Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Holga cultmember


My life is now complete. I can die happy. Today I made one of those rare purchases that brings a feeling of absolute happiness and euphoria: I actually found and purchased a HOLGA 120 CFN.

After researching Holgas for about a year, I stumbled upon it at Urban Outfitters! I went in to purchase a fish-eye lens camera for tomorrow's Amsterdam trip but spotted Holgas hiding in the back!

You have no idea how happy I am right now. I grabbed some 400 ISO black and white film for Amsterdam. I was so excited, I actually hopped up and down after I paid for it.

And I just recently was mulling over taking up an expensive hobby. Looks like I found one!

Here's a sample of a Holga pic:



Note the "vignetting" effect and dramatic, grainy delicious center. And each Holga is pretty much different from others: some do really brilliant colors, others let light seep in (or you can gently wobble the exposed film afterward for the same effect). I can't wait to get to know my Holga. I can't wait to trick it out. It's the ultimate DIY camera!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Christmas Meatloaf

Every year I make a real effort to make Christmas extra special for Arturo (to make up for all the bad ones in his past). This year, I let him choose the Christmas dinner menu. Did he request turkey or goose?
Pfft. Succulent poultry dishes are so contrived.

Behold, our Christmas meatloaf!



Also on the menu:
mashed potatoes
rolls
zucchini souffle
brownies for dessert

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Near-accident with Joel Osteen at the Jack in the Box


Did I mention that I almost got in a car accident in the Jack in the Box parking lot with Joel Osteen? I was cutting through the Jack in the Box parking lot to get to a one-way street (North Shepherd), and I was going up the drive-thru exit. I nearly collided with a big, shiny black SUV coming out of the drive-thru. I swear it was Joel Osteen, and he was breathing down some fries. We both slammed on our breaks, and I mouth "I'm sorry." Then he smiled a freakishly pious smile, and nodded his head in acceptance.

So what was Joel Osteen doing at a Jack in the Box off North Shepherd? PUH-LEASE tell me they're not building something out here.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

'Turo's birthday

Yesterday was 'Turo's birthday. We celebrated over dinner at Barnaby's, a cute cafe' with a motif of a dead dog (and dead little handless girls too, if you study the murals on the ceiling)...



Sunday, December 16, 2007

Goode Daag! Hoo gaat het met ou? Met mi hat het prima...since we're leaving for Amsterdam in less than two weeks! We're going to see Sinter Claas as he rides down a boat on the Jordaan.

Since the Euro is strong, and the US Dollar is a weak little dull-colored piece of crap, there will be a moratorium on presents for anyone until January.

p.s. I'm learning Dutch.