Hepyaddakat Productions Photography: Capturing Life

...

2011-12-14T12:08:00.000-05:00

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Yep.

2011-12-12T21:28:00.000-05:00

Kat is tired.

She has bad business sense, struggles at keeping in touch, and is WAY too generous sometimes.

She wishes Halloween would last all year long, that little bar stages always came equipped with nice lights, and that Christmas didn't cost so dang much money.

She dreams of the economy recovering, but knows better. She worries a lot, to the point of exhaustion.

And she prays that by the time she is dead, she will have discovered her purpose in life, because no matter how hard she tries to find it, it's still hiding.

Happy Holidays.

Something for Nothing

2011-05-19T22:32:00.000-04:00

To All Who Have Been Waiting......

2011-05-16T19:23:00.001-04:00

......prepare for a massive upload.

A Message to the Photo-Hungry:

2011-03-31T11:06:00.000-04:00

I’m moving to Philadelphia in about ten days. Needless to say, this means I have to pack my breakable-filled-house -- not to mention my schedule has been very cruelly filled for the entirety of my remaining days in Atlanta. So I hope everyone will understand that my time is very, very precious to me at the moment. If you are not a paying client or one of my best friends, I will not even be thinking about sharing my personal photos until at least the end of April. I do apologize from the bottom of my heart, but thems the breaks.

(For any new folks who may not be aware, although I am well-schooled, I do not ‘do this for a living,’ I do it because I love it. I have a high-profile full-time day job (and a teenager) and it is wear and tear on both my eyeballs and my equipment to do real work for free. So as much as I hate to be that guy, the truth is, if you want it your way, you gotta show me the money.)

FYI, I will no longer have an email address and will be unable to access the internet from approximately April 7-April 11. New contact info will be provided as soon as I am up and functioning.

But for now, this is Miss Kat, signing off until the wind blows and the scenery changes. To quote the immortal Eric Cartman: "Screw you guys... I'm going home."

RIP 3/8/11

2011-03-09T11:03:00.000-05:00

Rest In Peace, Lucille Bunch

My Great-Aunt Lucille passed away yesterday around 8pm. When I was a kid, I used to think her name was Aunt Seal. :) A bit of an ornery old lady for sure, but I have fantastic memories of summer vacations at she and Uncle Buddy's place in north Florida.

(RIP Mike Starr as well. Half of the original AIC is now gone.)

S.A.D. + H.S.P. = O.M.G.

2011-03-04T10:07:00.001-05:00

2/26/11 Jungol @ the Earl pics are now available.

"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.

To him...

a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.

Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create -- so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating."

- Pearl S. Buck

Love

2011-03-02T11:58:00.000-05:00

Just listened to Joseph Merrick Was A Handsome Man.

God, I love Swank Sinatra. They make me happy. The world needs more music like this; there are very few bands on earth, much less locals, that can inspire me to dance across my office.

Brandon and Bob
Living under the stairs
If this is what you write
Then I hope you never care

Yep.

2011-02-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

I’m a creep

I’m a weirdo

What the hell am I doing here?

I don’t belong here...

I don’t belong here.

Swank pics are up.

Jungol pics are in post-processing.

Article: What's Important To You?

2011-02-09T15:31:00.000-05:00

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend. The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have superhuman ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk.

And then, even with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

December 8: A Tribute to this day in music

2010-12-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

Rest in peace, fallen heroes;
you were taken from us too soon.

Dimebag Darrell Abbott
20 August 1966 – 8 December 2004

John Lennon
9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980

Fall/Winter Updates

2010-11-22T11:21:00.001-05:00

Hi, my name is Kat, and I am a picture-hoarder.

And oh, have I ever been hoarding. I know. I’m mean. I’m lazy. I’m cruel and torturous, and why, oh why did I show up with my big bad camera if I was not planning on sharing the fruits of my labors?

Jesting aside, I have been hoarding a great many photographic things since September, which is something I shall attempt to remedy before the end of the year.

I admit to a small bit of depression that occurred after I discovered I’d lost an entire day of DragonCon photos, including almost the entire parade. =P After a brief mourning period, I took on a child’s birthday party towards the end of the month with the intent that it might lift my spirits (and it did). Then I got the flu. And saw three major concerts within eight days.

And by this time it is a week into October. Not only am I preparing to go out of town on my annual business trip, but I am costuming like mad for Halloween (this year my daughter was the focus of my madness -- her Starfleet Ensign's uniform and a Mr. Spock jack-o-lantern). Mix in the various shows my husband’s band played throughout the month… I think that I am just going to start taking the month of October completely off from photography from now on. Costuming is too all-consuming to add into photography and a full-time job. I can do two things at once, but three is a bit much.

So I told myself I wasn’t going out on Halloween this year, but my daughter had the final say on that one by dislocating both her knee AND kneecap shortly after trick-or-treating, forcing me to ride in an ambulance to the ER, still dressed in the vampire-esque clothes I had put on to hand out candy to the kids. Does that count as going out?

The first week of November is the annual ‘Halloween Hangover’, where I wander around the house like someone lost because I no longer have anything to sew. However, this time I was occupied in helping Ensign Kneecap learn to do her stretches and strength-building exercises. This leads directly into a couple of weeks of global household car problems -- I'm talking days when both cars were broken at the same time, and taxis and friends were utilized. Many repairs later, we are cleaning the house and shopping, because as of yesterday -- meaning directly after the premiere of the latest Harry Potter flick (which I attended in full Bellatrix regalia) and another ‘What It Is’ gig -- my family has now arrived for the holidays.

So after my upcoming overscheduled week of office work and family fun, I will reward myself by going to see the Potter movie one more time, and then it will be Time To Get Started. Stay tuned.

P.S.:

I am currently looking for non-live music projects to expand my portfolio. Portraits, lifestyle, pets and especially children; adult models only wanted if they are willing to really bring it. If you’ve got an idea, or know anyone who does, drop me a line -- I am temporarily shooting any portfolio-building special projects for FREE. (Any projects that do not involve live music have turn-around times and deadlines, and will never fall into the backlog of free music photography.)

November 19, 2010

2010-11-16T15:07:00.000-05:00

Quote of the day

2010-09-27T11:53:00.000-04:00

"Most people think marriage is 50/50. It’s not. It’s 60/40. You give 60, and you take 40. And that goes for both of you."

- Unknown

Construction Zone

2010-09-22T09:26:00.001-04:00

A major site overhaul to a sleeker, less cluttered format is in the works. Hoorah for tabs and real domain names!

Madison Paige

2010-09-21T23:54:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting a darling little girl's first birthday party.

Happy Birthday, Madison!

Dorkus Maximus - DragonCon 2010

2010-09-15T10:05:00.000-04:00

Steven Lee meets Stan Lee

"This never happens to the Battlestar Galactica people."

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

All photos copyright and courtesy of Sir Froggy the Great.

http://froggysphotos.com/

Tricil

2010-08-31T21:19:00.000-04:00

Look at this guy.

Click here for full gallery.

Upcoming excitement!

2010-08-25T14:09:00.000-04:00

Looks like I'm about to have a VERY busy week and a half!!

Saturday, August 28th, I will be shooting a wet-and-wild First Birthday bash in Alpharetta for a perfectly lovely family whom I can't wait to meet. I anticipate a very fun afternoon and some very cool photos!

Sunday, August 29th, there is a tentative possibility I may do some promo shots for a certain well-beloved local musician who also happens to be one of my favorite models... stay tuned...

Wednesday, September 1st is the club debut of Abby Wren and What It Is at the good ol' 5 Spot. Show starts at 8pm and there are only two bands. It won't be a late night so no excuses -- come check it out!

And Friday, Friday, Friday September 3rd.... first day of DRAGONCON 2010!! Now that I am no longer a Con newbie, you can rest assured that I will be snapping away like mad at every possible opportunity. Oh the joys of nerddom... I am counting the days...

Portfolio!

2010-08-23T23:05:00.002-04:00

Huge portfolio update. Link above. :)

And yes, I'll get the rest of the fish photos up soon. Some of that aquarium stuff is hot, hot, hot.

Abby Wren 8/14 Gig Pics

2010-08-22T21:48:00.000-04:00

Get 'em here.

Jackie Gets Glasses

2010-07-31T13:40:00.002-04:00

Abby Wren and What It Is -- rehearsal

2010-07-30T18:45:00.000-04:00

Full Gallery

Quote of the day

2010-07-28T10:13:00.000-04:00

"You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity."

- Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story

Hijacking Music Festival

2010-07-23T23:39:00.000-04:00

For the complete gallery, visit the Festivals link or click HERE.

Upcoming

2010-07-22T11:23:00.001-04:00

On a side note, I have spent the last few days sifting through the pictures from the Hijacking Music Festival, and I am quite pleased with the results, as Lenny's is a notoriously hard (and sometimes rather fog-filled, hah) shoot for a natural light photographer such as myself, but the additional fantabulous light rig helped to fill in the usual cracks.

And what a fun and diverse festival it was... The fact that there were no mandatory set breaks in between the artists not only saved time, but kept the audience in place, which was a blessedly refreshing change from a great many other festivals I've attended, and only served to further illuminate the already obvious professionalism of the event organizers. Everyone was sweet and helpful and friendly; it was more than apparent how much effort was made in the production, even down to providing cupcakes and real barbecue for the hungry patrons. Add into that a whole host of great new local musicians I'd not yet experienced live, and it adds up to the best fun I've had taking photos in a long time.

Photos will be posted by the end of the week! Stay tuned!

Holy crap -- Guitar Player magazine!!

2010-07-22T10:21:00.001-04:00

Much love once again to the lovely & talented Ms. Julie Slick for 'adopting' me -- thanks to her, I've been published in the September 2010 issue of none other than Guitar Player magazine! My first national by-line!

(click to enlarge! that's my name next to that photo! woot!)

As sweet as Julie's brownies...

Hijacking Music Festival tomorrow -- last minute plug!!

2010-07-16T15:29:00.000-04:00

Come out, come out, wherever you are!!

Laugh

2010-07-11T14:32:00.002-04:00

I love anonymous readers. It's people like you who make the hits on my blog go up.

Red, White and Boom

2010-07-07T22:01:00.000-04:00

Happy Independence Day.

Upcoming Events

2010-07-07T09:14:00.008-04:00

Looks like I've got some places to be. You should come, too!

I am also pleased to announce that I will be one of the event photographers for the Hijacking Music Festival, so dress pretty, kiddies! http://hijackingmusic.com/hijacking-music-festival-2010

You may have heard...

2010-07-04T12:28:00.006-04:00

I suppose I have to make some kind of a statement, so here it is:

Randy Garcia and Chris Sheldon have fired my husband from Nerd Parade. No reason of any significance was cited. Apparently the Nerd Parade 'directors' (heaven forgive me such a word, but it came straight from Them) will attempt to continue without Richie; however, in the opinion of many, myself included, "there goes the band."

So in addition to this, after three and a half years, I found myself magically deleted from Nerd Parade's (newly taken over by the 'directors') page on Facebook -- although they apparently continue to use my photography on their webspace (however temporarily I'm sure). In exchange for this oh-so-mature insult of adding my personal self into this mess that has nothing whatsoever to do with me, especially after all of the work I did for no compensation, I have therefore decided to terminate all ties with the musical artists now known as Nerd Parade. Believe me, from where I sit there, is no love lost -- and way to burn yet another bridge, eh?

To be perfectly truthful, overall I never cared for the overly-depressing 'Daylight Saving Time' album anyway (and I can actually say this now). 'Span of a Life' was a far superior album, and is thankfully something worthwhile to have salvaged from this wreck of things.

Warning: Do not purchase Nerd Parade's "Director's Cut" of Daylight Saving Time from this point forth if you think Rich Wilson will be on it. If you do, you will be getting an inferior product without the original bass tracks.

From my birthday to my birthday, the light had gone away.
From Eyedrum to Eyedrum, it's all shadows now.

EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

2010-04-14T09:45:00.003-04:00

ME = NEW LENS

She came yesterday.

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

WOW - Julie Slick’s First Album

2010-04-04T18:59:00.009-04:00

The lovely and talented Ms. Julie Slick has chosen some of your's truly's photography to grace the cover of her much-anticipated first solo album. The music is hot, the graphics are stunning -- talk of fire and ice, wow -- and I am totally honored to have my teensy photographic part in the project! (here's me fangirling it for a moment... laugh)

Take a look-n-listen HERE (and if you like what you hear, do pre-order the album to show your support!)

While you're at it, take a general look around julieslick.com for more of Kat's photos.

SHOW PLUG:

I have the upcoming privilege of photographing Julie once again on May 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, when she and her equally phenomenal brother Eric bring their band Paper Cat to The Khyber, where they will take the stage before none other than my Nerd Parade -- headlined by Philly's own Cheers Elephant! What a lineup! If you plan on attending, head over to Live Nation and get your tickets now, because they WILL sell out and it promises to be one extraordinary evening.

And still true today

2010-02-11T12:57:00.001-05:00

Our educational system, in its entirety, does nothing to give us any kind of material competence. In other words, we don't learn how to cook, how to make clothes, how to build houses, how to make love, or to do any of the absolutely fundamental things of life. The whole education that we get for our children in school is entirely in terms of abstractions. It trains you to be an insurance salesman or a bureaucrat, or some kind of cerebral character.

-- Philosopher Alan Watts

San Francisco Oracle, 1967

Nerd Parade - Tribute to King Crimson 'Red'

2010-01-29T19:34:00.007-05:00

Woot!

2009-12-10T19:48:00.003-05:00

After several weeks of some mad computer issues that were preventing me from uploading or downloading anything, I am officially back in business. First order of business is Jamie & Anne's wedding pics, now officially made available to the public.

I also have to mention that my husband's wonderful aunt passed away unexpectedly this past Sunday, and we are all absolutely broken-hearted about it. There's never enough time.

Next up: The Thanksgiving Trip

The Last Picture My Rebel Will Ever Take

2009-11-17T22:53:00.006-05:00

Canon Rebel: 17.1oz

Canon 7D: 31oz.

It's a boy.

DragonCon Pics, finally

2009-10-16T20:52:00.004-04:00

No, I'm not dead, just stretched rather thin.

I took ten minutes to upload my long overdue DragonCon paparazzi pics for my boys. Nothing fancy or special (mostly because I was too entranced to take too many photos). Nerd Disneyland, that.

Life has been crazy, seems like someone's always sick, and I'm trying to get my head on straight again. More photos in general soon.

Nerd Double Header - 8/29/09 @ Nophest

2009-09-01T21:08:00.001-04:00

Nerds in Asheville 8/24/09

2009-09-01T19:54:00.002-04:00

Adrian Belew Power Trio, Part 2

2009-08-30T23:32:00.002-04:00

The Power Trio portion of the Asheville Trip is up. Nerd photos to follow.

I have no words for what happened this night, except, sometimes I get to do stuff that other people only dream about. And I'm grateful.

Adrian Belew Power Trio

2009-08-23T16:59:00.004-04:00

I must be getting old

2009-08-03T09:48:00.004-04:00

2009 so far in my world has been, not the Year of the Ox, but the Year of the Gray Hair.

I found it this morning, and I'm not talking about my first gray hair, okay; I've had those for years, and I can't count them anymore. There's two kinds: the ones that grow in gray after the dark hair falls out (which is what I have the most of, a bunch of three-to-five-inch gray hairs scattered over my head), and the ones that I can literally watch turn gray. It's bizarre, the gray starts at my scalp and over a period of a couple of years, slowly creeps down the hair shaft towards the tip. Right now, the gray stops at about ear or chin length.

But, I digress. I was talking about this morning. Today I discovered my first gray hair that goes all the way down. It's right at the front, too, on the right side of my face, and I can see it: a thin sliver of white on each tier of ropey curl, like a too-bright highlight that will never fade.

I don't mind - they are, as I wished, white as opposed to steel or tobacco colored - but it is a bit unnerving the rapid rate at which they are popping up, almost as if someone is trying to remind me that I'm getting old. I don't even think it would bother me so much if it was gradual. But I had like, a dozen, tops, at the beginning of this year, and now six months later, I have dozens, and a new one every day. I must have gained at least 40 or 50 in six months.

While I'm interested to see my hair half white, especially how the salt-and-pepper striped curls will turn out (probably like an Oreo candy cane, but hey), wouldn't it be wild if I went totally gray in a couple of years time?

TDY

2009-07-27T12:29:00.004-04:00

(For you laymen, that's Temporary Duty Yonder)

Kat's life is about to temporarily shift from 'The Diaries of a Wandering Muse' to 'Tales of a Renewed Cosplay Addict'. DragonCon is in 6 weeks, followed 8 weeks later by Halloween-On-A-Saturday. Much wonder will be created this year for me and mine. For the first time, I possess not only a functioning sewing machine, but, as of Friday, a functioning mannequin as well. If I were only independently wealthy, my life would be complete.

In honor of this next big step in costuming, I have launched a new blog to outline my adventures: http://arnyekmagus.blogspot.com/ (linked both above and on the lower right).

The new blog will be used to document my costumnig, of course, as well as occasional poems and various handcrafts (in other words, for humoring the non-photography portion of my right brain). All photo-related and regular life updates will continue to appear here, as usual.

OMFG

2009-07-23T15:57:00.003-04:00

Guests at DragonCon 2009 to include Anthony Daniels (c3PO), Paul Dini, Tom Felton, Leonard Nimoy and Patrick Stewart.

~ squeeeeeeeeeeee!!! ~

GAH!

2009-07-20T12:59:00.006-04:00

Posted in hiphop music tour dates on July 20, 2009
Adam Yauch has cancer, Beastie Boys cancel all dates

BEASTIE BOYS TOUR DATES CANCELED, ALBUM RELEASE POSTPONED
ADAM YAUCH DIAGNOSED WITH PAROTID GLAND TUMOR

Adam "MCA" Yauch of Beastie Boys was diagnosed last week as having a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland. Luckily it was caught early and is localized in one area, and as such is considered very treatable. It will however require surgery and several weeks of additional treatment. Fortunately the cancer is not in a location that will affect Yauch's vocal chords.
Beastie Boys have canceled all upcoming concert appearances to allow time for Yauch's surgery and recovery. The release of the band's forthcoming album Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 will also be pushed back.

Paraphrasing from a video statement on Beastieboys.com, Yauch said, "I just need to take a little time to get this in check, and then we'll release the record and play some shows. It's a pain in the neck (sorry had to say it) because i was really looking forward to playing these shows, but the doctors have made it clear that this is not the kind of thing that can be put aside to deal with later."

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

2009-07-16T10:38:00.002-04:00

The new Potter movie was a delight to behold, but that's probably because I'm completely over the accuracy thing, and now view the movies and the books as two separate entities.

Because Draco doesn't go visit Borgin with his mummy en tow, and Luna isn't supposed to rescue Harry on the train. They made it apparent early on that this film would fall victim of much editing and alterations, moreso, if possible, than the last one. Now, I can deal with events happening slightly out of order or even in the "wrong" scenes (as long as they happen). I can understand that the things that the characters think often need to be spoken, but there's this one scene early on that I call shenanigans over. It's brilliant on screen, real M. Night Shamalan, but it just does not exist in the books so bad that it bothers me. All I have to say is, that particular domestic residence does not burn down, ever, period, complete and utter rubbish. Harry and Ginny in the room of hidden things was a bit ridiculous as well - instead I'd have liked the end of the bathroom duel to have unfolded properly as it should, in Snape's office. And there is no big battle scene at the end, at all. The bad guys walk away unscathed and worse yet, unchallenged. I know the movie people did that on purpose, because the last pair of films is rumored to be action-packed, but still… They just leave so much out I can't list it all, and have twisted the storyline so very, very much. At this point I'm sincerely wondering if they're going to manage to get the actual Hallows into the 'Deathly Hallows' movie…

But don't get me wrong, the fan in me is still well-satisfied. The Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes shop was fantastic (and I was thrilled about the re-appearance of "Fireworks," their fantastic Irish theme song from the last movie. It gets played over the credits, too). Jim Broadbent is way too tall but nonetheless a great fit for crotchety Slughorn (I just saw the Borrowers recently and I really appreciate him as an actor). Evanna Lynch is perfect as usual - what a find that girl was, love the party dress - and Jessie Cave really stood out as Lavender and gave the much needed comic relief that usually comes from Rupert Grint (if not the rose, than next to the rose, I guess!).

Speaking of Rupert, he was undeniably awesome as usual too, particularly when on the love potion. He has such an expressive face, especially when compared to Dan Radcliffe, who, believe it or not, is usually the one whose acting I'm most disappointed in. He's really good at a great many things, but the facial closeups, in which he's supposed to be experiencing all these feelings at once, I find he usually just comes off like he's setting his jaw in anger. I've got to give Radcliffe credit, though: the Felix potion scene was some of the best acting I've seen out of him in six films.

And more than ever before, the Death Eaters just blow me away (and they'd better, for there's a distinct and obvious lack of Voldemort in this flick). Alan Rickman is fine perfection in whatever he participates in (while continuing to get a bit more portly every time I see him) and has remained flawlessly consistent for six films, especially now that his character has come into full bloom in the story. Snape is a lot more complicated than these movies give him credit for, and Rickman really does a phenomenal job of conveying just enough of Snape's concealed emotions and restraint to keep his character the truest to the books out of the entire cast.

I read somewhere Helena Bonham Carter referred to as the "female version of the Joker" and I agree wholeheartedly. She was so good it made me want to abandon my principles and fix myself up as her for Halloween again (but I won't do that a second time unless I can do it properly, meaning 100% cosplay quality. Who knows, it's only July).

The other star of the film was Tom Felton, who acted circles around Radcliffe and totally stole the show, in my opinion. I can't believe how perfect that kid grew up for this role - tall and stringy like a beanpole, and he really does have that narrow, pointed face and a world-class snarl. Love his face in particular at the moment he realizes he's been discovered in the lavatory and when "Aunt Bella" kisses his cheek in the tower at the end.

I really hope Maggie Smith makes it through the end of the filming. I was a fan of hers before the Potter series, and I have to say, her eyes have gone all rheumy and she's looking grayer than I've ever seen her (and I don't mean her hair). It would be a damn shame to lose her, as she's always been a fine actress, her lines in this film were acerbic and hysterical, and I just can't imagine anyone else pulling off that brogue so well. I will miss her when she's gone.

Seems almost like they left more of the excitement out of this movie, though. When the action is there, it's great, but I seem to remember the book being a really fantastic read and more action-packed than this. But this movie is what it is -- even in book form, it had a soft overtone of being a warm-up to the final: lots of character development and revealing plot elements, kids realizing they aren't kids anymore but they aren't grownups either. However, Stephen King wrote my other favorite (coincidentally 7 volume) book series, and Book 4 was nothing but a story of the past told at a campsite. The main characters, who customarily covered hundreds of miles every book, covered about a hundred feet in the thickest book you can imagine. And considering there's 7 books in the Potter series, and what will be 8 movies, sometimes a little character insight is good and necessary.

All in all I can't wait to go back a second time with my kid. She has no idea what happens at the end. Peace out, Fawkes.

Oh yeah - CL voting underway

2009-07-10T11:18:00.004-04:00

My husband's band apparently wants everyone to vote for them in Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta, and seeing as I'm married to the bass player, I suppose I'm obligated to advertise the fact and vote accordingly.

Kat's Votes:
Local overall music act: Nerd Parade
Local new music act: Odist
Local vocalist: Abby Wren
Local instrumentalist: Rich Wilson
Local rock act: Nerd Parade
Local mainstream act: Nerd Parade
Local electronic act: Tricil
Karaoke Night: Metalsome

http://bestofatlanta.technomile.com/bestofatlanta.php

Bleh

2009-07-10T09:19:00.003-04:00

I've got a migraine this morning. (Anyone who is privy to the events of yesterday can probably imagine I would have a migraine out of it.) I tried to work on some photos last night, but I had to quit halfway through to lie down.

I'm tired; that's about all I have to say. These damn headaches take a lot out of me, especially when they are stress-induced. I'm supposed to go see my little brother sit in with Jungol tonight, but I have no idea how I'm going to feel about the pain in my skull after sitting in front of a computer screen under fluorescent bulbs for the next eight hours.

It's days like these that remind me why I dislike the human race as a whole, and make me happy about my life-decisions to limit my contact with it.

Today's Rant: Social Networking Sites

2009-07-09T10:41:00.004-04:00

Social networking sites suck.

Really, how many of them are there now? According to Wikipedia, about a billion… Perhaps I'm exaggerating, but I realized this morning how totally pointless they all are.

Where else but a social networking site can someone have a private conversation with a friend, only to have that friend post the gist of said conversation as their "status update" -- eradicating all notions of privacy by publishing the topic on what is essentially an internet billboard?

I made a Myspace account way back when because a great deal of people in my life "insisted" that I get with the times, and it was just as bad as I thought. Countless ads, slow response time, too many teenagers, spammed bulletin boards and an inbox full of friend requests from Naked-Chick-of-the-Moment (or worse). Lovely. Just what I wanted… to avoid. These days, I think I log into my Myspace account maybe twice a year. I'm too lazy to even delete it - which is a testament to how little I care.

Then came Facebook. Once again I was bombarded with emails "insisting" I make a Facebook account, that Myspace sucks (duh!) and Facebook is the new thing, so much better, blah blah blah. So, perforce, I signed up. And it was cool for all of about the five minutes in which I found a couple of people I hadn't spoken to since high school. After that? Just another stupid site. Instead of ads, we've got apps. Countless, pointless apps. Do I need a ones-and-zeros version of someone to give me a virtual hug or buy me a virtual drink? No, I don't, because that's what real fucking people are for. Do I need the same person to constantly send "Become a fan of ME!" requests -- that I have obviously repeatedly rejected -- to my box once every three days? No, I don't, because if I wanted to be a fan of whatever you're doing, I would have showed up at your show.

Facebook is better than Myspace -- which ain't saying much -- but I managed to get sick of it a lot faster than Myspace, believe it or not. I'm leaning towards deleting my account on there, too… although I'm sure if I merely deleted half the people on my "friends" list, I would be much happier. Why? Because -- besides the unappreciated snarky comments I get on the things I personally choose to share -- I've noticed that suddenly my Facebook begins to resemble one of the other evil monsters, Twitter. Status updates from EVERYONE, every five minutes. I can't sleep. Here I am at the coffee shop. Mmm, coffee. Here I am five minutes later eating the bagel that I ordered. Now I am walking out the door. Now I am smoking a cigarette and deciding where to go next. This is what is playing on my Ipod.

Can you hear the sound of me gagging? Should I find an app so you can?

I guess I was wrong, but I thought that's what Twitter was for: to "tweet" (rolls eyes) your every breath to the world -- and allow people like me to avoid having to look at it. But unfortunately the concept has migrated (or maybe at first I didn't have enough "friends" to drive me crazy), and I guess the only way I'll be able to keep a Facebook account and not go bonkers is to delete all these people who post something pointless 20 times a day. Not everything has to be important, witty or brilliant, but write something interesting, for Pete's sake! "I wrote a new song" -- awesome. "I've got a doctor's appointment" -- I'll be thinking good thoughts for you. "I wish I was somewhere else right now" -- understandable. But most of my "friends" are mere aquaintances (my close friends don't need a SNS to keep tabs on me) so I totally don't care what you had for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't care if you need to go to the store, and I could give a shit about your household chores. If I cared, I'd ask.

In truth, the idea of spewing the details of my whole life on the internet makes me cringe. Such a thing is on my 'What's Wrong With The World Today' list.

Don't get me wrong: I don't mind finding out what's up with my family all in one place (and I will never delete my family, no matter what you post, because you are family). And if everyone would rather hide behind a photograph and a messaging system than to give out their email addresses, that's fine too. About the only thing I find that's cool is getting invites from bands to see performances I probably would not have otherwise known about. But beyond that? Ugh. It's just not worth it.

on a roll and it's all uphill

2009-07-06T19:19:00.002-04:00

why does man always wish to fight
what he’s been destined for
some illusion of glory and greatness
some delusion of keeping score
and when you’re listless, dull-eyed and tired
from the effort of the standards you maintain
you might try for one moment
to simply walk in the rain
remember life’s sweet pleasures
remember it’s all a gift
it’s not a contest
it’s not a game
it’s an hourglass in which to sift
constantly through the sands of time
choosing, grain by grain
a treasure, here
a beauty, there
collecting the happiness and the pain
for you hold not one without the other
and from that there’s no escape
there's death without those minutes of glory
that sustain your heart during the rape
of your senses, your strength
and your sanity
the hours of toil and misery
all for one blessed moment you cannot yet see
when the curtain parts and falls away
when the heart on your sleeve is now on display
you can do what so many cannot
what most of them have always dreamed
why do you think you can turn your back on a gift
and in doing so, somehow be redeemed
from a perfect, unattainable dream

the meaning of life is forever sought for
but the purpose of life is often ignored
to live… to bravely face the day
to walk the path into the fray
of obstacles, with head held high
to look frustration in the eye
to overcome, to learn, to grow
to love - and one thing most will never know
to use the talents you’ve been given
to the fullest – whether it means that you’re living
inside or out of the public’s view
it only matters to the heart inside you
not living up to a standard of somebody else
nor setting your goals far too high for yourself
but to live and know your limitations
is to grow within them and perfect the creations
that come from your soul
no matter what level
or skill class or ranking or scale
and no matter if it brings you success
or you fail and you keep going on
because it is who you are
it’s not something you pack up and save in a jar
to abandon the blessings with which you were created
is to spit in life’s face and be hopeless
and jaded instead of
the beautiful something you were destined to be
no matter who listens
no matter who sees

Nerd Parade @ Mountain Sports Festival Pics

2009-06-13T22:31:00.004-04:00

Yep, they're up... my finest NP work to date. No need to post a preview; just click on the link at the top of this page.

What a crazy show... I certainly had a field day of conditions to adapt to. The band started in full daylight, golden, and then there was the mist. LOTS of mist! Now normally, too much smoke/fog/mist drives me nuts (just the right amount is great, though). However, when the sun set behind the stage and full on into that crazy mist, I really had a good time.

And then the sun went down. And the mist dissipated into perfection. Lights... real lights. I took none of this experience for granted. And next time I get such an opportunity, whenever that is, I vow they'll be perfect.

Jane's Addiction, Charlotte NC 6/12/09

2009-06-13T16:13:00.002-04:00

My tix were courtesy of this man. :)

BUSY!

2009-06-01T11:02:00.010-04:00

Another weekend down... My adventures began with a 3 1/2 hour drive for the band to play the Asheville Mountain Sports Festival in NC. My Nerds headlined on Saturday, playing over two hours worth of music -- pointed out interestingly that this is longer than Jane's Addiction or NIN's current live set.

Now this is a rock star if I've ever seen one:

I'm totally my own worst critic, but this time I've really got 1000 magazine quality photos, with lighting ranging from bright afternoon sun to backlit mist to, as you can see above, full-on rock god treatment (which was the general vibe for the day anyway). I am, which rarely happens, totally proud of myself and fully satisfied with my very first attempt at an actual professional stage. In honesty, I've never had more fun shooting in my life (except, ironically enough, at Jamie's wedding).

It was also neat when the very next day, I was able to bring Richie's laptop and show all the pics to the whole band when I attended...

("maternity portrait" taken at Jamie & Anne's wedding, Leatherwood Mountain Resort, NC)

...Randy and Lynn's baby shower @ Parkgrounds on Sunday. I wanted to do something special, so Richie and I got baby Ruby her first pair of Chucks =)

All in all, a mighty heck of a great weekend... perhaps just what a frustrated and jaded photographer needed... such photos as I took at that Festival are balm to my chapped soul.

Updates:

Jamie & Anne's Wedding: Halfway through and having tremendous fun with these. Would have finished entirely over this past weekend, but, well, see above.

NIN/JA tour: Halfway through the Jane's part. Put on hold for the above-referenced wedding photos. Gonna make sure these are done before we go to Charlotte.

Mountain Sports Festival: Will post within the upcoming week, as no editing is required!! (dancedancedance)

Jamie & Anne's Wedding

2009-05-17T19:28:00.009-04:00

Just got done with four days in beautiful BFE -- err, I mean Leatherwood Mountain Resort, NC, where I attended and photographed the wedding of one of mine and my husband's mutual best friends. Yep... I shot a wedding. (Everything I ever say I'll never do, I wind up doing. I should just keep my mouth shut from now on, heh.) While I could never do it professionally, it was actually very fun to shoot friends.

It rained like hell, the mud was plenty and the photographer quite inexperienced, but the bride was beautiful, the ceremony sincere, the food divine and the party fabulous. (All the parties!) I wish Jamie and Anne all the love and happiness I've found in my own marriage, which is the best I could ever wish for anyone.

Here's a mini-slideshow of some teaser photos for now.

(click here for the full-sized slideshow)

Addendum

2009-05-12T09:40:00.002-04:00

Okay, Dave Navarro is not a loser; I was just annoyed at Lakewood Ampitheatre.

Never trust a rock star

2009-05-11T09:27:00.002-04:00

Well it's a good thing we already had tickets, because counting on a loser-rock star to remember anything is out of the question. But because it was Twitter, the entire world knows Dave Navarro flaked out on us, at least.

That being said, my pictures stink (although to be honest I haven't downloaded or looked at them yet, but we were very far away and I know my camera) but c'est la vie. Dave's lucky he can play, or I might be extremely pissed at him. ;)

But oh, can he play...

Richie, you win, because everything we saw in the past wasn't the real Jane's. They couldn't have been any better. Just flawless. So flawless and so perfect and so the real Jane's Addiction that I'm about ready to take the loser-rock star up on his offer to comp us tickets to any other show in the Southeast (however I'd demand a phone number before I drove out of my way for that).

I'm not going to rant on about how seriously awesome Jane's Addiction were/are. I can't... my brain short-circuits when I try, because they were that good. If you know, you already know, and if you don't, then you never will. Eric Avery -- I don't know how they ever did it without you.

(On a NIN note: I used to like NIN a lot 13 years ago, and I knew all but maybe 1 song in their set. It was pretty good, Trent's voice sounded impressive after all these years, but it was hardly in the 'best show ever' category. I wasn't crazy about the way a couple of the songs were altered slightly, and the scaled-down band - meaning missing song parts - really lacked something in a couple of places for me. Maybe I'm just old now and over all that emo-ness, because NIN really struck me as kinda self-indulgent, to be honest, and that was before Jane's even played.

And after Jane's was through, NIN really looked like an opening act - again, this is coming from someone who was a fairly large NIN fan and knows PHM and DS both very well. I actually find I like their studio albums better than the band live: they just didn't live up to all the hype I've heard.)

YOW

2009-05-10T13:32:00.002-04:00

Holy what the heck... Richie just won tickets to Jane's Addiction from Dave Navarro via Twitter. I officially have nothing bad to say about Twitter, anymore, ever.

So I go from the lawn to seats, possible great ones.. and with the relaxed camera policy?!?

No bleedin way, man. If I ever recover my breath and my rapid heartbeat, I'm going to go shoot Jane's Addiction and Nine Inch Nails tonight.

HOLY WHAT THE HECK!

From hurricanes to tornadoes

2009-05-04T13:14:00.002-04:00

Not literally, thank goodness -- Florida hurricanes, both literal and figurative, are thankfully behind me for good. But the wind, she blows, and in honor of the (figurative) Georgia tornado that has swept/is sweeping through many a life connected with mine at the moment, I'm doing some soul-searching as well.

I am going to use the Nerd Parade's summer downtime as a personal sabbatical from the world of the dark, smoky bar (unless I am there by my own personal choice). Just as Nerd Parade has been going non-stop since January '07, so too have I chased them around since January '07. My plans for the downtime are to finally clean out the embarrassing backlog of photographs I possess (from all facets of my photography, not just NP) and decide what my future plans will be.

In essence, I have not yet decided if I will return as Nerd Parade's in-house photographer after the summer ends. Truth be told, I have not yet decided whether I will return as a band photographer at all. There are plenty of Atlanta photographers out there to fill in the tiny, tiny gap I would leave, photographers who either already do it professionally or are striving to become professionals.

To make a long story very, very short: What most of the people whom I encounter don't realize is that I do have a career, and it isn't as a photographer. I spend 9 hours a day, 5 days a week, staring into a computer screen at my job. When I go home at night, my eyes hurt. I've also got a musician husband and all that comes with that to take care of, and a daughter going into middle school next year. I manage my house, my office, and still cook dinner 5-6 nights a week. I live 30 miles outside of Atlanta. And lately, when I have a spare minute, I find myself wanting to do nothing but sleep.

I was doing a little networking when I first moved to Georgia, but with Nerd Parade's increasingly hectic schedule over the past few years, I stopped making offers. It quickly became apparent that I would be unable to take any photography gigs if they conflicted with the Nerd Parade's appointments, booked or not. On several occasions, I'd booked something for myself several months in advance, only to have to cancel at the last minute due to circumstances beyond my control. (Again, you have to understand, it's a bit different than photographing 'Random Band X' -- I'm married to the bass player in NP, and we have one car.) It's seriously frustrating.

I begin to realize that there's only room for one industry professional within a family structure, unless there are no children involved. I enjoy photography and that has not changed. I will always love it, I feel I'm pretty good at it, and I will never stop taking photographs everywhere I go, but I need to re-evaluate how my photography does or does not fit into my current life.

Quote for the day

2009-04-28T09:04:00.001-04:00

From one of those chain emails, but my philosophy, exactly:

"God doesn't give you the people you want, he gives you the people you NEED. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be."

Yes I am quite, quite sick

2009-04-17T13:17:00.001-04:00

Chimichangas filled with chinchillas and cucarachas dipped in chimichurri.

Passing the egg torch

2009-04-12T16:32:00.003-04:00

Jackie has become quite the artist -- no parental assistance whatsoever in this year's eggs.

Wow

2009-04-12T14:43:00.004-04:00

Okay, ordinarily I won't post about a show until I've got some pictures, but last night's Nerd Parade show at the Five Spot was one of the greatest shows of all time.

It wasn't even that the band played great - although they did - but that they played with Odist and Jungol, effectively creating what was the most powerhouse bill I've seen so far during my two years here in the ATL. It's not often I go to a show, any show, and am absolutely enthralled with all three bands, especially when I'd never seen two of them before. It was so good it bordered on sensory overload: way too much talent in one place on one night.

But oh, let me be overwhelmed! =)

Pictures will be forthcoming. It's 2:45 p.m. on Easter Sunday, and I'm just now downloading them from my camera.

Yea-uh

2009-04-02T09:22:00.002-04:00

All kindsa of photo goodies

2009-03-25T09:07:00.005-04:00

Now up:

Nerds @ the Earl, Atlanta, GA 3/21/09
Nerds On Tour: Spike Hill, Brooklyn, NY 2/22/09
Nerds On Tour: Nerds Do Philly, Philadelphia, PA 2/23/09

Nerds @ Doc Watson's, Philadelphia 2/21/09

2009-03-18T23:36:00.002-04:00

Click the "Latest Upload" link for more...

Whoooo doggie

2009-03-18T14:31:00.001-04:00

The wind, she blows.

untitled

2009-03-11T11:12:00.003-04:00

bring forth the evidence
when will I breathe again

familiar chains
a little prison of
too many strange and forgotten dreams
foreordained
a riddled vision love
winds of change tearing at the seams

long live the new day
long live and fade away

I have lived
for a thousand years
a hundred pass me every day
I forgive
with a thousand tears
growing deeper every day

spread your wings and fly away
spread your wings and live today

Nerds on Tour Part 2: Arlington National Cemetery

2009-03-10T23:06:00.006-04:00

Latest Upload - Nerds On Tour, Part 1: Chapel Hill & DC

2009-03-09T21:48:00.005-04:00

the unintended, total opposite effect

2009-03-06T13:57:00.002-05:00

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile, and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Love you, Grandpa

2009-03-03T11:36:00.003-05:00

Burt Clinton Pettigrew
(April 26, 1922 - February 25, 2009)

Burt Clinton Pettigrew, a resident of Dothan, AL, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at Henry County Health and Rehab Center. He was 86.

Mr. Pettigrew was born April 26, 1922 in Webb City, Missouri and moved to South Florida at an early age where he attended high school. He entered the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. Upon completion of his military service he became an automobile mechanic and was employed as a mechanic until his retirement. In 1999, he moved to Dothan, AL to be near his daughter. Mr. Pettigrew was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his three sons, Richard Pettigrew and his wife, Lynda of Melbourne, FL, Donald Pettigrew and his wife, Joyce of Lake Worth, AL and David Pettigrew and his wife, Marilyn of Miami, FL; a daughter, Janice Arango and her husband, Al of Dothan, AL; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren also survive.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. Graveside services will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Lake Wales Cemetery in Lake Wales, FL.

Nerds @ Nophest

2009-02-06T18:50:00.003-05:00

Finally got the kinks worked out. PopAsheville coming next.

Nerd T-Shirts!

2009-02-06T09:15:00.002-05:00

They're awesome =)

Tried to upload Nophest photos last night and ran into an unexpected problem with the files - guh! Hopefully it will be resolved tonight.

Update

2009-02-02T08:50:00.002-05:00

Okay, so my original plan of mass photo production over the weekend was slightly delayed. I did get plenty of work done, but I was involved in some last minute Nerd Parade album work that took top priority over uploading photos. Stay tuned for the mass upload within in the next day or two - the new computer is finally able to produce them, and it's gloriously faster than before.

Too much life

2009-01-31T12:57:00.002-05:00

I am suffering from 'too much life' at the moment... I have inconsistant internet usage due to trying to transfer my world from the old PC to the new PC, I haven't checked my email in about three weeks, I'm getting ready to go touring with a band that's in the chaotic process of finishing up an album, my kid's being lazy at school, I'm thinking about possibly moving out of this apartment and swimming through my after-holiday financial crisis and I've been far too interested in overtime at my actual paying job to bother thinking about free photography favors.

(Wow... did I just say that out loud finally? Well, it's the honest truth, and is why I never claim that I am trying to "make it" as a photographer, why I don't accept every offer that comes through, and why I don't charge. If I charged, I would be obligated to crank out photos within a reasonable period of time. Now, I love photography, but if I wanted to do it for a living, I would need to quit my career first. I simply don't have the time.)

To anyone, including some of my new friends who are waiting on free photos: you're just going to have to wait. I can't even keep up with my family's requests.

Available 3/1/09

2009-01-21T09:23:00.004-05:00

I love the Nerd Parade, and I'm not just saying that because the band is made up of my husband and (for all practical purposes) my in-laws. No, I don't blow sunshine up anyone's arse unless I actually mean it, and today, I do.

One of the awesome things about being married to the bass player in a band recording the follow-up to their first album is the incredible amount of rough demos and madness I get to listen to on a regular basis. Then there are nights like last night, when the first six near-completed songs materialize in my living room through the magic of mixing sessions and the Internet. And that's when we all lie back with our eyes closed, our ears uncovered, and our minds open... and listen.

I could talk all day about how these songs are just incredible and nobody makes music like this, break them down individually and blah blah blah... While it would all be true, I'll leave that task to the more noteworthy reviewers who will no doubt have their opinions plastered all over the new NP website when the proper time comes. For my own part, having listened to countless hours of music created by Randy over the years, I can confidently say that this new batch contains some of the best and most versatile rock songs he's ever written.

Much moreso than A Delicate Bashing, each track on The Span of a Life stands proudly on its own two feet as well as contributing to the general whole. As happened with "Resolution Day" on the last album, one of the very last tracks to be added to Span has become the instant favorite of nearly all listeners, and goes by the moniker of "Dead Air and Denial." If we are very good little girls and boys, perhaps the rumour that "DA&D" will be released as the first single will come true, and maybe, just maybe, it will be available on the band's Facebook and/or MySpace before this week is out? (HINT HINT, ya'll)

Personally, the thing that strikes me the most about Span is the transitioning between songs. For the listener who knows something about music, the individual tracks blend so seamlessly into each other that it almost defies imagination. (You'll have to hear it all to see what I mean.) Between tracks 5 and 6, I looked over at Richie, and he had this look on his face that I'm sure I shared when I remarked, "He really is a genius, you know."

The Span of a Life - coming Sunday, March 1, 2009
http://www.thenerdparade.com/

The Best Things About Birthdays

2009-01-14T13:54:00.004-05:00

Homemade birthday cards from children.

People who care enough to leave voicemail on dysfunctional cell phones that don't always ring.

Relatives who solve crises without even knowing it.

People who care enough to email you in the place you always are, even if you aren't there.

Long-lost buddies who turn up out of the blue.

Birthday presents you can drink out of. =D

People who love you enough to happily accept a long payment plan.

Damn fine day if you ask me.

Nerd Pics

2009-01-11T22:06:00.006-05:00

Nerd Parade @ East Atlanta Ice House
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Atlanta, Georgia

phoenix

2009-01-09T11:23:00.005-05:00

red and gold streams into the night
from old to young and back again
the dust that set the night alight
before the age of man
one more time to fly along
one last bitter ray of sunshine
until the night comes closing in
we say goodbye till next time
in a flash of gold and wine
to ride a wind
that’s bound in chains

the rising of the morning sun
to turn the ashes warm again
one sound to hear sweet music from afar
a light is born just for today
the coming of the world
to reach into one heaven
and retrieve a falling star
that spreads its wings

red and gold streams into the night
from young to old and back again
a flame that sets the night alight
inside the dreams of men
a new day dawns to fly along
a newborn ray of sunshine
until the night comes closing in
we say hello till next time
in a flash of gold and wine
to ride the wind
that’s bound for change

Hiatus

2008-12-30T11:09:00.002-05:00

For anyone who hasn't noticed (I know the photo-hungry Nerds have surely noticed) I'm on an extended hiatus at the moment. There's been too much to do, too many people to talk to, and too much family around for me to get anything done during the month of December. Kat's studio will be rolling again in January while the Nerds are finishing up their new album - giving me a much-needed break before the tour to attempt a clean up of the photo backlog.

And for that matter, here's hoping my trusty ol' Canon makes it through the tour. I am sad to report that in the year 2009, my baby will officially be living on borrowed time, as she's about to pass the shutter life capacity. As long as I don't have to bury her on the road, all will be well. (I'm sure she'll make it; she's a good old bird.)

See ya next year.

Holy Freakin' Hell, Ya'll

2008-12-19T10:10:00.010-05:00

Nerd Parade put on the show of their lives to a packed-to-the-hilt house at the Earl last night.

(Mission accomplished.)

I have obviously been to more Nerd shows than anyone but the band members, and I've got to say, that... that was truly something special.

But then, so was the Nophest show.

(All is right in the universe again.)

I feel like a positive fool, because as much as I write - all the poems, the novels, the lyrics, the biographies, the office work - I find myself sitting here recapping the show in my mind, and I haven't a thing to say.

I'm speechless. Every time I think about last night, I just hear Your Drunken Holiday - debuted last night quite spectacularly - playing on the radio in my head; I love the vocals on that song. And speaking of vocals, the rendition of the sometimes temperamental Daylight Savings Time was absolutely magical, particularly the Pink Floyd-esque improv section.

(We're not worthy... we're not worthy...)

This IS the Nerd Parade, ya'll: Randy Garcia, Abby Wren, Rich Wilson, John Jacobus, and Chris Sheldon. A five man unit whose whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and each part is unique, integral and irreplaceable. I know it, the fans know it, and hopefully now they all know it too.

(Nobody leaves the KGB.)

Today's Rant

2008-12-18T16:08:00.005-05:00

The older I get, the more I can't figure it out: Why do half the men in the world have to stare at women like creepy perverts?

This is for you, Creepy Weirdo Stalker Guy #1 who was in my office building yesterday, and you, Creepy Weirdo Stalker Guy #2 who was in my office building today.

I don't mean a look - hell, I don't even mean a good long look... I mean staring, like the guy on the corner your mother warned you about. The kind of stare where the salivating creep's head follows your every move, even if they have to look over their shoulder to watch you while they hold a conversation with someone else. The same way I used to glue my eyes to my kid when she first learned to walk.

But seriously!! I run into at least one of these people nearly every day, and I honestly don't know if they think I'm cute or I'm suddenly being hunted by the CIA's poorly paid thug division. And if the case is indeed that they think I'm cute - not that I'm interested, but as far as the general populace goes - are they really vapid enough to honestly believe any woman is going to want to say hello to a Creepy Weirdo Stalker Guy who is silently eyeing you like a starving dog in a butcher shop?

It's a shame, because there ARE some good men in the world, and there are plenty of others whos tongues at least work well enough to form the word "Hi." So way to go, Creepy Weirdo Stalker Guy. Way to incite a riot of female paranoia and ruin it for everyone. Congratulations and bravo.

An Evening of Yes Music

2008-12-10T19:14:00.002-05:00

From the balcony, about 5 rows up. Not bad for so far away. =)

I've got quite a few more, but I'm under the weather and working on Nophest photos when I can.

Caesar

2008-12-06T14:47:00.002-05:00

Masks

2008-12-04T22:47:00.002-05:00

The Masking of Johnny Blaze

2008-12-04T12:07:00.001-05:00

So my dear boy JB has come along and saved a poor, depressed costumer from a long, bleak winter by requesting a pair of masquerade masks for himself and the lovely Mary. And I am happier than a pig in shit about it - at last, something new to do!

Disclaimer: I apologize for never having 'in process' pics of anything I'm doing. It's like writing down a recipe in the middle of cooking for me - near impossible. I never manage to stop halfway through and take photos; I get way too wholeheartedly involved in creating to remember.

So I've remembered that glue doesn't stick to glass (laugh - there's a lesson from kindergarten, right?), and I've learned that little glass beads like to morph into little piles of glass dust when handled improperly with a pair of pliers. AND CHEERS A 2ND TIME TO WALMART, for once again having the all the stuff I couldn't find in the fabric store.

I believe I actually managed to duplicate the elaborate beads-and-sequins trim on m'lady's gown for the female mask. Jackie actually helped me with the beading - apparently she loves stringing beads. (Considering I hate it, this is a very good thing.) And they look hot… Once again I am terribly proud of myself. I will have the female mask completed tonight, and I will post a photo, I promise.

Thbpt.

2008-11-24T16:04:00.005-05:00

I feel like I'm turning this into the land of the cyber-poll, so I won't put up another one, but... should I dye my hair? I am horribly sick of its eternal sameness at the moment.

And I can't decide what to do, although first off, I'd need a good haircut (pricey). I certainly don't want to bleach my head (savings account draining, time consuming, and rather stupid), so I thought perhaps while I was getting my (pricey) haircut, maybe I'd try an (expensive) professional tint that would turn the whole thing a dark reddish, so I'd still look like me, but with super-dark auburny red hair. Option # 3 is a head full of highlights (mega-expensive).

We shall see, but I'm taking suggestions.

On another note, make sure you're out at Nophest this Friday. There's a surprise in store =)

And by the way, nobody leaves the KGB.

Kat's U-Pick-It

2008-11-21T17:08:00.007-05:00

And no, not your nose. =P

I can't pick what I'm going to do for DragonCon, so I entreat (re: beg) the public to help me decide. If you would, take a moment to hit up my Cosplay polls =>

For the Georgia Renaissance Festival in April, Jackie and I will be dressing as elves, complete with latex ears from Woochie. I'm going to make our gowns in matching forest green crushed velvet, I think, w/sheer sleeve overlay. I actually managed to find a couple of patterns that were fairly identical, too.

Mine, the light blue one in the upper right:

Jackie's, the pink one in the bottom right:

And for Halloween, I'm going easy on myself. I will be tapping the wide world of the Brothers Grimm, horror-style. I already picked it, but guess which one?

I'm totally hopeless, I know.

2008-11-13T10:18:00.005-05:00

Hi, my name is Kat, and I'm a relapsed cosplay addict. Pleased ta meetcha… oh crap, that's Harley Quinn. See what I mean?!

I realized yesterday that I am having Halloween withdrawals. Real bad.

First off, I loved costuming Stevie. Loved. Altering my own costume in many hidden/impossible ways was thrilling and challenging and had a 'damn I'm good' vibe to it, but the entire experience of sewing that Jedi thing was positively unexplainable; I haven't felt that good about my ability to create anything in a really long time. And it's really, really cool to be proud of yourself. As a lifelong perfectionist, it's something I don't experience a whole lot.

But I got the disease, now… again.

Two years ago, I bought a costume - priestess robes - for the first time since junior high. Bellatrix last year was what awoke the sleeping beast inside, but she was kind of a joke. I didn't have a sewing machine, and only made a mock-costume. This year I went a step further and made sure I had the best cheap costume money could buy. Oh, it was glorious. My kid said I didn't look like her mother. =)

And then I went out. And before I even got to the bar, I had people telling me I'd better work it if I was dressed like that. And that was the defining moment of my evening; the moment where everything clicked and my brain said, "OHHHH.. I remember now!"

I had a positive ball being Harley Quinn. I used to watch the cartoon, and I can do the voice, the accent, the mannerisms pretty well. For the couple of people who recognized my character, I really laid it on, and they were quite pleased. Not that it's hard… You just talk like a ditzy valley girl, keep looking around for your Puddin', Mistah J, and if anyone asks you about the Bat Man, you ask if they're working for him or trying to ruin your good time. Yep, that's me: shy Kat who usually can't think of a thing to say in a social situation is the same girl who sang crazy songs a cappella while playing the lead female role in Hamlet on a stage in front of a packed house, and memorized/performed a different skit each day for little kid's summer camp programs, not to mention the bazillion other things I've had bits in. I love drama and running around in a costume. I love costuming. And I miss acting. I have that wonderful ability to totally lose myself in becoming a character instead of just playing a role. It's bliss.

And it's been a LONG time. I missed it badly, and I didn't realize it before. I was absolutely right when I thought 30 would be a year of coming back into myself. It was.

Now I feel like I've come to the end of a journey - I spent the six weeks before Halloween researching, plotting, planning, ordering, shopping, and then sewing like a kid in a sweatshop. It wasn’t because Halloween needed to be a big deal, either, but purely out of love. I realized anew that I can sew well and I am still the same kid who used to make amazing doll clothes out of scrap fabric, except now I've finally learned how to sew stretchy seams, do fits like a tailor, and adjust the finer settings on my new sewing machine to work with any fabric and any stitch. But I've got a whole year before I get to think about Halloween again (sob! - although my family is probably breathing an ENORMOUS sigh of relief, hah)… and I'm having withdrawals. Now I wander around my house, staring at the sewing machine, wanting to stitch up something so badly that I've taken to making a Jedi costume for one of Jackie's Ken dolls out of the Halloween scrap pile.

So I've decided that in addition to Halloween 2009 (affectionately known in my brain as the elusive 'How Do I Top Last Year?') I'm going to start having some fun in my life next year, like going to the Georgia Ren Fest, DragonCon and maybe doing some photos for the Peachtree Cosplay Society if I'm feeling saucy. There are more Cons, but I'm not an anime fan/gamer and I wouldn't feel right cosplaying something I knew nothing about.

And I'm going to take advantage of the time I've got between now and then to properly design my own costumes, and really do everything right. I will potentially need six costumes, if I go to all four days of DragonCon. Hurrah for sewing machines and reasonable skill!

I've got some ideas, but I'm totally open to anyone's! I run into a unique problem, in that I've got this incredible giant mop of wig-worthy curly hair, but 99% of the chicks worth dressing up as are straight-haired and BLONDE! You all know what I look like; if you can think of any characters I might be able to do wigless - and preferably not half-dressed characters, if possible… is that even possible?? - I welcome your suggestions! (I'm not opposed to a wig as a last resort, but we really don't want to get into what it was like to try to cram all my hair under that small Harley Quinn hood.)

FYI: No, I am never doing Bellatrix again unless I can find a really perfect or extremely similar dress pattern. I love her, but that's nearly as complicated (and expensive) as a full medieval/Renaissance gown.

Next post will be a list of potential ideas and commissions I've been asked about. I must say, I'm more excited about those commissions than anything else!

My name's Kat, and I'm a renewed cosplay addict. And I'm damn pleased ta meetcha, Puddin'.

My President

2008-11-05T10:36:00.006-05:00

Full text of Barack Obama's victory speech as the 44th Presidential Elect of the United States of America, Grant Park, Chicago, at approximately 11:50pm, November 4, 2008:

Hello, Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our Founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states; we are and always will be the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain. Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him, I congratulate Governor Palin for all they've achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton, and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years, the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady, Michelle Obama.Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House.

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Auma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given to me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign who built the best political campaign I think in the history of the United States of America. To my chief strategist, David Axelrod, who has been a partner with me every step of the way, to the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics... you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington; it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy. Who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep. It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from the Earth. This is your victory.

Now, I know you didn't do this just to win an election, and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime: two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know the government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change.

And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other.

Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House -- a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity. Those are values we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends -- though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those who would tear the world down: we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals -- democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She is a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election, except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons, because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America: the heartache and the hope, the struggle and the progress, the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the Dust Bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We shall overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the Moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there's so much more to do. So tonight let us ask ourselves, if our children should live to see the next century, if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time -- to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope; and where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

Nerd Parade @ Hank's Garage 10/18

2008-11-04T21:50:00.003-05:00

They're up in the gallery; get 'em while they're hot...

Do I look like a Republican to you?

2008-11-04T09:04:00.007-05:00

Barack the vote, ya'll.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-02T17:24:00.011-05:00

Click on 'em - they get bigger.

I look pretty good for an old lady.

She always looks good.

Da boys.

Lightsaber accident.

My next assignment is to take real photos of Stevie in the Jedi getup.

Congrats to the Phillies...

2008-10-30T10:32:00.005-04:00

... for bringing the championship home to the city I love the best.

Jedi in a T-Shirt

2008-10-27T19:53:00.007-04:00

And here we have the Jedi's cloak...

Misc

2008-10-27T08:51:00.004-04:00

I want to start this off by saying, Go Flyers. And by pointing out that the Rep VP candidate (who even old Betty White refers to as, "one craaazy bitch") who soiled my Flyers' arena and touched our captain, thereby cursing the Flyers with a 6 game losing streak to open their season, was at least kind enough to transfer the Palin Curse to the St. Louis Blues on Friday when she showed up in Missouri to drop the puck once more, this time with not two, but three human shields -- er, I mean, her husband and two daughters again. Juse before the ceremony, Blues goalie Manny Legace was first player on the ice, tripped over the red carpet they laid out, and injured his hip. The Blues lost that night, and the Flyers brought home their first win, and won the next game, too.

Took Jackie to the Nerd Parade show at Kavarna on Friday. She's now officially got a serious crush on Ms. Lindsay Appel. (Cindy, Tracey, Lynn, and anyone else who thought she was "so cute" - you can borrow her for a day, anytime you like. I swear, I don't mind.)

Yeah, I know. Everyone is still waiting on the glorious, beautiful Hank's Garage photos. I know. I am ashamed to admit I have not even downloaded or looked at the Kavarna pics. All I can do is apologize for my Halloween-induced distraction and promise that by next week, I will be cured...

Costuming:

I have even been neglecting myself, okay... I keep forgetting to stitch a last minor detail on my own costume, and I still have to make my mask. Nor have I actually put the whole thing on together and tried out my makeup yet.

So my first rant was about ironing pattern pieces. My next unexpected hitch in the mechanisms was forgetting all about the wonders of properly hemming something round and floor length. Especially with the costumee running off in his car between fittings (to his credit, Stevie always returned before or just as I finished pinning). I should have remembered this part of the process taking hours, seeing as the last thing I did this on was a bridesmaid's dress. There was fortunately no laying on my stomach in a permanent crunch with pins in my mouth this time (thank you mother for that metal hem-measuring device) but I repinned that damn hem at least 4 times before we got it right. One inch off the front, one inch off the back, and three inches off each side. (How's that for a nightmare, Ma? I know you're reading this)

But other than one last bit of topstitching and a clasp, I finished Stevie's cloak. 6 1/2 yards of brown mock-linen, one spool of thread, and about 40 hours worth of labor. It looks really good, too, if I do say so myself. Tonight, we take a photo of Stevie in it, with his new... accessory. (Glo-stix, eat yer heart out)

So yeah, that's what Stevie's gonna be. =P

(And it lights up all good, turns on/off with the pssshwww sound and goes wub-wub-wub when you swing it... you can't understand how fresh that thing is)

Picked up some great natural-colored fabric with a bit of a brown fleck in it for the tunic & belt yesterday. (A big shout out to Walmart - they don't have the largest selection, but if you do find something, look out, because the prices are unbeatable.) This shouldn't be bad... other than playing with interfacing, which I hate, now that the cloak is done, there aren't any more pieces of the costume that are taller than I am.

I doubt I will have time to draw up a good Joker face for a pumpkin - heck, I don't even know if I'll have time carve one, at this rate... not that any of us will be home to need a pumpkin! But if I get a spare couple of hours, I've got a great evil clown template that will do just fine.

More tonight!

Why Pumpkins Shouldn't Drink

2008-10-22T11:56:00.003-04:00

I totally wish I could claim responsibility for this one!

The Beginning

2008-10-20T19:09:00.005-04:00

Started on Stevie's costume this evening. Let me tell you, there is no paranoia quite like ironing a pattern, much less a rare out-of-print Ebay'd pattern, with "a warm iron." And since my iron has no setting for "warm" among its modern choices of synthetic, silk, wool, cotton and linen ('tissue paper' setting, anyone?) I spent about fifteen minutes testing, turning it up click by painful click.

For the record, "warm" is about halfway between synthetic and silk on a fairly expensive Sunbeam iron. Who knew.

So piece # 1 is a cloak. And it's HUGE. Huge. Nearly as tall as I am huge. Bigger than my dining room table huge. So big that the pattern piece had to be printed in two sections and taped together (and for anyone who knows, a single sheet of pattern tissue is hardly considered small). However it is likely going to be a quick & fun sew, from the looks of it. Pics of the process to follow.