November 2012 | Kate's Point of View

Month: November 2012

Warthogs

On November 8, 2012

One of my biggest downfalls creatively is that I struggle with reconciling what I see in my head with what I actually create. I have definitely spent a lot of time making something only to throw it in the trash afterwards because it was so far off from what I intended.In my screenprinting class at DIY Printing, my first project was DSLR camera print. I was pretty proud of it because I made something using a technique I’ve so long admired. I tried so hard to be cool with the end product. So what if I didn’t plan for the fact the image would flip and my camera turned out left-handed? So what if my lines weren’t too straight? I made it! But after the buzz of seeing my finished piece wore off, I was a little like, “Eh.”

The next project we did let us be more exact by working with transparencies to create our screenprints. Ohmigod so much easier. I played around with a picture of a warthog and was pretty excited to see how would turn out. I love it!!!

I went from this image

to this print.

Here’s a print without the green background.

Totally patting myself on the back here, but this is great. In fact, this is better than what I saw in my head. I can’t wait to get started on the next project!

Lens Envy

By Kate

On November 6, 2012

In photography

At the Obama rally on Sunday night I had serious lens envy. Professional photographers from outlets around the nation (world?) were present and their gear was amazing.

I was using my DSLR and phone – the DSLR was for all of the pictures you see here and the phone was for social media uploads, though I did get some good shots on it. I was fortunate in that there were a lot of iPad photographers there to make me feel better about myself. The pictures might turn out okay, but it just looks so … awkward.

I’m not saying you have to have a fancy camera, though I would never discourage it. But I do think if I was going to see his guy

or this guy

then I might not walk around shooting pictures with my iPad.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: President Barack Obama and Stevie Wonder in Cincinnati

By Kate

On November 5, 2012

In 100 List, rock

Yesterday was a momentous one for me – not only did I get to see President Barack Obama at a campaign rally at the University of Cincinnati, I also got to hear Stevie Wonder sing, thus crossing off an item from my 100 list.I get political

Yesterday’s was the first political rally I’ve ever attended. Although I have opinions on politics, I usually keep those to myself in order to avoid the nasty political discourse I see taking place all too often. But for me, supporting Obama isn’t about politics as much as it is supporting what is morally right. I don’t want to be a one issue voter because I don’t have a lot of respect for people who vote that way. But how a person stands on social issues –gay rights, women’s right, different classes of people – speaks to me about the quality of that human being. A candidate might have good things to say, but if I think they’re a poor example of a human, they aren’t getting my vote. And if that means not casting a presidential vote, then fine. At least I know I haven’t caved to anything.

I feel fortunate that I respect President Obama. I don’t agree with every decision he’s made, but I am more proud of my country since he’s been leading it than I was with the prior President. When I travel overseas, I am proud to say I’m an American and no longer contemplate telling people I’m Canadian. I don’t think things are perfect in our country, but for me, they are better now than they were four years ago.

Yesterday, more than hearing the President speak, what warmed my heart was seeing the masses of people who showed up for the event. Being among those masses. It made me equally happy to hear about how many people showed up for the Romney rally in Cincinnati. Sure, I might have opinions about who I think is the better candidate, but they aren’t nearly as strong as my feelings that people should give a damn, get involved and vote. So too many people showing up for a rally? Quite an okay problem to have.

I swoon

A significant highlight for me of the Obama rally were the performances by Stevie Wonder. He tops my 100 list and I’ve always just assumed that I would need to fly to Vegas or some other large city and fork over gobs of money to see him in concert. When I learned that I could see him for FREE less than a mile from my house? I about passed out.

My love of Stevie Wonder dates back to watching The Cosby Show. I am sure I could come up with better stories to tell, but ah well… When Wonder Boy and I got married, we walked down the aisle to Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours. The first notes of Superstition start to play and I immediately start dancing.

Yesterday I got to listen to both of those songs and they sounded great and I’m still riding my Stevie Wonder buzz. He got the crowd worked up with Obama’s rallying cry of Fired Up! Ready to go! He got people on their feet and, at the end of the evening, he got Obama dancing a little. But really, who can help but to dance to some Stevie?

This morning I crossed off See Stevie Wonder from list.

Taking Care of Animals

By Kate

On November 4, 2012

In animals

Wonder Boy and I have been trying to make good use of our Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens passes by taking part in as many tours as we can. (Members get a discount.) Yesterday we toured the Zoo’s animal hospital. We take our cats to a veterinarian practice and the doctors they see are very good, figuring out how to take care of all types of pets. But pets is a limited range of animals. It would be easier to master that. (Not easy – just easier.) At a zoo, you take care of everything!

The veterinarian explained how he partners with other specialists for things like teeth cleaning and even partners with human doctors. The zoo is surrounded by four major Cincinnati hospitals so why not? Can you imagine being a human doctor and getting the call one day to come in and do respiratory care on a gorilla? Greatest day ever.

Right now the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens has a new baby giraffe. The veterinarian explained how it’s great, but when his staff hear’s an animal is pregnant, they have to start cramming to make sure they can handle any scenario. He likened it to studying for the boards and hoping you never have to take the actual test.

The tour didn’t include a lot of great photo opportunities (despite what one other lady on the tour obviously thought), but it was information packed and a wonderful time.