype portaits, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Another Skype portrait, from when we all had the stomach flu. Amity snapped this while I was feeding Kiki some Cup-a-Soup.

Reading Together

2010-07-22T23:19:00.001-05:00

skype portraits, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

If it weren't for Amity, and these lovely little grainy Skype portraits, I'd have few pictures of Annika and me. I love this.

Hi Auntie!

2010-07-22T23:16:00.001-05:00

Picture 26, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Annika associates the sound of Skype logging in on my computer with "Auntie!" -- also known as my longtime virtual roommate Amity. Well this weekend we are visiting with "Auntie!" in person, which has been quite a treat.

Kiki was also delighted by a Caillou game online. So this was a double treat for her.

Amity shot these photos of Annika a few days ago over Skype.

Delighted!

2010-07-22T23:13:00.001-05:00

Picture 28, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Could be Auntie Amity, could be the Caillou game on pbskids.org

Curious

2010-07-22T23:10:00.003-05:00

Picture 29, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

Watching the game

No More Caillou

2010-07-22T23:10:00.001-05:00

Picture 30, originally uploaded by Amity Beane.

I shut off the game. She was not happy.

Something Alive

2010-07-19T21:31:00.001-05:00

2010-03-16 Bees in the Crocuses 023 A 585 square, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

It's come to my attention that I've only been posting photos of dead animals lately, and this might be creepy. :) So I thought I'd revive a photo from back in March, of a bee, very much alive and kicking up a great cloud of pollen while going to town on a crocus.

Not all of the wildlife in this "Urban Wildlife" series is dead, but a lot of it is. It's making me realize that I am still surrounded by animals and nature, even in the city. And unlike this bee, most of the wildlife around here doesn't make out so well for its proximity to humans and other animals.

Annika at 20 months

2010-07-18T10:31:00.001-05:00

2010-07-18 Trapped Bug, Aqua Kiki 785, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Annika playing in her pool and water table. It's also a good view of the new patio and wall, from the point of view of the laundry room (the doorway behind Annika goes to the sunroom)

Aqua Kiki!

2010-07-18T10:29:00.001-05:00

2010-07-18 Trapped Bug, Aqua Kiki 786, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Daddy busted out the "mist" setting on the hose so Annika could run around and get wet. Here she's filling her watering can so she can water the impatiens.

The Trapped

2010-07-18T10:27:00.001-05:00

2010-07-18 Trapped Bug, Aqua Kiki 778, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

The other night I went to lock the back garage door, and found 2 large flying bugs (June bugs, maybe?) trapped inside the security grating on the door. We took Annika out to play this morning, and Aaron found both bugs dead.

The larger of the 2 had tried to crawl out through one of the holes, but got stuck and died there.

The Escaped

2010-07-18T10:25:00.001-05:00

2010-07-18 Trapped Bug, Aqua Kiki 781, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

The smaller of the 2 managed to squeeze out of the grating, but not without crushing his own thorax. We found him on the threshold.

Dead Mouse

2010-06-29T20:07:00.001-05:00

2010-06-29 Dead Mouse 775, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Another image today for the "Urban Wildlife" series. It's a present from a neighborhood cat, left in the path of the sprinkler near the new path by the wall. Mike found it yesterday, but it was fresher and didn't look like anything then. Today, it looked like this . . . .

Free to a Good Home

2010-06-24T18:59:00.002-05:00

One of the cats peed in the living room today. It soaked one of the curtains, and got under the ottoman, and I lost Annika's comb in the process. Even if I cleaned it, I couldn't put the comb to my daughter's head knowing it had been sitting in a pool of cat piss.

An hour earlier, I stepped in cat puke. Barefoot.

So, free to a good home: Rococo, Ichiban, and Mojo.

And honestly, at this point, the home doesn't need to be all that good.

Go USA!

2010-06-16T20:52:00.001-05:00

2010-06-14 Kiki with Swiffer and Hat 753, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Annika wore her support for the US Men's Soccer Team the other day. The shirt's all washed and ready to go for Friday's match against Slovenia. USA! USA! USA!

Poor girl. She asks to play with her soccer ball quite often, so I'm hopeful she's actually enjoying the three matches a day she's been watching this week while she's been sick and Daddy's been home on vacation.

Kiki with Swiffer and Hat

2010-06-16T20:48:00.001-05:00

2010-06-14 Kiki with Swiffer and Hat 766, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

On Monday afternoon Annika was running around wearing her winter hat and brandishing a Swiffer. She found the Swiffer all on her own, full length, and marched around with it for a long time. In fact, she cried and protested bitterly when it was time to put the both the hat and the Swiffer away.

We took out one of the pieces so the Swiffer wasn't so long, which you see here. Ultimately we took out a second piece, and it's the perfect proportion for her to push around now. Sadly, it doesn't seem to be as much fun at half length.

I think she was more into marching around with it upright than she was actually cleaning anything. But the sudden and passionate attachment to the Swiffer was comical.

Yard Update

2010-06-15T20:17:00.002-05:00

The backyard is undergoing some major changes this week. Pictures will be forthcoming. I got a little time in the garden today, but there was entirely too much going on with the sick kid for any photography. Plus the yard was a bit hectic, between the contractors pulling down the trees with ropes and chains (after having hacked off the limbs with a machete (yes, a machete) and breaking stones with small hammers. Every single stone has been custom cut to fit the gorgeous sculpture of a wall they've built.

But for now, suffice it to say that in 2 days, we have stone walls and the beginnings of stairs to the 3 doors. Three more trees have been cut down, and 2 trimmed back. Most of the fence is gone. There are tracks laid down where pavers will be laid for walkways and a patio. The grass has been bulldozed. Sadly, I had to mend a broken branch on one of my rose bushes. The sandbox was dented. A tree was gouged. The peas have been decimated, and the corn looks trampled. But we'll soldier on.

After all, the sunlight coming into the back of the house is stunning. And the yard seems bigger somehow, even with a stone wall and a bulldozer and a huge mound of dirt. All of the changes are a little shocking. But that's what this month seems to be about.

A Beautiful Goal

2010-06-15T20:10:00.002-05:00

Maicon scored the prettiest little goal I've ever seen today, in the 54th minute of Brazil's match against North Korea. Brazil went on to win 2-1.

The slightest bit of english on the ball makes it fly off his outside foot before taking that cheeky little arc past PRK's keeper. And only Brazil could score from that angle.

Not to take anything away from the North Koreans. For them to score off a top seed like Brazil, and with a solid good goal, is a major point of pride, and Ji Yun-Nam is to be commended.

World Cup love is abundant in the Archer house. One of the highlights of my day was finding out that our pediatrician, between seeing patients, has the matches on TV in her office so she can keep an eye on things. I can appreciate that level of support.

Loss

2010-06-15T19:53:00.002-05:00

It's been a tough week. Another one. Between Dad's heart attack and me getting sick last week, we've now gone from insult to injury, so to speak. Annika came down with what I had and has had a dreadful 24 hours. Fortunately she's sleeping now and seems to have the 102.8 degree fever on the run. I hope. I'm also keeping my fingers crossed that the little food she ate this evening actually stays down.

And into this, my mother called to say we lost my great aunt, Lucy D'Errico, today after a long illness.

Then Amity texted me while I was on the phone with my mother. One of her former students died in a car wreck this morning.

So all at once, we're in the same place, but very different places, dealing with a complex of messy emotions. Amity blogged it out in a touching post, On Grief, and as usual she inspired me to work it out for myself.

I tried to leave the following letter in the comments to her post. But I realized it's a blog post in its own right, (and I couldn't get the damned word verification to work on the Mac when I posted the comment) so I've repeated it here. Be sure to check out Amity's post as well. :)

I'm working on this myself right now, so I'm thinking of you, and of your community.

My dad's heart attack last week was entirely sudden, and caused a great deal of shock. I certainly felt something close to grief, waiting to find out if he was going to make it, willing him to survive with every ounce of energy I could project his way. But is it actually grief if you don't lose someone?

There's also my great aunt's passing today (at 88, at the end of a long debilitating illness) that was anything but sudden. In fact, it's a marvel she fought as long as she did, as frail as she was. But I know my grandmother is grieving tonight, deeply, as she's lost another sister, her fourth, another 80-year friendship -- even while she consoles herself that Lucy isn't suffering any longer.

And then there is the senseless, that's usually sudden, shocking, saddening, as was was what happened today in your town. The only lessons here are the hardest ones, and there aren't any comforts -- not even the cold ones.

The shock of my father's illness yielded new attitudes about our health, as a family. And we are all intensely grateful and relieved to have been spared the onslaught of the grief we would have felt had we lost Dad. And so we are comforted.

But in Dixfield tonight there is little comfort. You can't make sense of this, which is what makes it the worst kind of grief: it is sudden, it is pervasive, and it is entirely, terrifyingly random. It strikes at will, and it has little mercy. I hope its presence is not long felt, and that something comes from your tragedy, if only to provide some relief.

Love you. Thanks for letting me ramble. ;)

Happy Flag Day!

2010-06-14T16:03:00.001-05:00

Spectral Flag 2010-04-20 Riverside Cemetery 033, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Spectral Flag at Riverside Cemetery, shot April 2010. I recently switched it to B&W for submission to a show, along with the Tulip and the Fairy Shadow, below.

Kiki & Mommy

2010-06-14T16:02:00.001-05:00

2010-06-10 Kiki & Mommy 665, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Annika at 19 months. Mommy a few days after her 32nd.

The Crew

2010-06-14T16:01:00.001-05:00

2010-06-14 Cambria Masonry Day 1 728 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Pausing, which is rare.

Removing the Concrete Step

2010-06-14T16:00:00.001-05:00

2010-06-14 Cambria Masonry Day 1 725 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

The crew.

Snakes on Shrubbery

2010-06-14T15:26:00.001-05:00

2010-06-14 Snakes on Shrubbery 697 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

The snakes in my yard have a tendency to crawl on top of the shrubbery when we get too much rain, or when there's digging going on like today.

Displaced Snakes

2010-06-14T15:25:00.001-05:00

2010-06-14 Snakes on Shrubbery 705 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

With all the digging in the backyard, the snakes ran for cover. I found a pair of them basking together on top of a shrub in Mr. T's yard next door. Then later one snake was perched on top one of the dwarf Alberta Spruces next to my front door.

I startled one of the two at Mr. T's pretty early on, so the best shots I got were of the one that stuck around.

Blown Tulip

2010-06-14T11:01:00.001-05:00

Blown Tulip 2010-04-25 054, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

The original is hot pink, and I shot it at close range with a flash, so the tulip is already pretty high-key. But once I converted it to black and white and started working with the texture of the raindrops and the veins in the petals, it took on a very different aspect.

I am falling in love with black and white all over again. The water temperature regulator is on its way from B&H, so I'm hopeful I'll be working in the darkroom this week.

Capturing the Fairy Shadow

2010-06-14T10:57:00.001-05:00

Capturing the Fairy Shadow 2010-04-25 016, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Here's a reboot of this image, black and white. For the color version, scroll back through some of my recent older posts.

2nd Wedding Anniversary, etc.

2010-06-14T10:20:00.003-05:00

So my 2nd wedding anniversary was Monday, June 7. One week ago. Aaron had a meeting in LA, so he left that morning. It couldn't be helped, it sucked, but we sucked it up.

Then at 10:30 am, my father had a heart attack. His quick action, and some very good work on the part of various EMS and medical professionals, saved my dad's life. But we came very close to losing him last Monday, and that's taken a toll on everyone. Happily, Dad is doing really well. His color is better than I've seen it in a long time, and his mood is good. The upside of having a heart attack at 57 is that he's plenty young enough to recover well and live a long and healthy life.

To complicate matters, I got sick last Monday night. Like, struck down with flu. I'm mostly recovered now, but was pretty much useless in the midst of the family crisis. Fortunately my brother was an absolute rock, and he kept everyone steady last week.

Last week also happened to be my 32nd birthday. I got the best possible birthday present: Dad was released from the hospital. I had to banish the thought that I could have been burying him that day. As bad as the week was, we were infinitely blessed with the best possible outcome. Aaron, Annika, and I went out for dinner that night, Thursday, and he sent a bouquet of daisies which are still lovely.

So this week, we're recovering. And we're planning some do-overs. Aaron is home on vacation. It's a staycation, really. And to kick it off, he surprised me Saturday morning with a small round wedding cake. Other than the ceremonial bite of cake, I never got to eat mine at the actual wedding. The waiters cleared the plates before I got back to the table, and I have since lamented I never got to enjoy the cake. It was a perfect gift. And the cake is delicious, real buttercream on white cake, with a light mocha buttercream filling.

We're also excited about the approaching end to all the work on the house. The siding is up, and the patio is going in today. There is a small army of heavy equipment buzzing around the yard: a dump truck full of stone just made the most impressive noise as it poured out onto the street in front of the house. Like an Autobot crashing through massive panes of glass. I shot some photos of the work going on (film and digital), as well as some shots of 2 snakes coiled up together on top of some shrubbery. I'll post soon.

I'm hopeful the patio will be ready, and my father well enough, to celebrate Father's Day on Sunday here with the whole family as we'd planned.

So things are returning to normal.

The Universe is Expanding

2010-06-14T10:16:00.002-05:00

I went through a phase years ago when I was sort of fixated on this concept, like around 2003 maybe. And I saw on TV last night that the Universe has indeed expanded. Now we have a concept of the Multiverse, of which our Universe is but one bubble in a cosmic roll of bubble wrap.

I guess once the world got smaller (thank you technology), the Universe suddenly got relegated too.

Is the next step now to figure out who/what/how the Multiverse is made?

Kiki!

2010-06-03T19:28:00.001-05:00

2010-06-03 Kiki hearts NY Tshirt 660, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

It was a good day.

CNN & Magazine

2010-06-03T19:27:00.003-05:00

2010-06-03 Kiki hearts NY Tshirt 634, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Annika & I like to stay informed.

"Show me your teeth" 1

2010-06-03T19:27:00.001-05:00

2010-06-03 Kiki hearts NY Tshirt 652, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Notice the binky gap there in the center bottom teeth.

"Show me your teeth" 2

2010-06-03T19:26:00.001-05:00

2010-06-03 Kiki hearts NY Tshirt 653, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

At this point it turned into "Growl like a Lion"

Annika at 18.5 months

2010-06-03T19:24:00.003-05:00

2010-06-03 Kiki hearts NY Tshirt 622, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Growing up fast :)

Taking a Call

2010-06-03T19:24:00.001-05:00

2010-06-03 Kiki hearts NY Tshirt 627 square, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Pretending to use Mommy's phone. She also uses a pink plastic phone, or her fist, when Mommy's phone isn't available. Typically she's calling my father.

Problems at the Office

2010-06-03T19:22:00.001-05:00

2010-06-03 Kiki hearts NY Tshirt 619, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Seriously, look at that face. She gets that from her father, when his Blackberry blows up.

Annika & the Pink Soccer Ball

2010-06-02T19:56:00.001-05:00

2010-05-31 Kiki Soccer Burned Bushes 601, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Annika asked to go outside and play soccer today. Age 18 months.

Kiki with Soccer Ball

2010-06-02T19:54:00.001-05:00

2010-06-02 Kiki Soccer Ball 612, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

"Soccer!" is another of Annika's favorite words. The World Cup starts in a week. So in 5 weeks, after we have watched dozens of matches, we'll see what she thinks then. :)

Chillin' in the Grass

2010-06-02T19:51:00.001-05:00

2010-05-31 Kiki Soccer Burned Bushes 621, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Annika loves being outside. And since taking her gym class, she also enjoys (assisted) tumbling. Then she discovered tumbling in the grass. Here she is taking a moment to enjoy the view, before jumping back up and saying "Flip!" again.

Annika at 18 months,

2010-05-29T22:34:00.002-05:00

Aaron's version. Note the inclusion of Douglas the Seagull, a binky, a jack-o-lantern bucket, a book, and a toothbrush. She's rocking the pigtail and a butterfly t-shirt while barefoot.

She's definitely no longer a baby. She's a little girl. And we adore her. :)

World Cup Countdown!

2010-05-29T15:25:00.001-05:00

2006-10-22 Day 4 Cabin Wisconsin 018 Foosball, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

According to the FIFA website, 12 days, 1 hour, 35 minutes. Can't wait!

Construction Waste

2010-05-28T23:26:00.001-05:00

2010-05-21 Siding Removal 023, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Clapboard Matchstick Pile

2010-05-28T23:24:00.001-05:00

2010-05-21 Siding Removal 006, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

We filled a 30-yard dumpster better than 2/3 full with just the siding. The rest of the room in the dumpster is so Mama could clean house: old boxes and furniture, crap from the basement and garage.

Siding Removal

2010-05-28T23:22:00.001-05:00

2010-05-21 Siding Removal 009, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

The siding was nailed on by hand. There were hundreds of nails, and each board had to be pulled off, one by one. VInny and Vinny, a father and son duo did the job. It's a ton of work, very strenuous, and the guys did it in 2 days. The noise was epic, like being under artillery fire. Here's the first part removed, on the first day.

Mouldy Shutters

2010-05-28T23:20:00.001-05:00

2010-05-21 Siding Removal 019, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

We're pretty sure we removed the original siding and shutters. Underneath numerous pieces of wood we found moisture and cobwebs, like on the backs of the old shutters.

Discarded Weatherstripping

2010-05-28T23:18:00.001-05:00

2010-05-21 Siding Removal 017, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Scrap Metal

2010-05-28T23:17:00.001-05:00

2010-05-21 Siding Removal 016, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Removed from the old windows and sold for scrap. May 2010

1000 posts!

2010-05-19T21:36:00.002-05:00

ICON has reached a milestone: 1000 posts. Actually, this is post #1002. I missed by 2. Got a little carried away with the blogging from the Flickr. :)

So, 5.5 years, 1000 posts. Quite a document. Maybe I'm going to bend the NaNoWriMo a bit in November and work on compiling and editing the blog. 5 years of ICON. And counting. :)

Really?

2010-05-12T21:43:00.001-05:00

2010-05-05 Annika at Brenda's 402 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Annika is trying to communicate her exasperation with having already seen this episode of "What Not to Wear".

She's also shown here amongst some of our respective vices. Mine being "What Not to Wear" of course. Her vices? See those 2 binkies? One is no longer enough. And she's a big fan of that duck she's holding.

Ichiban & Claws

2010-05-12T21:39:00.001-05:00

2010-04-26 Ichiban Claws 292, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

He sleeps in my bed, but I can't pet him. He poses beautifully though.

Rainbow over Cambria

2010-05-12T21:38:00.001-05:00

2010-04-25 Storm Garden Rainbow Kiki and Daddy 038 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

2 actually. See the bonus rainbow, upper left?

Wet Tulip

2010-05-12T21:37:00.001-05:00

2010-04-25 Storm Garden Rainbow Kiki and Daddy 054 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Blown open during the storm.

Trapped Bee

2010-05-12T21:36:00.001-05:00

2010-05-06 Trapped Bee 409 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

You can see the hairs on the bee's body. And the specifications about my camera lens in the upper right hand side.

Angel Light & Houses

2010-05-12T21:33:00.001-05:00

2005-05-26 Light and Houses at Marina's IMG_0105 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Marina's House, Valencia, Venezuela. May 2005. Edited in Photoshop May 2010.

Memorial Day Flag

2010-05-12T21:18:00.001-05:00

2010-04-20 Riverside Cemetery 035 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

So I was walking at the Cemetery with Annika and I stopped to enjoy the light. I looked all around me, 360 degrees, looking for my shot. I've been finding lately that when I know the light is right, I just need to stop and keep looking until I find it. That's how I got "Fairy Shadow" a few entries below, while shooting just before a thunderstorm.

And that's how I found this. A perfect laser beam of sunlight perfectly illuminated the flag in front of this gravestone. Like a spotlight. And it felt like someone was trying to get my attention. :)

I shot a few frames, and it's a tricky shot, so I think I'm still working on it. But this is a start.

Stroller & Gravestones

2010-05-12T21:14:00.001-05:00

2010-04-20 Riverside Cemetery 108 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Something to tell her therapist about someday.

Blowing Bubbles

2010-05-12T21:09:00.001-05:00

2010-05-05 Annika at Brenda's 383, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Brenda & Annika, May 2010

2010-04-10 Amity photographing

2010-05-11T22:43:00.001-05:00

2010-04-10 Amity photographing, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

I'm a little slow, like a month or so. :) April morning in Dixfield.

Fairy Shadow

2010-05-11T21:27:00.001-05:00

2010-04-25 Storm Garden Rainbow Kiki and Daddy 016 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

While out photographing during a spring storm, I snapped this fairy shadow in the back garden.

Kiki & Daddy

2010-05-10T22:40:00.001-05:00

2010-04-25 Storm Garden Rainbow Kiki and Daddy 110 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Laughing together, April 2010.

On Daddy's Shoulders

2010-05-10T22:39:00.001-05:00

2010-04-30 Annika Ballerina and Outside 283 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Aaron and Annika, out walking on our street, April 2010.

Walking with Douglas

2010-05-10T22:38:00.001-05:00

2010-04-30 Annika Ballerina and Outside 251 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

Annika is a bold little walker these days. And like her mother, she's always barefoot. She loves walking in the grass, but she also enjoys the different textures in the cement sidewalks, the flagstone path, and the mulch (which we have to chase her out of). Here she is marching toward the house with her stuffed seagull, Douglas. Age 17 months.

Good Dental Hygiene

2010-05-10T22:37:00.001-05:00

2010-04-30 Annika Ballerina and Outside 197 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

After trying countless teething tools and devices, Annika has refused all but her binkies and her toothbrushes. She asks to brush her teeth. And she hollers at me when I take away her toothbrush. Like, stomped her foot and shrieked at me yesterday. I guess I shouldn't complain. But I'm going to have to give the kid just a little bit of grief when she gets her first cavity.

September Spider

2010-05-10T22:29:00.001-05:00

2009-09-24 White Spider, Elmo, Raspberries 002, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

This is from late last summer, but I'm feeling it I swear I've been doing a lot of shooting. No time lately to do much with it though. One of these days :) For now, enjoy the spider!

Pigtail!

2010-05-05T08:21:00.001-05:00

Pigtail!, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

What do you think?

Annika watching TV

2010-04-11T18:31:00.001-05:00

IMG_9198, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

April 5, 2010

Taking Down the Web

2010-03-26T20:32:00.002-05:00

2009-10-26 House, Spider, Kiki close-ups 084 A, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

This photo was selected by juror Karen Irvine for inclusion in the Animalia show at the Center for Fine Art Photography (C4FAP) in Fort Collins, Colorado, from May 28 - June 26, 2010.

Reality Roundup

2010-03-22T23:04:00.004-05:00

I'm not quite on hiatus yet, but while I grade I'm watching TV tonight. Aaron is in LA so I'm venturing into some unusual channel turf.

I am currently watching Jessica Simpson's show "The Price of Beauty" on VH1. She's in Paris and I fear as each moment passes she further confirms my assertion that she's a complete tit. The Simp comes off as insecure (French women are "confident" and "thin", she obsesses); and even hard up ("maybe I'll fall in love in Paris"). After that comment, travel accessories Ken and CaCee (yes, that's actually how she spells "Casey") just sort of sigh and look at each other knowingly.

Despite my hating on her, or maybe because of it, I find it fun watching Jess try to act her age, all while get schooled for being a dumb American as she prepares to walk a runway in Paris. I'll be tuned in until 11:30, just on the off-chance she ends up falling on her ass.

The happy surprise of the night, and I never thought I'd say this, was Kirstie Alley's new show "Kirstie Alley's Big Life" on A&E. She's roped together this hapless entourage, which includes her 2 kids, True and Lillie, her assistant Kelly and the apprentice assistant, Kyle; then there's Jim, the handyman she plucked out of Florida to work on her manse in LA because he was fatter than she was. She and Jim have just hired an incredibly hot trainer to help them lose a combined 210 pounds.

But there's something about the tone of the show that I liked. The kids humanize her, and the pair of assistants are good foils for one another. Then there's Jim, who's a great fat foil for Kirstie. They're on this journey together. Actually, he's along for the ride, but he's adorable and sincere and counterbalances Kirstie's narcissism. She's lived in a rarefied bubble of celebrity for a long time, and Jim makes her feel relatable, as does the rest of the cast.

Or maybe it's just time for Kirstie Alley. I'm ready for a Phyllis Diller type, and with all due respect to Ms. Alley, that role in pop culture is hers for the taking. I want a coke- and cigarette-hardened, wise-cracking, yo-yo dieting crone around for me, and for my daughter, because being a woman is tough, and you need a little edge and a little humor to get through it with even a hint of grace.

And let's take a look at Kirstie Alley. Her fucking house alone tells you how successful that woman was at the height of her career. She stepped in to replace Shelley Long on "Cheers" when THAT show was at the height of its long run. She brilliantly took on the role of Rebecca Howe, playing her as all neurosis under a thin veneer of consummate professionalism. And all the while Alley was funny and played strong against a very talented and well-established comedic ensemble cast.

And although they are now, were then, and ever shall be cheesy, the "Look Who's Talking" franchise made money, and I'm sure Kirstie Alley was able to negotiate a decent contract by then.

And for a long time she's been away, appearing only like a caged animal in close-cropped paparazzi photographs on the covers of supermarket tabloids, pillioried for gaining weight. Actually, she was photographed by a paparazzo literally in a cage, while hanging out with her pet lemurs in their cage in her backyard.

But now she's taking back her power by reclaiming her image through this TV show. She sells tabloids, she can sell a show, right? Now she has one, and I'm ready to watch. "Fat Actress", not so much (I saw one episode, the Mayim Bialik one, and I was confused and put off). But "Kirstie Alley's Big Life" I'm going to keep an eye on.

Oh, and by the way, Jess managed to walk the runway. And she's actually starting to warm me up a bit. Damn, am I softening? She's talking about how confident she now feels. She found her confidence. And good for her. Suddenly it's less fun hating on her. Interesting that I feel that way after having just stuck up for Kirstie Alley. And hey, good for her setting off around the world to get some culture, as they say.

Sigh. I am actually softening :)

Oh, but wait. She's freaking out about a neti pot (steady), and then she lets out a MASSIVE belch.

Yeah, she's back to being a tit.

And I have turned the channel to watch "Jackass".

Annika in the backyard

2010-03-22T12:49:00.001-05:00

2010-03-20 Annika at 16 months in the backyard 067, originally uploaded by jessica_beagan.

With the beautiful weather this week (temps in the mid 60's to upper 60's in mid-March!), we busted out the sandbox and water table for Annika in the backyard. She's 16 months old and on the first day of Spring this past Saturday, she learned to walk. And she talks a lot (she is my kid, after all).

Every day, she's more fun than the day before.